Jimmy dialed Lambert's number, figuring he had been waiting for the news; the phone was answered immediately.

Jimmy: "Supervisor Lambert, Ray has been shot and is waiting for the ambulance."

Lambert: "How serious is it? Is his life in danger?"

Jimmy: "Emergency treatment has been administered and the ambulance is almost here, so he should be okay."

Lambert: "Tell me the details, what happened to the robbers?"

Jimmy: "The robbers split into two cars, one was intercepted. Three robbers broke into a house, taking two hostages. Ray was shot by a robber while negotiating. Now all the robbers have been killed. The other car, according to dispatch, just had a crash. The police are handling the scene and I'm not sure of the final outcome yet."

Lambert: "OK, get Ray to emergency care as soon as possible. Once the case is over, come straight back to Dallas."

Jimmy: "Understood. Goodbye."

Jimmy briefly explained the situation to Lambert and then waited at the position where Ray lay for the police to process the scene.

The first ambulance arrived quickly, even before the Special Police Team's vehicles, taking over the care for Ray, transferring him onto a stretcher and into the ambulance for emergency treatment, then headed to the hospital with sirens blaring.

The hostage with leg injuries was taken away by the second ambulance, while the three bodies were removed by the ambulances that followed.

Jimmy stayed at the scene. As the only FBI agent present, he had to supervise the police's handling and evidence collection of the scene, including marking and photographing the impact points and casings from shots fired by robbers and by Jimmy himself—tasks he couldn't do.

The Special Police Team came and then left. Aside from a captain who stepped out to briefly communicate with the Sergeant, no one else even exited their vehicles. The Special Police Team, having rushed over, left empty-handed.

After a while, a black Victoria Crown arrived at the scene, with two individuals sporting FBI badges stepping out. They approached Jimmy.

"Special Agent Sam Burton from the Dallas office. You must be Jimmy, right? Good job," the man said, extending his hand to Jimmy.

Jimmy: "Jimmy Yang from the Manhattan office. Were you following the other car? How did the robbers on that side end up?"

Sam: "There was an accident. The robbers lost control during their escape, colliding and rolling over after hitting a big truck on the road. Both robbers were apprehended and are now in police custody."

Jimmy: "That's good to hear. Special Agent Ray is fine; he's already been taken away by the ambulance for emergency care."

Sam: "Right, I was informed on my way here. Lambert gave me a call. I'll take over the case here; you can head back to the Dallas office. Lambert is waiting for you."

Jimmy: "Thanks, I appreciate it. I'll drive Ray's car back. Remember to tell these officers to check the trunk of the robbers' car; there should be three bags in there, probably the money they stole."

Sam nodded, and Jimmy picked up Ray's holster and handcuffs, went to the robbers' car to retrieve Ray's M16, and placed them in the trunk of Ray's car before driving off. Ray hadn't removed the keys, having only turned off the engine in his rush, which made it convenient for Jimmy.

Jimmy drove away from the scene. After a while, he found a gas station, grabbed a map from the convenience store to check his route, and drove back to Dallas.

It was Fort Worth where he started; Ray had driven then, so Jimmy hadn't taken much note of the roads they'd passed. It was better to check a map to avoid going the wrong way.

Fort Worth to Dallas isn't far, just a few dozen kilometers. A little over an hour later, Jimmy arrived at the Dallas office, parked Ray's car in the lot, took Ray's gear up to the office. Those items in the bag couldn't just be left in the trunk; they would cause a huge headache if they were stolen or something went wrong.

Upon reaching Lambert's office, Jimmy was already expected. He recounted the events at the scene to Lambert once again, including his realization about the problematic shooting angle, running to the corner of the wall, discovering the robbers firing shots, Ray getting shot and falling, to him killing the three people. The whole story had been crafted by Jimmy with an actor's skill; to any outsider, Jimmy appeared completely normal—a bold man, skilled with a firearm, with sharp instincts.

Lambert tasked Jimmy with writing a report, which would be combined with Ray's later report as part of the case file. Jimmy didn't refuse, it was only proper. But Lambert didn't specify what came after. By the time the report was done, it was afternoon and Jimmy slipped out to eat before returning to the hotel to rest.

The overwhelming case had robbed Jimmy of a decent morning's rest, and after a busy half-day, he slept soundly upon lying down, waking up only after 9 PM. Checking his phone, there were no calls. Sigh, what a letdown life can be; it seemed the only people who called him were work-related. Non-work-related friends were sadly few.

Jimmy changed clothes and went out looking for something to eat.

Two dull days passed by, and Ray had been transferred from the Fort Worth hospital back to one in Dallas. Having been shot twice, as commonplace as shootings are in the United States, the doctors here were quite experienced. Ray's injuries, once treated, required only rest. There was no need to stay in Fort Worth when it was more convenient for his family to take care of him in Dallas.

Jimmy visited Ray at the hospital. Ray's injuries weren't serious, but Ray wouldn't be using his car anytime soon, so it was up to Jimmy now. Taking the keys, Jimmy left the office driving Ray's car to go shopping.

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