After a few days off, Luke returned to work at the station.
In the past few days, the first team hadn't taken on any new cases and was still handling the closing procedures for previous ones, a task well within the capabilities of the experienced deputy chief.
After talking with the deputy chief, Luke held a morning meeting and briefly arranged today's work.
Luke himself went back to the office and played with his phone, typically slacking off whenever there wasn't a case to investigate.
Just after ten in the morning, Luke's phone rang, "Chief."
"The person you asked for has arrived, come to my office to meet them."
"I'll be right there." Luke hung up and left his office.
Ever since Susan left, the first team had been a bit short-staffed, so Luke had asked the station for additional manpower. Reid sent Luke several candidate profiles for him to choose from.
"Guys, the station has arranged a new team member for us, pay attention and make a good impression on the newcomer."
Little Black asked, "Is it a man or a woman?"
Luke said, "A woman."
Little Black pressed on, "Is she pretty?"
"Of course," Luke replied.
Little Black straightened his collar, "Woah, then we really need to clean up, got to make a good impression on the beauty."
The deputy chief curled his lips, "Marcus, you're already married, no chance for you."
Luke pointed to the workspace next to Little Black, "Clean up that desk, the new member will sit there."
"OK, I'll take care of it, no big deal." Little Black volunteered spiritedly.
"Good," Luke dropped the comment and left the office.
Luke reached the entrance to Reid's office and knocked, "Knock, knock."
Upon entering, Luke saw Reid sitting on the sofa talking to a white male in his thirties.
Reid stood up, "Let me introduce you, first-team captain Luke Lee, your direct supervisor," Reid said to Luke, "This is your new team member, Port Hafid."
The white man stood up, "Captain Lee, pleased to meet you."
Luke shook hands with him, "Just call me Luke, may I call you Port?"
"Chief, do you have any other instructions?"
"Then I'll take him with me."
"Port is a good hand, don't complain about being short-staffed this time."
"I can't promise that," Luke wouldn't mind having more people under his command.
The more people there were, the more chances he had to slack off. As for budget issues, those were considerations for Reid's level.
After leaving the chief's office, Luke asked, "Port, you used to be a night shift detective in the Southern District?"
"You reached the rank of detective chief then?"
I got injured during an operation and was afterward transferred to an administrative department for almost a year.
But I still liked being a detective, so I took the detective exam again.
I thought I'd be a detective in the Southern District, but I didn't expect to come to the Robbery and Murder Department.
I was thrilled when I got the notice; it's the opportunity I've always dreamt of.
I appreciate you giving me this chance."
"Port, I have high hopes for you, choosing you from many candidates.
However, the Robbery and Murder Department has high demands on officers, and if you want to truly fit in, you'll have to start as a detective."
"I understand, and I'm prepared for that."
"I hope you adapt to your new role quickly."
"Good." As they talked, they arrived outside the first-team office, Luke patted his shoulder, "Come in, let me introduce you to your colleagues."
As soon as they entered the office, all eyes turned to them.
The others were fine, but Little Black's face clearly showed disappointment, and he even muttered something under his breath.
Jenny looked surprised and whispered to Jackson beside her, "Wow, he looks pretty sharp."
Jackson squinted, "Indeed, quite handsome."
It was a case of mixed emotions.
Luke ignored everyone's little thoughts and introduced, "Guys, welcome our new colleague."
Luke led the applause, "Port, introduce yourself."
Port Hafid surveyed the office and the few team members, cleared his throat, "My name is Port Hafid, I'm glad to meet all of you here, I previously worked in the Southern District, and I'm honored to be transferred here to work with you all..."
After Port Hafid finished introducing himself, Luke introduced the rest of the team, "This cool old guy is our respected deputy chief Vincent, also the chief Reid's former partner; if you have any questions, you can ask him."
Vincent, the deputy chief, still had his aloof demeanor, "To be precise, Reid tagged along with me for a while. When he first came to the department, I was already a detective chief."
Luke didn't give him much chance to boast and continued with the introductions, "Detective Chiefs Raymond and Marcus, Detectives Jenny and Jackson, Detective Matthew."
After the introductions, Luke directed, "Jenny, help Port get familiarized."
"Captain, leave it to me."
Port, my office is inside. Come see me if you need anything."
With one more person on the team, it became even easier for Luke to slack off.
After work, Luke went to train at Vaughn Jujutsu Club.
Luke had booked the session from six to nine in the evening. To arrive on time, he left work 20 minutes early.
Natasha Vaughn was a classic tomboy, her biceps were nearly as thick as Luke's, bulkier than that of an average man.