1960: My uncle is the FBI Director

Chapter 276 I think so too
Sheriff Hawkins walked behind Theodore, first binding Theodore's wrists together, then passing the wire between his arms, skillfully wrapping it twice, making several loops at one end, and passing the other end of the wire through, pulling it tight, and twisting it again.

Theodore tried to struggle, but found it difficult to even move his arms.

Sheriff Hawkins then went around to the front and wrapped his arms around her from bottom to top, with almost equal intervals, making two loops each time, and finally tying a knot the size of an arm.

Theodore's two legs were firmly fixed to his forelegs, making it difficult for him to move even a little bit.

He tried to struggle, but found that Sheriff Hawkins was tied up very securely, leaving him no room to struggle.

With the slightest effort, the person fell straight backward.

Billy Hawke steadied the chair, helping Theodore regain his balance.

Theodore told Sheriff Hawkins to relax a bit and start struggling again.

The chair creaked and groaned.

Theodore struggled more and more violently, crossing his legs as he tried to remove the wire.

The chair's scream grew increasingly shrill.

Theodore started stomping his feet.

The chair looked like it was about to fall apart at any moment; every joint started creaking.

Theodore stopped struggling.

Sheriff Hawkins used pliers to cut the wire and let Theodore down.

The two chairs were pulled together to contrast the marks left by the chairs.

Theodore's ligature marks were noticeably fainter than those left by John Cartwright.

However, the location and shape of the marks are very similar.

Billy Hawke took out his camera and photographed the marks on the chair.

Theodore stared at the marks for a moment, then nodded:

"This is how the murderer tied up the two adult victims."

He produced a photo of Billy Cartwright:

"After subduing the two adult victims, the killer first murdered victim number 3."

“The murderer strangled victim number 3 by the neck, pinned him to the dining table, and killed him in front of victims number 1 and 2.”

Bernie took out his notebook and began taking notes.

The clicking sounds behind him quickened, and Billy Hawke wished he had eight hands to carry eight cameras and operate them simultaneously so he could quickly finish taking photos and make notes.

Sheriff Hawkins raised the following question:
"How did you determine that the killer murdered Billy first, and then attacked John and Eleanor?"

Theodore pointed to the chair behind him:

"There were signs of a violent and obvious struggle at the crime scene."

“Agent Cronin and I just tried it, especially me. With that kind of binding, it takes a lot of strength to struggle and you have to endure intense pain.”

"The reason why the ligature marks we left are far less deep and obvious than those left by victims No. 1 and No. 2 is because we were unable to ignore the intense pain and struggle as much as the two victims did."

Sheriff Hawkins looked at Martin Joseph Cronin.

Martin Joseph Cronin nodded and rubbed his shoulder:

"I felt like my arm was about to be broken just now."

"I have no doubt that to leave the same marks as the chair in the Cartwright's house, my arm would have to be dislocated."

Theodore nodded:

“We were conducting an experiment, but the two victims witnessed the third victim being killed by the killer, which caused them to struggle violently.”

"Besides the marks from the ligatures, the scratches on the restaurant floor also prove this point."

"The scratches in the dining room are much deeper than those in the living room."

"This indicates that the two victims struggled much harder than they had during their previous confrontations with the killer."

"And this floorboard."

He then pointed to the wooden plank on the table that had broken in two:
"This must have been caused by the second victim struggling."

"I just tried it out, and when your legs are tied tightly, the most common movement you make when struggling is to push off the ground with your feet or hit the floor with the chair leg."

Sheriff Hawkins was not easily persuaded by Theodore; he shook his head and objected.
"If it were me, and someone held a gun to my head, I would struggle with all my might."

Theodore refuted his claim:

"No, you won't."

Sheriff Hawkins looked bewildered.

Bernie looked up at him.

Martin Joseph Cronin, on the other hand, seemed to be in a different world, tilting his head and examining the two broken planks.

To get more light and see more clearly, he first moved to the doorway, but when he found that the natural light was insufficient, he turned on the electric light.

Billy Hawke finally finished taking the photos, hung the camera around his neck, and immediately took out his notebook to start taking notes.

He has a good memory and remembers what Theodore said before.

Theodore and Sheriff Hawkins exchanged glances, and Theodore offered his explanation:
"No matter how you resist, it won't be faster than pulling the trigger."

"A rash act of resistance will only hasten your own demise."

"When a gun is pointed at your head, the more appropriate thing to do is to raise your hands, disarm, and first show your submission to the gunman, telling him that you are harmless and pose no threat to him, so as to reduce the gunman's vigilance and hostility."

Sheriff Hawkins thought about it and realized that it did seem to be true.

Theodore continued:

"Moreover, the murderer's purpose was to make victims number 1 and 2 witness the death of victim number 3."

"If the murderer had shot victims number 1 and 2 first, he could have killed victim number 3 in the same way. There was no need to change the method of killing."

Sheriff Hawkins was about to say something when he suddenly noticed Bernie and Billy Hawke standing on either side of Theodore, engrossed in writing something.

He instinctively looked at Martin Joseph Cronin.

Martin Joseph Cronin seemed to think the light was still insufficient, so he turned on his flashlight and examined the two wooden planks repeatedly by its beam, as if he were looking at some priceless treasure.

This made him feel much more at ease.

His gaze swept over Theodore and his two companions, settling on the four chairs.

After much hesitation, Sheriff Hawkins raised his question again:

"The binding was completed with your cooperation and that of Agent Cronin."

"Was he the only murderer at the time?"

"It's impossible that John and the others were just cooperating with the killer, obediently tying themselves up and letting the killer kill them, right?"

Theodore thought for a moment:

"The deceased did not intend to cooperate, but under the coercion of the murderer, they had no choice but to cooperate."

He pointed to the chair Eleanor Cartwright was sitting in:

"The signs of struggle of the victim No. 1 are mainly concentrated on the back of the chair, with only a few light scratches on the front legs."

"This is not only related to the strength of the first victim, but also to the way he was tied up."

"Judging from the ligature marks, the binding of victim number 1 appeared amateurish and chaotic compared to victim number 2."

"The murderer must have first used a gun to temporarily control the situation, then had the second victim tie up the first victim, and then personally tied up the second victim."

Sheriff Hawkins suddenly realized:
"So you just asked me to replace Agent Sullivan."

Theodore nodded, then paused to think before speaking: “This was not a premeditated crime.”

"The murder occurred after the perpetrator broke into the victim's home, and the conflict escalated until it turned into a murder."

Billy Hawke jotted down notes quickly, took a half-step to the side, and nudged Martin Joseph Cronin, who was examining the wooden board like a jeweler.

Martin Joseph Cronin glanced at Billy Hawke, then at Bernie, hesitated for a moment, put down the wooden board in his hand, took out a brand new notebook, and began to take notes, imitating them.

Theodore withdrew his gaze with satisfaction and turned to look at Sheriff Hawkins:

"The doors and windows were intact at the time of the incident, and no signs of forced entry were found."

"The murderer must have known the victim's family, as they invited him into the house."

He slowed down his speech to make it easier for everyone to take notes.

Sheriff Hawkins and Theodore stared at each other for a moment before shifting their gaze to the others.

Apart from him and Theodore, everyone else was engrossed in taking notes.

This made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

He adjusted his posture, felt his pockets, and only found a cigarette case and a matchbox. He then lowered his hands, nodded in agreement, and said:

"Yes, that's true."

"Those windows were broken later."

"At least they were all fine on the day of the incident."

Bernie and the other two all looked up at him.

Theodore kept staring at him:
"On the evening of July 11, 1952, the murderer knocked on the victim's door."

"The fact that the murderer was able to visit at this time and be invited into the house by the deceased indicates that he not only knew the deceased's family, but was quite familiar with them."

"After entering the room, the two sides had a conversation, which should have taken place in the living room."

"The conversation quickly escalated into a verbal conflict, and even faster into a physical one."

"The murderer and the second victim got into a fight, wrestling in the living room of the victim's house."

Sheriff Hawkins called a halt:
"and many more."

It took him a moment to realize that the second victim referred to John Cartwright, and he asked Theodore:
"Only John? He only fought with John at first?"

Theodore nodded:

"The murderer was acquainted with the victim's family, and the murderer did not plan to kill the victim's family in advance. In fact, the conflict between the two sides may have broken out spontaneously."

"After the conflict occurred, the victim's family did not realize that the murderer had decided to commit the killing."

"Otherwise, they could have scattered and escaped, and at least one or two people could have survived."

"The deceased's house is only a few dozen yards away from the Pope's house."

“If the victim’s family had realized from the beginning that the killer intended to kill, or if the killer had shown any intention to kill from the beginning, they could have sought help from the Pope family.”

"Therefore, at the very beginning of the conflict, the second victim clashed with the murderer, while the first victim was probably trying to break up the fight and was unaware of what was about to happen."

After a pause, and confirming that Sheriff Hawkins had no further questions, Theodore continued:

"The conflict between the second victim and the murderer was very intense, causing extensive damage to the victim's living room."

"The conflict did not last long. After realizing that he could not control the situation with his own strength, the assailant pulled out a gun."

"The situation immediately fell into the killer's control."

“The murderer forced the family into the restaurant, found some packing wire, and asked the second victim to tie the first victim to a chair, and then tie up the second victim.”

"The killer then strangled victim number 3 in front of victims number 1 and 2, and then shot the two adult victims."

"After committing the murder, the killer vandalized the scene, ransacked the victim's home, and then left."

"The next day, Pope's wife, who had an appointment with the first victim, noticed something unusual at the victim's house and called the police."

He nodded to Sheriff Hawkins:

“Mr. Hawkins, you are right.”

"The killer came from Lone Pine, not from the random killings that the Shenandoah County Sheriff's Office claimed."

Sheriff Hawkins paused for a moment, then looked at Theodore with a serious expression:

"I don't agree with the Shenandoah County Sheriff's Department's conclusion, but I also find it hard to believe that the killer was one of their own from the town."

Theodore looked at Sheriff Hawkins with a puzzled expression, not understanding what he was trying to say.

The objective facts are right here; what does it have to do with whether you believe them or not?
Sheriff Hawkins shook his head:
“John and I have known each other since we were kids.”

“Pastor Sal, Jack, Annie, and I hang out together almost every day.”

"Gusong Town is only so big, and everyone knows each other."

"I can't think of anyone who would do such a thing."

He kept shaking his head.

Theodore agreed with his last statement and nodded:
"indeed."

Sheriff Hawkins looked at Theodore with a puzzled expression.

Theodore repeats:
"This was not a premeditated crime."

"The murderer only clashed with the victim after entering the victim's home."

"The conflict escalated and eventually turned into a killing."

"The murderer did not initially come to the door with the intention of killing someone."

"It's even possible that he initially had good intentions, otherwise the deceased wouldn't have allowed the murderer into the house."

Sheriff Hawkins paused for a few seconds, then nodded to Theodore.

Theodore nodded to Sheriff Hawkins, looking as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

He thought to himself that, considering the extent of the damage to the scene, the handling of the scene after the incident, the completeness of the autopsy report, the missing photos of the scene, and a series of other factors, it was not unreasonable that the case had made no progress for nearly nine years.

Sheriff Hawkins had no idea what Theodore was thinking, but he sensed that Theodore's gaze was somewhat strange.

He looked at Bernie and the other two, then touched the cigarette case and matchbox in his pocket, and asked Theodore:
"Is this the investigative method you mentioned in your article in the Law Enforcement Gazette?"

Theodore nodded and gave Sheriff Hawkins a brief overview of the criminal's personality profile.

Sheriff Hawkins felt dizzy and secretly regretted his actions.

He quickly changed the subject again, asking about the situation in DC.

He spent almost his entire life in Lone Pine and was very curious about big cities like DC.

Theodore was somewhat disappointed.

Bernie and Billy Hawke quickly finished taking notes.

Bernie closed his notebook and took over the conversation, patiently introducing DC to Sheriff Hawkins.

He only arrived in DC last December, and then he was either investigating cases or participating in selection training. It wasn't until his wife and children moved here this year that he was able to take his family on trips during his free time.

Martin Joseph Cronin has also finished recording.

He was faster than Bernie and Billy Hawke, and the reason he stopped last was because all he wrote down afterward were his own questions.

He wasn't used to asking questions on the spot like Sheriff Hawkins and his colleagues did, in order to get answers.

He prefers to write down the questions first and then think about the answers himself.

(End of this chapter)