North America Gunman Detective

Chapter 1539 - 825: Embarrassment (Part 2)

Another issue was more troublesome; an agent at FBI headquarters called and, upon learning Jimmy was on vacation, hung up. Two days later, Ruiz called.

Ruiz had a sharp mind. Previously, after Peter couldn't reach Jimmy, he called Ruiz. Ruiz brushed him off but immediately found it suspicious; Jimmy always carried his own phone since it was issued by the FBI. Even if Nia temporarily held it, Jimmy would have called Peter back eventually, considering their good relationship. Yet two days later, when Peter called again, he discovered that Jimmy still hadn't returned his call.

Ruiz politely declined Peter's request to transfer Jimmy to headquarters, citing special reasons that temporarily made Jimmy unsuitable for a transfer. Peter wasn't naive; he knew there might be reasons not suitable to discuss over the phone, so he hung up. After all, it wasn't as if only Jimmy could handle the cases, but Jimmy was just more competent for certain ones.

Ruiz dialed Jimmy's phone, and Nia answered again. The reason given was still that Jimmy was on a solo trip relaxing somewhere unknown, which was highly unusual.

He went to Jimmy's bar, inquired with Woody, and confirmed Jimmy hadn't come to drink for quite some time. Driving to Jimmy's house in Brooklyn, he found it empty and learned from neighbors that Nia had temporarily moved to her parents' with the kids, confirming that something serious was amiss.

Going on vacation without his own phone and without contacting anyone—if it were a teenager, it might just be a family spat or something similar. But Jimmy, this lethal force going off alone for such reasons? It's more believable to say he's missing than that he's on vacation.

If Jimmy was really missing, Nia would certainly be frantic. Their good relationship was known in the bureau for years; there's no way she wouldn't show any sign.

If it's not a disappearance, then it's intentional. Thinking of the time he asked for extended leave, he must have planned this in advance, but why?

Ruiz pulled down the blinds and pondered in his office. In this situation, a high-profile search for Jimmy was definitely not appropriate. At least he needed more information from Nia. Whether Jimmy was missing or voluntarily vanished temporarily, even if there was no work for him at the bureau, leaving him unchecked was unacceptable—especially since his disappearance was likely linked to their previous conversation.

The more he thought, the more worried he became. If Jimmy truly lost control, more than a few people would suffer.

Ruiz moved several books off the summer shelf to reveal whiskey and a glass. He really needed a drink now.

Sipping his drink, Ruiz's eyes fell on the phone on the table. He sighed, placed the glass down, picked up the phone, and dialed an internal number, "Dave, do you have time? There's urgent business to discuss."

He hung up and stood, heading to Dave's office. Dave had already informed others not to disturb them temporarily, and as Ruiz entered, he asked, "What's up?"

Ruiz closed the door casually and quietly said, "Jimmy's missing."

Dave frowned and exclaimed in surprise, "Missing? You mean Jimmy?"

Ruiz gestured for him to lower his voice, "Shh, it's not confirmed yet. We just can't contact him now, his phone is with Nia, and people around haven't seen him for a while."

Dave's face turned grim; this was indeed bad news, "Are you sure?"

Ruiz shook his head, "It's likely he vanished on purpose. There was no prior information. If Peter hadn't wanted Jimmy to help, I wouldn't have noticed he was missing for some time."

Dave: "Peter? Why?"

Ruiz: "A tricky case; I've already rejected him. I told him Jimmy was not suitable for cases now."

Dave nodded, "Sit down, truly terrible news."

-----------------

Jimmy's life wasn't going too well now. Used to the conveniences of modern society, suddenly arriving in a world where everything required personal handling was tough, even bathing became a major issue.

The only water source here was the well, drawing water wasn't hard, but there wasn't a large enough bathtub, forget about a shower. He could only make do by wiping down, fortunately, he didn't have body odor issues; otherwise, life would be unbearable.

This was also a test of his hands-on skills. Using materials from abandoned cabins, he finally repaired two large wooden barrels—one placed on a rack, another below. He found some barely usable bamboo pipes to connect a duct, attached a self-made shower head, and added a plug tied with a stone as a switch, completing a simple shower.

The lower barrel was primarily for collecting water since bathwater couldn't just be poured on the ground; this soil would turn into a swamp with more water poured on. A barrel for collecting water at least looked better.

Boiling water was simpler, as some discarded cookware could still be found in the cabins. Using scrap wood to boil water, he just needed to adjust the water temperature himself before bathing. Troublesome as it was, it was far better than previous towel wipe-downs.

Upon Roland's return, seeing this pile of things, he was shocked—the cabin was organized, an outdoor stove had been added, an outdoor shower, the two beds repositioned with straw mats, and several clothing racks were inside. Clothes previously haphazardly tossed about were neatly hung.

Roland: "You did all this?"

Jimmy shrugged, "This looks like a place one can live long-term. Who's this?"

Roland wasn't alone; he was accompanied by someone in a brown-yellow jacket, "This is Vito. Vito, this is Jimmy. Come in."

Vito appeared somewhat lean, with short, slightly curly hair. He carried a case and a wooden staff, thick at the top and thin at the bottom, topped with a metal round head—appearing quite expensive.

Sitting on the makeshift chair Jimmy had crafted, Roland looked at Jimmy, "Jimmy, Vito will stay here for a day or two."

Jimmy: "OK, seems I need to make another bed."

Roland: "Oh, leave this to us; you can manage on your own, right?"

Jimmy hesitated slightly, glanced at Vito, and nodded, "Certainly."

Roland turned to Vito, "Alright, Vito, let's begin."

Vito hadn't spoken all along, just watching Jimmy and Roland converse. Hearing Roland's words, he nodded, picked up the case from the ground, placed it on the table, and took out a transparent crystal ball and a stand, arranging some items Jimmy couldn't understand on the table. He held the staff in one hand and placed the other on the crystal ball, murmuring something incomprehensible without sound.

Soon, colors appeared inside the crystal ball. After confirming, Vito shook his head, "No change."

Roland, "Maybe we need to wait a few days; I'll get some food, Jimmy, come help me."

Jimmy and Roland headed outside. Jimmy glanced back at the cabin and asked, "Who exactly is this Vito?"

Roland: "He's the mage I mentioned, who told me long ago this world's energy was imbalanced."

Jimmy: "Oh, has it been confirmed now? Does my Black Rainbow relate to energy out of control?"

Long ago, Roland hoped Jimmy would come to the Dark Tower World to confirm whether the Black Rainbow he gave Jimmy was the reason for the world's energy imbalance. Finally, it was time for verification.

Roland: "Not confirmed yet, let him stay here for a while. Maybe your return was too short."

Jimmy: "OK, I'll stay up in the mountain ruins; just keep an eye out. Some things still need secrecy."

Roland, "Rest assured, I'll watch over him. You've done quite a bit these days; is there anything I haven't seen?"

Jimmy shrugged, "Of course, there's more, but you should verify it yourself later."