Although the two school cases have been cracked, the negative impact has not been completely eradicated.
The news media are still sensationalizing the two shooting incidents, acting like piranhas that tear their prey apart at the slightest scent of blood.
"We must fight back, and win this battle of public opinion."
Luke retorted, "What does this have to do with me?"
"I want you to join the news conference."
"You should know how the media has been writing about you, 'the flasher,' 'the exhibitionist,' even encouraging students' parents to sue you. They have no idea that it was you who caught the criminals, nor that it was you who saved Herman, and they don't care.
"What they care about is how to write news that gets more attention and higher viewership ratings.
"Are you willing to settle for that?"
"No, am I going to sue them? I have been in contact with a lawyer already."
"Good, but that's not enough.
"Your image is now tied to the Los Angeles Police Department; we need to fight back. It's a battle for the honor of the police department, and we must win," Reid declared, waving his fists, his impassioned tone was indeed inspiring.
With the prospect of making money and getting promoted, Luke couldn't think of a reason to refuse.
How could that be possible.
He was the hero who had single-handedly solved a school shooting case.
Of course, Luke wouldn't admit that he was a hero; that's a double-edged sword.
I don't acknowledge it, that doesn't stop others from saying it.
May 18th, in the afternoon.
The Robbery and Murder Department held a press conference.
Detective Chief Reid was the first to speak, capturing the audience with his initial remarks by announcing that the two school shootings had been successfully solved, and the culprits had been captured. Furthermore, the police had managed to rescue a victim in a timely manner during the second shooting incident.
Following Chief Reid's announcement of the cases being solved, the reporters looking for trouble could no longer question the LAPD's capability.
A black female reporter then shifted the focus to Luke, "Chief Reid, at the scene of the school shooting, we filmed a man with his torso exposed. Is he from LAPD?"
The black female reporter asked, "I would like to know, why did he take off his shirt? Was it to intimidate the shooter with his muscles? How effective was it?"
Ha ha..." A wave of laughter broke out.
Reid smiled politely, "Good question. As he happens to be here today, why don't we let him answer for himself."
Reid gestured for Luke to come up on stage.
Luke walked onto the stage and cleared his throat, "I'm Detective Chief Luke from the Robbery and Murder Department, also the 'exhibitionist' you have been referring to. By the way, the photos were not bad; whichever journalist friend took them, please mail me a copy, thank you."
"Ha ha..." Another round of laughter ensued.
The black female reporter asked again, "Detective Chief Luke, you seem very confident in your physique, but I can't understand why you would take off your shirt on that occasion."
"Miss Jones, I can tell you very formally that I am not an exhibitionist." Luke unzipped a backpack and took out a transparent plastic bag from it, containing a shirt stained with blood.
"This is the shirt I was wearing that day. Miss Jones, did you want me to leave the campus in this shirt?"
Pari Jones said, "I remember you were not injured that day."
Luke explained, "The blood on the shirt is indeed not mine; it belongs to the gunman. I wounded his arm, and to prevent him from losing too much blood, I took off my own shirt to use as a tourniquet."
At this moment, Chief Reid took to the stage, "Ladies and gentlemen, I must add one thing, Detective Chief Luke not only shot the gunman, but also saved the victim of the shooting. Is this the 'exhibitionist' you speak of?"
Pari Jones still didn't seem satisfied and pressed, "I heard that the victim was also shot. Why did you use your jacket to stop the bleeding of the gunman instead of the victim?"
Luke answered, "The first reason is that I injured the gunman first, and it was from him that I found out where the victim was.
The second reason is that the victim's gunshot wound was more serious. I tore down the school's curtains to stop his bleeding, which was more useful."
Another white female reporter retorted, "So you're not an exhibitionist, but a hero!"
"No, I'm not a hero, just a member of the LAPD doing my duty.
After work, I'm just an ordinary Los Angeles citizen, who likes to drink, look at beautiful women, and can argue with people. If you mess with me, you can still get beaten up," Luke said.
Luke's words were rough but endearing, once again drawing laughter from the audience.
Black female reporter Pari Jones exclaimed, "Wow, you injured the suspect and then helped the victims right away. So you were acting alone, like the lone heroes in the movies?"
The comment was laden with prickles.
If Luke was a lone hero, what did that make the other officers?
"The whole Robbery and Murder Department's first squad was investigating the shooting. It's just that everyone was investigating in different directions. My colleagues are also excellent; we are a team.
My partner Marcus was right by my side; otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to injure the suspect and then go to rescue the victim.
Of course, I'm the best one, no doubt about it," Luke didn't want to be labeled a hero.
But when it's time to showcase, one must do so. If it's your own merit, you fight for it.
Luke spread his hands, "Any more questions?"
Seeing that no reporters had further questions, Luke stepped down from the podium.
Reid clapped Luke on the shoulder, "Well said, I was worried you might get stage fright?"
Luke chuckled, "You were right to worry. My legs were shaking pretty badly, thankfully I wore loose pants."
Reid laughed, "You'll get used to it."
The two moved aside, and Reid said, "Oh, there's one more thing I have to tell you. The Fishing Club has approved your application. I'll let you know when the next meeting is."
"There's no specific time. Whoever has time can join. As your introducer, I'll take you there for the first time."
Luke nodded, "Sounds good. Do I need to prepare anything?"
"Have you ever been deep-sea fishing before?"
"I fish occasionally, but I've never been out to sea."
"No worries, you'll get used to it after doing it a couple of times."
"Do you know how to pilot a yacht?"
"No, but it sounds cool."
"It is cool, and that's a must-learn."
"Why?" Luke was puzzled.
"We don't always take a crew when we go to sea. Someone has to pilot the boat, and if you don't, are you expecting me to do it?"
"Any problem with that?"
"Good, I believe you'll make a fine captain."