Reborn: The Rookie Detective

Mesia felt the effects of the anesthetic might not have worn off yet, and he was hallucinating. As an IRS investigator, he had undergone rigorous shooting and combat training, but the seemingly disparate fight before him was something he had never seen before and could not comprehend.

The bald man, with a burly, muscular build, while the LAPD guy opposite him, though similar in height and, was clearly smaller.

The room was large, but with five stainless steel dissection tables in the center, the actual space was extremely cramped. If it were Mesia himself, he would never have put down his pistol and chosen hand-to-hand combat, as this would deprive the smaller LAPD guy of his only advantage: agility and evasion.

In fact, he had no intention of dodging. The bald man, despite his imposing size, threw a punch with lightning speed, and the LAPD guy, without dodging, actually returned the punch with the same movement.

Fists collided in front of the two men, and Mesia even clearly heard the crisp sound of bones breaking. But to his complete surprise, it was the bald man who screamed.

His right hand was unable to clench into a fist, forming an unclosed claw shape. Just as Mesia suspected that the LAPD kid had secretly put on brass knuckles or something, the ferocious bald man gritted his teeth and swung his left fist — a hook aimed at the cartilage behind the right ear.

If a normal person were to be hit by such a blow, a severe concussion could instantly incapacitate the target. The LAPD kid still didn't dodge, and also threw a left hook, striking the inside of the bald man's outstretched forearm.

Another crisp sound of bones breaking rang out, and the bald man's forearm instantly deformed, the deflected left fist weakly grazing his cheek.

Facing the bald man, whose hands were useless and who was bent over in agony, Jack, with only a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth, smiled slightly: "My turn."

Then came a series of indistinguishable punches. Jack replicated the combo of the female assassin from before. The bald man couldn't block at all; punches landed repeatedly on his abdomen, midsection, and chest. With a final crack, his jaw snapped under the strain, and he collapsed to the ground like a rag doll.

Jack felt a surge of frustration dissipate. He bent down and used plastic cable ties to bind the bald man's hands and feet, who was curled up in pain, before reaching out to help Mesia up.

"Can you still move?"

Mesia gave a bitter smile. "Completely unable to move. Are all LAPD officers monsters like you?"

Only when Jack got closer did he realize there were no brass knuckles. This young man with the harmless appearance had simply smashed his opponent down with his bare fists.

At that moment, chaotic footsteps echoed in the corridor, accompanied by Nolan's shouts.

"Jack?"

"Safe! Suspect subdued."

Jack shouted, indicating his location.

A group of LAPD officers rushed into the autopsy room. Nolan, leading the charge, holstered his gun and stared wide-eyed at the bald man still groaning. The man had a fractured jaw and couldn't groan, only lying on the floor drooling everywhere.

"Are you alright?"

Jack wiped his mouth, giving a grin. "I think I need Carrie to help me find a gentle nurse."

....

"Thank you very much, Officer Jack Tavelor. On behalf of the IRS, I thank you for everything you've done."

The gaunt old man, Ray King, holding a note, walked out of the ward and shook hands with Jack, who was waiting at the door.

"It's my pleasure, Chief King."

Considering the "huge" reward, Jack didn't mind saying a few more nice words.

His gaze swept over the note in Ray King's hand, and he asked a question in a low voice.

"Everything went smoothly?"

Ray King nodded with a smile. "Very smoothly. Alejandro Mesia has proven to be a loyal and reliable agent."

"He intercepted nearly $50 million in illicit funds, and the cryptocurrency is now under IRS control," the old man added in a low voice.

"So much? That's…" Jack's eyes lit up. This old man was a man of principle, not hiding anything at all; he was definitely worth befriending.

"You know, the price of cryptocurrencies has been soaring lately."

Ray King winked, his wrinkled old face making the expression somewhat comical, but it was clear he was in a very good mood.

"The IRS will acknowledge the source of your bonus. Also, my previous invitation is still valid; Mesia was very impressed with your skills."

Jack smiled apologetically. The IRS was indeed powerful, considered one of the top law enforcement agencies in the US, but he had little interest in armed taxation. In contrast, he was more interested in the cases handled by the FBI's BAU team, as the experience provided by the system was the most convincing.

Of course, maintaining a good relationship with the money-maker was still essential.

Just as he was about to explain further, a strange voice came from behind them.

"Old man, this kid is already reserved for me, so don't even think about it."

Jack turned around and saw a middle-aged white man, around 50 years old, with a refined demeanor, walking briskly towards them with Maureen.

"David Rossi!"

Ray King strode forward and hugged the middle-aged white man tightly.

"David, I never expected to run into you here. Weren't you busy writing books and giving speeches all over the country?"

The middle-aged white man had a neatly groomed beard, with some graying at the temples. His hair was slicked back, a classic, retro style.

"The BAU has been having some trouble lately, and they've contacted me again."

The middle-aged man, named David Rossi, smiled at Jack beside him. "Officer Jack Tavelor?"

"Yes, sir." Jack met those same dark brown eyes as him, and those eyes were trying to dissect him right now.

Jack, now possessing proficient psychology skills, was no longer the novice who trembled at the sight of a psychologist. He extended his hand with an extremely respectful and humble attitude, like a junior.

"It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Rossi."

Of course, he didn't forget to greet Maureen either: "Long time no see, Professor Cahill."

David Rossi didn't immediately let go of Jack's hand, but looked him up and down, and carefully observed his finger joints before letting out a gasp of surprise.

"How did you manage to beat that suspect up like that? I just saw him, and he broke at least seven or eight bones."