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

Chapter 343 Unlimited Future

Eric spoke casually, but Reese knew in his heart that rescuing his family from such a dangerous situation could not have been as easy as Eric made it sound.

He pulled out a chair, sat down, and nodded solemnly in greeting:

"So you've come here?"

His gaze lingered briefly on Tifa, questioning her.

“Lieutenant, we’ve met before, you should know who I am.” Tifa met his gaze, and after Rhys nodded in confirmation, she stepped aside to indicate:

"This is Detective Eric Stevens of the Los Angeles Police Department's Detective Division."

Upon hearing this identity, Rhys was visibly taken aback, and his gaze toward Eric once more held a hint of scrutiny and surprise, but he quickly composed himself.

"So? You're here on official business?"

“We’re here about the case of my attack,” Tifa stated directly, pausing briefly to allow Reese to process the information.

But as soon as he said that, Rhys's pupils contracted sharply, and his back straightened instantly.

His reaction was so strong that even Tifa and Eric could clearly feel it.

The two exchanged a glance and silently conveyed their message once again.

“And those who attacked me,” Tifa stared at Reese and said, word by word:

"It comes from your unit, Camp Pendleton."

Rhys took a deep breath, his mind becoming even more confused, and his head throbbing with pain.

"Are you sure?" he asked, barely managing to suppress the sudden headache.

"determine."

Tifa took a document from her handbag and pushed it in front of Reese.

"You can take a look first; perhaps you'll get to know them."

Rhys reached out and took the photos. The moment he saw the three photos of the corpses, his breath hitched, and his eyes revealed a complex and even deeper confusion.

Even Camp Pendleton has problems?
“I do know him.” Rhys unconsciously ran his fingertips along the edge of the document, then looked up at Tifa.

"They are soldiers in the camp, still in the training phase, and are considered reserve members of the SEALs."

So you suspect they attacked you because of what happened to me?

"This is the most reasonable inference at present."

Tifa nodded and said, "My business with Camp Pendleton is yours to handle, Lieutenant."

They attacked me, possibly to prevent me from investigating further matters related to you, or for some other reason.

Rhys put down the file: "Madam, I'm completely confused right now too."

His next words startled both Tifa and Eric:
"You probably don't know yet that Agent Kingston, who was in charge of the investigation, was found dead in his home early yesterday morning, right?"

Rhys paused deliberately, observing the subtle changes in their expressions.

In retrospect, these two are trustworthy allies.

"Now it seems that his death was probably not an accident."

Importantly, and more importantly, my comrade Weeks was also pronounced dead today. The new Naval Crime Investigation Service agent concluded that he committed suicide due to PTSD.

These words were like a stone thrown into calm water; Tifa frowned and exchanged a glance with Eric.

Just as they had guessed, the attack on her was only part of the plan orchestrated by the person behind it all.

“And the attacker who showed up in my house today,” Reese continued, his voice icy.

"I'm afraid they also want to create the perfect death scene in my home."

The air seemed to freeze as soon as the words were spoken.

Eric gave Reese, who was deep in thought, a deep look. This guy was more perceptive and intelligent than he had imagined. He had seen through the essence of the situation in such a short time and laid out such crucial information to them without reservation.

Based on Rhys's information, Eric can now deduce the plan of the person behind it all: to kill the investigators.

Then kill the two people, Rhys and the other man, who should have died, and inflict PTSD on them.

The key to this whole plan is having someone who can lead the investigation and make the final decision; that would make it perfect.

"You mean after Kingston, who was originally in charge of the investigation, died suddenly, a new agent came?" Eric interrupted the silence.

Rhys nodded: "Yes."

“Honey, do you think there’s something wrong with that new agent?” Tifa asked.

“To bring everything to a definitive conclusion, a person leading the investigation is indispensable,” Eric said calmly.

"Otherwise, they wouldn't have needed to come and attack you investigators. Oh, no, you're just an assistant, only responsible for assessing the lieutenant's mental state."

The people behind this are going too far! They're even targeting you!
So why did they want to kill you?

Upon hearing this, Tifa subconsciously glanced at Lance's expression, feeling both helpless and amused.

Her man is really... sometimes he makes you both laugh and cry.

No wonder Superintendent Daves of the West Canyon Police Department exhibited that love-hate relationship.

"I think it's to make the lieutenant's suicide due to PTSD more convincing, that would be even more outrageous."

Eric shrugged, smiled at Tifa, and then turned to Reese directly.

"So, why would someone set a trap for you SEALs? Lieutenant, or rather, why would they be so determined to kill you?"

Rhys didn't answer. A series of events came crashing down on him, and the more he thought about it, the more his head felt like it was going to split open. He couldn't help but raise his hands and brace them on the table, scratching his temples.

"I have no idea!"

Tifa and Eric both saw Reese's pained expression.

The lieutenant probably had no idea how frighteningly pale he looked.

Eric asked thoughtfully, "Lieutenant, are you alright?"

Rhys closed his eyes, forcing back a throbbing headache, and looked at Tifa and Eric, his voice hoarse:
"Sorry, I'm probably just too busy and not feeling well today."

"I understand."

Seeing Reese's distress, Eric silently noted that everything about this man might be a clue.

"Lieutenant, I want to apologize to you in advance. There's something I need to tell you, and I hope you're prepared."

"What's wrong?" Rhys asked, clutching his temples to ease the pain.

“You must already know that there were three attackers,” Eric said.

Rhys paused, then said, "I don't understand what you mean."

"The third person is hiding in your garage and hasn't been handed over to the police yet."

Eric's words exploded in Rhys's heart like a thunderbolt. He stood there stunned for a moment, his gaze shifting back and forth between Tifa, who had looked away, and Eric, who remained calm.

If he remembered correctly, the one in front of him was an FBI agent and the other was an LAPD detective.

But what they are doing now
"This is what you are."

Unlike Tifa's somewhat evasive attitude, Eric spoke calmly and matter-of-factly.

"There's no other way. The situation is special. There are too many mysteries surrounding you, and conventional methods may not be able to uncover the truth, so we have to resort to some special methods."

Since they never intended to follow the rules in the first place, we don't need to be bound by formalities.

Eric observed Reese's reaction and dared to say he was prepared for the worst.

If this guy is inflexible and rigid, then the only option is to block him and isolate him; cooperation will be impossible, only increasing the risks and difficulties.

Didn't you see? Even Tifa, this student, has been trained by him. His future is bound to be limitless.

(End of this chapter)