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

Chapter 344 Punctual
Reese's gaze lingered between Eric's composed face and Tifa's slightly lowered eyelashes before he finally nodded and said:

"Ok."

This means that he also implicitly agrees to break the rules and is no longer a lieutenant who simply follows military regulations.

Eric's face showed a hint of appreciation; the seals who had experienced real battlefields were indeed different.

With the parties involved cooperating, things became much easier.

“We have the same goal, Lieutenant. We want peace, and you want the murderer and the truth.”

Eric said, extending his hand with a smile.

"Pleasant to work with."

Rhys took a deep breath, nodded, and extended his hand. He wasn't a rigid person either; the people behind him had harmed his family, which changed the nature of the situation.

"Pleasant to work with."

-

The garage was dimly lit.

Eric, who arrived at the garage first, was at a loss as to how to proceed when he saw the attacker who was hooded and firmly tied to a load-bearing column.

He has interrogation skills at level 1 (beginner level) and has learned some through exposure, but his theoretical knowledge is still a step behind.

Now that it's my turn to do it myself, facing a living, breathing interrogation subject who needs to be pried open, I really don't know how to take the first step.

Perhaps it's because his heart isn't cruel enough to inflict torture on humans without batting an eye.

He can kill people swiftly and decisively, but he must use torture as a sophisticated tool.
Hearing footsteps, Eric turned around and saw Rhys appearing from the doorway, his tall figure blocking the only source of light.

He wouldn't let Tifa come over on an occasion like this; she should be with Rhys's wife and daughters now, that would be a more appropriate place for her.

As for Rhys, well, that doesn't matter.

Rhys looked at Eric, who hadn't made a move yet, and then at the motionless attacker, his gaze lingering on Eric's face for a moment.

With just one glance, he understood that this decisive and unconventional detective seemed to have his own bottom line, or perhaps he was unfamiliar with the matter of interrogation.

I don't know who was just talking about interrogation.

"No wonder Jenny likes him," Reese thought to herself, and when she looked at Eric again, she also found the detective somewhat to her liking.

"Do I need to avoid it?"

Rhys's voice was low and emotionless, but the step he took forward showed his attitude.

Eric decisively stepped aside, taking the opportunity to back down, and laughed.

"No, that's perfect. I think you're more looking forward to this conversation than I am."

Eric pointed to the attacker on the pillar: "You're not suited for this job, so it's better if you take the lead. I'll just observe and learn from you."

Reese didn't refuse, but he didn't move either, turning to look at Eric.

“I have a friend who works at the CIA, and he knows this stuff better than I do.”

And it seems he's found something.

Shall we wait for him to come?

CIA? Eric's lips twitched as he recalled the real-world combat scenes he had seen before.

We can't get through this.

"Row!"

— The aroma of pasta wafted from the kitchen as Lauren brought the last salad to the table.

Under the bright lights, the dining table was laden with simple home-cooked dishes, a stark contrast to the gunshots and fear that had recently filled the house.

The little girl Jenny was already sitting in the chair, wearing a red Superman cape. She was obviously a Superman fan. Her little feet dangled in the air and swung gently. Her bright eyes swept over the food on the table, and she couldn't help but steal glances at Eric and Tifa sitting opposite her.

“So,” Lauren said, trying to sound relaxed as she served the food to everyone.

"Thank you so much for today. If it weren't for you, I really wouldn't know..." She didn't finish her sentence, but the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her feelings.

Tifa responded with a gentle smile, tactfully changing the subject and praising:

“This smells amazing, Lauren, you’re such a good cook.”

“Just some simple things, I hope you like them.” Lauren gave Tifa a grateful look.

A brief silence fell over the table, broken only by the soft clinking of cutlery.

Rhys kept his head down, his brows furrowing from the sudden sharp pain. He mechanically rolled the noodles in the plate, clearly not paying attention at all.

Finally, Jenny broke the silence, looking at Eric curiously: "Eric, are you really a policeman? Catching bad guys like in cartoons?"

Eric was amused by her naive question, put down his fork, and nodded with feigned seriousness.

“Yes, but it might not be as cool as in the cartoons.” Eric blinked.

"Besides, I think your mom's meat sauce is a hundred times better than the one in our police station canteen."

Jenny giggled at his joke, instantly lightening the atmosphere at the table.

Lauren smiled as well, but after her gaze shifted between Eric and Tifa for a moment, she asked softly with a hint of worry:
"Eric, Tifa, what are your plans next?" She asked tactfully, but everyone present understood the deeper meaning behind her words.

"The case is still under investigation," Tifa said, wiping her mouth with a napkin as she continued the conversation.

“But we have some leads and new developments, and I will keep you informed as soon as possible.” She paused briefly, then turned her gaze to Lauren, her tone softening:

"Also, Lauren, something like what happened today should not happen again. I will apply to initiate witness protection procedures and send officers to patrol the area to ensure your safety."

Rhys stopped rolling the dough, but didn't look up.

Lauren visibly relaxed, her eyes glistening with tears, and whispered, "Thank you. Thank you so much."

Jenny looked at Lauren, then at Reese, and finally her gaze settled on Eric. Suddenly, she raised her fork as if it were a small sword and said in a childish voice:

"Defeat the bad guys!"

Eric was amused by her, so he raised his fork and lightly touched it to hers, lowering his voice in a serious tone:
"Deal, little commander."

This action finally made Rhys, who had been silent all along, raise his head. Looking at the smile that reappeared on his daughter's face, and then at the two people sitting opposite him, the tense lines of his jaw softened a little.

He nodded to Eric, everything was understood without words.

Dinner continued, and the conversation shifted to a more relaxed topic.

After dinner, Tifa offered to help Lauren clean up the kitchen, while Eric and Reese went to the porch outside.

The night was deep, and the lights of the city center in the distance resembled a galaxy on the ground.

"When are your friends coming?" Eric asked Rhys casually.

In just a few hours, the two had developed a tacit understanding that resembled that of close friends.

Rhys lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, gestured with his chin towards the end of the road, and looked at the headlights of a car that suddenly appeared in the distance:

"Ben is always punctual, and he's here."

(End of this chapter)