After thoroughly exploring Zoe's living room, kitchen, bathroom, and even her walk-in closet over two days, Jack finally remembered an important task he had yet to complete.
With only three days left before reporting to Wilshire Police Station, he needed to find suitable housing.
Los Angeles has few apartment buildings, mostly consisting of single-story houses or two-story small villas. Despite Jack expressing his willingness to live in a rough neighborhood, Zoe and Hannah vehemently opposed it.
Initially, Jack planned to ask John if he was interested in sharing a place. However, he forgot that John had a wealthy friend and was currently living comfortably in a luxurious home in a high-end community.
In the end, Jack had to move into Hannah's attic. The advantage was saving on rent, which allowed him to buy a used Chevrolet for commuting. The downside was becoming Hannah's personal chef and accumulating several bite marks on his chest from Zoe.
Regarding his relationship with Zoe, they agreed to meet only once a month until they found a suitable solution.
**Rookie Reporting Day at Wilshire Police Station, Patrol Briefing Room**
Jack glanced around, recognizing a few familiar faces, and walked straight to the front row.
Just like in college, the veterans sat in the back while the rookies took the front row seats.
Within minutes, a dejected Lucy walked in, spotting Jack like a beacon of hope.
Jack waved her over to sit beside him and whispered, "What happened?"
Lucy, looking pitiful, began to complain, "My old car broke down this morning, nearly making me late. I had to push it for two blocks, and some idiot even tried to mug me in broad daylight."
"Before coming in, I ran into that grumpy Officer Bradford. He threatened me, saying if he became my training officer, he'd make my life a living hell. Today has been the worst."
"Uh," Jack carefully chose his words, trying to warn Lucy, "while hazing rookies is traditional, following Murphy's Law, you're likely to end up with him."
"Please, no," Lucy's mood worsened.
In the last minute before the briefing began, John rushed into the room, adjusting his uniform and looking around. Seeing Jack and Lucy, he sighed in relief and sat beside them.
Before Lucy could speak, a middle-aged African American officer entered. He was Wilshire Station's duty commander, Sergeant Wade Grey.
As expected, during the pairing of rookies with training officers, Lucy was assigned to the gruff Bradford, John to the African American female officer Talia Bishop, and Jack to the Latina officer Angela Lopez, who sat beside Hannah. Hannah gave him a triumphant wink.
After the briefing, everyone left the room. Jack spared a thought for John, who was being lectured by Sergeant Grey. As a fellow middle-aged man, Grey held a deep prejudice against the oldest rookie in LAPD history. It would take a while for John to earn his respect.
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"Is this car salvageable?" Jack frowned at the Chevrolet patrol car before him, while Angela Lopez looked at it with disdain—it was her assigned vehicle.
They had just arrested a couple suspected of illegal entry. These lesbians, in a fit of psychological distress, had trashed someone's bathroom.
After locking them in the backseat, Jack chatted briefly with Angela, only for the pair to start fooling around in the patrol car.
Once they got them back to the station and locked up, Jack and Angela donned gas masks and rubber gloves to clean the mess.
"I feel like I've lost something. I'll never be the same. Every time I close my eyes, all I see is that gross scene. Why can't lesbians be as eye-pleasing as they are in the movies?" Jack complained while driving.
"Don't mention what happened again, or I'll give you the lowest evaluation today," Angela warned, spraying the backseat with a can of disinfectant.
Jack made a zipping motion across his lips, complying.
Angela's appearance differed slightly from what Jack remembered. Her features were softer, and her large brown eyes were striking. However, it was clear that working as a patrol officer was tough; her skin showed signs of stress.
She had a tomboyish demeanor, quick and decisive in her actions, a stark contrast to female officers in administrative roles.
"Turn right up ahead. There's a food truck by the park where we usually have lunch," Angela directed.
After parking, Jack retrieved a large food box he had prepared that morning from the trunk and headed towards the makeshift tables by the food truck, where two other rookie teams were already waiting.
"How's your morning?" Jack greeted John and Lucy by the food truck.
"Looks like someone needs a comforting hug," Lucy said, her face reflecting a rough morning under Bradford's scrutiny.
"Go ahead, try it," Lucy warned as John extended his arms for a hug.
John attempted to console his girlfriend, "Is the TO giving you a hard time? It's their job to push us and test our real reactions."
"Just figure out how to please him. It's not that hard."
"Easy for you to say." Lucy gave him a sidelong glance. "Have you figured out what your TO likes for lunch?"
Seeing John speechless, Jack ordered a Mexican burrito for Angela, grabbed two sodas, and approached the chatting training officers.
"What's this? Did you make it?" Angela's interest piqued when Jack opened the food box, making her burrito less appealing.
"Pan-fried dumplings. Want to try? I made them this morning with shepherd's purse and pork filling." Unsure if she could use chopsticks, Jack handed her a plastic fork.
"There's chili sauce, too. I made it myself. If you like spicy food, you can try some."
Angela nodded approvingly as she ate. "You cook Chinese food? I've never had this before. It's delicious."
Pleasing the TO? That's my forte, Jack thought, winking at the two dumbfounded rookies.
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