As the SWAT officers, shielded, rushed into the ravaged hallway, the perpetrator responsible for the attack, which resulted in five deaths and eleven injuries, was already dead.
A pound of C4 isn't particularly powerful. Only a small section of the second-floor corridor of the El Centro Central College library was damaged, leaving the building structurally intact.
Considering the over fifty students previously protected by two campus police officers in the main building were safe and sound, this was a blessing in disguise.
Just as the three FBI agents, believing their night was over, were about to say goodbye to Chief David Brown, the now cheerful, portly old man approached them.
"Attorney General Jackson said they need to contact you urgently, Agent Tavolar."
Concerned about a bomb threat, the DPD had blocked all cell phone signals in that section of the block, and they hadn't yet been restored, leaving the three of them without a connection.
But how had he managed to find them at this hour? Could it be that the brusque DPD chief had come to confront him?
Confused, Jack took the intercom offered.
The prosecutor had clearly heard about the shooting scene, but he didn't ask any further questions. After a few pleasantries, he gave an address and asked the FBI to arrive as soon as possible.
"What happened?" Aubrey drove their Suburban over. Jack helped Jiejie remove her bulletproof vest, opened the trunk, and stowed their equipment.
"Go to the Bank of America Tower. There's been another murder there."
"Oh, right, Jack." Director David Brown waved to the three FBI agents from a distance. "The mayor wants you to attend the press conference tomorrow. When everything is over, he'll present you with the key to the city of Dallas." The Bank of America Tower
is
also located in downtown Dallas, less than four blocks from the shooting scene.
The 72-story building is decorated with green light strips, making it quite eye-catching at night, complementing the distant "Reunion Tower."
When the three arrived, the elevator lobby on the first floor was already taped off, and the uniformed forensic team was busy inside.
From the moment the mobile signal was restored, Jack's phone vibrated continuously. Besides the several missed calls from Attorney General Jackson, he later sent some relevant information.
"The deceased's name is Joseph Fielding, the CFO of Webster Industries, 53 years old."
Jack helped Jiejie lift the yellow tape and pointed to the uniformed middle-aged security guard nearby. "Jiejie, go interview the witnesses. Aubrey, help me examine the body."
Attorney General Jackson did not appear this time, apparently because the case was already unsustainable. The previous two cases occurred in hotel suites, and due to the immediate intervention of the deceased's lawyer, no case was even filed.
This one, however, had become a true crime scene. No one would choose to commit suicide by tying themselves naked to a chair, taping themselves shut, and then moving them into the elevator, then appearing on the first floor facing the lobby.
As the Chief Attorney of Texas, Patrick Jackson would only attract unnecessary media attention if he appeared immediately.
"Damn, this is going to give me nightmares for days on end." Aubrey's expression twisted instantly at the horrifying sight.
"We can't be the only two suffering." Jack smirked, pulled out his phone, took a picture, and sent it to Jubal, informing him to bring the rest of the team to Dallas as soon as possible.
The victim's only clothing was a pair of socks. His hands were tied behind his back to an office chair, his mouth was taped, and two red Xs had been drawn on his eyelids with lipstick.
The murderer's intentions were clear: she was going to make this a big deal. Clearly, she wasn't content with just killing anyone; she wanted to make it public and draw attention to herself.
Time was of the essence in these moments. A secret investigation by three people alone wasn't enough to stop the killer before he struck again, so Jack summoned his own team.
"The cause of death is almost certainly poisoning. The lipstick was applied posthumously. The killer made no attempt to conceal his identity, not even wiping the body fluids off the victim's thigh."
Jack turned off the purple light and sighed. Cases like these were so frustrating. Evidence was everywhere, but because the killer had no criminal record, even fingerprints and DNA were useless.
Physical evidence from the previous crime scene had been sent to the CSI lab in New York, but no results were found in any databases.
Jiejie, having finished questioning the security guard, walked over and saw the scene. Her pretty face flushed slightly, and she instinctively turned her head away.
"Security found the victim's clothing in his office on the 52nd floor. It looks like that was the primary scene. The killer pushed him into the elevator after the murder, seemingly deliberately trying to avoid detection."
Jiejie's inquiries further confirmed Jack's suspicions.
"So, do these two lipstick crosses have any real meaning?" Aubrey looked puzzled.
"Maybe not, just trying to get the police's attention. I think the killer is probably upset with the silence of the previous two cases."
Jack hadn't finished his words when the three of them simultaneously noticed a short, bald man in a suit and tie trying to break through the blockade. Crucially, the DPD officer who stopped him let him pass.
"Excuse me, which one is Jack Tawaller?"
The short, bald man looked about the same age as the deceased, in his fifties. He wore a very fine shirt and suit, and had the air of a lawyer. His eyes kept darting between Jack and Aubrey.
He was clearly in a hurry, his forehead covered with beads of sweat, and he hadn't even bothered to tie a tie. He must have just been called out of bed.
"I'm Agent Tawaller."
"Larry Barrett, attorney representing Webster Industries."
Jack politely shook the man's offered hand, the greasy, slippery touch making him feel a little nauseous.
"Let me remind you, Mr. Barrett, this is a crime scene. No outsiders are allowed."
They were still facing the elevator door, which had been shut down and stood open. Inside, the body of Joseph Fielding lay still.
Larry Barrett followed the three men's gaze and looked behind him. Only then did he notice the body and was startled.
"Oh, damn, this unfortunate fellow. God bless him."
He made the sign of the cross and continued, "In fact, I just spoke to Attorney General Patrick Jackson on the phone. He said you are a reasonable gentleman."
(End of this chapter)