Chapter 29: Chapter 29: Investigating Me?
When the incident first occurred, Amanda saw the news. As usual, their mother called Owen to confirm his safety but received no answer. She didn't think much of it, assuming he was on a mission and couldn't pick up the phone. She was well aware of how busy Los Angeles police could be, as this wasn't the first time it had happened.
Later, when McClane and Owen's identities were exposed, it scared both of them. They drove directly to the scene but couldn't get in until they saw Carlos, who then led them past the police line.
The police eventually made contact with Owen, but for the sake of the mission's security, Jack Bauer did not arrange for Owen to speak with his family until everything was over.
After calming his mother and sister, Owen sat in the back of the ambulance, letting the doctor beside him perform a check-up while a nurse treated his wounds.
Owen was wrapped in a coat, a temporary garment found by Carlos since he had taken off his shirt inside the building. The nights in Los Angeles were still somewhat chilly.
"Alright, there seems to be no serious issue for now, but I still recommend that you go to the hospital tomorrow for a thorough examination," the doctor advised Owen after the check-up.
"Okay, I will. Thank you."
After the doctor and nurse left, having many other tasks to attend to with several SWAT members injured and minor injuries caused by the explosion, Owen turned to reassure his mother and sister, "See, Mom, I told you, there's nothing to worry about."
Their expressions finally eased, finding the doctor's words more convincing. They had been terrified, primarily because Owen looked so dreadful, covered in wounds and blood, with his face swollen like a pig's head and his clothes torn from the explosions. His hair and face were also a mess.
After comforting his mother and sister for a while, Owen had Carlos take them home. He couldn't leave yet as CTU had already confirmed that the robbers and the stolen goods were in the assault vehicle, but they had all died.
The only ones who knew the whole story, aside from the hostages, were Owen and McClane, so they had to report everything to CTU. However, McClane had been shot and taken to the hospital, so it fell on Owen to tell the story.
Half an hour later, Owen followed Jack Bauer and others back to CTU's Los Angeles branch.
CTU's office was a plain, three-story building that looked ordinary and drab from the outside.
Inside, it was quite nice, with a huge screen displaying maps and data, just as Owen remembered.
Owen was brought into a meeting room where he was asked to recount the entire incident in detail.
The attendees included CTU's Jack Bauer, Deputy Director Nina, the West Hollywood Police Chief Javier, and SWAT Team Leader Powell.
Owen recounted everything that happened in the Nakatomi Plaza, how he met McClane, the subsequent alarm, their escape, the rooftop battle, reuniting with McClane, rescuing hostages, and the bomb, without omitting any details. As for why he was there, Owen used the excuse of meeting an informant, who indeed operated in that area.
"So, you were going to meet your informant near Nakatomi Plaza when the incident happened?"
"Yes."
"That's quite a coincidence, Officer Owen, don't you think it's a bit far-fetched?"
"Uh..."
Owen was slightly embarrassed, having tried to make his story as believable as possible, but it was clear that not everyone was convinced. Thankfully, he had initially planned to say he was there to use the restroom.
"Sorry, Officer Owen, no offense, but that's absurd. I suggest you tell the truth..."
Deputy Director Nina did not mind being the one to voice doubts, as she harbored some suspicion towards Owen.
Although Owen's actions did not suggest he was in league with the robbers, his timing was too convenient, and with the untraceable bonds destroyed, no one could say for sure if those were all there was.
Owen shrugged, indicating there was nothing he could do if they didn't believe him. The attendees looked at each other, knowing Owen wasn't telling the truth but also not believing he was a terrorist or the mastermind.
They needed to align their thoughts privately, so Owen was asked to wait in another meeting room. He was glad for the break, taking the opportunity to observe how this mysterious national machine operated.
"Oh, that's Tony...that's Chloe..."
Sitting in the meeting room, Owen idly watched CTU members work through the glass, pleased to recognize a few of them, unaware that the trio in the original meeting room were watching him through surveillance.
"I agree to use a polygraph."
"Me too."
Seeing Powell and Javier agree, Jack Bauer nodded at Nina, who then left the meeting room. Minutes later, the monitor showed her entering the room with Owen, carrying a set of equipment.
...
"This is standard procedure for a matter of this importance. I hope you can understand..."
Although Nina apologized, her attitude was strictly professional.
Owen, slightly annoyed, understood that anyone who had gone through a life-or-death situation only to be subjected to a lie detector test to prove their innocence wouldn't be pleased.
Moreover, knowing that Nina was a traitor who later caused the deaths of Jack Bauer's wife and daughter made him even less fond of her.
However, after considering, he agreed to the test.
Soon, the necessary equipment was attached to him, followed by a series of questions, some of which Owen found offensive.
Half an hour later, Nina returned to the meeting room with a set of charts, facing the inquisitive looks of the three men, she reported, "No problem, the polygraph shows he's telling the truth."
The trio, awaiting the results, looked at each other, realizing it was going to be a long night.
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