1960: My uncle is the FBI Director

Chapter 47 Theodore's expression was strange (Please continue reading)
Keller, who was taking notes rapidly, said without looking up, "The children of the upper class all have their own little circles."

“Anthony, Teddy Santos, Emily Grant, James Carter, Helen Bennett, and Paul Miller were childhood friends who were inseparable. They attended Boy Scout and Girl Scout summer camps together.”

Theodore asked him, "Who is Helen Bennett?"

“The daughter of Congressman Bennett.”

Theodore said he understood.

Bernie couldn't help but ask, "Where's John Davis?"

Ricky began to explain, "John Davis is Anthony Howard II's henchman, and Teddy Santos and the others each have their own henchmen. Henchmen aren't considered part of the circle."

Bernie grinned, thinking how complicated the lives of important people were. He said, "But John Davis should also know about the structure of a villa, right?"

The three of them nodded together.

Bernie is right about that.

Theodore adjusted his analysis, removing the label of privileged class.

He continued, "The killer was calm and premeditated, and was able to use the chaotic environment to cover up the traces."

“He used the young people attending the party to create multiple footprints to disrupt and destroy the scene. Even if he had left any clues, they would be destroyed by the young people watching the fun.”

“These young people were the murderer’s free ‘clean-up workers’.”

Compared to previous cases, Theodore has not been able to provide much profiling information this time.

But he had no choice but to release it.

After working in the East District for two days, he has basically figured out the boundaries.

Ricky had no intention of leading the four-person team; rather, he genuinely delegated all authority to Ricky, allowing him to lead the investigation.

Now he must step in and steer the investigation in the right direction, instead of continuing to waste time on Howard Jr.

Theodore asked the group to wait a moment while the forensic team brought him what he wanted.

The paper bag contained a deer hunting knife, 12 inches long, with the inscription "To Anthony II, From Teddy S. 1960" engraved near the handguard.

This was the birthday gift the deceased gave to young Howard, and also the knife that killed him.

In Texas, deer-hunting knives are not only practical tools, but are also seen as a symbol of cowboy spirit and independence, and are especially favored by oil tycoons and traditional families.

Theodore presents the first report

"Dwight Howard's fingerprints were taken from near the end of the knife handle, and he had a full grip."

"If these fingerprints occurred during the crime, they should be near the blade."

Needless to say, Keller and Ricky both understood what this meant.

Keller had already stood up excitedly.

Ricky then asked, "What's underneath the bloodstains?"

He meant whether it was possible to stab first and then pull out.

Theodore shook his head. "The only fingerprint on this knife is Howard Jr.'s grip fingerprint near the end."

He concluded, "This is also clear evidence that the murder was premeditated, not a spur-of-the-moment decision."

The absence of stabbing fingerprints indicates that the killer wiped the knife handle.

In this day and age, no one who doesn't have a premeditated plan will bother to understand fingerprint issues.

Theodore even had a feeling that this was aimed at him. Because in all of Felton, he was the only one who was good at using fingerprints to solve cases.

He then presented a second report.

This is an autopsy report. The report shows a single fatal stab wound that entered through the fourth intercostal space in the anterior chest, penetrating vertically through the middle lobe of the left lung, the pericardium, and the left ventricle.

A penetrating injury to the left ventricle resulted in approximately 450 ml of blood accumulation in the pericardium, leading to cardiac arrest.

The deceased will lose consciousness within 30 seconds due to hemorrhagic shock and cardiac tamponade, and die 1-2 minutes later.

The murderer did not hesitate for long, giving the victim no chance to struggle, killing him with a single, precise, and ruthless blow.

Theodore concluded that "the killer had medical or autopsy experience," which was far more useful than other profiling points.

First of all, Dwight Howard Jr. has absolutely nothing to do with medicine or anatomy.

Secondly, labels like "medical" or "anatomical" can filter out the vast majority of guests that night, and even if you check the remaining people one by one, you can get the results quickly.

This is almost tantamount to putting the suspect right in front of you.

After releasing the profile, Theodore said, "Mr. Cullinan, I need the cooperation of the East Precinct."

"I need a guest list, and all people who meet the above requirements need to be screened out."

Having learned from the oil field case, Theodore specifically instructed, "Don't leak any information to the outside world for now, as this might alert the killer."

“Mr. Keller, I need to speak with a few other people in Howard Jr.’s circle tomorrow.”

"Including the eyewitness who went to New York for surgery, if his surgery is already completed."

…………

The brief meeting ended, and Theodore and Bernie were the first to leave work.

Ricky was working overtime in his office, while Keller was waiting for Howard Jr.

His suspicion has been cleared, so the police have no reason to detain him.

Theodore hopes that Howard Jr.'s release will earn him Howard Sr.'s full support.

Because of the meeting that followed, the two returned to the West District Police Station a little late today.

I didn't run into Jacob, but there were still a few night owls in the office, scratching their heads and puffing away while smoking.

As he left, Theodore passed the deputy superintendent's office and saw that the lights were still on inside.

The next day, the two set off half an hour early and were not late again.

Ricky arrived at work just in time and found Theodore. "Congressman Santos requests your presence at noon."

Theodore asked, "Where to?"

He's at the city hall.

Theodore thought for a moment and shook his head. "Then I'm afraid there's no time."

Ricky suspected Theodore was doing it on purpose, but then, recalling Theodore's attitude toward old Howard, he wondered if he was overthinking it.

Theodore, unaware of what the man was thinking, asked him about the list.

Ricky replied that he expected preliminary results by the afternoon, but further screening of all guests who attended the party could take longer.

After Ricky left, Bernie couldn't help but complain, "He's not like a manager at all; he's more like a pimp who pimps politicians."

Keller arrived a little late, but brought good news to Theodore.

The eyewitness who went to New York for important surgery has completed his surgery and will be taking a flight back this morning. We expect to see him this afternoon.

In addition, he can see Emily Grant in the morning.

Regarding Helen Bennett, Keller hesitated slightly before explaining that she had already spoken with Senator Bennett, who was willing to cooperate.

But Helen Bennett was having a fight with her family and had disappeared somewhere.

The East District Police Station is currently assisting with the search.

Bernie remarked on how energetic and restless young people are these days. Theodore, standing nearby, looked at him with a strange expression.

Keller seemed to agree, and shared more gossip with Bernie, all about the children of the privileged class.

Theodore felt that Keller seemed unusually enthusiastic today.

Last night I dreamt that the chapters were posted backwards, which scared me so much that I quickly came back to check them again.

Also, the first round of recommendations is coming soon, please read on! Thank you everyone!
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(End of this chapter)