BIPOLAR

Chapter Twenty Seven: Grace

Mai and Sarah sat on the couch, watching the news on TV. The anchor's face was serious, and the headline on the screen read "Bombshell Video Rocks Police Department".

"What's going on?" Sarah asked, confusion etched on her face.

Mai shook her head. "I don't know, but it looks like some kind of scandal."

The anchor began to speak, his voice grave. "We have just received word that a video has surfaced, showing Detective James Blaine inserting a USB drive into the police department's main computer. The video appears to be security footage, and it has raised serious questions about Detective Blaine's involvement in the recent hacking scandal."

Sarah's eyes widened as the video played on the screen. Mai's eyes narrowed, her mind racing.

Just then, Blake walked into the room, a look of excitement on his face. "Mom, I found it," he said, holding up his laptop.

Mai turned to him, surprised. "Found what?"

Blake smiled. "The original video. I was able to track it down online."

Mai's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you do that?"

Blake shrugged. "I have my ways. But the point is, I have the original video. And it looks like it's the real deal."

Sarah's eyes were wide with shock. "What does this mean?" she asked.

Mai's expression was serious. "It means that Detective Blaine may have been involved in the hacking scandal. And if that's the case, he could be facing serious charges."

Blake nodded in agreement. "I've analyzed the video, Mom. It does show that he was the one who inserted the USB drive. But something feels off."

Mai's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

Blake hesitated, unsure of how to explain. "I think...I think Detective Blaine may have been framed."

Mai's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with possibilities. "Framed," she repeated. "That's a serious accusation, Blake."

Blake nodded, his expression serious. "I know, Mom. But I've been analyzing the video, and I think I've found some evidence that suggests Detective Blaine may have been set up."

Sarah's eyes were wide with curiosity. "What kind of evidence?" she asked.

Blake hesitated, unsure of how to explain. "It's complicated," he said. "But basically, I think I've found a digital fingerprint that suggests the video was edited by someone else."

Sarah's eyes widened in surprise. "A digital fingerprint?" she repeated.

Blake nodded. "Yes, Mom. It's like a digital signature that can be used to identify the person who edited the video."

Sarah's eyes were wide with excitement. "This is huge," she said. "If we can prove that Detective Blaine was framed, it could clear his name."

Mai's expression was serious. "But it could also put us in danger," she said. "I'll handle the footprint from here, it should take me an hour or two."

Sarah's eyes narrowed, her expression skeptical. "I don't know, guys," she said. "What if it was actually Blaine behind it? It does make sense."

Mai's expression turned firm, her eyes flashing with disagreement. "No, Sarah, I don't think that's possible," she said. "Blaine has been a good detective, and I've spoken with him before. He's not capable of something like this."

Sarah raised an eyebrow, her expression unconvinced. "You can't be sure of that, Mai," she said. "People are capable of surprising things."

Mai shook her head, her expression firm. "I understand what you're saying, Sarah, but I think we should wait for the information from the digital footprint before we jump to conclusions," she said. "Blake, can you tell us more about what you found?"