After requesting a room card at the hotel front desk, Attorney General Jackson handed it to Jack along with his business card, whispering another warning.
"I've rented an office downtown for you to use as your workspace. Stay here tonight. All expenses will be covered by the Attorney General's Office.
I have only one request: the case must remain private until the truth is revealed or the murderer is apprehended, or I will have to withdraw my request for FBI involvement.
You understand what I mean, these murders all occurred locally."
"I'll keep you updated on the progress of the investigation via your personal email," Jack promised.
This was a classic American practice of delegating resources from other locations (federal?) to focus on major cases. Even for the Attorney General, such an action was somewhat taboo, but he certainly understood.
A worried Attorney General Jackson even walked Jack to the elevator, looking uneasy.
Jack didn't know how to reassure him; he couldn't just brag about his 100% case-solving rate.
Since leaving the BAU and arriving in New York, his personal information, while still confidential, has spread far and wide. If federal law enforcement has its own "007," Jack is undoubtedly the man.
Initially, some insiders compared him to Rossi in his youth, but such comparisons are now almost nonexistent.
After all, even Rossi was never hailed as both brilliant and courageous. Looking at the cases Jack has handled, while most reports attribute the success to a collective effort, the brilliance of a single individual remains undisguised.
It's a simple truth: no matter how inconspicuous a person may be, their presence in reports of major cases speaks volumes.
Of course, if Jack were to explain it himself, he'd probably attribute it to the strange cosmic will of this world, constantly bringing him to the forefront of events.
Therefore, if Attorney General Jackson weren't foolish enough, a little research would reveal the "impressive reputation" of his young agent.
"If possible, please send the relevant documents as soon as possible. My partners will be here as early as tomorrow morning." Standing at the elevator door, Jack issued a subtle dismissal order.
The prosecutor, suddenly awakening, said, "We've compiled the information on one of the confirmed victims, Michael Stanton. I'll send it to you later."
Just then, the elevator doors opened. Surprised by the presence of someone inside, Attorney General Jackson stopped talking and reached out to shake Jack's hand.
"Thank you again, Agent Jack Tavola."
"You're welcome." Jack watched the anxious prosecutor turn and leave, then breathed a sigh of relief. He stepped into the elevator, immediately enveloped by the delicate, alluring scent of perfume.
A beautiful blonde, no more than her early twenties, with a stunning figure and meticulously made-up, was fiddling with her phone. She glanced up at Jack as he entered the elevator.
After a moment of distraction, she pushed the black-rimmed round glasses on her nose and showed a stunning smile, "Which floor?"
Jack was about to raise his hand to press the floor button, but seeing that she had already extended her hand, he could only return a polite smile, "16th floor, thank you."
The elevator went up slowly and quietly. Noticing that there seemed to be eyes behind him looking him up and down, Jack turned his head again to look at the girl behind him.
He wasn't particularly interested in pursuing women. Firstly, he wasn't in the habit of doing so. He already had too many girls around him to keep up with. Even when he wasn't busy with work, his phone battery was always low.
Secondly, he had a case on his hands, a crucial one Zoe had entrusted to him. Plus, Jane Banner had been a bit overly enthusiastic after their long-awaited reunion last night, and he was currently in a state
of relative sageliness. Just because Jack wasn't interested didn't mean others were the same. Seeing him turn around and look at her, the blonde girl pursed her alluring pink lips and asked casually, "Busy all night?" "
About that," Jack nodded, instinctively guessing her identity.
With her Gucci bag, full Chanel suit, and high bun, she looked like a successful businesswoman. She could also be a senior executive at a large company, or perhaps the personal secretary of a successful individual.
"Would you like to go downstairs for a drink later?" she asked bluntly.
Jack had experienced this situation countless times, and this was considered quite reserved. Many people even directly invited him to their room for a drink.
"Sorry, I've got a lot of work to do, and this night isn't over for me."
It was a polite demurrer, but Jack's words resonated with the girl, who sighed deeply. "Yeah, it's the same. The futures markets in Hong Kong and Tokyo are killing me lately." As expected,
only those who could afford such a luxurious hotel were wealthy. Thinking of the suites he had just seen at the front desk, all for as little as $2,000 a night, Jack sighed softly, completely unaware that he was now considered wealthy.
Just then, the elevator dinged, stopping on the 12th floor. Jack, ever the gentleman, made way.
"Thank you, and good luck to you tonight," the girl said, pulling her Hermès suitcase and offering Jack a slight bow and smile before exiting the elevator.
As the elevator doors closed, the girl, pulling a suitcase, leisurely walked down the hallway. She elegantly removed her glasses, then unbuttoned her shirt, revealing her round, white figure clad in purple lace.
Finally, she removed a hairpin, gently shaking her head to let her long, wavy, light blonde hair fall over her shoulders. She stopped at the door of a suite and knocked softly.
The door opened, revealing a man. The girl, who had been so elegant and dignified just a few minutes before, now had completely transformed. She bit her lip and embraced him, her voice becoming even softer and more captivating.
"Dear, long time no see."
—
"A female serial killer? Wow! And possibly a call girl? Tsk, tsk, tsk!"
After hearing Jack's introduction, Aubrey's face, exhausted from the overnight flight, instantly lit up with excitement.
"Don't get too excited yet. This case can only be investigated privately for now. I asked you to come because we'll likely be dealing with those so-called 'upper class' and need your experience."
Aubrey was probably the only person Jack knew, besides Rosie and Angela Lopez's husband, Wesley, who had extensive experience in this area. Even a certain great writer might be a bit behind him.
More importantly, of course, this guy was once a real playboy.
(End of chapter)