North American Detective: I am Proficient in All Kinds of Gun Quick Draws-Chapter 590 - 333_2

"If that's the case, then I must congratulate you, Captain Hunter."

"Because then, whenever anyone mentions you, they'll immediately think: Ah, so that's Old Hunter, the incompetent captain who got a squadron disbanded, the last captain of the Fourth Squad..."

"Enough!" Old Hunter raised his hand in surrender. "Cut the crap, Dean. What exactly do you want?"

"I want to participate in the case you're currently handling, as an invited detective!"

Dean finally revealed his objective.

Although Amon had agreed to help him return to the Los Angeles Police Department, this would take time. Dean wanted to get involved in cases, but without the support of Old Hunter—the nominal captain—to provide him with a legitimate front, it would be inconvenient and leave him vulnerable.

Old Hunter's expression was conflicted. It wasn't until several folk songs had passed on stage that he finally raised his glass and toasted Dean and the other two. "Alright. At my age, all I have left is my reputation. Dean, don't let me down!"

Dean raised his glass and clinked it softly against Old Hunter's. "A pleasure doing business with you."

...

With Old Hunter on board, the atmosphere among them became much more harmonious. Lawrence and Carlo left first at Dean's signal, while Dean took Old Hunter for a sobering walk and a casual chat by the roadside, using the opportunity to catch up on the case's progress.

「Before leaving.」

Old Hunter, emboldened by the liquor, asked Dean, "Dean, if Monet finds out about our dealings, the worst that can happen to me is I'll just have to wait for retirement. But things probably won't be so easy for you."

"Perhaps." Dean gazed at the distant neon lights, exhaled a breath tinged with alcohol, and countered, "Old Hunter, do you know why, not long after I joined the detective bureau, people like Harry, Lawrence, and Carlo trust and support me so much?"

Old Hunter pondered for a moment, then said hesitantly, "Because of your abilities?"

Dean shook his head.

"Your personal charm?"

Dean shook his head again.

Old Hunter chuckled. "It can't possibly be because you're good in bed, can it?"

"My 'technique' is indeed quite good," Dean said, hands in his pockets, gazing at the neon-soaked scene ahead, his tone light. "But that has nothing to do with this. They trust me simply because they know that no matter what difficulties we face, I can lead them to victory."

"Is it really that simple?"

"It's that simple."

"See you at the station tomorrow!" Old Hunter waved at Dean, hailed a cab, and disappeared down the street.

Watching the taxi's taillights vanish, Dean took out his phone and called Little Mike. "Little Mike," he said coldly, "initiate the surveillance plan. I need to eliminate those pieces of trash wasting my energy as quickly as possible..."

「The next day.」

After picking up Niel, who had flown back to Los Angeles overnight, and taking her to the rental house, Dean casually made his way to the precinct.

Although he had only been with the Los Angeles Police Department for a short time before his leave of absence, thanks to Harry's big mouth, Dean had not only acquired numerous nicknames but had also become widely known. Even the gatekeeper remembered his highly recognizable face. He breezed through, his familiar face his pass, attracting numerous gazes along the way.

Especially noteworthy was the reaction of Hawk, a bald patrol officer. He was in the middle of eating a sandwich and bragging to a colleague when he spotted Dean. He rubbed his eyes several times, then rushed forward excitedly, grabbing Dean to greet him. "WOW! Look who it is! Dean! God must have heard my prayers day and night to send you back to me!"

Dean disgustedly pushed away the flamboyant officer. "Call your buddies. I'll need backup later."

"No problem!" Hawk declared, rubbing his bald head. He seemed to have gotten a shot of adrenaline as he kicked open the office door, ready to announce the great news to his buddies: the Headshot Detective was back!

The truth was, during Dean's absence, Hawk and his fellow patrol officers had seen a significant drop in their bonus income. Now that the unbeatable Dean had returned, those who piggybacked on his successes were naturally ecstatic.

He hadn't taken many steps before he heard cheers erupt behind him. A smirk touched Dean's lips.

When there's no external interference, and when interests align to motivate people, success is inevitable!

...

「In the squad meeting room.」

Clerk Daisy was leaning against the glass door, munching on a bag of chips while craning her neck towards the main entrance, as if waiting for someone. She kept at it until the office clock struck nine.

Just then, the wooden door swung open.

"Dean! You're really back!" Daisy wiped her mouth, then launched herself at Dean, who had just walked in—like a human cannonball—enveloping him in an enthusiastic bear hug. "I thought Carlo was messing with me! You bastard, coming back without telling me beforehand! You can forget about this gal being your assistant from now on!"

It had been a while, and Daisy couldn't help but rattle off a string of complaints.

Dean, clueless to the emotional undercurrent, pushed her belly away from him. "Daisy, you've gained weight."

"Tsk." Daisy expertly wiped her greasy hand on the back of Dean's shirt before stepping back. She patted her considerably plumper midsection and sighed. "Can't help it. Ever since you left, it's just been Harry and Carlo in the office, those two ugly bastards. Forget dieting; I haven't even bothered with makeup. Anyway, hurry inside. Nice of you to be so 'punctual'—Old Hunter and the others have been waiting for you for over an hour."

There were only two people in the meeting room: Old Hunter and Carlo.

Lawrence was suspended, and his squad members were tied up with other cases. As for Harry... he was still enjoying the attentive care of a VIP hospital room. So, the only people truly involved in this case were Dean and Carlo.