North America Gunman Detective

Chapter 1290 704: Initiating the Investigation

Peter confirmed that Jimmy wanted to continue the investigation, which completed what needed to be confirmed today. Since Jimmy wanted to proceed, some procedures had to be followed. Taking the task directly from the DC office back to headquarters always required some justification and procedures. Headquarters people also felt the pressure of intervening in the work of a branch. Although the branch leader's level wasn't high, they were still considered influential figures in their area—not someone Peter could easily bully.

Seeing that Peter had nothing more to say, Jimmy asked the question he had been waiting all day to ask, "Peter, have they found Becker's body?"

Peter sighed, finished the beer in his can, and opened another, "They found it, but it had been soaking in the seawater for a few days and had severely decayed. There were quite a few wounds on their bodies that need identification, which is troublesome. Currently, they're at the Baltimore forensic center; they should be sent back in a day or two."

Jimmy nodded. Finding the bodies was good as it gave the families and the DC branch some closure. Even though they were already informed of Becker's death, until they saw the bodies, there was always a tiny glimmer of hope. Now that the bodies were confirmed found, the arrangements for the aftermath needed consideration.

This wasn't Jimmy's first encounter with deceased FBI agents, but every time this happened, he felt extremely heavy-hearted, much like when he heard or saw police deaths during his time as a cop.

Jimmy clinked his beer can with Peter's, "Is the memorial service scheduled yet?"

Peter: "Not yet; I haven't met with their families. Let's wait until they come back."

Jimmy nodded. As the person responsible for the case, he needed to attend from every angle.

Jimmy: "Once confirmed, let me know. Also, I need to return to New York; I'll start the follow-up investigation once I'm back."

Peter nodded, "I'll organize the relevant intelligence while you're away. By the way, do you have any requirements for a partner?"

Jimmy: "No, just don't interfere with me, no other requirements... wait, needs to write reports."

Peter was speechless, "Okay, I'll see who's available. Two days, will that do?"

Jimmy: "Okay, two days it is; after being out for some time, I need a couple of days to rest."

Peter: "Alright then, I'll arrange the follow-up."

Peter went back, and Jimmy started packing for tomorrow's return to New York. There was no need to check out of the hotel room. Headquarters booked the room, so it wouldn't cost him anything; wasting it didn't matter.

Going home was a must. This trip hadn't been long, but the subsequent investigation of the detained girls' case was conservatively estimated to take a long time. It needed investigation across several states, and it wasn't something that could be solved in a day or two.

Nia didn't have any special thoughts, but she was surprised upon learning about Jimmy's case. She hadn't dealt with such a case before and had only heard of instances of home detention and abuse of girls. Jimmy's brief descriptions of the grim scenes he saw made Nia feel sick and hard to bear.

Everyone has empathy; as a police officer, she had seen too many tragic events, some of which she had become immune to. But the inhumane torture suffered by young girls still filled her with some anger.

After resting for two days and comforting Nia a bit, Jimmy called Ruiz to confirm his upcoming secondment. Matters in New York reached a temporary conclusion, allowing him to investigate the case peacefully.

Poor Mark and Julia were new to the team, and their boss, Jimmy, always disappeared mysteriously for a while. Although the homicide team didn't have many tasks, this constant absence was concerning. Before Jimmy called, Ruiz had already contacted Peter, confirming the case Jimmy was about to investigate spanned multiple states and could take a long time. He had already started considering arrangements for the upcoming period.

Jimmy was a vital asset to the New York Manhattan office, so it was naturally impossible to let him wander like that. But he was also well-known; over the years in New York, he had often been seconded by other offices. Some matters were difficult to refuse directly. These were things Ruiz needed to consider. Moreover, the homicide team couldn't function without a leader for sure, and many people in the Manhattan office could fill that role.

The secondment was suggested from above, so they had to acknowledge this favor, which might also be an opportunity.

After bidding farewell to Nia, Jimmy returned to Washington, D.C., this time not for a short-term secondment. He needed to prepare for a long-term assignment. So he drove his assigned Suburban from New York, with his equipment pack, bullet-proof vest, and firearms, along with the reserve ammunition in the car. This setup would support long periods of fieldwork.

However, Jimmy slightly miscalculated. He initially thought the investigation would be within the Eastern States. Still, the interrogation by Peter's team evidently revealed more than what Jimmy uncovered in a few minutes. Mark disclosed a human trafficking network, with direct contacts located not near Washington, D.C., but in Missouri. Driving such a distance would be too cumbersome.

Jimmy didn't set out immediately. Becker's body had been sent back to Washington, D.C., and the prepared memorial service was in two days. As the primary investigator of the case, Jimmy naturally had to attend, so the investigation had to be postponed a few days. Luckily, this wasn't a case that had to be solved in a few days, so there was plenty of time.