Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Damn, What a Surprise!
At nine o'clock in the evening, in the director's office at the Huxi Police Station in Chicago, the atmosphere was relaxed as Rex and Matt sipped tea.
"Rex, it's almost time to clock out, isn't it?" Matt asked with a smile.
"Yeah, and it's been a while since we had to put in overtime around here," Matt continued. "But the last couple of days? Thanks to Antonia, we've been busier than ever. And you know what? It's the kind of busy I don't mind."
Rex chuckled. "Who can argue with that? Antonia has been a gift to this station. Although, with his talents, I don't think he'll be staying here long. Our station might be too small to keep him."
Matt nodded in agreement. "That's true. But it's all about serving the people, right? If Antonia's destined for a bigger stage, we should wish him well. Still, the surprises he's brought us these past days… I'll never forget them. And let's be honest, the annual assessment for our station this year is going to be off the charts because of him!"
Rex smiled broadly and nodded. "No doubt about it. If we're being evaluated based on results, our station's reputation will shoot through the roof. It's all thanks to Antonia."
As they relaxed, Rex glanced at the clock.
"It's almost time to head home," he remarked. "But let's wait a bit longer. Sam and Antonia went to the Rose Garden community to investigate a missing person case. If everything went smoothly, they should be back any minute now."
Matt laughed. "And what if there was a surprise?"
"Surprise? For a simple missing person case? Come on," Rex replied, grinning. "They're probably wrapping up evidence collection, reviewing surveillance footage, or conducting routine interviews. What could possibly go wrong?"
Before Rex could finish his thought, a knock at the door interrupted him.
"Come in," he called.
Shaw, the station's young officer, rushed in, her face pale and her voice urgent.
"Director! Something big has happened. Over at the Rose Garden community—our team caught a murderer!"
---
Rex and Matt froze, their jaws dropping in unison.
"A murderer?!" Rex exclaimed.
Matt's eyes widened. "Isn't that where Sam and Antonia went? They went to investigate a missing person, and they found a murderer instead?"
Rex shook his head in disbelief. "Antonia… that kid always finds a way to surprise us!"
The gravity of the situation hit them. Murderers were a whole different league of criminal—dangerous, calculated, and often repeat offenders. This was not something the police could take lightly.
Rex stood up immediately, his expression serious. "What's the situation?"
Shaw straightened and recounted the phone report she'd just received from Sam.
By the time she finished, both Rex and Matt exchanged shocked looks.
"Murder?" Rex muttered, running a hand through his hair.
He quickly made a decision. "Matt, you stay here and coordinate with the higher-ups. I'll take a team to the scene immediately. Also, contact the criminal investigation unit and inform them."
Rex didn't waste a moment. He barked orders, mobilizing the officers still available at the station. Even those handling petty crimes had to re-prioritize. A murderer took precedence over all else.
As Rex and his team prepared to leave, Matt got to work.
---
Despite the chaos, Matt felt a strange mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. As the trainer of the Huxi Police Station, he'd never been this busy before. But there was a certain pride that came with it—especially considering how far their station had come, thanks to Antonia.
The station, once ranked in the middle or lower tier for performance, had suddenly become a powerhouse. Antonia's relentless drive and knack for solving cases had raised the station's case clearance rate to unprecedented levels.
In just a few days, Antonia's efforts had landed more criminals behind bars than Matt could have ever imagined. The detention center was bursting at the seams with offenders.
And now, to top it all off, Antonia had helped catch a murderer.
Matt picked up the phone and contacted the criminal investigation unit. "This is Matt, trainer at the Huxi Police Station. We've apprehended a murder suspect in our jurisdiction. I'll need a team dispatched to take over immediately."
After arranging for the serious crimes unit to head to the Rose Garden community, Matt called the Chicago Public Safety Bureau headquarters.
"This is Matt from the Huxi Police Station," he said. "We've got a situation—a murder suspect has been apprehended in the Rose Garden area…"
---
Meanwhile, Rex and his team arrived at the scene.
Sam met them at the entrance, looking both relieved and impressed.
"Director, you won't believe what happened," Sam began.
"Try me," Rex replied, his tone sharp but curious.
Sam quickly explained how Antonia's sharp instincts had uncovered the truth behind the missing person case. Instead of a simple disappearance, it had turned out to be a gruesome murder. The suspect, Mathew, had confessed on the spot.
Inside the apartment, Antonia stood with his arms crossed, watching as forensic teams combed the area for evidence. Mathew sat in the corner, handcuffed and silent, his expression a mix of resignation and defiance.
Rex approached Antonia, clapping a hand on his shoulder.
"Antonia," he said, his voice filled with admiration. "You've outdone yourself. Again."
Antonia, though visibly tired, managed a small smile. "Just doing my job, Director."
"Doing your job? Kid, you've taken 'doing your job' to a whole new level," Rex said. "First, you boost our station's clearance rate. Now, you catch a murderer while investigating a missing person case? What's next? Solving cold cases from decades ago?"
Antonia chuckled softly. "One step at a time, Director. One step at a time."
Rex laughed, but his respect for Antonia deepened.
---
As the forensic teams worked and the case transitioned to the serious crimes unit, Rex couldn't help but marvel at the sheer talent and determination Antonia brought to their station.
Matt's earlier words echoed in his mind.
Antonia might not stay at their small station forever, but while he was here, he was nothing short of a miracle worker.
And tonight?
Tonight was just another chapter in the legend of Antonia.
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