Jimmy completed the escort mission and returned to the police station, continuing his fervent pursuit of academic achievement. He had already enrolled in a third of the courses, and if he were to pass the exams all at once, he might set a new speed record for night school graduation.
The next day, LRPD personnel came to collect the serial number and the rifling data of Jimmy's revolver for the case closure report. Jimmy had thought there would be routine questioning followed by a vacation but found himself asking, where was the questioning? The hearing? Why was there nothing at all?
In truth, Jimmy was overthinking it. The reason Ned Ryan recommended him to Sergeant Ted was precisely because he knew who the butcher was. The police had no intention of letting the suspects who had injured an officer off the hook.
Many at the station knew of the butcher, but they did not know he was of Chinese heritage or his name. Since there was someone who could make contact, it was natural for Sergeant Ted to take advantage of the situation and have the dispatch center arrange it.
The outcome from yesterday was already within their expectations; the key point was that SWAT was the leading force entering, and Jimmy was only there to assist in principle. All these reasons led to the current situation being as it is—no time for pointless inquiries, no energy to bother with that.
Jimmy had wanted to properly plan his subsequent travel plans during his vacation, but his request for extended leave was not approved, and he even lost his administrative leave.
Jimmy was quite frustrated; his plans were completely disrupted, and he still owed a promise to the DEA to visit them.
After some thought, Jimmy felt it was better to fulfill this promise sooner rather than later. Delaying too long would not be good, especially since he would inevitably interact with them in the future.
Although federal personnel were checking his background, with Tom handling it, there was no need for worry. There shouldn't be any problems with this visit to the DEA.
Jimmy went straight to Chief James to request a week's leave in the name of DEA exchange. After much persistent pleading, Chief James finally approved his vacation.
With his leave approved, Jimmy immediately called Agent Torsten, and then he started preparing for his trip to Dallas.
Since the DEA was reimbursing travel expenses, Jimmy unhesitatingly booked a first-class ticket. All the arrangements in Dallas were handled by Torsten; he had nothing to worry about.
Jimmy began to prepare his gun case, for the case that came with the gun at purchase did not meet TSA (Transportation Security Administration) requirements. He bought a hard-shell gun case with dual locks, emptied the revolver's cylinder, brought a box of bullets, and locked both the gun and bullets inside the case.
Firearms traveling on an airplane in the United States need a hard case that cannot be opened at the sides or corners when locked, and it must be sturdy enough to prevent hazards during transportation. The gun must not contain any ammunition, and the bullets must be stored in a specific plastic case or the original factory bullet box—scattered bullets in the gun case are not allowed.
Jimmy packed a suitcase with clothes, a computer, and the gun case. After everything was ready, he set off for the airport.
Owing to carrying a firearm, he needed to register at the airport. Jimmy left early for the airport. Although he had already familiarized himself with the process, it was still his first time taking a gun on a plane. He didn't know how long registration and the process would take and felt a bit nervous.
Fortunately, the whole process was swift. After reporting at the service desk, filling in the registration form, and having the airport police and personnel inspect the luggage, Jimmy completed the process. His suitcase entered the baggage conveyor, and he proceeded to the departure lounge empty-handed to wait.
Upon arriving in Dallas, Jimmy retrieved his suitcase and wheeled his luggage out of the airport, where a gust of hot air greeted him. It was still incredibly hot even though it was already September.
Torsten was waiting outside the airport. After greeting each other with a handshake and a hug, they only cooled down once they got into Agent Torsten's car.
"Jimmy, how many days do you have for this visit?"
"Three or four days, I think. I'm planning to explore the surroundings a bit, a sort of mini vacation."
"OK, I'll take care of it."
The two chatted briefly, and Torsten took Jimmy to a hotel not far from the DEA office to check in—at Torsten's arrangement. Jimmy didn't have to worry about anything; he just needed to stay.
"Rest up for now, I'll pick you up tomorrow to go to the office."
After making sure Jimmy was settled in, Torsten left directly. For an agent like him, time was always in short supply. So, meeting up with someone was no stress at all; there was always too much work to finish anyway.
Jimmy put away his luggage, went to take a shower in the bathroom, changed his clothes, and then turned on his laptop to casually surf the web. The weather was not conducive for a stroll outside; it was still too hot. Unless necessary, Jimmy really didn't want to wander under the sun.
It had to be said that in this era, the internet in the United States had developed very quickly. Having a laptop with him, Jimmy could always find a place to go online when he was bored.
Late at night, Jimmy went out to find a restaurant for dinner and then found a bar nearby to kill time.
Early the next day, Jimmy's phone rang. Torsten was already in the hotel lobby waiting for him. Jimmy apologetically woke up the girl beside him, explained a bit, then went to the bathroom to freshen up before going downstairs to meet Torsten.
Jimmy said goodbye to the girl and then greeted Torsten, but Torsten didn't seem to care about the person with him. Seeing Jimmy dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, he asked directly, "Where's your gun? You should have brought it with you when you left."
"Of course, I brought it. But we're going to your office, and it wouldn't be convenient to bring my own gun, would it?"
"No problem, bring it. This is Texas."
Jimmy went back to his room to get his belt holster and gun set up, leaving it visible on the outside of his clothing.
Texas is one of the few states in the United States that allows open carry of firearms. Additionally, Jimmy's Arkansas CCW was recognized in Texas, meaning that even if Jimmy concealed his gun, keeping it under his clothes belted at his waist, it would still be legal in Texas.
Torsten took Jimmy out of the lobby, got into a car in the parking lot, and drove straight to the DEA office.
Upon reaching the DEA office's underground parking, Torsten took a cowboy hat from the back seat and gave it to Jimmy, "A gift for you. How could you be in Texas without a hat!"
As a county police officer, Jimmy, too, wore cowboy hats, just different in style. He had no aversion to this kind of cowboy hat and promptly placed it on his head.
Jeans, cowboy hat, belt holster, revolver—if he had a leather jacket and a pair of pointed leather boots, Jimmy would have a complete cowboy outfit. He was wearing a T-shirt and casual shoes today, which didn't quite match his ensemble.
Torsten led him to the elevator, took out a visitor's pass from his pocket, and gave it to Jimmy. He had prepared it in advance.
As they passed people on the way to Torsten's office, several greeted him. "Hey, Tory," someone asked, "who's this?"
"My friend, Jimmy. The higher-ups asked me to show him around."
Once inside the office, Jimmy took off his hat, his Asian face a rare sight in that office. At least from what Jimmy could see, there were Black and Hispanic individuals, but no Asians.