Chapter 264: The Missing Girl

"Shouldn't be, right?" Jack wasn't too sure either. He wasn't very ambitious and couldn't put himself in Rossi's shoes. After resolving his inner demons, he couldn't think of a reason to stay.

But something in his gut told him that it wasn't likely. Did Rossi really go through all this trouble to form this task force just for a nearly unsolvable cold case?

If it weren't for that father and son secretly sending gifts out of guilt for twenty years and accidentally being discovered, this case would have remained a mystery forever.

"But his book isn't finished yet," Reid said, looking conflicted. He wasn't thinking as deeply as the others; he was simply troubled by the dilemma of not being able to have his cake and eat it too.

"I'm not leaving for now," Rossi, who had woken up at some point, said with a smile, looking at these young people who were worried for nothing.

"At least not until I try all those strange dishes Jack makes."

"Then you might never leave the FBI," Jack replied confidently.

---

Although the case was solved, Rossi still asked everyone to stay an extra day at the luxurious five-star hotel. The next day, feeling refreshed, he drove out to visit Connie and her siblings by himself, without any of the others.

Emily took JJ out shopping, while the two men lazed around the hotel.

After the two ladies left, Jack went out to a bookstore on the corner and bought a copy of "Of Mice and Men," then returned to his room to read.

He really didn't like tragedies, including novels, but he had to admit that the book's dramatic narrative technique was very clever. Before he knew it, he was absorbed, not even noticing when JJ quietly entered his room.

"Still thinking about that father and son?" JJ glanced at the book title, placing a good bottle of champagne and two flutes on the coffee table beside him.

"Even though the case is solved, this is the first time I haven't felt any sense of accomplishment after solving one."

Jack also set the book aside, reaching out to pull her into his arms and burying his face in her neck, breathing in the scent of her hair.

"Rossi has put his burden down. What about you? I don't like seeing you this gloomy, even if it does look quite handsome."

JJ pushed his head away, nestling completely into his embrace. She really liked this position.

"I'm not as fragile as you think. I just hate that feeling. I've always hoped I could stand on the side of absolute justice."

"To Connie's family, we are justice," JJ had long noticed something was off with him and was there to comfort him.

"I know, it's just that I don't feel right inside," Jack didn't know what he was wrestling with, just that something felt off.

Since gaining the system, he was much more confident than in his previous life, especially with the seemingly cheat-like healing skills that had allowed him to avert many destined tragedies.

However, this time, reality seemed to mock him, coldly telling him he was too arrogant and that many things were already predestined.

Jack knew this was actually a good thing, a timely reminder before he fell into unchecked self-inflation.

Otherwise, he might really end up on that path of American heroism, with a story of great power and great responsibility.

Although he might not go so far as to save the world, he would likely take on all the responsibilities of those around him, which almost certainly meant a lifetime of suffering.

"I never thought you were a perfectionist," JJ kissed him on the cheek, like coaxing a child.

Jack pouted, searching her fair neck before finally catching her earlobe in his mouth, mumbling, "All kids are perfectionists. I never wanted to grow up."

"Jack, I want to take a bath first."

"As you wish."

---

Rossi returned the property to Connie and her siblings, saying that whether they sold it or moved in, he hoped this small help would allow them to start anew.

He also planned to return the bracelet, a possession of the children's mother, given to him by their grandmother years ago.

Connie accepted the bracelet, only to turn around and hand it back to Rossi, placing it in his hands.

For Rossi, no matter what, this was the end of a long-held inner demon, finally resolved by his own hands.

Back in Los Angeles, Hotchner's issues seemed to be resolving too. He and his wife were undergoing therapy together, which might take several sessions, but seeing the occasional awkward smile on his poker face put everyone at ease.

Just when Jack thought things had finally settled down, an unexpected storm hit him out of nowhere.

"We need the BAU team's help." Near the end of the workday, Hannah appeared on the 16th floor with a reluctant expression, looking for JJ.

The office atmosphere instantly buzzed with gossip, even bringing Rossi out of his office where he had been writing.

"What happened?" Reid, sensing Jack's anxiety, didn't directly ask him but turned to Emily instead.

Emily ignored him, opening a bag of chips and craning her neck to look at JJ's office door, occasionally glancing back at a certain someone.

Finally, the office door opened again. Hannah walked out, followed by JJ.

"After explaining the situation to the team, we will depart immediately," JJ said, her tone friendly as she saw Hannah to the elevator. She then turned and glared at Emily, who wore an amused expression.

"Meeting room, now. We have work to do," Rossi said with a peculiar smile, knocking on Hotchner's office door.

A few minutes later, everyone hurried out of the meeting room. The case was urgent: two girls had been missing for over 18 hours, and three hours ago, one of the girls' bodies had been found in a horrific state.

The LAPD had urgently contacted the FBI, and the Bureau wanted the BAU to take the lead. They needed to head to the scene immediately.

The body was found in a dry drainage ditch on the southern outskirts. By the time they arrived, the LAPD had already secured the area, and several news vans were parked nearby.

This wasn't in the Wilshire division's jurisdiction, so Jack didn't see any familiar faces among the police, nor did he see the Channel 8 logo on the news vans, making him breathe a small sigh of relief.

"Have you identified the victim?" Hotchner asked the on-site sergeant after a brief greeting.

---

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