Police in Los Angeles

Pioneer Airlines provided each passenger with compensation of up to $250,000, and the crew members received additional bonuses. As a token of gratitude for their significant contributions, Jack was given an extra $1 million, and Jess received $500,000. Although this was a small airline, it was still quite wealthy. Reportedly, the security company to which the PMC team belonged was their main business, which made sense.

Jack even suspected that the C-130 that carried out the airdrop mission on the island was one of the main aircraft of this airline.

Time quickly passed, and the aftermath of the crash incident gradually subsided over the course of a couple of weeks. Jack resumed his normal work and life.

There were many people to thank. The Anderson family, aside from Rossi, was the most helpful. Jack visited several times, making Mrs. Anderson very happy.

Mr. Anderson, who had long suspected that both of his daughters had been wooed by the same man, didn't like Jack much. However, he was very pleased with the various medicinal dishes like deer antler and lamb soup, and wolfberry pig kidney soup that Jack taught his wife to make.

Garcia was the easiest to satisfy. Nowadays, the luxury fridge in the BAU office was always stocked with Jack's special treats and extra desserts. The special supply was indicated by a panda head label exclusively for her.

To prevent the big sister from eating herself into a 300-pound weight class, Jack added her to his daily fitness class along with Reid. Garcia claimed that ever since she learned Jack's martial arts routines, she no longer needed yoga, much to her new boyfriend's delight. Jack couldn't quite understand the connection between the two.

Leisurely days are always short-lived. When they heard Jess's high heels clicking into the office at twice their usual speed, everyone perked up.

"Great Falls, Montana. In the past 14 months, three women have disappeared: Michelle Lawford, Jennifer Hillbridge, and Darcy Cranwell."

"All young, white women with black hair. Although no bodies have been found, local police, after extensive searches, could only assume they were all dead."

Jess displayed photos of the victims on the screen in the meeting room. All were beautiful and well-proportioned.

"At least we know the type of victim," Emily said, biting her lip uncomfortably as everyone looked at her. Clearly, her appearance fit the profile as well.

"Now there's a fourth victim: Angela Miller. She disappeared this morning from outside a grocery store, along with her car. Her husband and son were shopping inside at the time."

After presenting the case, Jess returned to her seat and accepted the juice Jack handed her. Nowadays, unless they were pulling an all-nighter on a case, everyone in the office was banned from drinking coffee, especially Reid. As a result, Reid was constantly anxious, eagerly awaiting new cases.

"This morning? Montana directly asked for our help?" Everyone was puzzled. It was unusual for local police to ask for FBI assistance unless the situation was dire or the case had significant impact.

"Because the suspect has already been found. Forty minutes after Angela Miller's disappearance, state police found her car on the highway."

"When the state police stopped the car and tried to approach, the suspect detonated a powerful grenade, killing himself and sending one officer to the ICU."

Jess distributed the information to everyone.

"According to the other officers on the scene, the suspect is a white male, burly, with brown hair, a mustache, and a noticeable scar on the left side of his face."

"No victim found in the car?" Hotchner asked as he quickly skimmed through the information.

"So, Montana is asking for our help to find the last victim? Since she's only been missing for forty minutes," Rossi pondered.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures," Jack muttered.

For the local police, even if the suspect committed suicide, the case was considered solved. Leaving the trouble of finding the missing victim to the FBI made perfect sense.

"We need to depart as soon as possible," Hotchner said, pulling out his phone to call his wife.

"Jack, you better bring your new toys," Rossi habitually frowned.

Montana is located east of Washington and Idaho, adjacent to British Columbia, Canada. It's a rugged state with a small population of under a million, despite being the fourth largest state in the U.S. Some military enthusiasts might know that the Montana-class battleships were canceled during World War II, making it the only state without a namesake battleship. The U.S. Navy jokingly referred to the state as "the child without a toy." If it weren't for Yellowstone National Park partially lying within its borders, Jack would have almost no recollection of the place.

Of course, where there are rugged lands, there are rugged people. Rossi's suggestion for Jack to bring his new toys clearly referred to the guns he had brought back. Montana had few people but was scattered with various loose right-wing militia groups.

——

The sound of shuffling mahjong tiles filled the cabin. Rarely, Reid was not participating in the game today but was instead writing and drawing on a map.

"What are you doing?" Jack asked curiously while carving a chubby panda. Recently, he had been preparing wedding gifts for Zoe and Maureen, hoping to perfect his woodworking skills.

Emily peeked over and looked at the almost finished walnut wood figurine with delight. "Can you make one for me?"

"When I finish polishing, I'll give you a dozen. Garcia's desk is already full," Jack said, pointing to a bag full of various panda figurines.

Then he turned his attention back to Reid, waiting for his answer.

"This is a form of map analysis, marking all key points related to the case and looking for patterns to narrow down the suspect's possible residence area, thereby finding where he might be hiding the victim," Hotchner explained for Reid, but he was puzzled. "But I remember this analysis is usually done by computer. You..."

Reid lifted his head and showed his crooked drawing to Hotchner. "Done. It should be within this area."

Everyone was silent for a moment. They turned away, continuing with their mahjong game or woodworking.

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