Frank Reagan nodded slightly and instructed, "The FBI investigation can continue, but keep it low-key. We don't yet know how far up the chain this group reaches or how deeply they've infiltrated the ranks.
From now on, this secret stays within the small circle of people who are already aware. Give me a few days, and don't alarm anyone just yet. I'll inform Erin about it myself.
Danny, keep an eye on old cases in the system. If they went after Joey, there's bound to be a series of related cases. I need to know which ones might be connected to these people."
With Frank taking charge, and since the issue was both a matter of corrupt officers and the Reagan family's internal affairs, Jack naturally followed orders. Upon returning, he simply instructed Hannah to stop working late nights—after all, he had to take care of his girlfriend too.
Over the next few days, Jack remained busy. He still had to follow up on the baby trafficking case, which involved several families outside of New York State. Much evidence still needed to be collected.
The case was being jointly handled by the FBI and NYPD. Jack also brought in the IRS—what the Wakefield couple had done disgusted him so much that he vowed not to stop until they were bankrupt.
Fortunately, the main perpetrators had been arrested, and the gang involved had been taken down in a sweeping operation. Jack's role was mainly to monitor the progress of the joint task force set up by the FBI, NYPD, and IRS, write reports, and oversee things as a small leader—a relatively easy job.
Still, there were plenty of miscellaneous matters to deal with, starting with Yi-Jun Liu, a young, slender girl who had been anxiously staying in a small motel in Queens for the past few days.
After consulting with her, Jack arranged for her to move to Margrave, a small town where she could start a new life—one where she could live like an ordinary person, get married, and raise a family in the future.
Min-Tae Kim and her newborn child were placed under the WPP (Witness Protection Program). Jack confirmed through her that everything Yi-Jun Liu had previously said was true.
A girl trapped in such dire circumstances, willing to give up all her savings without hesitation to help a friend—Jack thought she was someone worth helping.
By the time all this was wrapped up, it was nearly the weekend. On Friday night, Jack cooked a few dishes and invited his neighbors, Rick Castle and Alexis, over for a small gathering.
The last time they'd had a get-together was months ago, but it hadn't ended well. Danny and his wife Linda had been ambushed on their way home and got caught up in a case involving a Peruvian gang boss who committed a public murder to cover up his infidelity.
Linda had been kidnapped during that ordeal and was deeply shaken. Shortly after, Jack went off to assist SEAL Team Six and disappeared for several months.
In his absence, Castle and Detective Kate Beckett's relationship seemed to have progressed. At least, they were now officially… well… partners on the job.
"You really should consider opening a fine-dining restaurant instead of writing books and competing with me," Castle said as he nearly swallowed his tongue savoring a delectable red wine-braised oxtail. Even when praising others, Castle couldn't resist a bit of self-promotion.
Jack's first novel had barely made it onto the bestseller charts, which was already a significant achievement for a debut author. However, compared to Castle's Nikki Heat series, whose first installment shot into the top 20 within two weeks, it paled in comparison.
Of course, Jack wasn't about to tell him that two of the romance novels dominating the charts alongside Castle's latest book—one about a billionaire CEO and another featuring a Middle Eastern prince—were written by Jack himself under pseudonyms.
Jack didn't comment on Castle's suggestion either. Cooking for friends was his way of enjoying life and experimenting with his creativity. Plus, friends who ate for free were less likely to complain—even if a dish didn't suit their tastes—unlike paying customers who felt entitled to criticize.
For example, in addition to the red wine-braised oxtail and pan-seared beef tongue, Jack also prepared marinated tripe. Castle wasn't a fan, but Alexis loved it, enjoying the slightly spicy, chewy texture.
Jack's tales of his experiences in Mexico once again blew Castle's mind. Stories of SEAL Team Six, private armies of drug lords, and even a nuclear submarine that came to extract him—it was a lot to take in. And Jack had only shared selected parts.
"It's such a pity," Castle mused. "If only you were a female FBI agent, even if you didn't have Kate's figure—"
Before Castle could finish his fantasy, Jack cut him off with a look of disgust. "I'll make sure to relay that thought, as well as the rest of what you were about to say, to Detective Kate Beckett."
The four of them laughed and chatted until midnight, at which point the father-daughter duo said their goodbyes. Before leaving, they even arranged a poker game for the following weekend at Castle's place. He had invited Beckett and a few of her colleagues for a night of Texas Hold'em, and judging by how things were going, their relationship seemed to be progressing nicely.
Hannah, however, had been swamped all week. The investigation into the "Blue Templar" had kept her working late into the night for several days, leaving her with noticeable dark circles under her eyes.
Jack was about to dig out some long-unused massage oils to pamper her when his phone suddenly rang. The caller ID revealed it was none other than Danny, notorious for ruining good moments.
Harlem at midnight was a place few would willingly visit. Even during the day, Jack would drive through with heightened caution. But tonight seemed different.
Pulling his Dodge Hellcat, with its flashing police lights, to a stop in the middle of the road, Jack stepped out and surveyed his surroundings. It wasn't that he lacked common courtesy; the area was already swarmed with patrol cars, and the streets had been cordoned off. The scene looked significant.
"What happened?" he asked, spotting Danny in a heavy coat, stomping his feet against the cold by the roadside.
Danny, knowing how busy Jack had been lately, wouldn't have called him at this hour unless it was something serious.
Leading Jack into the crime scene inside an apartment building, Danny spoke in a low voice. "Remember what my dad asked me to do? He wanted me to dig through old cases in the system for anything connected to those people.
Last month, there was a case in Brooklyn South. Two drug dealers were killed during a transaction, but no cash or contraband was found at the scene.
Tonight, four more are dead here. Same situation. Witnesses reported hearing a commotion and someone shouting, 'Police! Don't move!' Shortly after, there was a burst of gunfire."
"You suspect it's an inside job?" Jack asked quietly, avoiding mentioning the words "Blue Templar."
"That's my suspicion," Danny replied. He pulled a bagged piece of evidence—a Kevlar glove—from his coat pocket.
"There's more than one perpetrator. I suspect at least four. Two forced entry through the door, while the other two came in through the fire escape. One of them likely took off this glove while opening a window. It matches the style and material used by NYPD officers."
------------------
If you're enjoying this novel, please check out my new work: I Am Zeus, KING OF GODS ⚡
Your support means a lot! Reading, commenting, or voting with Power Stones helps the story grow and reach more readers. 🙌
------------------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get early access to chapters by joining my Patre@n!
Find me at: patre@n*com/Mutter
You can read each novel for $5 or get them all for just $15.
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)
[+50 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[+5 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]