August 20, around 7 pm.
The Palisades community.
Luke and Li Zhaofeng walked out of the wine cellar carrying two boxes of wine and arranged for the party company's waiters to place the drinks. There were a wide variety of drinks, including red wine, champagne, whiskey, rum, beer, Maotai and Wuliangye.
Liquor is rarely served at gatherings in general, but since there are many Chinese in this community, liquor is still needed.
For the Chinese, whether Moutai tastes good or not, whether they like it or not is one thing, but it is a symbol of strength and status.
Even though Luke doesn’t like sauce-flavored wine, he still recognizes Moutai’s status in the hearts of Chinese people.
There is no conflict between the two.
The little fat man was wearing a black suit, a white shirt, a bow tie, and black leather shoes. He was taking pictures in the yard with his mobile phone.
Linda was standing nearby, talking to the waiter from the party company, adjusting the lighting layout in the courtyard.
As the hostess of tonight’s party, Linda wore a beautiful blue dress and the jewelry Luke gave her. She even had her hair done in the afternoon.
Luke smiled and walked over, "Hi, Ms. Sullivan, I like your new hairstyle, it's very beautiful."
“Really? I’m still wondering if it’s a little short.”
Luke said firmly, "No, it's very fashionable and suits you very well."
“Brother, am I handsome tonight?” The little fat man also came over and struck a pose that he thought was cool.
Luke touched the fabric of the little fat man’s suit and said, “Yes, I bought this with money.”
The little fat man rolled his eyes, "It's my ability to spend your money, isn't it?"
Luke laughed and scolded, "You annoying guy, I really want to kick you in the ass."
The little fat man stepped aside and made a face.
At around seven o'clock, the party was ready, and neighbors were arriving one after another.
The first wave of customers were a Chinese couple named Lin, who run a chain of Japanese restaurants, and they gave Luke a 20% off membership card.
Luke accepted it with a smile. He always felt that it was a bit strange and a bit nondescript for Chinese to run a Japanese restaurant.
Luke invited them into the courtyard and went to the door to greet the other guests.
It was approaching eight o'clock, and more neighbors came to the party. Some opened dental clinics, some were engaged in foreign trade, and some were executives of listed companies. The average price of houses in this community exceeded 10 million U.S. dollars. If they were not high-income people, I can't afford it at all, and the annual property tax is a big problem.
Most of the people who can buy houses in this community are elites from all walks of life. This is also an opportunity to expand their network.
Luke received more than twenty waves one after another, totaling sixty or seventy people.
Before the party officially started, Luke walked to the stage and said a few words. While welcoming his neighbors as guests, he briefly introduced himself again.
Because we are all neighbors and familiar with each other, the party quickly became lively.
As the host tonight, Luke held a glass of wine and walked among the neighbors, chatting with each neighbor as much as possible and remembering their names and appearances.
It is difficult for ordinary people to remember sixty or seventy people at once, but Luke's observation ability is far beyond ordinary people and his memory is also good, so he can still remember seventy or eighty eight people.
The number of people attending the party was more than Luke imagined. The staff of the party company added some fruit plates and meat, so the cost of the party may be higher.
But it’s not a big problem. The real consumption of a party is wine, venue and labor. The food at the party does not cost much.
The party venue is Luke's own home, and the drinks are provided by Luke himself, so the cost of hiring a party company is not high.
Luke’s identity as a police officer is quite conspicuous among his neighbors. He is also the only police officer in the entire Palisades community.
Some neighbors have heard of his name, and some are very interested in the cases he has investigated.
Luke told some eloquent and interesting cases, which attracted many neighbors to watch.
An old white man wearing black-rimmed glasses came over and raised his glass, "Luke, I've been looking forward to your housewarming party, and I'm glad to be your neighbor."
Luke looked at the other person, it was Romit Bull, the author of "Gone Girl". Previously, Luke investigated a murder case, and the murderer imitated the plot of his novel, "Mr. Bull, I'm glad you can come.
We can be considered half of the same group. "
"Haha..." Romit Bull smiled happily, "You are right, I have been writing mystery novels for half my life, and it is indeed somewhat similar to the work of the police."
Luke asked curiously, "Are there any new works recently?"
“Yes, I want to write a novel with a policeman as the protagonist. Are you interested?”
"What's the meaning?"
“I want to create a detective novel based on you. Your experience itself is legendary. You became the captain of the Robbery and Murder Department at a young age and have solved many major and bizarre cases.
You are the Sherlock Holmes of Los Angeles.
I believe that the novel based on you will definitely sell well. "
“Haha.” Luke smiled, “Are you serious?”
“Yes, I already have creative inspiration in my mind. It would be great if you could provide me with some more suggestions or case materials.
I believe this will be a great work. "
"Wow..." Luke shrugged, "I'm honored."
Romit Bull patted Luke on the shoulder and said, "Luke, let's make an appointment to have a good chat.
I believe you will be interested. "
“OK.” Luke said casually.
The two did not chat for too long. After all, Luke was the host of the party and had to take care of the other guests.
Luke chatted with the other guests for a while.
Luke didn’t ask further questions. It was just a familiar face when they met for the first time, so there was no need to talk more deeply.
At around nine o'clock in the evening, neighbors started to leave one after another, and Luke personally took them to the gate of the courtyard. At ten o’clock in the evening, the last wave of guests were sent away, and the housewarming party officially ended.
The employees of the party company started to clear away the tables and chairs and clean up, and they didn’t finish cleaning up until nearly 11 p.m.
The little fat boy wanted to sleep at Luke's house, but Linda grabbed his ears and dragged him away.
Luke also drank a lot tonight, chatted for a few words with Li Zhaofeng, and then went back to the room to sleep.
…
The next day, Li Zhaofeng returned to New York. He planned to register a company in New York and acquire the shares of Kalman Pharmaceuticals through this company. Opening a company in a different place would have less to do with Luke.
After Luke put his father on the airport bus, he also drove to the police detective bureau to go to work.
After such a long rest, it’s time to show up. That means there are no urgent cases recently. Otherwise, Rhett would have contacted him long ago to return to the team.
It was the first time Luke drove his newly purchased Raptor pickup truck to work. As soon as the new car entered the police station, it attracted the attention of many people.
Captain Jones from the Anti-Crime and Anti-Drug Division walked around the pickup truck, "Man, I heard that your Mercedes-Benz was in an accident. Is this a new one?"
“Yes, this car is very powerful and feels pretty good.”
Captain Jones patted the car and said with a smile, "The standard equipment for a macho man, huh?"
Luke smiled, and the two of them walked toward the office building while chatting.
After the two separated, Luke went directly to the office of the 1st Squadron of the Robbery and Murder Department.
“Hi guys, good morning.”
Jackson smiled and said, "Captain, welcome back from vacation."
The deputy team leader joked, "You are such a cool guy. You have been gone for more than half a month. I am really worried that you will go to the wrong office."
"Haha..." Luke laughed, "Vice-Team, just worry about yourself, I haven't reached the age of Alzheimer's yet."
Deputy team “…”
Xiao Hei asked impatiently, "Captain, did you buy a new car?"
"How did you know?"
Xiao Hei pointed out the window, "I noticed you driving that big guy into the police detective station. How do you feel?"
"not bad."
Everyone chatted for a while, and Luke went to the deputy director's office.
“Dong dong…”
“Come in.” Rhett’s voice sounded in the office.
Luke pushed the door open and greeted with a smile, "Good morning, Director."
"You are finally willing to go to work. The deputy team has complained to me more than once."
Luke shrugged, "Nagging is a common problem among the elderly. My grandpa is also like this. Just get used to it."
Rhett smiled and said, "You came just in time. I have something to tell you."
Rhett poured two cups of coffee and handed one to Luke.
"What's up?"
“Chief Coleman may be transferred from the Detective Bureau.”
Coleman is the current director of the Detective Bureau.
Luke had heard this news from David before, but he still pretended to hear it for the first time, "Why was he transferred away? Didn't he do a good job?"
“He has done a good job, so he may be transferred to the General Administration.”
"when?"
“The time has not been determined yet, probably in the second half of this year or early next year.”
Luke asked with concern, "Then who will take over the position of director?"
“I can’t say for sure now. It may be an external transfer, it may be Deputy Director Savage, or it may be me.”
Although Rhett's words were a bit reserved, Luke could tell that the other party was quite confident, "Red, I think you are more suitable for the position of director.
Is there anything I can do for you? "
Rhett smiled and said, "Just do your job well. Don't forget, I'm still the director of the Robbery and Murder Department.
If something goes wrong in the Robbery and Murder Department, I will also bear the responsibility. "
“I understand, I will do my job well and handle all the cases of the first squadron.”
"Very good." Rhett continued with a satisfied look, "If I am no longer in charge of the Robbery and Murder Department, I will need to choose a new director.
The current deputy director Magna Met should be the first choice for director.
At that time, the position of deputy director will also be vacant. "Reed looked at Luke, "Although you are young and have the lowest qualifications among the four captains, I value your ability more.
You have to work hard. "
“I will.” Luke could naturally understand such an obvious hint.
The two chatted for a while, and Luke left the director's office.
Luke had heard the news from David, but it had different meanings depending on who said it.
Although Rhett is suspected of trying to get the pie, the position of deputy director is very attractive to Luke, and he does have a chance to get it.
In this case, why not try harder?