Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Mezke Bar.

Members of the Robbery and Murder Department's first squad sat together.

Luke stood up and said, "Guys, drinks are on me tonight, drink up."

Little Black laughed, "We've just cracked the Holy Blood case, and Luke's been promoted to deputy team leader. It's definitely a day to celebrate, shouldn't we pop a good bottle of wine?"

Luke smiled and said, "You're right, we all have opportunities for promotion, and soon we can drink good wine more often."

Little Black didn't dare to respond; he didn't want to be a detective like Marcus for the rest of his life, let alone be as wealthy as Luke.

To egg on would be to shoot himself in the foot.

"Great idea, I'm all for it," the deputy team had no psychological pressure.

Susan suggested, "Everyone, let's toast to Deputy Team Leader Luke."

"Cheers"

"Thank you," Luke raised his glass in gesture.

The deputy chief said, "Luke, it's what you deserve; you are the best young man I've seen in years, even better than Reid was back then."

"Thank you, deputy chief," although Luke was now a deputy team leader himself.

But Luke still called Vincent "deputy team leader" out of respect for him. There were no conflicts of interest between the two.

Luke was the youngest in the Robbery and Murder Department and had relatively the least experience.

Regarding Luke's promotion, everyone had their own thoughts, but none expressed them too obviously.

Firstly because Luke was quite popular. Secondly, Luke's capabilities were evident, having solved many remarkable cases that no one could overlook.

Simply put, he deserved it.

If a young man as outstanding as Luke wasn't promoted by their squad, other departments would eye him up.

David put down his glass, seemingly reminded of something, and asked with concern, "Marcus, are you still sleeping in the break room?"

"Yes, are you offering to let me stay over?"

"You're dreaming before you even hit the bed," David chuckled, then asked back, "Did you break up with Julian?"

"Um, that's a bit complicated. It's hard to explain in just a word or two..." Little Black stumbled over his words, unable to articulate clearly.

David held up two fingers, "Buddy, don't forget this."

Luke also held up a finger, "And my part."

Little Black pouted, looking like he was about to cry, "I'm already this miserable, and you still have the heart to kick me when I'm down."

"One thing at a time," David was about to say something when his expression changed slightly, and pointing not too far away, he said, "Who's that over there?"

Julian.

Little Black jumped in surprise, "Why is she here?"

Julian seemed to have seen Little Black too; carrying her small bag, she walked over, "Marcus, can we talk?"

Marcus stood up, his mouth agape for a long while, and finally managed to say just two words, "Of course."

Under everyone's curious gaze, Little Black followed Julian out of the bar.

David remarked regretfully, "Poor Marcus."

Jenny said, "Is he to be pitied? I think he brought it on himself."

Luke nodded, "I also think Julian is not bad."

The deputy chief said, "Your feelings don't matter; it's what he feels that counts."

Julian left the bar, with Little Black trailing listlessly behind her.

Julian turned around, arms folded across her chest, "Didn't you say you were working overtime? This is what you call working overtime?

If you don't want to get married, just be clear about it, why keep avoiding me?"

"Julian, it's not that I don't want to; it's just that I'm not yet clear in my head. Can we..."

Julian cut him off, "You don't need to say anything more, I understand.

Listen, I didn't want to embarrass you in front of your colleagues, so I never came to the police station to find you. I came today just to make things clear."

Julian asked solemnly, "Marcus, do you want to marry me?"

Little Black was silent.

Unable to answer.

Julian shook her head, "Marcus, act like a man and don't disappoint me."

Little Black sighed, "I don't want to get married right now."

Julian pursed her lips and nodded, "OK, Marcus, congratulations, you are now free."

"Julian, it's just that I don't want to get married, not that I want to break up with you; I really like you a lot."

"I know, but now I'm the one dumping you, got that?"

"Why must it be like this? Why the rush to get married? Aren't we good the way we are?"

Julian didn't respond, threw the keys to Marcus, "Here's your key back, I'm moving out, and you might as well change the lock code."

After saying that, Julian left with her bag,

Little Black called out a few times from behind, but ultimately didn't have the courage to follow her.

At this moment, Little Black felt a profound sense of emptiness inside. He had been through breakups before, many times, but had never felt so reluctant to part ways as he did today.

At the same time, he was somewhat angry; why was Julian so heartless?

...

The atmosphere in the bar was somewhat suppressed.

David suggested, "Luke, why don't you go check on Marcus?"

Luke thought for a moment, "What's there to say if I go out? If Julian is still there, it will just be more awkward."

The deputy chief said, "Actually, teaching him a lesson might not be a bad thing. Maybe he'll figure out what he really wants."

Just then, Captain Jones from the Narcotics Division walked over, "Hey, guys, I heard you caught the Holy Blood case murderer, congrats."

Susan said, "We still haven't clarified Darsie's drug purchasing channels, so I'll leave that to you."

"No problem, it's part of the job. As far as I know, there are two gangs selling hallucinogens with similar ingredients, I'll have a good talk with them."

Jones raised his glass as a gesture, "Luke, I heard you've been promoted to Deputy Chief, congratulations."

"Thank you." Luke also picked up his glass and took a sip.

After greeting everyone, Jones patted David on the shoulder, "Buddy, can we have a chat outside?"

"Of course." David followed Jones to another corner of the bar.

Jones got straight to the point, "Your old partner has been promoted to Deputy Chief, how do you feel about it?"

David replied, "I think it's great, he deserves it. I'm happy for him."

"What about you? Have you thought about your own future?"

David countered, "What about me?"

"You don't want to stay in the Robbery and Murder Department as an ordinary detective forever, right? Just like Deputy Chief Vincent, he was already a Deputy Chief when I joined the detective bureau."

David said, "I won't, I trust my abilities."

Jones continued, "There are only two Deputy Chief positions in a squad, one for Vincent and one for Luke; where can you get promoted?"

David said, "Jones, I understand our squad's situation better than you do, and I still have a chance."

The Deputy Chiefs are getting older, who knows when they might retire,

Luke is capable and valued by the leadership, promotion is just a matter of time.

Both David and Raymond actually have the potential to be promoted, but they just need to wait a bit longer.

"Buddy, some things can't just be waited for, you have to fight for them. Even if the Deputy Chief position becomes vacant, are you sure you could take it? I've seen too many similar cases; once you pass a certain age, the chances of moving up get slimmer and slimmer."

"Detective Chief Jones, what exactly are you trying to say to me today?"

Jones glanced around and said in a low voice, "Recently a Deputy Chief from our squad was transferred, and the bureau wants me to recommend a candidate for Deputy Chief. I think you're quite suitable."

David seemed to hear it for the first time and was a bit surprised, "You want me to be the Deputy Chief at the Anti-Drug and Organized Crime Department?"

"That's right, I think your way of handling cases fits our squad's style. It's time for a change. We've known each other for so many years, I'm aware of your capabilities.

As long as you come, the Deputy Chief position is yours."

After a moment of thought, David said, "Thank you for your consideration.

But it's a bit sudden for me, I need to... think it over seriously."

"Of course, take your time to think it through, but try to be quick, opportunities don't wait, let me know when you've made your decision." Detective Chief Jones gestured as if making a phone call and then left.

David sat at the bar without leaving immediately, took a drink, seemingly deep in thought.

…

Luke sat idly on the couch, sipping from his glass.

Julian had called Little Black away, David had been called away by Jones, and Susan had left early due to other commitments.

Only Luke, Raymond, Jenny, and the deputy chief remained.

Raymond was a man of few words.

Luke couldn't really connect with the deputy chief and Jenny, so he felt bored and was thinking about leaving.

Reid approached with a glass in hand, "Hey guys, where did everyone else go?"

The deputy chief said, "Don't worry about them, you're the important one here."

The two clinked glasses and took a sip of their drinks.

After chatting idly with the deputy chief for a bit, Reid turned to Luke and said, "We're organizing a fishing trip in a couple of days, do you want to join?"

"OK, I've been wanting to relax these days."

"Good, don't forget to prepare your own fishing gear."

"Thanks for the reminder, I'll prepare."

Reid changed the subject, "Have you learned how to sail a yacht yet?"

Luke "..."

In the end, neither Little Black nor David came back, and the gathering lost its atmosphere, so everyone left early.

Luke stood at the entrance of the bar and lit a cigarette. This time he had been smart not to park his car in front of the bar but had chosen to leave it in the parking lot across the street.

If anything happened, it would be the parking lot's responsibility.

He thought about calling Little Black but didn't know what to say.

Forget it, he was no expert in relationships; he couldn't help him.

Luke put out his cigarette, preparing to walk to the parking lot across the street to get his car.

Not far away, an elderly man staggered toward him, looking as though he was about to fall over.

The old man looked to be around 60, with somewhat graying hair and decent clothes, but he was visibly intoxicated, as if he had had quite a bit to drink.

"Bang!"

The old man stepped off the curb, his body swayed, and he took a fall, laying on the ground seemingly unable to get up.

At this moment, Luke faced a dilemma, to help or not to help?

It wasn't a simple question; he needed time to think.

While he hesitated, a white woman in her twenties walked over and offered the old man a hand, "Sir, are you injured?"

"I twisted my ankle, just tripped accidentally," the white old man struggled to stand up.

"Do you need me to take you to the hospital?"

"No, you're a kind lady, thank you," the old man showed a grateful expression.

The white woman helped the old man to rest at the side.

Seeing the matter resolved, Luke moved past without further hesitation.

The white old man watched Luke's retreating figure and muttered, "Such a heartless fellow."