Danny, showing no pity, grabbed Sylvia's left hand, pulling it away from her tear-streaked face. "Interesting. When David died in my arms last night, I noticed he was wearing a bracelet identical to yours."
Jack glanced at her wrist, struggling not to laugh. It was a leather bracelet resembling a watch, except the "watch face" was replaced by a Taoist yin-yang symbol.
This was yet another example of how Western cultures awkwardly interpret Eastern traditions. For some reason, the yin-yang, symbolizing balance and harmony in Taoism, had become a romantic emblem in interracial relationships. At least it wasn't as absurd as Asian women tattooing spades on their ankles.
"Did David give you that? Were you two together?"
The two men exchanged a knowing glance. It all made sense now—why Raymundo Salazar, a gang leader, personally committed the murder. This wasn't about business; it was about pride.
Danny released her wrist. "You can talk now, or we can take you to the station and have this discussion there."
Sylvia stayed silent, her tears flowing freely, prompting Danny to turn toward the ignition. Jack tucked away the photos, nonchalantly saying, "Let's head to the station."
"No, don't!" Sylvia's already smudged makeup was now a complete mess as she desperately tried to stop them.
"Oh no, we'll chat at the station," Danny said, feigning indifference as he fiddled with the car keys. A slight smirk betrayed his satisfaction—progress at last.
"A few months ago, I met David at a party at his brother's house," Sylvia blurted, sitting up and clutching Danny's arm with pleading eyes.
"We talked a little. I told him I was working on my GED, and he started helping me with my studies. He was so kind, so sweet, and so funny."
Both men froze for a moment, caught off guard. Despite her background, Sylvia's story had unexpectedly turned into something pure and inspiring.
People trying to better themselves always garnered respect, especially those struggling to escape difficult circumstances. Danny's perpetually stern face softened slightly, and his tone grew gentler. "And then?"
Sylvia's tear-streaked face brightened with a small smile as she reminisced. "Have you ever met someone who makes you want to spend every moment with them? Someone who helps you forget the harshness of reality, even for a while?"
Jack remained silent—not because he hadn't, but because his situation was too complicated to explain.
Danny, however, answered bluntly, "Of course. My wife. What happened next? Did Raymundo Salazar find out about your relationship?"
Sylvia nodded, her tears returning. "Yes, he asked about David. I told him David was just tutoring me. Then he ordered me never to see him again."
"And that was the end of it?" Jack asked, now understanding why Salazar hadn't killed Sylvia as well.
"Yes. I thought it was all over. Maybe, one day, when he got bored of me..." Sylvia stared blankly out the window, her voice hollow.
"Hey, don't give up on yourself," Danny said firmly. "Let's make a deal. Tell us where to find Raymundo Salazar, and we'll protect you."
Sylvia shrank back in fear. "If I do that, do you know what he'll do to me?"
"The man next to you is FBI," Danny said, pointing to Jack. "He can enroll you in the Witness Protection Program. You'll get a new identity, a monthly stipend, and a chance to restart your life.
Didn't you say you wanted to finish school? You'll finally be free from Salazar. Maybe you'll find a decent guy and live a quiet, happy life."
To add weight to Danny's offer, Jack flashed his FBI badge and said, "Once we arrest Salazar, Detective Danny Reagan here will personally testify against him. The Elmar cartel will be dismantled and sent packing to Peru. No one will bother you again."
Seeing her hesitation, Jack decided to push harder. "Think about David. What did he do wrong? Fall in love with you? Don't you want to do something for him?"
Sylvia took a deep breath, her eyes now filled with resolve. Gritting her teeth, she said, "Salazar's enforcer, Lupino, called me earlier. Salazar will come to the salon tomorrow at 10 a.m."
"Good," Danny said, relieved. "Just act normal tonight. Don't pack or do anything unusual. We'll take care of the rest tomorrow. After that, we'll move you to a safe house and ensure you're protected."
—
The next morning, Jack and Danny sat inside Jack's Dodge Hellcat, watching the salon across the street. A burly man, likely one of Salazar's henchmen, stood at the entrance, scanning his surroundings with a don't-mess-with-me demeanor.
Through the salon's large glass windows, they spotted a short, stocky Latino man reclining in a chair as Sylvia gave him a shave.
"Looks like it's time," Danny said, opening his car door. Jack unbuckled his seatbelt and followed.
"There are a lot of people inside. Can you handle the doorman without causing a scene?" Danny asked.
Jack rolled his eyes. Clearly, Danny hadn't worked with him enough to know his capabilities.
They weren't alone in this operation—plainclothes officers were stationed nearby for backup. But the less noise, the better. Salazar and his men were armed and dangerous, and a chaotic scene could turn deadly fast.
Jack slipped on a light jacket to conceal his holstered weapon and casually strolled toward the salon like a neighborhood punk.
As he passed the henchman, Jack struck swiftly, delivering a precise karate chop to the man's carotid artery. The thug crumpled, unconscious, before he could make a sound. Jack dragged him into an alley, where two plainclothes officers quickly cuffed him.
Jack grabbed the fallen man's baseball cap, put it on, and returned to the entrance, taking up the thug's former post.
A few minutes later, Salazar finished his shave. He pinched Sylvia's cheek, kissed her on the lips, and adjusted his collar before strutting out the door. Without even glancing at "his henchman," he snapped his fingers, signaling him to follow.
Danny approached from the sidewalk, raising his hand in a casual wave. "Raymundo Salazar!"
Salazar, acting like a celebrity caught in public, instinctively smiled—until he felt the cold steel of handcuffs locking around his wrists. His face froze.
"What's this about?"
"Raymundo Salazar, you're under arrest for the murder of David Talley," Danny said, securing the cuffs. "Don't remember me? Lucky for me, your lousy aim didn't kill me last time."
Danny pushed Salazar toward a squad car pulling up nearby. Realizing who had betrayed him, Salazar glared venomously at the salon, but Jack blocked his view.
"He's all yours. I'll see you back at the station," Jack told Danny before heading into the salon.
------------------
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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