1960: My uncle is the FBI Director

Chapter 36 He showed his feet himself.
Ignoring Bernie's advice, Theodore chose to explain directly to Wenner and requested a large-scale operation to capture the murderer at the oil field.

Wenner didn't directly deny it; he first called the medical examiner's office and asked them to confirm whether the deceased had been drinking.

If alcohol is detected in the deceased's body, it means that Theodore's basic reasoning about the case is flawed, and there's no need to consider the subsequent steps.

While waiting, Wenner questioned Theodore, asking him why he was so sure the killer would inevitably slip up.

Theodore explained
"Because the killer was a very controlling person, he was very obsessed with faking accidents, which was especially evident in the killing of Belgium."

Even though he realized he couldn’t fake Billy’s accidental death as planned, he still dragged Billy into the water and left the bottle behind.

"This is an instinct that even the murderer himself could not control."

"Our investigation revealed that the oil well was no longer safe, and his hasty killing of Billy left more clues, all of which were signs of the killer being out of control."

“Losing control makes him anxious, and he urgently needs to do something to regain his sense of control.”

“The oil field is the only place that can give him a sense of security and absolute control, so he will inevitably return there.”

"But when we show up in a big way and act as if we are going to catch the murderer, the feeling of being out of control will reappear."

"At this point, in order to regain control, the perpetrator might run away, take hostages, and charge at us in a fit of rage, or refuse to cooperate and drive us out of the oil field."

"No matter what he chooses, the one who acts abnormally must be the murderer."

Theodore's words were a bit convoluted, but Wenner seemed to understand. Bernie blinked at Sam, and only felt relieved when he saw the confusion in Sam's eyes.

Wenner still hasn't made a decision.

The forensic department soon provided the results.

After hanging up the phone, Wenner took out a chocolate ball, popped it into his mouth, and chewed it slowly. After weighing his options, he called Theodore and the other two into his office.

"No alcohol was detected in the stomach contents of the deceased."

Wenner announced the results first, then...

"I will send three teams of detectives with you to the oil field. I hope your analysis is correct."

He waved goodbye one last time and said, "Go on."

"You only have two hours. After two hours, this case will be treated as an open case."

Wenner then selected three groups of people to follow Theodore and his two companions straight to the oil field.

The oil field appears normal today.

The workers on the derrick were still gathered together smoking. They saw Bernie from above and waved to him.

Bernie ignored him and, with a serious expression, demanded that everyone check their equipment. After the equipment check was completed, the four groups of nine men stormed into the oil field.

Seemingly intimidated by their imposing presence, the workers no longer dared to approach and greet them, instead taking a detour.

Roy was still the first to come and greet them.

He didn't look well, his face was tired, and his annoying fake smile was gone.

He just stood there with a long face and asked everyone, "Is there something you need?"

Bernie, with a serious expression, said in a businesslike tone, "Please gather all the workers together immediately."

Roy's eyes twitched twice, and his tone was not good. "Officer Sullivan, call them all down. Who's going to work?"

“I understand you, but we also have to work. We can’t completely neglect our work just to cooperate with your investigation.”

"How about this, you come back after get off work this afternoon?

After a pause, Roy added, "Or you can apply to the company. As long as the company approves, we will definitely cooperate."

Bernie glanced at Theodore, still wanting to continue arguing with Roy, when Theodore stepped forward, grabbed Roy's arm, and abruptly pulled up his work clothes.

Roy hissed and forcefully pulled his arm back. A scratch mark flashed across his arm as he ripped off the jacket Theodore was holding onto and turned to run toward the oil well.

Bernie and the others immediately gave chase. However, they were not as familiar with the terrain as Roy, and Roy always managed to evade their encirclement.

Roy quickly ran to the bottom of the derrick and stepped onto it to start climbing.

Bernie was the first to catch up. He stood under the derrick, looked up and shouted at Roy, "You have nowhere to run!" Roy ignored him and just kept climbing.

Bernie vividly remembered his last experience climbing the derrick and was somewhat reluctant to go up. He looked up and shouted to the workers watching the spectacle.

"Hey! Victor, Theron, and Giggs, stop him! He's the one who killed Hank and Billy!"

Billy's body was discovered this morning. The workers did not know that Billy was dead; they only knew that he had not come to work today.

A commotion quickly erupted on the derrick as the workers who had been watching the commotion began discussing the news Bernie had brought. One worker leaned out and called to Bernie to confirm.

"Billy is dead? Really?"

Bernie was still hesitating when Sam behind him silently began to climb up.

"Hey!" Bernie shouted, gripping the railing as he shakily climbed up, occasionally shouting back in response.
"It's true! Roy killed him! And Hank too!"

There was another commotion upstairs, but some workers had already started to go downstairs to intercept Roy.

Roy climbed very fast, no less than a skilled oilfield worker. When he encountered the first worker blocking his way, he didn't stop, but just looked up and shouted sternly, "Get out of the way!"

The worker instinctively moved aside.

Roy continued climbing, giving one of the workers a push as he passed by.

The worker stumbled, with most of his body hanging over the railing, teetering on the verge of falling.

Fortunately, the workers were used to climbing on this place and quickly regained their balance and stood firm again.

He had just regained his footing when the railing he had been leaning against creaked under the weight and collapsed.

Bernie heard the workers' screams from above, and instinctively stood to the side. The railing slid down past him and he fell to the ground.

"Where can you run to if you go any higher!"

"Stop running!"

The detectives chased after him, shouting as they went, but Roy ignored them and continued climbing.

He always managed to bypass or push aside the workers blocking his way and nimbly make his way through.

He didn't know where he was going; he just wanted to keep going up, up, up.

After several workers were nearly pushed off the cliff by Roy, the remaining workers realized they could no longer face Roy alone. A few workers gathered together and, guided by the older worker, blocked Roy's path.

Soon, the two met on a crossbeam.

Roy stopped and looked at the dark mass of workers opposite him. He shouted loudly, trying to intimidate them into making way.

The workers took a step back.

The worker named Victor, who was at the back, shouted to Roy, "Is Billy really dead?"

Roy didn't answer, took another step forward, and shouted sharply, "Get out of the way!"

The workers retreated again, by which time those behind them had already stepped off the crossbeam.

"You killed Billy and Hank?" came another question from the crowd.

Roy didn't answer, but instead sternly ordered the workers to move aside. However, these usually obedient little lambs were now expressionless and stood motionless in front of him, blocking his way.

Roy glanced down; the detectives had already reached the lower level and were about to block his escape route.

This road is the only way to reach the highest platform, and he must go through it.

Roy took two steps forward, his expression ferocious.

The workers all stepped down from the beams, but they all blocked the exit and wouldn't move.

The wind howled high above, causing the beams to creak and sway.

Roy steadied himself by holding onto the railing, then looked down again; detectives had already reached this floor.

(End of this chapter)