Chapter 66: Tyler Kelly
Jack picked up his two handguns from the ground, noticing two slight scratches on the ivory grip of his Python revolver. He felt a bit distressed; this artwork of a weapon was more expensive than the second-hand car he was currently driving.
The two wounded medics were rushed inside for emergency treatment, and the female shooter was also taken into the hospital under police custody for her injuries.
Dr. Morgan, seemingly unfazed by the chaos, held a bandage to his grazed arm and nodded at Jack.
"Come on, Officer Bradford needs to be quarantined for 24 hours, and you should come with me to treat your injuries."
Jack entered the hospital, his mind elsewhere. Initially, there hadn't been much to worry about, but the recent incident left him with a headache. Zoe would undoubtedly be busy tonight, and the spectacled girl had reportedly been assisting the FBI with profiling a serial killer and wouldn't be back until before Christmas.
Was he going to spend the night alone at home? The thought was quite disheartening.
His arm, grazed by Angela's bullet, was re-bandaged, and the slight scrape on his forehead was treated with ointment. The burn on his left hand was discreetly healed with a spell, leaving only a minor redness.
Soon, the once-brave Jack made a hasty exit from the hospital, not only dodging young nurses eagerly asking for his contact details but also avoiding middle-aged women trying to slip notes into his pockets.
As he stepped outside, he saw John and the others still there, being interviewed by a pretty blonde reporter with a cameraman. Starving, Jack was about to sneak away when Lucy called out to him.
"Jack, this is the heroic officer from earlier. Any questions, feel free to ask him."
The group, all in sync, stepped back, and a microphone was promptly shoved in Jack's face.
"Hello, Officer Jack Tavares. I'm Tyler Kelly, anchor for Channel 8 News. Would you mind sharing the details of how you thwarted this violent act? The public would certainly be interested."
Having a TV camera in his face for the first time in two lifetimes, Jack felt slightly nervous but maintained his signature shy smile, flashing a set of white, perfectly aligned teeth under the fill light.
"Protecting the public is the duty of the LAPD. Stopping this premeditated terrorist attack was a team effort of all officers at the Wilshire Division."
"I'm sorry, the case isn't fully closed, and I can't reveal too many details. My colleagues and I have been working since morning till late at night, hardly having eaten. If you don't mind..."
The young, attractive reporter seemed particularly understanding, signaling the cameraman to stop filming, but she didn't let Jack off the hook just yet. Biting her lip, she gave him a sultry look.
"Would I be honored to invite the brave officer for dinner?"
"Uh?" Jack quickly replaced his professional smile. Wasn't this smile supposed to be especially effective on maternal figures? Why was this young lady, who seemed about the same age as Hannah, interested?
"Well, I already made plans with my colleagues. They're waiting for me."
Not good at refusing women, Jack gave an awkward smile.
Tyler Kelly didn't push further but slipped a business card into Jack's uniform pocket, her delicate hand seemingly brushing his chest muscles intentionally. She mimed a phone call gesture, mouthing the words "CALL ME" without sound.
"I saw her assault you. Should I arrest her for you?"
As the journalists left, John stood beside Jack, teasing with a broad grin.
Jack rolled his eyes in disdain. He preferred watching drama rather than being the center of it. He then glared at Angela, who had a peculiar expression on her face.
"Tonight's dinner is on me, but you still owe me for the uniform. No ratting me out to Hannah."
Though they called it dinner, it was just a quick bite at a burger joint before everyone went their separate ways. Regardless of any administrative leave tomorrow, they all had reports to file at the station. Except for Lucy, everyone had fired at least one magazine.
Feeling troubled, Jack drove his second-hand Chevy Spark home. He parked in the garage and was about to close the door when a familiar figure opened the passenger door and jumped in.
Jack was startled but quickly realized it was Zoe, and his hand moved away from his Glock.
"I thought you'd be busy tonight." After a passionate kiss that left him breathless, Jack asked.
Zoe licked her slightly swollen lips, leaned over the center console, and reclined his seat, pressing her body against his. Her gaze turned dangerous.
"Was that Channel 8 reporter pretty?"
With his survival instinct kicking in, Jack quickly handed over the business card.
"Not as classy as you, her skin isn't as nice. She relies on expensive makeup. Look at you, you don't even need wax."
He gently caressed her smooth cheek with the back of his hand. Zoe flipped his hand over and pressed it against her face, sighing.
"I just wanted you to know that Tyler Kelly's father is a judge at the LA Superior Court. She's aware of your relationship with Hannah and deliberately came to provoke you."
"Really?" Jack was surprised, not expecting the news anchor to have such a significant background.
"Do they have a grudge?"
Zoe shook her head. "They were high school classmates after Hannah moved to LA, and fierce rivals. They competed in everything from academics to extracurricular activities, even fashion. Their rivalry has lasted for years."
Jack suddenly understood. "So she flirted with me to embarrass Hannah?"
Zoe thought for a moment. "Maybe? She could also be curious. I even suspected she had a crush on Hannah."
"Hiss!" Jack gasped. She was not just a rival but a potential romantic threat.
"Don't worry, I'll keep our integrity intact. No chance for the enemy to exploit."
Zoe laughed, collapsing onto him. "I know you too well. You can't refuse a pretty woman, especially not one like her."
This was definitely not the time to agree with her, so Jack refrained from saying anything further, almost swearing an oath of celibacy.
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