The video ended, and while Jack didn't seem particularly affected by being labeled a "mongrel," others in the room—especially the analysts and staff from minority backgrounds—wore visibly dark expressions. Even Jubal, who technically fit Emma Kane's "superior white" description, looked furious, his face flushed red.
In a country like the United States, where almost everyone has at least one friend or family member who isn't white, such openly racist rhetoric struck a deep and collective nerve. For someone like LaCroix, who had married a Native American woman and had a biracial daughter, the video felt even more grotesque.
The thought of a child-kidnapping extremist like Tyger Kane being elevated to the status of a hero—or worse, a martyr—was enough to make everyone in the room feel sickened.
Jubal then played footage of the St. Mary's Church massacre, along with security camera clips showing Emma Kane's face. While most had seen these before, they were shown again for the benefit of Jack and LaCroix, who had missed them earlier.
"CID (Criminal Investigation Division) has already listed Emma Kane as the top fugitive on the FBI's most-wanted list," Dana Moret said. "I know you've all been working around the clock, first to rescue the children, and now dealing with this horrific attack. I won't waste time on speeches. Just look at the carnage she left behind and think about the kind of monster we're dealing with. Push harder—for the innocent lives lost and for the ones still at risk."
Dana kept her words brief; the mood in the room was already charged. She signaled to Jubal and Hannah, and the core team moved into a smaller conference room for a more focused discussion.
Inside, Dana began by explaining what had happened to Tali, LaCroix's daughter, and the suspicion that ICE might have extremists within its ranks who were colluding with the Kane couple. Jubal immediately committed to allocating resources to investigate the ICE angle.
The discussion then shifted to Emma Kane. The team had to admit they had underestimated her. Despite her unassuming appearance, which matched that of a stereotypical suburban housewife, she was proving to be a dangerously unpredictable fanatic.
The problem was that this "suburban housewife" now had access to $1 million in ransom money. Whether she used it to buy firearms, explosives, or other resources, the potential for mass terror was enormous.
The St. Mary's Church massacre, as horrific as it was, seemed more like a spontaneous act of revenge rather than a premeditated attack. Emma Kane had entered the church carrying baby formula and diapers, posing as someone looking to donate supplies. The church, which was hosting a support event for pregnant women from minority backgrounds, let her in without question. She used a $200 Glock 17 to wreak havoc—killing 12 pregnant women and injuring 13 others.
The team wasn't sure if she had planned the attack beforehand or if she acted on impulse after hearing the news of her husband's death. Regardless, the devastation she caused with a simple handgun raised chilling questions about what $1 million in resources could enable her to do.
As the team reviewed what they knew, Jack summarized the situation. "Emma Kane is now a fugitive, and she'll likely avoid exposing herself in public. As a woman, she could change her appearance with makeup and look like a completely different person, making it hard for people to recognize her even if her face is all over the news.
We need to focus on her accomplices. We still have four captured members of her group in custody. They might know something, and we need to get results from those interrogations fast. Every scrap of information could help.
On top of that, we know there's one other accomplice still at large. While he didn't appear in the church surveillance footage, it's likely he's still with Emma. We need to identify him as soon as possible."
Jubal added, tapping the table lightly as he spoke, "And don't forget the Kanes' residence. They lived in Avon, a small town in Connecticut. Someone needs to search their home thoroughly. We might find something useful there."
Jubal's gaze shifted between Jack and LaCroix before settling on Jack. "It'd be best if someone skilled in profiling went personally."
Dana quickly divided the tasks. "Jubal, you'll oversee the ICE investigation. Jack, you'll head to Avon to search the Kanes' home. Hannah will assist with interrogations and, come morning, take a team to the Jamersons' home to gather information about the ransom handoff. Any questions?"
Before Dana could leave, LaCroix spoke up. "I'll go with Jack to Avon."
Dana paused, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "Are you sure you're up for it?"
"Well, considering the time," LaCroix said with a wry smile, holding up his phone to show the clock—it was past 2 a.m. "It's not like I can expect ICE to respond to anything right now, can I?"
Dana hesitated but eventually nodded. "Fine. If there's any news about your daughter, you can leave immediately. Jack, the same goes for you. We'll cover for you if needed."
"Thank you," LaCroix said. Though his face betrayed little emotion, the strength of his handshake with each team member revealed the depth of his gratitude.
Avon, Connecticut, wasn't far from New York—less than 150 kilometers in a straight line. Given the late hour, Jack managed to reach the town in just over two hours.
The Kanes' small two-story house was modest but tidy, almost cozy—if you ignored the numerous racist decorations and the American flag motifs plastered everywhere: on sofa covers, rugs, and even bedspreads.
After thanking the local officers who had unlocked the door for them, Jack and LaCroix spent nearly an hour combing through the house from top to bottom. By the time Jack stepped outside to inspect the backyard with a flashlight, the first light of dawn was creeping over the horizon.
He returned to the living room to find LaCroix waiting.
"So, Tyger liked model trains, smoked in the past but quit, and Emma enjoyed cross-stitching and basic sewing. She also dabbled in gardening but wasn't great at it. For a pair of racist terrorists, their hobbies seem... almost quaint. What about you? Find anything interesting?" Jack asked, gesturing to various objects around the room that had informed his observations.
LaCroix held up a few picture frames. The photos showed the couple waving American flags or shouting at protests. "These two were constantly on the road, attending every protest and rally they could. But we already knew that."
Jack pointed toward the bedroom upstairs. "I found some books in their bedroom. One of them, Fascinating Womanhood, was published in the '70s. It's all about how women should stay home, raise kids, cook, and look attractive for their husbands to help them 'recharge' after a long day at work.
Oh, and there's a cross-stitch piece on the wall that says, 'A home is not a place; it's a mission.' Looks like they treated medieval gender roles as a way to preserve their 'pure' bloodline. They were living in a self-constructed fantasy world."
LaCroix seemed to have a similar thought. He pulled several porcelain dolls out of his pocket. "Speaking of bloodlines, I found a lot of these in their bedroom. Looks like Emma really wanted a child."
Jack smirked and held up an evidence bag containing expired bottles of prenatal vitamins. "They probably tried but didn't succeed. These vitamins expired over a year ago."
"That explains why she targeted those Latina pregnant women so mercilessly," LaCroix muttered. "She wanted a child to carry on her 'superior' bloodline but couldn't have one herself."
The two quickly pieced together a psychological profile of the Kanes, but it didn't provide much insight into Emma's current whereabouts.
"You think this fixation on children might lead her to target schools or religious sites again?" Jack asked, hesitant.
LaCroix shook his head uncertainly. "It's hard to say. It could narrow things down, but it could also lead us astray."
He sighed and packed the porcelain dolls and prenatal vitamins into a bag. "Let's hope the team back in New York finds something useful."
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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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