บท 121: Chapter 121: The Thrilling Commotion
"Hmph, they say fortunes change every thirty years. Never underestimate the young and poor. Damn, that was satisfying."
Jack changed back into his uniform, almost humming a tune in his joy. Fortunately, when he transmigrated here, he had the mindset of a middle-aged man. Despite the proverb about patience being tough, he had managed to suppress his anger for two or three years.
Had he transmigrated twenty years earlier, with his younger temperament, he might have gone for a knife and tried to settle things violently. Who knows what would have happened, but he certainly wouldn't have become a cop, and the system would likely have been ruined along with him.
After leaving the station and resuming patrol on the streets, Lucy glanced at Jack with newfound admiration. She knew he had come from a nearly slum-like neighborhood, but she had never really thought about it in depth.
The LAPD isn't a small-town police department. Along with high pay, it rigorously screens personal records. Even minor juvenile offenses can disqualify an applicant, and that standard hasn't changed. Jack's journey from such a rough background to becoming an LAPD officer was nothing short of a small miracle and certainly inspirational for many from similar circumstances.
They hadn't been driving for long when the command center radioed in.
"7-A-26, there's a disturbance reported at 25616 Wilshire Boulevard. Can you respond?"
Jack, in high spirits, grabbed the radio and replied, "Command center, copy that. We are en route to respond."
With that, he turned on the siren and sped towards the location.
"Wow, this is quite the disturbance," Jack said, slightly taken aback by the scene before him.
25616 Wilshire Boulevard was home to a well-known bridal shop. As soon as he parked, Jack could see through the large glass windows that two apparent customers were engaged in a fierce fight over a wedding dress.
If Jack had to describe the scene, he'd use either "indecent" or "delightful."
The two brides-to-be were somewhat scantily clad. The fight seemed to have started in the fitting room, so they were wearing very little. Jack couldn't understand why someone would wear a thong to try on wedding dresses, but due to the pulling and tugging, everything that could be exposed was on display. The whole scene was quite... titillating.
Jack opened the shop door, gesturing for Lucy to go in first while he turned on his body cam. He had a feeling many people would want to get their hands on the footage from his and Lucy's cameras today.
"Police!"
Lucy turned her head upon entering and noticed Angela and Tim, who were supposed to be off duty today. Tim was holding his phone, recording the scene.
"Uh, I was collecting evidence," Tim said sheepishly when he saw his girlfriend.
To his surprise, Lucy wasn't bothered by that. Instead, she excitedly gossiped, "Are you helping Angela pick out a wedding dress?"
Angela, looking thoroughly amused, chimed in, "You two should finish your work first."
"Ladies, please calm down."
Jack stood at a distance, not daring to approach. Although he had seen his fair share of messes in nearly a year as a patrol officer, this was a first for him. He wasn't sure if getting involved would lead to complaints.
"Angela, help me out here. Dinner's on me."
He had no choice but to seek Angela's assistance. Off-duty officers have the discretion to intervene in crimes if they choose, at least in this country.
Lucy couldn't handle both women on her own, and although Angela was pregnant, she was still under five months along. Subduing one of them would be easy for her.
Just as Angela was about to step in, one of the brides-to-be let out a scream and bolted for the door.
"I must have that dress! Ahhh!"
As Jack was contemplating how to stop her, Tim casually extended his foot, tripping her.
"Oof."
Despite her ample cushioning, that long slide across the floor looked painful.
"You're under arrest."
Jack quickly handcuffed her, grabbed a veil from a nearby rack to cover her body, and noticed that the commotion had attracted a crowd outside. Many were filming through the windows.
"So, you really are helping Angela pick out a wedding dress. I didn't peg you for the male best friend type."
After stuffing the frantic bride into the back of the squad car, Jack finally had a moment to tease Tim.
Tim rolled his eyes. "Angela sent me a 911 text early this morning, urging me to come here. When I arrived, I found out she was just having a meltdown because she couldn't find a dress that fit her well due to her pregnancy weight gain."
"Hmm, should I be glad I'm not off today?"
Jack glanced at Angela, who seemed quite cheerful. Given her condition and the scene with the other two brides, he could somewhat understand her emotional swings. After all, she was pregnant and a bride-to-be, with all the extra stress that entails.
"Hey, Jack, why isn't Hannah answering my calls or messages?"
Angela, who had been chatting with Lucy, noticed Jack looking her way and waved to get his attention.
"Uh, her phone might be dead. She was probably still asleep this morning."
Jack watched the two women whispering and occasionally glancing his way with knowing smiles. He couldn't shake the feeling of unease.
Back at the station, after adding two more brides-to-be to the holding cells, Jack and Lucy were about to head out for lunch when the command center radioed in again.
"7-A-26, armed robbery in progress at Copley Trust Bank, 28700 Wilshire Street. 7-A-15 is on scene and requests backup."
"It's John and Neila. We need to hurry."
Jack floored the gas pedal, and the police car screeched as it sped towards the bank.
One street away from their destination, Jack turned off the siren. Rounding the corner, they saw John and Neila's squad car.
John was crouched behind the steps outside the bank, peeking inside. Neila, armed with a rifle, was positioned across the street, using the police car's hood for cover while aiming at the bank.
Jack got out, signaling Lucy to grab the AR-15 from the trunk and join Neila. He then ran over to John's position.
John was reporting in on his radio, "...male, approximately six feet tall, wearing a black leather jacket, beige shirt, blue jeans, and a mask. Armed with a handgun."
"Seven hostages on site, including two tellers and one security guard..."
As John was about to continue, the situation inside the bank suddenly changed. For reasons unknown, the security guard, who had been lying on the floor, suddenly sprang up and started wrestling with the robber.
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