89: Chapter 89 Awarding Ceremony

Commendation?

Sean held his phone, unsure what to say.

A commendation.

He had solved Officer White's case, found the real killer, and avenged a dead police officer.

He should be happy, but he couldn't bring himself to be. Officer White's map was fake, Officer White had been used, and Officer White's death was just one part of Marie Laveau's plan.

He died such an unclear death.

...

"Sean? Did you hear me?" Sheriff Brown's voice came through the receiver.

Sean snapped back to reality: "I heard you, tomorrow at three in the afternoon."

"Dress smartly! Gotta go." The call ended.

Sean put his phone away and looked up.

Madison looked at him, her eyes full of questions. Cordelia also looked at him.

Sean introduced proactively: "A commendation, the police department is giving me a commendation."

Cordelia asked with concern: "Because of Officer White's case?"

Sean nodded.

Cordelia smiled upon hearing this: "Go be your good police officer, we'll handle things here."

Sean was half-convinced: "Can you handle it?"

Cordelia's smile faded: "Even if we can't, we have to. You've helped us enough; the rest is the witches' own business."

Indeed!

He couldn't stay with the witches forever. If something really happened, they could just contact him then.

So Sean just nodded, indicating he would be in touch if there were any problems.

...

The next afternoon, Sean stood at the entrance of the Second Precinct, taking a deep breath.

He was wearing his police uniform, ironed, which he had specifically taken out and hung overnight.

The collar of his shirt was a little tight, so he loosened a button.

The sun shone on him, warm and pleasant. New Orleans' autumn was still as hot as summer.

"Sean!" Gray rushed out from inside, throwing an arm around his shoulder, "You're going to be the center of attention today!"

Sean stumbled from the pat on his back.

"What center of attention?"

"You don't know?" Gray's eyes widened, "The Mayor is coming, and people from the Police Commission. I heard someone from Washington specifically flew over."

Sean was stunned for a moment.

"Washington?"

"Yes, from the Federal Bureau of Enforcement." Gray lowered his voice, "It seems they're commending you for handling that case so well. The higher-ups think it's an exemplary case and want to publicize it."

Sean didn't speak.

Officer White's case... the Bat Monster, the Colombians, Elizabeth... these things, the police report didn't state the truth.

The report stated: "After investigation, the killer was identified as an unknown creature, which has been killed."

Vague, concise, no details.

Why would such a report alarm Washington?

"Let's go, inside."

Gray pulled him inside.

The lobby had already been decorated.

The usually messy reception area was tidied up, and the floor was waxed and gleaming.

An American flag hung on the wall, flanked by the Louisiana state flag and the New Orleans City flag.

Several rows of folding chairs were neatly arranged, the first few rows already filled with people... uniformed officers, people in suits, and a few carrying cameras.

Sean stood at the entrance, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. In the first row sat people he knew... Sheriff Brown, and several precinct chiefs.

In the second row were some unfamiliar faces, dressed in dark suits, with serious expressions, and Federal Bureau of Enforcement badges clipped to their waists.

Third row... Sean's pupils contracted slightly.

Thomas Brown, Deputy Chief of the Fifth Precinct, the man who must have been involved with the Colombians.

He sat near the end of the third row, his expression calm, even with a slight smile.

Sean stared at him for two seconds. Brown seemed to sense it, turned his head, and nodded at Sean.

Sean also nodded.

"Sean!" Sheriff Brown stood up from the first row and waved at him, "Come over here, stand here."

Sean walked over.

Sheriff Brown took his arm and led him to a spot next to the podium.

He then said: "When they call you later, go up. The Mayor will personally present you with the award."

"The Mayor?" Sean's voice was a little tight.

"Yes, the Mayor." Sheriff Brown smiled, "And the Chief of Police. It's a big event today."

Sean stood there, his palms slightly sweating.

However, it wasn't nervousness, but a hint of doubt in his heart.

Officer White's case, he killed the culprit and avenged his colleague.

This was worthy of commendation, worthy of being in the news, worthy of the Chief personally presenting a medal.

But it wasn't worthy of the Mayor personally attending, nor the Federal Bureau of Enforcement flying in from Washington.

There must be something he didn't know about...

"Ladies and gentlemen..."

As Sean was thinking, a voice came through the loudspeaker, and the hall fell silent.

The New Orleans Chief of Police walked onto the podium.

Sean didn't know this person. She had just taken office last year, reportedly a reformist transferred from outside.

She wore a dark blue police uniform, her chest covered in ribbons, and her hair was impeccably styled in a bun.

She stood in front of the microphone, scanned the people in the hall, and then began to speak.

"Today we gather here to commend the heroic actions of an officer."

"He single-handedly ventured into the tiger's den, killed the assailant who murdered his comrade, and avenged Officer Joseph White."

"His actions embody the core values of the New Orleans Police Department... courage, dedication, and justice."

She paused, her gaze falling on Sean: "Officer Sean Black, please come to the stage."

Sean walked onto the podium.

The lights shone on his face, making him squint.

Dozens of people below applauded, flashbulbs flashed, and cameras rolled.

He stood next to the Chief, unsure where to look.

The Chief picked up a medal from a tray nearby.

It was bronze, shield-shaped, with a star engraved on it. In the center of the star was the emblem of Louisiana, and the words "medal of bravery" were engraved along the edge.

She held it up so the cameras could capture it.

"Officer Sean Black, in recognition of your extraordinary courage and outstanding contributions in the line of duty, on behalf of the New Orleans Police Department, I award you the medal of bravery."

She pinned the medal to Sean's chest.

The pin pierced the fabric, pricking his skin slightly, but he felt it.

Applause erupted again from below the stage.

The Chief stepped back, facing the audience.

"Now, I have the honor to introduce a special guest... the Mayor of New Orleans."

A middle-aged man in a black suit walked onto the stage.

His hair was graying, and he had a standard smile, clearly someone who frequently appeared on television.

He stood in front of the microphone, first thanking the police department, the Chief, and all the frontline officers.

After this series of formal pleasantries, he looked at Sean.

He then said: "Officer Black's heroic actions not only brought justice for Officer White but also sent a clear message to criminals!"

"New Orleans will not tolerate anyone harming our police officers. This city will always stand with the brave."

After speaking, he extended his hand, and Sean shook it. The flashbulbs flashed again...