That evening, Dean finally received a call from Eve. He would be able to report to the Robbery · Homicide Division tomorrow.
Niel had also called to report that she was safe, saying no suspicious individuals had appeared near her. She also reconfirmed with him the time for Mas's funeral.
This lifted Dean's spirits considerably.
He had been following the Las Vegas news.
News about the heavy artillery found in Santoni's garage had been suppressed within a day, but the buzz on online media hadn't subsided.
The forces backing Santoni are probably scrambling right now, Dean thought, and they haven't noticed the traces Mas left in this affair.
That means I don't have to worry about it for the time being.
However, once they recover, they might notice this point. Eventually, they could follow the clues to uncover the connection between Mas and me, and then my father's identity will come to their attention.
When that happens, a fierce storm might be waiting for me.
I have to get stronger, and fast.
「Early the next morning.」
Dean rose early, gathered his necessary documents, bought a large amount of breakfast, and drove to the Detective Bureau.
The Organized Crime and Narcotics Division was right next to the Robbery · Homicide Division. Both were part of the Detective Bureau.
My predecessor was a complete screw-up. He got his badge and was promptly conned by that witch, Eve, into going undercover.
So, I don't need to go through any other procedures at the Organized Crime and Narcotics Division; I can report directly to the Robbery · Homicide Division.
This is a good point to explain the Los Angeles Police Department's organizational structure.
The Los Angeles Police Department oversees 21 local stations. These stations are grouped into four command regions, known as Divisions: Canyon Division, Central Division, West Division, and South Division.
Additionally, there are two specialized bureaus: the Detective Bureau and the Special Operations Bureau. These two bureaus also differ from the other patrol divisions in terms of their duties.
For instance, a typical police officer in the patrol divisions usually starts as a patrol officer during their probationary period, with the rank of Police Officer. However, in the Detective Bureau, where Dean was assigned, although the rank was still Police Officer, the position was Detective—a step above a patrol officer.
Consequently, only exceptional and seasoned officers are typically accepted into the Detective Bureau.
My predecessor had average grades at the police academy.
He got into the Organized Crime and Narcotics Division mainly because his old man had good connections, which gave him an advantage. Otherwise, he would've been assigned to another division as a beat cop patrolling the streets.
At eight o'clock in the morning, Dean arrived at the Detective Bureau. It was a vast complex, resembling a small community, occupying a considerable area. It even had its own parking lot, dining hall, and fitness facilities.
Dean, using his detective badge from the Organized Crime and Narcotics Division, smoothly drove his car into the parking lot.
The Robbery · Homicide Division of Los Angeles handled all murder and robbery cases across the entire city, a jurisdiction covering tens of millions of people. Naturally, it wasn't just a single department. It was divided into four squads, which, not counting support staff, totaled about fifty to sixty people.
Dean was assigned to the Fourth Squad, a unit established less than six months ago.
In fact, only this squad was short-handed. Thanks to his performance in the armored bank truck robbery case, and with Eve pulling some strings, they had agreed to take him.
Following the directions from a security guard, Dean, carrying a large bag of breakfast items and drinks, arrived at the Fourth Squad's office.
I thought no one would be here yet, Dean mused. But to his surprise, as soon as he entered, he saw a young Black man with headphones on, dancing as if no one was watching, looking like he was having a blast.
The man spotted Dean as well. His gaze swept over the breakfast in Dean's hand. He took off his headphones and joked, "Hey, buddy, can deliveries come straight to the office area now?"
"Actually, it's not delivery. Hello, I'm Dean. I'm here to report to the Fourth Squad of the Robbery · Homicide Division today."
"I know you!" The young man's eyes widened as he sized Dean up. "The captain said a real badass was joining us today. Is that you?"
He's very tall and good-looking, the young man thought, but I don't see what's so badass about him.
Dean placed the breakfast on a table near the entrance and shrugged. "If I'm the only one reporting in today, then I guess that's me. Want some?"
"You bet!" The young man, Harry, readily grabbed a sandwich and a coffee. "I'm Harry. Thanks for the breakfast, buddy! It's warming my stomach like a furnace in winter."
"The early bird gets the worm, Harry. Consider this your reward for being here first," Dean said with a smile.
Work usually started at nine, but it was only eight o'clock now.
Harry grinned proudly. "Diligence is my middle name, buddy. You'll see..."
Just then, the office door swung open again, and in walked a burly white man with a fleshy, whiskered face and powerful limbs.
"Whoa, look who it is! Harry! Didn't expect you in so early," the burly man said, his fleshy cheeks jiggling with exaggerated surprise, as if he'd witnessed something incredible.
"Lawrence, I'm always diligent..." Harry, caught mid-boast, quickly deflected by pointing to Dean. "This is Dean, our new colleague. He brought breakfast. Seems like a good guy."
The burly man, Lawrence, had already spotted Dean. He smiled and extended a massive hand. "Dean, pleasure. I'm Lawrence. Welcome aboard."
"Hello." Dean extended his.
The next moment, an immense force clamped down on his hand from Lawrence's grip.
Another joker, Dean thought.
But Dean wasn't one to be trifled with. His arm muscles tensed, and power surged through his grip.
The smile froze on Lawrence's face.
Harry, clearly familiar with Lawrence's antics, saw their hands still locked and clapped Dean on the shoulder with a grin. "Welcome to the Fourth Squad, rookie."
Then, he shot Lawrence a look, signaling him to let go and not overdo it.
Lawrence's mouth twitched as he gritted his teeth against the intense pain shooting up his hand. "Harry, Dean's a lot more enthusiastic than you think. You should feel his welcome."
Only then did Harry notice Lawrence's distress. He flinched. "Dean! You're actually stronger than Lawrence? He used to be a professional wrestler!"
Dean released Lawrence's hand and clapped Harry firmly on the shoulder. "Welcome to the Fourth Squad, old-timer."
Harry winced, rubbing his shoulder, clearly having felt Dean's "enthusiasm" as well.
Seeing Harry wince, Lawrence roared with laughter. "HAHA! Buddy, I like you!"
Around here, humility only gets you looked down on, Dean realized.
Dean's response hadn't alienated them; instead, it seemed to have earned him their initial acceptance.
At least he's not a pushover, they likely thought.
Since the others hadn't arrived yet, Harry and Lawrence showed Dean around the office.
The office space was divided into six sections: the main work area, a lounge, a break room with a water cooler, a conference room, a records room, and the captain's office.
As for personnel, the Fourth Squad currently had one captain, one deputy captain, four detectives, and two civilian support staff. Including Dean, that made a total of only nine people.
Definitely a lot of space for so few people.
Both Harry and Lawrence had been promoted from patrol officers to detectives. However, Lawrence had over ten years on the force and held a higher rank than Harry and Dean.
The atmosphere here seems pretty lax too, Dean observed.
It wasn't until after eight-fifty that the remaining team members gradually clocked in.
Dean had a growing sense that something was off.
This place... it's definitely not what I expected.