Valdora community.

A white Chevrolet, having changed hands countless times, was driving on the community road. In the driver's seat sat a young Black girl, none other than Aisia Alse, who had been bailed out from the police station a few days ago.

Aisia Alse had been feeling quite stifled these past few days. Since she was still on bail, her grandmother kept a close eye on her, hoping to keep her out of trouble, and she was rarely allowed to go out.

On the other hand, Luke had been urging her to learn lockpicking skills from him.

Aisia Alse couldn't afford to offend either of them, which left her exhausted.

Luckily, her grandmother had to go out for something today, giving her some free time.

The white Chevrolet drove out of the community, and she saw a black Mercedes G500 parked on the roadside ahead, showing an envious expression. Do police officers have so much money these days?

Or is this guy a corrupt cop?

Aisia Alse became even more cautious.

Luke rolled down the car window, "You're late."

"Sorry, my grandma wouldn't allow a cop at home. I could only wait until she left to come out. Get in the car."

"Ride in your car?"

"Of course. I live in a poor community. If you take your luxury car to my house, everyone will know within ten minutes that a white cop is visiting my house. Maybe you don't care, but don't get me in trouble."

Luke parked his car and got into the white Chevrolet. "Are we going to your place to learn lockpicking?"

"In the garage, to be precise," Aisia Alse teased. "You didn't think I'd have a special training field, did you?"

The white Chevrolet drove into the community, the houses on both sides somewhat rundown, with yards either piled with miscellaneous items or planted with some vegetables.

Groups of three to five Black people gathered to smoke and chat.

The car slowed down and drove directly into the garage of a gray house. Aisia Alse got out of the car, pulled down the garage door, and turned on the garage light.

Luke also got out of the car. The garage was slightly larger than he imagined, about thirty square meters, cluttered with all sorts of items, including various locks, padlocks, door locks, handcuffs, electronic locks, traffic locks, mortise locks, spherical locks, and safes.

"Is this where you usually practice your lockpicking?"

"Yes."

"Who taught you how to pick locks?"

Aisia Alse crossed her arms, "My father."

Luke didn't ask further, "OK, where do I start learning?"

"First, get familiar with the structure and principles of different locks. Different locks require different lockpicking tools and steps.

Afterwards, I'll introduce you to some common lockpicking tools, and some that I made myself, which are more compact and practical. Once you are familiar with these, I'll teach you lockpicking methods, and then it's all about practice."

"Don't keep anything to yourself."

"I'd be glad if you could learn quickly and leave sooner."

"Then let's get started." Luke used a 'Lock Opening Card', which allows him to quickly learn lockpicking techniques within three hours.

Then, one taught, and one learned.

Originally, Aisia Alse thought Luke was using learning lockpicking as an excuse, hinting at a deeper purpose, and became somewhat wary of him.

But after more than an hour of teaching, she realized Luke was seriously learning lockpicking techniques. Whenever she taught him a skill, he'd apply it and ask more in-depth questions.

Clearly, he'd thought it through.

Luke's learning ability was strong, and he quickly became familiar with all the locks and lockpicking tools, surprising Aisia Alse, catching her off guard.

Though skilled at lockpicking, she'd never taught anyone before, planning to let Luke take a break while she thought about what to teach next.

Suddenly, the sound of a car horn came from outside.

"Beep beep..."

An old black Ford Mustang was parked outside Aisia Alse's house.

The car driver's window rolled down, revealing a Black teenager, wearing a gold ring on his left hand hanging outside the car door, with a gang tattoo on his left arm.

"Beep beep..."

The horn sounded again.

A Black kid, about ten years old, came out of the house and got into the back seat of the Ford Mustang, which quickly drove away.

Luke looked out through the garage window, coincidentally witnessing the scene, "Are you planning to let your brother join a gang?"

Aisia Alse shook her head, "I haven't even taught him lockpicking skills. What do you think?"

"Then why let him associate with gang members?"

Aisia Alse sighed, "We live in a Black community, and he attends a Black school. He can't always be alone, or he'd be bullied by kids his age or older.

I've told him he can play with them, but he can't join a gang."

Luke nodded, not probing further, "Next time, let's find another place to teach. I don't like sneaking around, nor do I want to cause trouble for you."

"Thanks for understanding.

But I can't provide a new place."

"Then let's go to my place. At least we won't have to sneak around." Luke gave Aisia Alse the address of Reid community, mentioning that his new house was ready, and he'd be moving soon, so there'd be no concern for any impact.

In the following period, after work, Luke either studied lock-picking techniques or went furniture shopping, feeling very fulfilled.

In the blink of an eye, it was already July.

Outside a large venue, police cars filled the parking lot.

It was rare for Luke to wear his police uniform as he walked into the venue with his colleagues from the first squadron.

Today, the Los Angeles Police Department would hold an award ceremony here.

Besides the award-winning officers, their families could also watch and share in the honor.

This wasn't Luke's first award, but his family was still very happy and proud. Apart from Uncle Val, his mom, grandfather, and younger brother were all present.

Luke went over to chat with them for a while, discussing the family gathering to be held at the new house in a few days, inviting them to come along.

Luke's new house was almost ready, and he could move in at any time.

Not far away, David, also in neat uniform, waved at Luke, "Buddy, over here."

Luke asked, "Are you here for an award or a promotion?"

"An award, an outstanding collective accolade," David smiled, "What about you?"

"Both."

David's smile froze, "I shouldn't have asked."

"Buddy, you still have opportunities to advance; that's something to be happy about."

David flipped him off, "I hate your damn sense of superiority."

"I don't have it; I'm just speaking my mind."

David waved his hand and pulled Luke to a hidden spot, "Let's talk business. Why haven't I seen you much lately?"

"I've been busy buying furniture for the new house, moving soon. I'll have you over then."

"I heard you bought a mansion; I want to check it out too." David leaned closer to Luke and whispered, "I got my paycheck and am ready to pay you five thousand first. I'll give it to you later."

"No rush, pay me when you've saved up fifty thousand US dollars."

"You just bought a new house and need to furnish it..."

Luke waved him off, "Don't worry, I'm not short of money now."

"OK, I'll hold onto it then." David glanced toward the podium, "Have you heard the news?"

"What?"

"Chief Coleman is getting transferred."

"Really? How come I didn't know?" Luke was a bit surprised; Coleman was the current chief of the detective bureau.

"Haha, it seems you're not omnipotent after all."

Luke mused, "I only went to Reid's office yesterday, and he didn't mention it."

"Don't be silly, how do you expect Reid to say it?" David lowered his voice, teasing, "With Coleman leaving, a new era of mine is coming to the detective bureau."

Luke raised an eyebrow, "Can Reid replace Coleman?"

David shrugged, "That's just what I heard from others, but you should have a gut feeling."

"Thanks, buddy. I got it." Luke patted David on the shoulder.

After a few more words, the award ceremony was about to start, so they returned to their squads.

During the ensuing award ceremony, Luke also went on stage, receiving a Hero Medal.

After the awards, there was a conferral ceremony, where Luke was promoted from a Grade 2 detective to a Grade 3 detective.

The next rank advancement, Luke would become a superintendent, a qualitative leap.

If what David said was true, with Chief Coleman being transferred and Reid becoming the chief of the detective bureau, he wouldn't possibly stay as the head of the Robbery and Murder Department; someone would certainly replace him.

Of course, this person couldn't be Luke, firstly because he was too inexperienced, and secondly, his rank and position were too low.

He wasn't even a superintendent, so there was no way he could become the head of the Robbery and Murder Department.

If the head's position were filled internally, the most likely candidate to move up would be the deputy head of the Robbery and Murder Department, Magna Meit.

There are four squads in the Robbery and Murder Department, with Squads 1 and 2 personally overseen by Reid, while Squads 3 and 4 are managed by Deputy Head Magna Meit.

Once Reid is promoted to chief, Magna Meit has a high chance of being promoted to head.

At that point, the deputy head position would be vacant, which Luke might have a shot at competing for.

After all, although Reid would leave, the Robbery and Murder Department still needs some trusted individuals to oversee it.

There have always been rumors that the relationship between Reid and Magna Meit isn't good. Luke hadn't verified it, but he could vaguely sense Magna Meit almost had no influence over Squads 1 and 2.

Those rumors have some credibility.

As to whether Reid would not promote Magna Meit for this reason, it's complicated; Magna Meit must have had backing to become deputy head—Luke just never sought it out deliberately.

The basic territory of Squads 1 and 2 belonged to Reid, and he would naturally want to promote his trusted people to the deputy head position.

Ability, Luke has no shortage of, but his experience is relatively shallow.

The squad leaders of all four squads have more experience than him, and their ranks are all above superintendent, whereas Luke is just a 'Grade 3 detective,' which makes him stand out a bit.

Although the ranks and positions in the Los Angeles Police Department aren't corresponding, the problem is ranks can be slowly accumulated, and usually, people's ranks are higher than their positions.

Cases where positions are higher than ranks are almost nonexistent, too conspicuous.

The most prudent approach is for Luke to achieve a significant achievement, promote up to the superintendent rank; with the rank and ability, Reid's promotion of him would seem all the more justified.