1960: My uncle is the FBI Director

Chapter 285 He wasn't there when the crime occurred.

Soon, Luke Moro packed all the bottles and jars on the table into his backpack.

He took out a few more pieces of clothing and stuffed them into the gap.

Finally, hang the axe and machete on the side.

After finishing packing, Luke Morrow lifted the backpack to check its weight, then placed it on the table with satisfaction.

He then turned around and looked at Theodore and Billy Hawke:
"Will said you're here to investigate a murder case."

Theodore nodded.

Luke Morrow asked him:

"What are you doing here instead of investigating?"

Theodore looked at him:
"Wait until you calm down."

Luke Moro was taken aback.

Theodore asked him:
"Has things calmed down now?"

Luke Morrow stood up:
"You suspect I killed them?"

He took two steps forward, and Billy Hawke also took two steps forward.

Luke Morrow stopped, and Billy Hawke stopped too.

He stared at Billy Hawke for a moment, then sat back down.

"I was on the mountain that day."

"It was two days later when I got back."

He tilted his head back and grinned at Theodore:

"I can't exactly fly down from the mountain, kill someone, and then fly back, can I?"

Billy Hawke immediately followed up with:

"Is there any proof?"

Luke Morrow adjusted his posture, leaning back in his chair:
"You can check the patrol logs."

"The state forestry bureau stipulates that forest rangers must patrol at least once a month and keep records."

"The patrol logs were kept in the hunters' cabins along the patrol route, and a record was made at each location."

“After the patrol is completed every December, all the patrol records are brought back and mailed to Richmond. They are only filed after being checked and confirmed.”

“Aren’t you FBI agents? Contact the state forestry department and get the patrol records from 1952.”

Billy Hawke looked at Theodore.

Before they could speak, Luke Morrow pointed outside again:
"If you suspect the records were added later, how can I know what happened in the mountains without even going there?"

“At the time of the incident, I was patrolling the mountains to the west, deep in the mountains more than ten miles away.”

"Besides, people from the town go into the mountains every day. What if I'm lying and someone sees me?"

Theodore nodded and asked him:
"Mr. Hawkins mentioned that you are from Kentucky and used to be a forest ranger?"

Luke Morrow paused for a moment:
"Appalachian Mountains, Pineville, Kentucky."

"But I am not a formal forest ranger employed by the state forestry department."

Theodore and Billy Hawke looked at him.

Luke Morrow explained:

“I am employed by ranger Old Harren; you can call him and ask.”

“That lazybones paid half his salary to hire me to patrol in his place.”

Billy Hawke asked him:

Why not stay in Pineville?

Luke Morrow responded:

“My wife and youngest son are both dead.”

“She was taking our newborn son home to visit her parents when they had a car accident. The bus was hit and went down the mountain, killing everyone on board.”

“Pineville is full of her memories, and I want to live in a different environment.”

Billy Hawke continued to ask:
"Where's Danny? What happened to him?"

Luke Morrow's voice was low:

“My wife didn’t take him back with her because his brother fell off the bed before they left, and Danny was watching his brother at the time.”

“My wife was very angry, so she left him at home.”

Billy Hawke looked at Theodore. Theodore was staring at Luke Morrow, showing no intention of speaking.

A brief silence fell over the living room.

Theodore broke the silence:

Could you please get me a glass of water?

Luke Morrow straightened up and sat up:

"Sorry, we don't have any clean cups at home."

Theodore nodded and gestured for Billy Hawke to leave.

Luke Morrow stood up, saw them to the door, and then called them back:
“If you call Pineville, remember to ask a man named James Luke Morrow.”

Theodore turned and looked at him.

Luke Morrow smiled at him:
"I changed my name after I moved away from Pineville."

Theodore nodded:

"Where is Danny Morrow?"

Luke Morrow met his gaze:

"Danny didn't change his name; he's always been called Danny."

…………

At noon, Theodore and Billy Hawke returned to the pub and met up with Bernie and the other two to discuss the progress of the investigation.

Bernie and his team worked quickly, obtaining information on five suspects working outside the area within a morning.

Bernie took out five envelopes and placed them on the table:
"These are the envelopes they use to send money home."

The addresses on the envelopes were all in Virginia: one in Roanoke, two in Richmond, and two in Newport News.

According to their families, the two from Newport News worked as dockworkers, the one from Richmond worked in a steel mill, and the one from Roanoke worked for the railroad company.

Bernie plans to contact the local police in the afternoon to ascertain their specific situation by contacting their company or union.

Billy Hawke looked at Theodore.

Theodore gathered the envelopes together and handed them to Bernie, giving a brief overview of his investigation with Billy Hawke.

When the conversation turned to the questioning of Reverend Sal, Sheriff Hawkins' eyes widened in disbelief.

He couldn't help but interrupt Theodore:
"Did you really say that?"

Theodore looked at him and nodded.

Sheriff Hawkins still found it hard to believe and asked Theodore for confirmation:

"Right in the church?"

"The main hall?"

Theodore continued to nod, recalling his account to confirm that there was nothing unclear in his explanation.

Sheriff Hawkins opened his mouth, then covered his forehead:
"Oh, God!"

Theodore stared at him for a moment, and seeing that he had no other questions, continued:
"If we can obtain a list of people who have not been to the church since the incident, and cross-reference it with the list we have, it may help narrow down the scope and identify the murderer."

His gaze shifted to Bernie.

Bernie shifted uncomfortably in his seat:
“Okay, I’ll go talk to Pastor Sal this afternoon.”

Theodore nodded and continued:

"After leaving the church, we went to find Luke Morrow."

Sheriff Hawkins lowered his hand, leaned forward slightly, and looked at Theodore.

Theodore met his gaze:

“Luke Morrow mentioned that he was patrolling in the mountains at the time of the incident.”

"He suggested that we contact the state forestry department to retrieve patrol records for verification."

Sheriff Hawkins relaxed and nodded in agreement:
“That’s right, the state forestry department requires him to keep a record of every patrol.”

"The logbook is kept in the wooden huts along the patrol route."

“I told you long ago, Luke could not be the person we are looking for.”

“He and John are such good friends.”

"Besides, he wasn't in town at the time; he didn't return until two days later."

Billy Hawke couldn't help but ask him:
"Why didn't you tell us before that he wasn't in town when the incident happened?"

(End of this chapter)