"It looks like the murderer had other motives besides killing people."
Jubal glanced at the scene again, silently praying that it wasn't the worst-case scenario. "Jack and Clay, you two go to the coroner's office. You know what I mean."
The two exchanged glances and nodded, understanding that since the first victim, Adam Weiner, was likely a SEAL, and the murderer likely knew him, it was possible that he was also a SEAL.
Whatever his motive, given the public nature of the killings at the scene, it meant more bodies were waiting for them.
Of course, Jubal hadn't sent them to the coroner's office to wait for bodies, but rather to help them make some inferences based on the murderer's methods.
Half an hour later, at the autopsy table.
"I've never seen such a clean, precise method of killing. A single stab wound to the abdomen directly severed the hepatic artery, and a single stab wound to the neck simultaneously slit the trachea and carotid artery. The wounds on all three victims were essentially identical."
A 50-something medical examiner, accompanied by two assistants, was so busy dealing with so many bodies that he barely even looked up as he spoke.
"What about the victims who were shot?" Clay pressed on, even though he already had an answer.
"All were struck by two .45-caliber bullets in the chest or back, except for Adam Weiner, who was shot in the head at close range. The method resembled some kind of shooting technique?" The medical examiner looked at his assistant for help.
"Mozambique shooting technique," Clay replied glumly.
"Yes, so you can reasonably suspect the killer has a military or law enforcement background," the medical examiner nodded in confirmation.
Jack
drove the Audi R8 to rendezvous with the command vehicle. As usual, Jubal, after consulting with the local police, parked the massive vehicle in the parking lot behind the station.
Seeing Clay's sullen expression, Jack patted the steering wheel soothingly.
"Don't look like that. It could be PTSD, or something else, like medication. You can't guarantee that every SEAL or DEVGRU veteran will be able to reintegrate into society after leaving the service."
"No, Jack, you don't understand." Clay irritably rolled the windows open, letting the still-chilled wind howl in.
"Every SEAL receives specialized PTSD training and regular physicals. Even after retirement, it's rare for a non-disabled SEAL to voluntarily touch something like that."
Jack understood his frustration. It wasn't that SEALs had committed crimes after retirement; in fact, many, for various reasons, had fallen on hard times and even resorted to murder and robbery.
But honestly, military service is still a decent career path in the US, especially for elite special forces.
Whether it's T2 or T1, most graduates achieve at least middle-class status, both in terms of income and social standing.
Even if they stray into criminality, they'll at least start out as professional assassins or skilled thugs. After all, killing is a skill.
What irritated Clay wasn't the possibility that the perpetrator was a former colleague, but rather the fratricide.
The more elite the unit, the greater the sense of honor. All signs pointed to the possibility that the murderer was a former SEAL colleague of Adam Weiner's, which he found unacceptable.
"
The killer we're pursuing is a muscular man in his thirties or forties, most likely a retired military veteran, armed and extremely dangerous.
He's likely to strike again. The target is unknown, but it should be soon."
When Jack and Clay arrived at the police station, Jiejie was presenting a profile to the officers.
"Releasing a profile so quickly? Hmm, it seems like we haven't done that in ages." Jack remembered the last time they'd released a profile to the local police was in South Korea, when they were dealing with a female serial killer obsessed with plastic surgery.
The Most Wanted Squad usually dealt with dangerous individuals with clear identities, so if nothing unexpected happened, the killer's identity this time should be revealed quickly.
Jubal received a call on their way back and explained.
"The only company employee who wasn't present has been ruled out as a suspect. His name is John Irving, and he was attending a Doctor Who fan meeting in San Diego.
Alice found his leave request from a month ago in the company system. You have to say, he's a lucky guy."
"Have you reviewed all the company contracts?" Jack thought, recalling the documents scattered across the CEO's office.
Aubrey nodded. "Those were just backup copies. We checked all the electronic contracts, and aside from a letter of intent with the DIA, there's nothing particularly sensitive."
"Defense Intelligence Agency?" The word instantly reminded Jack of a company called New Age Technologies.
"It's confirmed. It's indeed just a letter of intent. 'Senalock' is an emerging cybersecurity company with a good reputation in the industry. Alice checked the company's past records.
Although some projects are related to the Department of Defense, it only shows that CEO Adam Weiner has a good relationship with the Navy, and the level of confidentiality is not enough to cause such a fatal disaster."
Aubrey hesitated after speaking, and leaned close to the two of them and said in a low voice, "Alice also checked Adam Weiner's service record. It said that he only served as a communications soldier in a Navy air defense missile unit. Is it possible that you are wrong?"
"The Navy Cross is the highest-level medal of the Navy. Above it is the Medal of Honor that is not limited to any branch of the military. Tell me how an ordinary communications soldier can receive such an honor in the relatively peaceful year of 2019?"
Jack cast a contemptuous look at this guy who lacked "common sense."
"We have temporarily ruled out the company as the cause of the massacre. The other employees of 'Senalock' can be considered collateral damage.
Hannah is meeting with the family of CEO Adam Weiner, hoping to get a list of suspects."
Jubal finished talking about the current progress, then looked at Jack, "I think you need to contact NICS, they may know something."
Jack looked at the time and nodded, "It's not far from here to Washington, I plan to go directly to the Naval Yard."
He then made a gesture of invitation to Jiejie, "I'll also trouble our liaison officer to accompany me."
The Naval Yard that Jack mentioned is the Washington Navy Yard, located southeast of Washington DC, and is currently the administrative center of the Navy.
The office of the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service, or NCIS, is located here. A tall and thin middle-aged man with white hair, who does not look very old, received two visiting FBI agents.
(End of this chapter)