As widely unknown as it may be, China is the only civilization among the so-called Four Great Civilizations that has survived to this day. In contrast, the ancient Egyptian civilization, aside from its towering pyramids, has completely vanished in terms of bloodline, language, and script.
Even today, historians have not reached a consensus on whether the ancient Egyptians had a yellowish or whitish complexion. The modern Egyptians living on this land are considered the result of thousands of years of intermixing, classified as the Mediterranean type of the Europid race.
Sara Elmasri's father, though an Egyptian businessman, looked more like a Frenchman in both demeanor and appearance. He was likely close to sixty years old.
Sara's mother appeared significantly younger, probably just over forty. Mother and daughter bore a striking resemblance, sharing the same delicate features and refined elegance—traits that could only be cultivated through a lifetime of privilege.
"I'm sorry. Right now, I'm struggling to control my emotions. My only wish is for my daughter to return safely."
Despite his words, Sara's father made a conscious effort to suppress his emotions and patiently listened as Jack and Beckett introduced themselves.
"This is Agent Tavoller from the FBI. Since this case involves a kidnapping, the FBI has taken over, which is why you're seeing us here. However, the NYPD will still do everything in its power to assist the FBI in finding your daughter."
Beckett introduced Jack, while Castle, looking like a mere tag-along, quietly pulled up a chair and sat behind them.
"She just turned twenty—she's still a child. Why would anyone think of kidnapping her?" Sara's mother's voice trembled with emotion, already carrying a sob.
"That's exactly what we're trying to figure out, which is why we've brought you here." Beckett spoke as she opened a folder and pulled out two photographs.
The topmost image was a blurry screenshot taken from surveillance footage, capturing the moment Sara, taking advantage of a stop, tried to open the car door to escape, only to be pulled back in. It revealed the face of a man behind her.
Due to the camera angle, the driver wasn't captured in the footage. Despite the efforts of Alice and the IT department's tech specialists, this was the best they could enhance the image—barely clear enough to discern the facial features.
"Based on our investigation so far, there were at least two perpetrators involved in the kidnapping—the driver and this man. Do you recognize the person in this photo?"
As expected, the parents shook their heads in denial. Jack and Beckett weren't too disappointed by the response. While gathering leads was crucial, their primary objective at this stage was to rule out any involvement from the parents.
Their division of labor was clear—one was responsible for questioning, the other for observing reactions. The guy peering over their shoulders? For now, he could be ignored.
"No matter how much ransom they demand, I will pay it. No matter the cost." Sara's father whispered, attempting to reassure his wife.
"But what if it's not about money? Your way of doing things has made you many enemies." Sara's mother sounded like she had long harbored resentment.
Sara's father hesitated, as if trying to convince both himself and his wife. "But that was in Egypt, not here. This is America. Here, kidnappings are always about money!"
He sounded so convinced. Beckett and Jack exchanged glances but didn't respond. Instead, Beckett pulled out a second photograph. "And this man—Hasim Farouk. Do you know him?"
"Of course. After I received your call, I reached out to him, hoping he could offer some assistance, but—"
Before he could finish, Castle suddenly leaned forward, startling him. "Wait, you're saying you know him?"
"Of course. Sara refused to have bodyguards, so I privately hired Hasim to protect her. Where is he? I haven't been able to reach him."
Seeing his furrowed brow, Beckett hesitated for a moment before revealing the truth. "He died protecting Sara."
"Oh my God! Then does that mean—?" Sara's mother covered her face, bursting into tears. She wasn't mourning Hasim's death but rather fearing for her daughter's safety.
"So you hired Hasim to secretly protect Sara. Was it because she was under any actual threat?" Beckett continued questioning.
"No." Sara's father averted his gaze for a moment as if something had crossed his mind. "But given my status—"
He paused, visibly struggling to control his emotions. "I once pleaded with Sara to be more cautious, but she dismissed me, saying, 'Dad, you worry too much.'
I sent her to America at a young age, so now she thinks like an American—simple and trusting.
But none of that matters now. I am willing to do anything. She is my only child. Please, bring her back safely."
—
As the three left the conference room, Jubal quickly approached them.
"We've set up 24-hour surveillance on their phones and emails. Agents will accompany them home later," he reported before asking, "How did they seem emotionally?"
"Terrified, devastated, utterly hopeless," Jack summarized his observations.
"That sounds like a good thing," Jubal exhaled in relief. Jack and Beckett nodded in agreement.
"What do you mean?" Castle looked confused.
"Compared to anger or wariness, these emotions are relatively favorable. We need their full cooperation right now," Jack explained.
"This also helps rule out the parents as suspects. Unlike some cliché crime dramas or Hollywood melodrama, Mr. Elmasri may not have been entirely forthcoming, but his message was clear."
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"So, you're saying the likelihood of this being a ransom case is high?" Castle quickly caught on.
"At this point, that seems to be the case," Jack shrugged. "Their willingness to cooperate is crucial—not only for the accuracy of the information they provide but also for the overall direction of the case."
Noticing Beckett's odd expression, Castle felt like he'd found an ally. "So you don't think this is just about money?"
"Elmasri is indeed a well-known Egyptian tycoon, and he's also highly visible in the American media, with a net worth exceeding a billion dollars.
I'm just curious—what kind of person specifically hires a former special forces operative to guard their daughter?" Beckett's expression was complicated.
"Someone like me," Castle replied matter-of-factly before turning to Jubal. "If you were that wealthy, wouldn't you do the same?"
"Of course. I'd hire an entire special forces team to keep every bad boy with impure intentions away from my little girl," Jubal said with a smile.
"I honestly can't tell if you two are joking," Jack said, exasperated.
Castle remained firm. "Either way, I strongly recommend digging deeper into Elmasri's enemies back in Egypt."
Jack nodded in agreement. "Of course. That's the FBI's job. Meanwhile, the NYPD will continue investigating Sara's movements today—we need to at least figure out why she was in Lower Manhattan."
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