"Found it. At 1:18 PM, a girl sprayed something on the salad bar," Hanna called out from inside the van.
"Guess that's my cue to head back. Let me know once you confirm her identity," Danny Reagan said, flicking his cigarette butt into the gutter before dusting off his pants. He then casually hopped into a nearby NYPD patrol car, asking the officer to give him a lift back to the station.
Meanwhile, Jack and Hanna returned to the operations center, where Jubal had already received the video file. By the time they reached the main office, he was briefing the team.
"Seems salad isn't always a healthy choice," Jubal began. "The CSI lab confirmed that the substance on the salad bar was synthetic tetrodotoxin, or TTX—the culprit in this incident. The good news is it's non-infectious, but that's about it. It's odorless, tasteless, and extremely lethal. CDC, anything else to add?"
A CDC doctor with a visitor badge—a woman who reminded Jack of Dr. Morgan—addressed the group.
"There's currently no antidote for TTX. Symptoms vary depending on a person's physiology, so over the next few hours, more people will likely die. We've already sent everyone who ate at that deli to the hospital, but there's not much doctors can do."
"As far as I know, there isn't a mature synthetic process for TTX. High-purity TTX costs over $100,000 per gram. Who would use something this expensive to poison people?" Jack mused.
Initially, Jack had assumed someone had used toxins extracted directly from a poisonous pufferfish, but CSI's confirmation that it was synthetic-grade TTX made things interesting. Whoever had access to that technology could be making a fortune; after all, TTX, as a potent nerve blocker without lasting side effects, could serve as a powerful, non-addictive anesthetic, much stronger than opiates.
The CDC doctor nodded, slightly surprised at Jack's knowledge. "Correct. TTX has a complex structure with interconnected oxygen rings, making synthesis extremely challenging. The first successful lab synthesis was in 1972, but the process was so intricate and the yield so low that it never moved beyond the lab. Recently, however, a research group at NYU developed a new method, reducing the synthesis steps to 22 and achieving an 11% yield, using mainly commercially available materials."
"Great, so we're dealing with an organic chemist well-versed in cutting-edge science. Either that, or someone adept at navigating the dark web," Jubal noted, displaying a photo on the screen. "Facial recognition has identified a likely suspect: Caroline Sabatak, Caucasian, sixteen years old. She was just admitted to Mount Sinai Hospital, showing symptoms consistent with TTX poisoning."
"Guess what? She wasn't on our dining list. The hospital flagged her case and sent over her details. Our Evidence Response Team is combing through trash bins along her route, hoping to find the device she used to dispense the poison."
"Her T-shirt has a logo from an anarchist heavy metal band known for its aggressive and inciting lyrics. They're popular among teens, and their message is quite inflammatory," said Dana Mojer, who had just entered the office, pointing at Caroline's picture.
Noticing everyone's surprised looks, Dana shrugged. "If you had a rebellious teenage daughter, you'd know this stuff too. It's a small, aggressive, underground group—think of a tattooed guy covered in metal piercings, screaming on stage about dismantling authority and capitalism, and you'll get the picture."
"Given the location near Wall Street, most of the victims work in finance. Perhaps this was meant as some sort of statement," Anna speculated.
"We'd better get to Mount Sinai. Hopefully, she's still able to speak." Jack deftly twirled his car keys around his finger.
"Hurry. New York's in a frenzy. People don't know if it's safe to eat anything tonight," Dana added, slightly exaggerated but capturing the gravity of the situation. The sight of hazmat-suited CDC agents in the streets made the public even more uneasy than bomb scares.
---
"When she came home, she could barely speak and was nearly collapsing. I rushed her here as fast as I could, but the doctors aren't sure if she'll wake up."
Caroline Sabatak's mother, a well-to-do middle-class woman with red-rimmed eyes, was visibly distressed yet spoke in a measured tone despite her worry.
"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Sabatak." Hanna exchanged a glance with Jack and offered a comforting word.
"I don't even know why she'd eat anything there. We've never been to that part of Manhattan." Mrs. Sabatak muttered, seemingly unaware that her daughter might be more than just a victim.
Hanna helped her sit on a bench in the hospital hallway. "Do you know why she might have gone there?"
"Maybe to meet someone from online. She doesn't have many friends in person, mostly online connections. I've never met any of them. Is that a problem? I don't understand why you're asking about this."
Under the weight of Jack and Hanna's intense gaze, Mrs. Sabatak's expression became wary.
"We're just trying to track down every potential victim, so no one is missed. Some might not even be aware they're at risk," Jack replied smoothly, spinning a quick excuse.
But his response only seemed to deepen Mrs. Sabatak's suspicions. "Do you think Caroline was targeted?"
Caught off-guard, Jack hesitated. Sensing an opportunity, Hanna leaned forward.
"We haven't heard anything like that. Has your daughter been in conflict with anyone?"
Mrs. Sabatak's face grew even more sorrowful, and Hanna's question seemed to unlock her pent-up concerns.
"The past few years haven't been easy for Caroline. You know how cruel kids can be at this age. Over the last two years, she's had to transfer schools twice because of extreme bullying."
Jack felt his eyebrow twitch. Finally, an American-style teenage issue had shown up. For some reason, he'd only encountered surprisingly mature and well-adjusted teens in this world. Kids like Carla, who had escaped a dangerous situation, and the exceptionally polite and dutiful daughter of the Castle family seemed straight out of a TV drama, unlike the chaotic teens he was used to.
"How long has this been going on?" Hanna asked.
"Since her father left without a word about five years ago. He packed a bag and disappeared from our lives. Caroline has struggled since then. At first, it was sudden mood swings, then I'd find her burning things in her room—old photos, clothes."
Mrs. Sabatak took a shaky breath. "I know his leaving scarred her deeply. It made her even more sensitive and impulsive at school, which only led to more ostracism and bullying. And it just got worse over time."
Jack cast a glance at Caroline lying on the hospital bed. Well, she didn't appear to be of mixed race after all. Maybe he'd been a bit narrow-minded.
------------------
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