Chapter 295 - A Favor for Elizabeth
Luke told Sheerah about Jennifer’s request. He didn’t mention Jennifer’s name, and only described what she needed.
Sheerah said that Bryan would probably accept the job as long as he was free and the pay was good enough.
Luke got Bryan’s number. He hung up after thanking Sheerah.
Close by, Jennifer overheard most of the conversation, and was quite satisfied.
Those people had proven that they could be trusted when they worked for Sheerah before.
Luke contacted Bryan and soon received an affirmative reply. Bryan was happy to work for the big stars, who never hesitated to pay.
After a brief conversation, they agreed that they would meet and talk in person.
Half an hour later, Bryan arrived, and he didn’t come alone.
Luke rose with a smile. “Hey, Bryan, it’s nice to see you again.”
Bryan replied with a smile as well. “It’s you. It’s Luke, right? I didn’t expect to work with you again.”
Luke quickly shook his head. “You’re flattering me. I really don’t know much about protection. That’s why I told her that she should hire you.”
Bryan nodded with the same shy smile on his seemingly plain face.
Luke turned and smiled. “Hi, we meet again, Kim. You’re even more beautiful than last
time.”
Bryan, Selina and Jennifer looked at him curiously.
Thinking back, Kim exclaimed, “You’re… that guy from the plane!”
Luke nodded with a smile. “Haha. It seems that I haven’t been completely forgotten yet. What an honor.”
Looking at everybody, he explained, “I sat next to Kim and her friend on the plane when I was on a work trip. After we landed, I was too busy to contact them again.”
Everybody felt amazed by the coincidence.
Finally, Bryan introduced Kim to everyone.
Nobody asked why he had brought his daughter to a meeting with his potential employer, but they could guess when they saw how excited Kim was at meeting Jennifer.
However, Kim was very obedient. Except for exchanging greetings at the beginning, she didn’t take part in the discussion.
Bryan was an efficient person, and after getting a quick outline of what Jennifer wanted, he simply said that he could take the job without asking for more details.
Luke then rose with a smile. “I think we’ve done our part here. Jennifer, call me if you have any problems.”
Jennifer nodded. “Okay. Thank you, Luke.”
It was already eleven by the time they were done. Luke and Selina simply bought some Mexican food and brought it back to the police department.
When they met Elsa, Selina said, “Haha, you have something good to eat today, boss.”
Elsa nodded at them and said, “I’ve asked Simmons to follow up on Todd’s case. Are you interested in a new case?”
“What case?” Luke was curious.
Generally speaking, when Elsa asked them whether or not they were willing to take on a case, it wasn’t a simple one.
Elsa picked up the phone on her desk to make a call. “Elizabeth, come in.”
Elizabeth soon arrived. She smiled at Luke shyly. “Hey, Luke, Selina.”
Elsa asked her to close the door. She then said, “Elizabeth asked me for help with this case. Since none of our cases here are urgent, I thought you might want to lend a hand.” Luke and Selina looked at each other. “Is the case somewhere else?”
Elsa nodded and let Elizabeth speak.
Elizabeth explained the situation to them.
As it turned out, Elizabeth was from a town in Arizona. She had come to L.A. for college, and had stayed after graduation.
Her mother, her sister and her brother still lived in her hometown.
The town had been experiencing a rash of missing cases recently. At first, it was pets. A couple of days ago, however, two people disappeared.
Luke found it strange. “Is it really okay for us to go?”
They went to Woodsburg last time because of Deputy Director Condra’s connections. Also, Woodsburg was still part of greater Los Angeles.
However, this case was in a different state altogether. It wasn’t regulation for them to step in.
Elizabeth said in embarrassment, “My mother… is the town sheriff.” Luke and Selina were both enlightened. So, it was a female version of Robert!
For the most part, sheriffs were the chief of the police in towns like these. They didn’t really need to get anybody else’s permission if they wanted to ask an outsider for help, as long as they were willing to pay.
But could Luke and Selina ask for money in this case?
Looking at Elizabeth, both of them sighed and knew that it was impossible.
It was the classic case of doing someone a favor.
Elsa didn’t order them to take the case, either, but told them to decide for themselves.
They were free to take it or leave it.
After all, the Woodsburg case helped them earn Condra’s appreciation, but they probably wouldn’t get anything from this one.
Elizabeth was a new detective who didn’t really matter.
After a brief silence, Luke simply asked, “Does your mother know that we’re coming?”
Elizabeth cheered up. “If you’re willing to go, I’ll call her and ask her to give you as much help as needed.”
Luke dropped his forehead into his palm. “So, your mother doesn’t know that you came to
us?”
Elizabeth simply chuckled and didn’t reply, but her answer was obvious.
Luke sighed and said, “Elizabeth, talk to your mother first and make sure that she won’t be unhappy about us going over, alright?’
Luke was already being very nice to Elizabeth.
Other veteran detectives might’ve simply berated Elizabeth as an idiot.
Elizabeth had only asked for Luke’s help because she knew how good-natured he was.
Her mother was anxious. Her sister and her brother had also called her and told her creepy rumors that worried Elizabeth.
That was why she had made this outrageous request.
She wouldn’t have dared ask for Luke’s help if she didn’t know him well.
The police department in her mother’s town only had the budget to cover Luke’s accommodation and food at most.
Elizabeth ran out happily to call her mother.
On the other hand, Elsa looked at him and asked, “Why didn’t you refuse her?”
Luke chuckled. “If you wanted to turn her down, you would’ve done so already. I know that you like her.”
Elsa nodded and said, “Yes, she’s careful and smart, and unlike some of the other ambitious newbies, she’s willing to study the case files as instructed. She’ll be as good as Selina in a few years.”
