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*****
Mike's sudden appearance genuinely startled John.
Staring at Mike, John's expression shifted rapidly. He said, "You're a mutant?"
After a brief pause, he asked nervously, "You know everything, don't you?"
"More or less. If you're willing to tell me the full story."
John couldn't hold back. "If you really know, then you should understand—I have no other choice."
"No," Mike replied with a faint smile. "You do have a choice."
He pointed at himself and said, "If it's about your wife, I might be able to help."
John looked surprised. "You're going to help me break her out of prison?"
"You're overthinking it."
John sighed and said, "It's impossible. Right now, breaking her out is the only way. Please, step aside—I don't want to drag you into—hey, hey, what are you doing?"
Before he could finish, Mike wrapped an arm around his neck and started walking him toward a nearby car.
"Cut the nonsense. If I say I can help, then I can help."
Mike spoke calmly. John struggled a few times but couldn't break free. He gave a bitter smile.
"Open the door."
Mike raised an eyebrow at him. Once John unlocked the door, Mike shoved him into the driver's seat and got into the passenger side himself.
"Talk. What exactly happened?"
John's lips trembled. He sighed heavily and said, "My wife got caught up in a murder case. The evidence was solid, and she was thrown into prison. You already know that."
"I do. You told me before."
"Recently, she tried to kill herself in prison. Thankfully, someone found her in time."
"I see. And then?"
John ran his hands through his hair, leaning back painfully in the seat. "If I don't save her, she'll try again. She's innocent!"
"Innocent? Do you truly believe she didn't do it?"
John nodded without hesitation. "I know her. She's not someone who could kill."
"Alright."
Mike fell silent for a moment, then said, "I'll have someone investigate the case. At their speed, we should get results quickly."
"Thank you," John said, managing a small smile. "But she's being transferred in two days. There's not enough time."
During the transfer, his wife would definitely try to end her life again.
Mike smiled slightly. "She won't."
He pulled out his phone. "Give me a minute."
He dialed a number, and as soon as the call connected, he said bluntly, "I need a favor."
"A favor? Did I hear that right?" came the surprised voice of Nick Fury.
Mike replied, "Cut the crap. I need you to look into a case for me."
Turning to John, he asked, "Your wife's name?"
"Lana Brennan."
Mike nodded and relayed the name to Nick Fury. "She's involved in a murder case, but I believe she's innocent. Check it out for me."
"Who is she? Your… heh heh?"
"My neighbor's wife."
"What? You're calling me in the middle of the night over your neighbor's wife?"
Nick Fury sounded completely speechless and snapped, "You called my emergency line for this?"
"Yep," Mike replied coolly. Ignoring Nick Fury's shouting on the other end, he continued, "By the way, she's being transferred in two days. Do something to keep her where she is for now." He glanced at John and added, "Get Lana to call her husband. I'm waiting for that call."
With that, Mike hung up directly.
On the other end, Nick Fury stared at his phone, fuming over being hung up on.
But a few seconds later, he let out a sigh and started dialing.
Back in the car, John looked at Mike, who had just finished the call, and asked, "Well?"
"Just wait. We'll get news soon," Mike replied calmly, leaning back and closing his eyes.
A few minutes later, John's phone rang. His hands trembling, he answered, "Hello?"
"John!"
A woman's emotional voice rang out.
"Lana."
John's voice trembled slightly. "What happened? Are you not being transferred anymore?"
"How did you know?" Lana asked in surprise, then said excitedly, "They just told me—and they even asked me to call you! But how is that even possible?"
"Lana, listen to me!" John said, just as excited. "I have a friend who's helping us. He's the one who stopped the transfer. So please, promise me—you won't try to take your own life again. We have hope now."
"Hope? Really?"
His wife couldn't hide her excitement either.
"Yes,"
John nodded, gently reassuring her.
There was no time limit on this call. They talked for a long while, and when they finally hung up, John turned to Mike, a little embarrassed.
"Thank you, Mike. Thank you so much! You saved us!"
John looked at Mike with gratitude, eyes slightly red.
It was the best news he'd heard in two years.
Mike gave a light smile and patted John on the shoulder. "Can we head back now?"
John took a deep breath and nodded.
On the way home, John chatted casually with Mike, and before long, they arrived.
Standing outside the door, Mike turned to John and said, "Get some rest. Sleep well. Treat today like it never happened. It won't be long before this whole thing is resolved."
"Thank you!"
John hugged Mike in excitement.
Mike patted his shoulder, turned around, opened the door, nodded at John still standing outside, and then quietly closed it behind him.
…
Wednesday.
Maybe it was because of Nick Fury's direct order, or maybe S.H.I.E.L.D. really was that fast.
In just three days, they'd found suspicious leads and arrested a suspect.
She was a drug-addicted street punk.
That day, she'd used a fire extinguisher to kill Lana's boss and then stole her money.
As for Lana, she truly was innocent. But due to a string of coincidences, all the evidence pointed directly at her, making her look like an undeniable murderer.
"Thanks, Fury."
After hearing the whole story, Mike offered his thanks.
According to Nick Fury, Lana had already started her release paperwork earlier that day. If everything went smoothly, she'd be home before dinner.
Mike hung up and headed out.
He needed to go buy groceries.
When he returned from the supermarket, Gwen was already home—and so were three unexpected guests.
John, Luke, and John's wife.
She was a blonde woman. Before Mike stepped inside, she'd been gazing lovingly at her husband and child, her eyes practically glued to them, unwilling to look away even for a second.
At the sound of the door opening, all four turned their attention toward Mike.
"Dad!"
Gwen called out, happily running up to him. She winked and said playfully, "You're amazing."
(End of Chapter)