Chapter 503: Temporary Farewell to Los Angeles

As it turned out, Jack had caught the attention of certain people. Some federal departments with authority looked into his background and saw his accomplishments, his age, his single and unmarried status, and the fact that he was an orphan with no ties. He was, well, an ideal candidate for undercover work.

Although Rossi didn't say it outright, everyone understood the implication. The BAU's strategy in response was simple: make Jack "famous."

FBI field agents who specialize in criminal investigations face extreme danger, far more than those in counterterrorism, but they also enjoy higher pay and greater visibility. They don't need to live in secrecy.

Except for Rossi's unique team, most FBI agents working on high-profile criminal cases often appear in the public eye. Many agents even seek fame, knowing that after leaving the FBI, large corporations often offer lucrative positions as security consultants. Or, like Rossi, they can become best-selling authors, idolized by middle-aged women. Even if they lack writing skills, ghostwriters can help them rake in the money.

Rossi had a more refined plan for Jack, one that would be easier for someone like him, who wasn't fond of the spotlight, to accept: Jack would debut as a detective author.

Some people were taking advantage of Jack's lack of fame and low social status to push him around. Rossi personally recommended Jack's debut novel to his publisher, and the feedback was unexpectedly positive.

In this country, having money doesn't necessarily grant access to high society, but being a best-selling author and a brilliant detective is a different story. If that isn't enough, add in the fact that Jack was quite handsome. With fame, status, and ability, even if Jack wanted to leave the FBI, the higher-ups would work hard to keep him.

Listening to all this, Jack was getting a bit overwhelmed and quickly interrupted, "What does this have to do with me going to New York?"

Rossi gave him a look, as if Jack was missing the obvious. "Do you know where the headquarters of 'Penguin Random House,' 'HarperCollins,' 'Simon & Schuster,' and 'Scholarly Press' are located?"

"New York." As a budding writer, Jack was aware of this, but he still felt Rossi's explanation was a bit too smooth, as if he was being sold something.

Rossi waved his hand, dismissing everyone else from the room and then led Jack back to his office.

"Here's the deal. An old friend of mine is about to be appointed as Assistant Director of the FBI's Criminal Investigation Division at the New York Field Office. She has an idea similar to mine and is launching a pilot project. It's an initiative to explore joint operations between the FBI and local police departments."

Jack raised an eyebrow, waiting for more. This explanation sounded a bit more convincing.

Rossi cleared his throat and sipped some tea. "She's short on capable people and asked for my help. It's mutually beneficial. You need some fame, but it wouldn't be appropriate for our whole team to take the spotlight."

"So, the plan is for you to take charge of this project on your own. The cases will be chosen by her, and you don't need to worry about jurisdiction issues between federal and local authorities. First, it's New York. Second, she has excellent relationships with the NYPD, as well as the state and city governments."

"She?" Jack was quick to pick up on the pronoun and teased, "Little Muffin?"

Cough! Rossi nearly choked on his tea. "Not Evelyn! Her name is Dana Mojeur. And if you bring that up again, you might end up stuck in New York forever."

"So, is she a little—"

"Little brat!" Rossi cut him off, clearly exasperated. "Jack!"

This old man sure had a lot of friends in the FBI. Jack figured there couldn't be many female higher-ups in the bureau, and somehow, they all seemed to be Rossi's close acquaintances. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea to formally recognize Rossi as his mentor—at least he'd have the "mothers" looking out for him if his "father" ever wasn't around.

Jack nonchalantly rubbed his face, pretending nothing had happened. "I'm just a senior agent. Are you sure about me running a project on my own?"

"You'll have your own office, and the support of the tech and logistics teams at the New York office. NYPD detectives and CSI researchers will be required to cooperate with you. What more could you want?"

Rossi huffed and sat back down at his desk, tapping his knuckles on the table, trying to maintain his air of authority.

It sounded pretty good, Jack had to admit. He wasn't completely devoid of ambition, and Rossi's plan for him to become a low-key yet well-known figure suited him just fine.

And the idea of hiding out in New York for a year or two, away from the constant tension between Hannah and JJ, was starting to look appealing. He could fly back to see them on weekends, alternating between the two. Maybe, just maybe, it could work?

Still, Jack felt like there was some hidden catch in all of this. Although Rossi had always been good to him, this offer seemed a bit too generous. But at this point, he couldn't refuse.

"Just one problem—my house is being rebuilt. The insurance company denied my claim under the terrorism exclusion clause. And the New York office is in Manhattan, right? I hear the traffic's terrible, and rent in the surrounding areas is astronomical..."

Before Jack could finish complaining, Rossi impatiently opened a drawer and tossed a set of keys at him.

"This is for my penthouse apartment in Manhattan's Soho district. You can stay there until the day you leave New York."

"You win. No complaints here," Jack said, pocketing the keys without hesitation.

—

The person most upset about Jack leaving BAU wasn't JJ—it was Garcia.

The thought of the office fridge being empty from now on, no more group dinners after wrapping up a case, and having to rely on junk food while staring at her computer again made Garcia feel like her heart was being slowly cut by a dull knife. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Alright, alright. As long as I'm not too busy, I'll come back to LA every month to visit you guys," Jack said, struggling to free himself from Garcia's bear hug, which was so tight he could almost hear his ribs protesting.

"Don't forget to miss me! MUA!" Garcia planted a bright pink and blue lipstick kiss on his cheek.

That night, everyone gathered at the Wolf brothers' farm for a small farewell party. Well, "small" in name only—everyone who mattered was there.

The entire BAU team, Zoe, Maureen, Hannah, the Hunter couple with Isabelle, and even retired CIA agent Joe Mason had come. LAPD colleagues, including Captain Gray, were also in attendance, as well as a certain female news anchor and Reid's celebrity girlfriend.

John approached Jack with a business card in hand. "This is my cousin, a detective novel writer. He heard you're going to New York and really wants to meet you. He's a bit of a pain, but since your book is about to be published, I think he could be helpful. At the very least, he can introduce you to that circle."

Jack glanced at the card: Richard Castle. Well, that wasn't much of a surprise.

One other thing puzzled him—how differently the two girls in his life were handling his departure.

JJ was more or less what he expected. As the day of his departure neared, despite Jack spending almost every day with her, she still had a sad, gloomy look that tugged at his heart.

Hannah, on the other hand, was acting completely out of character. She wasn't the least bit sentimental. She even helped him pack his bags and seemed perfectly fine with him leaving.

And so, with a head full of questions, Jack hopped into his friends' parting gift—a newly refurbished Pontiac Firebird with bulletproof doors and windows—and set off for New York.

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