Since the injury wasn't severe, Nia was allowed to leave the hospital after being observed in the ward for several hours. Jimmy drove the Suburban to take Nia home. Thanks to her mother-in-law's preparation, Nia's room was reorganized to accommodate and move a wheelchair.

Jimmy didn't go back to work today; he didn't need the wages that much and didn't see the point in overexerting himself. At moments like these, staying with Nia was more important. He stayed at her house until the evening before returning to his own apartment to rest; he felt awkward staying there, and it wasn't convenient.

Chuck had already started the investigation. The driver of the vehicle involved in the incident was also sent to the hospital. He was luckier; because his car collided head-on with the side of Nia's car, the airbags saved him, resulting in just a concussion and a broken nose, along with some bruises but no fractures.

However, there's a bit of a problem: this person's car turned out to be stolen, and the license plate was incorrect. After checking the VIN, the vehicle registration information was found to be in New Jersey.

Since the injury wasn't serious, the driver has been detained in the holding center. What started as a traffic accident unexpectedly turned out to involve a car thief using a fake license plate, which wouldn't end smoothly.

Chuck was also troubled, as car thefts in the United States were particularly frequent. Most cases followed insurance protocols, with people contacting their insurance companies after reporting to the police. Some stolen cars simply swapped plates, some ignored everything and drove off, while others reconstructed the VIN for resale and new registration.

The nature of this traffic accident has changed, and Chuck needs to investigate the driver's situation to see if it was a deliberate attack on Nia, as the patrol officer hadn't detected the vehicle, and it wasn't a pursuit accident.

The next day, Jimmy called Chuck after going to work to understand the current situation. Since this was a car accident, Nia needed to communicate with the insurance company as well. The driver's awkward situation also delayed handling the insurance for Nia's Mini.

Before the end of the workday, Chuck called Jimmy to invite him for a drink. Jimmy was puzzled but found it hard to keep a straight face once Chuck explained the situation at the bar.

Nia had been working with Chuck for over two years and it was time for her to handle cases independently. Therefore, she was primarily responsible for a recent murder case, paired with another young detective for the investigation.

This arrangement was to nurture Nia's skills and because Chuck was nearing retirement. Nia would have to work with others eventually, and using the remaining time to find suitable pairings was crucial for every veteran detective, especially an old officer like Chuck who had seen gang violence during the 80s and 90s.

Through visits and investigations, Nia and the team had identified two suspects. They couldn't pinpoint who it was yet, so they needed to investigate both individuals.

Early yesterday morning, Nia and her team left in their own car once more. The police car model was too conspicuous, so it was normal to use a personal car as cover during an unofficial investigation.

However, while Nia and her partner were tracking one suspect, they were sideswiped at an intersection. Nia was knocked unconscious, but the other detective, being in the back of the car, was unharmed, halting the tracking to call in patrol officers to handle the accident.

Chuck took a sip of his drink, "The person Nia and her team were tracking is a gang member, an enforcer from the Poison Snake Gang, nicknamed Lightning, tall and slender. He reportedly appeared multiple times near the murder scene."

Jimmy: "The Poison Snake Gang? Tell me more."

Chuck: "A small gang in Hell's Kitchen, with only a few core members and about dozens including the underlings. They own a bar and a restaurant, with a territory spanning a few blocks."

Jimmy: "Are they involved in the murder case?"

Chuck: "There's no direct evidence pointing to them, but in my opinion, it's highly likely."

Jimmy: "Is the driver of the incident connected to them?"

Chuck: "No, but his brother is linked to the Poison Snake Gang."

Jimmy: "So, the connection is still there. Did you check his phone?"

Chuck: "His contact list and call records were clean. Though we didn't have a search warrant, our person took a glance at the phone when it was retrieved."

Jimmy: "Very professional."

Chuck nodded: "Yes, since there isn't sufficient cause for a search warrant, we can't access his call records. However, considering his brother's ties and the current suspects, there is a significant correlation."

Jimmy: "Investigate further. If it's determined that future actions are impeded, let me know, and I'll deal with it."

Chuck chuckled and raised his glass, "Here's to Nia's speedy recovery."

Jimmy clinked glasses with him, "Thanks."

Chuck knew Jimmy well, including his character. By sharing the current investigation results, Chuck was prepping Jimmy. Following the old-school detective approach, there was no need to follow procedures once the attacker of a detective was confirmed; the rest was about eliminating them.

The gang members should mentally prepare for this. If they didn't grasp it, then let reality teach them to adhere to order and respect those who allow them room to exist.

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