You're a US police officer, what are you thinking about going back to the East for?

"That driver named Dante was a spineless coward; we got him to talk before his lawyer even arrived."

"According to his confession, the goods from Mexico have already arrived, but they are now stuck in the hands of the Blood Gang."

"Some of these weapons and drugs were hidden in a clandestine transit warehouse in Seattle's West Side industrial area, ready to be distributed to the Hells Angels."

"He didn't know the exact coordinates, but he described the surrounding environmental features and drew a rough three-mile radius."

"This is a big fish, Chief."

At this point, Hayes paused, and finally revealed his true purpose for coming today:

"As you know, our Seattle office is understaffed. Most of them have been transferred to the border to deal with illegal immigrants, and the rest have to keep an eye on the situation in Sinaloa and analyze intelligence."

"There aren't enough frontline personnel to conduct thorough searches and raids."

"Therefore, we need the assistance of the Western District Precinct. To be precise, we need your manpower."

"Especially that patrolman named Vance."

His gaze was fixed on Sterling, his true intentions revealed:

"The decisiveness he demonstrated in the chaotic situation during the previous days is exactly what this operation needs."

"In addition to other personnel, I also hope you can second him to us to assist the federal task force in this clearing mission."

Sterling took a small sip of his coffee, his expression completely unchanged, as if he were genuinely considering the suggestion.

But in reality, she had already cursed Hayes' ancestors for eighteen generations in her mind.

How tragic...

I am truly saddened that I am a civilized person with higher education.

Otherwise, I would have thrown coffee in this arrogant federal bastard's face right now.

Hayes, that idiot, does he think that bastard Vance came from nowhere?

Last night, I almost put myself on the table as a bargaining chip!

Not only did they promise him an exorbitant overtime pay, but they also had to endure that bastard's harassment and tugging, and even agree to let him bring that useless female rookie along as a burden!

I paid such a high price, even losing all my dignity, just to barely get that ungrateful wolf to agree to join my ACU and become my weapon.

Now look what's happened, you in a suit trying to get something for nothing?

Do they need to second someone else?

Do we also need to cooperate with the federal government?

Sterling looked at Hayes, his mind racing with alarm bells.

These guys clearly want to take advantage of the joint operation to observe Lyon up close, and then use the Federation's higher authority and more tempting offers to poach him!

When the case is solved, the credit goes to the FBI. If they get used to the person, they can just transfer her to Washington with a single order. Wouldn't Victoria Sterling become the biggest sucker in that case?

Hayes seemed completely oblivious to the storm brewing in the eyes of the female chief before him, or perhaps the arrogance of a federal agent made him utterly indifferent to the thoughts of the local police.

He loosened his tie and continued in a commanding tone:

"Actually, if conditions permit, the department's current opinion is more inclined towards long-term covert surveillance than a direct raid."

"The best solution is to conduct covert surveillance. We need to set up a presence around there and use a long-term strategy to catch a big fish."

"Record every person who enters and exits, track every truck that leaves, until we understand the entire sales network and obtain irrefutable evidence enough to uproot them."

"This could take several months, or even half a year."

"But that's how federal law enforcement works, Chief Sterling."

"What we need is to uproot them completely, not just arrest a few low-level henchmen guarding the warehouse."

"Therefore, we need Vance, and your most capable officers, to assist us in conducting shift stakeouts."

Sterling's fake smile finally crumbled, and the muscles at the corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.

Surveillance?

Several months?

At that moment, Sterling felt a surge of anger rising to his head, and he almost couldn't resist spilling his coffee.

Does this bastard even know what he's saying?

The spot under my butt is so hot you could fry an egg on it!

Escalating gang activity caused the crime rate in the West Side to skyrocket. Several major financial backers were calling daily, threatening to withdraw their investments. The mayor's office was overflowing with accountability emails, and gunshots in the streets were more frequent than firecrackers during the Lunar New Year.

I'm in a desperate situation, my position is hanging by a thread. I desperately need a decisive victory to show those rich people "I can handle this," and save my job.

And now you're telling me you're going to raise a gu poison?

It means that within my jurisdiction, I will use my people to keep an eye on a group of drug dealers and arms dealers.

How could I just stand by and watch those bastards continue selling drugs, fighting amongst themselves, and pushing my crime rate up in my jurisdiction?

Then, due to the deteriorating public order, I was kicked out of the house, burdened with the blame for my incompetence, and forced to leave.

Six months later, the FBI pulled the rug out from under you, held a press conference and claimed it was all your doing, and everyone got promoted and went to Washington to become high-ranking officials by stepping over my dead body.

Dream on!

Keep dreaming!

She didn't actually need to give this arrogant federal agent any face at all.

This is Seattle's West Side, her territory, not Washington's backyard. She could easily kick him out on the grounds of "obstructing local law enforcement."

But... that transnational drug trafficking network is a huge piece of meat.

If the federal government were to handle it themselves, they would likely end up pocketing almost all of the tens of thousands of dollars in drug money seized.

She can have someone handle it herself. Her jurisdiction is only so big. Once the main force of drug traffickers retreats to the suburbs or the border, her case will be closed.

Although it's disgusting to have this bastard in a suit pointing fingers at you, and you even have to let them take some of the credit... this deal is worth it.

"Knock knock knock"

An untimely knock on the door broke the tense atmosphere in the office.

"Whoever it is, I'm busy right now. Don't bother me unless the police station catches fire."

Sterling was in a bad mood; his voice was clearly irritated and completely lacked its usual elegance.

"Oh, so easily angered?"

Lyon's languid voice came from outside the door.

Upon hearing that voice, half of the gloom in Sterling's eyes instantly dissipated.

What's this called? It's like having someone hand you a pillow when you're sleepy, or a knife when you want to kill someone.

She took a deep breath, composed herself, sat back in the boss's chair, glanced at Hayes, and then called out towards the door:

"Come in"

The door was pushed open

Lyon swaggered in, hands in his pockets, seemingly oblivious to the tense atmosphere in the room.

Mia, following behind him, was carrying a folder and looked rather timid.

"Ah, Officer Vance, you've come just in time."

Before Sterling could even speak, Hayes made his move.

This guy clearly saw this as a good opportunity to bypass Sterling and get straight to the point.

He straightened his suit, adopted a familiar expression, and completely ignored Sterling, who had just been glaring and swearing at him. He strode forward and stood directly in front of Lyon.

"We were just talking about you. The department was very impressed with your heroic actions that rainy night."

Hayes extended his hand, as if they were old acquaintances.

"I'm Richard Hayes. We met that night, by the command vehicle."