American variety show: The Godfather, the Peace Ambassador, what the heck?

Chapter 224 Sheepdog

How to choose?
Should one obey the other party's instructions and go along with their corrupt practices, or should one continue to uphold one's own principles?
Jack was in a state of confusion, while Harris had already raised his gun.

Just then, Jack's phone rang.

Harris sneered and gestured for his men to bring Jack's phone over. His expression changed when he saw the caller ID.

— Luca Greco

It was just a phone call; the person wasn't even there, yet Harris was sweating profusely.

Damn it, why did I have to call Jack at this time?
He put down his gun and handed the phone to Jack. "Answer Luca the pigeon's call! Put it on speakerphone!"

Jack pressed the answer button and turned on the speakerphone. Luca's enthusiastic voice came through, "Officer Hoyt, how was your first day as a narcotics officer? There's something I need to ask you for help with. I need to transfer the license plates and ownership of those two cars in my garage. There are some paperwork to be done. Can you help me with that?"

Luca's voice was like a ray of light shining into the dark room. Jack knew that he was saved today and would not die in the line of duty again.

I'm betting that Harris won't dare to touch me because of my connection with Luca.

"This isn't difficult to resolve, Mr. Greco. Have you already bought the new car?"

“Yes, it’s a GTR, just delivered.” Luca’s tone was as calm as the neighbor’s. “Officer Hoyt, are you free tonight? I’d like to invite you to my house for dinner.”

In the past, Jack would have refused an invitation from a mob boss, but now that the other party was his lifeline, he immediately replied, "Around what time? I'll come see you after I get off work."

"I'll be waiting for you in Beverly Hills at 8 p.m.

[Bond: Familiarity]

A small agreement was reached over the phone's speakerphone; Jack only hoped that Harris wouldn't make things too difficult for him out of consideration for Luca.

At worst, I can just quit the group and stop being this damn anti-drug police officer.

This profession, once associated with Harris, becomes utterly disgusting.

Harris was now in a dilemma.

He realized he had misjudged Jack, this rookie cop. He had assumed Jack knew people in the Mafia and was probably the kind of shady character he liked to deal with and would gladly bring into his group. He even thought about using Jack to build a relationship with Luca Pan.

This is the best ending.

They've already given money to a newbie who just joined, isn't that generous enough?

But Jack didn't appreciate it at all. This hypocritical brat doesn't do drugs, doesn't take money, and won't cooperate with him to stage the scene. How can he trust someone like that?
What if Jack betrays him and his brothers?
But if we really do it, and let him die in the line of duty, why would Madluka be so concerned about this young policeman?
Harris was caught in a dilemma.

“Jack, listen,” Harris put down the Ghost Gun, “I don’t want to make things too difficult for you, but please don’t make things difficult for me either. I desperately need this money, or I’ll be dead. I have four children to raise, and they can’t lose their father.”

Listening to Harris's pleading tone, Jack honestly couldn't tell if the man was faking it or genuinely begging him; the other man's change of attitude was just too fast. In just over half a day, Jack had already seen through this hypocritical narcotics officer, realizing he was a complete scoundrel in the police force.

This coward bullies who prey on the weak and fear the strong, yet he still wants to be a wolf?
"You started this mess!" Jack yelled. "From the very beginning, you've been making things difficult for me, talking rudely to my wife, forcing me to smoke marijuana, and just now you even tried to force me to kill someone? Fuck you! I'm a cop, not a scumbag like you who kills and robs!"

Harris found it incredibly ironic. "Our rookie cop is talking to me with such bravado. To be honest, I used to be just like you, a rookie cop full of energy."

"Don't you dare insult the word 'police' again!"

What changed me?

Harris muttered to himself, gave a self-deprecating laugh, and had no intention of arguing anymore. "Jack, I only have one request: do as I say today. You don't want to kill drug dealers for credit? Fine, no problem. So many of my brothers are envious of that credit."

I can change it to say they killed the drug dealer, and you need to sign my report—that's my demand! If you agree, I can let you walk out this door today.

After hesitating for a long time, Jack looked at the several policemen who were eyeing him menacingly. Thinking of his own life, he finally nodded and said, "Okay, I agree."

Harris breathed a sigh of relief; it was good that the brat had agreed.

At that moment, police sirens began to sound outside.

This operation was approved from above, and of course, someone will clean up the mess.

Before Jack left, Harris relentlessly stuffed a bag of stolen money into his arms, saying, "Whether you spend it or not is your business, but you have to take this money!"

Jack knew this was hush money; he'd already agreed to sign, so accepting the money didn't seem to matter much.

Jack eventually accepted the money, but as he walked out of the room with it in his pocket, despite the bright sunshine, he felt as if it was about to rain.

into the night.

Jack arrived at Beverly Hills with a heavy heart and had dinner with Luca and his sister.

Jack was a little reserved at the dinner table, but fortunately Luca didn't bring up anything difficult. After asking some questions about the car, they started talking about the training day assessment.

"Did you pass today's test?" Luca asked.

“It failed,” Jack said with a wry smile.

"This shouldn't be happening, right? Harris's assessment is too strict?"

"No, it's me. I've realized I'm not suited to be a narcotics officer." Jack shook his head. Or rather, was the police profession even right for him?

Jack was momentarily at a loss.

Those high-ranking police officers have connections with Harris, which means that the people above them are a similar group—those who don't care about their uniforms but are thinking about how to abuse their power for personal gain.

So, what is the meaning of being a police officer?

Across from him, Luca could see the young man's struggle. Denham had faced a similar situation back then, but that guy was much older and had been in the FBI for so many years; what hadn't he seen? Denham just didn't want to do it that way before.

Jack had never seen anything like this before and couldn't imagine that the narcotics squad was like this. He was too young.

Let this guy see more of the world.

Meanwhile, Harris took the money to his lover's house for a romantic getaway. After a while, when the appointed time arrived, he went to find the Russian to fulfill their promise.

However, at that moment, a burst of gunfire rang out.

Harris had barely reacted when a masked man armed with automatic weapons stormed into the room.

"Harris, today is the deadline."

This is a Russian accent.

Harris's expression changed, and he raised his hands high in front of the gun, explaining, "I've already prepared the money!"

"It's too late. Someone doesn't want you to live."

Da da da!
Fresh blood bloomed.

Harris collapsed to the floor, blood flowing everywhere.

The Russian assassin commandos are known for their simple and brutal methods; there's no problem that firepower can't solve. If there is, it just means their firepower isn't strong enough.

[You instigated the Russians to kill a ruthless anti-drug police officer; you upheld peace between the underworld and the legitimate world.]

[Gain Skill Points x10]

[Gained 5 Skill Fragments]

Luca looked away from the panel. Above this message was another one: the system had also included the matter of helping Jack out of trouble that afternoon.

"So what are your plans for the future? Will you continue working as a patrol officer?" Luca asked.

“I’ll start as a patrolman for now,” Jack said helplessly. “Maybe I’m only suited to be a patrolman, teaching petty thugs a lesson on the streets. Drug dealers and drug cases aren’t my thing.”

"Why not?"

"I," Jack didn't know how to explain, so he asked in return, "Mr. Greco, may I ask you a question? What is your view on the police?"

How else can Luka view this? Those who obey me prosper, those who oppose me perish.

He laughed and said, "An elder once told me that the police and the gangsters are just a cat-and-mouse game. Everyone follows their own rules. It is the police’s duty to catch thieves, but they cannot break the rules. For example, they cannot pin the blame on the thief for crimes that do not belong to him, such as accusing him of rape, murder, or drug trafficking. He was just stealing something."

"This isn't in accordance with your police regulations, is it?"

“Of course it’s not compliant.” Jack shook his head. Just like that afternoon, the informant hadn’t done anything out of line, but Harris framed him and killed him.

Luca: "That's why we prefer police officers who follow the rules."

Of course, Luca didn't explain what this rule was.

Jack, however, felt that Luca was different from other gangsters. Putting aside his identity, he was just a handsome young man with a good personality, and he didn't seem to have any vicious or violent side.

Moreover, there was a subtle sense of trustworthiness about the other person, as if they were a good partner of the police.

This made Jack feel a little incredulous; he had only met Luca a few times, yet he trusted him so much.

The two raised their glasses and clinked them together.

Luca's gentle aura gradually put Jack at ease, and he remarked, "Mr. Greco, thank you for your call this afternoon. Dinner tonight was wonderful."

I had someone keep an eye on him. Luca smiled and brushed it off, then said, "I'll need your help with the truck robbery. I'll provide you with any leads I have. If you don't want to be a quarterly cop, you can try transferring to the Major Crimes Unit. Vincent is a very good detective."

Vincent? Jack's mind wandered, when Luca added, "This truck robbery might help you establish yourself in the Major Crimes Unit."

Jack's heart suddenly raced. If Luca had helped him, he really could... But this was an alliance with the mob!

Luca: "I just wanted to do what a president should do, to fight for the rights and interests that my drivers deserve. And Officer Hoyt, what you should do is help our truck drivers' union catch those robbers as soon as possible. Isn't that your duty?"

Yes, the other party is speaking to him now as the guild leader. Jack was touched. After observing all the messy things that happened today, he roughly knew how to be a good policeman.

It's not about continuing to be a sheep, nor about becoming a wolf that eats people's heads, but about becoming a sheepdog that drives away the wolf pack.

“I have some leads right now.” Luca talked about the upcoming high-speed race. “Those biker gang robbers are very likely to participate in this race. You should be able to find some things you want at the race. If you need anything, just contact me anytime.”

"Thank you, this clue is very important! Mr. Greco, thank you for your cooperation."

"Pleasant to work with."

Jack looked at the smiling young man in front of him and took his hand.

[Bond: Friends]

Unlocking the Principles of Justice

Luca immediately spent the fragments to learn it, and with this 10% trust bonus, Jack found Luca more and more pleasing to the eye.

Luca escorted him to the front door and watched him leave after dinner.

"Young people are easier to fool. With so much trust boost, when he sees Vincent next time, that guy should trust him a bit more, right?"

(End of this chapter)