American variety show: Sniper Elite

Chapter 21 Absurd Yet Scientific
Medvedeva's gaze lingered for a moment on the only two inferences on the notebook: height and weight, before she decisively pulled out her phone.

“This idea is worth a try,” she quickly told Walter, her finger already dialing her superior’s number.

“Sir, the forensic expert has proposed a groundbreaking solution.” Her voice cut through the noise of the scene.

A clear voice of doubt came from the other end of the phone.

Medvedeva lowered her voice and added, "Considering that the killer is very likely the same person who perpetrated the Downing Street attack, β."

After a brief silence, the tone on the phone changed. The Downing Street case concerned the nation's reputation and the safety of the royal family; doing anything now was better than doing nothing. Thus, this seemingly far-fetched idea received approval from the highest levels.

As the order was given, all police officers on site began to withdraw in an orderly manner, with only the outer perimeter cordoned off to maintain the blockade.

Medvedeva received clear instructions from her superiors to remain at the core site and work with the trace evidence expert to await the implementation of this unprecedented DNA testing program for mosquito blood residue.

“It looks like we’ll have to stay here a little longer.” Medvedeva put away the walkie-talkie and turned to Walter.

Under the oak tree, only the two of them remained, along with the criminal investigation markers scattered on the ground. The surroundings were so quiet that the rustling of the leaves could be heard.

Walter clearly hadn't expected his casual suggestion to provoke such a strong reaction.

He stood somewhat awkwardly under the oak tree, occasionally waving his hand to shoo away the mosquitoes around him. This action was not only to avoid being bitten, but also to prevent his DNA from mixing with the mosquitoes that might carry the killer's genes.

"Really," he muttered to himself, his voice filled with disbelief, "that a sudden idea actually got adopted."

Medvedeva calmly stated, "When the state apparatus is operating at full capacity, even the most outlandish ideas will be executed without reservation. It's hard for ordinary people to imagine the astonishing execution power a sovereign nation can demonstrate when exercising its privileges. This is the power of a state; to achieve its goals, it can mobilize all resources regardless of cost."

Walter looked at the assembling team in the distance and asked curiously, "Who will carry out this plan? Surely it's not going to be a pest control company?"

Medvedeva's expression was serious: "The health and epidemic prevention forces will be fully responsible. Also, this is a high-level operation; you will need to sign a confidentiality agreement later. I hope you understand and cooperate."

Walter nodded immediately: "Of course, I'll cooperate fully. After all, I'm just a forensic investigator for the police."

Military personnel arrived at the scene, donned full-body protective suits, and began operations. As a unit with professional disinfection training, they quickly established a work area on site.

Medvedeva and Walter were politely but firmly asked to move beyond the safety line. Donning military-issued gas masks, they stood at the edge of the perimeter, observing the situation. Thick, fog-like vapors of the chemical agent were spreading rapidly through the forest, quickly enveloping the entire area in a hazy mist.

“Elimination is only the first step,” Walter said in a muffled voice through his gas mask, his gaze following the figures that appeared and disappeared in the mist. “The real challenge is how to collect all these mosquitoes that may carry crucial evidence.”

Medvedeva didn't reply, but simply gazed silently at the forest being specially treated before her. The figures of military special agents appeared and disappeared in the thick fog.

Walter's voice sounded somewhat muffled through the gas mask: "To be honest, I'm not sure if this method will actually work. If it fails, I hope they won't hold me responsible?"

Medea turned to look at him, her voice behind the mask calm and resolute: "This was an action personally approved by the highest level. Even if someone were to be held accountable, it wouldn't be your place." "That's good." Walter exhaled softly, white mist briefly condensing and dissipating inside the mask.

The extermination work is still ongoing, and the humming of machinery can be heard constantly through the thick fog of chemicals, making it impossible to see what methods the military is using to collect the blood-sucking mosquitoes.

Medvedeva's phone vibrated. She quickly walked aside to answer it: "Speak."

The deputy's voice came from the other end of the phone: "We've found Alexander Dugan's file. He served in Afghanistan and was declared dead ten years ago. But strangely, the military's file is almost entirely blank, with no substantial content. Based on the available clues, we infer that he likely belonged to some undisclosed shadow unit. That's all the information we can get so far."

Medvedeva rubbed her temples hard, her voice tinged with suppressed anxiety: "No... there should be more clues. I'm sure I've seen this name somewhere before, but I can't quite place it."

She took a deep breath: "Use the highest privileges to access all classified files. My intuition tells me that this person's information must be somewhere."

"Sir, do you believe this Alexander is β?" the deputy asked cautiously.

Medvedeva's gaze swept over Walter, who was still standing by the police line, and she lowered her voice: "No, he's more likely 'The Jackal,' the assassin who carried out the Munich presidential candidate assassination. But now, I need solid evidence to prove my intuition."

The deputy asked hesitantly, "Sir, aren't we investigating β?"

Medea surveyed the scene, enveloped in drug vapor, and lowered her voice, saying, "Listen, when we truly can't find any trace of β, a 'jackal' whose modus operandi is highly consistent with β's is that person."

She paused for a moment, allowing the weight of her words to settle.

“We need to have complete information on Jackal and be ready to package him as a beta and hand him over. This should be enough to quell the anger of Downing Street and Buckingham Palace. Trust me, the higher-ups will appreciate this plan. Compared to a hitman who assassinated a German presidential candidate, an assassin who dares to commit crimes in the heart of Britain is clearly more worthy of their attention.”

She continued, "When the real culprit can't be found, a scapegoat with a highly similar modus operandi is the perfect solution. That's the rule of the political game."

“Now, carry out my orders,” Medvedeva said to her deputy on the other end of the phone.

“Understood, sir. Access the classified files and find all the information about Alexander Dugan,” the deputy replied.

Medvedeva hung up the phone and looked through the pervasive medicinal mist towards the forest where the work was still underway.

She lifted the gas mask slightly, quickly scratched her itchy cheek, and then put it back on.

After a moment's hesitation, she dialed her deputy's number again: "There's one more thing to do."

“Please give instructions, sir,” the deputy replied immediately.

“Prepare several fake identities connected to the dark web,” Medea instructed in a low voice. “Post high assassination bounties on various dark web sites; the rewards must be enticing enough. Find a way to lure out Beta or Jackal. Remember, all operations must be conducted through encrypted channels; leave absolutely no traceable record.”

(End of this chapter)