Chapter 88: Climbing the Mountain (Part 1)

"So you came to LA to prevent this from happening?" Jack asked, suddenly understanding the situation.

"Yes, but I couldn't succeed. The district attorney's office bureaucrats are too eager to take action," Rossi replied, no longer concealing his concern from Jack.

"She's definitely going to stir up trouble, and Del Monte is clearly overconfident."

Jack nodded in agreement. "Unfortunately, we're forced to wait for her to make the first move."

"If you had the chance to strike first, what would you do?" Rossi asked, his tone suggesting he was both curious and testing Jack.

Of course, the answer in Jack's mind was to eliminate her immediately. But he couldn't say that out loud. Given the scale of the operation this time, it wasn't convenient to take drastic measures. Jack actually had contemplated using underhanded tactics to get rid of this woman if not for the complexity involved. The accountant had contacted him yesterday, and now he was on his way to LA with his trailer and Justin.

Feigning contemplation, Jack assumed the demeanor of a student thoughtfully answering a teacher's question. "I'd start by searching her cell and investigating all her recent contacts. As a death row inmate, she can't do much on her own from prison. To create chaos, she needs outside help. And a woman like Rosalind Dale, she's bound to have plenty of admirers."

Adoring serial killers was indeed a peculiar feature in Western cultures. Almost every notorious serial killer had fans or copycats. Jack had found this phenomenon baffling until his own experiences in this world helped him understand that it seemed strongly linked to culture and religion.

Rossi smiled, seemingly finding common ground with Jack. "I've already got FBI agents searching her cell."

Jack showed a fittingly surprised expression, part genuine and part flattery for his future boss. Having spent twenty years in the workforce, Jack knew how to play the game.

"Though it's likely we'll find nothing, Rosalind Dale isn't easy to outwit. Tell me more of your ideas."

Jack's mind raced. His memory of the original plot was limited to Lucy's kidnapping. But now, with the absurd mashup of different storylines, even featuring David Rossi from "Criminal Minds," who knew how things might veer off course?

One thing was certain, though—the deranged old woman was bound to cause trouble.

"Is it possible that Rosalind has already set something up targeting the Wilshire Division?" Jack suggested, his thoughts aligning with the mounting tension.

Rossi paused, somewhat taken aback by Jack's line of thought. Intrigued, he asked, "Why do you think that?"

Following the lead vehicle at a steady pace, Jack elaborated confidently, "We all know that whatever Rosalind does, her goal is singular and clear."

"To gain her freedom and continue killing," Rossi agreed.

"Escaping from prison isn't her best option. As a death row inmate, she's been tightly confined for four years. If escape was viable, she wouldn't have waited until now."

"So, she has only two paths: her accomplices attempt a rescue during this transfer, or she creates some doubt about her previous cases, delaying her execution and buying more time to find another opportunity."

"Are you putting yourself in her shoes?" Rossi didn't hide the admiration in his eyes.

Jack was thrilled internally, but he knew this was the moment to push his real agenda.

"Given the LAPD's current state of alert, a forceful rescue seems almost impossible. She's a serial killer, not the leader of a major crime syndicate. Her admirers don't have the capability to break her out from under SWAT's watchful eyes."

"So, something must go wrong during this search for the victims' bodies. She needs to regain control."

At that moment, Rossi's phone buzzed. As he glanced at it, he remarked, "Modern technology has progressed so much. We used to be glued to the office waiting for faxes. Now we can view evidence from anywhere as long as there's a signal."

He showed Jack a photo displayed on his screen, depicting a corner of a cramped prison cell.

"Tell me what you see."

Jack took a quick look. In the center of the photo was a chocolate wrapper.

"This is how Rosalind communicates with the outside world. As a death row inmate, she can still have contact, but all communications are thoroughly monitored. However, the prison black market can't be completely shut down. Someone outside is sending her messages using this method."

Rossi beamed. "You're sharper than I expected. Let's let her think she has the upper hand for now. It's her move next."

Seizing the moment, Jack suggested, "Maybe we could take some preemptive measures."

A long convoy of police cars, followed by a bunch of media vehicles, moved at a steady pace. After about 45 minutes, they arrived at their destination—the southern slopes of Griffith Park, via the winding mountain roads.

The park rangers had already cordoned off the road. Apart from Tyler Kelly's news van, other media personnel were held back at the barricades.

The convoy stopped in a forest clearing. Jack got out and retrieved a backpack filled with bottled water from the trunk, slinging it over his shoulder. He then checked his Glock and his spare firearm.

Tyler Kelly had already swapped her shoes for a pair of sneakers and quickly fell in step beside Jack after getting out of the vehicle.

"Do you think she might try to escape?" Tyler asked as Jack holstered his gun and pointed to the police helicopter overhead and the numerous LAPD officers around them.

"Unless she wants to die, she won't get more than ten steps away," Jack assured her.

He then glanced over at Rossi, leaning against a police car. "Sir, aren't you coming up the mountain?"

Rossi smiled and pointed to his Italian handcrafted shoes. "This is work for the younger folks."

Jack's lips twitched in mild exasperation as he joined the others disembarking from the armored vehicle.

Hondo commanded his team to spread out, taking charge of the outer perimeter security.

The officers from the Wilshire Division gathered together under Sergeant Gray's lead, forming the core defense circle. Only Tim had an AR-15 slung over his shoulder as a precaution.

Jack grabbed a too-eager Tyler Kelly by the arm. "Hey, don't try to chat with Rosalind, or you'll be stuck in the car."

Tyler pouted but turned to signal her cameraman to follow. Soon, she brightened up like a child, saying, "It's a beautiful day for hiking."

Jack looked up at the dissipating morning mist in the mountains, feeling slightly annoyed. Mount Wilson had a peak elevation of 1700 meters, and they were only halfway up. They were about to enter the forest, and he wondered if this cheerful girl would still be as enthusiastic after an hour of trekking.

At least her cameraman wouldn't be happy lugging around that hefty camera, which looked like it weighed close to 20 pounds.

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