Chapter 98-99-100 - The Lawyer and Policeman

Chapter 98 – "Internal Modernization"

8:30 AM | Mid-Wilshire Police Station – Captain Anderson's Office

Morning light streamed in through the louvered windows. Captain Zoe Anderson organized some reports on her desk while Sergeant Grey leafed through a logistics spreadsheet. On the sofa next to the desk, Gustavo Silva sipped black coffee, resting a folder with notes on his knee.

"I have to admit," Zoe began, "you surprised everyone with the MCX deal for SWAT. Command has been talking about it for days."

"Thank you, Captain. But it was teamwork. Hondo, Deacon, Cortez, Hicks… they were all essential. I just connected the dots," Gustavo replied humbly.

Sergeant Grey looked up from the spreadsheet.

"So… let's get to the point. What do you think of the current weapons here at the station?"

Gustavo took a deep breath, sat back in his chair, and opened the folder.

"The reality is that most officers are still using the Glock 22 in .40 S&W. It's a solid weapon, but the world is migrating to 9mm. Less recoil, more capacity, more control. Today we have the Glock 17 Gen5 MOS, which accepts optical sights and flashlights much more easily."

Zoe frowned, interested.

"What about rifles?"

Gustavo turned the sheet and pointed to a chart.

"We currently use the old standard AR-15, with a 16-inch barrel, with a few modifications here and there. But in an urban environment, especially with the increase in active shooter or barricaded situations, we needed something more compact, modern, and reliable. My recommendation? The Daniel Defense MK18 or the BCM Recce-11 KMR-A. Both have 10.3- to 11.5-inch barrels, ideal for CQB."

Grey crossed his arms thoughtfully.

"Is there any way I can get a batch? Or do a test run like you did with SWAT?"

Gustavo smiled.

"I can speak to some contacts I have. I can get at least five different models for testing—Glock 17 Gen5 MOS, Glock 19 Gen5, SIG P320 XCarry, Daniel Defense MK18, BCM Recce-11. That is, of course, if you approve, Captain."

Zoe Anderson leaned forward, looking at Gustavo with that gleam of confidence she didn't easily give off.

"I approve. Make it happen."

2:00 PM | Briefing Room – Team Meeting

The clock read 2:00 PM, and all available Mid-Wilshire officers were gathered in the briefing room. Seated in blue plastic chairs were Angela Lopez, Tim Bradford, Talia Bishop, recruits John Nolan, Lucy Chen, Jackson West, and a dozen other officers. Captain Zoe was at the front, next to Sergeant Grey and Gustavo, who was now dressed more casually in a black tactical jacket.

Zoe clapped her hands to get their attention.

"Everyone, this is an informal meeting, but extremely important. Your safety starts with the equipment you use. Gustavo has been spearheading some changes with SWAT, and today we want to start the conversation about improvements here as well."

Gustavo stepped forward, an iPad in hand. He turned on the projector and showed some images of modern pistols and tactical rifles.

"I know many of you here already have your own holsters, flashlights, or even alternative sights. The idea is to better equip the police department as a whole. Starting with the pistols. The standard .40 is good, but the 9mm is dominating US police forces—better control, greater capacity. And with current technology, the ballistic performance is excellent."

Bradford raised his hand and spoke directly:

"I've used the Glock 19 Gen5 in the course at Quantico, when I went for refresher training. It's wonderful. It has less recoil, fits better with a modern retention holster, and I can use a Surefire flashlight with much more stability."

Lopez added:

"I think it's an excellent idea. If we can, we should standardize on the Glock 17 Gen5 MOS. Modular, accepts red dots, easy to maintain. And if you want the 19 because it's smaller, that would be a good option too."

Talia agreed:

"And response time in low visibility improves a lot with red dots. I saw that in operations with the feds. They used Trijicon RMRs."

Gustavo pointed to the next slide: rifle models.

"Regarding rifles: our current carbines have limitations. They're long, difficult to use in narrow corridors. A suggestion would be models like the MK18 or the BCM Recce-11. Compact, great for CQB, reliable, and require little maintenance in the field."

Jackson West whispered to Lucy:

"We heard about the MK18 at the academy, remember? And Silva is recommending this..."

Lucy replied with a smile:

"If he recommends it, it's because it works. This guy doesn't mess around with equipment."

John Nolan just watched, learning silently, but clearly interested.

Zoe looked at everyone in the room.

— "We're open to suggestions. This modernization will be gradual, but we want to hear what you face on patrol, what you'd like to see improved. We'll take note of everything. Gustavo will organize the tests. And, if everything goes well, we'll start implementing them."

An older officer from the back raised his hand.

— "And the holsters ? Some people here still have cheap plastic paddle holsters. Can we get a Safariland-style one?"

Gustavo replied:

"Yes. I'm even bringing two different models for testing. One with an ALS automatic lock and another with a QLS system to facilitate use with tactical belts."

Bradford smiled:

"Silva is becoming our personal armorer."

"I prefer 'operational excellence technical consultant,'" Gustavo replied, laughing.

Everyone laughed lightly.

6:30 PM | Police Station Parking Lot – Informal Conversation

As the sun set and the night shift prepared, Gustavo stood outside with Bradford, Lopez, and Talia. The orange sky gave a poetic tone to the conversation.

"Man," Bradford said, "do you have any idea what that means? I can't remember the last time anyone actually cared about the base's equipment."

Lopez added:

"That's it. We've been making do with what we have for years. But now, it seems like we have a voice."

Gustavo took a sip of water and said:

"You're the front line. If something goes wrong, you're the ones who suffer. The least we can do is make sure you have the best equipment."

Talia looked at him with a mixture of gratitude and respect.

"And you're making it possible."

Gustavo smiled, genuinely touched.

"It's not just my job. But... I've learned that when you can help, you should help."

10:00 PM | Gustavo's Apartment

Cris Alonso was sitting on the couch, eating pizza straight from the box. Gustavo arrived, tossed his keys on the counter, and plopped down next to her.

"Productive meeting?" she asked, putting the remote control aside.

"Very. The officers were excited. I think we'll be able to implement a new culture there too."

— "Little by little, you're shaping this city, you know?"

He looked at her, admiring.

— "Maybe. But I just want everyone to come home alive."

She rested her head on his shoulder, satisfied.

— "And that's why you're my hero."

He smiled.

Chapter 99 – "Equip to Win"

7:45 AM – Mid-Wilshire Police Station | Indoor Parking

The morning breeze still carried the coolness typical of a promising day. The sound of the automatic gates opening echoed softly as a black Chevrolet Suburban SUV drove in smoothly and stopped near the side entrance of the administrative building. The driver? Gustavo Silva.

He stepped out of the vehicle wearing his black 5.11 tactical jacket, discreet cargo pants, and a determined look. The rear compartment of the SUV opened automatically, revealing several rigid Pelican cases, all labeled and organized with almost military precision.

Gustavo sighed, as if aware of the symbolic value of that moment.

"Time to make history in here too…" he muttered to himself.

With efficient movements, he began unloading the cases: Glock 17 Gen5 MOS pistols, Glock 19 Gen5 pistols, SIG Sauer P320 XCarry pistols, three Safariland ALS and QLS holsters, two Alien Gear systems, and several Blackhawk Omnivore models. Beside them were cases containing Daniel Defense MK18 rifles, the BCM Recce-11, and a SIG MCX Virtus Patrol, courtesy of SIG for demonstration purposes.

Each case was marked with a label indicating its contents: 9mm Pistol – Glock 17 – Test Unit No. 01, for example.

"Silva, are you building an arsenal there?" joked Lopez, passing by with a cup of coffee.

"Almost. Trust me... when we're done with these tests, you'll never want to go back to your old gear."

8:15 AM – Captain Anderson's Control Room

Captain Zoe Anderson was sitting at the center table, next to Sergeant Wade Grey. When Gustavo entered with two briefcases and a restrained smile, they both knew there was news.

"I think you'll like what I brought," he said, carefully placing the briefcases on the table.

Zoe looked at him with the mix of skepticism and admiration she'd felt for Gustavo since her start at the station.

"Did you manage to reach your contacts?"

Gustavo opened the first briefcase. A set of three Glock 17 Gen5 MOS pistols, each equipped with different configurations: one with a Trijicon RMR red dot sight, another with a Surefire X300U, and the third with everything combined plus an adjustable backstrap and enhanced texturing.

Grey leaned over the table, assessing with a trained eye.

"Beautiful. They came ready for service."

"Straight from the source. I have more out there, including rifles. MK18, BCM Recce-11, even a SIG MCX Virtus for comparison. And holsters. We'll be able to test ergonomics, draw speed, retention, everything."

Zoe crossed her arms, satisfied.

"Organize this, Silva. Call the guys. This is your operation."

Gustavo nodded.

"I'll need the briefing room for today. We'll do a complete introduction. Present each model, discuss practical applications, do disassembly and maintenance, talk about sight adjustments, and then, at the end, we'll go to the range. And after that, I want the officers to test each weapon, each holster, for 15 days. At the end of this cycle, I want technical and practical feedback. The final decision will be collective."

Grey smiled, approving the plan.

"Officer Silva, you're authorized. Surprise us again."

9:00 AM – Briefing Room – Mid-Wilshire Police Station

The briefing room was impeccably organized. A long table displayed all the pistols and holsters, each item labeled with detailed information: weight, capacity, lock type, estimated service time.

The rifles were on wall racks, next to banners with technical diagrams.

The first to enter were Bradford, Lopez, Talia, followed by Nolan, Lucy Chen, Jackson West, and about ten other curious officers. Zoe and Grey sat at the back of the room, observing.

Gustavo stood at the front, like a teacher before the class.

"Good morning, team. Today begins something I've been planning for a while. An upgrade to our personal weaponry. I know many of you work wonders with what you have. But the time has come to go further."

He picked up a Glock 17 Gen5 and twirled it to show it off.

"This is the Glock 17 Gen5 MOS. 9mm, 17 rounds, reduced recoil. MOS stands for Modular Optic System it accepts red dot sights directly on the slide. Red dot? Better response time, more accuracy, especially in low light. Combine that with a Surefire X300 flashlight, and you have an effective tactical system."

Bradford nodded, checking the balance of the gun as he held it with gloves.

Gustavo moved on to the holsters.

"These are the new Safariland ones with ALS automatic release. You pull, and your thumb releases. And with QLS, you can quickly switch holsters between platforms. Alien Gear is also here, great for those who wear external vests with chest-mounted holsters."

Lopez tested one of the holsters on his duty belt.

"Wow, it's smooth. The movement is fluid. Much faster than my current one."

Talia commented:

"Mine is still friction… old-fashioned. This is a whole other level."

Gustavo pointed to the rifles.

"These are the three we're going to test. All with 10.3- to 11.5-inch barrels—perfect for urban combat. The MK18 is already well-established, the BCM is top-notch reliable, and the SIG MCX is a modern hybrid that adapts to almost any mission."

Lucy approached the MK18 and ran her hand over the Picatinny rail.

"It's light… lighter than I expected. And the grip is perfect."

"You'll train with them. I'll monitor their performance. Maintenance, cleaning, reloading, transitioning to a secondary weapon, use in a patrol car, CQB everything will be analyzed."

1:00 PM – Police Station Shooting Range

In the midday heat, the shooting range was alive. Gustavo wore hearing protection and led the officers in controlled shooting sessions.

"Come on, Chen. Glock 19, red dot activated, five rapid shots. Target at seven meters."

Lucy inhaled, took aim—bam, bam, bam, bam, bam. Every shot in the center of the silhouette.

"Best grouping you've ever had," Gustavo praised.

Meanwhile, Bradford tested the BCM Recce-11 on a series of moving targets. The rifle's fluidity was clear, and even the recruits were impressed by its ease of handling.

"It's like driving a sports car after years of driving a pickup truck." — he commented, laughing.

Lopez and Talia were testing the holsters. The draw rate and controlled recoil with the new Glock 17s made it clear: the new equipment had a direct impact on efficiency.

15 Days Later – Meeting Room | Collective Feedback

Everyone was gathered again, this time with their notes in hand. On the wall, a whiteboard with the categories: Ergonomics, Accuracy, Response Time, Maintenance, Comfort, and Urban Applicability.

Gustavo, with a blue marker, led the discussion.

—"Let's start with the pistols. Glock 17 Gen5 MOS. Lopez?"

—"Better recoil control. The red dot helped me a lot with rapid fire. Adaptation was quick. Approved."

—"Bradford?"

—"I found the transition natural. Easier reloading. I prefer it to my .40. With the flashlight, it was perfect."

Lucy raised her hand:

"At first, I thought the red dot was weird. But now? I feel much more confident."

Nolan added:

"For me, the Glock 19 was the best fit. Light, discreet, but still with a solid grip."

Jackson:

"Glock 17 with red dot and flashlight. Ideal. Even under stress, optical alignment is more intuitive."

Gustavo wrote down each opinion precisely. They then moved on to the rifles.

"MK18?" he asked.

Bradford:

"Perfect for CQB. I just felt the recoil was a little stiffer than the BCM."

Talia:

"Compact and easy to maneuver in a patrol car. It wins my vote."

Chen:

"BCM was the most comfortable for me. Lighter. The shorter rail helps."

Gustavo looked at Zoe and Grey.

"Ma'am, Sergeant. With this feedback, we have a solid foundation. I believe we can move forward with the acquisition of Glock 17 and 19 pistols, paired with Safariland ALS/QLS holsters. And MK18 or BCM rifles for the internal tactical force."

Zoe nodded confidently.

"Approved. Let's place the order. Thank you, Gustavo. This will save lives."

9:30 PM – Gustavo and Cris's House

Cris Alonso was on the couch, watching TV, when Gustavo arrived. He tossed his keys on the sideboard and plopped down beside her, exhausted.

"So? How was the last day of testing?" she asked, hugging him.

"Amazing. The team responded better than I expected. Seeing the sparkle in their eyes, knowing they now have equipment up to the task… that's priceless."

Cris smiled proudly.

"And to think it all started with a conversation you and the captain about holsters."

— "And now… we're changing the game."

She kissed his forehead.

— "You were born for this."

He smiled, looking at the ceiling.

— "Maybe. But above all, I just want to make sure every cop who goes out on the street comes home. That's all that drives me."

Chapter 100 – "Contract Signed, Lives Protected"

6:15 AM – Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

The sky was still dark blue when Gustavo adjusted the concealed holster with his Glock 19 on his waist, quickly checking himself in the mirror in the executive terminal bathroom. He was dressed soberly, in a navy blue dress shirt, a dark gray blazer, and black pants. His documents were all in a leather folder, neatly organized.

In the waiting room were Captain Zoe Anderson, wearing an elegant gray suit but with the look of someone who'd already trained at 5:00 AM, and Sergeant Wade Grey, wearing a black polo shirt and a light jacket with the LAPD crest discreetly embroidered on the chest.

Gustavo approached, and Zoe smiled:

"Officer Silva. Ready to sign the largest equipment contract in Mid-Wilshire's recent history?"

—"More than ready, Captain. We have the mayor's approval, funds released, and… thanks to my connections, a huge discount."

Grey snorted with laughter, crossing his arms.

—"You're becoming more than a lawyer, Silva. You're already looking like a military consultant."

Gustavo smiled, but humbly.

—"If it ensures our officers have the best tools to return home alive… then it's a job I'll accept."

The boarding was smooth. They were heading to New Hampshire, where SIG Sauer USA is headquartered, and one of Glock Inc.'s national representatives was also waiting for a joint meeting organized especially for them. Safariland had already sent them the contracts for the holsters, which would be signed at the same time.

1:40 PM – SIG Sauer Headquarters | Exeter, New Hampshire

The executive van that picked them up at the airport pulled up at the modern entrance of SIG Sauer headquarters. A mirrored glass facade reflected the autumn trees. Three men were waiting for them with name tags and attentive looks.

"Captain Anderson, Sergeant Grey, Officer Silva… welcome," said Michael Lehmann, SIG's government sales manager.

"Thank you for having us," Zoe replied firmly.

They were led to a meeting room with large windows and an oval table. On the table, prototypes and weapon displays were neatly arranged. Soon after, Glock representative Edward Weiss arrived, a firm-spoken man with previous military experience.

"Gentlemen, ladies. We are here today to finalize the supply of the Glock 17 and 19 pistols, as agreed. Officer Silva has already tested the models, and we know the LAPD has standardized on Glocks for years. Let's make this official now."

Gustavo opened his briefcase and took out the printed report, over 40 pages long, containing the officers' evaluation data.

"We conducted 15 days of testing with all pistols, holsters, and rifles. We collected data on response time, recoil, comfort, ease of maintenance, transition to secondary weapons, and more. The team's final decision was clear. The Glock 17 and Glock 19 combination is ideal for our needs: a balance between capacity and portability."

Weiss nodded approvingly.

"We have inventory available for delivery within 90 days, with customization for the LAPD: serial number cataloged by sector, red-dot-ready MOS system, tritium sight, and standard and large backstraps."

Zoe turned to Gustavo:

"Tell me about the discount you got."

Gustavo smiled slightly and pulled out another piece of paper.

— "With the size of the purchase 150 Glock 17s, 150 Glock 19s, plus 300 Safariland ALS/QLS holsters I contacted the brands' logistics department and secured a total discount of 17% compared to the full price. For a purchase of this magnitude, we're saving the public coffers almost $200,000."

Grey whistled, impressed.

— "Not bad for a lawyer who's also a police officer."

Weiss smiled, signing the papers.

— "And even more so when we remember that this is going directly to protecting those who serve on the streets of LA. It's more than just business."

3:20 PM – Tactical Test Room – SIG Sauer

Before finalizing the contract for the rifles, SIG insisted on allowing Zoe, Grey, and Gustavo to use the weapons at the company's own shooting range. A modern, indoor facility with urban simulations.

A SIG instructor handed Gustavo the SIG MCX Virtus Patrol. He cocked it familiarly. Zoe tried out an MCX with a red dot and side light, shooting accurately in a simulated narrow corridor.

"Impressive. Light, stable, quick response," she commented, wiping sweat from her forehead.

Grey tested the BCM Recce-11, shooting at moving targets.

"This BCM is reliable. Less recoil. I like that."

Finally, Michael Lehmann brought the final terms:

"You requested 40 Daniel Defense MK18s and 40 BCM Recce-11s. We will have everything ready for shipment in 120 days. Each rifle comes with two Magpul magazines, a manual, cleaning accessories, and an extended warranty."

Gustavo presented the terms, signed by the mayor of LA, and also an special authorization for transportation and storage.

—"Everything's fine here."

Michael extended his hand:

—"Officer Silva... you did more than just act as a go-between. You gave your team a real advantage."

Zoe added:

—"And you did it with integrity, technical knowledge, and a focus on what matters: our officers."

Gustavo shook both of their hands.

—"Thank you. But this will only be complete when every one of my colleagues at the station has access to this equipment."

7:00 PM – Hotel in New Hampshire

After a quiet dinner, Zoe, Grey, and Gustavo were at the hotel bar, enjoying soda and coffee.

Zoe looked at him with a look of pride and seriousness.

—"You know that this kind of initiative... doesn't go unnoticed, right?"

—"What do you mean, Captain?"

— "You're setting a standard of excellence, Gustavo. Not just because of your legal training. But because of your dedication to bringing innovation, training, leading, and still keeping your feet on the ground."

Grey nodded, looking out the window.

— "And don't think this will end in Mid-Wilshire. They're already talking about expanding this to other divisions. The management downtown wants to see the results of this purchase. You'll be called in to explain everything."

Gustavo laughed modestly.

— "If it's to improve what we do, I'll go. Wherever they need me."

Zoe clinked her glass with his.

— "To those who go above and beyond. And save lives because of it."

3 weeks later – Mid-Wilshire Police Station | Gun Warehouse

The boxes began arriving, organized on pallets with tracking codes. Technicians from Glock, Safariland, and SIG arrived together to help with inventory checks and initial training. Gustavo coordinated everything alongside Sergeant Grey.

Officers gathered to try out the new equipment.

Bradford examined his new Glock 17 like a child getting a new toy:

"Perfect. No slide play. Tritium sights already installed. Now that's it."

Lopez tested the holster:

"ALS with QLS... it's another world. The draw is fast, accurate. And firm."

Nolan, Lucy, and Jackson exchanged glances:

"We're lucky to be entering a phase like this..." Nolan said.

Gustavo walked around everyone, providing support, adjusting holsters, explaining the use of accessories, and supervising the assembly of the rifles.

Hondo, who was at the station for a meeting with Zoe, tapped Gustavo on the shoulder:

"You've raised the bar. If you need me to help with training, just let me know."

Cris Alonso, smiling from afar, gave a thumbs-up.

Zoe called everyone to the outdoor patio. With the sun already setting, she spoke loudly:

"Officers! I am very proud to inform you that today, thanks to the tireless work of Officer Gustavo Silva, we received the equipment that will protect you, improve our performance, and make us stronger. Take care of this as you take care of each other."

Applause echoed.

Gustavo just watched. He smiled softly.

"Mission accomplished. Now it's time to maintain this standard."

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Chapter 44 - Chapter 98-99-100