Capítulo 210: Chapter 210: The War God of Starbucks
Nearly a year after returning to the Wilshire Police Station, Jack felt like he was coming home. Besides those familiar faces, he also saw Taylor Kelly, the beautiful news anchor from Channel 8, peeking at him.
However, today she wasn't dressed like a news anchor, wearing only light makeup and without a cameraman in tow.
Most people hadn't returned yet, like Superintendent Gray, who was still on the scene managing the media and many officers who stayed to maintain order.
For such a large-scale shooting incident suspected of terrorism, both DHS (Department of Homeland Security) and the FBI had to get involved, making the LAPD follow their lead begrudgingly.
But returning home really did feel like coming home. Not long after being invited into the break room, people came up with various excuses to greet Jack.
Even the old-timer Smitty showed up, practically thumping his chest to assure Jack that all the phones at the scene capturing clear shots of Jack and Hotchner's faces had been collected as evidence.
Tim personally took their statements, finishing in less than an hour since there wasn't much to say. Besides collaborating in taking down the shooters, they didn't know much more than the LAPD.
Hotchner made a few calls, mainly to reassure his wife in the hospital and to get updates from the FBI. The BAU wouldn't be following up on this case; all evidence pointed to a non-organizational shooting incident.
When Tim packed up and left, the small table in front of Jack and Hotchner was already piled high with various snacks and drinks brought by the officers who had come to visit the two heroes.
"I didn't expect you to be so popular here," Hotchner remarked as he opened a pack of wafer chocolates, feeling a bit hungry.
Well, almost everyone at the Wilshire division had tasted Jack's cooking. His culinary skills were honed through constant practice. Every workday, besides preparing a sumptuous lunch for himself and his partner, he would put the extra training results in the patrol officers' lounge fridge with a note saying 'help yourself.'
Over time, it became a habit for everyone to raid the fridge for something tasty when they were hungry or had a craving. Even the old-timer Smitty had fought for a small budget from the union funds to get a new fridge for the lounge.
Even after Jack left, it became a tradition for people to stock the fridge with food. Periodically, some families from the community would visit, bringing their kids and various foods.
Of course, this good police-community relationship was also thanks to the efforts of the beautiful Officer Kara and some public welfare organizations she participated in, as well as the groundwork laid by Zoe.
With sufficient funding, full staffing, and offering small helpful services to citizens while patrolling, these were resources and requirements fought for by the officer who had connections to an old California political family.
Superintendent Gray continued these traditions well after taking over. There was always someone responsible for clearing uneaten food and sending it to a few relief points in Wilshire.
Jack didn't know about other places, but for the LAPD, except for certain special rich areas, the Wilshire Police Station probably had the best police-community relations.
Usually, it was only firefighters who received food from the community. For the police, it was a good relationship if people didn't spit on them as they passed by.
"Hey, mind if I do an interview?" Taylor Kelly, dressed casually in a pink dress, poked her head in, waving two bottles of Coke at the two in the lounge.
"Of course not," Jack smiled and nodded, "No, we've already asked the LAPD to keep our identities confidential."
"How about an anonymous interview? I promise not to reveal your identities. I didn't even bring a cameraman today," Taylor pouted, looking aggrieved. "With our relationship, can't you grant me this small request?"
"Relationship?" Jack hadn't forgotten that after he saved her, she tried to use him to bully Hannah. He wondered if their little war had reached a conclusion during his absence.
Taylor gritted her teeth, turning to Hotchner, who seemed a bit puzzled, "Chief Hotchner, could you do an interview?"
"Sorry, the identities of BAU members are strictly confidential. All external affairs are handled by me. Here's my card," said JJ, striding to the door in high heels and an OL outfit, handing Taylor her card with a smile. Despite the smile, her aura quickly overshadowed Taylor, who was trying to play the girl-next-door card with Jack.
Seeing JJ come to pick them up, Hotchner and Jack got up to leave. As they passed a crestfallen Taylor, Jack winked at her. "If you're not here in a professional capacity, I'm hosting a party at my place tomorrow. You're welcome to hear the story there."
It wasn't just Taylor who was curious. It had been a while since Jack hosted a party, and with the BAU not yet busy, it was a good time to reconnect. But tonight was booked with two ladies, and it was better to feign some aftereffects from the ordeal.
Imagining how Zoe and Maureen would reward their hero tonight, Jack didn't notice JJ's curious glances at him.
Back at the FBI building, Jack and Hotchner were welcomed like heroes by the rest of the team.
Reid's computer played a shaky video loop, the only clip circulating online of the scene, likely shot by a brave civilian from a hundred meters away. The angle and obstruction made it hard to identify them, which is probably why it wasn't taken down.
"In under two hours, the YouTube view count hit 5 million. Many are trying to find out your real identities," Garcia said excitedly, as one of the earliest insiders, she had been helping to block information online.
"What about Hotchner?" Jack asked, curious. Hotchner's performance was more impressive, wielding dual guns stylishly.
"Dual-Gun Man? Suit Hero?" Reid read out the comments, making the usually poker-faced Hotchner frown at the cheesy nicknames.
"Please, vote for me. Even if it's just to keep me from the bottom of the ranking. Daily new subscriptions are dropping."
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