North America Gunman Detective

Chapter 1149 - 638: Trap

Mahong: "Hmm, you go back and tell Mark to come find me, I'll take a look around first."

Jimmy got into his car and drove away, albeit slowly, taking the opportunity to glance at the houses along the road to see if there was anything to discover.

Jimmy is now the head of the Homicide Team. Even if Ruiz requests to handle two cases together, Mahong won't directly assign Jimmy to investigate. Though there's an age difference, they don't differ much in rank anymore; both are heads of the team. Jimmy is only one administrative level lower, so it's most appropriate to borrow Mark to assist with the investigation. The key issue is that Mahong's people are also gone, so he needs to find outside help.

Jones is hospitalized for a gunshot wound, Diana is still on leave, and Neil is just a private consultant without enforcement authority. It's pitiful that the white-collar team only has Mahong left.

Mahong's personal capabilities are stronger compared to Peter's, so even in executing tasks, there wouldn't be major issues. Otherwise, there's a question of whether their team can function normally in investigations. Peter is smart, but his combat strength is lacking.

Jimmy also trusts Mahong quite a bit. With him around, Mark's safety is at least guaranteed, much better than being alone. However, once Mark leaves, he's back to the state of being alone in a team. The biggest problem is that if he wants to slack off or sneak away, it's quite troublesome, as they're not just the Homicide Team but also handle emergencies.

On the weekend, Jimmy first took Elliot for some pistol practice before leaving. Father Rodney and the others had finished handling the scene and had called Jimmy beforehand. Father White hoped Jimmy could come over as a representative of the church to express gratitude for his help.

Jimmy actually didn't want to go, but outright refusal would be too obvious, making it troublesome if he got targeted by this group. So he had to go, though he was well-prepared this time. To show goodwill, he specifically wore the cross pendant given by Father Horton and the Cultivator's ring given by Father White.

Previously, he had seen a kind of power, the power of Holy Light, on Father Rodney, but he didn't see it on this cross pendant and ring. So, to avoid any issues, he decided to wear them for the visit.

Father White was praying at the altar just like previous times when Jimmy visited. Jimmy checked and saw there were no others in the church, and some were busy at the back of the church. At least for now, it seemed Father White wasn't planning to give Jimmy a hard time.

Jimmy and Father Rodney waited behind Father White until he finished praying before approaching him, "Father White, good day."

Father White greeted Jimmy with a smile, "Jimmy, thank you. Without you, Rodney and the others might have suffered greater casualties."

Jimmy: "It's my duty, please don't be so polite. How is Father Bennett doing?"

Father White: "Bennett has been sent back to his parish to rest. Don't worry, he doesn't have major issues. Just that the possession severely exhausted him, he might need a long recovery."

Father White gestured for the three to sit on a long bench and talk. Noticing the Cultivator's ring on Jimmy's right ring finger, he asked with a smile, "Do you like the ring? How does it feel?"

Jimmy smiled, raising his right hand to show Father White and Father Rodney, "It feels great, it makes me feel closer to the Lord."

This ring was slightly small; it couldn't fit the thumb, index, or middle finger, and was loose on the pinky. The ring finger was the only size that fit, but the left ring finger was reserved for the wedding ring, so he could only wear it on the right hand for the time being. He didn't plan to wear it permanently, due to its high uncertainty.

Father White nodded with a smile, "This ring originally belonged to a Cultivator from a Roman monastery, he was one of my guides to the Lord's domain, protecting the world, I hope you will treat it well. It will protect you, bless your soul not to fall into Hell."

Jimmy was surprised, looking at Father White and then at the ring, "This is too precious, I can't..."

Father White reached out and pressed Jimmy's right hand, "Keep it, you need this ring more than I do."

Jimmy extended his left hand on Father White's, "Thank you, I will take good care of it. Father White, is there anything specific you need me for?"

Father White patted Jimmy's hand before withdrawing it, placing it on the Bible in his left hand: "The reason for summoning you is because you managed to exorcise a powerful evil spirit, which evaded in daylight and possessed Father Bennett. To ensure no hidden dangers are left, Father Rodney suggested St. Andrew's Church perform a blessing ceremony for you."

Father White didn't wait for Jimmy to refuse and immediately shouted, "Prepare the ceremony."

Sure enough, Father Rodney had detected anomalies, yet posed no problems at the exorcism site. He acted normally and let Jimmy leave, scheduling follow-up only once back in New York.

Now, it was troubling as Jimmy saw a few people, originally resting in the back room, stepping out upon hearing Father White's cue, arranging themselves into two rows in front of the altar, three fathers on each side.

Two fathers near the altar wore black robes with a purple sash, visibly distinguished from the others, indicating either different ranks or responsibilities. Judging by their positions, they were evidently stronger than ordinary priests.

In such a scenario, Jimmy didn't know how he could refuse. This was one of the oldest churches in New York, forcibly breaking out wasn't an option, right?

If he really attempted that, without harming anyone here, it would still invite significant trouble. One must know the United States isn't an atheistic country; even the nation's presidential inauguration involves swearing an oath on the Bible.

If he ran off, merely those connected with the church seeking trouble would be plenty to handle, not to mention the church itself isn't a weakling.

Let alone killing, if he were to commit murder here, he wouldn't be far from his own demise, unless he managed to find Roland, escaping through the gate into the Dark Tower World for refuge.

Jimmy looked at Father White: "Is this necessary? I feel all is good, there's no problem."

Father White maintained his expression, still smiling, rising as he moved toward the altar, saying to Jimmy: "It's all to dispel evil and protect the world; please do not refuse the Lord's benevolence."

Left with no choice, Jimmy stood and followed Father White toward the altar, while Father Rodney walked in the opposite direction, standing in the aisle behind them. Now, Jimmy was thoroughly surrounded, with Father White beside him, three priests on each side, and Father Rodney behind. This lineup already exceeded when they went to expel the Chaos Gate Church's base BOSS.

Despite just a few steps, Jimmy found them excruciatingly painful, with inner turmoil, as he reached the altar and stood beside Father White, who faced the altar placing the Bible he held onto it, picking up a heavy, vintage Bible. Its covers appeared worn, indicating frequent use.

Father White turned to Jimmy, gesturing to the altar, "Jimmy, please place your weapon on the altar. Facing the Lord, we don't need to hold onto these."