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Chapter 36: He Exposed His Feet
Despite Bernie's attempts to dissuade him, Theodore chose to explain directly to Wenner and requested permission to go to the oil field with great fanfare to apprehend the murderer.
Wenner didn't immediately deny the request. He first called the forensic office, asking them to confirm whether the deceased had consumed alcohol.
If alcohol was detected in the deceased's body, it would mean that Theodore's basic deduction about the case was flawed, and naturally, there would be no need to consider further steps.
While waiting, Wenner questioned Theodore, asking why he was so certain the murderer would inevitably reveal himself.
Theodore explained:
"Because the murderer is someone with extremely strong control issues. He's obsessed with making deaths look accidental, which was particularly evident when he killed Billy."
"Even though he realized he couldn't make Billy's death look like accidental drowning as planned, he still dragged Billy into the water and left the alcohol bottle."
"This is an instinct the murderer himself cannot control."
"Our investigation has made the oil well no longer safe. His hasty killing of Billy also left more flaws, all signs of a murderer losing control."
"Losing control will make him anxious and uneasy. He urgently needs to do something to regain that sense of control."
"The oil field is the only place that can give him a sense of security and absolute control. He will inevitably return there."
"When we appear with great fanfare and show that we intend to apprehend the murderer, that feeling of losing control will resurface."
"At that point, to regain control, the murderer might run away, take hostages, rush at us in a fit of rage, or refuse to cooperate and try to drive us out of the oil field."
"No matter what he chooses, the one acting abnormally must be the murderer."
Theodore's explanation was somewhat convoluted. Wenner seemed to grasp it, while Bernie blinked at Sam, only relaxing when he saw confusion mirrored in Sam's eyes.
Wenner still hadn't made a decision.
Soon after, the forensic office provided the results.
Hanging up the phone, Wenner took out a chocolate ball, put it in his mouth, and chewed 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 body."
Wenner first announced the result, then said:
"I will send three teams of detectives with you to the oil field. I hope your analysis is correct."
Finally, he waved his hand. "Go quickly."
"You only have two hours. After two hours, this case will be handled as a current investigation."
Wenner then designated three teams to follow Theodore and the others directly to the oil field.
Today, the oil field looked no different from usual.
The workers on the derrick were still gathered together smoking. They spotted Bernie from high up and even waved at him.
Bernie ignored them, sternly demanding that everyone check their equipment. After the equipment check was completed, the four teams, nine people in total, walked into the oil field with imposing presence.
Perhaps intimidated by their aura, the workers no longer dared to come forward to greet them, but instead took detours.
Roy was still the first to come over and receive them.
He looked unwell, his face tired, and the annoying fake smile was gone.
He simply let his face droop and asked everyone, "Is there something wrong?"
Bernie's expression was stern, and he spoke in a businesslike tone. "Please gather all the workers immediately."
Roy's eye twitched twice, and his tone turned sour. "Officer Sullivan, if you call them all down, who will work?"
"I understand you perfectly, but we also have jobs to do. We can't completely disregard our work just to cooperate with your investigation."
"How about this, you come back after work in the afternoon. How does that sound?"
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, about to continue arguing with Roy, but Theodore had already stepped forward, grabbed Roy's arm, and abruptly pulled up his work uniform sleeve.
Roy hissed and yanked his arm back forcefully. The scratches on his arm flashed by for just an instant. He pulled off the jacket Theodore had grabbed and turned to run toward the oil well.
Bernie and the others immediately gave chase. But they weren't as familiar with the terrain as Roy, and he always managed to slip around the open spaces and evade their encirclement.
Soon, Roy reached the bottom of the derrick. He stepped directly onto the structure and began to climb up.
Bernie was the first to catch up. He stood below the derrick, looked up, and shouted at Roy, "You have nowhere left to run!"
Roy didn't listen, just climbed upward with his head down.
Bernie had vivid memories of climbing the derrick last time and was somewhat reluctant to go up. He looked up and shouted at the workers who were watching the commotion:
"Hey! Victor, Theron, and Giggs, stop him! He's the murderer who killed Hank and Billy!"
Billy's body had been discovered this morning, but the workers didn't know Billy was dead yet, they only knew he hadn't come to work today.
The derrick quickly became noisy. The workers who had just been watching the show immediately started discussing the news Bernie brought. Some workers leaned out and shouted down to Bernie for confirmation:
"Billy is dead? Really?"
Bernie was still hesitating, but Sam behind him had already started climbing up without a word.
"Hey!" Bernie shouted, grabbing the railing and also climbing up shakily, while finding time to shout back:
"It's true! Roy killed him! And Hank!"
There was another commotion above, but some workers had already started climbing down, preparing to intercept Roy.
Roy climbed very quickly, completely on par with skilled oil field workers. When he encountered the first worker blocking his path, he didn't stop but just looked up and sternly shouted, "Get out of the way!"
The worker subconsciously moved aside.
Roy continued to climb up, and as he passed the worker, he casually pushed him.
The worker stumbled, half his body hanging out over the railing, swaying precariously.
Fortunately, the worker was accustomed to climbing up here year-round and quickly regained his balance, standing firm again.
As soon as he steadied himself, the railing he had just leaned on made a groaning sound under the strain and then fell away.
Bernie heard the worker's exclamation from above and instinctively stepped aside. The railing whooshed past him and crashed to the ground.
"Where do you think you can run by going higher!"
"Stop running!"
The detectives shouted as they pursued, but Roy turned a deaf ear, just kept climbing upward with his head down.
He always managed to bypass or push aside the workers blocking his path, skillfully getting 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 by Roy consecutively, the remaining workers realized they couldn't face him alone. Several workers gathered together and, guided by an older worker, blocked Roy's inevitable path.
Soon, the two sides met on a crossbeam.
Roy stopped, looked at the dense crowd of workers opposite him, and shouted loudly with feigned bravado, trying to intimidate the workers into getting out of the way.
The workers took a step back.
The worker named Victor was further back. He asked Roy loudly, "Is Billy really dead?"
Roy didn't answer. He took another step forward and sternly shouted, "Get lost!"
The workers retreated again. By now, the people behind them had already stepped off the crossbeam.
"You killed Billy and Hank?" The questioning came again from within the crowd.
Roy didn't answer, just sternly shouted for the workers to move aside. However, these little lambs who were usually so obedient were now expressionless, blocking his path, motionless.
Roy looked down. The detectives had already reached the lower level and were about to block his retreat.
This path was the only way to the highest platform, he had to get through.
Roy took two steps forward, his expression turning ferocious.
The workers all stepped off the crossbeam, but they blocked the exit and didn't move.
The wind howled at this height, making the crossbeam creak and sway.
Roy gripped the railing to steady himself. He looked down again, detectives had already reached this level.
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