America: The Gear-Up Detective

The FID's questioning lasted for an hour.

Rod initially thought this was already a long time, but the union representative told him that normally the investigators wouldn't release people for less than three hours.

After the conversation ended, Rod couldn't return to work at the police station yet.

The FID investigation goes beyond simply questioning Rod about the shooting; investigators also review all case files, evidence, and body camera footage—everything related to the shooting.

Fortunately, there is sufficient evidence to prove that Emily poisoned the body, and the video footage submitted by Rhodes has been approved.

There shouldn't be any major problems afterward. Just follow the procedures step by step, and Rod can return to work at the police station with peace of mind.

After leaving the police station, Rod drove his Ford Raptor, which had been parked in the underground parking lot the day before, and sped away.

Target: the gun shop.

Yesterday's sudden shooting made Rhodes realize that although he had been in this world for quite some time and had even solved several cases, his underlying thought process was still based on his previous life's way of thinking.

In America, you can have nothing, but you must carry a gun, especially for the high-risk profession of police.

So, whenever he had free time today, Rod decided to buy two spare guns. He would register one with the police station as a spare gun when he was on duty, and the other would be his personal gun.

Even if I spend all my savings, it doesn't matter. Renting a place can be postponed; buying a gun is the top priority.

While Rod was waiting at the red light, his phone screen lit up.

[Handsome detective subdues gunman with bare hands]

Liu Qingxi forwarded a 15-second video.

He then sent a message: "Rhodes, good morning. Are you the detective in this video?"

Rhodes replied, "You can recognize it even through such a thick mosaic?"

Liu Qingxi replied instantly with a voice message, a vibrant voice coming from the phone, "It really is you! I knew your back looked like yours, I didn't expect you to be so skilled, I knew learning some Sanda (Chinese kickboxing) from you would be the right choice!"

"Wry smile.jpg"

If Liu Qingxi hadn't reminded him, Luo De would have forgotten that he had promised to teach this girl some self-defense skills. "Don't worry, I haven't forgotten. I'll contact you when I have time in a couple of days."

"Tongue out.jpg"

The green light came on, and Rod ended the chat, but after driving only a few meters, his phone screen lit up again.

Caller ID: Mom Laura.

Rod rubbed his temples. When Jackson said the video was going viral that morning, Rod hadn't paid much attention, but now that Laura had seen it, it seemed to be really popular.

Laura didn't ask if the person in the video was Rhodes; she went straight to the point, "I saw the video. When are you planning to resign?"

"..."

Rod parked the car on the side of the road and managed to temporarily steer the conversation away from the topic after much persuasion.

It wasn't that Rhodes really wanted to be an American police officer, but rather that the system's three missions so far were all about solving cases and catching murderers.

If I resign, and the system's task functions are shut down, wouldn't I be devastated?

As I said before, in American society, only systems and equipment are your only reliance.

......

The Dad's Gun Shop is located in downtown Los Angeles, just four blocks from the Detective Department.

This is also a gun shop that frequently collaborates with the police department, offering discounts to officers when they purchase guns, ammunition, other accessories, or have their firearms serviced.

Rod found a place to park his car and observed the shop in front of him. From the outside, it looked no different from any other shop on the street, except for the sign above his head that read "The Dad's Gun Shop," indicating that it was a gun shop.

This was Rod's first time visiting a gun shop.

Pushing open the glass door, a mixture of metallic, gun oil, and faint gunpowder smells wafted out.

The shop was smaller than Rod had imagined. Inside the transparent glass display cases were various types of handguns: Glocks of all models, Colts gleaming silver...

The walls are covered with various rifles, including Remington 870s, AR-15s, and HK-416s, which often appear in movies and games.

Rod was dazzled by what he saw, but if he had to describe the atmosphere and environment of the store, it was somewhat like a hardware store in China in his previous life.

At this moment, there were quite a few people scattered around the store trying out guns. There was even a burly white man holding his child, who looked to be about four or five years old, in one arm and gesturing back and forth with a beautifully crafted Colt python in the other.

Rhodes swallowed hard. No man could resist a Colt python. Rhodes looked at it with longing and was somewhat tempted.

But after thinking about it, I decided to put aside my desire to buy it for the time being. A regular Colt python costs around two thousand to two thousand six hundred US dollars.

This price is enough for Rod to buy three or four Glocks.

Rhodes thought to himself, 'There's no need for that right now, but I'll definitely give it a try when I have more money!'

Rod walked up to the counter, where a bald white man was organizing the guns inside.

Rod got straight to the point, "I want to buy two guns."

The bald shopkeeper said irritably, "Everyone who comes here comes to buy guns. Tell me the model you want."

Rod thought for a moment and named two handguns, "A Glock 19 and an FN 509 MRD-LE."

For the Glock 19, Rhodes chose the Gen 5 MOS version, equipped with 9mm caliber and 15+1 rounds of ammunition. It is easier to carry discreetly and convenient to install a red dot sight, making it perfect as a backup gun.

For his other frequently used gun, Rhodes still chose the FN-509, which he often uses as a sidearm and finds quite useful.

The bald boss deftly took out two large boxes from the cabinet behind him.

Rhodes tested the gun's feel, and then the boss took him to a small shooting range near the back door to try it out.

Feeling good, Rod didn't hesitate.

The two guns originally cost less than $1,500, but with the police discount, Rod spent a total of $1,200.

The boss also gave him some bullets as a gift, and Rod bought some more.

After filling out some forms, the shopping trip ended easily and pleasantly.

Rod touched the two pistols, feeling a strange sense of security.

......

We drove back to my grandfather's ranch.

Edgar was busy with his ranch, where the calves were far more precious than people.

Rod put the two guns away. Glock could take them to the police station in a couple of days and register them there. The other gun, an FN-509, was temporarily left at his grandfather's ranch for future use.

Just as Rod was about to cook himself a long-awaited Chinese meal, his phone rang.

The caller ID shows Connor.

"Hello, Captain Connor."

"Rhodes, two pieces of good news. One is that the investigation into your shooting and killing of Emily is over, and you can start working at the police station tomorrow."

Another thing is, your promotion to Second Detective is practically guaranteed; you can prepare to submit your application now.

Rhodes asked in surprise, "So soon? Wasn't it supposed to be a two-week administrative leave?"

Connor's slightly serious voice came through, "The chief is very angry about yesterday's shooting. Killian's background has been thoroughly investigated by the Fourth Division of the Anti-Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Bureau."

The various gangs in Los Angeles are about to be in trouble.

"The bureau is short-staffed, so I specifically asked the director to expedite your approval process."