"Stay put and don't wander off. It won't take long for you to regain your freedom." Jack escorted Sylvia to a safe house and handed her a small, round locator device.
"If something unexpected happens, press it hard for three seconds, and I'll find you. Keep it on you at all times, understood?"
Given the clichés often seen in similar situations, Jack had specifically requested some gadgets from the internal technical department to prevent any mishaps.
"Where should I hide it?" Sylvia held the coin-sized device, looking unsure.
"You're a woman. Do I really have to explain it to you?" Before Jack could finish his sentence, he was dumbfounded as Sylvia naively pulled down the waistband of her shorts.
"Here, let me do it." He snatched the device, hooked the collar of her shirt, and tucked it between her cleavage.
"There will be plainclothes officers outside the house providing 24-hour surveillance in shifts. Write a list of any groceries or daily necessities you need, and they'll take care of it for you. In at most two days, I'll bring the federal marshals to have you sign the necessary WPP documents, and then we'll get you out of New York."
After some thought, Jack pulled out an unregistered phone and handed it to her. "Don't do anything stupid. Call me if there's an issue. Absolutely no social media or anything similar. Do I need to spell it out further?"
Sylvia nodded repeatedly, looking very obedient. "Got it. I'll just watch TV these few days."
Seeing her so cooperative, Jack bid her farewell, exchanged a few words with a plainclothes female officer stationed outside, and drove off to NYPD headquarters.
The NYPD headquarters was bustling with activity. Raymundo Salazar was being loaded into a prisoner transport vehicle. The NYPD's ESU tactical unit led the way in armored vehicles, with helicopters patrolling overhead. The entourage was grand and imposing.
Jack approached Danny, who was watching the spectacle, and fist-bumped him. "Is your family taken care of?"
"A squad of officers is stationed outside the kids' school to pick them up when classes end. They'll be taken to my father's place, where Grandpa will look after them. I also sent two guys to Staten Island to pick up Linda; she's packing and will head over later."
Danny had already been repeatedly reminded by Jack to secure his family and not leave any openings for the enemy. He had informed his family last night. While his two kids were unaware, Linda had been understanding, though she was more worried about her husband's safety.
As the NYPD commissioner, his home was naturally a fortress. Satisfied with Danny's arrangements, Jack shifted the conversation to the recent arrest.
"What was Raymundo Salazar's reaction after being caught?"
"A bit too calm," Danny sneered. "He thinks he won't be held for long—until I told him I'd personally testify against him."
"Better to stay cautious. Don't celebrate too soon," Jack advised, preferring to err on the side of caution.
As the convoy departed, Jack was about to ask Danny about his plans for the evening—whether he'd stay at the station or make other arrangements—when he felt a tap on his shoulder.
"Well, well, look who's here! Isn't that my dear sister?"
Jack turned in the direction Danny gestured, spotting Irene walking over with a tall, lanky middle-aged man.
"What's up?" Danny hugged his younger sister tightly, lifting her off the ground.
"Here to share some good news."
Irene, laughing and shaking her head, lightly punched her brother and straightened her clothes. She then extended her hand to Jack. Dressed in designer fashion, carrying a luxury handbag, and wearing sky-high heels, she epitomized the urban New York woman.
"I'm convening a grand jury and will officially file charges on Wednesday. I'll need you to testify then." The tall man, introduced as Lyle Greenly, the special prosecutor for the drug cartel case, spoke to Danny before extending a polite hand to Jack, as Irene introduced them.
"Two days to get it done? Impressive," Danny remarked with raised eyebrows. Though his tone carried a hint of sarcasm, his improved mood softened the edge.
"This is the first time we have a solid case against Raymundo Salazar. It's a significant milestone," Greenly said, though his worried expression betrayed his unease.
"Ah, you're worried about the witnesses, right? Maybe that Salazar might come after me?" Danny, ever brash, slung his arm over Jack's shoulder—a comical gesture given their height difference.
"Do you know who he is? This is an FBI elite agent who just earned a commendation. Two hours ago, I watched him take down a 200-pound thug like he was a baby. Unless the Elmar mob starts rolling tanks through the streets, they'll stand no chance."
Jack rolled his eyes as he brushed off Danny's arm. It felt like his back was riddled with metaphorical flags. In his past life, he'd even seen a video of a Sherman tank rampaging through an American street, with a string of helpless police cars trailing behind.
"Better safe than sorry," Greenly said, unbothered by Danny's demeanor, and offered a solemn reminder. "Salazar is a heartless monster, capable of anything."
Noting Greenly's cautious demeanor, Jack couldn't help but think the prosecutor lacked the courage his role demanded. Then again, his experience with prosecutors was limited—aside from Irene, the last one he'd dealt with was the overconfident assistant prosecutor Sean Delmont from the Rosalind Dale serial killer case. All things considered, excessive caution was preferable to overconfidence.
"That's because this beast has never crossed paths with the Reagan family," Danny quipped, hands on his hips, earning an exasperated eye-roll from Irene.
"You look just like you did as a kid, pretending to be Superman in front of me."
"Really? Haven't I always been bulletproof?"
After a bit of sibling banter, Danny composed himself and extended an invitation. "Care for a cup of coffee inside?"
Irene shook her head. "It looks like you'll be drinking coffee alone. In 20 minutes, Dad will hold a press conference across the plaza. Jack will represent the FBI."
"Uh," Jack blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected to be roped into this. Resigned, he nodded in acknowledgment.
Fifteen minutes later, a podium bristling with microphones was set up in Police Plaza. Jack, after ending a phone call, stood behind Commissioner Frank Reagan, flanked by Irene and Greenly.
Dana Mosier had confirmed Jack's participation in the NYPD press conference. Thankfully, he wasn't required to speak—just to make an appearance.
Frank Reagan stepped up to the podium, cleared his throat, and began.
"Good afternoon. Thank you all for coming. The NYPD is pleased to announce the apprehension of the notorious drug lord Raymundo Salazar. He has been formally detained this morning and will face charges for the murder of David Tully."
After this concise statement, he looked out at the throng of reporters. "Now, we'll take questions."
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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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