Chapter 204: Chapter 204: Coveted Twins (Part 7)
Not long after, everyone returned to the living room, gathered around the recording equipment, and waited for the kidnappers to call again.
Finally, amid the silent stares of the crowd and Evan Davenport's anxious pacing, the phone rang.
Rossi sat in front of the device, silently watching as the phone rang seven or eight times. Eventually, Evan could no longer contain himself and reached out to press the call button.
"Don't rush," Rossi signaled for Jack to block him.
The phone continued to ring, and after another seven or eight rings, Rossi finally answered it, only to hang up immediately before the other side could speak.
"What are you doing?" Evan was shocked by his action, and even Cheryl was a bit panicked.
The BAU team ignored the father and daughter, keeping their eyes on the recording device. JJ calmly placed a hand on Cheryl's shoulder.
Soon, the phone rang again.
This time, Rossi didn't wait long before answering, "Hello."
"Tell me that was just a technical glitch and you didn't hang up on me," the kidnapper's voice hadn't finished when Rossi hung up again.
"Agent Rossi, what are you doing?" Evan was more flustered, not understanding Rossi's tactics and fearing it would anger the kidnappers.
"Aren't you going to answer the phone? What do you intend to do?" Evan looked desperately at the others: Jack, JJ, and Reid. "You're going to drive him mad! Answer the phone!"
Rossi simply put a finger to his lips, signaling for silence. Jack and JJ both placed a hand on Evan's shoulders, keeping him from getting too agitated.
The phone rang again, and this time even Cheryl got excited, "You must answer the phone, for God's sake, answer the phone."
JJ held her tightly, "He knows what he's doing."
The scene became chaotic. Jack held Evan firmly in his seat, who started shouting, "Answer the phone, for God's sake, I beg you."
Finally, Rossi pressed the call button, his tone relaxed, "Hello, this is the Davenport residence."
The kidnapper was clearly angry, "Are you insane? You know I can kill Tracy, right? Do you..."
Rossi hung up again, and everyone fell silent.
When the phone rang for the fourth time, Rossi suddenly laughed. Seeing him so indifferent about his daughter's life, Evan completely lost control. If not restrained by Jack, he would have attacked Rossi.
"You're going to get my daughter killed! Answer the phone...answer the phone!" Evan shouted.
"Keep him quiet," Rossi glanced at him before ignoring him.
Jack, worried about using too much force, had to use both hands to hold Evan gently but firmly.
On the other side, JJ also firmly controlled Cheryl, the Davenport duo's emotions breaking down, crying loudly.
After more than a dozen rings, Rossi finally answered. The father and daughter's screams and cries were clearly transmitted to the other end.
"She's dead. Hang up on me again, and I'll cut her up!" the other side screamed crazily.
Rossi calmly replied, "Sorry, you must have dialed the wrong number." Then he hung up again.
"You killed Tracy, Rossi. You killed my daughter," Evan choked out, unable to move under Jack's grip.
"No, I didn't, sir." Rossi smiled at him.
"Do you know what you're doing?" Evan gasped for breath, tears streaming down his face, nearly speechless with rage.
The phone rang for the fifth time. Rossi straightened up, whispering, "You should trust me," and answered the call again.
This time, the kidnapper's voice was unexpectedly calm, as if the previous outburst had never happened. He made a single demand, "Let Cheryl answer the phone."
"No, that's impossible. Cheryl won't speak to you again."
Rossi's voice was calm and emotionless, like a routine notification.
"Ha, listen to you with your official tone. Who do you think you are? An outdated old man, why don't you keep writing books? Aren't those fans in outdated clothes enough for you, David?"
The voice on the phone was filled with bitter sarcasm, like it was retaliating for Rossi's actions.
The Davenport duo quieted down, still trying to understand what had happened.
The other BAU agents breathed a sigh of relief, smiling as their goal was achieved.
Rossi seemed stung, silent for a moment before exhaling, "It sounds like you know me well, like an educated person, but you clearly don't really know me."
The voice on the other end sounded pleased with itself, continuing its rant.
"No, no, no, I know everything about you all. That pretty agent, everyone calls you JJ, right? A flower vase cop from NYPD who can't find her place."
"You came to BAU, another male-dominated place, to prove what? That you're more than a flower vase? Or using your angelic looks and hot body to conquer all the male members?"
"The genius child Reid, an autistic guy with severe insecurity, still breastfeeding? Maybe you can go to Vegas and make money counting cards."
"And Jack Tabor, such an ordinary name. Did your parents' death in a fire give you PTSD? Chasing unattainable justice, staining your hands with blood, waking up in the night?"
"You can't threaten me, you can't threaten anyone. I know your tricks and your next moves. And you?"
After the tirade, the phone abruptly hung up. The BAU team exchanged glances, barely containing their amusement as if they hadn't just been insulted.
"What just happened? What the hell was that? He said he knows our next move. Is he going to hurt my daughter?" Evan panted, worry and fear clutching at his heart.
"No, he's showboating, displaying his intelligence," Rossi explained, leaning closer to the listening device.
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