Dinner ended in a slightly ridiculous but surprisingly comfortable atmosphere.
It was the first time Morgan and Catherine had properly spent time together, yet they got along well.
Throughout the meal, Morgan kept trying to deny Jack’s claim that he was a privileged second-generation cop.
After recovering from the surprise, Catherine returned to her usual calm demeanor.
She enjoyed the food Jack had prepared and occasionally gave Morgan a sympathetic look.
With the Chief of the Bureau of Internal Affairs as his father, Morgan’s police career clearly wasn’t going to be easy.
“So you’re reporting to the 1st District tomorrow?” Jack asked after finishing the last piece of pork ribs.
“Yeah.” Morgan took a drink of wine and sighed.
“I haven’t even gotten used to my locker at the 21st.
My old man says the South Side is too dangerous, so he forced me into Central because he wants me to ‘build a foundation.’ I’m twenty-four.
What foundation does he think I still need?”
Catherine swirled her wine glass.
“Look on the bright side, Officer Jackson.
At least you probably won’t face an armed suspect on your first shift or spend the next few days dealing with a shooting review.”
Morgan rolled his eyes.
“Officer Hayek, you have a strange way of comforting people.”
Jack stood and began clearing the dishes.
“Stop complaining.
A different district isn’t necessarily bad.
Get some experience first, and if you want to transfer somewhere more challenging later, you can.”
“I hope so.” Morgan sighed and helped clear the table.
Catherine didn’t stay long.
After helping them clean up, she prepared to leave and looked toward Jack.
“Enjoy the administrative leave while it lasts.
If everything checks out, the review should be finished in a few days.
Keep your phone on because Platt or Commander Perry might call.”
“Got it.
Thanks.”
Catherine nodded.
“And thanks for dinner.
Your cooking is good.”
After she left, Jack and Morgan talked for a while longer.
Most of the conversation consisted of Morgan complaining about his father controlling his career.
Morgan had specifically chosen the 21st District because he wanted to escape his father’s influence, which made Jack understand him fairly well since Jack himself had left New York and come to Chicago for similar reasons.
Once Morgan returned to his room, the apartment finally became quiet.
Jack went into his own bedroom, closed the door, and took a deep breath.
The shooting, memory fusion, new coworkers, and everything else that had happened left him tired, but deep inside he could still feel excitement.
Rebirth, America, police work, and a system.
Jack focused his thoughts.
Open the system panel.
The translucent blue panel appeared again.
Everything looked the same as before, except for the single Wooden Treasure Chest displayed at the bottom.
Jack studied it carefully.
“The system says neutralizing criminals and solving cases can produce treasure chests.
So it isn’t only about fighting.
Solving cases works too.”
He focused his consciousness on the Wooden Treasure Chest.
The chest glowed faintly before disappearing.
[Obtained: Skill Point ×1]
[Obtained: Beginner Talent Fragment ×1]
[Obtained: $500 Cash — Deposited into System Hidden Account]
There were no flashy effects, only three simple notifications.
Jack immediately looked at his skills: Boxing and Wrestling Lv.
3 and Quick Draw Lv.
1.
When he focused on Quick Draw, a faint plus symbol appeared beside it.
“So Skill Points really can upgrade skills.”
Jack made his decision.
Use Skill Point.
[Ding!
Skill Point successfully used.]
[Quick Draw upgraded to Lv.
2.]
[Draw-and-fire speed increased by 20%.
Shooting stability slightly improved.]
A warm sensation moved through Jack’s arms as knowledge and muscle memory involving drawing, aiming, and weapon control entered his mind.
He made a quick practice motion with his empty hand and immediately felt smoother and more confident than before.
“Not bad.” Jack nodded with satisfaction.
Handgun skill was one of the most important survival abilities for an American police officer.
He then focused on the Beginner Talent Fragment.
[Collect 10 Beginner Talent Fragments to randomly synthesize one Beginner Talent.
Talents provide passive effects that enhance an ability or grant special utility.]
“So I need ten.”
Jack remembered the requirement before moving on.
The system clearly required accumulation rather than giving him everything immediately.
The $500 had been deposited directly into a hidden account.
It wasn’t much money, but Jack appreciated that the system had already solved the problem of explaining where the reward came from.
After checking the rewards, he reviewed his current attributes.
Strength: 13
Speed: 13
Endurance: 13
Spirit: 18
Spirit was far above the normal average of ten.
Jack suspected the fusion between Ethan Cole’s consciousness and Jack Stacy’s memories was responsible, which also explained why he had adapted so quickly and stayed calm during the shooting.
His Endurance, Strength, and Speed were all thirteen.
Jack’s attention shifted toward Boxing and Wrestling Lv.
3, which represented the combat training Jack had practiced since childhood.
The skill had helped develop his physical ability and gave him a strong foundation for police work.
“Can’t neglect this either,” Jack thought.
“A gun isn’t always the answer.”
He glanced through the weapon section next.
His standard equipment included the Glock 17 and normal patrol gear, while heavier weapons such as the M4 Carbine and Remington 870 were available when required.
The Glock had already been fired in the line of duty on his first day.
Thinking back to the shooting, Jack noticed how calm he still felt.
He had none of the shaking, fear, or uncontrolled excitement common among inexperienced officers after firing at someone.
Ethan Cole’s previous police experience and Jack’s unusually high Spirit attribute were probably responsible.
“Ethan Cole…
Jack Stacy…”
Jack stood in front of the full-length mirror and looked at the young face reflected back at him.
His expression slowly became firm.
“Whatever I was before, I’m Jack Stacy now.
I’m a Chicago police officer assigned to the 21st District.
I’ll live this life properly and become a good cop.”
For the next two days, Jack remained on administrative leave.
Morgan had already transferred to the 1st District and moved out, leaving Jack alone in the apartment and thinking that he would eventually need another roommate to help with the rent.
Jack used the time to become completely familiar with his new identity, environment, and memories.
On the afternoon of the third day, his phone rang.
The number belonged to the 21st District.
“Officer Stacy, this is Platt.”
“Good afternoon, Sergeant.”
“The preliminary shooting review is finished.
The scene evidence and Officer Hayek’s statement support that your actions were justified and necessary.
Your administrative leave is over.” Platt paused briefly.
“Report tomorrow morning at eight sharp.
Your duty status and equipment will be restored according to procedure.”
“Understood.
Thank you, Sergeant.”
“Don’t thank me.
Thank yourself for not doing anything stupid.” Her voice softened slightly.
“Hayek will continue as your field training officer.
Do your job and don’t cause me trouble.”
“Yes, Sergeant.”
After the call ended, Jack clenched his fist in excitement.
His police career could finally continue.
Early the next morning, at 7:45, Jack walked into the 21st District wearing his dark-blue uniform and full duty gear.
The station smelled of coffee, disinfectant, and paperwork while radios crackled with dispatch traffic.
Sergeant Platt remained behind the front desk.
Without even looking up, she pointed her pen toward the locker room.
Jack headed inside, where several officers were changing shifts or preparing for patrol.
Kevin Atwater was adjusting his gear when he noticed Jack and immediately smiled.
“Look who’s back.
The super rookie survived.”
Kim Burgess turned from her locker and smiled as well.
“Welcome back.
How are you feeling?”
“Great.
Good to see both of you.”
“Just call me Kim,” Burgess said.
“I heard you’re continuing with Hayek.
She’s good, but she has high standards.
Stay sharp.”
“I will.”
Kevin walked over and patted Jack on the shoulder.
“And just call me Kevin.”
Before Jack could answer, the locker room door opened.
Catherine Hayek entered already fully equipped, her dark hair pulled back neatly.
She looked toward Jack and gave a small nod.
“Jack, five minutes.
Parking lot.”
“Yes, Officer.”
Jack quickly checked his equipment.
His handgun, spare magazines, handcuffs, TASER, baton, pepper spray, radio, and first-aid supplies were all in place.
When he reached the parking lot, Catherine was waiting beside their Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.
She opened the passenger door and looked at him.
“You’re driving today.”
Jack got behind the wheel, adjusted the seat and mirrors, fastened his seat belt, and started the engine.
The patrol car smoothly left the district station.
“Learn the patrol area,” Catherine said.
“Pay attention to obvious crimes, unusual situations, disputes, and people who need help.
Keep listening to the radio and be ready to respond when another unit needs backup.”
“Understood.”
Jack drove through Chicago’s South Side while scanning the streets around him.
Aging houses, graffiti-covered walls, and small groups of people watching passing squad cars reminded him exactly what kind of district he had chosen.
This job was not going to be easy.