Chapter 64 – A New Recommendation
Los Angeles, California – Downtown Coffee Shop
Late afternoon was gently settling over Los Angeles, casting orange hues on the skyscrapers and busy streets.
In a small coffee shop near LAPD headquarters, two powerful women from the Los Angeles Police Department sat at a secluded table, discussing something serious, but with a touch of informality.
Captain Jessica Cortez, of the LAPD SWAT team, absentmindedly stirred her coffee with a spoon while gazing intently at her friend, Captain Zoe Anderson, who led the LAPD's Wild-Wilshire division, a complicated and challenging precinct.
Anderson took a sip of coffee before raising an eyebrow at Jessica.
"You called me here to talk work? I thought it was just coffee between friends."
Jessica smiled slightly.
"It could be both. But yes, I have a proposal for you."
Anderson rested her elbows on the table, intrigued.
"Well, if it's coming from you, I know it's worth listening to. What is it?"
Jessica pulled a black folder from her bag and placed it on the table, pushing it towards Anderson.
Anderson took the folder, opened it, and found photos and reports of two figures that immediately caught his attention.
"Jason Gibbs and Ziva David?" she murmured, her eyes scanning the detailed information.
Jessica nodded.
"I know your precinct faces daily challenges with increasingly organized and violent criminals. You have a good team, Anderson, but I know you're always looking to improve your officers' preparedness."
Anderson nodded, still reading the documents.
"Are you suggesting that these two train my team?"
Jessica took a sip of her coffee before answering.
"Yes. They were SWAT instructors for weeks and raised our level like never before." Now, they can do something similar for their team—not at the same SWAT level, of course, but teaching fundamental tactics that can make all the difference in the field.
Anderson whistled softly, impressed by their resumes.
"Gibbs… Delta Force. Long-range shooting. Covert operations." She turned the page. "And David… Mossad. Infiltration and counterterrorism specialist. That's more than impressive."
Jessica smiled slightly.
"And the best part: they're not just good at what they do. They're great teachers."
Anderson closed the folder, tapping her fingers on the cover thoughtfully.
"Would they accept? I mean, it seems like they've already done enough for the city."
Jessica shrugged.
"You'll have to ask them that. But knowing them… I think so."
Anderson looked at her friend and then back at the folder.
She knew her officers needed this training.
And she knew she couldn't waste this opportunity.
"Okay. How do we contact them?"
Jessica smiled, already knowing her recommendation had been accepted.
"Leave it to me. I'll arrange the meeting."
Chapter 65 – A New Encounter
Los Angeles, California – Reserved Restaurant
The night was pleasant in Los Angeles, with a light breeze blowing through the city's busy streets. The lights of the skyscrapers shone in the distance, reflecting in the glass of the restaurant Jessica Cortez had reserved for a meeting that promised to be interesting.
Jason Gibbs and Ziva David didn't know much about what to expect, only that Jessica wanted to introduce them to a friend who might have a job for them.
"Looks like we're becoming permanent tactical consultants for Los Angeles," Jason commented as he parked the car.
Ziva, in the passenger seat, smiled slightly.
"If this continues, maybe we should start charging more."
Jason chuckled softly, getting out of the car and walking beside her to the restaurant entrance.
Inside, Jessica Cortez was already waiting for them at a private table, accompanied by a woman with a strong presence, an analytical gaze, and impeccable posture.
Jason and Ziva immediately knew she wasn't just anyone. Jessica smiled as she saw them arrive and motioned for them to sit down.
"Jason, Ziva, this is Captain Zoe Anderson from the Wild-Wilshire district of the LAPD."
Zoe stood to greet them.
"Finally, I meet the famous SWAT instructors."
Jason shook her hand firmly, noticing that she had a strong, confident grip, the grip of someone accustomed to authority.
"Famous? I don't know if we've reached that level."
Ziva smiled and greeted Zoe immediately afterward.
"Jessica told us you have a job for us."
Zoe nodded, sitting back down.
"Yes. But first, I want to know a little more about you."
Jessica interjected.
"I've already told her about your experiences, but I think nothing replaces a direct conversation."
Jason looked at Ziva, who only gave a small smile and gestured for him to begin.
He took a deep breath and began.
"I spent over twenty years in the Army, serving in the Green Berets and then Delta Force. I was an operator on various clandestine missions around the world, specializing in intelligence, infiltration, and long-range shooting."
Zoe nodded, impressed.
"So the fame about your sniper record is real?"
Jason smiled slightly.
"Well, they say so."
Zoe then looked at Ziva.
"And you?"
Ziva crossed her arms on the table.
"Ex-Mossad, then special agent with NCIS. I spent years working in covert operations and counterterrorism. Specialist in infiltration, interrogation, and hand-to-hand combat."
Zoe let out a soft whistle.
"Jessica wasn't exaggerating when she said you guys were legendary."
Jason chuckled softly.
"I hope that doesn't mean we're old."
Jessica and Zoe laughed.
"On the contrary, it means you still have a lot to teach," Zoe said, finally getting straight to the point.
Zoe picked up a black folder she had brought with her and opened it on the table, revealing reports, statistics, and images of operations in the Wild-Wilshire district.
"My district is facing an alarming increase in violent crime. Coordinated robberies, highly organized drug trafficking, and even criminal groups adopting military tactics."
Ziva looked at the reports, quickly absorbing the information.
"This seems like more than just street gangs."
Zoe nodded.
"Exactly. These criminals are becoming increasingly well-trained. And, although my officers are good, they are not prepared to face this level of threat."
Jessica chimed in.
"That's where you come in."
Jason closed the folder and looked directly at Zoe.
"You want us to train your officers."
Zoe confirmed with a nod.
"Yes. I want them to know how to better handle these threats. Of course, not at the SWAT level, but if they can teach survival tactics, urban combat, and response to high-risk situations, it can save many lives."
Jason and Ziva exchanged brief glances.
"How many police officers are we talking about?" Ziva asked.
"I want you to train a select group of veteran police officers first. About 20 to 30 agents. If it works well, we can expand to more teams."
Jason scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"That could be interesting."
Ziva looked at Zoe.
"What autonomy will we have in the training?"
Zoe smiled slightly, understanding the concern.
"You will have complete freedom to develop the program and conduct the training as you see fit. We trust your experience."
Jason leaned back in his chair, analyzing everything.
He knew that this type of training could really make a difference.
And now that they were living in Los Angeles, helping the local police seemed like a natural path.
After a moment of reflection, Jason finally smiled and nodded.
"Okay. We're in."
Ziva nodded immediately afterward.
"We'll help your officers be better prepared."
Zoe smiled contentedly and extended her hand to Jason and Ziva.
"Welcome to the Wild-Wilshire precinct."
Jason and Ziva shook her hand sealing the deal.
Jessica smiled, proud of their decision.
"Great. So we have a plan."
pat/SHADOWGHOST07
Discounts on plans