Luo An, along with Mona and Reesi, had just stepped out of the elevator when they saw Augustus, who had just reached the door of investigation team 5.
Seeing the agents behind him, Augustus immediately stopped and asked:
"How is Reed doing right now?"
Luo An briefly summarized the doctor's diagnosis, and Augustus visibly relaxed upon hearing it.
He waved his hand to signal the agents to return to their desks and continue with their work, then pulled Luo An to his office as the team leader.
"You did a fantastic job this time! Luo An!"
As soon as Luo An sat down, Augustus grinned broadly, revealing his molars. He didn't elaborate on the meeting's details, but Luo An clearly heard the final outcomes:
The other agents' salaries would be doubled this week! His own bonus multiplied by four!
Moreover, with the matter of the Hyena Gang wrapped up and the criminals sent to prison, investigation team 5 would receive an appreciation fee of about 500,000 US dollars; Luo An would get a share of that as well.
Not only that, but Augustus also obtained a promise from Vireness:
As long as Luo An can swiftly solve two more cases, he would be immediately promoted to become a senior agent.
Luo An wasn't particularly concerned about the promotion since the pay raise wasn't substantial.
Rather, it was the bonus and the future monetary gains that immediately sparked his interest:
Augustus waved his hand nonchalantly and didn't say much, but then immediately dropped his smile, his expression stern as he looked at Luo An and said in a grave voice:
"Luo An, according to the message I got from Vireness, our FBI New York Branch is planning to launch a 'Star Detective Plan' soon."
Hearing Augustus's words, Luo An was puzzled; how could 'agent' and 'star' be linked together?
Seeing the confusion on Luo An's face, Augustus began to explain in detail:
"As you know, the crime rate in New York has always been high. Although we FBI solve many cases each year, there are even more cases that we fail to solve.
This has led to ongoing criticism from New York media, accusing us of wasting taxpayers' money."
Although the New York Police Department is also criticized, the bulk of those criticisms come from ordinary citizens due to the varying significance of cases.
However, since most of the cases handled by the FBI are quite special and often involve interaction with the wealthy elites, the major voices claiming the FBI is incompetent are these individuals.
Luo An understood the implications in Augustus's words, but he still didn't grasp how the concepts of stars and agents could be merged.
Perhaps the higher-ups plan to establish an image of an agent who can solve every case with certainty?
"No one dares claim they can solve every case with certainty."
Luo An expressed his doubt: "I don't believe the FBI's top brass would be unaware of this fact."
Augustus nodded, certainly the higher-ups understood this, and they weren't planning to create an image of someone who could solve every case either:
"This 'Star Detective Plan' actually intends to select a few agents with good appearances to handle media interactions about case developments, while the real agents solving the cases won't appear in front of the media."
Hearing this, Luo An was in utter shock:
"Have the higher-ups lost their minds? Allowing these 'vases' to steal the credit from the agents who actually solve the cases successfully?"
If such a thing were to occur, Luo An couldn't guarantee he would solve every case, but he could swear that those so-called 'star agents' would definitely be targeted after work hours.
"You're overthinking it, Luo An."
Hearing Luo An's words, Augustus rolled his eyes on his large, dark face. The FBI's higher-ups wouldn't possibly do that, so he continued explaining:
"These so-called 'star agents' are merely a front to deal with journalists, you understand?"
"They wouldn't say that they solved the case themselves; instead, they would stand in for some agents and answer questions in front of reporters."
"What about the credit and rewards after solving the case?"
"Those still go to the actual agents who solved the case."
Hearing Augustus's description, Luo An rolled his eyes; the entire plan seemed full of flaws.
The agents who successfully solved the case, despite receiving their rewards, were deprived of the right to be interviewed by the media. Seeing a pretty boy talking about the investigation process on TV, who knows what they really think.
Would they find an opportunity to quietly shoot the guy?
And what's the use of this kind of thing anyway?
Shouldn't the real core issue be improving the success rate of solving cases?
Augustus also felt that this approach was unreliable, so today he mainly wanted to remind Luo An, and he said seriously:
"Because your recent performance has been outstanding, and you also look a bit like me, you've been noticed by some people.
They might invite you to join this 'star agent' plan and they might even want you to proclaim a 'one-hundred percent solve rate' slogan, to become a real 'star agent,' not just a front."
It turns out it's a reminder not to be fooled or swayed by those people.
Luo An suddenly realized, understanding the true purpose behind what Augustus told him.
Luo An smiled and nodded, then stood up and poured a cup of coffee for Augustus:
"I just want to quietly solve cases and quietly make money, I have no interest in fame."
Augustus nodded in satisfaction, he could tell that Luo An was being sincere.
In the vast land of America, there are many lunatics or people with abnormal minds.
If the FBI really established a "one-hundred percent solve rate" agent, then these people would definitely find ways to kill, murder a lot of people, committing bizarre and horrifying crimes, then letting that agent solve them.
Especially the 'crownless kings' in America, for the sake of ratings, apart from sensitive topics, there's nothing they wouldn't dare to say, even inflating the agent to the stature of Sherlock Holmes.
But if this agent fails to solve a case, or makes some mistakes during the investigation, then...
Just the thought of it is terrifying.
Luo An just wants to solve cases, earn bonuses and gratuities, and enjoy life without playing a game of wits with those lunatics.
Silently making a fortune is the best strategy.
From the team leader's office came a knocking sound, Luo An and Augustus turned their heads and saw it was Reesi.
"The suspect Sean has already been taken to the interrogation room."
Hearing Reesi's words, Luo An nodded to Augustus and decisively left the team leader's office.
But before he could reach the doorway of the interrogation room, a call suddenly came in.
Luo An looked, it was actually Agent Norton.
Pressing the answer button, Luo An chuckled and said:
"Thank you for your hard work, our Unit Five has successfully taken the suspect Sean, and he's now in our interrogation room."
Luo An thought the other party was checking if he had successfully received the person.
"We just interrogated the criminal and got a new piece of information, Luo An."
The voice of Norton on the other end of the phone smiled oddly:
"Is your investigation unit currently handling a series of consecutive bank robberies?"