Jimmy looked at James; the words James had just said truly conveyed a sense of candidness and trust.
As for Jimmy's future choices, he indeed didn't need to consider the county police's situation in principle, since it was about his own future path, irrelevant to others.
But as the chief, James was well aware of Jimmy's significance, whether considering his practical deterrent effect as a policeman or the personnel adjustments after his departure. Jimmy staying would be the most advantageous choice for the county police.
However, James directly put the county police's issues aside, not pressuring Jimmy, leaving him to choose his own future path. This was somewhat detrimental to the department's interests.
If one didn't know that Jimmy had no special relationship with James, they might really think that Jimmy was James' illegitimate son. James was too good to Jimmy, almost excessively so.
Jimmy finished the coffee in his cup, stretched his hand to pour some more coffee for James, and filled another cup for himself.
Jimmy, "Thanks, James, I'll think it over carefully. By the way, about those cases last Christmas, the ones staged like the inverted pentagram, they were handed over to the State Police. Now the cases have been transferred to the FBI. Harten Agent asked me to help him investigate some clues in my spare time, as they are busy with counter-terrorism and don't have time to handle them."
James, "Why come to you? Once the cases were transferred, they are no longer our concern."
Jimmy, "Agent Harten has a hypothesis that the previous cases might be the work of a cult. Based on their actions at midnight last Christmas, this Christmas might not be peaceful, and something could happen again. There's still more than three months to Christmas. If we can solve the case earlier, we might prevent them from acting.
Also, according to a tip-off, the cult's stronghold should be within our jurisdiction, a villa by the Arkansas River, but we still haven't pinpointed which one."
James, "Leave such cases to them, we don't have the manpower they have. As for you, when do you ever have free time? I remember you're still attending night school."
Jimmy, "Only half a year left, I should be able to complete all the courses by the end of this year."
James, "Then do your best. Your current high school diploma is a bit inadequate. No matter what path you choose in the future, climbing higher is always easier with more education."
Jimmy, "Yeah, I shouldn't have a problem with my studies. The previous exams were quite easy. Unless something unforeseen happens, I should be able to get my diploma by the end of the year, and then see if I have time to apply to a university."
Having finished his coffee, Jimmy stood up to leave. "James, I don't have anything else, so I will go now and not disturb your rest."
James, "Mm, remember to come to work early tomorrow; it's still quite busy these days."
Jimmy took his bag and left the study; he didn't need to call for a ride since he hadn't drunk any alcohol today.
He drove to his private storage first and placed the documents from his bag into it. This time he had brought two items with him, one was a CIA identification, and the other was the mobile phone previously kept in the document bag.
The phone had always been kept with its battery removed, and Jimmy hadn't decided whether to insert the battery to check its contents or not.
It had been a while since he had acquired the phone, and Jimmy intended to find time to power it on and check. Perhaps there might be messages left by Tom.
Jimmy took the ID and phone back home and brought them to the police station the next day when he went to work. He was no longer keeping anything at home; his spare gun was still in the LRPD evidence room, and he wasn't interested in buying another one. Having one gun on him was enough; he no longer kept one at home—it was too dangerous.
Jimmy put the ID and phone in his drawer, the phone still without a battery. He worried that if the phone was for CIA contacts only, directly connecting it to the network might get him monitored.
Setting aside the phone issue, Jimmy changed into his gear to start his duty. With not many cases recently, and after the police warnings to the gangs, it was mostly routine work. As part of the Support Team, Jimmy seldom had to deploy, which gave him extra time to study.
Unfortunately, Jimmy's peace was never destined to last—troubles always come.
James suddenly approached, gestured to Jimmy with his right index and middle fingers hooked together, then went back to his office. Jimmy was a bit confused; James usually just shouted at him; why the sudden change in habit today?
Following James into the office, James closed the door and, sitting on the edge of his desk, asked Jimmy, "Have you made a decision?"
Jimmy, "Not yet; it's a big decision, after all. I need to think it over for a few days, right? It's too late to regret it once it's passed."
James, "Since you haven't decided yet, go to church tonight and see Priest Royte."
Jimmy was puzzled; what was James talking about?
Jimmy, "Why? What do you want me to do?"
James, "No matter what you do in the future, it's time for you to encounter different things. You haven't been a policeman for long, but now you're qualified to know some things."
Jimmy, "Uh, your words are confusing. What do you want me to know? And why should I see the priest? Is it because there's a case?"
Jimmy slapped his forehead, "Wait a second, priest... you're not talking about some priest's exorcism stuff, are you?"
James, "As chief, I come to know of certain special things. Yes, tonight the priest has an Exorcism Ceremony to conduct. These are very rare events. Normally, you wouldn't be privy to this."
Jimmy, "I've been a cop for nearly two years, how come I've never come across it before? Haven't even heard of it, aside from some people abusing their children, performing 'exorcisms.' Weren't they all convicted?"
James, "Those people are crazed, certainly not genuinely possessed by demons. Just go and see for yourself tonight. And don't mention this to anyone. It's a rare opportunity; the last occurrence was three years ago on record."
Jimmy, "I still don't understand. Has no one else seen it before? No one has ever mentioned it to me."
James, "Among the people currently at the police station, only one person has experienced it once. Guess who."
Jimmy thought for a moment, "It wouldn't be Cage, would it?"
James, "Correct. He was the witness for the department at that event three years ago. If I hadn't seen the file, I wouldn't have known about it. What exactly happened then, we don't know; the record simply states that he was involved in an activity with the priest. Likewise, you must keep this a secret, even from me."