Chapter 74 – "Lies and Truths"
10:22 AM – On the Streets of Los Angeles
The Mid-Wilshire patrol car glided smoothly through the wide streets of the residential neighborhood south of the district. The sun shone brightly that late Tuesday morning, reflecting off the rearview mirrors and making the car feel hotter than it was. Angela Lopez was driving, sunglasses covering her eyes, while Gustavo Silva, in the passenger seat, was typing something on a police tablet.
They were on patrol, but it was one of those relatively calm shifts, where the city seemed to have taken a brief respite from the chaos. The tranquility gave way to light conversation and even jokes between the two.
"Did you see the way Sergeant Grey looked at that coffee I made this morning?" Lopez said, a smile tugging at his lips.
Gustavo laughed.
"He looked like he thought he was going to have to investigate the source of the water."
She laughed.
—"Hey! It was organic Colombian coffee."
—"Colombian maybe... But organic? I think even the bean gave up on life when it went into that coffee maker."
Angela lightly slapped him on the shoulder, laughing.
—"You're impossible."
Gustavo looked out the window, watching a woman walk by with her dog, and then turned back to her, still smiling.
—"You know that if you're ever questioned, you'll end up confessing everything just because the detective offers you a good coffee."
—"Why? You think I can't lie?"
Gustavo made a sound with his mouth, imitating a lie alarm.
—"Lie detected. You wouldn't pass five minutes on a polygraph."
She arched an eyebrow.
—"Oh, really? And you would?"
—"Easily," he replied defiantly.
Angela slowed down and looked at him over her glasses.
—"You're full of yourself."
—"It's not thinking. It's knowing. Some DOD intelligence agents taught me how to beat a polygraph."
Silence for two seconds. Angela almost stopped in her tracks.
—"What?! You know how to beat a polygraph?"
—"Uh-huh. Heart rate, respiratory control, muscle tension. It's all measurable, all manipulable with training and self-control. It's not as infallible as people think."
Angela's mouth dropped open. Then she smiled, clearly already preparing her next move.
—"You'll teach me. I demand it as your TO."
—"Only if you promise not to use it to avoid personal questions."
She laughed.
—"No promises."
12:47 PM – Mid-Wilshire Police Station – Cafeteria
The shift had proceeded normally, without any major incidents. Back at base, Angela, Gustavo, Bradford, and Talia Bishop were in the break room, each with their own mess tray. Angela was clearly holding back a laugh. She looked at Gustavo, then at her colleagues.
"Guys, guess what Silva told me today?"
Bradford chewed on a French fry and answered with his mouth still busy.
"That he was invited to be a secret agent?"
"Almost right. He knows how to cheat a polygraph."
Bishop choked slightly on his soda.
"Excuse me?"
Gustavo raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.
"Hey, it's not illegal to know. It's just illegal to use it with malicious intent."
Bradford's eyes widened, visibly interested.
"Dude, this is something out of a movie. How do you cheat a polygraph?"
Gustavo looked at the three of them, then leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.
"Well... you know I worked for a while with people from JSOC and the DOD. On one of those occasions, I participated in a training session with a counterintelligence unit. We learned how to control the physiological indicators that the polygraph measures."
Angela was visibly excited.
"Explain. Now."
Gustavo took a deep breath, pretending to consider whether he should really share.
"Okay, let's go. The polygraph measures three main things: respiratory rate variation, skin electrical conductance, and blood pressure. When you lie, theoretically, these parameters change. But if you keep them constant, even under pressure, the detector can't distinguish truth from lies."
Bradford was fascinated.
"Okay, but how do you keep all this under control?"
—"Rhythmic breathing. Muscles contracted for true responses, relaxed for false ones. Mental control. Visualizing something calm, focusing on diaphragmatic breathing… It's practice. And composure."
Bishop crossed his arms, staring at him as if he were facing a locked safe.
—"Have you ever used this?"
Gustavo gave a slight smile.
—"I've never needed to. But knowing I can… it's comforting."
Angela couldn't help but laugh.
—"Gustavo is basically Batman with a law degree and a police badge."
—"Excuse me," Gustavo added. —"Lawyer with DOD experience and urban survival expert."
—"Oh, sure. How could I forget?" Angela joked.
2:03 PM – Police Station Yard
Later that day, Gustavo was sitting in the courtyard with a notebook in hand, making some notes. Zoe Anderson appeared from behind, with a cup of coffee.
"I heard you can beat a polygraph."
He looked at her with a smirk.
"Word travels fast."
"Mid-Wilshire is worse than Twitter. But... is that true?"
Gustavo nodded.
"Counterintelligence training. It's not foolproof, but if you know what you're doing, you can make any detective think you're telling the absolute truth while confessing to a crime you never committed."
Zoe sat beside him, curious.
"You're a box of surprises, Silva."
"I only use these surprises when necessary."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Or when someone doubts you?"
"Then I'll show you how it's done," he said with a slight smile.
3:27 PM – Police Station Parking Lot
On the way out, Gustavo and Angela walked to the patrol car for their next call. Lopez looked at him with a smile.
"Seriously, I want to learn this polygraph thing. Just in case someday I have to lie and say Grey's coffee is good."
Gustavo shook his head, laughing.
"Are you going to use my teachings for psychological torture with coffee?"
"Hey, every weapon is valid in war."
They got into the patrol car.
"But seriously, thanks for sharing this. You always bring something new that no one here thought they knew."
Gustavo turned on the radio and looked at her sincerely.
"Knowledge saves. Always."
And with that, the patrol car set off through the streets of Los Angeles once again, with two officers committed not only to the law, but to the continuous learning that made them better with each shift even if that included learning to lie to a polygraph.
Chapter 75 – "Unmeasured Truths"
7:12 AM – Mid-Wilshire Police Station – Officers' Lounge
It was an unusually calm morning by Los Angeles standards. The city seemed to have slept a little longer. A rare but welcome phenomenon.
In the officers' lounge, the sound of boots echoed across the polished floor. There were only a few there on duty: Gustavo Silva, Angela Lopez, Talia Bishop, Tim Bradford, Sergeant Grey, and Captain Zoe Anderson. The others were on missions, training, or scheduled leave. The lack of outside activity created an almost familiar atmosphere, like a quiet Sunday at home.
Angela was leaning back in her chair, enjoying her second breakfast with an expression of someone enjoying the breeze. Bradford was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, watching Bishop leaf through a report. Gustavo, seated at the center table, was filling out a form with his usual silent concentration.
Zoe Anderson entered with firm steps. Sergeant Grey followed her, holding something curious: a black case with metal latches.
"Good morning," Zoe said, her tone betraying something was about to happen.
Everyone responded with murmurs or nods. Gustavo, as always, looked up, attentive.
"Since today is one of those quiet shifts we rarely have," she began, placing the case on the table, "I decided to do something educational... and fun."
She opened the case. Inside, well protected by molded foam, was a portable polygraph machine, complete with sensors, pressure hoses, electrodes, and the control console.
Bradford whistled.
"Wow. You weren't kidding when you mentioned the polygraph."
Angela smiled and elbowed Gustavo lightly.
"Your time has come, Silva."
Zoe looked at Gustavo with a half-smile.
"You said you knew how to cheat on a polygraph. Now you'll have the chance to prove it."
Gustavo didn't seem intimidated. On the contrary, a calm smile appeared on his lips.
"Of course. But I'm warning you: I won't confess to any crime, even if I didn't commit it."
Laughter filled the room.
"And after you do, you can teach us," Bishop added curiously.
7:35 AM – Interrogation Room 1
With the equipment assembled, the interrogation room was transformed into an informal demonstration space. The polygraph was turned on, and the sensors were properly prepared.
Gustavo sat in the chair, adjusting his tactical vest and pulling up his sleeves to facilitate the sensor installation. Lopez began installing the components with the help of Sergeant Grey, who seemed more excited than usual.
"Pressure hose on the arm... heart rate sensors here on the finger... and electrodes on the chest," Angela described as she connected each wire.
"It's quite technical," Bradford commented, watching closely.
"A polygraph doesn't read minds," Gustavo said, looking at him. "It only measures the body's reactions to stress-inducing questions."
When everything was ready, Zoe took over as "examiner," sitting on the other side of the table with the polygraph interface in front of her.
"Let's start with simple questions, to calibrate."
She looked at Gustavo and asked:
"Is your name Gustavo Silva?"
"Yes."
The line on the display remained steady.
"Were you born in Brazil?"
"Yes."
Again, steady.
"Have you ever committed a crime in Los Angeles?"
"No," he replied firmly.
A small spike. But within the norm.
Zoe then winked at him.
"Now, lie."
"Do you have blue eyes?"
Gustavo paused briefly and calmly replied:
"Yes."
The lines remained stable. Normal levels. No significant spikes.
Zoe frowned and looked at the others.
"Is this okay?"
"Okay," Gustavo replied. "Controlled breathing, focus on internal visualization, microtension in specific areas. I tricked the system."
Bradford let out an impressed laugh.
"Man... this is scary."
"It's just physiology," he said. "I can explain."
8:10 AM – Training Room – Explanations
A short time later, with the equipment turned off and excitement still in the air, everyone moved into the training room. Gustavo, now without sensors, stood before a small, attentive group.
He picked up a pen and walked over to the whiteboard, drawing three curves.
— "The polygraph measures three parameters: blood pressure, skin conductance, and respiratory rate. The principle is simple: if you lie, your body reacts with stress. But… if you control these parameters, the stress doesn't show up."
Bishop was writing everything down. Bradford was paying attention as if he were watching a documentary. Angela seemed ready to begin the training right then and there.
"But how do we control this?" Sergeant Grey asked, interested.
"Breathing training." Gustavo stepped forward and demonstrated. "Inhale for four counts, hold for four, exhale for four, hold for four. It's called Box breathing. Meditation practice helps a lot. It keeps your heart rate steady and your nerves calm."
Angela repeated it with him and smiled when she saw that the simple exercise was already making her feel more centered.
"Skin conductivity depends on sweat. Body temperature control helps. And keeping the facial muscles relaxed prevents tension from appearing. Small contractions in the thigh muscles help keep the mind focused on something other than the question."
Bradford blinked.
"You just taught us how to fool a lie detector."
Gustavo laughed.
"It's not to fool. It's to show that knowledge is key. If someone uses it unfairly against you, you can protect yourself."
Zoe crossed her arms, satisfied.
"Gustavo, congratulations. That was more useful than any theoretical interrogation training we've ever had."
"Thank you, Captain."
"And would you be willing to give a formal class on this for more police officers?" — she added.
—"Sure. I can put together a handout, show you exercises. Teach you how to recognize when your body is trying to betray your mind."
Angela approached and gave him a light, friendly punch on the shoulder.
—"You just became the psychological Jedi master here at the police station."
9:42 AM – Back in the officers' room
With the morning advancing and the radios still silent, the group returned to their routine. But the conversation continued.
Bishop turned to Gustavo with a thoughtful expression.
—"But... what if someone uses this to hide something?"
Gustavo replied calmly.
—"That's where investigative work comes in. The polygraph never replaces the truth. It only helps direct. But a good police officer knows how to read more than electrical signals. He reads the look in your eyes, the silence... the weight of the words."
Angela nodded thoughtfully.
Bradford murmured:
—"Yes. And now I know I can't play poker with you anymore."
More laughter.
Zoe then said:
"Okay, let's enjoy the rest of this shift peacefully. But just know... if someone ever disappears with the last piece of pie from the fridge... I'll know who to call."
"You can bet I won't show any guilt," Gustavo replied with a wink.
And so, the day went on. The police station may not have received any urgent calls that morning, but it gained something rare and valuable: useful knowledge, genuine laughter, and another solid building block in the construction of a team that not only patrols the city, but also learns and grows together.
Chapter 76 – "Federal Alliances"
6:48 AM – Mid-Wilshire Police Station – Briefing Room
The city was still waking as officers began to fill the station's hallways. Footsteps echoed with the sound of equipment being adjusted: vests, holsters, radios. In the briefing room, Gustavo was already there, with Angela at his side, both organizing their gear before the first patrol of the day.
Tim Bradford entered with a steaming cup of coffee, followed by Talia Bishop, still reading a report on her tablet. Sergeant Grey entered shortly after, his posture rigid as ever.
A few minutes later, the door opened with restrained force.
"Attention," Captain Zoe Anderson said, her tone clear and firm. "Change of plans for today."
Eyes turned immediately to her. Her presence, as always, made the room quiet.
"We've received direct contact from the local FBI office. A federal case is underway, and they've requested our support. And before anyone asks... yes, that's a direct order from their SAC."
She turned to the side, and a female figure entered behind her.
She wore a sharply tailored dark suit, blonde hair tied in a bun, and a look that blended vigilance and clarity. The ID hanging around her neck read: Special Agent Elena Rourke.
"I'm Special Agent Rourke. Thank you for your cooperation. We need local support for an operation involving arms trafficking and possible domestic terrorism. An extremist group has been using urban routes in Los Angeles to move illegal military-grade weapons."
A murmur began among the officers. Gustavo crossed his arms, attentive. Angela frowned, clearly already thinking about the urban access points and possible logistics corridors that could be used.
"What's our role in this?" Bishop asked directly.
Rourke nodded respectfully.
"You know the terrain. Its streets, its alleys, its usual suspects. We need trained eyes, field knowledge, and discretion. The operation will be discreet until we have a federal warrant. But we need to start today."
Zoe stepped forward.
"Silva, Lopez, Bishop, Bradford. You're going with the special agent."
Gustavo nodded. Angela looked at him, a faint smile appearing.
"There's always something special when you're on duty," she murmured softly, and Gustavo smiled faintly.
7:30 AM – Integrated Planning Room
With whiteboards, city maps, and projected aerial photos, the station's planning room was adapted into a mini-temporary headquarters. Agent Rourke was with a skeleton crew two analysts and another agent, who remained in the background.
She pointed to an area on the outskirts of Boyle Heights.
"Three deliveries have been made in this area in the last few weeks. We have satellite imagery showing suspicious activity. Our drones picked up this truck here…"
She zoomed in on the image. A plain, black, unmarked van.
"We know it was used in the last delivery. We want to track those involved and identify the next pickup point. The problem is, they don't follow logical routes. They change with each delivery. That's why we need people who know how to... think like them."
Angela looked at Gustavo.
"What do you think?"
Gustavo leaned in, studying the map carefully.
"These routes avoid areas with a lot of cameras. They use industrial zones, one-way streets that end in alleys… They probably use lookouts at intersections."
He pointed to three points.
"These are likely temporary storage locations."
Rourke watched him carefully.
"You've worked in intelligence, haven't you?"
"Department of Defense. Internship with JSOC analysts for a few months," he replied, without vanity, just a statement of fact.
Rourke smiled slightly, as if that made sense now.
"Good. Then you understand me. We'll need this."
8:45 AM – Departure for joint patrol
Two Mid-Wilshire patrol cars left, escorting the unmarked FBI van. Gustavo was in the passenger seat, driving with Angela. The radio was tuned to the internal operation channel.
"There's something interesting about this," Angela commented, turning the corner onto Alameda. "I never imagined working with the FBI on a real case."
"There's a first time for everything," Gustavo said. "But the atmosphere between agencies isn't always friendly. We have to maintain diplomacy and be careful. They'll test us."
Angela laughed.
"You seem to have done this before."
"More times than I can count," he said, his gaze calm. "But always with the same focus: protecting lives."
They passed through a narrow street. A group of people stood near a seemingly abandoned workshop.
Gustavo spoke into the radio.
"This is Silva. We have suspicious activity at the intersection of 4th and Gladys. Three individuals observing passing vehicles. One of them has a radio in his hand."
"Received," Rourke replied. — "Let's get into position."
9:02 AM – Coordinated Approach
The FBI van parked discreetly two blocks away. Gustavo and Angela got out on foot, approaching from the side, while Bishop and Bradford did the same on another street. Gustavo signaled for Angela to stop behind a concrete pillar.
"He's using the radio to report passersby. Classic sentry behavior," Gustavo whispered.
"Do you want to approach them now?"
"No. We don't have legal justification yet. But we can follow them when they move. Find out where they're taking the information."
A few minutes later, a car arrived, picking up the three suspects.
"Time to move," Gustavo said, running to the car.
9:45 AM – Silent Pursuit
The pursuit through the streets of the east side was conducted cautiously. The suspects' car finally entered a yard behind a closed warehouse. Gustavo spoke into the radio:
"We've confirmed a meeting point. A warehouse at 7th and Indiana Streets. Requesting backup from the tactical team."
Rourke responded:
"Teams on the way. Stand by. Do not compromise surveillance."
10:30 AM – FBI Tactical Team Arrival
The FBI tactical vehicles arrived silently. Agents got out, all wearing heavy equipment. Agent Rourke gathered the group.
"Let's go in. Gustavo, I want you with me. Local knowledge will be crucial in there."
Angela looked at him with a worried look. Gustavo just nodded.
"I'll go with her. Cover our flank."
She smiled briefly.
"Come back in one piece."
11:02 AM – Tactical Entry into the Warehouse
The entry was precise. The FBI agents broke down the door quickly. Inside, boxes of military-grade weapons: rifles, ammunition, explosives. Three suspects were subdued. The operation was quick and clean.
Gustavo entered with Rourke, helping to search and identify the equipment.
She looked at him after everything was secure.
"You have a talent for this. Have you thought about... something besides patrol?"
Gustavo looked at the handcuffed men.
"I'm where I can help most. Here."
1:00 PM – Back at the police station
At the police station, the group gathered in the captain's office. Zoe, Sergeant Grey, Rourke, Gustavo, and Angela were present.
Rourke extended his hand to Zoe.
"Captain, thank you. Without your team, this operation would have been a failure. These weapons were destined for radical groups. We prevented a tragedy."
She looked at Gustavo.
"And this one... if you ever want to work with us full-time, just come find me."
Gustavo smiled.
"Thank you, agent. But for now, this is my home."
Zoe crossed her arms, satisfied.
"Good job, everyone."
2:20 PM – Officers' Lounge
As everything returned to normal, Angela leaned back in the chair next to Gustavo.
"You know... working with the FBI isn't that bad."
"As long as we don't have to fill out another 20-page report, I agree," he replied humorously.
She laughed.
"You know the captain will ask for a detailed report, right?"
"I'm already writing it in my head."
And with that, the day continued. Another successful operation, another milestone in the career of an officer who proved at every step that he was much more than he seemed.
WARNING!!!
Starting yesterday, I'll start posting just one chapter of each story that's already finished. It'll just be a preview of the new stories I'll be posting soon. However, only paid members will have access to them. I already have 4 stories completed, so in 4 days you'll have 1 chapter of each story.
The stories that are already finished:
Hollywood Actor = A homeless man bumps into a famous film director and gets the opportunity to change his life. He auditions for the lead role in a film that later becomes a successful franchise.
Lioness: Ground Branch = follows the life of a former DEVGRU Red Squadron operator and current Ground Branch operator, Amanda Ellis' boyfriend. Throughout the story, we see his missions and interactions with Lioness unit operators.
NCIS: Son of Gibbs = follows the life of the eldest son of famous NCIS agent Jethro Gibbs, enlisting in the Army, graduating from sniper training like his father, his entry into the Army's most secret unit, Delta Force, and his relationship with a Mossad agent.
Hawaii Five-0: Commander = tells the story of the famous Hawaii Five-0 task force commander, from his time as a DEVGRU operator, leading the most famous special operations mission in history, to his interactions with the rest of the world. with his girlfriend, Catherine Rollins, his task force friends, and even interactions with other characters from other series.
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