Chapter 167: Chapter 167: Release from Prison
Jack thought for a moment and realized that if he were in Paul's shoes before his transmigration, he probably wouldn't have handled things much better.
People say that middle-aged minds and personalities become fixed, but it might be more accurate to say that after experiencing countless setbacks, they finally realize they are not the protagonists of this world and accept their fate.
No wonder so many people in his previous life enjoyed reading rebirth novels, imagining themselves as the reborn protagonist, dominating everyone, doing whatever they wanted, and having everything they desired. When Jack first arrived in this world, he was extremely cautious, even enduring bullying from petty thugs without fighting back. But as his strength gradually increased and his interactions with the main characters of this world deepened, his personality began to assert itself.
At least his previous self would never have engaged in a contest to compare sizes in a restroom. Was this the so-called "old man rekindling youthful madness"?
A crackling song played in the room, pulling Jack out of his thoughts. Looking up, he saw Paul fiddling with an old radio on the wall.
Seeing both Reicher on the bed and Jack looking at him, Paul instinctively shrank back and weakly explained, "I just wanted to see if I could find a Beatles song. Their music comforts me. My mom used to sing 'Rocky Raccoon' to me when I was sick."
Jack smiled, sat down beside him, and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You should try to get some sleep. You look awful. I know you didn't sleep a wink last night because you were scared."
He had also heard "Rocky Raccoon," a song about a bizarre Western story. The character Rocket Raccoon from Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy" was a tribute to this song.
"That's because I saw you break someone's bones and gouge out another man's eyes," Paul said, still visibly shaken.
Reicher, unfazed, got up from the bed. "They started it."
"If I get out, they might kill me," Paul continued from where he left off, but was interrupted by a guard's knock.
Reicher walked to the door, took three meal trays from the small window at the bottom, and handed them to Jack and Paul. The trays contained a sandwich and a small portion of beans as a side dish.
Reicher began devouring his meal, and Jack wasn't far behind. They had missed dinner the night before and had worked up an appetite from their earlier exertion.
Paul had no appetite and offered his portion to them.
Without hesitation, Reicher split Paul's sandwich and gave half to Jack.
"Are you very important to them?" Reicher asked, finally showing some interest in the matter.
Paul hesitated for a moment, then nodded solemnly. "Very important."
"Then you should be fine. But now that someone's dead, it means they're getting nervous. If things keep escalating, it will be a real disaster."
Jack shook his head, sensing a flaw in Reicher's reasoning. "No, he's already in trouble. Those people weren't after you or me. They were after Paul."
Seeing their surprised looks, Jack continued explaining. "Their orders were to target the guy with glasses. Originally, only Paul wore glasses, but then you took those punk sunglasses. That's why they were confused in the shower."
"The first guy, the fat pig, might have just been there to warn him, but for some reason, the later orders were to kill Paul. Something must have changed outside. My guess is, you guys will be out soon."
Reicher nodded, seemingly convinced. "I don't care about that. Once I'm out, I'm leaving. Maglev is full of hidden dangers, and I don't want to get involved."
Jack thought to himself, "You won't have a choice. Your only relative in this world is in my hands. I'll have you come to me out of gratitude."
Seeing Paul still cowering in silence, Jack didn't press him for more information. After all, they had only known each other for a day. Expecting him to spill everything and ask for help right away wasn't realistic.
Fortunately, as Jack predicted, within an hour after lunch, guards came and announced their release.
Even though they had been in prison for less than a day, Jack felt a profound sense of relief standing outside the high walls, looking at the blue sky and white clouds.
Even though he had entered prison voluntarily, the feeling of losing his freedom was unpleasant. He never wanted to experience that oppressive atmosphere again.
"My wife is here to pick me up," Paul said, pointing to a luxury car with a Jaguar logo parked nearby.
"Thank you both for protecting me inside. I urgently need to take care of some things. If it's convenient, I'd like to treat you both to a meal later."
He looked at them expectantly.
Reicher shrugged indifferently. "Don't look at me; I never use a phone."
Jack gave him the number for the prepaid phone he had left with Finlay.
Watching Paul drive away, Jack turned to Reicher. "Do you have any plans?"
Reicher rubbed the stubble on his chin. "Find a place to clean up. Some jerk said I was too scruffy. Then I'll rest in town for a night and leave tomorrow."
"Then let's go together. I have a car. You can ride with me tomorrow."
Reicher neither agreed nor disagreed. Just as they were about to find a way back to town, a police car slowly pulled up and stopped in front of them.
"I think someone with no money, no identity, and no car might need a ride."
A familiar face peeked out of the window—it was Officer Roscoe, the female officer, holding a plastic file bag with Reicher's confiscated money and personal belongings.
"This is footage from two days ago, sent by the long-distance bus company," Roscoe said, showing a video on her phone to Reicher.
"Since you have a solid alibi, you were released."
Seeing Reicher glance at Jack, Roscoe rolled her eyes. "This guy's wanted status was revoked. The plaintiff couldn't bear to see their little darling suffer in jail and dropped the charges."
She made a gagging motion to show her disdain for a certain scumbag.
Jack nearly fumed, but he had to maintain a cheerful facade. He knew he couldn't do much about Justin's sister and would have to placate her, as he'd need her computer expertise in the future.
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