Living in North America, working from 9 to 5

Chapter 97 Arriving at the Crime Scene
There was a thunderstorm in the early morning sky.

An FBI convoy consisting of five Chevrolet Suburban SUVs drove through the streets of Queens, New York in the rain.

The convoy's destination is 3378 Laurelton Community Road.

Alexander Mahone, wearing a black suit and tie, was sitting in the passenger seat of the first car, fiddling with the coin that Roy had just given him.

Ma Hong was thinking about the movements Roy taught him, throwing it up, catching it, showing his ID. He couldn't understand it, he really didn't understand it.

At the same time, he was still savoring Roy's last words:

"When in doubt, flip a coin..."

What does this mean?

In the car, Mahone tried to flip the coin a few times, then put it in the pocket containing his FBI ID.

3378 Laurelton Community.

Residence of Deputy Director Kane Gebery.

The rain was still falling and thunder could be heard occasionally.

At the scene, more than a dozen NYPD Queens Police cars were parked in front of the main entrance of the villa where the murder took place, with warning lights flashing.

Police officers wearing raincoats surrounded the villa where the crime occurred. The cordon had already been drawn. The police officers in charge of the outer perimeter were whispering and discussing the identity of the deceased in the villa.

At the same time, several private cars arrived at the crime scene one after another, and the people who got out of the cars looked extraordinary.

There is Hamilton Treken, the chief of the Queens Police Department in New York, and Semir Latten, the director of the NYPD Investigation Bureau. The most important one is Tosa Barrett, the deputy commissioner of the New York City Police Department.

The reason why so many big names in the police force came was because the deceased in the villa was Kane Gebery, who had just been promoted to deputy director of the Special Investigations Department.

Chief Inspector Tosa asked with a stern face:

"How long will it take for the FBI to arrive?"

As Tosa finished his words, the lights of the convoy in the distance came on.

"Director, the FBI is here..."

Everyone at the scene turned their heads to look at the convoy coming towards them.

Five Chevrolet Suburban SUVs were parked outside the cordon.

More than a dozen FBI agents opened the car doors and got out, several of them carrying metal boxes of different sizes.

Ma Hong took the lead and walked in front.

Arriving at the cordon, Ma Hong looked at the three Queens Police officers on duty in front of him, took out a coin, and threw it into the air...

The three police officers' eyes followed the coin up.

at the same time.

A black umbrella appeared above Mahone's head.

The umbrella just blocked the coin's upward trajectory. The coin hit the umbrella and fell down. Ma Hong stumbled and almost missed catching it. The moment he caught the coin, Ma Hong pulled out his FBI ID:

"FBI Senior Agent, Alexander Mahone!"

Three police officers: “…”

First time showing, not so skilled, need to practice...

Seeing that he was a senior FBI agent, the three officers opened the cordon and let Mahone and his group into the cordoned area.

Tosa, Semill and Hamilton came forward at the same time.

Mahone shook hands with them respectively:

"what happened?"

Tosa said:

"A deputy director of the Special Investigation Division of our Bureau of Investigation was murdered in the bedroom of the villa."

After saying this, Tosa looked towards the villa.

Ma Hong frowned and nodded seriously.

Tosa continued:

"Due to Kane's identity, our investigation bureau has to avoid suspicion, so we asked the Queens Police Department's Major Crimes Unit to work with your FBI to jointly investigate the case."

Ma Hong nodded:

"Yes, I know……"

Queens Police Chief Hamilton stepped forward:
"This is Detective Raul Perkins, the head of the Queens Police Department's Major Crimes Unit. He will work with you to complete the subsequent investigation."

Inspector Raul extended his hand and shook Mahone's hand. "Hello, Agent Mahone. It's an honor to work with you. You should know Deputy Director Kane."

During the handshake, Mahone said:

"Yes. Not long ago, Deputy Director Kane and I busted drug dealers in an old warehouse in Brooklyn. What a pity. Kane is an upright and good man..."

Ma Hong sighed repeatedly...

After hearing what Ma Hong said, the police leaders at the scene became even more sad.

NYPD Investigations Chief Samuel said:

"Mr. Mahone, for some reasons, our bureau needs to avoid suspicion and cannot be involved in Kane's murder. I'm leaving this case to you, the FBI. Promise me that you will bring the murderer to justice and avenge Kane."

Ma Hong nodded firmly:

"Don't worry, Chief Samir."

What I thought in my heart was, next time for sure!
Mahone asked Director Semir:
"Since the Investigation Bureau wants to avoid suspicion, do you already have a suspect?"

Director Samir nodded:
"Yes, the detective who previously competed with Kane for the position of deputy director was named Monte Brighton. He had a motive, and that is why my investigation bureau has to avoid suspicion. If Mr. Mahone wants to talk to Monte Brighton, I can arrange it at any time."

"Okay, I understand. Let's take a look at the scene first."

Ma Hong led his men towards the villa where the crime occurred...

Arriving at the main entrance of the villa, Mahone stopped, turned his head and looked at Inspector Raul, thought for a moment, and asked:

"How did you find out that Deputy Director Kane was dead at home?"

Inspector Raoul replied:

"A lady who lived across the street was awakened by thunder in the middle of the night. She found that the window of the guest room was blown open by the wind and rain. When she closed the window, she saw several people running out of Kane's house. They got into a car and left. Then she called the police."

"Did you see how many people there were?"

"She said there were about four or five people. Because it was raining heavily and it was late at night, she didn't see the details clearly, not even the model of the car. I have sent someone to take him back to the police station to take a statement."

Ma Hong nodded, thinking that it wasn't us who saw it...

Mahone continued:

"About what time?"

"She called the police at 2:40, and our patrol officers arrived at the scene at 2:45 and reported it."

After listening to what Inspector Raul said, Mahone began to estimate the time in his mind. At this time, he and Roy were on their way back to Brooklyn.

This means that not long after he and Roy left, a group of people entered Kane's house.

"Okay, I know……"

Ma Hong entered the villa through the main gate.

As soon as he entered the door, Ma Hong saw the messy living room on the first floor. The floor was full of footprints and water stains. The entire first floor showed signs of being turned over, and the living room was particularly messy.

Ma Hong frowned slightly.

Inspector Raul, who was standing next to Mahon, said:
"The footprints marked with red marking lines were left by the first patrol officers who arrived and my detectives when they entered."

Ma Hong walked within the red marked line, took two steps forward, and saw the security alarm device on the wall.

Inspector Raoul continued:

"According to my preliminary investigation, these people understand the principles of security systems. They should have entered the backdoor password we reserved after entering the door."

Ma Hong said:

"So that's why you suspect Detective Inspector Monte Brighton of the Special Investigations Division?"

Inspector Raul's suspicion is not unreasonable. As an inspector of the Special Investigations Division, he must know the police backdoor password of the security alarm device.

Inspector Raoul nodded:

"Yes, and that is why the Special Investigations Department has to avoid suspicion."

Ma Hong breathed a sigh of relief.

Come to the second floor.

The scene was in a mess, with all kinds of items scattered all over the floor.

Ma Hong frowned even deeper.

Standing at the bedroom door, Ma Hong's mouth twitched...

(End of this chapter)