Bab 39: Chapter 39: Prison Transport Accident
Jack did have a hacker friend—future NCIS Chief Forensic Scientist and computer genius, Abby Sciuto, who happened to be his high school classmate. This goth girl was a big fan of Jack back in high school, persistently trying to win his first night, which made Jack's predecessor both troubled and good friends with her.
After high school, Abby attended Louisiana State University, where she was currently triple-majoring in sociology, criminology, and psychology. Even after Jack crossed over, they kept in touch through social media.
When Jack was troubled by the aftermath of the shooting, it was Abby who suggested he buy some psychology-related books, leading him to unlock the psychology skill in his system.
Zoe, having experienced many difficulties and working in law enforcement, had fallen into a habitual way of thinking and never considered this approach.
After pondering for a moment, Zoe nodded, thinking it might be worth a try. She couldn't help but feel a bit differently, realizing for the first time that this once overly mature young man had grown into a real man—someone who could offer her help and advice, and whom she could rely on.
"Don't worry, I'll be there with Hannah. You don't need to worry about her safety. I think my recent performance proves I'm not just talking big," Jack assured, noticing the strange look in Zoe's eyes, mistakenly thinking she was worried about Hannah.
"Hmph!" Zoe felt a sudden surge of jealousy. Although she had made this choice out of necessity, it still bothered her that the boy she had nurtured would end up with her cousin.
Jack didn't need to guess; he could smell the jealousy in the air. At times like this, words were unnecessary; actions spoke louder.
They toured the bedroom, then the bathroom, then the living room. Jack worried that when he renovated his own house, he might subconsciously replicate Zoe's layout simply because he was so familiar with it.
Thanks to the healing technique, Jack wondered if he'd be able to press the gas pedal of the police car the next day.
After returning home, he contacted Abby late into the night. Of course, he didn't really ask her to investigate Kliner Industries. Instead, he asked her to hack into a rural police station in Georgia. If she found a detainee named Jack Reacher, she was to notify him immediately.
Jack didn't remember the town's name from the show, but he knew it was repeatedly mentioned as the hometown of a blind blues singer. A quick Google search revealed it to be Margrave, Georgia.
Investigating the counterfeit gang directly was too dangerous. Abby was just a regular college student, albeit a genius. A mistake could attract danger or cause unnecessary repercussions, disrupting the plot.
With Jack's current skill levels and status as an ordinary police officer, he didn't have the protagonist's plot armor from the original series. Facing such a criminal organization might mean he and Hannah could escape unharmed, but he could lose his police job and his system might shut down.
Leveraging the abilities and identities of the main characters at crucial plot points to push events toward a perfect ending was the best strategy.
On the first day back at work, Jack and Tim received a round of applause. Although the serial killer case was ordered sealed from the top, it wasn't a secret within the Wilshire Police Department. Everyone knew about their heroic actions that day.
Jack was amused to see Hannah pulling Lucy to reenact the wall slam scene. He realized American culture also had its share of "fujoshi" (boys' love) fans, regretting his promise not to spank her.
With Bishop transferred to ATF, the station welcomed a new black female officer, Nyla Harper, who left a deeper impression on Jack than Bishop did.
Despite her petite and delicate appearance, Harper was a formidable woman. She had spent several years as an undercover agent and had a golden ticket to join any department. However, she chose the relatively stable patrol division to fight for her daughter's custody.
It seemed she and Tim were old friends. Now out of the rookie phase, Jack no longer had to sit in the front row during briefings. Instead, he sat in the middle, flanked by Hannah and the bickering pair.
Today's briefing was short. Jack and Hannah went to the armory to get their equipment.
Hannah had a month before reporting to Quantico and would officially leave in three weeks. Meanwhile, Angela was preparing for a promotion to detective, meaning Jack's familiar partners would soon be gone.
Jack wished John and Lucy could be his partners, but they wouldn't be eligible for six more months. He wanted to team up with John not only because of their close relationship but also because John, as the protagonist, would encounter interesting cases more frequently.
More cases meant more opportunities for merit. Jack didn't want to waste time in the patrol division. He planned to take the detective exam or try to enter the FBI within a year and a half after earning his bachelor's degree from community college.
With Zoe entering politics and Hannah going to Quantico, Jack felt pressured. Although the girls had expectations of him, shortening the social gap would be beneficial for their long-term relationship.
He didn't want to end up with nothing to talk about when meeting with a city councilor or future state legislator, resorting only to touring the bedroom.
After getting their equipment from the armory, Jack and Hannah were chatting and laughing when they saw the entire precinct mobilizing. Angela and Tim hurried past them.
"What's going on?" Hannah called out to Angela.
"A prison transport vehicle had an accident. It was carrying court prisoners."
Jack and Hannah exchanged a glance and quickly grabbed their gear to follow.
This was the second full deployment of the Wilshire Police Department since the shootout at Bronson Tower. Last time, Jack was the one being rescued, and this was his first time experiencing a major operation firsthand.
Dozens of police cars, sirens blaring, sped down the road, while three police helicopters roared overhead, arriving at the scene first.
The accident happened on a winding mountain road. When Jack stopped the car, a county sheriff in a tan uniform, head bleeding, was standing by the roadside.
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