1960: My uncle is the FBI Director

Chapter 260 Enthusiasm, but not complete enthusiasm.
After receiving the autopsy report from the third precinct, Theodore glanced at it briefly.

Most of the content is basically the same as what the professor from Howard University had previously introduced.

He turned to the section on pathology and toxicology testing.

The routine toxicology tests on all three bodies were negative.

Pathological examination results showed that all three deceased individuals were suspected of having syphilis before their deaths.

The deceased's skeleton showed obvious localized deformation.

The tibia is the most prominent among them.

The tibias of all three corpses were clearly "saber-shaped tibias," meaning that the front edge of the tibia was raised, thickened, and curved like the back of a saber.

These are typical symptoms of tertiary syphilis.

Given that such skeletal deformities could also be caused by other diseases such as osteomyelitis or fungal bone infection, the autopsy report did not provide a definitive conclusion.

Billy Hawke peeked out from behind, glanced around, and couldn't help but mutter:
"How come there's syphilis everywhere?"

He remembered Cherry's autopsy report; she had also contracted syphilis.

Theodore closed the three reports and stuffed them into his briefcase:
Syphilis is a common sexually transmitted disease that is contagious.

"Considering the professions of the four deceased, it is quite normal for them to be infected with syphilis."

"Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last year showed that Emily had more than 20,000 people infected with primary and secondary syphilis, more than 20,000 people infected with latent syphilis, and more than 18,000 people infected with late-stage syphilis."

"These are just reported cases; the actual number of infections is much higher."

"It is estimated to be around 200,000 people, or even more."

Billy Hawke was somewhat surprised:

"so much?"

Theodore nodded:

"Most people infected with syphilis are completely unaware that they have contracted the disease."

"Or they know they have syphilis, but because of shame, fear of discrimination, or other reasons, they keep it a secret and only they know it."

Syphilis infection is mainly transmitted through sexual activity, and the infection rate is particularly high in the sex industry.

“A person carrying syphilis has sexual intercourse with a prostitute and transmits syphilis to her. Every customer the prostitute subsequently solicits may also be infected by her.”

Theodore saw all of this in a paper published in a magazine.

The paper mainly studies the psychological changes of patients, including a follow-up study of syphilis patients, which occupies a significant portion of the paper.

Theodore earnestly advised Bernie and Billy Hawke:

"You should also subscribe to some psychology journals and magazines."

"Especially research on some cutting-edge topics."

"Researchers regularly publish research data and findings in journals."

Bernie quickly changed the subject, asking Theodore:

Where are we going now?

Theodore thought for a moment:

"First go to the Seventh Precinct and ask them to help identify the three deceased. Then go to the Alexandria Shipbuilding Company; they have already prepared the accident investigation report."

Bernie immediately started the car and asked Theodore:

"We only have one week left for that data model. Is that enough time?"

Theodore turned his head, stared at him for a moment, and shook his head:
"This depends on the completeness of the initial data model provided by Agent Cronin."

He suspected Bernie did it on purpose.

Bernie kept his eyes on the road ahead, focusing on driving.
"Should we book a lane at DuPont Bowling Centre first? I heard that other teams have been practicing extra these past few days, and DuPont Bowling Centre has even extended its opening hours until late at night."

They then went to the DuPont Bowling Centre to reserve a lane.

But they were too late.

According to DuPont Bowling Centre's registration records, all the lanes are fully booked, with bookings extending into next month.

This left all three of them feeling somewhat incredulous.

The staff asked them:
"You're from the FBI, aren't you?"

"Is the bowling tournament coming up soon?"

Billy Hawke looked at the staff:

"How did you know?"

The staff member pointed to the 'DuPont Bowling Centre' logo embroidered on their work uniform:
“Your bowling tournament is held here every year.”

“Our fairways are fully booked during every tournament.”

Bernie pointed behind the staff:
"The fairways inside have been booked too?"

The staff member glanced back at the few scattered guests inside the venue and shook his head.

"No."

"During this period, we can only see other guests during the day."

"Once it's time to get off work and on weekends..."

He shrugged and made a gesture that Theodore couldn't understand:

"Your FBI bowling tournament is very famous. Many of our regular customers know that you are going to hold a tournament and will deliberately avoid this time and come to play after your tournament is over."

Theodore and his two companions looked at each other in bewilderment.

This is not quite what they had imagined.

On their way from the DuPont Bowling Centre to the seventh division, Bernie and Billy Hawke discussed whether to switch to another venue for training, and the conversation quickly veered into speculation about other teams.

Given Agent Blake's registration that morning and the precedent of the venue being reserved in advance, the two of them brainstormed and began to question the purity of the competition.

Theodore did not participate in the discussion.

He was busy writing and drawing in his notebook, organizing cases, and preparing notes.

Upon arriving at the 7th Precinct, the three went to the deputy commissioner's office, only to find that it was not Deputy Commissioner Doherty, but Deputy Commissioner Frank Cassidy.

The layout of the office has also changed significantly.

The spot where the sofa used to be has been turned into a place for filing cabinets.

The sofa was moved to the desk, where several covered cardboard boxes were placed.

The desk was moved from the opposite side of the door to the side.

A map of the Seventh Precinct's jurisdiction hangs on the wall behind the desk.

Frank Cassidy was holding a rag, wiping down each of the ornaments he had taken out of the cardboard box, and then placing them on the table.

Theodore glanced at Frank Cassidy and wondered if he had come to the wrong place.

Frank Cassidy offered his explanation:

"Due to some job changes, I was transferred to the Seventh Precinct to serve as a deputy superintendent."

He pointed to his feet and joked with Theodore:

"Next time you come to the Seventh Precinct, you don't need a cooperation invitation; you can come directly."

Bernie and Billy Hawke both looked at Theodore.

Theodore asked Frank Cassidy:

"Where is Deputy Superintendent Doherty?"

Frank Cassidy paused for a moment, looking somewhat awkward:
"He was transferred to headquarters."

"The headquarters archives room manages the archives."

He doesn't really want to see Theodore right now, let alone have any interaction with him.

He was transferred from the headquarters' Criminal Investigation Department to the godforsaken Seventh Precinct, and demoted from police superintendent to 'deputy police superintendent'. Overnight, more than a decade of work was wasted.

All because of a case that had nothing to do with him!

He has been trying very hard to adjust his emotions and adapt to this change in circumstances.

But he needs a little more time.

At least not now.

Now he needs Charles Ambrose Doherty to help him quickly adjust his mindset.

Frank Cassidy felt much better after thinking about his ex.

He clapped his hands, changed the subject, and asked Theodore about his purpose in coming to the Seventh Precinct.

Theodore pulled out the autopsy report and asked the Seventh Precinct to help identify the other three victims.

John Doe didn't know the three dead women at all; he was just wandering the streets and picked them out.

Frank Cassidy had just moved in and wasn't very familiar with the situation at the Seventh Precinct.

Director Morey demanded that Frank Cassidy and Doherty be on duty as soon as possible, which resulted in a very rushed handover between the two.

According to normal work procedures, the handover of work at the level of deputy superintendent of police should take at least one to two weeks to be properly explained.

Frank Cassidy called over the assistant to the deputy commissioner.

The assistant's gaze lingered on Theodore and his group for a moment before hesitatingly approaching Frank Cassidy and whispering a reminder:
"Sir, the meeting is starting in five minutes. You should go to the meeting room."

Frank Cassidy checked the time and explained to Theodore:

"I have to attend a branch office meeting later. Headquarters sent someone over specifically to announce my appointment at the meeting."

He handed the documents Theodore had provided to his assistant and repeated Theodore's requests:
"Could you help them with this?"

He checked the time again:
"Excuse me, gentlemen, I have to go right away, or I'll be late."

Frank Cassidy quickly disappeared around the corner of the corridor.

Theodore looked away, feeling that the man's back looked somewhat disheveled.

The assistant held the autopsy report, a standard professional smile on his face.

He told Theodore that it would be easier to verify a prostitute's identity by contacting the morals department.

However, the officers from the morals unit are currently in a meeting, so we may have to wait.

Theodore nodded, indicating that he understood what the plenary session meant.

Bernie whispered a reminder to Theodore:
"These meetings usually don't last too long, otherwise the entire police station would have to shut down."

"Unless there are special circumstances, it usually only takes about ten minutes."

Theodore looked at Bernie:
"What if special circumstances arise?"

Bernie hesitated, then fell silent, only shaking his head with an expression of unbearable recollection of the past.

Billy Hawke proposed:

"Why don't we go to the shipyard to get the accident investigation report first, and then come back to check the situation?"

Theodore agreed with some of Billy Hawke's suggestions, but was skeptical about returning to the Seventh Precinct from the shipyard.

Given the precedent set by Deputy Superintendent Dougherty and the overall performance of the 7th Precinct in this case, he had no confidence that the 7th Precinct could improve its efficiency.

He suspected that by the time they returned from the shipyard, this place might still be far from over.

The assistant deputy superintendent opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately kept quiet and simply followed the person to the parking lot.

Deputy Commissioner Doherty was hastily transferred, and a new deputy commissioner was suddenly appointed, prompting much discussion among officers in private.

Among them, the three FBI agents and the no-man's-land cases are of paramount importance.

Most people believe that this bizarre and hasty transfer is closely related to them.

The assistant, adhering to the attitude that "the more you do, the more mistakes you make; the less you do, the fewer mistakes you make; and if you do nothing, you make no mistakes," stood still and waved to the Chevrolet.

The Chevrolet arrived at the shipyard quickly.

The shipyard was rather quiet today, without the clattering sounds of previous visits.

This made Theodore and the others feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Richard Dick Vaughn's assistant was waiting at the door early in the morning. Upon seeing the group, he personally opened the gate and let them drive their car into the shipyard.

As Bernie passed the guardhouse, he peeked over and saw that it was empty.

The assistant conveyed Richard Dick Vaughn's apologies to Theodore and his team.

Richard Dick Vaughn had intended to wait for them himself, but a meeting had to be held at the shipyard, so his assistant had to greet Theodore and his party in his place.

Bernie looked around, then glanced at the guardhouse, and waved with a smile, indicating that it was alright.

Theodore asked his assistant directly:

"Where is the accident investigation report?"

The assistant pointed in the direction of the administration building:

"It's on Mr. Vaughn's desk."

Theodore confirmed with him:
"Have you received the union's accident investigation report as well?"

The assistant nodded:
"I've received them all, and copies have been made."

The three followed the assistant to a meeting room. After waiting for a moment, the assistant brought out two file folders.

Theodore opened it and took a look.

The accident investigation reports from the union and the shipyard were largely consistent with John Doe's testimony, both concluding that the accident was caused by apprentice Danny Brown's improper operation.

Theodore and his two companions put the report back into the file bag and then said goodbye and left.

The shipyard remained quiet, as if it had completely shut down.

Around noon, they returned to their offices on the basement floor of the Department of Justice building.

Bernie tried calling Stan Watson.

The call was quickly answered.

Bernie read out some of the characteristics of the three victims to Stan Watson, asking him to help investigate their identities.

Stan Watson readily agreed.

Shortly after that call ended, Frank Cassidy called back.

Theodore answered the phone.

Bernie and Billy Hawke went upstairs to find out about the schedule for the first round.

Frank Cassidy first apologized over the phone and then asked if he needed any further help.

The meeting at the Seventh Precinct itself did not last long.

After his appointment was announced, Chief Gallagher of the 7th Precinct and several supervisors welcomed him to the unit. The officers present applauded, and Frank Cassidy expressed his joy at joining the 7th Precinct before the meeting concluded.

It didn't even take twenty minutes in total.

Frank Cassidy was taken away by Chief Gallagher immediately after the meeting.

The two had a private conversation in the director's office for a full two hours.

After leaving the director's office, Frank Cassidy learned from his assistant that Theodore and his men had been rescued shortly after he left.

He immediately dialed the number Theodore had left.

Theodore shook his head and told him that Mr. Stan Watson had already agreed to help with the investigation.

After a moment of silence, Frank Cassidy expressed his anticipation for the next collaboration and said that he could call him anytime if needed before ending the call.

Theodore looked at the receiver with a puzzled expression.

Frank Cassidy seemed much more enthusiastic than before, but not quite.

(End of this chapter)