1960: My uncle is the FBI Director

Chapter 234 FBI Entertainment Association
Bernie's choice of the bald firefighter was not unexpected.

Not everyone can trust Theodore like he does, and not everyone in their forties would dare to take such a gamble.

The bald firefighter said with a touch of self-deprecation that he used to have to work, train, and respond to fires every day, leaving him no time to spend with his family.

Their family's holiday plans were originally well-arranged, but due to him, they would often have to be postponed again and again until they could not go on their trip.

As he spoke, he took out his wallet, opened it, and showed everyone the photos inside.

The photo shows two little boys, one tall and one short, wearing full rugby gear, standing together with their arms around each other, grinning at the camera.

The taller one was also holding a rugby ball.

The bald firefighter told everyone that the photo showed his two sons. His older son was already in middle school and was a full member of the school team, while his younger son was participating in the school team selection process.

He was supposed to be the one accompanying his younger son during practice, but due to work commitments, he didn't have the time, so his older son had to take over.

He taught them to play rugby, but the last time he watched them play was almost two years ago.

They put out a fire and on their way back they happened to pass by a rugby stadium and watched two quarters.

The bald firefighter said that he finally has time to spend with his family.

He plans to go watch his youngest son's school team selection competition this afternoon to cheer him on.

Bernie shook his head:
"Michael, I'm afraid you'll have to break your promise again."

“A colleague of ours is investigating a fire-related case and they are seeking help from reliable expert advisors.”

“We met at the school gate yesterday afternoon, and he asked me about you.”

"He is very satisfied with your professional skills."

He checked the time:

"He should have already written the letter and is ready to send it to the DC Fire Department."

Not everyone can be like Theodore, bringing people into the team whenever they want. The FBI has a very advanced and standardized work process.

The bald firefighter had a complicated expression, and after a moment of silence, he shrugged.

“I’d be happy to help.”

He paused for a moment, then thanked Bernie sincerely.

Bernie waved his hand:
"I hope Kelly won't blame me."

Theodore thought for a moment before remembering that the bald firefighter's name was Michael Francis Kelly.

Bernie wasn't making friends out of thin air.

He made a phone call, and soon a red-haired detective rushed downstairs.

The red-haired detective was very enthusiastic. After Bernie introduced them, he immediately asked the bald firefighter if he would be willing to join them as a consultant and provide assistance.

The bald firefighter readily agreed.

At this critical time, an invitation to cooperate from the FBI was of utmost importance to him.

Not long after the two left, another detective came to the door.

The agent identified himself as being from the FBI Recreation Association and said he was there to register athletes for the FBI Bowling League.

Bernie and Billy Hawke were both eager to try.

Bernie also asked the agents about the rules of the game.

The detective enthusiastically introduced him:

"The competition is organized by department, and the team name is usually the same as the department name."

“Each team needs to register six to seven players, five of whom are official players and one or two are substitutes.”

"The rules of the competition follow the standard ten-pin system of the Emilyka Bowling Conference (ABC), with 10 rounds per game, two bowling opportunities per round, and the player with the highest score wins."

"The competition is divided into the regular season and the playoffs."

"During the regular season, all teams will play each other in a round-robin format."

“Each match results in a point deduction: 2 points for a win, 0 points for a loss, and 1 point for a draw.”

"After the regular season ends, the four teams with the highest points will enter the playoffs to determine the season champion."

"The competition is usually scheduled for Thursday afternoon, and the venue is usually the DuPont Bowling Centre, which is the bowling alley next to the DuPont roundabout."

"We will notify you separately if the time or location changes."

"You can bring your family to watch the game on match day."

Billy Hawke enjoyed participating in these group activities. He looked around and asked the agent:

"But there are only three of us, not enough to make six."

The detective explained with a smile:

"Teams can be formed across departments."

Billy Hawke breathed a sigh of relief.

The detective added:

"You guys think about it first. You can find other people to make up the team. Just give me the team list before the end of next week's workday."

“I’m in the National Security Section. If I’m not there, I’ll give the list to Blake, who will be responsible for reviewing it.”

Bernie and Billy Hawke immediately expressed their willingness to participate and promised to gather the team as soon as possible.

Bernie also asked the agents which teams were more formidable.

Unlike professional sports competitions where players can change, the FBI organizes its teams by department.

One person's outstanding performance can boost the entire team's results and maintain excellence in the long run, unless that person is transferred to another department.

The agents' expressions turned somewhat ferocious.

He paused for a few seconds, then reminded Bernie:

"Watch out for those bookworms in the lab!"

"Two years ago, they developed a data model that turned them from being at the bottom to becoming champions."

"They were also last year's champions."

"They made it clear early this year that they wanted to defend their title."

"And they also plan to apply this broken model to other competitions."

"Although the effect is not as obvious as in bowling, it is still showing initial results."

"They were originally at the bottom in all competitions, but now they have improved in several competitions."

According to the agents, the FBI's various competitions were almost always overshadowed by the Lab team.

Defeating the lab team and saving the FBI from various competitions has become the top priority for each department.

He described in detail the power of the lab team's data model, as if it were an omnipotent modifier.

Bernie and Billy Hawke immediately became alarmed.

Theodore also became interested in this data model.

After discussing the horrors of the lab team, the agent asked the group:

Are you planning to participate in other competitions?

Billy Hawke wonders:

"Are there other competitions?"

The detective closed the registration form and took out a list from behind, handing it to the person in charge:
"Competitions are held in softball, basketball, baseball, and tennis."

"There are also shooting competitions, physical fitness challenges, track and field events..."

The detective gave a long and impressive presentation, which broadened everyone's horizons.

This was the first time they had ever heard that the FBI had so many entertainment options.

These competitions were not all officially organized; many were spontaneously organized by agents for their own amusement. It was only later, as the scale grew larger, that the FBI Entertainment Association took over.

Bernie and Billy Hawke are interested in many matches.

For example, Billy Hawke really wants to sign up for shooting competitions and physical fitness challenges.

Bernie, on the other hand, kept asking why there were no football games.

The detective shrugged, explaining that rugby matches are too physically demanding and pose a high risk of injury to athletes. They were just having an exhibition game, not a professional one, and the detectives had work to do the next day.

Bernie was somewhat disappointed and began to hesitate between baseball and basketball.

The detective told the two that they didn't need to rush to give an answer.

About two weeks before these competitions begin, the FBI Entertainment Association sends people to each department to count the number of applicants.

He also left the competition roster to the two of them.

Before leaving, the agents also reminded them of which matches were in dire straits, on the verge of collapse, and being dominated by the Labs team.

Bernie and Billy Hawke's interest in the game was completely ignited, and they discussed it enthusiastically the whole way.

Billy Hawke also asked Theodore what competitions he wanted to participate in.

Theodore thought for a moment:

"Baseball or softball, and tennis."

Bernie glanced at him; he had assumed Theodore wasn't participating at all.

Theodore seemed to have guessed what he was thinking and added:

"I played tennis in college."

Billy Hawke immediately pressed for an answer on whether it was impressive or not.

Theodore hesitated for a moment, then told the truth:

"No one I know can beat me."

"The school's tennis team coach once approached me and invited me to join the tennis team, but I declined."

Billy Hawke exclaimed in surprise.

Bernie looked at him with suspicion in his eyes:
"How come I've never seen you play?"

Theodore answered matter-of-factly:

"I haven't played since I graduated from university."

Bernie paused for a moment:

"Then you might need to practice more."

He reminded Theodore:

"Last year in the tennis tournament, the lab team came in third place."

"Their data model is likely to succeed."

Billy Hawke, sitting behind him, nodded vigorously in agreement.

Theodore thought for a moment and then explained to the two of them:

"Their data model should be similar to our Potomac River flow model, both being a process of collecting, organizing, and summarizing data."

"This is just a supplementary method to help them find patterns that lead to higher scores."

"Anyone can build this kind of model as long as there is enough data."

"This is a more scientific approach."

Bernie does not agree with Theodore's style of play:

"If all teams do this, what's the point of the competition?"

"There's no need for athletes to participate. All the teams need to do is bring out their respective models and compare them. Whoever's model is more accurate will be the winner."

Theodore thought about it carefully, then nodded:
"It's not possible at the moment. Data models are just an auxiliary tool. The athlete's own ability is still the most crucial influencing factor."

"But that might be possible in the future."

Bernie couldn't believe, nor was he willing to believe, Theodore's judgment.

Billy Hawke also chose to support Bernie.

What he hopes to see is a real-person competition, not a data model contest.

Theodore glanced at the two of them and shook his head.

A brief silence fell over the carriage, which was quickly broken.

Bernie and Billy Hawke discussed those games again.

They even dragged Theodore into the discussion, planning and designing competitions for each other, ambitiously aiming to defeat Team Lab, replicate Team Lab's performance, and ultimately surpass Team Lab.

This discussion lasted all day.

Their main task today is to first understand the screening situation of the 7th Precinct and the Alexandria Police Department, and then conduct a detailed screening of the list of pimps and prostitutes in their hands.

Theodore shared with the two law enforcement agencies the FBI lab's reconstruction data of the deceased's body, as well as Theodore's speculation about a major shift in the deceased's career.

These two leads greatly accelerated the investigation efforts of the 7th Precinct and the Alexandria Police Department.

The following afternoon, near the end of the workday, police cars from the Alexandria Police Department appeared outside the DC 7th Precinct.

Four police officers got out of the car, dressed in brand-new uniforms, and walked into the Seventh Precinct under the watchful eyes of many officers.

They found Theodore and delivered a list to him.

This is a list of filtered results from the records of prostitutes' arrests.

There are only five people on the list.

The police officer gave a loud explanation.

The Alexandria Police Department completed its screening in the morning, and the list at that time contained nearly twenty names.

The director sent people to conduct a brief investigation, eliminating those whose whereabouts were known, and finally leaving only five people.

These five people are missing; they have neither been found alive nor dead.

The officers told Theodore and his two companions that the Alexandria Police Department was conducting a thorough investigation into the whereabouts of the five men and would notify them as soon as they had any updates.

Bernie expressed his gratitude to the police officer.

The officer glanced at Stan Watson and Walter Pritchett beside him and said that this was nothing, as the Alexandria Police Department and the FBI always helped each other.

Walter Pritchett, his anger rising, glared at Stan Watson.

As soon as Stan Watson opens his mouth, he will pounce on him without hesitation and teach this bastard who came to their territory to show off a good lesson.

However, Stan Watson was not provoked.

He even patted the officer on the shoulder and praised the efficiency of the Alexandria Police Department.

The officer opened his mouth, but all the words he had prepared were swallowed back.

A brief silence fell over the office.

Theodore broke the silence.

He waved the list in his hand and asked the police officer:
Do you have their specific information?

"When were they last seen? What were they doing? Are the eyewitness testimonies reliable?"

The officer nodded hurriedly, preparing to explain.

Behind him, a police officer carrying a briefcase was about to take out some documents.

Stan Watson stopped them and instructed Walter Pritchett to take everyone to the conference room to talk things over.

The Alexandria Police Department showed great sincerity and made thorough preparations.

Theodore had almost all the materials he needed prepared.

This surprised Theodore somewhat.

After handing over the materials, the three returned to the Department of Justice building.

Bernie dialed the major's office number to inquire about the salvage operation.

Yesterday afternoon and this noon, the professor revised the model twice, reducing the salvage area to one-fifth of its original size.

The major told Bernie that half an hour earlier, the salvage vessel had made a discovery not far from a secluded dock in the southwest of the tidal lake, and the diving team was currently working underwater.

This is not the first time this has happened.

People like to throw all sorts of things into the Potomac River.

(End of this chapter)