1960: My uncle is the FBI Director

Chapter 64 Violent Crimes Division: So love will disappear, right? (Please read on!)

At Theodore's request, Paul Anderson and his accomplices were placed in separate rooms.

Theodore was very experienced in dealing with the non-core members of the gang; these people's will to survive far outweighed their loyalty, and as long as the methods were appropriate, he could quickly make a breakthrough.

He and Bernie first went to meet Paul Anderson's associates.

Theodore told him that whoever cooperated with the police first, either him or Paul Anderson, would receive a lenient charge, while the other would be charged as the mastermind behind the kidnapping.

His companions didn't buy it, and just laughed in response.

They went into Paul Anderson's room again, gave the same answer, and asked him about the whereabouts of Sullivan and who had taken him away.

Paul Anderson responded with a sneer in return.

“I know you.” He gestured with his chin. “You two are the face of the Felton Police Department.”

“We kidnapped your son, we’re finished. An electric chair is just a short-lived pain, but jail? Hah.”

In Texas, kidnapping can be punishable by death.

Theodore was not surprised by this reaction; it was a classic case of reverse rationalization of fear.

He glorifies the death penalty as a brief period of suffering in order to mask his deep anxiety about the unknown future of death.

He feared systemic violence in prison.

This violence doesn't just come from the police; child kidnappers are also disliked among prisoners.

Police officers came to inform them that the precinct required them to return immediately. They were also ordered to be separated from all relevant evidence and witnesses and not to participate in the investigation.

This is a very strongly worded order.

Bernie found it hard to accept. The bastard spirit he had suppressed for years was beginning to resurface.

He looked at Theodore, his mind filled with thoughts of running away with Paul Anderson.

Theodore stopped him from making any moves.

Back at the police station, the violent crime unit had been waiting for a long time, along with the senior police superintendent.

Kidnapping cases do not fall under the jurisdiction of the homicide unit; they are handled by the violent crimes division.

The headquarters of the Violent Crimes Division.

The inefficiency of the East District Precinct extends to headquarters. Handing the case over to the Violent Crimes Division would be tantamount to sentencing Sullivan to death.

The violent crime officers gave them awkward, forced smiles.

The senior police superintendent solemnly summoned the two men into the chief's office and told them that the news had leaked and that radio and television stations would soon be reporting on it, and tomorrow's newspapers would also feature it on their front page.

The kidnapping of the son of the twin detectives is a huge sensation that the media will not miss.

By tomorrow, everyone in Felton will know about this.

The senior police inspector questioned the two men about the specifics.

He told the two men seriously that a large group of reporters were waiting for his reply outside.

He doesn't want guarantees or confidence; he wants factual leads.

"Think carefully before you answer." The senior police inspector put his hand on Bernie's shoulder and said earnestly, "Conflict of interest avoidance is your protection."

“I can let them take over right now.” He pointed to the violent crime unit not far away and said, “I will announce to the media that you two have been transferred from the investigation due to conflicts of interest and the need to relinquish control of the case.”

The two looked at each other.

Bernie was grateful for the senior superintendent's protection, but still shook his head and refused.

The senior police inspector looked on with appreciation and gently patted his shoulder.

Bernie began to recount the events from the time of the crime to the Blue Parrot Motel. The senior police officer listened in and was astonished.

Previously, I had only looked at the case files and thought that these two solved cases very quickly and made the right moves every time, but that was all.

Getting involved in a case that's currently being solved feels completely different now.

“How did you determine that Paul Anderson would return to the Blue Parrot Motel?” the senior inspector asked. Theodore felt this senior inspector was wasting his time, but considering that a single sentence from him could save them a lot of effort, he still provided an explanation.

"Through the investigation at the school gate, I determined that this was not the first time the kidnappers had committed a crime. Their entire kidnapping process was very smooth, with no unnecessary movements."

"Without Sullivan Jr., the whole kidnapping would have been carried out quietly."

“I analyzed Paul Anderson’s character and determined that he did not have the ability to be the mastermind, but was merely an executor.”

"After the kidnapping is successful, he needs to hand the hostage over to the mastermind."

"Motels are the most common meeting and transaction locations for gangsters. They are crowded and have high mobility, making them difficult to track."

“Paul Anderson happens to work at the Blue Parrot Motel, which is just the right distance from the school.”

Theodore's words were essentially meaningless; the only one present who could understand even a little was Bernie, who had understood long before returning to the police station.

The senior police inspector looked as if he had just realized something and offered a few words of praise.

This answer gave him some confidence.

He looked at Director Widek.

“They are the best detectives I have under my command,” Chief Widke said without hesitation. “If they fail, then no one can succeed.”

"I have always trusted my subordinates."

The senior police superintendent nodded, hugged Bernie, and then went out to deal with reporters.

These reporters buzzed around the police station like flies, grabbing anyone who came out and relentlessly asking questions.

"Everyone, be quiet."

The senior superintendent has a lot of experience dealing with the media—he was specifically in charge of the police department's image and publicity at headquarters.

“You should all have received the news by now.” His face was somber, and his voice was low. “That’s right, Detective Bernie Sullivan’s son has been kidnapped.”

“We have launched an investigation. We have the best detectives…”

"Will Detectives Theodore Dixon and Bernie Sullivan also be involved in the investigation? Shouldn't they recuse themselves?" someone shouted.

“Yes, they will be involved in the investigation, as consultants.” The senior superintendent responded calmly. “They are the finest detectives in the Felton Police Department. We will not abandon our most powerful weapons for rigid regulations.”

"never!"

The senior superintendent was very tactful, avoiding any words that might provoke the kidnappers, and expressing his attitude and stance appropriately.

He came in a hurry and left in a hurry.

Bernie's courage and determination, and Theodore's magic, gave him confidence, and he was willing to take the risk.

But everything had to be done under his supervision.

If things go wrong, he will immediately remove the two from the investigation and transfer the case to the Violent Crimes Division.

The reporters did not leave; they chose to continue their stakeout, only having their deputy deliver the news back to them.

Soon, they stumbled upon a second bombshell piece of news.

Representative Santos has arrived.

He was dressed in a formal suit, clearly having come from a banquet.

Santos's face was tense. He pushed past the reporters, rushed into the police station, and found Bernie and Theodore, who were preparing to begin a second interrogation of Cynthia.

“I’ve heard everything.” He hugged Bernie and patted his back loudly. “Just let me know if you need any help.”

"return?"

Santos is not putting on a show.

He directly brought in a prosecutor and a judge.

(End of this chapter)