NOVEL NEXT Chapter 112 Promotion Promise, Training Camp_1
He closed the door to the conference room and sat down.
Feigning confusion, Dean said, "Captain, you came to the Detective Bureau instead of recuperating. Is it because of yesterday's case? Is there still trouble?"
"That case is now in the hands of the Security Bureau; it's no longer our concern."
Monet shook his head and sighed, "It's just that the Fourth Squad of the Homicide and Robbery Division has been in poor shape recently. In my absence, they've become lackadaisical. You've had a hard time, Dean."
"The guys are just burnt out; they're not usually like this," Dean said, offering a generous excuse.
Monet nodded. He genuinely appreciated Dean's willingness to share with and look out for his teammates. There are many capable people in the world, but few who understand the importance of repaying kindness with gratitude.
After a long period of observation, Monet noted that while Dean was ruthless in action—with a high fatality rate among criminals in cases he handled—he wasn't stingy and treated those around him well. If you promoted such a person, you could also be at ease. This was why Monet, despite his reservations about the Lincoln Farm trip, ultimately chose to bring Dean along. Trust is a perception built over the long term, not an impulsive decision.
Thinking of this, Monet said seriously, "Dean, I actually came over for two things."
"First, I've promised you before: you help me, and I'll help you! I, Monet, always keep my word! Your experience is still somewhat lacking, so I've contacted the FBI training camp. I'm arranging for you to start training there next week. This will not only help you avoid the fallout from this case but also deepen your experience. Once you return, I will verbally promote you to Acting Squad Chief of the Fourth Squad. After you've been in that role for six months, your promotion to official Squad Chief will follow smoothly!"
After listening to Monet's plans, Dean nodded contentedly. The rank of Squad Chief was above that of a regular detective, carrying the authority to lead a team. The Homicide and Robbery Division had four squads, totaling fifty to sixty officers. The youngest Squad Chief was twenty-eight, so Monet's offer was indeed sincere. Dean's opinion of him improved considerably.
Monet glanced at Dean and, seeing no dissatisfaction on his face, continued, "Second, if you have time, you might want to learn some social etiquette."
"Social etiquette?" Dean thought he had misheard.
"Haha, do you want to remain a low-level detective all your life?" Monet laughed, a hint of envy in his voice. "A highly influential person reviewed your file and is very interested in you. I expect that after your promotion to Squad Chief, he'll invite you to one of his banquets."
He added with deeper meaning, "Strictly speaking, you and I are both considered his people now. If all goes well, he's set to become the Mayor of Los Angeles next year. Furthermore, his family will supplant former Congressman Snetter's family as the dominant political force in the city!"
Monet's words clearly indicated he considered Dean a true confidant.
Interest and apprehension flickered across Dean's face, but inwardly, he remained skeptical.
Better to rely on oneself than on others.
Strictly speaking, if it weren't for him and Anthony dealing a deadly blow to the main members of the Carmen Family, Monet's backer wouldn't have the opportunity to capitalize on the situation.
Therefore, he would not, like Monet, consider himself beholden to anyone else.
However, having someone influential on your side was always beneficial, as it could eliminate many unnecessary problems. So, Dean didn't show any particular reaction.
As his strength increased, so did Dean's inner confidence.
Even if he could no longer make it in the Detective Bureau one day, he could still thrive, whether by joining Anthony or transferring to another enforcement agency.
If worst came to worst, he could make a living in another country just the same.
The Detective Panel wasn't exclusive to the United States; it imposed no restrictions or mandatory requirements on Dean. It was simply a tool granted to him by fate.
After some insincere pleasantries, Monet checked the time, stood up, and said, "Alright, Dean, get ready. On Monday, someone from the training base will contact you to have you temporarily join the training squad already in progress."
After seeing Monet off, Dean had just returned to his desk when Harry and several others, who had been awakened, immediately gathered around. "Dean, why did the captain come over?"
"The captain plans to send me to FBI training next week. You guys will have to do without me for a while," Dean said with a smile.
"That's terrible news!" Harry said dramatically, clutching his heart as if he couldn't handle the shock.
Robert also said despondently, "By then it'll probably be Christmas. If a case comes up, it's going to be tough for the few of us."
Daisy felt a sense of loss as well. She had hoped to take advantage of the approaching Christmas to hit Dean up for a hefty Christmas gift, which she intended to regift to her new girlfriend.
Dean, however, didn't see it as a big deal. "Guys, don't be like that. The world won't stop turning just because one person is missing, and besides, the Deputy Chief is still here."
Monet actually had a good eye for talent. Lawrence had a wealth of experience in solving cases; Harry knew people from all walks of life; Robert had strong execution abilities and decent combat skills; Daisy was a computer whiz, excellent at gathering intelligence...
Except for Phoebe, Dean couldn't discern any particular strengths in her. The others, however, had clear strengths and weaknesses.
As long as there was someone to lead, they could cooperate effectively and had the potential to become an elite squad. Therefore, his temporary absence wouldn't have a major impact.
Harry, however, curled his lip. "The Deputy Chief... Forget it. Dean, how long will you be away?"
"A week or two, maybe. I'm not sure exactly, but I was fast-tracked to get in, so it shouldn't last too long," Dean replied.
Everyone reluctantly accepted this fact.
「After work.」
Dean returned home and shared the news with Sheila.
She was making a handmade cake, and upon hearing Dean's words, her previously cheerful expression instantly clouded over. "No way!" she objected. "Dean, you have to cancel this training!"
"Why?" Dean looked at Sheila in confusion. This was the first time he had ever heard Sheila speak to him with such an uncompromising tone.
In fact, it wasn't just him. Sheila usually communicated with Thompson and Sinclair in a consultative manner, never using her maternal authority to give them orders.
Seeing Dean's confusion, Sheila grew even angrier.
"Have you forgotten that Christmas Day is your birthday?
"Your grandfather went to great lengths to fulfill your wish from last year; this time, he has put a lot of effort into choosing a pony for you.
"Your older brother and your second uncle have also specifically rearranged their schedules to ensure they can attend our annual family gathering.
"As a member of this family, you must be there on that day!"
Dean suddenly understood.
No wonder Mom was using that tone and had been frequently baking cakes and sweets lately.
He had almost forgotten that Christmas was his twenty-second birthday.
Sheila was a very traditional Italian woman who deeply cherished every family member, so the annual Christmas held immense significance for her. It wasn't just about Christmas Day itself, but because it was a rare day dedicated to family, a precious time for them to gather.
As she watched her children grow older, knowing they would inevitably leave her one by one, Sheila placed ever-increasing importance on this day.
Dean looked at his mother, who was stubbornly staring back at him, her hands covered in cream. Suddenly, his nose felt stuffy, and for some reason, his eyes began to water.
It was a strange sensation, one he had never experienced before.
Seeing him lost in thought, Sheila's tone softened, a hint of pleading in her voice, "Dean, on Christmas Day, I hope you can eat the cake I've made with my own hands!"
"Haha!" Dean sniffed and laughed heartily. Disregarding the cream on Sheila's hands, he hugged her tightly and affirmed, "Mom, don't worry! Even if those instructors try to stop me, I'll knock them down and be at the family banquet on time!"
"You're not lying?"
"I'm not lying!"
"Then get off me! You're so strong, you're crushing me! I can hardly breathe. And when are you going to bring a girlfriend home? I..."
Listening to his mom's rambling, Dean secretly wiped the corner of his eye.
So, this is what being moved feels like, he thought. Quite marvelous...
「A few days later.」
Early in the morning, amidst his family's reluctant farewells, Dean slung a small backpack over his shoulder and got into the car sent from the training camp to pick him up.