Chapter 38: Detective Carter, Reese, and Finch
David examined the badge of one of the African-American female detectives—Jocelyn "Joss" Carter, NYPD.
The name seemed vaguely familiar, but David couldn't immediately place her.
However, David wasn't surprised by their arrival whatsoever.
Because he'd been a full witness to the assassin Harry's public execution.
Moreover, before that, he'd even performed emergency medical care on Harry.
It was completely normal for detectives to request his statement.
But for House and his team, this undoubtedly confirmed what David had just claimed.
David hadn't lied—he genuinely was connected to the criminal underworld!
For them, who operated in legitimate medicine, David's background was genuinely unnerving.
Now even NYPD had come knocking.
They watched David being escorted away by the detectives with shocked expressions, momentarily speechless.
Foreman's face at this moment looked like he'd swallowed something vile.
Who could've predicted that immediately after he'd declared that if David's story were true, the cops would come looking—the cops actually arrived?
If there wasn't an actual police cruiser parked outside, lights flashing, he'd genuinely suspect these were actors David had hired.
Wasn't David's background excessively dramatic?
Foreman, sensing something was off, just couldn't identify what exactly.
A thought he couldn't suppress suddenly exploded in his mind.
He wanted to use his special "breaking and entering" skills to investigate where David lived.
If he could find evidence of David's dealings with criminal organizations and hand it over to the cops, then David—who'd been irritating him—would be sent to prison by his hand!
House was also caught off-guard by the detectives' sudden appearance.
He'd originally just wanted to investigate David's background to confirm he could fulfill the fellow role adequately.
He hadn't anticipated David being so forthright about his experiences, much less the NYPD actually showing up.
This caught House somewhat unprepared.
Was the newcomer he'd considered hiring actually an experienced underground physician?
However, this also indirectly demonstrated David had no issues serving as his fellow.
At minimum, David's composure was absolutely solid—a fundamental quality any competent physician needed.
Furthermore, House himself held no particular judgment regarding David's activities.
As a healer, he didn't discriminate among patients—if someone needed treatment, you treated them. Simple as that.
In the awkward silence among the group, Cameron was first to speak:
"David will be okay, right?"
Chase, familiar with NYPD investigative procedures, smiled and stood:
"Don't worry. Even if David's genuinely culpable, the DA still has a long road before filing charges.
Besides, if David hasn't lied, at worst he's committed practicing medicine without proper licensing.
If he retains a competent attorney, he won't even see jail time—probably just pay a small fine."
Hearing Chase's assessment, Cameron finally exhaled in relief, releasing the tension.
After spending recent days together, she felt David was an excellent colleague.
With David present, seemingly all challenges were effortlessly resolved—this feeling was very... secure.
Just then, Foreman stood abruptly:
"Everyone, I forgot I promised my dad I'd watch the game with him tonight.
I need to head back now. I'll treat everyone next time as apology, sorry."
After speaking, Foreman immediately grabbed his coat and rushed out.
House watched Foreman's retreating figure thoughtfully.
There was no game tonight—seemed Foreman was just manufacturing an excuse to leave.
House shook his head and pulled the French cuisine plates that had been before Foreman and David toward himself.
"Alright, don't mind them. Let's eat."
After answering dozens of repetitive questions at the precinct, after confirming David had genuinely just been a bystander, Detective Carter opened the interrogation room door and gestured for David to leave.
Just then, a line of handcuffed suspects was being processed by other detectives.
Among them came a disheveled, unshaven homeless man reeking of whiskey and unwashed clothing.
Even with David ten meters away, the odor was overwhelming.
David, reflexively covering his nose and preparing to exit, suddenly froze.
He remembered where he'd seen Detective Carter—Person of Interest!
And the homeless man before him, who also seemed familiar, was the Machine's primary asset—John Reese!
Former U.S. Air Force Pararescue, former CIA operative, and an exceptionally capable individual!
Recognition immediately lit David's eyes.
Who would've thought—he hadn't located Frank, but he'd actually found Reese!
What an unexpected windfall!
Reese's presence meant there was a Machine in America similar to the precognition system from Minority Report!
Once he was sufficiently powerful, he could potentially access this Machine!
Then intelligence problems regarding dismantling the High Table would be effortlessly resolved!
The more David considered it, the more excited he became.
With the Machine's support, forget the High Table—even if Umbrella Corporation existed in this world, he could challenge them.
Though David hadn't discovered any signs of Umbrella's existence here.
Currently, this world's technological development didn't seem adequate to support a mega-corporation like Umbrella.
David shook his head—now wasn't the time for such speculation.
He exited the precinct's main entrance and scanned the area.
He quickly noticed a black Town Car parked at the corner.
This was the vehicle Finch had sent to collect Reese.
David actively approached and tapped on the darkly tinted privacy window.
The window descended, revealing a stern face that asked cautiously:
"Help you?"
David smiled slightly:
"I'd like to speak with your employer. Uh, your employer is Harold Finch, correct?
A dead man?"
Hearing David's words, the vehicle's occupants immediately tensed, hands rising slightly.
As if aiming weapons through the door at David's vital areas.
Their employer's identity was classified! This kid somehow knew this secret!
Their first assumption was they'd been compromised!
Fortunately, someone in back suddenly received communication.
After brief exchange, everyone's expressions relaxed, hands lowering.
"Get in. After we collect someone, we'll take you to see our employer."
David nodded, pulled open the door, and entered.
Shortly after, Reese—who'd been released on bail via lawyer—also approached.
Reese, settling into the vehicle, regarded David—whom he'd briefly encountered at the precinct—with curiosity.
"Did you post my bail? Do I need to reimburse you?"
David shook his head:
"No, the person we're about to meet posted your bail. And he'll be your partner for the foreseeable future."
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