Chapter 897 Kidnapping?
"Sarah Elmasri, who is she?" Cassel poured himself another cup of coffee in a good-tempered manner.
"The specific situation is still under investigation, but she is also a sophomore at Columbia University. I couldn't get through her phone number, so I could only leave a message first."
Esposito handed Beckett a photo of a dark-haired girl with soft features and a mixed-race appearance with obvious Middle Eastern features.
Just when he was about to drink the coffee in the cup in one go, his good friend Kevin Ryan appeared at the door, looking at everyone with a solemn expression.
"Hey guys, I've got some stuff you should check out."
Knowing that he must have made some important discovery, everyone quickly put down their coffee cups and followed him out.
Kevin said as he walked, "I'm sorry for spending so much time checking the surveillance. There is no traffic or road surveillance near the alley where the incident occurred. I mobilized several police officers to help me at the intersections around the incident. Monitored the search and found this piece.”
As he spoke, he led everyone into a conference room, picked up the remote control on the table and started playing the surveillance video, "This is about 5 minutes after the incident, at the intersection of the alley and one street away from where Hasim was hit and killed. monitor."
A gray van appeared on the display. Jack didn't know the exact model, but the logo showed it was made by Ford.
The van stopped temporarily because of a red light. You can see obvious dent marks on the front of the van and several clear bullet holes on the windshield.
"This should be the car that caused the accident." Esposito blurted out.
"Yeah, that's right, but keep watching." Kevin pressed the play button again.
The door of the van was suddenly opened, and a girl poked her head out of the car. She looked like she wanted to call for help, but she was pulled back and the door was immediately closed again.
"Wait, rewind, pause, this is it, if I'm not mistaken." Beckett held up the photo Esposito had just given her in front of the screen.
"Is this Sara Elmasri? She's been kidnapped!"
"And Hasim was killed to save her!" Cassel also looked shocked.
——
"OK, guys, now this case belongs to us, the FBI." Jack showed an apologetic smile. He originally just wanted to come over and join in the fun. After all, it's not so easy to run into terrorists or spies.
Unexpectedly, the case turned into a kidnapping case, which fell under the jurisdiction of the FBI.
"Oh, please, this case has just started to become interesting, and you want to take it away?" Cassel complained rather dissatisfied.
"I'm sorry, but this is about a young woman's life after all." Jack took out his cell phone and was about to make a call. He paused and looked at everyone, and finally relaxed.
"Of course, if you are willing, the FBI still welcomes the NYPD's assistance, but you need to move to the Federal Building. I will notify Isobel to activate the operations center immediately."
——
When everyone arrived at the Federal Building, Isobel and Jubal were already waiting here. Other members of the wanted criminal team were already sitting in the large office of the operations center. Alice was even sitting at her original desk.
“Although I’ve been here twice before, it’s still a shocking place, like walking into the Pentagon.”
When he saw the beautiful Cassel, he couldn't help but start talking. In front of Beckett, he began to compliment Isobel in various ways, from the layout of the combat center to her taste in clothing.
Seeing that he was getting carried away for a moment, Jack sneered and reminded, "Shouldn't you be busy taking care of the children today? It's almost dinner time, and Alexis and Kim should go home too, right?"
"I made a reservation for them at a French restaurant and Alexis will take Kim there, you know, teenagers their age don't like having adults following them around."
Cassell waved to others as he spoke. He basically knew everyone in the wanted criminal team, and some FBI agents were even fans of his books.
After leading everyone into the big office, Isobel's face straightened and she turned to face the NYPD detectives.
"The information previously investigated by the NYPD has been synchronized with us. Sara Elmasri was born in Cairo and is now a sophomore at Columbia University, majoring in marine biology.
Sarah’s father is a well-known wealthy businessman in Egypt with a net worth of hundreds of millions. He and his wife live on Long Island. They have just received the news and are on their way here. Before that, I would like to hear your opinions. "
Kevin and Esposito also followed, and were immediately shocked by the large screen covering the wall and the large office with hundreds of people. The two live treasures were muttering privately, and couldn't help but see several people looking at this side with the same gaze. Stunned in place.
Esposito was the first to react and quickly poked Kevin with his arm. Only then did the latter come to his senses and quickly took out his small notebook.
"I just called Sara's roommate, and she confirmed that Sara didn't know Hashem. There was no interaction between the two. We compared the call records of the two and confirmed this, so look It sounds more like Hashem has been stalking Sarah.
Not only did he install a bug in Sarah's apartment, but he also took two of the same classes as hers. "
“It sounded like the movie ‘The Conversation.’” Cassel’s imagination was sparking again.
"Sorry, I haven't seen it." Isobel was interrupted by Jubal before she finished her words, "The one directed by Francis Ford Coppola?"
"The one starring Gene Hackman, because it happened to coincide with the popularity of the Watergate scandal, it caused widespread discussion at the time. Of course, the movie itself is also very interesting."
Jack added that compared to the old westerns that can be called ancient, this old movie released in the 1970s is barely within his scope of involvement.
Francis Ford Coppola is a famous American director, and his most famous work is the "Godfather" series. Gene Hackman is also a well-known actor. He is well known to Americans for playing the villain Lex Luthor in the old version of the "Superman" series.
"Thank you." Cassel thanked the two for their explanation and continued his speculation, "In the movie, an eavesdropping expert accidentally discovered a conspiracy against the woman he eavesdropped on.
Maybe Hasim is the same. He accidentally discovered the kidnapping through eavesdropping, and he tried to stop it but paid the price with his life."
"Then how do you plan to explain the guns in his apartment?" Beckett unceremoniously broke the stage.
Cassel rolled his eyes and rolled his eyes for a long time without finding a suitable explanation, "Indeed, Gene Hackman doesn't have an arsenal."
"Or maybe Hasim is actually one of the kidnappers, but he was killed because he had a conflict with his accomplices, or because he found his conscience and tried to stop it."
Hannah appeared behind everyone with a smile and proposed another cliché movie plot.
"Long time no see, Hannah." Cassel greeted her.
"Why didn't Alexis answer my call today? I wanted to share with her what I gained at New York Fashion Week." Hannah complained a little and turned to business.
"Sarah's parents are here. Who of you plans to go talk to them?"