North America Gunman Detective

Ruiz: "I'm in your bar, come over and let's talk."

Jimmy paused for a moment, "Okay, give me a few minutes."

Jimmy washed his hands, changed clothes, and went out.

What's going on? He had just met Hughes this morning, and Ruiz already knew?

Jimmy arrived at the bar and saw Ruiz sitting by the bar, with a drink in front of him. It looked like he had already had quite a bit to drink. Woody had just put away the bottle he used to pour the drink.

Jimmy: "Woody, give me a beer." He turned to look at Ruiz, "What's wrong? You don't look so good."

Ruiz swirled the whiskey in his glass, keeping his eyes on it without looking up, just letting out a simple "Hmm."

Jimmy took the beer bottle, reached out, and patted Ruiz, "Let's go, we'll talk inside."

Ruiz stood up and followed Jimmy to the small room, a place not usually open to others, so Jimmy wasn't worried about anyone being inside.

Sitting on the sofa, Jimmy took a sip of his beer before asking: "What happened?"

Ruiz: "What did you want to talk to me about today?"

Jimmy was silent for a while, looking at Ruiz: "About 'Seventeen', I want to know how deeply he's involved."

Ruiz: "Why?"

Jimmy placed the beer bottle on the coffee table, sat up straight, and looked at Ruiz: "For you. I need to know what 'Seventeen' did and whether it might affect you."

Ruiz said nothing, took a sip from his glass, put it down, and continued thinking.

Jimmy: "I have no connection to 'Seventeen', I've only met him. I can't do anything for him. But you... you're too closely linked to him. This case involves drug smuggling; if he's just a gang member, we can take them down since we all know each other. But if his identity is exposed, it won't just be him who's in trouble."

Ruiz: "Seventeen and I were in the same class at Quantico." He paused after saying this, finished his drink, and then continued: "He was assigned to another office, but eventually, due to certain reasons, he got to know the boss of the Black Diamond Gang, and later was assigned to Manhattan, not in an office, but directly as an undercover agent.

After becoming the head of the Organized Crime Investigation Unit, I took over the undercover files and eventually found him and got back in touch. Over the years, we've managed to take down some families thanks to intel from Seventeen."

Jimmy: "Hmm, it's unlikely he's just a regular informant, one could guess from previous interactions."

Ruiz: "Undercover agents sometimes violate protocols, which is unavoidable and understandable. But we shouldn't only see their violations; their achievements also need to be recognized."

Jimmy picked up the beer bottle, taking a swig. He could understand Ruiz's words and knew that undercover agents would inevitably break some rules, but typically it would be regular gang business, like brawls or money laundering in underground clubs. This time, it was drug smuggling, drug trafficking, which is the gang business Jimmy hates the most.

Jimmy: "I understand everything; I just want to know, Ruiz, if you... have been involved."

Ruiz shook his head, "I don't want to send a former brother to prison. Jimmy, don't get involved in this matter."

Jimmy sighed, "Alright, I understand, I won't get involved in these matters. I haven't been in the mood lately to take on any cases anyway; Nia got shot supporting a patrol officer today, and I'm upset about that."

Ruiz: "What happened? Was someone targeting her? Or you?"

Jimmy: "No, it was just an accident. Two punk kids were walking down the street with a gun, and then it fell to the ground, and a walking patrol officer discovered it, which led to a gunfight. Nia and her team were just passing by and stopped temporarily to support the officers."

Ruiz nodded: "As long as there's no conspiracy. Alright, I've got nothing else. I'm heading back."

Ruiz got up and headed for the door. Jimmy also stood up to see him out, calling someone to help Ruiz leave. Ruiz had drunk quite a bit today and didn't seem in a good mood, better not to let him drive himself.

After sending Ruiz off, Jimmy got another beer from the bar, leaning on it with his arm, and watched the people in the bar. Many times, just being an observer, watching the myriad lives in the bar was quite interesting.

Jimmy's bar was alright, most were regular folks and white-collar workers, hardly any gang members. Also, due to Jimmy's status, Isaac and Woody kept a tight rein on illegal activities in the bar, so there wasn't much trouble, making it a relatively safe place for people to have private conversations and chat happily.

If it were an underground bar or in a poorly policed area, the patrons would truly be a mixed bag, best to avoid such places, as trouble easily brews there.

Once the person who saw Ruiz off returned, Jimmy finally left the bar. Woody would take care of things, and he didn't need to worry.

The next day, Jimmy went to the hospital first to bring Nia a small suitcase, which he packed the night before, so she could be more comfortable at home. Nia's wound was healing well, and there were no complications; barring any accidents, she could leave the hospital the next day to recuperate at home, just needing to come in regularly for dressing changes.

Over the weekend, Jimmy attended Peter's gathering. Peter saw some familiar faces there, including Hughes, Ruiz, and Mahong. Although Peter may be a bit indecisive in some areas, his networking skills were quite commendable. There were a few socialites and museum officials present too.

Peter introduced Mahong, his successor, to them, a gift alongside handing over his white-collar duties.

Jimmy stood quietly with a glass of champagne in a spot away from others, watching Mahong smile and interact with others. It was clear he was still a bit inexperienced, but the effect was evidently good. Mahong's physical appeal was significant, a middle-aged white man with an excellent appearance, especially attractive to women, and incidents in Peter's introductions meant over half were professional women.

Hughes approached with a glass of champagne, "Jimmy, have you talked with Ruiz?"

Jimmy nodded, clinking his glass with Hughes', "Had a brief chat, I promised him to stay out of the case."

Hughes: "I had someone investigate a few things, and for now, everything seems fine."

Jimmy: "What about Seventeen, what's going to happen to him?"

Hughes: "He will be recalled."

Jimmy nodded, "I understand."

Hughes patted Jimmy, "Don't overthink it, I understand your mindset, but for many things...we need to be understanding."

Jimmy raised his glass and clinked it with Hughes', then downed his champagne, "I understand, Hughes, don't worry about me."

Hughes took a sip, nodded, and moved off to chat with others.

Jimmy summoned a server to get a new glass of champagne and headed towards Elizabeth, "Elizabeth, are you all set for DC?"

Elizabeth was also watching Peter as he introduced and chatted with Mahong, unable to follow, so she stood near the catering table alone. Jimmy coming over to chat was a welcome distraction.

Elizabeth: "Hmm, we've been there once, with an agent helping us keep an eye on things. Just staying a few days in a hotel over there is fine."