Chapter 200: Coveted Twins (Part 3)

"I told you, asking him is never wrong." Jack smiled, handing over an egg sandwich as a reward.

"So, there's a good chance Tracy is still alive?" JJ poured coffee into the cups on the tray.

"We'll know soon enough."

Jack glanced at the time; it was already 7:40, and the kidnapper had said they would call at 8.

The three walked out of the kitchen to find Rossi instructing Evan Davenport, "Remember, keep your voice steady and calm. Agree to whatever he demands."

Evan nodded repeatedly, ignoring the cup JJ placed in front of him.

Time passed slowly for Evan and his daughter, and as the minute hand reached 12, their anxiety grew more intense.

"The time is up, and he hasn't called," Evan said blankly, looking at Rossi with a hint of despair in his eyes.

"Relax. He's doing this on purpose to make you uneasy and increase his psychological leverage."

Rossi's calm tone greatly reassured the father.

A few more minutes passed, and then the phone rang with a jarring electronic sound.

"Remember, repeat all the important information he gives you in your head, make sure you understand it, and try to keep him talking about Tracy. The more he says, the better for us."

With that, Rossi pressed the call button.

"This is Evan Davenport."

A strange voice, clearly modified by a voice changer, came from the other end. "Hello, Mr. Davenport."

"Are you the one who kidnapped my daughter, Tracy?" Evan tried to keep his voice from trembling.

"Yes, your daughter is with me," the kidnapper admitted bluntly.

"May I ask—"

"You may not ask anything." The kidnapper interrupted Evan and then made an unusual request.

"I don't want to talk to you. I want to talk to Cheryl."

"Click." Rossi pressed the button, and the red light lit up.

"What does he want?" Rossi looked at Jack and JJ.

"To maintain control?" Jack's voice was uncertain. Despite his three months of intensive training at the FBI Academy, this unexpected situation was beyond his experience.

Rossi nodded. "We can't let her talk."

"Why not? I want to help. I'm willing to talk to him," Cheryl said, a bit confused.

JJ offered a different opinion, "I think we should let her try. We need information now, and the more the kidnapper reveals, the better our position."

The kidnapper's voice came through, urging them.

"No rush." Rossi turned to JJ. "JJ, you handle this."

Everyone understood, and JJ quickly moved to the seat between Rossi and Evan, bending down to speak softly. "Ready."

Rossi pressed the button again.

"This is Cheryl."

Silence.

JJ repeated, "Hello, this is Cheryl."

Finally, a reluctant sigh came from the other end, "Tracy is right next to me. I know her voice, and I know her sister's. Get lost; I want Cheryl on the phone. You have one minute."

"If I don't hear Cheryl's voice again, I'll hang up, and you'll never hear anything about Tracy again."

The button was pressed again, and Rossi stood up, decisively motioning for Cheryl to take the seat.

"Quickly, sit here." He made room and motioned for JJ to sit beside Cheryl to assist her.

JJ spoke quickly, "This person is very arrogant. Let him know he has the upper hand, follow his lead, and mention your sister often. Don't stray from the topic."

"Agree to everything he says. Let him know you understand him. Use an emphatic tone to create a connection and soothe his emotions. Make him realize that hurting Tracy is too extreme and unnecessary."

JJ spoke rapidly, giving Cheryl advice while the kidnapper's countdown continued on the phone, adding to the tension.

"Hint in your words that releasing your sister would show he's a good person, kind-hearted and reasonable. Keep your tone calm and full of gratitude."

"Don't panic. If you don't know how to respond, I'll be right here to help you."

The FBI Academy's courses included extensive practical training in psychological warfare, including interrogation, elicitation, and negotiation. As JJ guided Cheryl, Jack listened intently.

Clearly, JJ, who often dealt with media and local police departments, was an expert in negotiation.

Perhaps because they were both women, Cheryl quickly calmed down under JJ's guidance, taking a deep breath.

"This is Cheryl."

"Hello, Cheryl. How have you been?"

Jack couldn't help but frown. He wasn't sure if Americans had a similar expression, but despite the voice changer, the tone was obviously greasy.

It felt like a cold, slippery snake slithering all over, making him feel both terrified and disgusted.

Cheryl tensed up again and looked helplessly at JJ.

"Relax." JJ mouthed silently, encouraging her with a tight hand squeeze.

Cheryl gathered her courage and responded, "I would feel better if I knew Tracy was safe."

"I know you have a connection, Cheryl. You care about each other. I'm very understanding, very understanding. I understand you, Cheryl. I know you want to be reunited with your sister."

Jack watched as Reid added a series of questions to the dialogue log generated by the voice recognition software, his frown deepening.

Familiar with the Davenport family? Playing games? Sympathy? Why use a sympathetic tone?

These were also Jack's questions. Psychological profiling wasn't about rigidly applying experience. Every psychopath's mind had subtle differences, and this kidnapper felt unlike those in previous serial abduction cases he had seen.

The conversation continued. After asking Cheryl about her interests, the kidnapper finally allowed a brief conversation between the sisters after Cheryl's tearful pleading.

Tracy's voice was faint and intermittent, seemingly in a dazed state.

Following JJ's prompts, Cheryl asked a crucial question, "Where are you? What do you see?"

"I... I see the moon..."

Then the voice interrupted again, ending the sisters' exchange.

"Prepare one million dollars. It's what I deserve. I'll call again in 15 minutes with specific instructions."

With that, the call ended.

"Did we trace the call?" Rossi asked Reid at the computer.

Reid shook his head. "The kidnapper used a disposable phone. Triangulation pinpointed two cell towers, but the area is too large—it's in a densely populated part of New York, with little reference value."

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