1960: My uncle is the FBI Director

Chapter 59 Convenience

Perhaps it's the privilege of being on FOP's key development list, perhaps Santos' influence is still growing, or perhaps it's simply that Wenner likes him.

In short, after Theodore explained the situation, Wenner did not make things difficult for him.

He first called Bernie over to get the details. After listening to the introduction, he agreed with Bernie's suspicions and asked the two of them to investigate first. Once there was a breakthrough, a case would be filed.

Bernie was flattered.

This is really considerate of them. In the past, it would have been considered good that Wenner wasn't kicked out.

After leaving Wenner's office, the two walked towards the parking lot.

Bernie asked Theodore where to start.

Theodore replied naturally, "Cynthia Moore."

Bernie then asked, "What are you going to say? You can't exactly tell her we suspect she killed her husband, can you?"

Theodore sensed that Bernie was acting a little differently today and looked at him with curiosity.

Bernie's eyes were complicated. "Let's go see Dr. Martinez first. He's the community doctor. He should know about David's situation."

"OK, whatever you say."

When they arrived at Martinez's clinic, they encountered a mother and son who were waiting.

The little boy recognized them immediately. He ran over to ask for their autographs, gave Theodore a thumbs-up, and told him how cool it was for him to retrieve the soul from Lucifer.

Theodore looked at Bernie, completely bewildered. Bernie struck up a conversation with the little boy without any difficulty.

Theodore, yet another victim of the Star's influence.

The little boy was very excited and kept asking Theodore how he could become as good as him.

Bernie, as if knowing what he was going to say, quickly picked up the conversation and told the little boy to eat on time, go to bed early, grow up healthy, and then he would have the opportunity to learn how to communicate with ghosts.

The little boy believed Bernie's words and nodded vigorously. He also quietly told Bernie that he knew they were there to investigate the demon, but he wouldn't tell anyone. He told Bernie that they could come to him anytime if they needed anything, and he would definitely help.

Bernie solemnly agreed.

The little boy's mother came over and thanked them apologetically and gratefully.

Theodore was puzzled as to how a seven or eight-year-old child could be exposed to the Star, a scourge of the newspaper industry, and he began to look at the child's mother with suspicion.

Whether from excitement or something else, the little boy was tilting his head back and chattering excitedly to show off his autograph to his mother when he suddenly started bleeding from his nose. His mother quickly carried him to the bathroom.

Then a nurse came out and told them that Dr. Martinez was in his office to see them.

Bernie was still worried about the little boy, glancing back in the direction of the bathroom, when Theodore had already left with the nurse.

When they arrived at Dr. Martinez's office, they found him grinding coffee beans.

Bernie stood at the door, somewhat stunned.

He assumed the doctor was busy, so the mother and child arrived early and had to wait outside.

While he was still in a daze, Theodore had already rattled off his purpose and asked to borrow David Moore's medical records.

There are currently no medical privacy regulations, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has not yet been enacted.

You don't necessarily need legal authorization to access medical records; you just need to get the doctor to agree to it.

Dr. Martinez called for the medical records and served the two freshly brewed espresso.

As the two reviewed the medical records, Dr. Martinez provided explanations.

"He was injured in 1943. The collapse of the derrick resulted in comminuted fractures of the T10-T11 thoracic vertebrae and a transverse spinal cord injury."

"Postoperative infection led to sepsis, which further damaged nerve function, resulting in complete paralysis of both lower limbs."

Dr. Martinez's tone was wistful.

Theodore looked up at him and asked, "Does he have an eight-year-old son?"

Dr. Martinez shook his head. "Paralysis and complete loss of function are two different concepts. He can have children normally."

David Moore suffered from muscle contractures in his limbs due to prolonged bed rest, requiring daily massages. His paralysis led to recurrent infections in his hip and sacrococcygeal region, necessitating two debridement surgeries in 1955 and 1958, incurring substantial expenses.

He also suffers from a urinary tract infection, which is caused by a long-term indwelling catheter.

In short, David Moore was suffering terribly, his pain was unbearable. His illness was also tormenting his family.

“They spend more than $1500 a year on medication, nursing care and rehabilitation, not including other treatment costs.”

Dr. Martinez sighed, "His death is a relief, for him and for his family."

When asked about David Moore's death certificate, Dr. Martinez told them that David Moore died at night.

The cause of death was asphyxiation.

Dr. Martinez told them that David Moore's long-term bed rest had caused his lung function to deteriorate, and he already suffered from chronic respiratory failure, requiring him to receive oxygen intermittently.

He also told them that this was a common occurrence.

These patients will end up like David Moore if they call out even once and are not heard.

The two asked for a copy of David Moore's medical record and left the clinic to go to Cynthia's house.

Cynthia was home alone.

She was wearing a white floral dress, her face looked haggard, and her eyes were red and swollen, as if she had just been crying.

Seeing that it was a neighbor visiting, Cynthia quickly wiped her eyes and invited the two of them in.

Theodore's first impression of this house was poverty. It could be described as bare-bones. The furniture was sparse, and the large, empty spaces made one wonder if it was a property for sale.

Cynthia asked the two to sit down, thanked Bernie, thanked Mrs. Sullivan for helping with the funeral arrangements, and thanked them for taking care of her son.

Her son was a good friend of Sullivan Jr., and Mrs. Sullivan took care of him during the funeral.

Bernie was somewhat embarrassed, waving his hands repeatedly and remaining silent.

Theodore turned to look at him, and the rough German man was blushing with embarrassment, like a boiled crab.

He was somewhat at a loss, and it seemed he was about to leave.

Theodore spoke before he could stand up: "We're here for your husband, David Moore."

Upon hearing her husband's name, Cynthia's eyes immediately welled up with tears.

Theodore observed her emotions and asked, "Before we came, we consulted Dr. Martinez; he died of suffocation."

Why couldn't he get oxygen that day?

Cynthia didn't answer; instead, she turned to the side, covered her face with her hands, and began to sob.

The atmosphere was a little awkward.

Bernie tried to get her some tissues, but after looking around, he realized there weren't any.

“David Moore suffers from chronic respiratory failure and often needs nighttime oxygen therapy. You should know that, and you're used to it. What exactly happened that day, and why couldn't he get oxygen on time?”

Theodore was still asking questions, his voice calm to the point of being cold.

Cynthia turned around and, with a sob in her voice, told Theodore that she was too tired that day.

She said she works four jobs a day, leaving home at 4 a.m. and not returning until 11 p.m. She also has to take care of her son, wipe David's body, and do housework. She is lucky if she gets three hours of sleep a day.

She was too tired that day and fell asleep in the bathtub. She didn't hear David's cries for help, and when she woke up, David was already dead.

The more she spoke, the more tears she shed, which she couldn't wipe away. By the time she finished speaking, her face was already covered in tears, and she covered her face and sobbed.

Bernie awkwardly tried to comfort him, while Theodore took the opportunity to run to the bathroom to check on him.

When he returned, Cynthia was still crying, but she was much better than before.

Theodore didn't ask any more questions and gestured for Bernie to leave.

After Bernie and Theodore left, Cynthia slid down to the floor against the door and burst into tears.

(End of this chapter)