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After leaving the FBI, Ron once again deeply realized the need for reliable personnel. He secretly resolved that when Dom returned to Los Angeles, he would, no matter what, recruit him and his crew.
Despite his record of theft, assault, street racing, and manslaughter, Ron knew Dom was fundamentally a good guy (at least, according to his twisted sense of American values).
Well, he probably couldn't control a talent like that under direct command, so it would be better to use him as a contractor, just like how "The Agency" had used Dom and his crew.
However, as a good friend, Ron certainly wouldn't go down the same dark path as "The Agency."
Ron returned to his office, which had been trashed by debris from the plane crash, and left Andy to clean up while he got back to work.
Don't think that the life of a federal agent is all "glamorous." In reality, when Ron was working, he spent most of his time analyzing mountains of intelligence data. For example, right now, after receiving a call from his handler demanding a comprehensive report on the incident ASAP, Ron was drowning in paperwork.
In addition to reviewing all the control tower surveillance footage before the crash and the flight data from both aircraft, he also needed to examine the bank records and tax returns of everyone involved.
The Bureau had only conducted superficial interviews. Ron didn't think their questioning would yield any useful intelligence. And when it came to financial forensics, Ron, with his IRS background, and Andy, with his banking experience, were obviously far more qualified.
"Boss, I really think we need to hire some assistants." Andy looked up from his files, stretched his aging joints, and complained.
Ron didn't even bother looking up from the intelligence report in his hands as he replied, "Of course, I know that better than you do, but it has to be the right people. Like those morons and wannabes who showed up for interviews last time—if they'd had any actual skills, I would have hired them on the spot, but unfortunately, they were useless."
"What kind of help are you looking for? Maybe some of my old contacts know someone. You know I came out of Shawshank. Everyone in there is talented and articulate."
Everyone is talented and articulate? Why did that sound so familiar? Ron finally looked up.
"If your prison was so full of talented people, why did you break out? Wouldn't it have been better to stay?"
"I'm different from them. They're career criminals. While some of them have spent most of their lives trying to atone for their mistakes, most not only have no regrets but are actually proud of what they did."
Ron wasn't surprised by this. Through his work, he'd had confidential contact with correctional facilities, so he knew very well that in the monotonous environment of prison, inmates had nothing to do except brag about their crimes to each other like they were war medals.
"Alright, I want someone who's as proficient in financial analysis as you are, who can help us process intelligence and has some combat training—not a desk jockey like you who can only work in an office. It would be even better if this person happened to be a beautiful woman."
"I suppose this beauty would be better if she combined all the best features of your blonde princess and that busty brunette—a sexy goddess with long legs, perfect curves, and a flawless face, right? Boss, do you think this is some kind of spy movie? Get real."
Ron nodded enthusiastically, and Andy threw up his hands in exasperation, completely at a loss with his womanizing boss.
"Think about it—if a woman possessed all those qualities, she'd either be a supermodel or a Hollywood actress, or she'd be some billionaire's trophy wife. How could she possibly be a federal agent?
Furthermore, even if a woman had been blessed with every gift God could give her, even if she had a brilliant mind, she probably wouldn't have had the time to master financial analysis and combat training."
After hearing Andy's complaints, Ron was about to dismiss them as usual and get back to work, when suddenly a realization struck him.
Who says women like that don't exist? In Fast and Furious 4, wasn't the character played by Gal Gadot exactly what Andy had described? And she had the added bonus of being an expert motorcycle racer.
Unfortunately, Ron had forgotten the character's name.
"Maybe not. Maybe someday we'll recruit exactly that kind of elite agent?" Ron murmured, his voice almost dreamy. Andy rolled his eyes, but Ron knew that eventually, when the plot of Fast and Furious 4 kicked in, he would definitely make his move on Gal Gadot.
After ordering Chinese takeout, Ron dragged Andy through an all-nighter. Andy, already in his golden years, couldn't handle it anymore and fell asleep in the debris-strewn office. Ron took a brief power nap and then dragged his exhausted body back to his apartment, only to hear a familiar and beloved voice from the apartment next door.
"Mary? What are you doing here?"
In the apartment living room, besides the usual gang of four and Penny, there was another woman: Ron and Sheldon's mother, Mary Cooper!
After a warm embrace, Ron complained, "Why didn't you tell me in advance that you were coming to Los Angeles? I could have picked you up at LAX and shown you around. You must get so bored stuck in East Texas all the time."
"No, Ron, when your father's team had away games, I traveled everywhere with him, including Los Angeles of course. Your father always said that if he could coach the Texans, he'd definitely crush those West Coast weaklings."
Speaking of this, Ron asked with concern, "How's Dad's health? Have you been keeping him on that diet like I suggested? You know George—he'll sneak bacon cheeseburgers if you're not watching him like a hawk."
This might be the biggest change Ron's presence had brought to this timeline. His father, George Sr., hadn't died young from heart disease because Ron had monitored his diet since childhood and made him exercise regularly.
"Of course, before I left, I specifically told Missy to keep an eye on him," Mary looked at Ron with eyes that, despite showing the passage of time, still sparkled with intelligence. "It's you who's disappointed me. When you moved to Los Angeles, I told you to look after Sheldon. He's your little brother. What I most want to see is you boys supporting each other, but what's happening now?"
Ron spread his hands. "He's still alive and kicking. God is my witness—I called to check on his safety as soon as possible after that plane crash the other day."
"That's not what I'm talking about," Mary said sternly. "Did you know that Sheldon got fired from the university?"
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