As Jack drove Blainy back to the Shengshi Huating complex, they saw several police officers surrounding Jack's van with a police car parked nearby. Blainy immediately became alert and said nervously to Jack, "Stop and see what those cops are doing."
Jack had never encountered such a situation before, and his first instinct was to reverse and flee, but Blainy stopped him in time. "If you run now, it'll just make you look guilty."
"What should I do then? I don't want to go to jail," Jack said, his voice trembling with fear. He knew about the severe accident involving the car that chased them last night, and these officers were likely here because of that.
Blainy quickly devised a plan. "Listen to me and don't panic. If they ask about last night, say you thought someone was coming to bust you for running an illegal taxi service, so you fled. As for me, don't mention a single word. I promise I'll get you out. If you mention me, you're on your own in jail, and no one will save you."
Jack unbuckled his seatbelt and looked at Blainy, his eyes filled with pleading. "You have to save me. You must."
"Don't worry. I won't let you stay in there overnight," Blainy said confidently.
Jack felt slightly relieved, believing that as a prominent news anchor, Blainy should have enough connections in Tangzhou to help him. Besides, it seemed he had no other choice.
Following Blainy's instructions, Jack drove into the garage, and they both got out of the car.
"What's going on? Is there a problem with my van?" Jack asked, trying to stay calm.
Blainy also approached, not recognizing the officers, but they clearly recognized her. After all, Blainy was a local celebrity in Tangzhou.
"What's the matter?" Blainy asked.
"Whose van is this?" an officer asked.
"It's mine," Jack replied.
"Are you Jack? Please show us your driver's license and vehicle registration," an officer said with a smile.
Jack retrieved the registration from the van and his license from his wallet, handing them over to the officer. The officer looked them over and said, "Jack, we need your assistance with an investigation. Please come with us to the station."
Jack feigned confusion and looked at Blainy. "Cousin, should I go with them?"
"What's going on?" Blainy asked, approaching the officers.
"Blainy, this vehicle is involved in a traffic incident. We need to take it back for investigation," the officer explained.
"Did you get into an accident last night?" Blainy asked Jack.
"No, the van is fine, isn't it?" Jack said, pretending to be upset.
"No accident, but it's involved in a traffic incident?" Blainy pressed.
"We have our procedures," the officer replied with a smile.
"Alright, Jack, you go with them. Which station are you from?" Blainy asked.
Jack was taken away in a police car, and his van was towed. Blainy immediately returned to her villa and began contacting people she knew, hoping to get Jack released as soon as possible. She knew the longer Jack stayed in the station, the more unpredictable things could become.
Jack had never experienced such a situation before. Sandwiched between two officers, he felt extremely uneasy. He kept praying that Blainy would get him out quickly.
At the station, Jack was led into an interrogation room and strapped to an iron chair, facing two male officers. Jack was terrified but knew he had to trust Blainy.
"Tell us, Jack, what happened with the chase last night?" an officer asked.
Jack stuck to the story he had rehearsed in the car, trying to appear innocent. "That's exactly what happened. I thought they were busting illegal taxis. That's all I know."
"Do you think you've covered your tracks well, Jack? There are surveillance cameras at every intersection, including the scene of the accident. Think carefully. If you can't handle the consequences later, it might be too late," the officer warned him sternly.
"Me? Dead? This has nothing to do with me. You're trying to frame me!" Jack said, pretending to be outraged.
"Jack, the people chasing you last night weren't our officers or anyone busting illegal taxis. We found two guns on them at the scene. Do you think they were playing around?" The officer's words left Jack stunned. He realized the situation was far more serious than he had imagined.