North America Gunman Detective

Chapter 1308 - 712: Native American Reservation

Jimmy and Hope's journey is quite complicated. They are headed to New Mexico, but they are dealing with the first girl that Hammer relocated, which was nearly a month ago. Hammer cannot remember the exact drop-off location; all he knows is that it's in a small town north of Albuquerque, but the name escapes him.

The phone number retrieved from his phone was also an unregistered phone, and after their transaction was complete, they would always destroy the unregistered phones, making it difficult to trace their location now. The only thing he could provide was a landmark building where the transaction took place—a house with alternating blue and yellow colors—because this marker was so distinctive it stuck in his memory.

As for transportation, it wasn't arranged by Hammer; it was organized by someone Jimmy killed, a gang member from near Boise, an acquaintance, but Hammer doesn't know who specifically, and now there's no way to find out.

The most difficult condition and the plan for locating the person were assigned to Jimmy. Fortunately, despite not remembering the exact place, they at least had a landmark building and a phone number, so cross-referencing might still yield some results.

At least Jimmy isn't completely without hope; he has contacts in Albuquerque he can turn to—Hank Schlader and Steven Gomez, senior DEA agents at the Albuquerque office. Since they handle anti-drug operations there, they are naturally familiar with the surrounding area.

Jimmy booked a flight for the next day. That evening, he called Hank directly, arranging to meet him the following day to talk, while Hope contacted the FBI office in Albuquerque.

They had prepared thoroughly, so after arriving at Albuquerque airport, they took a cab straight to the FBI office, obtained a car, and then headed directly to the DEA office.

Technically, they could have consulted the FBI office too, but such a place with only a landmark building isn't known to everyone. When everyone is unfamiliar with the area, it's really hard to confirm where this place is.

Hank was very enthusiastic. Previously in New York, if it weren't for Jimmy's help, Hank's wife Mary would have been in big trouble. Moreover, Jimmy rushed over to help just from receiving a phone call from Gomez, which was very considerate of him.

When Hank and Gomez received their call, they went downstairs to wait for them. As soon as Jimmy and the others drove up, the two of them opened the car door for Jimmy and guided them to a café to chat.

Jimmy hadn't been in touch with them for a while, so of course, he wouldn't directly state the purpose of their visit. After some small talk, Hank brought it up, "Jimmy, is there a case you're working on this time?"

Jimmy: "Yes, we're here to investigate a kidnapping and human trafficking case. We've already caught the kidnappers, but they sold the girl to someone in New Mexico. The exchange point was in a small town north of Albuquerque, so I came to you hoping for some help."

Hank: "Oh, what place?"

Jimmy: "I don't remember the town's name, only that the location where they exchanged the kidnapped girl was a house with alternating blue and yellow colors. I've been to Albuquerque a couple of times before, and usually, even if houses here are painted blue or yellow, they typically use a single color. I don't think there should be too many houses with alternating colors like that."

Hank glanced at Gomez, "Gomez, do you have any impression?"

Gomez thought for a moment and shook his head, "No impression. Such a distinctive building should theoretically leave a deep impression if seen."

Jimmy: "That's troublesome then, it seems we'll have to apply for technical assistance."

Hank: "No worries, we can ask around. I'm sure someone has seen a building like that; after all, it's near Albuquerque."

Jimmy: "Thanks, applying for location data from a phone number from nearly a month ago is probably difficult, and the procedures are a bit cumbersome."

Hank: "OK, since you're here, let's have lunch together."

Jimmy glanced at Hope, nodded to Hank, "No problem, we should have enough time."

Actually, after obtaining the phone number and returning to the hotel, Jimmy and Hope contacted Peter. Hope even explained their investigation over this period to Peter over the phone. Peter duly cooperated by ordering the tech department to investigate the buyer's phone number that Jimmy obtained. But after receiving authorization to check the data from the NSA, the tech department found that they couldn't locate the phone number.

The gap in time was too long, and much data had already been lost or not preserved at all. The NSA also doesn't strictly organize and maintain all data, especially a mobile communication record from a small place in New Mexico. If it were recent, it would be fine, but over time, it surely would not be available.

Peter wasn't too surprised. Solving a case isn't that simple; not all case clues can be resolved through technical means. Jimmy and Hope are facing the challenge of a lost signal that can't be precisely located now.

However, Peter has confidence in Jimmy. For this kidnapping and trafficking of young girls case, their original plan required at least several months of investigation and evidence collection before the suspects could be located. But Jimmy and Hope had already captured the main suspect and shot an accomplice within just one month. This speed was enough to shock many involved. Delaying a bit in tracking down the trafficked girl was not an issue at all.