"I think this might actually be a good way to improve our public image. You know, over the past few years, thanks to certain people's meddling, the NYPD's reputation has plummeted among ordinary citizens, especially within minority and low-income communities.
And it seems that Mr. Castle's novels have quite a solid fan base—his readers range from the mayor to apartment doormen. If he's willing to sign some kind of personal safety waiver, the NYPD wouldn't mind doing him a little favor."
Frank's words made Jack secretly sigh in relief. Although Castle always seemed unreliable, living recklessly like a teenager even though he was in his forties, there was no denying that his carefree spirit was part of his charm, which made it hard for Jack to dislike him.
They say men never truly grow up, and looking at Reagan, the high-ranking director in front of him, Jack thought the saying rang true. After all, Reagan had opted for an affair with a young journalist rather than finding a serious relationship—perhaps for the thrill of it.
Unaware of Jack's silent critique, Frank continued chatting with the others about their previous cases. Soon, Linda and Irene, who had finished tidying up in the kitchen, joined them, and as everyone exchanged ideas, Jack's phone finally rang.
"Tampa's got a good Catholic community. I see. Thank you, Garcia."
Hanging up, Jack met Daniel's expectant gaze and couldn't help but smile. "My colleagues at the BAU compared Donald Benz's past whereabouts with some local cold cases. Care to guess what they found?"
With everyone's eyes on him, Jack didn't keep them in suspense.
"There's an unsolved missing girl case in Tampa, Florida. A Catholic girl, about the same age as Theresa, disappeared, and local police never found her body. The incident happened five years ago—right when Donald Benz was living there."
Daniel's face lit up with excitement. "This can't be a coincidence! I'll call Tampa and see if I can get the case files and news reports from back then. There must be evidence linking him to the crime."
"No need; back at the precinct, we can use a printer to get everything sent over," Jack said, standing up to leave.
"Whatever resources you need, just call," Frank waved, urging them to act quickly.
"Just wait, little sis. I told you we'd get it done," Daniel said, pumping his fist toward Irene as he left, brimming with confidence.
---
"How much more is there?" Daniel muttered, bleary-eyed, as he replaced yet another overheated printer.
"Almost done, just two hundred more pages," Jack replied, seated at the computer. "But there are also audio recordings. You might need to round up a few more people to listen to those."
Sitting at the computer printing the documents, Jack hadn't anticipated the sheer volume of material. Watching Janet organize case files always seemed simple, a few folders at most, but now he realized this was just the initial work. Once a case wrapped up, Janet would be swamped with documents, scene reports, photos—all needing careful organization.
It was evident the Tampa police had done a thorough job; just the investigation logs alone filled three boxes, plus there were local media reports surrounding the case.
Daniel quickly mobilized the entire office, handing each detective a box to sift through, hoping to find any connection between the case and Donald Benz.
After working all night, the detectives were bleary-eyed, exhausted. The two listening to recordings had fallen asleep with their headphones on, while the smell of cigarettes wafted through the hallway.
"Hey, guys, come on, wake up! We've got less than half a day before that scumbag Donald Benz strolls out of holding," Daniel said, walking in with a tray of coffee and bags of donuts. "Any leads?"
"I'm seeing double, Daniel," replied his female partner, Jackie, leaning her head on her hand, her eye makeup smudged from exhaustion. Jack put down his phone, having just texted Hannah to explain why he couldn't make it to the airport, then picked up a newspaper copy and resumed reading.
"Hey, look who it is!" Daniel called, a smile lighting his face as he looked toward the door.
"There he is!" came a sweet, excited voice, as a small figure ran and leaped into Daniel's arms.
"Well, hello there, cutie," Daniel said, bending down to embrace the little girl, Theresa. Jack couldn't help but smile as well.
"I made you a cake," Theresa said, pointing to her mother behind her.
"Wow, what's this? A cake? Did you make it yourself?" Daniel asked, surprised to find his name written in chocolate on the cake as he accepted it from Mrs. Campos.
Theresa nodded shyly and returned to her mother's side.
"Thank you for saving our child," said Mrs. Campos, who looked like a different person, radiant and grateful, no longer the grief-stricken woman she had been.
"As long as she's safely home, that's all that matters," Daniel replied with a smile spreading across his face.
"Thank you so much." Mrs. Campos gripped Daniel's hand, tears of gratitude welling up in her eyes.
"Hey, Theresa, would you like a tour of the NYPD headquarters? Jackie, could you show them around?" Daniel asked, seeing Theresa's eager nod and motioning to Jackie.
Jackie naturally took the little girl's hand. "Come on, sweetheart. Danny's still got work to do, but we'll find him later, okay?"
"Seeing this makes it all feel worthwhile, doesn't it?" Jack teased, noticing how a little girl had managed to disarm the tough-looking Daniel.
"If we could just keep that freak Donald Benz from going free, it'd be perfect. Once he's out, who knows how many more girls…" Daniel's face clouded as he trailed off, worry taking over again.
Jack leaned back in his chair, resuming his scrutiny of the newspaper copy, murmuring, "We'll figure something out…we will."
The next moment, something in the photo on the paper caught his eye. "Daniel, remember that necklace Donald Benz's wife was wearing the night we visited? The one she kept clutching?"
"What necklace? You mean the pearl-embedded cross?" Daniel leaned in for a closer look.
"Look at this photo. Recognize anything?" Jack held out the newspaper copy for him.
Though the newspaper image was blurred and further degraded by scanning and printing, they could still make out the missing girl's necklace—a cross with pearl-like embellishments hanging around her neck.
"Looks like we need to pay Mrs. Benz another visit."
------------------
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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)
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