The good news was that the Beretta BU9Nano Jack had given to Eileen wasn't in her purse. This suggested the situation hadn't taken a turn for the absolute worst yet.
Frank quietly pushed open the door to Eileen's office. The room was empty. Her desk phone was set aside, still connected to the ongoing call with Frank's cellphone.
Jack observed as Frank, his expression heavy with worry, calmly hung up the call. Jack spoke in a low voice, "She must've noticed something was wrong, ditched her shoes, and found a place to hide."
Frank didn't respond. He just gave a slight nod and exited the office. They moved silently down the corridor, deeper into the internal office area.
As they rounded a corner, Jack suddenly tapped Frank on the shoulder and pointed to his ear, motioning for him to listen closely. Faintly, the sound of an office door opening and closing echoed down the hallway, followed by a disgusting, oily voice reverberating through the building.
"Eileen, Eileen, sweetheart... you can't hide from me. Don't worry, Madam Prosecutor, we've got the whole night to play."
"I've been thinking about you ever since I got locked up. Where are you, my darling? Come out, come out, wherever you are. Are you in this room? Oh, what a shame. Or maybe this one? Nope, not here either. You love playing hide-and-seek, don't you? But where could you possibly be hiding?"
Jack clenched his fists, his patience wearing thin. He wanted nothing more than to step into the corridor and put a bullet in this piece of filth. But today wasn't his show to steal. Frank, holding his small revolver, was inching cautiously toward the corridor's bend with a murderous look on his face.
Jack now realized why Frank had refused his security detail earlier. It wasn't about protocol or appearances—it was personal. Deciding to let Frank take center stage, Jack resolved to play backup. Though he couldn't help but wonder how much of Frank's old marksmanship skill had survived his years behind a desk.
That revolting voice continued to echo through the corridor. Jack could see the veins bulging on the back of Frank's hands as he gripped the revolver, his anger barely restrained.
"Do you have any idea how I spent my days in prison? Every single day, I replayed the moments from that courtroom in my head. Oh, sweetie, your words cut me so deep. But that's okay, because every time I thought of you, my desire burned brighter."
"And those legs of yours... crossing so elegantly under the table, the way your toes would sometimes tease upward... oh, it drove me wild."
Jack peeked around the corner for a quick glance. Dick Reed, dressed in a janitor's uniform, was walking slowly down the corridor, checking each office door. He held only a knife, completely unconcerned and oozing smugness as he muttered his vile monologue.
Relieved that Reed wasn't carrying a gun, Jack felt more confident leaving this matter in Frank's hands. It wasn't his time to act—Frank deserved this moment.
Reed opened another office door. Jack couldn't see what was inside, but Reed's smile suddenly froze on his face.
At that exact moment, Frank stepped into the corridor, his revolver aimed directly at Reed. "Don't move, you disgusting insect!" Frank barked, his voice filled with righteous fury.
But before Frank could pull the trigger—or even finish his sentence—two gunshots rang out, followed by a startled scream. Blood blossomed from Reed's abdomen and chest as he staggered backward and collapsed onto the floor, writhing in pain.
"Sweetheart, it's me!" Frank rushed forward, kicking the knife away from Reed's hand. Eileen emerged from the office, her hands trembling as she clutched the Beretta BU9Nano.
At the sight of her father, the stoic prosecutor broke down completely, all her pent-up fear and anxiety erupting into tears.
"Are you okay, darling?" Frank asked, pulling her into a tight embrace. He cupped her face with one hand, gently wiping away her tears.
Eileen nodded vigorously, sobbing so hard she could barely breathe. In that moment, she seemed like a little girl again, seeking solace in her father's arms after a nightmare.
Jack holstered his Glock and approached Reed, who lay on the floor coughing up blood. He sighed softly. It wasn't that he wanted to interrupt this touching father-daughter moment, but Eileen's aim had been almost too precise. One shot to the abdomen, another to the stomach—both in non-lethal areas. With 9mm Parabellum rounds, there was a chance he could survive if an ambulance arrived quickly.
"Should I call 911?" Jack asked, addressing Frank rather than Reed.
"I'll handle it," Frank said coldly. Taking the Beretta from Eileen's hand, a fierce gleam flashed in his eyes. "In your next life, remember to stay far away from the Reagans."
Bang!
The next day, headlines across all major newspapers blared the same sensational story: NYPD Commissioner Frank Reagan Heroically Shoots Attacker Targeting His Daughter.
At the press conference, the mayor couldn't stop smiling. Of course, his joy had nothing to do with Frank's bravery. Just before the conference, the FBI and DOI (New York City Department of Investigation) had announced a joint task force to investigate the city councilwoman who had been his biggest obstacle to re-election. Her embezzlement scandal was now front and center.
Jack watched the news unfold from the comfort of a New Jersey hotel room. He had traveled there to visit Hannah, who was still bogged down with a slow-moving case. His plan was to spend a few days with her, cooking some comforting meals to lift her spirits, before heading off to Virginia Beach.
Of course, he had another reason for being in New Jersey. Though he didn't say it aloud, he was curious to see if the joint task force included an exceptionally handsome FBI consultant with a penchant for dashing hats—a man named Neal Caffrey.
(Note: Neal Caffrey is a character from the show White Collar, known for his charm and suave demeanor.)
After all, it was important to keep a close eye on such charismatic men. They had a way of charming women, and Jack was determined to ensure Hannah stayed far away from anyone who might compete for her attention.
Jack's trip to Virginia Beach was prompted by some good news from Jason Hayes, leader of SEAL Team Bravo. Jason's team member, Clay Spenser, was considering a career change.
Clay's girlfriend, Stella, was pregnant, and the news had sparked his desire to temporarily step back from the intensity of Bravo Team's operations. Jason, though slightly disappointed—he had hoped Clay would one day take over as team leader—was genuinely happy for him.
But stepping back wasn't as simple as it sounded. Moving to Green Team, the SEAL reserves, would leave a mark on Clay's military record that could hinder future promotions or assignments. Jason had reached out to Jack not just as a favor but to offer Clay an alternative.
Jack, who had previously expressed interest in recruiting veterans for his new task force, saw this as an opportunity. If he could pitch the FBI as a viable next step for Clay, it would be a win-win for everyone involved.
With that in mind, Jack packed his bags, ready to visit Virginia Beach. Even if the recruitment didn't pan out, at least he'd get to catch up with an old friend.
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 391)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 471)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 677)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 1059)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1418)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1422)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1452)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1504)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld!(Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 703)
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