America: The Gear-Up Detective

The officers who came to help first put Dalton into a police car and drove him to the hospital.

Rod could only pray in his heart that the usually cheerful and comical police officer was safe and sound.

The detectives then took Killian to the detention room.

The farce at the police station gradually subsided.

Rhodes was helped up by a slightly flustered Anna and sat down to rest on a chair in the hall.

Outside the detective agency, Rod could clearly see several news vans parked not far away.

The Los Angeles Daily News, The LA Local, LA Reported, LA Taco, and other media outlets gathered outside the police station.

Almost immediately, the media received news of the shooting at the police station and arrived at the scene almost simultaneously with the police reinforcements.

Rhodes glanced at it and then ignored it. This was definitely going to make the news, and the aftermath would be the chief's concern. Perhaps, as the hero who subdued the attacker, he'd get a mention or two?

After a short while, Rhode glanced at the panel; his mental attribute had slightly recovered: [Mental: 3.0]

He pressed his still throbbing temples and rubbed his thighs, which were sore from the loss of adrenaline. Then Rod took out his phone and dialed Captain Connor's number.

Although Rhodes wouldn't get into any trouble because of this incident during his administrative leave, Connor, as his direct superior, had to find out what happened.

The call was answered almost immediately. "Rhodes? I'm on my way to the police station. What's up?"

"Uh, Captain, I know what happened at the police station, and it has something to do with me."

Connor's incredulous voice came through the phone, "You attacked the police station?!"

Rod grinned silently, surprised that Captain Connor had such a humorous side. "Captain, you're really funny."

On the other end of the phone, Connor seemed to realize he had misunderstood. He paused for a moment and then asked, "Are you at the police station? What's the situation at the scene?"

The chief ordered all officers to cancel their leave and report to the station immediately. The others are probably on their way.

Rhodes explained his situation in detail, including why he came to the police station, the scene he saw when he went downstairs, and how he subdued Killian.

"Well done, Rhodes."

Go back first, get some rest, and prepare for the FID's questioning and investigation tomorrow.

Remember, do not accept any interviews from reporters or media outlets, and do not answer any questions!

"clear."

After hanging up the phone, Rod felt he wouldn't recover for a while, so he immediately called an Uber.

An hour later, Rod returned to his grandfather's ranch.

The family gathering that was originally planned for Sunday has been postponed again, this time because my mother, Laura, has an emergency surgery that she needs to perform.

Unfortunately, Grandpa Edgar had to postpone it to next Saturday.

After a quick wash, Rod lay wearily on the soft mattress and fell into a deep sleep without thinking about anything.

......

The next day, Monday, early morning.

A piercing cell phone ring woke Rhodes from his sleep.

In a daze, Rod thought it was an alarm clock and casually turned off his phone. Two seconds later, the phone rang again.

Once he was more alert, Rhodes realized it was the phone ringing. "Hello?"

Jackson's excited voice came through the phone, "Yo, bro! You're going to be famous!"

Rod didn't understand what Jackson meant at first, so Jackson explained, "The surveillance video of you subduing the gunman yesterday has been posted online!"

The bureau chief saw it too, and he praised you extensively at the press conference!

The captain said, "Your Level 2 Detective certification is secure!"

"Chief? He mentioned my name?" Rod asked immediately.

It's not time to become famous yet. Rod hasn't forgotten the logo printed on Killian's hoodie. It's the signature gesture of the Crips, one of the largest and most powerful street gangs in Los Angeles. If they target him, there will definitely be a lot of trouble later.

Of course, before that, they have to bear the wrath and retaliation of the entire LAPD, but being targeted always makes people feel uneasy.

Jackson explained, "No, the chief said he was responsible for the safety of his officers. He just praised you, and even in the video that was released, he blurred your face."

When the topic turned to police safety, Rodgers' tone became somber as he tentatively asked, "Dalton, how is he?"

Jackson's tone also turned somber as he replied to Rod: "He's still in the ICU. We heard from the hospital that he was shot five times, two of which grazed his heart. In addition, he lost a lot of blood. Although the surgery was successful, he is still not out of danger."

Rod paused, unsure what to say, before Jackson continued, "I called mainly to tell you that FID investigators have arrived. They're mainly investigating your shooting of Emily. The captain said it might be because of your actions yesterday. The investigators are being very friendly this time and shouldn't give you any trouble. Don't worry."

Rhodes composed himself, smiled, and said, "All my actions of firing the gun were legal and reasonable, so there was nothing to worry about."

"Yes, that's what we'll say later!"

......

Police Department.

The shattered door and the glass in the lobby on the first floor have been replaced with new ones. Only a few bullet holes remain on the wall, a testament to the harrowing scene of yesterday.

On the third floor, in a meeting room with a slightly formal decor.

Rod sat in a genuine leather chair.

Not far to his right behind him was his union representative, responsible for ensuring that the entire process of Rod's questioning was in accordance with procedure, that the investigation was fair, and that the officers' legal rights were protected.

Opposite Rhodes sat two investigators in suits, each wearing a nameplate with the letter FID on their left chest.

One of the investigators, a Black man who appeared to be in his forties, spoke first, saying, "Before we begin the questioning, I admire your actions yesterday in subduing the attacker with your bare hands."

"Thanks."

He then nodded to another younger white investigator sitting next to him, who then took out a recorder and a camera.

This is standard investigation procedure. In fact, if no audio or video recordings are made afterward, the investigator must provide a written explanation as to why no records were made.

The Black investigator's expression turned serious. "After the shooting, did you communicate with anyone about the details of the shooting?"

According to regulations, detectives are required to describe the events in detail during their statements, but they cannot disclose the details of the events too early to avoid collusion.

"no."

Looking at the investigator with a dark expression, Rhodes thought to himself, "He doesn't seem like he doesn't want to make things difficult for me."

However, the union representative sitting to the side knew very well that today's questioning was already very mild. Usually, when the FID or the Department of the Interior were investigating, they would treat the police officers as if they were their father's killers, stripping them bare and scrutinizing every word to find loopholes.

"Why did you fire? Why did you determine that firing was necessary? What were your criteria for that judgment?"

"What tactical actions and communications did you take before, during, and after firing the shots? Did you develop a tactical plan with your partner?"

A barrage of questions came crashing down on Rhodes.

Rod took a deep breath, knowing that the main event was about to begin.

"then..."