The real life of an American police officer: Winning over others with virtue

Chapter 232 Arriving Home
“Officer Stevens?” The black police superintendent strode up to Eric and extended his hand.

“I am Thomas Grayson, Deputy Director of the Counterterrorism and Special Operations Bureau of the LAPD.”

Eric shook his hand: "Sir."

Grayson scrutinized Eric, his gaze lingering for a moment on the speck of dust clinging to him.
Are you alright? Are you hurt?

"No, sir, I'm fine," Eric said with a smile.

"very good."

Grayson nodded and gestured to the two people behind him.

"This is Agent Rogers from the Counterterrorism Bureau, responsible for the initial record-keeping."

This is Inspector Walker from the Department of Internal Affairs.

Officer Stevens, we need your cooperation to immediately provide a detailed verbal statement of what happened, right there in the car. This is standard procedure, especially when it involves the use of deadly force. We hope you understand.

“I understand, sir.” Eric had no objections.

He knew all too well what was going to happen next: detailed statements, psychological evaluations, mandatory leave, an independent investigation by the Department of the Interior, a review by the district attorney's office, and so on—a series of tedious but necessary procedures.

Regardless of the specific process, the procedures are mostly the same.

The detectives and internal affairs personnel who were introduced looked at Eric, this big shot from the West Canyon Police Department, with expressions of curiosity.

"Your personal weapon,"

Grayson pointed to the Sig Sauer P365-380 pistol that the HRT team members had brought over in an evidence bag:

"As evidence, we need to temporarily detain it, and it will be processed according to procedures later, but your documents can be kept."

Eric said, "Understood."

Grayson patted Eric on the shoulder and laughed, "Listen, Eric, you were very bold today."

In retrospect, you saved many lives, including the hundreds of passengers on this train, and possibly the lives of those of us outside.

However, we will still strictly review every step of the process to protect you, and I hope you understand and cooperate.

“I fully understand, sir. I will cooperate fully with the investigation,” Eric replied calmly. He had anticipated all of this when he fired the shot.

After all, unauthorized intervention in major federal cases and the use of deadly force to kill targets can each trigger a storm of scrutiny.

That's just him.

If it were someone else, they would have been locked in a small room and interrogated long ago.

“Okay.” Grayson seemed quite satisfied with Eric’s attitude.

"Get in the car first, and explain the whole story to Rogers and Walker in detail, without omitting any details."

To be honest, we will ensure your rights.

After saying that, he turned to the HRT captain, "Thank you for your assistance, HRT brothers. Officer Stevens is now under the LAPD's command."

The HRT captain nodded in acknowledgment and led his team away to support the ECT team's bomb disposal efforts.

————————————————————

LAPD Special Operations Bureau.

"Eric, it's been a long time."

The police-contracted medical staff looked at Eric as he was brought back and asked in surprise.

"I just knew it was you."

Eric looked at the middle-aged woman in the white coat with some surprise.

Heather, what are you doing here?

The person in front of me is one of the medical staff at the hospital contracted by the police station.

He usually either visits his colleagues in the hospital or takes them to the hospital, so they got to know each other after a few visits.

Heather laughed and pointed to the medical kit next to her with the LAPD CTSOB logo: "What do you think? I was assigned here because of the department's new medical support contract."

“So you’ve gone to work for the Special Operations Bureau. No wonder I haven’t seen you before,” Eric laughed. “Standard procedure?” Heather put on her gloves, picked up a sampling swab, and said with a smile.

"The same old test?" Eric understood and stretched out his hands, letting Heather collect the gunpowder residue from his hands for GSR testing.

Next, they were given blood tests for alcohol and drugs.

As Heather worked, she looked at the composed Eric and whispered, "The FBI is asking for an additional toxicology test, saying it's an interdepartmental procedure."

Eric said, "I understand, do as you please."

----------------------

A small room.

Eric glanced at his watch; it was already eight o'clock in the evening.

After being tormented for a while, he was brought here, and about half an hour has passed.

"so troublesome."

Eric thought helplessly, but there was really nothing he could do. After all, if he wanted to maintain the facade of legality, he couldn't avoid situations like this.

Before Eric could finish his internal monologue, he heard footsteps. Eric's heart skipped a beat, and he heard a click as the door opened.

Before him stood his direct superior, Superintendent Daves of the West Canyon Precinct, Eric grinned, revealing his bright white teeth.

"Sir, good evening. Is it you who's here to bail me out again?"

Daves looked at the smiling Eric and said irritably, "You can still smile? Come on, I'll take you back!"

He was completely defeated by Eric and had no temper left.

"Yes, sir!" Eric smiled, stood up, and obediently followed.

Daves has shown up, so this matter is over.

The two arrived at Daves's car, where Eric sat in the passenger seat and fastened his seatbelt.

"Sir, are you still on duty?"

“Nonsense!” Daves said helplessly, then looked at Eric.

"Your case has been widely discussed within the department, and you now have several executive orders in place: ① You are prohibited from contacting any person involved in this case; ② You are prohibited from publicly commenting on or discussing case details with others in any form; ③ You are not allowed to leave the Los Angeles municipality until the investigation is completed."

The LAPD's public relations office also releases press release templates to the media, which will omit your name for your safety, such as "Heroic officer prevents terrorist attack," "Cooperating with investigation," and "No further details available."

Eric was not surprised by this: "That's fine, I don't want to go out lately, I'll just stay home and rest."

Daves nodded in satisfaction, looking somewhat exasperated: "You should have come back with me before."

Daves sighed, started the car, and after a few seconds of silence, he couldn't help but speak again: "Your luck is just too weird. Seriously, how about I teach you a few old-fashioned ways to get rid of bad luck? Believe it or not."

To be honest, Daves now thinks Eric's luck is quite bizarre, practically cursed.

Eric immediately nodded and said, "Okay."

He was trying to find a way to get rid of the bad luck on his body.

-

"Sprinkle fine sea salt lines in front of the door, changing them weekly. Also, burn bundles of white sage inside the house, fumigate it while chanting 'Negative energy, leave this.'"

With Daves's rambling words still echoing in his ears, Eric watched the taillights disappear from sight, a slight smile playing on his lips.

His direct supervisor is truly exceptional; he does everything personally, and apart from his stubbornness, he's perfect in every way.

"Well, at least I'm home." Eric turned to look at his front door and took a deep breath.

It was a tough journey, but he made it back alive.

With a click, Eric pushed open the door and entered the house with a relaxed feeling. After closing the door, he went straight to the bathroom.

He needs to clean himself up properly and then sort out his thoughts.

(End of this chapter)