The grand promise might still be achievable. Dream-weaving...
This unfortunate young man, Dean, had apparently caught Hank's eye. Hank seemed ready to break the deadlock of being understaffed and use Dean as his first pawn in the power struggles within the detective bureau.
Old Hunter also sensed that Deputy Chief Hank was unreliable.
He glanced at Dean, then quickly lowered his head again. At fifty-six, he stood like a mere lackey.
In fact, Old Hunter's current status wasn't, to some extent, much lower than that of the district's Deputy Chief. On the surface, they were in the same stratum, able to share a drink.
But Old Hunter lacked confidence.
You could only say they were both captains. Former Captain Monet could chat and laugh freely with the district's Deputy Chief standing before them. In mindset and other aspects, he completely overshadowed Old Hunter, who was an unsupported, soon-to-retire slick old dog.
