Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Plainly put, Daisy was with him more for a sense of security.

The relationship between the two had come to a point where either Daisy needed to take a step forward, or Luke needed to take a step back.

Luke had tried the former, but it hadn't worked.

So he had no choice but to step back, without too many expectations, there was also no disappointment.

He came to understand his relationship with Daisy as that of close friends, who helped each other out when needed, and could hook up casually when they felt like it.

Normally, they did not interfere in each other's affairs, each having their own work and social circles.

Of course, some things didn't need to be spelled out. Luke would gradually change how they interacted, and Daisy, being a smart woman, should be able to understand his way of thinking.

Perhaps this kind of relationship could last longer between them.

It was past midnight when Luke drove back to Reid Community.

Originally, he had planned to grab some food at the square's restaurant before going home.

But as soon as he entered the community, he sensed something different.

There were more people and cars in the community.

He didn't stop at the square, driving straight home instead, and noticed more cars parked outside the house he rented, including one with a television station logo on it.

Luke immediately understood that yesterday's news report had taken effect, and these journalists were probably there to interview him.

If Luke were considering a career in politics, accepting the interview might be a good choice, but he wanted to continue being a policeman, which meant he couldn't expose himself too much.

Being publicly hailed as a hero of a shooting incident and actively promoting oneself as a hero of a shooting incident were completely different things.

The latter could easily backfire.

Now that Luke wasn't entering politics, there was no need to monetize his reputation.

Luke didn't stop the car; he drove straight past and then headed for his mother's house.

His mother's house had fewer cars, but Luke's instincts told him that journalists were still lying in wait, so he didn't linger and drove off.

Where to go?

To Daisy's place?

No, he wouldn't go to Daisy's place during the day anymore.

Back to the police station, that was the only option.

Even the most persistent journalists wouldn't dare to barge into a police station.

Soon after, Luke drove to the police station.

As soon as he entered, many people greeted him.

"Wow, Luke, I heard you're the unsung hero of the shooting."

"Luke, was it really you who shot the robber?"

"Good job, buddy. You saved a lot of people. You're the pride of the LAPD."

"Deputy Luke, tell us about the situation. Was it very thrilling?"

Luke made an evasive remark and strode into the Robbery and Murder Department's Unit One.

Seeing Luke, his colleagues were surprised.

"Luke, you're back!"

"Stop!

Everyone, stop asking about Las Vegas. I'll tell you all about it over drinks someday, but not now."

Blackie persisted, "Buddy, what's going on with you?"

The deputy grinned, "Isn't it obvious? He's a walking news story."

Susan nodded, "Glad you're back safe."

"Thanks, guys. I'm very pleased to see you."

Luke rested for a bit in the office, chatted briefly with his colleagues, and then went to Reid's office.

As a police officer, if he was constantly monitored by the press, he could forget about getting anything done, and he didn't want his life to be overexposed either.

Luke shared his troubles with Reid, and Reid came up with a compromise.

In the name of the Los Angeles Police Department, a news conference was held.

Frankly admitting that he was the uniformed gunman and only talking about his own involvement, without going into excessive detail about the case, he publicly stated that he would not accept individual media interviews. With the mystery gone, the reporters also lost interest.

The less Luke accepted interviews and kept a low profile, the more the reporters focused on him, feeling that he had big news in his hands.

...

The next day.

Outside the Robbery and Murder Department, there were quite a few news station vehicles parked, and the yard was surrounded by many reporters.

These people were all here to attend the news conference.

Among them were many familiar faces, including Luke's "old friend," Pari Jones.

She had a stern face and seemed somewhat frustrated.

She thought she had a lock on Marcus, but who knew that this guy would turn around and sell the news to someone else.

When she saw other news stations broadcasting that Luke was the uniformed gunman, Pari Jones was even more frustrated.

This should have been her news.

Although she didn't like Luke, she liked this piece of news.

Damn Marcus!

To actually... ignore me...

While she complained about Marcus, she had to admit that Marcus indeed gave her a surprise by telling her a significant piece of news.

Unfortunately, she didn't seize it well and only got the first half of the story.

Now she had to wait for an interview with a crowd of reporters, which was not the treatment she deserved.

About fifteen minutes passed, and she saw two familiar figures, Deputy Chief Reid and Deputy Team Leader Luke.

She didn't like Luke, but when it came to work, she could set aside personal grievances.

If she could get a good story, she didn't mind cooperating with Luke.

If she didn't have that level of tolerance, she wouldn't have been able to stay in the broadcast industry for long.

After all, she and Luke didn't have a fundamental conflict of interest. Her real rivals were the bunch of guys around her.

Soon, Chief Reid took the stage and delivered a few polite remarks.

Next, it was time for the highlight of the news conference.

Luke took the stage, glanced at the audience, and sighed,

"From the moment I left Las Vegas, I told myself that the shooting incident was behind me.

But when I got home and saw a group of reporters surrounding my front door, I knew it wasn't over.

I originally didn't want to talk to the media, I just wanted to go home and get a good night's sleep.

But obviously, if I don't give interviews, this matter probably won't come to an end.

So, I've convened this press conference today, hoping to put an end to it all.

Although I don't know how the reporters found out, the person who disarmed the gunman that night was indeed me.

I was vacationing in Los Angeles, singing and dancing at a music festival, when it all suddenly happened...

What happened afterward is well known, and I don't want to go into too much detail.

I was the first to reach the gunman's room, but I didn't participate in the investigation.

I have told the Las Vegas police and the FBI everything I knew, as they understand the case better than I do.

All I did was wound the gunman to stop him from continuing his shooting, that's all.

I also hope that everyone won't keep focusing on me.

I just did what a police officer should do.

If you want to know more, go to the Las Vegas police or the FBI.

Furthermore, I have said everything I wanted to say.

I will not accept any individual media interviews, thank you." Luke finished speaking and suavely left the stage.

He didn't give the reporters a chance to ask questions, leaving them with just his departing figure.