Chapter 57 – "Back on the Streets"
Los Angeles – Mid-Wilshire Police Station | Monday, 7:15 a.m.
The sun had barely risen over Los Angeles when Gustavo got out of his car in the police station parking lot. The air was still cool and damp, with that distinctive smell of wet asphalt mixed with coffee brewing in the trailer on the corner. He took a deep breath, feeling his lungs open. It was his first day back.
He was dressed in his uniform tightly. The vest under his dark blue shirt, the holster fitted snugly on his utility belt, and the badge pinned securely to his chest. His boots were polished, and his hair was trimmed. There was something solemn about the gesture like a soldier putting on his uniform before battle.
He pushed open the police station door and felt the eyes turn to him.
"Gustavo," Bradford said with a subtle nod. He was at his coffee shop, stirring sugar in his paper cup.
Gustavo returned the gesture with a slight smile.
— "Good morning, Bradford."
Shortly after, Lopez appeared in the hallway and when she saw him, she smiled broadly.
— "Look who's back. Our rookie-lawyer-sniper."
Gustavo smiled more broadly this time.
— "I was told you were missing me."
— "Whoever said that lied. But yes, I was." — She approached and patted his shoulder. — "It's good to see you here again, Gus."
He nodded firmly.
— "It's good to be back."
8:00 AM
The morning meeting began as usual. Captain Zoe Anderson, impeccable as always, looked over the officers gathered in the briefing room. Beside her, Sergeant Grey crossed his arms with that steely gaze that everyone respected.
— "Good morning, everyone. Before we begin our patrol assignments, a word." Everyone fell silent.
— "Officer Gustavo Silva is officially cleared to resume patrol duties." She looked directly at him. — "Internal Affairs has determined that your conduct was exemplary and in accordance with protocol. The police psychologist has also deemed you fit. Gustavo, welcome back."
There was a brief but heartfelt round of applause. Lopez was the first to clap enthusiastically, followed by Bradford, Deacon who was visiting and even more experienced officers. Gustavo stood firm, but his eyes shone with suppressed emotion.
Zoe continued:
— "Deciding to shoot is the hardest decision an officer can make. Gustavo not only made that decision, but he did it to save a life. That takes courage. And it also takes wisdom. He demonstrated both. Stay alert. The streets don't forgive mistakes."
9:30 AM – Patrol Car 7-A-12 | On Patrol with Lopez
The car's engine hummed softly as they glided along the avenues of Mid-Wilshire. The radio hummed in the background, alternating routine calls with traffic reports. Angela Lopez drove, and Gustavo, in the passenger seat, kept his eyes on the surroundings.
— "You're quieter than usual," she said, casting a quick glance.
— "I'm processing it."
— "Okay… do you want to talk about it?"
He sighed.
— "I've replayed that moment a thousand times in my head. The aim, the distance, the position of the hostage… I knew I only had one chance."
— "You got it."
— "Yes. But knowing it rationally is different from accepting it emotionally. The next day, I dreamed about the guy looking at me before the shot. But now... after the sessions with Dr. Melanie, I started to understand something: it wasn't about what I took from the world. It was about what I kept."
Angela nodded, with a slight smile. — "That's growing up. And that's why you're one of the best rookies I've ever trained."
He looked at her, surprised. — "You've never said that before."
— "I was saving it for when you needed to hear it." She winked.
— "Thanks."
11:40 AM – Call: Disturbance in residential area
The radio crackled with a disturbance call from a small condominium on Melrose Avenue. Sounds of fighting, possible domestic violence. Lopez turned on the discreet sirens and turned the patrol car around. Gustavo quickly grabbed his pad and began jotting down the details while checking the position on the GPS.
— "House 112, blue gate. Female victim, sounds of screaming."
They arrived in five minutes. The door was ajar. Lopez looked at Gustavo.
— "You pull first."
He nodded, firmly drawing his gun and using a commanding voice:
— "LAPD! Police! Does anyone need help?"
Inside the house, a woman with swollen eyes appeared in the living room. She ran toward them.
— "He went to the backyard! He has a knife!"
Gustavo and Lopez moved like a choreographed movement. Lopez went around the side of the house, while Gustavo advanced through the kitchen to the backyard. There, a nervous man with a torn shirt and a knife in his hand was crouched down.
— "Drop the knife now! Hands up!" Gustavo shouted.
The man hesitated. Lopez urged from the other side.
— "You're surrounded. Last chance!"
The man dropped the knife. Gustavo approached him carefully and handcuffed him. The tension dissipated.
Lopez looked at him.
— "You're really back, huh?"
— "I never left."
2:00 p.m. – Lunch trailer | Police station parking lot
With the sun at its peak and the smell of grilled burgers in the air, Gustavo and Lopez sat on the metal stools of the trailer. He bit into a burrito with relish.
— "You've always been good at what you do, but now you're different. More focused."
— "Do you know what it is?" — he wiped his mouth. — "The shooting made me realize that our role goes far beyond arresting criminals. We protect them. And sometimes, we have to make choices that no one else can make."
— "Does that scare you?"
— "It scares you. But it also gives you purpose."
Lopez raised his soda can in a toast.
— "To you, Gus. Welcome back."
He raised his, gently tapping hers.
— "To the point."
Chapter 58 – "Certification and Surprises"
Los Angeles Police Training Academy – 7:00 AM
The morning air was crisp and clear. The sky, tinged with pale shades of blue and pink, served as a backdrop to the LAPD Academy's massive shooting range, where a new round of recertifications was about to begin.
Veterans and rookies alike were gathering in front of the briefing area, equipped with backpacks, holsters, vests, and alert eyes. The annual recertification in pistol, tactical rifle, and hand-to-hand combat was mandatory—and respected by all.
Among those assigned to the day's special task force were some of the most respected in the Mid-Wilshire precinct.
Captain Anderson, wearing sunglasses, arms crossed over her vest, watched the action with impeccable posture. Beside her, the ever-stern Sergeant Grey adjusted his holster, his gaze sweeping over the officers in attendance. Angela, her hair pulled back in a high ponytail, was smiling, chatting with Bradford, who had brought his own custom carbine for the training. Bishop, recently cleared and now back on active duty, seemed especially focused.
And among them, wearing black tactical pants, a gray T-shirt with the LAPD crest, and a clean, precisely adjusted holster, was Gustavo.
He smiled discreetly, greeting his colleagues and adjusting the ear protectors around his neck. The newly rising sun glinted off his badge.
7:15 a.m. – Pistol Recertification Begins
The weapons instructor, a war veteran with a gray beard and a stern look, walked among the lined-up officers.
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen," he began in a firm voice. — "Today, we will test your skill with the LAPD's standard issue pistol the Glock 17. You will be evaluated on grouping, accuracy, and response time in simulated situations."
Each officer took up his or her firing range. The targets were called out human silhouettes at ten, fifteen, and twenty meters.
— "Three rounds. First: five free shots. Second: two in lateral movement. Third: recoil scenario, cover fire. Ready…fire!"
The sounds of gunfire began to echo. The rhythmic symphony of firing and reloading filled the space like music to the instructors' ears. Zoe Anderson maintained perfect posture; her shots were accurate. Tim Bradford, a former military man, demonstrated natural skill. Talia was focused, mentally recovering from the stress of the past few weeks.
But it was Gustavo who caught the eye.
His shots formed a perfect grouping almost all impacting the center of the silhouette, some literally passing through the same hole. The instructors stood behind him, watching silently. The sound of the Glock's dry clicks echoed in a timely, rapid, and surgical manner.
Angela smirked.
"He's a showman."
Grey, on the other side, narrowed his eyes.
"Since when has this rookie had this kind of accuracy?"
"Since forever," Lopez replied, without even looking. "But you're just getting to know him now."
7:45 a.m. – Tactical Rifle (AR-15/HK416)
The second part involved rifles—an increasingly common requirement for patrols in high-risk areas. Everyone was given the LAPD standard, but Gustavo asked for permission to use an HK416, a model he had already trained with.
"Authorized," the instructor replied. "Let's see what you do with it."
Each officer was positioned in a bay. The targets simulated hostage situations, armed terrorists, and multiple attackers. Gustavo positioned himself.
He rested the butt on his shoulder, took a deep breath, and pulled the trigger. A precise sequence of shots followed. In less than 40 seconds, three targets were neutralized with shots to the exact center of the forehead and chest.
"Jesus Christ..." Bradford muttered, noticing the targets as they approached for the count.
"This isn't just police training," Zoe commented, frowning.
Lopez then stepped forward, without ceremony: "He trained with JSOC operators. He did an internship at the DOD, remember? He received lessons with elite tactical teams, including Sergeant Mumford's SWAT. Besides that, he has belts in Krav Maga and Jiu-Jitsu. Do you think he learned to shoot only at the gym?"
All eyes turned to Gustavo, who was calmly cleaning his carbine.
"Did you train with JSOC?" Grey asked, surprised.
Gustavo looked at him and humbly replied:
"I had the honor of observing some of them in training during missions I accompanied as a legal intern at the Department of Defense. They taught me some techniques. It was a privilege."
Zoe crossed her arms, visibly impressed.
"Silva... you are a box of surprises."
He smiled.
"I do my best to help."
8:30 a.m. – Hand-to-Hand Combat (Simulated)
In the last part of the morning, the officers would be tested in self-defense, restraining aggressive suspects and immobilizing in a simulated match. The fights would be in pairs, with referees.
— "Gustavo, who do you want to train with?" — asked the instructor.
Lopez raised his hand.
— "Myself."
— "Lopez, are you sure?" — said Bradford, laughing.
— "He already gave me some tips at the range. Now I want to see if he can handle it."
The two positioned themselves. With pads, gloves and mat ready, the simulation began.
Gustavo adopted a Krav Maga stance: low, centered, arms raised, feet firm.
Angela advanced quickly, trying an armbar. Gustavo spun, ducked, slipped underneath and pinned her from behind in two moves.
The instructor shouted:
— "Point for Silva!"
Angela laughed as she stood up.
— "Okay. I asked for that one."
— "Want to try again?" — he asked, extending his hand.
— "Always."
In the second round, she almost caught him in a takedown, but he used a typical jiu-jitsu hip twist and took her to the ground with a light submission, without hurting her.
Bradford, crossing his arms next to the mat, muttered to Grey:
— "This kid is a monster."
— "Yes," the sergeant replied. — "And on top of that, he's humble."
9:30 a.m. – End of Training | Final Feedback
The group gathered in a circle. The instructors gave their evaluations one by one. When it was Gustavo's turn, the one in charge of hand-to-hand combat looked directly at him.
— "Silva, your proficiency is above the elite standard. Have you thought about applying for the advanced instructor course?"
— "Not yet, sir. But... maybe one day."
— "Consider it."
Zoe Anderson took two steps forward.
— "Officer Silva, congratulations. It's rare to see someone with your training, and even rarer to see someone with your discipline. Keep it up."
Gustavo nodded humbly.
Angela patted his shoulder lightly.
— "And they still say that newbies have nothing to teach."
He laughed.
— "I'm just giving back everything I was taught."
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