Since arriving in New York, Jack had at times doubted whether his driving skills would deteriorate. The traffic was so terrible that even the wealthy often opted for public transportation like the subway for their daily commute.
Today, however, work required him to be out, and it was the middle of the night, so the streets were finally clearer. He could let loose a little, and his Dodge Hellcat, flashing its police lights, sped through New York's late-night streets.
Returning from Long Island to Manhattan took them only half an hour, even accounting for slowing down at intersections. Danny subconsciously released his tightly gripped handle, breathed a sigh of relief, and reminded Jack, "We're approaching Harlem."
Harlem is traditionally known as a Black neighborhood in New York, one of the city's most dangerous areas, and the birthplace of jazz and rap music. The film American Gangster was based on events that took place here.
Jack reduced speed further, resting a hand on his holster. Harlem had a high number of homeless individuals often roaming the streets, and it also housed over two-thirds of New York City's drug-using population. Even night patrol officers tended to avoid these areas.
Fortunately, they encountered no incidents, and soon after passing through Harlem, they were nearing Inwood. Jack increased his speed again, quickly approaching their destination.
"There, just up ahead, turn right," Danny pointed to the street corner, directing Jack as they pulled up behind a blue van by the curb.
"No white van, but there's a blue one, and its rear window is intact," Jack noted as he got out and walked toward the van.
"I see it as white," Danny muttered, pulling out his keys and scratching at the rear of the vehicle to reveal white paint beneath the surface.
Jack shone his tactical flashlight into the rear window, pressing his face close. The glass was tinted nearly black, making it difficult to see inside. "Looks like there's something in the cargo area, but it's hard to make out."
"Seems like this window will need a repair," Danny said, signaling Jack to step back before pulling out his collapsible baton and swiftly breaking the rear window.
"We've got something. Look at this." He opened the rear compartment, pulling out a small, white First Communion dress and a box of prayer candles.
"Sick bastard," Danny cursed angrily.
The First Communion is an important Christian ceremony. In the Catholic tradition, the First Communion ritual is often held for children aged seven to twelve. Girls wear a white, princess-like dress with a veil and a cross necklace, looking like little brides.
"Hold on." Jack put a hand on Danny's arm, donned gloves, and checked the candles in the box.
"The good news is they're all here and unused."
Danny gave a disgruntled snort, closed the van door, and headed toward the motel.
Too impatient to wait for the elevator, they took the stairs to the second floor and stopped outside room 207, the room number written on the note they received from Maudrey Bens.
Back on NYPD turf, Jack positioned himself by the door, prepared to cover, but this time he had his Glock drawn.
"Don't be impulsive. We haven't had a chance to apply for a search warrant," he cautioned, noticing Danny's tense mood.
In his time at the BAU, Jack had operated with fewer restrictions. With the meticulous federal prosecutor Hotchner leading the way, paperwork was always seamless, and Jack had picked up a lot from him. And back in the LAPD, he had worked with a bunch of seasoned veterans who sometimes purposefully tampered with body cams.
This case, however, was officially under NYPD jurisdiction and closely followed by the media. Now that the suspect was essentially identified, they were just one step away, and Jack didn't want Danny's impulsiveness to mess things up.
Though hot-tempered, Danny's military background had ingrained a sense of discipline and teamwork. Even as anxious as he was, he waited until his partner signaled that everything was set, then knocked on the door.
"Open up, police!"
Jack quietly exhaled in relief. As long as they weren't kicking down doors, things would go more smoothly.
There was no reply from inside the room, but they heard faint rustling. Danny impatiently knocked again, harder this time. "What—" The door opened a crack, and before the occupant could finish his sentence, Danny pushed the door open fully, shoving his badge in the man's face.
"Donald Bens?"
"Yes. What's this about?" The short, stocky, middle-aged white man standing at the door was grabbed by the collar and pushed inside by Jack, who had holstered his gun.
"We're going to have a look around. Step aside."
The man was unarmed, and they didn't have a search warrant or sufficient evidence; they had simply followed leads to get here. A somewhat unofficial approach was their only option.
They could later justify it with paperwork. For instance, Danny could note in his report that he'd heard what sounded like a little girl crying. Discretionary authority is used precisely this way.
However, Jack had detected only one person inside with his heightened senses as they stood outside, which could mean bad news.
Either the girl had already met a tragic fate, and they would only find a corpse inside, or she was hidden elsewhere. The latter would at least leave room for hope; the former would be catastrophic.
The motel room was small, with an entry hallway leading to a bathroom on one side and the bedroom on the other.
The bathroom was empty, so Jack pushed the short, chubby Donald Bens into the bedroom, relieved to find the bed covered in clothes but no body. There was no closet or other space where someone could be hidden.
"Packing up? Planning on leaving in the middle of the night? Where's the little girl?" Danny demanded.
Meanwhile, Jack kicked a suitcase on the floor and lifted the mattress, finding nothing unusual. It seemed the girl was stashed somewhere else by this creep.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Donald Bens looked baffled, but his shifty eyes and rapid blinking gave away his lie.
"Of course, you do. How else do you think we found you? When you grabbed her off the street, you accidentally left something of yours in the gutter." Jack added a small trap in his statement.
"Someone did steal a doll from my van. It was a gift for my niece's First Communion." The moment Donald Bens spoke, he realized he had fallen for it.
"You mean the van you painted blue and replaced the rear window on?" Danny sneered, catching him red-handed.
"I don't have to say anything. I have the right—" Donald's words were cut short as Danny pushed him against the wall and cuffed him.
"That's right, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in court. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, a lawyer will be provided to you before questioning…"
Jack continued reading the Miranda warning aloud.
"Fine, fine. Take me to the station. My lawyer will have me out within an hour," Donald Bens said, turning his head to add a taunting remark to Danny.
"Maybe I'll even have time to visit my little niece."
"What the hell did you just say?" Danny flared up, kicking the man's legs to force him to his knees and dragging him by the collar into the bathroom.
Was this guy acting fearless or just reckless? Jack shook his head and walked back to the door. After a moment's thought, he spoke up to advise Danny.
"Danny, we could take him back and use your favorite interrogation room."
"No time; the girl needs insulin." Danny muttered, holding Donald Bens' head over the toilet as the man struggled.
"Just don't make too much noise," Jack murmured, stepping outside and closing the door behind him. In the hallway, he lit up a small Willie cigar.
------------------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get early access to chapters by joining my Patre@n!
Find me at: patre@n*com/Mutter
You can read each novel for $5 or get them all for just $15.
Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
[+50 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[+5 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]