Police in America

Chapter 269: Chapter 270: Reliable Partners



However, an unexpected situation occurred. Just as everyone was about to leave and get into their cars, the Owen couple, who lived across the street, happened to be returning home accompanied by Emily. They had just been to the police station to provide additional statements, and upon seeing the BAU team escorting Kison Vaughn to the car, they looked on with a mix of suspicion and uncertainty.

"What's going on?" Emily, unaware of the situation, casually asked as she approached the roadside.

"We're about to find out," Hotchner gave her a look, signaling that it wasn't the right time to explain.

"Have you found Lindsay? I need to talk to Kison," Bruce Owen tried to step forward but was stopped by Jack.

"Mr. Owen, now is not the time."

Unexpectedly, the mentally unstable father misunderstood the situation.

"Are you arresting Kison? Did he do it? What happened with the Beach Boy? I need to know what he did to my Katie!"

Jack lightly pushed against his chest to hold him back, "Can you calm down? We just have some questions for him. No one is being arrested here."

"Don't tell me to calm down! Why are you arresting him?" Bruce Owen, unable to break free from Jack, became increasingly agitated.

"Kison, if you really had a hand in this, I swear I'll kill you. I will kill you!"

"Fuck!" Jack dodged a kick from Owen and effortlessly brought him down to the ground with a swift move.

Seeing the situation spiral out of control, Rossi frowned at the couple and sighed.

"Take them along too. We need to keep this confidential."

Jack rolled his eyes and, along with Hannah and JJ, "invited" the Owen couple into the Suburban.

While on the way, Rossi called Garcia, asking her to search the flight lists for anyone of Irish descent who had entered Los Angeles from Boston within the last 72 hours. He also requested checks on motels, hotels, and car rental companies to see if they could find any clues.

When they arrived at the Southeast Division, most of the officers were still out conducting the search within the area Reid had outlined, so the place seemed somewhat quiet.

A few officers who had just returned to rest noticed the FBI bringing back the same family members of the victims from the previous day, casting curious glances their way.

The Owen couple was taken to a conference room next door, where Hannah and JJ were responsible for calming them down. Meanwhile, the rest of the BAU team gathered in the room across from them.

"Who did you work for?" Hotchner asked, arms crossed, as he looked at Kison Vaughn, who was seated.

Next to him was an evidence board with photos of the brutally murdered girl Katie and a picture of Kison Vaughn's daughter, Lindsay, in the upper left corner.

"Mark Klan Company, Boston." Since entering the room, Kison Vaughn's eyes hadn't left the evidence board. His voice was a bit hollow as he spoke.

Jack, unfamiliar with the name, glanced at the others. It seemed no one else had much of a reaction, except for Emily, whose eyes lit up.

"I've heard of this Irish family. They are known for their violence and ruthlessness. Whether it's civilians or police, anyone who stands in their way ends up dead."

"Yes, no one has ever been able to catch them until we found Kison. Or more accurately, he found us."

Pat Mannan, who had made countless phone calls on the way, had long lost the arrogance he showed when threatening Hotchner earlier. Now, he was trying to cooperate, but no one paid him any attention. All the questions were directed at Kison.

"So this was your job? Eliminating obstacles?"

Seeing Kison open a bottle of pills and take a couple, Hotchner asked in a slightly mocking tone.

"Are these pills to help you forget the past or to suppress the demons inside you?"

Kison remained unmoved by his words, calmly stating, "Lindsay is the only reason I'm still alive."

Jack, who had been deep in thought, looked up and exchanged a glance with the silent Rossi. They shared a knowing look—this was an assassin with a conscience. Interesting.

"So, do you see the abuse Katie suffered as a warning to you?" Emily asked.

"If it was, it worked," Kison's words made Pat Mannan visibly uncomfortable.

"Do you recognize this modus operandi?" Reid, standing behind the others, raised his hand and asked.

"I never issue warnings. I always act directly." Kison's cool reply carried a chilling undertone.

Pat Mannan was more concerned about his mission. "In two weeks, Mark and Klan's brothers will stand trial."

The implication was clear: if Lindsay's kidnapping was the work of the Irish mob, their goal was to threaten Kison into not testifying.

And this tactic seemed to be working. As Kison had just said, his daughter Lindsay was his everything. He would clearly not risk losing her by testifying in court, which was precisely what Pat Mannan feared.

Jack snorted coldly, delivering a verbal jab, "Looks like those brothers are about to get off scot-free."

The room fell into an awkward silence, only to be interrupted by the sudden ringing of a phone.

Jack picked up his phone and saw that it was a call from Tim. His heart lifted as he quickly answered. After a brief exchange, he walked over to the transparent map board Reid had marked with various notes and symbols.

"Here, the LAPD guys found a lead in an abandoned house."

"This spot is still within the 'comfort zone,'" Reid cheered softly.

"What does that mean?" Pat Mannan asked, confused.

"It means that one of the suspects is local and likely hasn't fled yet," Rossi explained.

Reid's map analysis was based on psychological behavior profiling. Once a point was verified, the likelihood of hitting the mark increased significantly, which explained Reid's excitement.

Just as Jack was about to leave the conference room, Kison suddenly called out to him.

"Agent Tavore, I know we're the same. If you find her, alive or dead, I want to see her."

Jack followed his gaze to the FK7.5 pistol under his arm and was at a loss for words.

He thought to himself, I'm just a bit flashy, and my shooting skills are a bit better. None of the people I've killed were innocent. Who says I'm anything like this mob killer?

"We're not the same. If anyone dares to harm someone I care about, I'll hunt them down to the ends of the earth, no matter who they are."

Jack paused, then nodded, "Of course, as long as you cooperate with our work, I can agree to that."

Receiving the order to set out, Hannah and JJ, who had just emerged from the conference room across the hall, overheard his last sentence. They exchanged glances and smiled knowingly.

I think I've found the problem. It seems that I'm allergic to the cod liver oil I bought earlier, which led to a series of symptoms—a false alarm. However, I still plan to go for a physical examination since I haven't had one in years.

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