Police in America

Seeing the old man's reaction, Rossi was almost certain that Reid's profile was completely accurate. He then gave Jack a look.

"Hello, I'm Agent Tavalor. These are my colleagues. Leave one person here, and the rest follow us. We're looking for a big guy with intellectual disabilities. He should be easy to spot in the crowd."

Jack approached the local officers who had come to support them and spoke to them quietly.

A middle-aged officer with a small mustache nodded and motioned to his partner to stay behind, then waved his hand for the other two officers to follow JJ and Emily.

As the FBI agents and police entered the area to search, the old man's expression became one of shock and fear, finally turning to resignation as he leaned powerlessly against the pickup truck.

"Alright." His voice carried a hint of relief but was mostly filled with sadness and helplessness.

"It's all my fault. He didn't mean to hurt them."

Rossi sighed with relief, feeling as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

The old man continued, "That day, I was busy fixing a broken rodeo machine, and he wandered out of my sight."

"He didn't mean any harm; he just wanted to see that girl again. He liked her and wanted to play with her, but he went into the wrong room, the father's room. The father got angry and took out an axe."

"He chased Joey with the axe and attacked him. Just like that."

"It's understandable, right? Joey never hurt anyone, but he got hit with the axe, so he went crazy. But he regretted it right after and even put them back on the bed."

Rossi turned away, unable to listen any longer. He signaled Reid and the remaining officer to cuff the old man.

The old man didn't resist but became increasingly emotional, his voice growing louder with anger and sadness.

"It's all my fault, my fault! I was too late, too late to save them!"

"But every year, when we come back here, I take him to see them, to remind him, to make him remember what he did, and I have him bring toys for the kids."

"He never forgets, never. I have to make sure of that. He's always been obedient. He's a good boy!"

Meanwhile, Jack and the others found their target: a large man with the build of a bear, haphazardly painted with clown makeup. He was so conspicuous, holding a broom that looked ridiculously small in his hands, cleaning up garbage. In the open space, he was easy to spot.

The moment their eyes met, Jack instinctively placed his right hand on his shoulder holster. The man's size was truly intimidating, like Shaquille O'Neal, but even fatter.

The middle-aged officer beside him outright pulled out his gun, looking very tense.

"JJ, Emily!" Jack called out as the man dropped his broom and ran. He quickly followed.

"Daddy! Daddy!" The fat clown shouted as he ran, only to be blocked by the other two groups. At the sight of him, everyone instinctively drew their weapons.

The clown panicked, looking for a place to hide, and eventually dove headfirst into a pile of unfolded tarps.

He desperately burrowed his head into the tarps, unaware that most of his body was still exposed, seemingly believing he could hide completely.

"Put your weapons away!" Jack said, pressing down on the officer's Glock aimed at the clown.

"Leave it to me." He took out his handcuffs and easily subdued the crying clown.

"Joey! Joey!" Rossi arrived with the handcuffed old man.

"Save me, Daddy, help me, Daddy!" The clown, now resembling a bullied child, cried without any resistance.

"Don't resist, Joey. Don't hurt him. He won't resist. He's a good boy, a good boy. He won't resist," the old man sobbed, falling to his knees in a heart-wrenching cry.

"Damn." JJ, witnessing the scene, stepped aside and quickly holstered her gun.

"It feels like we're the bad guys," Emily murmured, helping Jack lift the clown off the ground and hand him over to the officers.

"I hate this," Reid said, walking up to Jack. "It feels like a deliberately arranged tragedy, with every character destined for their roles, just to draw a tear from the audience."

"That's why I hate tragedies, whether in plays or movies. Life is already bitter enough without adding unnecessary seasoning," Jack agreed, standing aside with his arms crossed, watching the unfortunate father and son being taken away. Some outcomes were destined, and even someone as capable as he was powerless to change them.

"Fate always reminds us that we are merely mortals," Rossi said, calling everyone to get in the car.

"Come have a drink with me. No matter what, I hope to sleep well tonight without being woken by nightmares."

But before Jack could drive back to the hotel, Rossi fell asleep in the passenger seat, even snoring lightly.

Jack parked the car and didn't turn off the engine immediately. Rossi's previous state was clear to everyone, so they all tacitly stayed in the car, giving him a few more minutes of rest.

"Do you think he'll leave the FBI now that this case is closed?" Emily asked quietly.

"He's very wealthy and enjoyed a long, pleasant retirement. If not for this case, he wouldn't have considered returning to the FBI, right?"

"Now that the case is solved, do you think he might..."

Her words made everyone glance at each other. Rationally, they knew it was likely, but emotionally, they were reluctant.

Though the team had not been together for long, they had grown close, like a family. They also knew how rare it was to have a leader who could get things done within the Bureau.

If Rossi left, the recently stabilized team would face challenges. Many envied their perks: private planes, independent offices, and the freedom to choose assignments.

Any of these alone would make other specialized FBI units jealous, not to mention those within the BAU who were stuck with desk jobs without field assignments.

---

___________________

Read Ahead

[email protected]/Mutter