North American detective: From scoundrel to god among men

Chapter 23 A Long and Arduous Road Ahead

Imagine an afternoon like this, on a weekend.

Sunlight streamed down, cut into squares by the windowpanes. I sat with my family around the table, the food on the table including braised pork, loofah and pork soup, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and stir-fried cabbage. No need to worry about what was to come; we simply ate slowly…

The intense pursuit of the killer over this period left Titus physically and mentally exhausted. He even slept at the Bureau of Investigation for several days. Only now does he feel like he has come back to life.

It's like a corpse in a coffin suddenly being exposed to the sun, gaining a bit of life.

Is this the bond of family...?

We will protect it.

After dinner, Titus lay on the sofa thinking about short-term plans. As the eldest brother, he was used to considering everyone's problems. He was not happy to make arrangements for others, but only wanted to guide everyone in a positive direction as much as possible.

Ian's sexual orientation doesn't need intervention, but the shop owner is a married woman and needs to be talked to. There's also his bipolar disorder. If he insists on applying to West Point, then he must be made to take his medication regularly. He doesn't want to hear that Ian stole a military helicopter and came back.

Lip doesn't need to be interfered with in the short term. He doesn't object to early romance, and as long as it doesn't interfere with his work, it can help a boy grow, which is a good thing. Just keep a firm grip on him when he's preparing for college entrance exams and make sure he doesn't go astray.

Oh, and this guy also has a sensitive sense of self-esteem and self-destructive tendencies.

Thinking of this, Titus couldn't help but smile slightly. Who hasn't made a fool of themselves over something mundane? The pride of youth is as fleeting and beautiful as cherry blossoms.

Lip is just a boy who needs guidance and time to grow.

Fiona is even simpler; she just needs to live for herself. With her brother around, her pressure is already much less. From now on, we just need to let her go out more and try new things.

Carl has a quick mind, strong practical skills, and most importantly, he's a highly energetic person, making him a good fit for the police force.

Besides, Carl was originally interested in West Point, but he didn't get to attend Shameless. Now Titus can create opportunities for him. Most importantly, he shouldn't go astray in elementary school and should visit the school more often.

Then there was Debbie. Thinking of this, Titus frowned, then let out a long sigh. He was truly impressed by the shameless Debbie…

He looked at Debbie, who was kneeling on the carpet taking care of Rim. She was wearing a beautiful pink robe nightgown, had playful freckles, and her pale gold pigtails were obediently resting on her chest. A six-year-old child was radiating a great maternal glow.

With just one glance, he vowed to protect this angel.

Debbie was just starved for love. He had to keep a close eye on her during school, especially during her adolescence. If her best friends dared to show up in front of him, he would kill them without a word.

As for Rim, he hasn't even gotten the words out yet. By the time Rim grows up, he'll be middle-aged. He'll leave the responsibility to his younger siblings; he can't possibly worry about them until they're old.

Things will get better...

While I was pondering, the peaceful afternoon was shattered by a roar!

"FUCK!"

Lip rushed down from the second floor.

Titus immediately stood up and looked at him in confusion, as the crowd surged forward.

Lip said angrily:

"I was sleeping when this guy just pounced on me from behind!"

As they were talking, a middle-aged white man, naked and wrapped in a bed sheet, came downstairs.

The naked man, his face flushed, explained:

"I thought it was the bathroom; I was looking for the bathroom."

Titus looked at the man with an unfriendly expression and stepped forward. Bianca wanted to stop him, hesitated for a moment, and then stood up silently behind him.

Titus couldn't help but wonder if he had become so oblivious? How could he not have noticed a stranger entering the house?

Lip also blocked his way, shirtless and exposing his arms, and yelled:

"Bathroom, are you kidding me?"

"Your dick is almost inside!!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was instantly stunned:

"What?!"

The naked man quickly said:

"I...I just wanted to take a shower. Sorry, I'll leave now."

Titus pressed down on the naked man with one hand and said:

"Do you think my home is a vegetable market, where I can do whatever I want and leave whenever I want?"

Seeing the critical situation, Ian, standing to the side, made a startling remark:

"Everyone's got it wrong, he came to see me, he climbed into the wrong bed... I left the door open for him."

Upon hearing this, everyone was once again stunned.

Lip was the first to react, and he burst out laughing in exasperation. He rolled his eyes and walked away.

Just then, Steve, who had just finished using the restroom, came out. He was still thinking about whether to discuss some after-dinner activities with Titus when he came downstairs and saw the naked man, and he froze.

Steve stood on the stairs and tentatively called out:

"Daddy?"

The naked man replied:

"Yeah, my son."

Lip stood there dumbfounded, and everyone felt as if they had been struck by lightning.

Titus couldn't help but wonder, if Ian and Steve's dad got together, would Fiona call Ian "father-in-law" or "mother-in-law"? Oh damn! He didn't know why he was thinking that.

The task is arduous and the road ahead is long...

The following morning, Titus arrived at the FBI exhausted after dealing with matters at home.

He arrived at his workstation, where his colleague John told him: Detective Crawford wants him to go to his office.

Titus knocked on the door of the SAC office.

"Please come in."

Crawford’s calm and powerful voice pulled Titus back from family ethics to the FBI.

He pushed open the office door.

Crawford gestured for him to sit down, then said:

"As per the FBI's decision, you will be in charge of tracking down the cannibal Hannibal Lecter, and Clarice will remain your partner."

Crawford handed Hannibal's file over and said:

"This case is now in your hands."

This is exactly what he wants, Titus thought to himself. If Crawford doesn't give him the case, he'll have to volunteer, but that's probably unlikely. After all, he's just a rookie, at most a slightly famous rookie detective, and has been in the position for less than six months.

Just as Titus took the file, he noticed that Crawford was still holding it, so he didn't let him take it immediately.

Crawford hesitated for a moment and said:

"This case involves a wide range of people and has a complex web of relationships. Taking it on might not be a good thing. You need to learn to protect yourself."

Titus nodded in confusion.

Crawford opened the file and said:

"Go."

As Titus left the office, he couldn't help but wonder what Titus meant by those words.

He doesn't want me to take on this case?

Titus calmed down and decided to entrust the notorious cannibal Hannibal Lecter to a rookie agent...

According to the FBI's decision, you will be in charge of tracking down Hannibal...

This case involves a wide range of people and has a very complex web of relationships...

This case must have fallen into the hands of Titus through complex relationships and power struggles at the highest levels, but why?

Is someone trying to frame him?

There's no need to go to such great lengths. With the FBI's direct involvement, dealing with him would be a piece of cake.

So the problem lies with Mr. Lecter.

Titus gasped; Mr. Lecter's acquaintances had been involved in the FBI's decision-making process.

……