新闻发布会如期举行，市政大厅挤满了记者，闪光灯晃得人眼花。波尔站在台上，西装笔挺，声音低沉而坚定："经过多方调查，我们成功侦破了一起由境外恐怖组织策划的定点袭击案件。涉案人员已经全部击毙，里面还牵涉了帮派战争和毒品交易，可以透露的是这些人渣已全部落网或击毙。"他顿了顿，语气沉重起来，"莱门斯警长及其手下在守卫梅罗德的过程中英勇牺牲，他们捍卫了正义，坚守这价值观，是我们的英雄，值得铭记。那句眼观六路，耳听八方时常回响在我们的耳旁。莱门斯警长的谆谆教诲将勉励一代又一代的警员……"
The news conference was held as scheduled, with the city hall packed with reporters and flashing cameras dazzling the eyes. Pol stood on the stage, immaculately dressed in a suit, his voice deep and firm: "After extensive investigation, we have successfully solved a targeted attack planned by a foreign terrorist organization. All suspects have been eliminated, and the case also involved gang warfare and drug trafficking. I can disclose that these scum have all been captured or killed." He paused, his tone becoming solemn, "Captain Lemons and his subordinates heroically sacrificed themselves in defending Melrod. They upheld justice, stood by their values, and are our heroes worthy of remembrance. The saying 'watch all around, listen to all sides' often echoes in our ears. Captain Lemons' earnest teachings will encourage generations of police officers..."
台下掌声雷动，记者举着话筒提问，可我和科尔站在后台，谁也没吭声。接着科尔按照和波尔、勃利德商定的台词演完这场戏，科尔荣升了警长，并成为了梅罗德史上最年轻的警长，台下一众女子对他心驰神往。大会的气氛和谐，人们都沉静在胜利的喜悦之中。
Thunderous applause erupted below the stage, with reporters raising microphones to ask questions, but Cole and I stood backstage, neither of us saying a word. Then Cole performed the rest of the show according to the script agreed upon with Pol and Breed. Cole was promoted to Captain, becoming the youngest captain in Melrod's history, with many women in the audience admiring him. The atmosphere of the conference was harmonious, with people immersed in the joy of victory.
会后，科尔拍拍我肩膀，低声说："马丁死了，前天晚上车祸，醉驾翻进河里。"我愣了下，点点头，没说话，我猜的出来他怎么死的。他接着说："你也不用有包袱，上面知道你跟报社的事儿，这是指控你的证据，我没有备份，算你走运。"我苦笑一声，摸了摸脸上的疤，舌头断了半截，科尔叹了口气，紧紧握着我的手，笑着说道："你比安德烈幸运，你是铁好人卢卡斯，你带出来的梅森也是好样的，他为了保护艾琳，腿被7.62子弹射断了，小命保下来了，我替他送你，恭喜你，你可以提前退休了，可以带着勋章走人了，英雄！"
After the meeting, Cole patted my shoulder and said quietly: "Martin is dead, car accident the night before last, drunk driving into the river." I was stunned for a moment, nodded without speaking, though I could guess how he really died. He continued: "You don't need to worry, the higher-ups know about your connection with the press. This is the evidence against you, I don't have a backup, you're lucky." I gave a bitter smile, touching the scar on my face, my tongue cut in half. Cole sighed, gripping my hand tightly, and said with a smile: "You're luckier than Andrey. You're a good man, Lucas, and Mason, whom you trained, is also doing well. To protect Erin, his leg was shot off by a 7.62 bullet, but he survived. I'm here on his behalf to tell you—congratulations, you can retire early now, leave with your medals, hero!"
我的嘴角微微上扬，那一刻伤口好像也不痛了。我知道梅森家庭条件一般，所以我还给他留下五万元托付科尔转交，科尔答应了。我们在法院门外紧紧握着手，我们的眼眶都红透了。"我不会让你们失望的，卢卡斯。文森比尔，这就是我为什么干警察的原因。"科尔平静却像在发誓。
The corners of my mouth turned up slightly, and at that moment, even the wound didn't seem to hurt anymore. I knew Mason's family was of modest means, so I left him fifty thousand dollars to be given through Cole, which Cole agreed to do. We held hands tightly outside the courthouse, both our eyes red with emotion. "I won't let you down, Lucas. Vincent Bill—that's why I became a cop." Cole's words were calm but sounded like an oath.
两天后，我领了退休金，两块城市英雄勋章塞在口袋里，一块是我的，一块是安德利的。我找到安德利的女儿，一个瘦弱的女孩，二十出头，还在上学并且在码头打零工兼职。我预支了安德烈的养老金，打到她账户上，低声说："他留给你的。"她红着眼接过钱，没多问，只是说了句："谢谢。"艾琳替我转述了警局的慰问，我一时怅然往事。
Two days later, I collected my pension, with two City Hero medals in my pocket—one mine, one Andrey's. I found Andrey's daughter, a frail girl in her early twenties, still in school and working part-time at the dock. I advanced Andrey's pension and transferred it to her account, saying quietly: "This is from him." She took the money with tearful eyes, didn't ask much, just said: "Thank you." Erin relayed the police department's condolences for me, and I was momentarily overcome by memories of the past.
艾琳继承了卡尔一半的遗产，那笔钱够她挥霍一辈子。她卖掉了卡尔的大部分资产，也没留下那些房产，只拿了现金、账户和一辆最好的皮卡，剩下的留给卡尔的律师去头疼。半个月后，她收拾好行李，站在我家门口等我。她的金发在阳光下闪着光，眼里没了从前的阴霾。她低声说："卢卡斯，咱们走吧，去个没人认识的地方。"我点点头，拉着她的手，拎起一个破旧的行李箱。
Erin inherited half of Carl's estate, enough money for her to live lavishly for a lifetime. She sold most of Carl's assets, didn't keep any of the properties, just took the cash, accounts, and the best pickup truck, leaving the rest for Carl's lawyers to worry about. Half a month later, she packed her bags and stood waiting for me at my door. Her blonde hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her eyes were free of their former gloom. She said softly: "Lucas, let's go, somewhere where no one knows us." I nodded, took her hand, and picked up an old suitcase.
我们离开梅罗德那天，天空灰蒙蒙的，像块脏布。车开出城，夕阳正好，天空放晴，远处海港的灯火渐渐模糊，我靠在座椅上，摸着脸上的疤。艾琳握住我的手，笑了笑："准备好新的生活了吗！"车往北开，去了一个陌生的城市，没有烦心事、没有熟人，只有海风和她的笑声。那是我们独属的港湾。
The day we left Melrod, the sky was gray and dismal, like a dirty cloth. As the car drove out of the city, the sun was setting perfectly, the sky cleared, and the lights of the distant harbor gradually blurred. I leaned back in my seat, touching the scar on my face. Erin held my hand and smiled: "Ready for a new life?" The car headed north to an unfamiliar city, free from worries and familiar faces, with only the sea breeze and her laughter. That was our very own harbor.