The off-duty day passed unluckily, as Jimmy once again started the patrol car and hit the road for a wander.

There were a total of four patrol teams in the Plaskey County Police Department. Sergeant Cage led Team A, which included Jimmy, Noah, and Mason, responsible for patrolling the western part of the county. The patrol area wasn't particularly large, and with the current workload, there weren't any significant issues unless there was an unusual surge of emergencies. The other three teams were also scattered around, and they hardly ever ran into each other.

Jimmy was in a peculiar state at the moment. On one hand, he had this new ability and especially wanted to put it to use, but on the other hand, he was feeling pretty lazy and lacked motivation to work. He mostly turned a blind eye during patrols, only perking up when a dispatch came through the center.

The tasks from the dispatch center were mostly routine disturbances: noise complaints, quarrels, occasional domestic violence, or vandalism like spray painting on walls.

These issues were tedious to deal with, but they rarely involved arrests, except for domestic violence cases, which could be quickly resolved once the police intervened.

The Nokia tune rang out, and Jimmy picked up the phone, a number that wasn't recorded in his cellphone.

"Hi, I'm Jimmy. Who's this?"

"Officer Jimmy, I'm Frank Moses. I saw your business card at my door. Is there something wrong?"

"Are you at home now? Can we meet and talk at your place?"

"Yes, I've just got back." "Half an hour. Goodbye."

Jimmy went straight to Frank's house, having been there several times before and knowing the way well. He parked the police car in front of Frank's house and walked up to knock on the door.

Frank opened the door and welcomed Jimmy inside.

"Hi, Frank, is the renovation finished?"

"Yes, it's all done now. There won't be any more disturbances for the neighbors."

"OK, I've mainly come to check on something with you. A few days ago, there was a truck parked at the intersection in your neighborhood. Do you know anything about this?"

"Not sure, I've been out of state these past few days, not at home."

"OK, I was just asking. We've already checked with the other neighbors. It was an unregistered black truck with forged plates that hadn't moved for days. It's been towed to the parking lot now."

"Oh, I don't know about that truck. Want something to drink? Coffee? Beer?" Frank walked towards the kitchen.

"Coffee, I still have patrolling to do."

Frank poured two cups of coffee and the two of them sat on the couch to chat.

"Frank, just making conversation here, what is it that you do?"

"Corporate consulting, mainly dealing with security issues, often I have to travel to other places for work."

"Your family? They don't live with you?"

"Haha, I'm single, not married yet."

"Thanks for the coffee. Call me if anything comes up. I have to continue my patrol."

"OK, goodbye."

Frank sent Jimmy out, and Jimmy got back into the police car to resume his patrol. Frank watched Jimmy disappear down the road before turning back to close the door and enter the house.

...

Jimmy was mentally prepared. If anything was really up with Frank, he figured he'd get involved. Golden Finger had given him not just a sense of security, but also a restless heart.

He continued patrolling the roads, occasionally pulling over an unlucky soul for a ticket, more often just wasting gas and wearing down tires cruising on the highway.

His leisurely patrol time was interrupted by a call from the dispatch center. Noah requested backup, with all of Team A summoned to the south end of the dam bridge.

The dam bridge was a cycling and hiking spot in Little Rock, offering views of the Arkansas River. It was a path for cycling and walking, closed to vehicle traffic.

When Jimmy arrived, Cage and Mason were already positioned, and Noah had gone ahead to surveillance. With everyone assembled, Cage started briefing them on the case.

"Noah had an informant provide a tip about a DP distribution point in Double River Park, but we've been uncertain who's in charge or where exactly the dealings take place.

Today, Noah received information that a transaction is happening this afternoon near the Double River Park Horticultural Center.

We now have a rough location, but not the precise time or the people involved. The assignments are as follows: Noah is already monitoring from the Gardening Center; Jimmy, you take the patrol car and wait near the Little Maumelle River docks. Don't get too close, just near the intersection is fine. If the dealers run, they're bound to pass by the intersection where you'll be.

Mason, you're with me patrolling inside the park. Switch your radios to channel 9."

Jimmy adjusted his walkie to channel 9, while the car radio stayed connected to the dispatch center. Then he drove around Cantrell Road to the west side of Double River Park and stopped at the designated intersection.

The Little Maumelle River met the Arkansas River near the dam bridge, with a docking point by the river at Double River Park. Jimmy's car was parked at the intersection leading from the dock to the park, about 1.5 kilometers from the Double River Park Horticultural Center. If Cage and the others gave timely notice, he believed no one would make it past that intersection.

While there were yet no notifications, Jimmy took the chance to use the restroom at the docks to take care of personal business and also bought a bottle of water. According to Cage, since they lacked clarity on both time and people, it would likely be a long wait. Jimmy would even have prepared dinner to eat in the car if it weren't for the lack of food trucks around.

Noah received the tip in the morning and immediately reported it to Cage, initiating the stakeout.

Noah hid on the top floor of the Gardening Center, observing the crowd below. Double River Park was a local favorite for recreation where you could cycle, have a picnic or a campout, even horseback ride. In such a crowded place, monitoring for a potential drug dealer exchange was extremely challenging.

Noah focused on individuals who were alone, wandering around the Gardening Center or staying in one place for an extended period. Usually, for such transactions, neither party would bring many people—typically just one, at most two. Any more would be too conspicuous, especially a group of men would be very noticeable.

Noah had been observing for over two hours and felt exhausted from constantly scanning the area, which posed great physical and mental strain.

He continually monitored until past 5 p.m., without noticing any exchange-like behaviors outside the Gardening Center. Noah couldn't help but doubt the reliability of the tip and considered a necessary follow-up with the informant for more valid communication.

"Noah, it's almost 6 p.m. now. Still no sign on your end?" Cage's voice came through the walkie.

"No findings, the tip might be compromised."

"Then let's call it a day, everyone disperse."