The atmosphere in the operations center grew tense. Dealing with anti-social elements is entirely different from confronting terrorist organizations. In some ways, the latter can be compared to a ravenous wolf the USA once cultivated, only to have it turn back on its master.
Perhaps even many Americans themselves don't realize that terrorism began to spread gradually in the 1940s and '50s, often with implicit or outright approval from their government.
The first widely acknowledged terrorist attack in modern times occurred on July 22, 1946, when the Jewish resistance group caused a worldwide shock with a bombing at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem.
But Jack wasn't spending the night in the office this time; a large volume of intelligence reports needed to be reviewed and verified. While analysts in the operations center could rotate shifts, there was no replacement for field agents. Thus, Jubal instructed Jack and Hannah to go home and rest, anticipating a busy day ahead.
Just after finishing dinner and, in the spirit of water conservation, having taken a shower together, they received a call from Mike Taylor.
Jack quickly notified Jubal and Dana Mohair upon learning of another possible case of pufferfish toxin (TTX) poisoning, then he and Hannah hurried to the scene.
The incident occurred in another penthouse, one even more luxurious than the one Castle and Rossi owned—this one had a rooftop pool.
When they arrived, the body had yet to be removed. Mike Taylor and Stella Bonacilla were already there, searching for more clues.
"Was this person someone famous?" Jack asked, noticing that whoever lived here had to be wealthy or influential. A blown-up fashion magazine cover was taped near the entrance, featuring a model who looked identical to the bikini-clad deceased.
"Deborah Gale," Hannah explained, "a rising star in the fashion world here in New York. Clothes, wallets, shoes—you name it, she designs it."
Hannah had a certain familiarity with the fashion world, though her collection of designer bags didn't come close to her assortment of holsters and tactical gear. Her wardrobe, however, was always fully stocked with the latest fashions. Jack, on the other hand, hadn't replaced his wardrobe since he ruined his last suit, and his closet mostly contained identical white shirts and black suits, ideal for blending in just about anywhere.
"There's bloody foam around her mouth, meaning her lungs still had air when she died, consistent with drowning. No visible injuries on the body, no bruising or finger marks around the neck, and no torn-out hair, so she wasn't forcibly held down in the pool."
Jack leaned closer to the body to sniff for any odors. "No smell of alcohol. So you think it might be poisoning?"
Mike Taylor held up a test kit. "Because of what happened earlier today, we ordered some TTX test kits in a hurry, and they turned out to be useful."
"But wouldn't the timeline be off?" Hannah glanced at the clock. It was already past 10 p.m. If the victim had eaten something from the Korean restaurant earlier in the day, the symptoms should have shown up much sooner.
"Right. So, we asked her personal assistant, who found the body. According to the assistant, Deborah Gale was scheduled to dine at a place called Fuji, a Japanese restaurant, this evening," Stella replied.
"Doesn't sound related to our earlier case," Jack said with a smile. "And no takeout this time—I'm not a fan of raw food or sushi."
"But I hear there's a famous BBQ place next door; maybe we can grab some to-go," Hannah said, her eyes lighting up at the mention of food.
Following protocol, the two CSI leads went ahead to present their NYPD badges and explain their presence. Until they were sure the two cases were connected, Jack and Hannah weren't planning to flash their FBI credentials.
"Maybe trying Japanese food now and then wouldn't be so bad," Jack murmured as he stepped into the Japanese restaurant, his breath momentarily taken away by the sight in front of him.
Led by a hostess in a yukata, they passed by several private rooms. In each room, a long table took center stage, with a young woman lying nude atop it, her body adorned with various sushi and sashimi pieces.
"That doesn't seem very sanitary," Stella muttered with a disdainful look.
Hannah, however, looked intrigued, her curiosity evident. "Why haven't you ever tried that?"
Jack rolled his eyes. "You want me to be the serving tray?"
Hannah momentarily imagined the scenario, a flicker of interest flashing across her face, but she quickly moved on since their relationship hadn't been publicly acknowledged.
Mike Taylor, perhaps more experienced in these settings or feeling the need to maintain a professional demeanor with the women present, showed no visible reaction.
They waited briefly in an empty room until a slender middle-aged man dressed in traditional white chef's attire arrived.
"Apologies for the wait. How may I assist the NYPD?" asked the chef, named Katsui, bowing deeply upon entering.
Mike Taylor briefly explained their purpose, but Katsui's face immediately darkened, his warm demeanor replaced by what looked like insulted outrage.
"That's impossible! My sushi would never poison a customer!"
"Please calm down, Katsui-san," Jack said, recalling his limited knowledge from a few Japanese dramas he'd watched, in which people were often addressed this way.
"We only suspect that Deborah Gale's cause of death may have been pufferfish poisoning, specifically two hours after her dinner. So, we need you to confirm a few things. If you don't cooperate, the next people knocking will be the FDA."
"I'm sorry for my reaction, but Ms. Gale was a valued guest. She was served a rare wild-caught 'fugu' dish, each slice priced at $500. I can personally guarantee my customers' safety," Katsui replied, his attitude softening, though he maintained a firm tone, as if confident in his skills.
"What's 'fugu'?" Stella asked, puzzled.
"It's the Japanese term for pufferfish," Jack explained, then turned back to the chef. "But, Katsui-san, your claim seems contradictory.
"The more wild-caught the pufferfish, the more likely it is to contain TTX. Different species also concentrate toxins in various body parts, so how can you be so sure of its safety?"
"Because, by tradition, I always taste the first slice in front of the guest," Katsui replied solemnly, as if declaring an act of great importance.
Mike and Stella exchanged glances, unsure how to respond.
"Maybe you could show me your tanks?" Jack suggested. "I've dealt with these ingredients before."
Jack had a good sense of what was happening. In his past life, he'd read about the kinds of stunts these Japanese restaurants would pull. While serving wild-caught pufferfish might be a reality back in Japan, it was more of a gimmick in the USA.
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