In the evening, everyone from the police station gathered at the bar, except for the unlucky few assigned to patrol duty; nearly everyone from headquarters showed up.

James didn't choose the table next to him but sat directly at the bar with the others. The bar wasn't exclusively reserved for them that night, so other customers were also present. As a result, the police didn't get too rowdy, grouping together in twos and threes, casually chatting during this large gathering.

Jimmy came out of a small room, cradling a bottle of McLaren, and approached James, "James, I'm here."

Surprised, James turned his head towards Jimmy, "Aren't you working on a case? How come you're here?"

Jimmy smiled, didn't answer his question, and placed the wooden box in James's hands, "This is for you. Congratulations on your smooth retirement; now you can go out and enjoy yourself."

James took the box and glanced at it, "Wow, McLaren 50? Did you rob it?"

Jimmy, "Do you like it?"

James, "Of course, this will be my greatest treasure. Thanks, Jimmy."

Jimmy, "As long as you like it. Don't worry about how it came, it's yours now."

Jimmy slapped Deputy Chief Martin, who was sitting beside James, "Martin, congratulations."

Martin laughed and said, "Thank you. Justin, pour Jimmy a drink."

Seeing Jimmy come over, Justin had already grabbed a glass and started pouring the drink. Jimmy raised his glass and clinked it with everyone, "Cheers."

After James had his drink and let Justin refill it, he took his glass and stepped aside with Jimmy, "Jimmy, what's going on? Amy said you were dealing with a big case and didn't have time to come."

Jimmy, "Yeah, a sensitive case; it's been taken care of. I've been recuperating from an injury recently and also visited the FBI Academy in Quantico. I'll be instructing there for a while."

James frowned, "You were injured?" This wasn't a small matter. Jimmy had done so much in his two years with the county police, only getting injured twice, and now, just over a year with the FBI, he was injured again.

Jimmy shook his head, "Don't worry, I did get injured, but I'm completely healed now, nothing to worry about."

James, "Have you been in touch with Tom recently?"

Jimmy shook his head again, "No, he appears and disappears like a ghost. Every time he uses a phone, he discards it, so there's no way to contact him proactively. Hasn't he contacted you?"

James, "No, the last time I saw him was after I got out of the hospital."

Jimmy, "Don't worry about him. I even suspect he couldn't die even if I did; he's too good at hiding. Every time I see him, he looks completely different; his makeup skills are really impressive."

James sighed, "I don't know how he's doing now. I considered inviting Tom back to enjoy retirement with me when I thought about retiring. But I have no clue what he's currently up to or where he is."

Jimmy gently patted James's arm, "Don't worry about him, really, trust me. Tom may not be the strongest in combat, but his survival skills are definitely top-notch."

James nodded, recalling how Tom had faked his own death. It was only when Tom reached out to him that James learned Tom had been tracking the mastermind behind it all. But knowing Tom was alive had brought James great joy. Tom also told James not to share this news with his family; to protect them, the less they knew, the less likely they would become targets.

Now, looking at Jimmy, it was clear that Tom had been in contact with Jimmy far more often than with himself; it seemed Tom often needed Jimmy's assistance.

James, "When are you heading back? If it's late, come home with me. Mary hasn't seen you in a while and misses you."

Jimmy nodded, "I'm returning to Quantico tomorrow afternoon, so I have time."

James, "Okay, go mingle for now, and then leave with me when this ends."

Jimmy nodded again, returned to the bar, poured another glass, and moved towards Cage and the others.

It had been a long time since Jimmy had sat down with these old buddies; his last visit was due to James being shot. At that time, he had no courtesy in mind, his single thought was to catch the shooter.

Cage was still as hefty as before, and after clinking glasses with Jimmy, Jimmy casually asked how Cage's son was doing now.

Cage: "He's doing okay, he hasn't touched those things since he went to rehab. His grades aren't great, though, and I've been considering whether to send him to the police academy."

Jimmy: "You thinking about bringing him into the force?"

Cage shook his head, "Not the county police, but the State Police. I spoke to a buddy before, and if he goes there, he'll be looked after."

Jimmy nodded: "That's fine, the pay isn't high but it's stable. At the State Police, he'll probably be assigned to patrol. He should be fine with someone looking out for him."

Cage nodded, "That's what I was thinking too, just haven't discussed it with him yet."

Jimmy: "How old is he?"

Cage: "21, why?"

Jimmy: "Let him spend two years at the State Police, he could then consider joining the FBI like me."

Cage waved his hand dismissively: "Forget it, his temperament is fine for our local area, but I don't see him in the FBI. Being able to live peacefully is all that matters."

Jimmy: "Sure, if you need my help, just give me a call."

Cage: "I will."

Jimmy stood up and continued chatting with others. He was in great spirits this time, engaging in conversation with both acquaintances and strangers. Since Jimmy was the star of the police department, even though he wasn't working there anymore, even the newest officers knew of this formidable figure, so there was no shortage of people initiating a toast with him.

After making his rounds, Jimmy finally returned to his spot at the bar. Soon after, James and Martin left, allowing the others to enjoy themselves without the old-timers bringing down the mood.

James took Jimmy back home, where Mary was surprised and delighted to see him as she wasn't aware that Jimmy would be coming over. James and Mary were traditional folks; they didn't express their gratitude to Jimmy in any grand way. They knew that Jimmy was the key figure in taking down the gunman and were touched by his immediate return to Little Rock after hearing James had been shot. Naturally, they were very happy that Jimmy could make it to James's retirement party.

Jimmy greeted Mary with a few words and then followed James to the study.

Jimmy: "James, what are you planning to do after retirement?"

James: "I haven't decided yet, but I'd like to travel with Mary. It's been a long time since we've gone on a trip together."

Jimmy: "Yeah, if I see Tom, I'll let him know. Maybe then he can join you both on your travels."

James: "Yeah, it's been a long time since I last saw him. What about you? How are things in New York? Got a girlfriend yet?"

Jimmy was slightly smug: "Yeah, I'm doing fine, got a potential girlfriend, she's a Detective with the New York Police Department."

James's expression was a bit ambiguous, "Why? Why would you choose a police officer as your girlfriend?"

Jimmy was stumped by that question, one he truly hadn't considered, "Uh, maybe because I'm around cops all the time? Oh, and she's really beautiful. Heh heh."

James: "Having a girlfriend is good, settling down. Having a family is the foundation of a stable life. When do you guys plan on getting married?"

Jimmy's eyes bulged, was there pressure to marry here too? "Uh, we've only known each other for a few months, marriage is a bit far off, maybe waiting a bit longer."

James: "Don't wait too long, you're not getting any younger."

Jimmy nodded repeatedly, indicating that he understood.

After chatting a while longer with James, Jimmy stood up to leave. Although there was a guest room available at James's place, he would rather stay at a hotel as he wasn't quite comfortable staying at someone else's home. Mary and James accompanied Jimmy to the corner, watching him get into the cab he had called for earlier, before turning around to head back home.

Jimmy rested at the hotel for the night, and early the next day, he packed his bags, ready to head back to Quantico. He flew directly to Washington, D.C., as Quantico is very close to Washington, D.C. In fact, not only the FBI but also the training centers for the DEA and ATF are near Washington, D.C., as is the CIA headquarters in Langley.

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