Jack couldn't help but think back to the night before the big showdown when everyone had helped Hannah get her revenge (Chapter 179). That night, old Hunter had expressed his support and mentioned the group of old-timers backing him.
Jack had a feeling that in the future, he would be in for more surprises—or maybe shocks.
With a quiet sigh, he nodded and promised, "I'll give it a shot."
This wasn't false modesty or a cop-out. Jack only had a few people he could rely on, so he needed to make a few calls first.
After getting a room next to the Hunters, Jack lay down on the sofa and first called Wesley, Angela's wealthy husband. Wesley, whose family owned a law firm, was one of the few friends Jack had with a sense of "purpose."
Wesley hadn't planned on inheriting his father's law firm; instead, he dedicated himself to providing legal aid to underprivileged groups. Though still a bit of an idealist, after marrying Angela Lopez and dealing with the street-level criminals she encountered daily, he had become more grounded.
Still, he remained committed to his work for the poor and disadvantaged, akin to a volunteer lawyer.
Unfortunately, Wesley wasn't blind and didn't have superhuman hearing, and Los Angeles didn't have a "Hell's Kitchen," or Jack might have suspected Wesley of being Daredevil.
After explaining the situation to Wesley over the phone, the young lawyer seemed intrigued and promised to catch the earliest flight to New York after finishing his current work.
Hanging up, Jack pondered a bit before calling Taylor Kelly.
He hesitated making this call. Though the live broadcast of their stranded island incident with Jess had brought Taylor widespread fame and career success, it had also left Jack with a significant favor to repay.
Taylor had playfully suggested several times that she wouldn't mind "repayment in kind," but Jack, aware of her complicated relationship with Hannah, had always pretended not to understand.
Fortunately, this wasn't a big request. Jack merely asked if she knew any honest journalists in New York willing to uncover some dirty secrets.
Now a rising star in California's media scene, Taylor had won a Pulitzer Prize for her live coverage of Pioneer Airlines Flight 119, making her one of the hottest names in the industry.
Journalists thrive on connections, and after hearing Jack's story, Taylor quickly found a suitable candidate from her stack of business cards.
"Angel Dupree, a photojournalist and investigative reporter who's been with the *New York Post* for twenty years," she suggested.
"You're kidding, right? A 40-something Black guy named Angel?" Jack asked, skeptical.
Taylor giggled over the phone. "I'm not kidding. His name really is Angel. He's a stand-up guy. He was shot three times for reporting on the Hudson River pollution scandal, but he didn't back down after recovering."
"Thanks a lot, Taylor. When I get back to L.A., I'll take you to *The Little Door* for foie gras," Jack replied, taking down Angel's contact info and expressing his gratitude.
"Are you sure?" Taylor's voice suddenly turned flirtatious, her tone playful.
*The Little Door* was a French restaurant, known not only for its foie gras but also for being voted the most romantic restaurant in Los Angeles thanks to its unique decor.
"With Hannah," Jack added mischievously.
"Hmph!" Taylor pouted and hung up.
Jack then called Justin, asking her to gather some online information on Marla Grayson.
Feeling more confident, he returned to the room where the three elderly men were and gave them a bit of reassurance, although he still didn't have a concrete plan.
Later that night, Jack met with Angel Dupree, telling the investigative journalist about Joe Mason's ordeal, though he kept Joe's status as a retired CIA agent confidential.
The 40-something Black journalist turned out to be a decent guy. He agreed to investigate the situation and provide a timely update, even offering the three old men some comfort before leaving.
The next morning, just after picking Wesley up from the airport, Jack received a call from Dupree, inviting them to attend a court hearing.
That day, the Putnam County Family Court was hearing a case in which a man was suing Marla Grayson for illegally stripping him of his mother's guardianship. Dupree invited Jack to attend the hearing with him.
No one had expected Dupree to move so quickly, but since the three elderly men had already faced Grayson in court, Frank and the Hunters opted to stay out to avoid drawing attention. Jack and Wesley headed to the Putnam County Courthouse to meet up with Dupree.
Each state in the U.S. has different laws and court setups. In New York, for example, local courts include courts for traffic violations, small claims, and family matters like guardianship.
Some states or counties even have separate juvenile or bankruptcy courts. There's even a special court for traffic tickets, which Jack remembered watching videos of online, featuring a popular judge handling traffic violations—he had found it quite entertaining.
These specialized courts often lack juries, and lawyers are sometimes absent as well. The process is simple, efficient, and low-cost, with decisions made solely by the judge.
Similarly, these courts are typically open to the public. As long as privacy isn't an issue and the involved parties don't object, anyone, including journalists or ordinary people, can attend and observe the proceedings.
Of course, you still need to pass through security and show ID to enter the courthouse.
To avoid unnecessary suspicion, Jack didn't flash his FBI credentials, only showing his driver's license. He also left his Glock with Aunt Didi for safekeeping.
Despite the simplicity of the courtroom, the atmosphere remained serious and orderly. Observers were not allowed to bring electronic devices capable of recording or taking photos, including phones.
Entering courtroom L, Jack immediately recognized Marla Grayson at the defendant's table. After all, the actress who played her in the original movie was quite famous.
It was none other than Rosamund Pike, the British beauty who had the distinction of being the only Hollywood actress with a "proper" Chinese name, despite having no Chinese heritage.
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