Eve's eyes widened.
Dean let out a long sigh of frustration.
Everything felt tasteless.
He removed the memory card from the camcorder, tossed the device to Eve, sat down beside her, leisurely lit a cigarette, and blew smoke into the air.
Eve rolled her eyes at him, composed herself, and then said seriously, "Alright, Dean, I think we've reestablished a friendly trust. Now, can you tell me about this stolen money?"
"Of course."
Dean crossed his legs, exhaled a puff of smoke contentedly, and said, "It's simple. Nathan's group robbed the bank's armored car."
"Senator Snetter's family apparently can't keep their mouths shut. At Jenny's strip club, they spilled the details about the armored car, which Nathan and the others then used to plan the heist."
Watching Dean's face, partially obscured by the swirling smoke, Eve found herself lost in thought.
Why didn't I ever notice how much of a man this rookie is? I just wonder how he'd fare in a real fight...
At that thought, Eve felt an unexpected anticipation stir within her.
She licked her lips, her eyes growing misty, and moved closer to Dean. "So how did you get your hands on this money? You know, Dean, all this needs to be properly reported."
Dean keenly sensed that something was amiss with Eve.
He shifted uncomfortably backward, his expression unchanged, and said, "Nathan's little gang learned about the Morgan Bank armored car schedule from a stripper, and they robbed it. Coincidentally, Deputy Chief Eve of 'The Anti-Crime and Narcotics Division' had an undercover agent, trainee officer Dean, who had just infiltrated this very gang. Nathan and his crew fled with the money to a forest cabin to divide the spoils, but they ended up killing each other due to an uneven split. In the end, all the criminals died. Unfortunately, the cabin was incinerated when spilled gasoline caught fire. And our lucky guy, undercover Officer Dean, brought all the stolen money back without breaking a sweat, delivering it directly to his superior, Deputy Chief Eve!
"How about writing the report like that? What do you think?"
Eve nodded compliantly. "Sounds reasonable."
"Good."
Dean stood up and handed Eve her service pistol back. "The location of the cabin will be sent to you via text message. I'll leave things here for you to handle. As for my change in position, let's discuss it after the case is closed."
With that said, Dean prepared to leave. The way Eve was looking at him grew increasingly odd.
He didn't want to invite any more trouble.
"Dean, wait."
Eve quickly stepped in front of Dean. "Dean, I know undercover life must be very stressful for you."
Dean frowned slightly. "What are you trying to say?"
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes fixated on Dean, and licked her lips suggestively. "What I mean is, you need a proper way to release all that stress."
Seriously? One time wasn't enough, and now she wants to use me again? In her dreams!
Dean, with his pants back on, always spoke with a firm resolve.
He pushed the aroused Eve away, his expression stern and righteous. "Deputy Chief Eve! Please, show some self-respect! I am a man who values his principles!"
With that, Dean left the apartment without a backward glance.
"Fk!"
Eve, scornfully rejected, flew into a humiliated rage and began cursing at Dean's retreating figure...
After leaving the apartment, Dean wandered aimlessly through the streets.
He had just realized something very serious, and critical: he was broke!
Eve's arrival had been so unexpected, and her skills weren't bad. Consequently, Dean hadn't had a chance to meddle before the over three million US dollars became evidence.
The police department paid salaries twice a month, and the next payday was still over a week away.
He currently had less than two hundred US dollars to his name; he was completely broke.
I never thought I'd see the day I'd run out of money.
Dean leaned against a street corner, his head aching slightly, pondering if there was any way to make some quick cash.
He cherished his current status as a law-abiding citizen. He immediately dismissed any money-making schemes that might lead to trouble.
But aside from illicit activities like murder, arson, and robbery, Dean couldn't think of any other marketable skills he possessed...
I surely can't become a gigolo, right?
Dean covered his forehead with his hand in distress.
Since he couldn't generate more income, his only option was to cut expenses.
Renting an apartment was out of the question.
Besides, he could ask Eve for reimbursement for his previous rent and living expenses. That woman hadn't given him any operational funds for his undercover work before...
Even a hero can be stumped by a lack of funds.
Dean was forced to start counting every penny.
After much deliberation, he concluded that relying on his parents was the most viable option for his current predicament.
He decided to act on it immediately.
Dean took out his phone and dialed Sheila's number.
"Dean?"
His mother Sheila's voice came from the other end of the line. She seemed to be making breakfast, as he could hear the sound of a juicer.
Dean opened his mouth and said, somewhat awkwardly, "Hey, Mom, good morning."
"No, I'm not having a good morning at all."
"What's wrong?"
"Because my precious son, since starting his internship, not only moved out but also hasn't called home in days."
There was a clear note of displeasure in Sheila's voice.
"I'm sorry, Mom. You know, I've been busy with a case these past few days, but it's over now. I'll come see you tonight."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive!"
"Well, that's good. I'll make your favorite pan-fried smoked bacon. And don't forget the gifts you promised Thompson and Sinclair; they've been pestering me about them for ages."
"Okay, Mom."
Dean hung up, feeling somewhat dazed.
In his past life, he was an orphan taken from an orphanage by an organization at a very young age and trained to become a professional Sweeper.
Family was a very foreign concept to him.
Regarding the evening visit, Dean felt a mix of apprehension and anticipation.
He took a few deep breaths to calm himself and picked up his phone again. He sent Eve the location of the forest cabin where he had buried Nathan and the others, emphasizing the matter of his reimbursement for undercover expenses.
Eve didn't text back; instead, she called him directly. She sounded cheerful. "Dean, the money has been recovered and brought to the station. Once we find the cabin you mentioned, we can wrap up the case in two days, tops."
"Congratulations, Deputy Chief Eve," Dean said.
"Thanks, Dean, this is largely thanks to you. I'd like to treat you to dinner tonight. We can also discuss your reimbursement for undercover expenses," she offered.
Dean rolled his eyes.
Is she really just talking about dinner? She clearly wants to eat me alive!
Annoyed, he replied, "That's not necessary, Deputy Chief Eve. Because of the undercover work, I haven't been home in ages. I'm planning to go see my family."
Eve sounded disappointed. "Well, okay then. I'll give you a couple of days off. When you come back, we can have a proper chat about the reimbursement for your undercover expenses."
After hanging up, Dean contacted his landlord.
When Dean agreed to forgo the rent for the remaining few days, the landlord readily agreed to refund the deposit to Dean's account.
That place was just temporary lodging anyway. Dean couldn't be bothered to go back and pack the few clothes he had there.
He still had to buy gifts for his younger siblings.
But the next phone call completely derailed his plans.