1960: My uncle is the FBI Director

Chapter 217 Night Banquet
Hoover held a wine glass in one hand and gently patted Theodore on the back with the other.

He smiled, his voice loud and confident:
“...This is my young nephew, Theodore Dixon Hoover. Theodore, and this is Chief Justice Matthew J. Daren of the Supreme Court.”

Theodore, with a semi-permanent smile, greeted Matthew J. Darren.

Matthew J. Darren smiled and extended his hand:
“Agent Hoover, I’ve heard so much about you. Your uncle, the director, often mentions you, saying you’re a rising star in the FBI.”

He then looked at Hoover:
“John, your family has always produced many talented people.”

Theodore glanced at him, suspecting he was swearing.

He turned to look at Hoover.

He remembered that Hoover hated being called John.

The cause is unknown.

Theodore only knew that Hoover hated the name "John" so much that he even used "J" instead of "John" in his signature.

Hoover seemed not to have heard anything, smiling and nodding, then gently patted Theodore's back with his hand.
“He is indeed trying, Chief Justice.”

"Like all of us, we are simply trying our best to uphold the rule of law and order in this country."

"Especially in today's complex times, clear rules and strong enforcement are of paramount importance, wouldn't you say?"

Theodore touched his cheek, feeling as if a throwing knife had just flown past his eyes.

Matthew J. Darren gently shook his head:

"The ultimate goal of law is always justice."

"To ensure justice is served, we often need to have the utmost respect for procedures and to be constantly vigilant against the concentration of power, no matter how alluring its guise may be."

He looked at Theodore:

"It is great to see the younger generation dedicating themselves to this great cause."

Theodore was certain that knives were flying around in front of him.

Although they were supposed to be introducing him, the content of their conversation seemed to have nothing to do with him anymore.

Matthew J. Darren raised his glass slightly in acknowledgment, then turned and left.

Hoover did not chase after him to continue arguing.

He stood there, looking around, exuding the air of a victor:
"The Chief Justice has always been an idealist. A man of principle rather than pragmatism."

Hoover's comments weren't loud, but they were loud enough for the curious onlookers to hear.

There was a brief moment of silence, but the atmosphere quickly returned to normal.

Everyone averted their gaze, each with their own thoughts.

Some people gloated over Matthew J. Darren's misfortune.

Some people were outraged by Hoover's arrogance and domineering attitude.

Some people also felt it was a pity that the two only briefly clashed.

The latter includes Attorney General Robert.

Robert had been secretly watching Hoover, Theodore, and Tolson's every move, and when he saw the three of them go to find Matthew J. Darren, he almost jumped up with excitement.

He wished the two of them would start fighting at the slightest provocation, exchanging blows, and ideally, drawing their guns and shooting each other, leaving a river of blood.

As a result, the two did not have much interaction, and the conflict that Robert had hoped for did not materialize at all.

This greatly disappointed Robert.

After thinking for a moment, Robert picked up his glass and walked toward Hoover.

He glanced at Matthew J. Darren's retreating figure, then turned back and smiled, raising his glass to Hoover in a gesture of respect.
“Mr. Hoover, it seems the White House is hosting more than one president tonight.”

He turned his gaze to Theodore, lingered on him for a few seconds, and then continued:

"And our FBI's rising star, Theodore. Was the dinner enjoyable?"

In public, Hoover did not mind giving his superior, Robert, some face.

He nodded and responded politely:

"Just performing official duties."

Robert glanced at Matthew J. Darren again.

Justice Darren was standing with four federal judges, the five of them forming a circle and conversing. Robert turned his gaze to Hoover:

"It seems you had a... well... 'productive exchange' with the Chief Justice?"

Hoover remained silent, his face expressionless and stern.

Theodore stared at Robert with a strange look.

Robert continued speaking to himself:

“His court has been giving us a lot of trouble lately.”

“Those new ideas about procedural rights are more like giving criminals a manual than giving us tools.”

Hoover's lips curled slightly downwards:

"His Excellency the Chief Justice always has time to concern himself with the rights of criminals, but lacks interest in the safety of law-abiding citizens."

"This is not a new idea, Mr. Minister."

"His courts will sooner or later become the biggest obstacle to law enforcement in this country."

Robert nodded in agreement:
"Who says it's not?"

“I receive complaints every day that our hands and feet are being tied tighter and tighter by the Supreme Court’s new ideas.”

“Sometimes I really feel that we need a more… flexible, more efficient system to deal with these complex threats, a system that is not burdened by red tape.”

He paused, leaned forward, and whispered to Hoover:
"However, for now we still have to dance within the existing framework."

“Mr. Hoover, you and your people need to put in a lot of effort to keep an eye on the Supreme Court. Their agenda for the next few terms may bring us a lot of ‘surprises’.”

"I don't want to always be on the defensive."

Theodore no longer wanted to look at Robert; his gaze began to follow President Jack, who appeared in the distance.

That head was still so square.

Theodore thought to himself.

Hoover moved closer to Robert, and together they looked at Matthew J. Darren not far away.

The group has grown from the initial five people to eight, and there are quite a few more people surrounding them.

Hoover narrowed his eyes:

“You can rest assured about that, Mr. Minister.”

"The FBI's job is to anticipate and respond to all threats to national security, whether they come from within or outside the country, and regardless of what kind of robes they wear."

Robert smiled:

"I have always had full confidence in the FBI's capabilities."

He raised his glass again, gesturing to Theodore and the other two:

"Alright, enjoy the evening, gentlemen."

Hoover was not fooled, which was within his expectations.

However, Robert was still quite satisfied with the brief conversation.

Hoover acknowledged the idea that Matthew J. Darren was their common enemy, and it's likely that relations between the two sides will ease for a considerable period of time.

This should buy the new intelligence agency at least a few months.

Robert didn't believe that Darren's court was as short-lived as the CIA's.

He was even considering whether to provide Hoover with some support if necessary.

After all, in the long run, Daren Court will inevitably become an adversary of the White House.

Robert walked toward President Jack, his mind replaying their conversation.

Behind him, Hoover watched Robert's retreating figure, also reflecting on their conversation.

Robert's act of kindness made him wary.

He made up his mind that he would increase the investigation into President Jack's brothers when he returned.

(End of this chapter)