America: Starting with the Last Liberty

It's late at night, and it's that half-dead bar again.

Vincent hurried into the bar and sat down in a corner booth.

"Joe, why are you contacting me again so soon? Have you made some important discovery?"

Donnie, standing behind, remained silent, simply sipping his drink.

Sensing that Donnie's mood was a bit off, Vincent raised his voice slightly.

"Joe, what's wrong?"

Taking a deep breath, Donnie finally mustered the courage to speak.

"Vincent, I just have a question for you."

"Ask me a question? Are you kidding me?"

"Listen, this is a very important issue!"

Hearing Donnie's insistence, Vincent could only suppress his dissatisfaction for the time being.

"Okay, go ahead and ask."

"You said you'd let me go back to the police force if I solved the bank robbery case, so is my police file ready?"

Vincent's pupils contracted.

"Of course! I've already had your police file prepared. As soon as the case is solved, you can return to the police station and be promoted directly to sergeant!"

"Can I take a look?"

"Now? The police archives are already closed! Joe, you can wait until the case is closed before looking at it, there's no rush!"

Having spent so much time in the underworld, Donnie had developed some ability to discern what people were saying, and he could tell that Vincent was clearly making excuses to avoid the issue.

That police file most likely doesn't exist; Vincent lied!

This judgment made Donnie's heart skip a beat.

Gritting his teeth, Donnie decided to test Vincent again.

"Vincent, I've suddenly had a change of heart. I want to continue being an undercover agent."

"Really? That's wonderful—cough cough! I mean, I'm so glad you're willing to continue contributing to the safety of Los Angeles!"

Vincent's voice betrayed his undisguised joy, which plunged Donnie's heart into despair.

Just as Rosen said, the undercover police officer's superior only cared about his credit and didn't care about the undercover officer's safety or future.

Seeing Donnie fall silent again, Vincent began to get impatient.

"Joe, is there anything else?"

"Phil and Dennis might be about to make their move."

"When exactly?"

"They didn't say, but it's been in the last few days."

Vincent frowned; he had known for days that Phil and Dennis's target was a branch of the Pacific Standard Bank.

But if we don't know the exact time to take action, are we supposed to wait outside the bank every day?

"Joe, try to find out more!"

These words angered Donnie, and he couldn't help but raise his voice.

"Phil and Dennis are starting to suspect me!"

"Joe, I'm sure you'll find a way! Success is just around the corner!"

Donnie was utterly disappointed in Vincent, but fortunately the two were sitting back to back, so Vincent couldn't see Donnie's expression at that moment.

"I'll figure something out."

Donnie uttered a curt sentence, then stood up and left.

Vincent turned and looked at Donnie with a puzzled expression, sensing that the other man seemed to have changed in some way, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. In the end, he could only offer a word of advice.

Don't forget your phone!

Donnie quickly got into his car after leaving the bar, ready to leave, but then someone knocked on the car window.

Turning his head, Donnie saw Rosen's handsome face.

"how?"

Donnie stared at Rosen in shock.

"You...you knew everything?"

Rosen smiled faintly.

"What do you mean? Your wife's name is Maggie, Mr. Piston?"

Donnie felt as if Rosen had completely seen through him, leaving him with no privacy whatsoever.

In reality, Rosen didn't know much either. Svefa's intelligence network wasn't omniscient; much of the information was based on his deductions.

For example, the intelligence about Rupert Lawrence did not mention that he sold some contraband to pay off loan sharks.

But the general direction is still correct. Rupert Lawrence does need money to buy back those contraband items, or he's doomed.

According to the information provided by Sweefer, Donnie frequently contacted a woman named Maggie Piston and occasionally stayed at her house.

Through reasonable deduction, Rosen guessed that Donnie's real surname was Piston.

However, for Donnie, Rosen was now a terrifying figure.

"What exactly do you want?"

"You ask me what I think? You should ask yourself! Do you want to achieve your ideals even if it means sacrificing your family, or do you want to live a happy life with your family?"

Donnie fell silent.

If it were Joe Piston, fresh out of police academy, he would definitely want to realize his dreams.

But now, as Donnie Blasco sees his wife's belly growing bigger every day and the little life gradually taking shape, his thoughts have begun to change.

That's why Downey told Vincent he wanted to go back to the police force; he now prefers a stable and peaceful life.

Just as Donnie was about to speak, Rosen suddenly made a silencing gesture and then pointed to a spot not far away.

Vincent happened to walk out of the bar at that moment, but he didn't notice Donnie and Rosen in the car.

After Vincent had walked away, Rosen pointed to his head.

"Donnie, I never force people to make choices. You can go back and think about it carefully, or ask your wife."

After saying that, Rosen turned and left.

Donnie was left in the car, looking completely dazed.

As an undercover agent, Donnie should rush back to Phil and Dennis's place at this time to prevent them from discovering his absence.

But at this moment, all Donnie wanted to do was start the car and go back to his real home.

The door was suddenly opened, waking Maggie Piston, who is a light sleeper.

"who!"

"Maggie, it's me."

Hearing her husband's familiar voice, Maggie finally breathed a sigh of relief and quickly turned on the light.

"Joe, why are you back at this hour?"

Downey had never come home in the middle of the night before, and Maggie was very puzzled by her husband's tired expression.

"I... I'm just a little confused, and I wanted to go home and ask you."

Maggie gave a strange look.

"Okay, I admit I was a bit wrong to snap at you the other day, but you didn't have to react like that, did you?"

Just a few days ago, Maggie had a big argument with Downey over her near miscarriage, which was also the key reason why Downey didn't want to go undercover.

Donnie felt extremely guilty that his wife was six months pregnant and he, as her husband, could not be by her side to take care of her often.

"No! That's not the issue! Maggie, if I don't go undercover..."

Seeing the confusion in Donnie's heart, Maggie hugged her husband.

"Don't say anything, Donnie. It doesn't matter what choice you make, as long as our family can be together."

Holding the heavily pregnant Maggie in his arms, Donnie's gaze gradually shifted from confusion to determination.

As if he had made up his mind, Donnie gently stroked Maggie's belly.

"Maggie, our family will definitely be together!"