Rossi obviously hadn't expected Jack's direct response, though he hadn't originally intended to ask for anyone.
After all, just because Jack valued someone didn't mean he would value them as well. Jiejie was naturally seduced by this guy, and Hannah was a no-brainer. Jubal, while certainly experienced, was a talent for lower-level management, but the bureau had plenty of them.
The others hadn't been around long enough to notice anything special. Only Clay, with his SEAL Team B veteran credentials, stood out.
He'd retired due to injury, and rumor had it he was practically on the verge of death. Although he'd recovered well, he wasn't exactly coveted by other departments.
But now, as a matter of urgency, Rossi chose to tolerate the guy.
"There are two urgent cases right now, and the newly established international response team is overwhelmed, so I hope your team can take over one of them."
Jack stood in front of the gas stove and covered the steamer that was beginning to emit steam with a piece of clean gauze wet with water. He was stunned when he heard this, "I remember that the New York office also has an international department that specializes in dealing with similar incidents?"
Rossi spread his hands helplessly, "Their situation is not very good, and they may face reorganization. At present, only your team can help. Considering that you may also face some international wanted criminals in the future, how about treating it as an early adaptation?"
Jack looked at me with a look of "Don't tease me", "Isn't international wanted criminals the job of the CIA and Interpol?"
Needless to say, the CIA, gathering intelligence and assassinations is only one aspect. They also do some serious work in public, such as assisting in the arrest of some transnational terrorists. The nature of Interpol in this world is somewhere between the real situation in Jack's previous life and the portrayal in various movies.
The role of Interpol in Jack's previous life was largely modeled after the United Nations. It wasn't completely useless, but it was limited, primarily due to excessive restrictions. Interpol credentials were essentially limited to visa-free travel within member countries.
The organization's primary function was rather theoretical. Broadly speaking, it strengthened cross-border police cooperation among member countries, established files on notorious transnational criminals, issued "Red Notices," and frequently issued warnings of criminal activity.
This world's Interpol, on the other hand, was more pragmatic. Member countries collaborated much more closely to apprehend transnational criminals. Special teams, such as task forces, were often formed to target those who violated the laws of multiple countries.
For example, the task force Emily had once served on, called "JTF-12," operated under the Interpol umbrella. (Chapter 445)
"So your team needs international experience. Otherwise, if you encounter some tough international wanted criminals in the future, you can't always go it alone, right?"
Rossi was quite experienced in persuading (and manipulating) Jack. He could tell at a glance that he was very tempted, and he immediately put the heaviest weight on the scale.
"A nearly new Bombardier Challenger 850, with the Bureau covering the crew and maintenance."
"Deal!"
Jack agreed without a second thought, a luxury business jet on par with the BAU's Gulfstream.
Rossi quickly extended his hand. "You must take on at least five missions within the next year. Furthermore, the aircraft will require six months of modification and safety testing before delivery."
He could wait a year, let alone six months. This was an expensive toy worth over $30 million. Who knew which wealthy drug lord or financial fraudster the Bureau had confiscated it from?
"Just tell me where you're going. It's not the moon or Mars." Jack waved his hand with a swagger. Even if he knew it was a carrot dangling in front of the donkey, he would have swallowed it without hesitation.
"Seoul. All I know is the deceased's name is Jessica Townsend, 25, from Crawford, Indiana. We'll have to wait for the Korean side to provide us with more information."
Uh, the center of the universe. Although Jack had a certain dislike for the Koreans, he was surprisingly excited. After all, that place was once considered a focal point for Chinese culture. While there were some oddities, some traces of it could still be seen.
"So where's Mike Taylor's group going?" Jack asked curiously.
"New Delhi, are you interested in switching places with them?" Rossi's smile was slightly mischievous.
"Thanks, but no thanks," Jack waved his hands. Even with his healing powers, he didn't want to experience the Ganges waters of India. Immunity doesn't mean immunity from nausea.
Seeing that the purpose of their trip had been achieved, Rossi's gaze turned to the large steamer in front of Jack, which was constantly bubbling with steam. A fragrant aroma of wheat and steam quickly filled the room.
"What are you making? Like those shrimp dumplings?"
"Chinese sugar-free buns." Jack turned off the gas stove, which he had previously reduced to low heat, and lifted the lid of the steamer. Plumpy, white, knife-cut buns appeared before them.
"It does resemble bread, and it tastes good." Rossi ate and took away a whole thermos box of small, knife-cut steamed buns and flower rolls, as well as several scallion and lamb dumplings.
After respectfully escorting the money-giving old boy to his car, Jack called Jubal, who had already received the news from his female superior.
An hour later, after packing their belongings, they drove to Langley Air Force Base north of Hampton, Virginia, where a C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft was waiting.
After a refueling stop, the most wanted criminal team landed at Osan Air Base, 64 kilometers south of Seoul, in less than half a day.
The National Police Agency had booked a hotel for the FBI team near Seolneung in Gangnam District. After dropping off their luggage, they gathered in Jubal's room for a brief meeting.
"The information is all sorted." This time, Jiejie returned to her old job, liaising with the Korean National Police Agency. They had already sent over all the relevant case documents and photos of the scene.
"The victim's name is Jessica Townsend. She came to Seoul six months ago to teach English, working as a part-time teacher at an institution called 'Dawnland.'" As she spoke, Jiejie handed two copies of the documents to Jubal and Jack.
The photos showed Jessica Townsend as a striking blonde with a bright smile, at the age of playfulness.
"Isn't this her first time abroad?" Jubal flipped through the documents.
Jiejie shook her head. "No, according to her parents back home, she went to Spain during her junior year, and has traveled extensively in the year since graduating."
That shouldn't mean she'd be foolish enough to wander into a dangerous place, Jack thought to himself. While Seoul's security was significantly better than in major American cities, there were still dark corners everywhere.
"Where was the body found?" Aubrey, who hadn't received any documents, leaned over from behind Jack, observing.
"Beside a trash bin near Itaewon, the murderer covered her body with a garbage bag and stuffed it into a supermarket trolley. Friendly reminder, the photos are a bit bloody." Jiejie reminded.
(End of this chapter)