Though many details remained to be filled in, and the kidnapper's exact identity needed further confirmation, the general outline of the case was now clear. As Jubal had just summarized:
"The suspect is likely the person who purchased Pedro's kidney, either for himself or a family member in need of a transplant.
Personally, I'm leaning toward the latter. From the witness statements and surveillance footage, this guy doesn't look like someone suffering from kidney failure."
The reasoning was sound. Someone desperate enough to resort to illegal organ trade was likely beyond the point where dialysis could sustain them. The logical assumption was that the man was acting on behalf of a family member in critical need.
At that moment, the electronic records Aubrey had retrieved from the clinic proved invaluable. The tech team quickly pulled up medical records and identified a match to Pedro—the young man who sold his kidney. While the records used a fake name, the blood sample and tissue compatibility records didn't lie. A 12-year-old boy named Tony Diaz came into the FBI's crosshairs.
Alice Taylor, the ever-efficient tech specialist, synchronized her computer screen with the main display.
"Tony Diaz, age 12, lives in Queens. His father is Octavio Diaz, 43 years old, living here on a temporary visa for asylum," Alice reported.
"Keep going. We need more specifics on the family," Jubal said, tapping the table to keep the analysts on their toes.
Another analyst quickly chimed in. "I've found his asylum application. Octavio Diaz was a former military officer in the Mexican state of Jalisco. He has a college education and participated in multiple operations against drug cartels.
In his application, he stated that if he and his family were sent back to Mexico, their lives would be in grave danger."
Jack stood nearby, observing silently. He couldn't help but notice a pattern: whenever Alice Taylor was around, the male analysts seemed to work with an almost superhuman level of efficiency, as if running on pure adrenaline.
Jack made a mental note. His new team still needed someone akin to BAU's Garcia to handle tech support. If he couldn't find a familiar face from the FBI to fill the role, Alice Taylor, a skilled and charismatic single mother, could be an excellent candidate.
While her technical skills might not match Garcia's level, her popularity among the NY office's tech geeks was undeniable. Jack figured a simple call from her would be enough to rally plenty of help if needed. He decided to keep an eye on her and asked Hannah to casually learn more about her career aspirations later.
After all, joining the Most Wanted unit, even for a technical role, would require her to train at Quantico and officially become an FBI agent. And in this team, there might be times she'd need to draw a gun.
"Can we locate Octavio Diaz's phone?" Jubal asked loudly.
"No. His phone's off, but his wife's phone is active and shows a location matching their Queens rental address," an analyst replied.
Jack grabbed his jacket. "Aubrey, you're with me. Let's bring her in. She'll know something."
Jubal nodded. "Go. We'll keep working on pinpointing the surgery location. This kind of illegal, complex surgery requires a sterile, secure, and hidden environment, not to mention specialized equipment.
They've done this before—there's no way they're operating without a fixed location."
Jack paused at the mention of "specialized equipment," a lightbulb going off in his head. He recalled the macabre case involving perfume candles made from human bodies and how Reid had traced the suspect through surgical equipment purchase records.
"Start reviewing the clinic's financial records immediately," Jack said. "Look into all businesses connected to Lucas Caldwell and Terrence Nelson. Go through the past few years' records of their surgical equipment purchases and facility rentals. Hannah, this is your time to shine."
"Got it," Hannah replied, already settling at a computer to begin the search.
Mrs. Diaz turned out to be a modest-looking Mexican woman dressed in simple, inexpensive clothing. Though she appeared surprised at the arrival of two FBI agents, her reaction felt poorly acted, as if she had anticipated their visit.
Jack decided to cut straight to the point. "We don't have much time, Mrs. Diaz. Let's not beat around the bush. We know about your son Tony's condition, and we know your husband Octavio is working with Dr. Lucas Caldwell to perform an illegal kidney transplant.
This involves the kidnapping of an innocent female doctor. We need to find them quickly to provide help—including medical assistance for your son."
His words broke her composure instantly. Tears welled up and spilled down her cheeks as she exclaimed bitterly, "Medical assistance? Now you say you can provide medical assistance?
Do you know how many times we've tried? We've begged 25 transplant doctors to put Tony on the recipient list.
The answer was always the same—they couldn't help because we aren't part of the insurance system."
She desperately dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief, but they wouldn't stop flowing. Her already red and swollen eyes looked raw. "We've run out of time. My son is dying. He can't walk, he can't eat, he weighs half of what he used to.
He's only 12 years old! If he doesn't get a new kidney, he won't live to see his next birthday."
Aubrey tried to reason with her. "But have you considered the risks? Kidney transplants are highly complex and dangerous. Right now, you're relying on a single surgeon and an anesthesiologist being forced to perform the procedure.
The best course of action is to take Tony to a hospital where professionals can handle the surgery—"
"Enough!" Mrs. Diaz interrupted, her voice rising as she broke down further. "I've told you—we've tried everything. Nothing worked.
We risked everything to escape Mexico and come to this country, thinking we'd finally be safe and able to live together as a family. And now this!
This is our last hope. Do whatever you want to us, but please, just let our son survive. I have nothing more to say."
Faced with a mother in despair, Jack realized there was no point in trying to reason with her further. Words wouldn't reach her in her current state. For now, all he could do was handcuff her and bring her back to headquarters.
On the drive back, as their Suburban crossed the Queensboro Bridge toward Manhattan, Jack's phone rang. When he answered, Jubal's excited voice came through.
"We found it. Hannah discovered that two years ago, one of Lucas Caldwell's companies made a one-time purchase of over $200,000 in medical equipment. The delivery address was a warehouse in Brooklyn.
That warehouse has been leased long-term by a company called 'VIP Medical Properties,' which is tied to Dr. Terrence Nelson. SWAT is already on the way. We're heading out now."
"Got it. Tell Hannah to bring my gear," Jack replied before glancing at Mrs. Diaz in the backseat. Her face had gone ashen the moment she heard the conversation.
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American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1452)
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Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 703)
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