Check out more than 65+ chapters right now! đĽ
đ patreon.com/Mr UmU
https://www.patreon.com/Mr_UmU
__________________
Chapter 64: Violent Crime Division: So Love Will Disappear, Right?
At Theodore's request, Paul Anderson and his accomplice were placed in separate interrogation rooms.
Theodore had extensive experience dealing with peripheral gang members; these individuals valued self-preservation far more than loyalty, and breakthroughs could be achieved rapidly with the proper psychological pressure.
He and Bernie first visited Paul Anderson's accomplice.
Theodore informed him that whichever of the two cooperated with the police first would receive reduced charges, while the other would be prosecuted as the kidnapping mastermind.
The accomplice didn't take the bait, responding only with a contemptuous sneer.
They then entered Paul Anderson's room, repeated the same proposition, and pressed him about Little Sullivan's whereabouts and who had taken him.
Paul Anderson also answered with a derisive sneer.
"I know exactly who you are," he said, lifting his chin defiantly. "You two are the poster boys for the Felton Police Department."
"We kidnapped your son; we're finished anyway. The electric chair only hurts for a moment, but prison..." He chuckled darkly.
In Texas, kidnapping carried a maximum penalty of death.
Theodore wasn't surprised by this reaction; it was a textbook reverse rationalisation of fear.
Anderson was romanticising the death penalty as a brief pain to mask his deep terror of the unknown finality of death.
What he truly feared was the systematic violence awaiting him in prison.
This violence wouldn't just come from guards; criminals who targeted children were equally unwelcome among fellow inmates.
A patrol officer appeared from outside to inform them that the East District Branch required their immediate return. They were also ordered to maintain complete isolation from both suspects and all related evidence and witnesses, and were prohibited from participating in the investigation.
This was an extremely stern directive.
Bernie found it impossible to accept. The rogue instincts he'd suppressed for years began surfacing.
He looked at Theodore, his mind racing with thoughts of grabbing Paul Anderson and disappearing.
Theodore intercepted his dangerous impulse before it could take root.
Back at the station, members of the Violent Crimes Unit had been waiting for some time, accompanied by the Senior Police Supervisor.
Kidnapping cases fell outside the Homicide Team's jurisdiction; they belonged to the Violent Crimes Unit.
The Violent Crimes Unit reported directly to headquarters.
Given the East District Branch's track record for efficiency, entrusting the case to the Violent Crimes Unit would be tantamount to signing Little Sullivan's death warrant.
The Violent Crimes Unit members offered them awkward smiles that appeared particularly strained.
The Senior Police Supervisor called them into Chief Weideke's office with grave formality and informed them that news of the kidnapping had leaked. It would soon be broadcast on radio and television, with tomorrow's newspapers featuring it on the front page.
The media wouldn't miss such a sensational story as the twin detectives' son being kidnapped.
By tomorrow, everyone in Felton would know.
The Senior Police Supervisor requested specific details from both men.
He told them seriously that a large group of reporters waited outside for his statement.
He didn't want promises or expressions of confidence; he wanted concrete leads.
"Think carefully before you answer," the Senior Police Supervisor said earnestly, placing a hand on Bernie's shoulder. "Conflict of interest recusal exists for your protection."
"I can hand this over to them right now," he continued, gesturing toward the nearby Violent Crimes Unit members. "I'll announce to the media that due to functional and interest conflicts, you two must relinquish lead authority and are being removed from the investigation."
The two partners exchanged meaningful glances.
Bernie was grateful for the Senior Police Supervisor's protection, but still shook his head in refusal.
The Senior Police Supervisor showed a flash of admiration and gently patted Bernie's shoulder.
Bernie began explaining the entire sequence from the initial incident through the Blue Parrot Motel raid. After listening, the Senior Police Supervisor appeared genuinely astonished.
He'd previously only read their case files and understood that these two solved cases quickly and followed proper procedures, but that had been the extent of his knowledge.
Now, being directly involved during an active investigation, the experience was completely different.
"How did you determine that Paul Anderson would return to the Blue Parrot Motel?" the Senior Police Supervisor asked.
Theodore felt this Senior Police Supervisor was wasting precious time, but considering that one word from him could save them considerable effort, he provided a detailed explanation.
"Through investigating the school scene, I determined the kidnappers weren't first-time offenders. Their entire kidnapping operation was executed with professional smoothness, containing no unnecessary actions."
"Without Little Sullivan's intervention, the entire kidnapping would have proceeded silently."
"I analysed Paul Anderson's psychological profile and determined he lacked the capacity to mastermind such an operation; he was purely an executor."
"After a successful kidnapping, he would need to transfer the hostage to the actual mastermind."
"The most common locations gangs select for transactions and meetings are motels. They're crowded and transient, making them difficult to track."
"Paul Anderson happened to work at the Blue Parrot Motel, and the location was perfectly positioned relative to the school."
Theodore's explanation was essentially meaningless to most present; the only person who could grasp it was Bernie, who had already understood before returning to the station.
The Senior Police Supervisor appeared enlightened and offered several words of praise.
This response gave him a measure of confidence.
He looked toward Chief Weideke.
"They are my most outstanding detectives," Chief Weideke declared without hesitation. "If they fail, then no one can succeed."
"I always trust my people."
The Senior Police Supervisor nodded, embraced Bernie warmly, then departed to face the reporters.
These reporters swarmed like flies around the East District Branch, surrounding anyone who emerged and relentlessly demanding information.
"Everyone, please quiet down."
The Senior Police Supervisor was experienced in media relations, specifically responsible for maintaining the police department's public image at headquarters.
"You should all have received the news by now," he said, his expression pained and his voice subdued. "Yes, Detective Bernie Sullivan's son has been kidnapped."
"We have launched a full investigation. We have our best detectives."
"Will Detective Theodore Dickson and Detective Bernie Sullivan participate in the investigation? Shouldn't they recuse themselves?" someone shouted.
"Yes, they will participate in the investigation in an advisory capacity," the Senior Police Supervisor responded calmly. "They are the most outstanding detectives in the Felton Police Department. We will not abandon our most powerful asset for the sake of rigid bureaucracy."
"Never!"
The Senior Police Supervisor was carefully measured; he said nothing that might provoke the kidnappers while expressing exactly the right attitude and stance.
He had arrived in haste and departed with equal urgency.
Bernie's courage and determination, combined with Theodore's brilliance, had given him the confidence to take this calculated risk.
But everything would proceed under his direct supervision.
If the situation deteriorated, he would immediately remove both men from the investigation and transfer authority to the Violent Crimes Unit.
The reporters didn't disperse; they chose to maintain their vigil, sending their assistants back with the news they'd just gathered.
Soon, they uncovered a second explosive story.
Councillor Santos arrived.
He wore a tuxedo, clearly having rushed over from a formal dinner engagement.
Santos's face was taut with concern; he pushed through the reporters and charged into the police station, locating Bernie and Theodore, who were preparing to begin Cynthia's second interrogation.
"I heard everything," he said, embracing Bernie and patting his back vigorously. "Just tell me what other assistance you need."
"Other?"
Santos wasn't merely making a show of support.
He had directly brought a prosecutor and a judge.
 ____________
Want bonus chapters? You got it.
Goal: 200 â Achieved: 192 = 2 Bonus Chapters
đ 1 Power Stone on the Book Page = 100 on Chapter Pages!
!! VISIT the BOOK PAGE to donate your Power Stone.
Leave a REVIEW and drop a COMMENT!
Also, get access to 270+ bonus chapters across all my stories.
đ patreon.com/Mr UmU
https://www.patreon.com/Mr_UmU