Silence lingered for a moment.

Dean smiled gently. "Agent Asia, if you suspect I hid the banknote printing plates, you can follow procedure. As long as my superiors suspend me for an investigation, I'm ready to cooperate at any time."

Asia nodded. "You don't need to remind me. I will handle it. Meanwhile, Chief Dean, I hope you don't leave Los Angeles anytime soon, or you'll bear the consequences!"

"That's my duty, but I must remind you that the counterfeit case might involve the Skull Gang. They're a very dangerous bunch..."

"They're just a pack of rats hiding in a sewer. We'll handle them!" Asia interrupted Dean, and without a glance at Haver's corpse, turned and left.

"Sorry, Agent Asia just transferred from the CIA not long ago. She still has their way of doing things. Chief Dean, please don't take it to heart." Cheston En offered Dean an apologetic look, then hurried after her.

CIA... No wonder this old woman is so insufferably arrogant and ill-tempered. Dean made a mental note of Cheston En's reminder and left as well.

As for Asia's hostility, Dean wasn't bothered, nor was he arrogant enough to think of eliminating her. He wasn't truly mad. Without certainty about the situation, it was best to wait and see how things would unfold. After all, even if Old Hunter submitted to the FBI, Monet wouldn't let Dean suffer unfair treatment. Besides, he had the backing of Saul Aston. That was the benefit of having powerful connections.

...

Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, a week had passed.

Since Asia's departure, she hadn't bothered Dean again. As for her threatened suspension and investigation… well, Dean hadn't received any news of that sort. His interface also showed no notification that the counterfeit money case had been closed. The investigation was still ongoing.

The only thing Dean regretted was that Haver's wife hadn't been attacked. The woman had luckily survived and was then moved by Asia's people to an unknown location, causing Dean to lose his surveillance on Molly. But this was trivial. Even if Molly, that charlatan, wanted to complain to Asia that I intimidated and illegally manipulated her while posing as a criminal, she wouldn't have any evidence. Even if she had evidence, such a complaint would ultimately land on the desk of Monet, the new head of the Internal Affairs Department. Would Monet dare to be harsh with me? We're all on the same side. The final outcome would just be to turn a big problem into a small one, and a small one into nothing at all.

Of course, it would be best if Asia didn't stir up trouble. But if she really did, then 'members of the Skull Gang' would fight for their true master and eliminate Asia, that posturing clown.

So these days, Dean wasn't too concerned about the counterfeit case. He was busy training the new team member, Carlo.

...

Carlo, Robert's younger brother, was twenty-four this year and had military experience. After his discharge, he had joined the city's tactical team and had been there for almost a year. After much deliberation, Carlo finally accepted Dean's invitation. The current recruitment for the Fourth Squad was actually an increase in manpower ordered from above, providing four 'green channel' positions, so Carlo was directly transferred under Dean's command.

After observing him for a few days, Dean had largely figured out Carlo's strengths. He was proficient in Capoeira, skilled with both handguns and rifles, and carried a ruthless air about him. Aside from being taciturn, he was a great addition to their combat force. Luckily, Harry was a versatile type and got along well with anyone.

Now, all that was needed was the right case to break Carlo in and get him used to Dean's rhythm.

...

In the afternoon, just as Dean was reflecting on yet another day of slacking off and preparing to visit Daisy to check on her injuries, Hawk walked in.

He glanced at the cubicle curiously and asked, "Daisy hasn't come to work yet?"

"Since there's not much going on, I let her take paid leave," Dean said lazily, toying with a bullet.

"You're so generous; it makes me want to join your team," Hawk said with envy as he placed a file on the desk. "The port received a distress call. A death occurred aboard the Elizabeth Cruise Ship while it was out at sea. The victim is a 21-year-old male model, also a college student on leave to earn some extra money. Here's the victim's information. The cruise ship should dock at the port tomorrow morning."

Dean took the file, intrigued. "Is this a gambling ship?"

Hawk shook his head. "No, if it were a gambling ship, we wouldn't even have received a report. Out in international waters, a death is no different from a stray fish dying.

"All I know is that the Elizabeth Cruise Ship is the private property of a wealthy woman in Los Angeles.

"There are many widows in Los Angeles who inherited fortunes from their husbands. They're rich and lonely, so they often hold decadent events. And because they fear being snapped by paparazzi, they make sure their gatherings are very secluded."

Right. So, they kicked things off with a debauched party, and they even took the cruise ship to international waters. Rich people really know how to live it up.

After seeing Hawk off, Dean started perusing the file.

According to the information, the deceased was named George, a sophomore at the School of Dramatic Arts, University of Southern California, Los Angeles. That school had produced quite a few Hollywood stars.

The only drawback? The tuition was too expensive. So, many dream-chasing young men and women survived by making deals, sustaining their considerable daily expenses and their dreams of stardom.

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