Federal agencies in New York City have their offices concentrated near Federal Plaza, not far from the FBI's headquarters in the Federal Building. Jack and LaCroix exited the car near the area, allowing Hannah to drive it back to the office.
Within the United States, the FBI has a reputation for overseeing just about everything. As a result, when the two agents flashed their badges at ICE's New York office, they avoided the usual bureaucratic runaround and were quickly led to meet a supervisor named Austin Stevens.
Stevens was a polished, professional-looking white man in his early forties who greeted them with politeness, fully aware of the storm they brought with them.
However, after a series of apologies, Stevens explained that he had only been in his current role for about a week. The operation in question, he claimed, had been authorized by his predecessor two weeks prior, and he hadn't been briefed on the details beforehand.
Stevens added that he had yet to receive a formal report on the field operation and, at the moment, didn't know where LaCroix's daughter, Tali, was being held. He assured them he would need some time to gather the necessary information.
LaCroix left the ICE office with Stevens's business card in hand, doing his best to suppress his anger. Jack didn't bother with hollow platitudes. As they walked back toward the Federal Building, he took out his phone and called Jane Banner.
After the last joint operation with Jack, Jane—nicknamed the "Scarlet Witch" by some—had transitioned back to her Austin-based office after handing over her duties with the Phoenix anti-kidnapping task force. She now primarily dealt with immigration cases.
Jane, sharp in both intellect and social awareness, had proven herself capable time and again. Whether leading the anti-kidnapping unit or joining Jack in operations like those in Wind River Valley or Mexico, she had earned her stripes. Though she lacked seniority, it was clear she was on track to become a senior agent within a year or two.
Upon hearing about Tali's abduction and Jack's suspicions, Jane immediately confirmed something he had suspected: rumors of racial bias within ICE and Border Patrol were well-founded.
She also provided a lead: an internal website called "10-15," a secret forum that required an invitation to access. The name came from a code frequently used by border agents, meaning "detaining a foreign national."
Jane promised to reach out to her contacts within ICE to discreetly look into the relevant files and warned Jack that the conditions in detention centers for undocumented immigrants were notoriously harsh. Finding Tali as soon as possible was imperative.
Recalling news reports over the past few years about overcrowded and unsanitary conditions in ICE detention facilities, Jack couldn't suppress a shiver. If something truly horrific were to happen to Tali, he couldn't imagine how LaCroix would cope.
Jack and LaCroix walked briskly back to the Federal Building, their faces equally grim. They headed straight to Dana Moret's office, shutting the door behind them.
While the FBI's Fugitive Task Force (LaCroix's unit) and the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) were both part of the Bureau's Criminal Investigation Division, LaCroix's team was administratively tied to the New York field office. This differed from Rossi and Hotchner's BAU, which operated nationwide and flew to cases across the country. LaCroix's team primarily handled fugitives within New York State or nearby areas and did not have the autonomy to pick their cases.
This meant that Dana Moret, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York office, was technically LaCroix's boss. Though she rarely managed the day-to-day operations of his unit, their administrative ties gave her significant authority.
In the FBI, when a colleague's family is threatened, the entire agency tends to close ranks. This solidarity was why Jack didn't hesitate to prioritize accompanying LaCroix to the ICE office, even though Emma Kane had just committed a mass shooting that demanded their attention.
"Can we confirm that what happened to Tali is connected to our current case?" Dana asked after listening to their explanation. She turned her gaze toward Jack, her expression thoughtful.
"Where in the world would you find this many coincidences?" Jack replied, holding up his phone. "I just searched for Tali's name along with the 'Island Garden Food Bank' on a few social media platforms. Look what I found."
He showed Dana a page on Instagram. It was a post from a girl named Chloe, captioned: "Me and my best friend Tali at the food bank." The accompanying photo clearly showed Tali.
Jack then switched to Google, displaying a local news article titled, "Middle School Volunteers Give Their Time and Generosity." The article featured Tali's photo as well.
"I warned her not to post personal information online," LaCroix said, letting out a heavy sigh.
"Tali's just a ten-year-old girl. Having friends isn't her fault," Dana replied, rubbing her forehead as she mulled things over. After a moment of contemplation, she rose from her desk with determination.
"While it's not my style to antagonize other federal agencies, I have no problem hitting back hard when someone messes with my people.
That being said, we need solid evidence before we act. Investigate that Austin Stevens supervisor thoroughly, as well as the secret website Jack mentioned. Turn everything upside down. On this issue, you can count on us for complete support."
Dana walked over to LaCroix and gave him a reassuring hug. As she did, a knock sounded at the door. Jubal leaned in, his expression grim.
"We just found a video statement from Emma Kane on YouTube," he said.
"Let's head to the operations center," Dana said, immediately leading the way out of her office.
Walking behind them, Jubal quietly reassured his old partner. "I'm sorry to hear about Tali. I know your team isn't in the area right now, so think of us as your backup. You have full access to everything here—whatever you need."
The group arrived at the operations center, which was buzzing with activity. Everyone had been working non-stop. The earlier success of rescuing 26 children had briefly seemed like a triumphant conclusion to the case.
Then came the horrific news: 12 pregnant women had been murdered, and 13 others were in critical condition, still fighting for their lives in the hospital. The massacre had taken place in a sacred church.
Jack glanced around at the analysts and technicians hunched over their computers. Many wore weary expressions, their faces shiny with exhaustion. Nearly every desk had a cup of coffee on it—some had enormous one-liter mugs reserved for all-night shifts. Hannah, for instance, was sipping from a giant mug she'd bought during the "Blue Sanctuary Knight" case.
Jubal pressed a button on the remote, and the large screen lit up, showing a video of Emma Kane. She was a white woman with long brown hair and slightly prominent cheekbones, appearing to be in her early forties. Her eyes were red and puffy, but her voice was charged with emotion.
"The game is over," Emma declared. "Today, the first shot has been fired for the true masters of this country—the great white Americans."
"Last night, my husband, Tyger Kane, a man of superior bloodline, a man with dazzling blue eyes, was assassinated by the mongrel FBI agents of this government of colored mutts. Wake up, white people. Awaken and take action.
We are the superior race—that is a fact. We must seize control of our destiny, cleanse this land, and reclaim the sacred ground that God has bestowed upon us."
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
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Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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