novelraw Chapter 1307 - 711: Confession (Part 2)
Chapter 1307 - 711: Confession (Part 2)
Jimmy and Hope met Hammer in the prison interrogation room, accompanied by his lawyer.
Hammer was in a bad state, his head wrapped in bandages, a circle around his neck, a stitched wound on his face, and a large bruise, his nose looked a bit crooked but without a nasal brace, and one arm was in a sling on his shoulder for support.
This clearly wasn't a simple fight; it seems the gang enforcers are very capable, having perfectly carried out instructions without causing Hammer irreversible damage, but leaving him in enough pain to be miserable.
"Wow, it seems your life is quite colorful, having so much interaction with your companions even in prison. Need help? I can make a call for you to complain about your cellmates."
Jimmy said as he sat down opposite Hammer, "I assume you called us here because you have something to say? Does your lawyer know?"
Hammer's lawyer had already resigned to it, saying nothing and turning to Hammer.
Hammer nodded, "Yes, I've said it all, ask whatever you want." As he spoke, his cheek twitched slightly, indicating that the wound seemed to hurt a bit when he spoke.
After Jimmy confirmed with him that his lawyer was aware of the risks of his forthcoming confession, Hope took out a notebook and pen to begin recording, while Jimmy started questioning Hammer about the whereabouts of the girls they had previously kidnapped.
Some things Hammer couldn't remember clearly; expecting such a person to remember every victim and their whereabouts would be disappointing. However, he could barely recall the whereabouts of the three they sent out this month, meaning at least five girls were kidnapped this month alone in Boise by Hammer's team.
Hope asked questions and recorded while Jimmy sat by with arms crossed, staring at Hammer; if not for the occasion, he would have liked to handle him personally.
Hammer's expression showed no remorse as he recounted their criminal actions this time, telling it like an ordinary story. Such a person has lost much of their humanity, forced to speak the truth to avoid being beaten again. In a different environment, he would definitely refuse to reveal any victim information to reduce his sentence.
The lawyer sitting beside Hammer looked very grave, as Hammer hadn't told him so much before. It's the first time he learned that, within a month, Hammer and his crew kidnapped over five girls from several tourist spots in Arizona and Utah, detained them for days while contacting buyers, thankfully, Jimmy's team followed them to a bar and caught them. The last girl had her buyer contacted but hadn't been sent away yet.
Along with the girl found in the cabin in Kalin City by Jimmy's team, there are currently three girls sent to buyers, and their contacts were hidden in an anonymous phone by Hammer, stored in a hotel locker at the hotel where Hammer stayed, though not in the room he was staying in.
Hope recorded the approximate timeline and movements of the kidnapping events, confirming Hammer had nothing else to say, then closed the notebook.
Jimmy: "OK, glad you cooperated. I believe we can soon conclude the investigation of this case series. So, goodbye, Mr. Hammer."
Jimmy and Hope, appearing displeased, greeted Hammer and shook hands with the lawyer before leaving the interrogation room.
Hope: "Jimmy, what's our next move?"
Jimmy: "Contact Peter, have headquarters dispatch two more agent teams to work with us on tracking those three trafficked girls. The buyers need to be apprehended, or hear the call of the Lord."
Hope glanced at Jimmy; he stared expressionlessly at the road ahead. Fortunately, Jimmy wasn't the one driving; otherwise, given his current state, they might have had an accident.
Hope could tell Jimmy was in a bad mood, obviously caused by Hammer and the criminal facts he confessed. Collaborating with Jimmy for some time now, he's checked Jimmy's past using headquarters' resources. Jimmy typically would send such heinous criminals to the Lord, a strong but common sentiment of simple justice seen in many, though few act on it.
Hammer is a standard scumbag, having no remorse for his crimes, deserving to die under Jimmy's gun in many respects. However, he only sustained leg shots during the chase, as Jimmy held back. Now, Jimmy's feeling lost is not surprising.
Hope parked the car by the roadside, got out holding his phone, and made a call to Peter. After a while, he hung up and returned, "Jimmy, bad news."
Jimmy turned to Hope: "What's up?"
Hope: "We need Salt Lake City office's involvement, as per Peter's suggestion."
Jimmy: "Oh, if that's the case, so be it, let's head back and summon them."
On the way back to the Salt Lake City office, they notified local agents to gather, but instead of returning directly to the office, they first went to the hotel locker Hammer mentioned to retrieve the anonymous phone, as its information was crucial.
In the meeting room, they synchronized all the clues from this interrogation, then handed the phone they retrieved from the hotel to the Salt Lake City office's tech personnel for examination, extracting over ten phone numbers from it. Comparing them with Hammer's testimony, they successfully identified the buyers receiving the three girls. As for the other numbers, those would be dealt with gradually as time allows; finding those three is the priority now.
Next is a massive task requiring them to split into three targets and track each, locating those three trafficked girls.
The three girls were sent to locations far apart: one to New Mexico, one to Ohio, and another to South Dakota, making it impossible for one team to handle all investigations. Consequently, the Salt Lake City office has significant pressure, tasked with two farther targets, while Jimmy and Hope pursue the nearest in New Mexico.
After each was assigned their tasks, Jimmy took a Salt Lake City Senior Agent outside, mentioning how one of his former trainees at the office helped him a lot with this case, hoping the agent might bring him along as a favor.
The agent did not boast about helping Jimmy; although he's just an ordinary agent, executing so efficiently would be tough. Regardless of whom he asked for help, perhaps utilizing some good relations, Jimmy owed a favor. All being FBI agents, unable to offer monetary thanks, contributions towards a promotion were possible. If this case goes smoothly, it'd aid him in advancing to Senior Agent, considering it's a major case.
The agent naturally didn't refuse; adding one or another in such a job, requiring hands-on clue seeking, didn't make much difference. Moreover, with rumors floating in the office regarding Quantico's Training Officer and Jimmy's legendary tales, the agent obliged Jimmy's request.
This time, Jimmy brought a significant gift to the Salt Lake City office. This multi-victim kidnapping case was a serious one, benefitting the record if handled well. Importantly, they didn't need to do much themselves, as Jimmy's team already did the major investigation, benefiting all involved.