Jack didn't participate in the second half of Harry's interrogation of Helen last night. He and Jessie went to the dam to release her.
Later, Gibson told him that Harry had asked several questions that so infuriated Helen that she even picked up a bar stool and smashed the glass wall.
Helen admitted that she was simply obsessed and seeking a little excitement, though it wasn't sexual excitement, but rather her own dull life.
This wasn't difficult to understand; even Jessie, her daughter, saw it.
While not exactly widowhood, Helen's life did share some similarities with Alana, the wife of a "military wife" Jack knew, Jason, the captain of Team B.
Both of their husbands were often away from home for months at a time, but Alana at least had the companionship of her fellow soldiers and their families, providing her with some comfort in her dedication.
After all, while soldiers dedicate themselves to their country, their loved ones also receive recognition and praise from all sides, even if it's merely verbal.
As the wife of a secret agent, Helen herself was practically unaware of the situation, which made her life rather dull.
Simon's clumsy deception was merely a prelude. As Jess said, she understood and respected her mother's choices, even if she had indeed cheated.
Some topics were so clichéd that it was difficult to judge right or wrong. Issues like a husband working hard to support the family neglecting his wife's feelings, and a long period of lack of communication leading to emotional detachment between the two.
Even Jack, who had never experienced marriage before, could offer a coherent explanation based on his own experience.
But marriage isn't about finding evidence and investigating a case, then finding the truth, bringing the murderer to justice, or even simply executing him, and then everything is settled.
Fortunately, both parties involved were relatively normal, emotionally speaking.
After a hysterical outburst of humiliation from Harry's questions like "Did you sleep with Simon?" and "Do you still love your husband?", the simple-minded Helen began her efforts to save her family.
She didn't want to be imprisoned as a spy, didn't want her "scandal" exposed, and even more so, didn't want her family to be destroyed because of her momentary folly.
"So you recruited your wife as a temporary agent? And orchestrated a 'seduction' mission for her?" Jack gave Harry an admiring middle finger.
He usually just played cosplay with the girls, or at most played games, with the losers getting punished. But this elderly couple was even into "script-killing.
" "Will you help me?" Harry ignored the middle finger and shoved a plan in front of him.
"Of course I will," Jack sighed helplessly, picking up the mere A4 sheet of paper.
Since the general plot direction had automatically corrected, there was no reason for him to force it. He understood the importance of not going against that abstract world consciousness.
"Anyway, I wouldn't be the one to suffer if something goes wrong, but your position as a candidate for the future head of Omega might be in jeopardy,"
Harry shrugged nonchalantly. "Who knows?"
Thanks to Don's successful re-election, this world hasn't seen the so-called "Capitol Hill Incident." While the FBI is plagued by factions and internal strife, at least the president hasn't been in trouble.
Therefore, compared to CIA agents, FBI agents have it much easier.
Since Harry didn't mind, Jack didn't say anything either. After all, behind him was Jessie, who was eager to take in the fun.
-
At 10:30 pm, Helen hurried out of the house in her red Honda. A short time later, Gibson's GMC arrived and picked up Harry.
Finally, Jack's Audi R8 slowly drove up and stopped at the door. Jessie looked out before sprinting into the car.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Jack slowly helped the girl fasten her seat belt.
"Do you think my mom will let my dad off so easily after she finally learns the truth?"
Jessie said confidently. "Is there anyone better suited to be the fire extinguisher than me?"
Fine, your whole family looks so convincing. Reluctantly, Jack started the car and drove to the Marriott.
Harry's previous cover, the alias Rehnquist, was still in effect, so he used it to stay in the Marriott's long-term suite.
An hour earlier, at 10 p.m., Gibson called Helen and arranged a so-called undercover mission, requiring her to arrive at the hotel front desk within an hour to pick up an envelope containing further instructions.
The envelope, left by Jack, contained the suite's number and a bug.
Helen was told that she was now a stripper, her target a dangerous international arms dealer, and that she needed to perform a performance and then use the opportunity to plant the bug in the room.
While the whole mission sounded flawed, it was thrilling enough for Helen, a housewife who could be fooled by a swindler like Simon.
Jack had furnished Harry's suite with everything, including red wine, an ice bucket, and roses. He even paid for the adjacent room, albeit out of his own pocket, to satisfy a certain naive daughter's voyeuristic needs.
Everything was going smoothly. Helen, heavily made up and without her glasses, entered the room and, in the dim light, gave Harry, posing as an international arms dealer, a half-professional erotic dance.
But even the most aging couple had their moments of escapades. Harry, entranced, forced himself into a scene, pushing Helen down onto the bed for a passionate kiss. In his ecstasy, he was struck in the head by the bedside telephone.
"Helen, it's me," Harry groaned, collapsing onto the carpet.
Helen, who had been about to rush out the door after reclaiming her skirt and bag, froze in her tracks. "Harry? Is that you?"
"Yes, it is. I'm sorry. I know this is a little strange, but I'll explain." Harry gasped, clutching his head. Though tough, he'd taken two hard knocks.
"My turn."
Before Jack could react, Jessie, who had been eavesdropping from the door, flung it open. "Wow, surprise? Look what I found! My secret agent dad and mom, are you celebrating your anniversary early?"
"Jessie!?" The parents in the room turned around in surprise.
Jessie leaned against the door with her arms folded, looking at her father with a smug look. "Dad, now you have no reason to object to my becoming an FBI agent, right?"
"Jack! Are you here too?" Unlike Helen, who was still in a state of confusion, Harry instantly thought of someone who was behind the scenes.
"I said I was coerced. Do you believe me?" Jack cautiously poked his head out from behind Jessie.
"What the hell is going on? Who is this guy?" Helen, completely driven mad by the chaotic scene before her, screamed in despair. She hadn't even zipped up the back of her dress yet.
Then, even more chaos ensued. The door to the suite was kicked open, and several Middle Eastern men armed with submachine guns rushed in.
"Don't move!"
"Don't move! Anyone who moves will be killed!"
(End of this chapter)