Hughes didn't answer directly but instead looked at the traffic ahead and asked: "What do you think of Mr. Hagerty?"

Jimmy: "He seems pretty good, kind, very confident, and has a strong presence."

Hughes: "Yes, indeed very powerful. Without his help this time, it would be difficult for us."

Jimmy: "Countering Senator Pratt's influence?"

Hughes: "This matter is very troublesome. It's not just about solving a murder case; it also involves some political considerations. Peter is being framed, and he must be seen as framed."

Jimmy: "I understand. So what should we do now?"

Hughes: "Mr. Hagerty will help mediate. Senator Pratt's matters must not be leaked. In exchange, some things will become much easier. Just continue the investigation as usual and wait for the results from above. If there are no surprises, it should be resolved soon."

Jimmy nodded, understanding that a senator is a big deal. If such a scandal were uncovered, it would definitely affect the party's image.

Maryland, like New York State, is a Blue State. Given what Hughes said, this Senator Hagerty must also be one of them and likely holds a high position. His coordination can cover up the scandal, and as a trade-off, the political pressure on Peter's side will be lighter, making the case easier to handle.

After a while, Hughes suddenly asked: "What are your plans?"

Jimmy was taken aback, "Me? This case has nothing to do with me, right?"

Hughes: "I'm talking about later. There should be a major change in the bureau this time."

Jimmy: "I just want to return to the field department. The internal affairs department is really boring."

Hughes: "Where do you want to go?"

Jimmy thought for a moment, wondering if Hughes really sought his opinion for arranging a position or was just testing his attitude. After a few seconds, Jimmy said: "Anywhere is fine for me, you know I've done all sorts of things before."

Hughes glanced at Jimmy, then turned his gaze back to the road ahead: "You're already 30, getting married next year; you should be preparing for your future. Take me home."

-----------------

Jimmy took Hughes home, then drove to the office, stopping to buy breakfast on the way.

It's just the start of the workday; the progress of the joint investigation team probably hasn't been organized yet. He planned to go there in the afternoon to confirm the case details.

While eating breakfast, Jimmy was pondering the matters from the morning.

The case with Peter now only needed the truth uncovered. Hughes and Senator Hagerty's words indicated they would intervene. If Senator Pratt's influence was suppressed by the party, nobody would pursue Peter relentlessly. Without external pressure, as long as the bureau could sort out the evidence, Peter should be exonerated.

Correspondingly, the mess created by Senator Pratt should also be settled. The FBI's headquarters forcibly assigning Karaway over to take over the field supervisor's role made the upper management at the Manhattan office quite upset. If they could also get rid of her this time, it would be ideal.

If not for all these issues, he would have already packed and returned to the field department. The previously arranged plan was suddenly interrupted.

Moreover, the words Hughes said in the car made it the second time recently he had asked about his plans. Would returning to the field allow him to choose a position?

Jimmy contemplated the current configuration of the field teams. Peter's white-collar team, Ruiz's organized crime team, and Mahong's homicide team were the ones he was most familiar with.

Of course, the FBI doesn't only have these three teams; there are also units for telecom fraud, cyberattacks, kidnapping, counterterrorism, espionage, and more, all with specialized teams handling them. However, many departments require technical skills, making them less suitable for Jimmy.

Hughes seemed to be encouraging him to choose the teams he was familiar with and wanted to join. Besides selecting a suitable position for himself, did he have other ideas, like adjusting the team leaders?

If Karaway is out, and Peter manages to take over as field supervisor, the white-collar team would then have an opening for a supervisory special agent, so if others rotate positions...

Never mind, thinking too much. Jimmy is still a senior agent, far from reaching supervisory special agent needed yet.

If he really were to go back, Ruiz's organized crime team and Mahong's homicide team would be the best choices. Jimmy was already familiar with the work in these two teams, facing no significant barriers.

For now, it was all just idle speculation, as he didn't know if Hughes' words represented his own thoughts or the intentions of the office's upper management, especially since Hughes was already retired, making it even harder to discern.

Today, Nia would call home during the day, and in the evening, Jimmy picked her up from the precinct, and the two went to Nia's house for dinner.

Kevin unexpectedly had something come up and didn't return home after work. By the time he got back, Jimmy and the others had been waiting for two hours.

Kevin hung up his coat and invited Jimmy to the study. Nia had already informed him over the phone during the day that Jimmy wanted to discuss something.

Kevin: "Nia, get me a glass of ice water."

Jimmy chuckled and said: "What, have you already had some drinks?"

Kevin: "Yes, I talked with some people from the city government. What's up?"

Jimmy: "Some things have happened in our bureau recently, big changes. I want you to help me analyze what these big shots are thinking."

Kevin raised an eyebrow: "Which aspect?"

Jimmy: "A lot, especially since they've repeatedly asked me about my future plans."

While speaking, Jimmy took Kevin's cigar from the side, cut it, and handed it over, then lit one for himself.

Jimmy recounted the recent personnel changes in the bureau and the current murder case, at least what he knew. The focus was on Dave and Hughes, especially the meeting with Senator Hagerty this morning. This was the highest-level person Jimmy had interacted with so far, and as a young agent, he found it overwhelming.

Kevin looked at Jimmy in surprise: "Senator Bill Hagerty?"

Jimmy nodded, "This morning, I drove with Hughes to visit him. I didn't say anything the whole time, just stood by watching."

Kevin: "Of course you couldn't speak. The rank difference is too vast. If I'm not mistaken, Senator Hagerty has been re-elected three or four times, and he has extensive connections in the Senate. With his help, Senator Pratt's issue should be manageable."

Jimmy: "Hughes thinks so too, but I still can't figure out their true intentions."

Kevin: "You mentioned having dirt on the new director sent over, could they get her out of the way?"

Jimmy: "The problem shouldn't be too big. She was originally brought in by Senator Pratt to take out Hughes, so she's likely from their faction. Now Hughes has recordings of her secretly providing case intelligence to Senator Pratt, which theoretically should be sufficient."

Kevin: "Then there shouldn't be any problems. As long as you can clear Peter of suspicion, he should be able to advance. That should be Hughes and the others' intentions. Tell me again what Dave told you."

Jimmy: "Dave only talked to me once. Besides asking for my insight on the case, he also inquired about my further studies."

Kevin: "Yes, I mentioned your further studies to him. It seems like this matter is progressing."

Jimmy: "Are you referring to the bureau's policy?"

Kevin nodded: "Regarding your situation, he promised that day to help as much as possible. He didn't refuse the drinks you sent, right?"

Jimmy: "No, but he didn't mention anything else."

Kevin: "Then it's fine. What you should consider now is whether you want to be one of their people."

Jimmy: "What do you mean?"

Kevin: "They've categorized you as one of their own. Moving forward, you'll be marked with their stamp. The advantage is that as long as they're fine, you'll have smooth sailing. However, it also means becoming a target for others and gaining more enemies."

Jimmy: "What's your take? I don't have much understanding of politics and factions."

Kevin: "For you, currently, there's no downside. You don't seem to have other paths for advancement, right? Unless you're willing to switch to other agencies, but I know you still have quite a few alternatives."

Jimmy nodded, acknowledging that Kevin was correct. Following Hughes and Dave right now posed no disadvantages. As for transferring agencies, frankly, unless he was willing to return to the CIA, there weren't many other options. He didn't have particularly familiar contacts at the Defense Intelligence Bureau (DIA), the only connection being a so-called grandfather's friend.

With everything clear, it was decided. Everything would hinge on the final outcome of Peter's case.

(A long chapter of 6000 words, only one update today.)

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