"Oops, Lock, my bad..."
Returning to duty and causing such a hilarious misunderstanding only added more fun to the upcoming patrol.
After a while, David couldn't help but tease Lock about it, but seeing Lock no longer embarrassed like before, he felt it wasn't fun anymore and shrugged it off.
Suddenly, he glanced at Lock in confusion, "Is it just me, or do you seem to be driving more steadily today?"
Lock smirked inwardly, realizing that David was getting old and only noticing now.
He chuckled, "Maybe it's because I wasn't around, and your new driver's skills were terrible, or perhaps the logistics department just replaced the shocks..."
"Randy's skills are indeed terrible!"
David complained about Lock's partner during his absence, then joked, "Expecting the logistics department to replace the shocks on this old car is like waiting for the Soviet invasion..."
The patrol car they were driving now was a 17-year-old Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, a true old-timer.
Lock grinned, "Well, when I get rich one day, I'll donate a batch to the Wilshire Division..."
"Looks like I won't live to see that day..."
David pretended to be regretful. With 22 years of service, he could retire with full benefits in 3 years. Then he sighed, "Kid, I thought you wouldn't come back!"
"Why?"
Lock naturally understood David's implication. With his wealthy background and experiencing a dangerous shooting incident, although he came out unscathed, it was highly probable that he would quit the LAPD.
A six-month internship had made Lock thoroughly familiar with the streets he patrolled. He skillfully turned the steering wheel to the right and said, "I feel like the people of Los Angeles need me, and I can't bear to see you, old man, facing criminals alone..."
David responded with a middle finger and chuckled, "Thanks..."
Curious, he asked again, "By the way, how did you hook up with the sweethearts at Parker Center?"
Lock cheekily replied, "They approached me, saying my voice is sexy..."
Out of the blue, David asked, "Who did you hook up with at Wilshire? Mona? Elsa? Don't worry, I'll keep it a secret for you..."
"No..."
Lock gave David a wary look, then said, "Are you trying to trick me? Well, don't worry, I remember your advice!"
He raised two fingers to his head, indicating that he would remember David's words.
David nodded in approval, saying, "That's good. Finding a partner in the same team affects work and is unprofessional. It will also affect your reputation and promotion. The department also has regulations for couples. Once discovered, one of them has to resign or be transferred."
Then he joked, "Kid, when I was young, the sweethearts at Parker Center also asked me out on dates, so don't show off in front of me. What's with that expression? Don't you believe me?"
Lock quickly flattered him, "Of course, I believe you. Just looking at Catherine tells me you were handsome in your youth..."
David's expression instantly turned cold, and he said fiercely, "Kid, I don't want to hear Catherine's name from your mouth, not even once. Otherwise, watch your back..."
Catherine Murphy was David's only daughter, a graduate of CSU Davis, and Lock's fellow alumna.
Unlike Lock, who was academically poor, Catherine was a top student, graduating with a master's degree in forensic science. She worked as a forensic pathologist at the LAPD and was David's pride.
Catherine was gorgeous, and David guarded her like a hawk whenever Lock was around, fearing that Lock, a playboy, would approach his daughter.
Lock shrugged and made a zipper motion across his lips, quickly changing the subject, "It's been quiet this morning!"
Since starting their patrol, they had only handled a few minor cases.
David's relaxed expression tensed again as he cursed, "Bullshit, what are you saying, kid..."
Lock realized his slip of the tongue and was about to make amends when a call came over the radio.
"DE2, complaint of excessive noise from construction next door on Devin Street..."
Thankfully, it was DE2, a routine incident (non-emergency), so they didn't need to use sirens.
Lock's tense heart instantly relaxed when he saw the address was nearby. He immediately responded, "7ADA15, copy..."
Following the detailed address on the computer, he turned the steering wheel, then turned to David with a wry smile, "Luckily..."
David angrily interrupted him, "Shut up, kid, I don't want to hear you talk right now!"
Lock felt embarrassed. Damn it, he almost broke a taboo again. He immediately shut up and didn't speak again, realizing he was too excited.
The case was quickly resolved. The noise from the Mexican neighbors' construction was not excessive; it was just the white old lady next door who wasn't happy seeing so many Mexican immigrants around.
After handling a few more routine incidents, it was already noon. Lock skillfully parked the car in front of a Mexican restaurant, where another LAPD patrol car was already parked.
"7ADA15, DE7..."
After reporting their lunch break to the dispatch center, Lock and David got out of the car one after the other.
DE7 in the LAPD's internal code meant leaving the car to have a meal and rest.
Inside the restaurant, first-level Sergeant Mona Cole and rookie patrol officer Nathan Field, both serving as internship mentors, were already eating. Seeing them enter, they waved to signal them.
The two of them ordered Mexican wraps, carne asada, and juice from the server, then went over to join them at the table.
Sergeant Mona and Officer Nathan congratulated Lock again on ending his internship early, especially Nathan, who couldn't hide his envy. He decided to become a cop in his thirties and was always struggling under the strict Sergeant Mona Cole.
Because it was fast food, the food arrived quickly, and soon Lock and David were eating too.
After Sergeant Mona finished her meal and took a sip of her juice, she casually asked, "How was it this morning, smooth sailing?"
David recounted the morning's mishaps caused by Lock, and after Sergeant Mona and Officer Nathan heard it, they laughed heartily, with Officer Nathan even giving Lock a thumbs up.
Sergeant Mona wiped a tear from her eye, sympathetically saying, "Lock, you're finished. This incident will definitely spread throughout the LAPD..."
Lock shrugged, indifferent, and defended himself, "It's not my fault. The voices on the radio can be distorted. If it were in person, I definitely wouldn't have misheard..."
Sergeant Mona felt a bit awkward at how candid Lock was and coldly said, "Well, since you're now a sworn officer, how could you make such a rookie mistake!"
This time, Lock didn't argue and apologized sincerely. Being a jinx at the LAPD was definitely a taboo.
Because if nothing went wrong, it was fine, but if something did happen, it could result in injuries or even fatalities among the officers.
Just as the atmosphere was getting a bit heavy, two more LAPD officers walked in: African-American second-level Officer Randy Casco and his Caucasian rookie partner, Officer Elsa Molly.
As soon as Randy
saw Lock, he didn't bother to order food but walked straight over, pinching his throat and flashing a toothy grin, playfully yelling, "Fucking you, Lock, IAEILY..."
The table erupted in laughter, and the previous heaviness disappeared in an instant.