The middle-aged man raised his hands, showing the gloves on them. “Let’s not shake hands. I’m Greyson. I’m only here to help.”
Luke said, “Nice to meet you, Greyson. You happen to have the same name as someone I know.”
Greyson turned his head. “Oh? Who’s that?”
Luke replied casually, “Robert Greyson. He’s… kind of my foster father.”
Greyson’s eyes glittered. “From Texas?” Luke was surprised. “Do you know him?”
Greyson said calmly, “I think I do, if he’s a guy from Shackelford.”
Then, he looked at Luke with an inscrutable expression. “Luke Coulson? Eighteen years old? Also, if I remember correctly, you were at Westside Houston Police Department a few months ago, weren’t you?”
Luke was stunned. “Huh? You are…”
Greyson smiled, and his solemn expression relaxed. He exuded the charisma of a mature, knowledgeable man. “Gilbert Greyson! I’m Robert’s cousin. You can call me uncle, but I prefer that you call me Gil or Greyson. I’m more used to that.”
Luke said, “…Alright, Greyson.” What was this about? Why didn’t he know that Robert had a cousin?
Greyson shrugged and said, “Alright, I need to get to work. Call me later.”
What else could Luke do except promise to do so?
Elsa found it odd when Luke told her that he would be speaking to Greyson later.
But after looking at the middle-aged man, she remarked, “To be honest, you two do look somewhat familiar, except… well, he’s more handsome than you are.”
Luke: …I’ll be as handsome as him soon!
The forensics department was very efficient in their work, mostly because Luke had pointed out the relevant spots.
Greyson was responsible for several important areas, and the other technicians took care of the rest.
An hour later, Luke left in Greyson’s car.
He hadn’t gotten his police car yet, and Selina was using his secondhand Ford. He usually got Elsa to drive him.
Greyson put on a pair of rimless glasses and observed Luke. “You’re not wearing any valuable accessories, not even a watch, but your clothes cost at least two thousand dollars. Your socks are a regular brand. Are they Nike? You don’t seem short of money, but you don’t have a car?”
Luke shrugged and said, “I have a car, but my partner likes to discuss cases with me in her car, so I’ve been taking hers.”
Greyson nodded and started up the car. “Where are we going to have lunch? I don’t have many things to do on this trip. We can have a nice chat.”
Luke thought for a moment and said, “Why don’t we go to my place? I’m not a bad cook.”
Greyson was rather interested. “Okay. Lead the way.”
Luke took out his phone and opened a navigation app, then placed his phone next to the steering wheel.
“Destination: 1033 Gary Street, Westwood District. Distance: 3.3 kilometers. ETA: 7 minutes,” said his phone in a gentle female voice.
Greyson looked at Luke’s phone curiously and said, “That’s not bad. Where did you get it?”
Luke said, “It’s modified, based on a surveying app made by Keyhole Inc.”
Greyson asked, “Didn’t you become an officer right after you graduated high school? When did you learn that?”
Luke said, “Well, it’s just a hobby.”
Greyson chuckled. They chatted on the way to Luke’s place.
After they arrived, Luke asked Greyson to make himself at home. He then made a call in the backyard. “Robert, it’s me. Why didn’t you tell me that you have a cousin called Gilbert Greyson?”
After a brief silence, Robert said, “We barely talk because of our different personalities.”
Luke asked, “But why does he know me so well? He even knows when I graduated, when I became a police officer, and when I went to Houston.”
Robert gave in. “Okay, I admit that he helped with your transfer to Houston. So, it’s not a surprise that he knows so much about you.”
Luke was rather surprised. He hadn’t expected that answer at all.
Dazed for a long while, he asked, “Isn’t Greyson a forensic technician? How could he help get me transferred to Houston?”
Robert said, “He’s a top specialist at the forensics department in Las Vegas, and one of the best experts in the field nationwide. The FBI and CIA invite him regularly to train their staff. He’s been involved in many major and important cases. A lot of big shots in the police department and the FBI owe him favors. Do you think that’s enough for him to give you a hand?”
Luke said, “…Are you kidding me?” Why didn’t Robert have that sort of talent, rather than just winding up as a soldier?
He was aware that it shouldn’t be too hard for a top national forensic specialist to pull some strings for a job transfer.
A moment later, Luke said, ‘Thanks, Robert.”
“Alright, that’s enough. Gil and I can never talk without fighting, but I get the feeling that you’ll like him. You can thank him yourself!” said Robert impatiently before he hung up.
Luke shook his head.
When all was said and done, Robert was a man who wasn’t good at expressing his feelings.
He wasn’t close to Greyson, but had asked his cousin for help for Luke’s sake. It must’ve been really hard for him.
Yet, he never mentioned it to Luke. Luke wouldn’t have known if Greyson hadn’t shown up… Hm, wait, why would someone as busy as Greyson come to Los Angeles?
Did a top specialist of the forensics department in Las Vegas have so much spare time?
Pondering for a moment, Luke returned to the room and smiled at Greyson, who was observing the arrangement in his living room. “Are you hungry? Is there anything in particular you want to eat?”
Greyson thought for a moment and asked, “Can you make fried bugs?”
Luke almost choked, but tried to remain calm. “Well, I can’t make that one. Also, I have a female roommate, so I can’t bring bugs home as ingredients. How about something more familiar?”
Greyson shrugged. “In that case, just make whatever you’re good at.”
Luke nodded his head and made chicken and steak in the kitchen.
Half an hour later, the two of them chatted as they enjoyed the steak.
Luke didn’t have his guard up against Greyson since Robert trusted his cousin. The man couldn’t be a bad guy.