Chapter 288 288: Goodwill Of Cops.

Leo stated that he wanted to meet the captain and surprised the lady behind the counter. Registering their shock, he stated again, "I want to meet the captain to discuss something related to the donation I intend to make."This brought them even bigger shock. After all, how many times have they seen a rich man walk inside the precinct and then wish to look for the captain to discuss donation? The lady said, "The captain has just come in to take over the shift. Someone will lead you to his office."

The lady looked at the veteran who had instructed the man to surround Leo and the rest. The man sighed and said, "I understand Sargeant."

Then he led the party to the second floor where the captain's office was located. A middle-aged man looked through the glass and raised his brow. The cop pushed the door and said, "Captain, this gentleman want to discuss something regarding donations with you."

The captain was surprised and asked, "Who is the person?"

The cop entered the room properly and then said, "He is Leo Cardinal."

The captain raised his brow and asked, "Why is he here?"

The man explained the issue in detail and the Captain said, "Fine, send him in and you may go and see about your duties."

The man saluted the captain and walked out of the place, while, Leo came inside the office with Lily and said, "Good Morning Captain..."

The captain stood up and said, "Deckard, Mister Cardinal. You can call me Deckard."

Leo shook hands with the man and the captain gestured them to sit down as he asked, "What can I do for you?"

Leo pulled a chair for Lily, who was curiously looking around the place. Leo sat down and said, "I want to make donations for the police department."

Captain Deckard smiled and replied, "Thank you, but for that you could have just directly used the internet portal that we have set up. Why come here?"

Leo shook his head and replied, "I am not trying to make a donation for the active personnel. Many people in the city already do that, I am aware that your equipment is all military grade now, because of the reforms initiated by the government. What I want to do is to make a donation for the people left behind by the officials who fell in the line of duty or suffered from injuries that left them incapable of doing their best at work.

As someone who has once been confined to the bed, I am aware of how hard it could get for the family members to deal with life while looking after their loved ones. I may not be able to offer them the emotional warmth, but with a blanket of resources they would be able to nurse themselves better."

The captain looked at Leo and he sighed after a moment as he said, "Mister Cardinal, on the behalf of the entire force and the brotherhood, I am grateful for this initiative that you have taken. Within half an hour, I will have the list ready for you. I will also highlight the specific problems that these families have so that you can make donations in the best manner possible."

Leo thanked the man and the Captain called over the archives department to get the list before he said, "How about I give you and your daughter a tour of the office? Although, we are not as big as the precinct but we still have quite a few things going on here."

Lily replied before Leo could, "It would be our honor, Captain Deckard."

Leo smiled dotingly while Deckard was surprised to hear such sophisticated tone from a toddler.

...

As Deckard gave the two people a tour, the word spread around that a big shot from the city wanted to do something for the families of the fallen cops. The men who wore uniform might seem rigid and cold but they were also humans who cared for their loved ones. The moment they heard that someone wanted to reach out to offer help, the Cardinal family gained a huge amount of merit points.

Leo and Lily followed Deckard around, and whenever Lily was curious about something she would ask a question. Amidst this, she passed a cop who was wearing a rather fitting uniform and his belly was bloated like a balloon. Lily frowned when she looked at him but knowing that it was inappropriate to make any comment she turned to look away.

The fat cop saw this and he furrowed his brows, and Leo stopped to gaze at the cop. His deadpan expression was speaking of a threat that would cause the fat man to drop dead the moment he emitted any bad intention.

Leo asked, "Lily, did you do something?"

Lily shook her head and replied, "I wanted to say something but I know it is not my place so I held back."

In her voice, Leo detected a disappointment, and he asked, "You can tell me. Don't worry."

Lily looked around, now, almost all the cops were gazing at her and certainly all of them were listening to her. However, looking at the encouraging gaze of her father she beckoned him close and then whispered in his ear, "Why is this police uncle not like the others? I have seen so many cops who are fit and look good but then there are police people who are out of shape and don't look fit. This police uncle is even panting from walking."

Her voice was small, but the policemen and women around all could catch what she said. Even the fat man heard it, he was shocked, and then his face turned red, half in shame and half in rage.

However, then Lily said, "Grandma tells me to be honest when I am being naughty. Saying that if I am naughty a police aunty or uncle will catch me. But she also told me that Police protect people. How can this Uncle do the same when he is in trouble? Is it because he is unwell, like Jerome? He also has a condition that makes him look big."

Leo patted her head and then he said, "What can I say to you Darling, you are wiser than me at times. Well, I will discuss this issue with Police Uncle and if he is unwell, I will get him a doctor. Okay?"

Lily nodded and then she turned to look at the fat policeman before she bowed and said, "Uncle Police, I apologize if I said anything bad."

Her sweet voice caused the people around to feel ashamed of themselves. They all thought Lily was a troublesome child and she was being naughty after all she came from a privileged household and was spoilt.

However, the sincere apology did show that she didn't wish to say anything offensive. The cop sighed and held his emotions inside, because Leo had been gazing at him constantly. He had no other option but to act like a bigger person. His self esteem had been crushed by a child and if he went out to fight, it would only make him look small in the eyes of his own friends.

Not all cops were heroes, some were just surviving in the system and using the small positions to get by in life without much ambition. This was why Leo didn't say much to these men and women who sat behind the desk and let loose from the first day and got around by playing it safe.

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The tour finished, and Leo came back to the captain's office where he found a stack of documents, all the details of the families had been listed on these papers, and as Deckard was telling Leo about various priorities, Lily was looking at the ceiling with her mind running. Leo looked at her and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Lily shook her head and stood up from the chair, as she replied, "I will have all the guards maintain a certain level of fitness. Not to protect me, but so that they can stay healthy."

Leo smiled at her and replied, "We already have these policies at home. The guards will stay fit, don't worry."

Lily nodded and then said, "When I become a leader, then I will do this."

Leo chuckled and said, "Alright, change the world as you deem it. For now, let's go back home. Your mother might be worried."

The little one nodded and walked ahead of Leo, who held a stack of documents and the captain decided to see him off. As they came out, Leo said, "Captain, if your folks are interested, I can see to it that they are trained properly. I know that not everyone is ambitious to face bullets or catch murderers, but if they are fit, they wouldn't become a liability to the team mates."

He looked at Jock, and said, "After you collect your weapons, give the captain your contact details. If he reaches out regarding this matter, arrange it carefully."

Captain Deckard was stunned but then he said, "Thank you for your generosity, Mister Cardinal. You have my gratitude."

As he said this, the Captain bowed to Leo, who reciprocated the gesture before leaving with his guards.

...

As Leo was running, he heard the sound in his mind, 'Ping: Host, you have earned the goodwill of the cops, this raises the fortune points from zero to twenty.'