章 4: Chapter 4: 200 Murders in Four Months
"Yes, sir, they are all villains, either do-nothings who engage in robbery, murder, and drug trafficking, or vile gang members."
"Moreover, the murderer is likely a lone individual, skilled in anti-surveillance, crime, and murder, and is among the top tier in terms of strength, speed, firearms, and combat."
"Additionally, his criminal skills have developed rapidly. The earlier murders left behind a few pieces of information, useful or not, but from a few murders onwards, he hasn't left any trace at all."
"On a rainy day two months ago, he infiltrated a small gang with about thirty members. In that apartment, he first silently assassinated the members on guard, all killed either by neck-snapping or by crushing their throats with a powerful punch, causing them to suffocate quickly."
"He then progressively advanced, sabotaging surveillance and killing his way to the core, until he murdered several key gang members, including the boss. These gang members didn't fire a single shot; there was no resistance at all, all were dead."
"Additionally, I believe that if there weren't a few prostitutes there, he might have, like in some previous cases, turned on the gas to cause an explosion and a fire to destroy all traces."
The chief of police slowly disclosed all the clues investigated by the team.
Simon, amused, leaned back in his chair, raising his hands in disbelief, "What is this? Batman? Or bloody Robin?"
"Does he think he's going to eliminate all the self-proclaimed villains and gang members? Who does he think he is?"
Such individuals are not unheard of, especially in a place like New York, where money and evil are never separate; where there's wealth, there's sin, and where sin thrives, there are always those who seek justice, whether out of disdain or because they've been persecuted, events to punish evil have occurred before.
However, such undertakings usually fail in an instant, and these people generally do not meet good ends. White and black are not opposites; it's often a delicate shade of gray.
Once such incidents occur, it's easy for an implicit cooperation to emerge between the two sides, either leading to an arrest or a killing.
Now, another such individual has appeared, only more covert and sophisticated.
"It is evident that we are dealing with a top-tier assassin who believes he is punishing criminals and villains."
The middle-aged chief of police maintained an expressionless face; privately, he admired the murderer—a man targeting only criminals, sparing the innocent, but his duty as a police officer, as part of the NYPD, compelled him to do everything possible to capture this murderer.
"OK, do we have a direction for the investigation?"
Simon, not wanting to think too deeply, simply spoke out.
"We believe this individual might be a retired combat soldier living in straitened circumstances. When committing crimes, he has taken some cash from his victims. We have been collecting information on this."
The chief of police said succinctly.
Simon nodded, "I don't care what means you use, but you must capture him within a month. You can mobilize all available resources and power. If necessary, you can report to me, and I will meet all your conditions."
With these words, his tone grew stern.
Gazing at the gathered chiefs of police: "I want a result. I want this man in prison. I want such events to stop happening. Understand?"
"Yes, sir," the chiefs of police replied in unison.
Just then, the telephone on the desk rang. Simon waved his hand, and the chiefs promptly left the office. Simon picked up the phone.
"This is Simon."
"FBI? They need to be involved in this case? I understand."
Simon hung up the phone, sitting back with a puzzled expression.
The police system and a government agency like the FBI are entirely separate entities, even to the point where the police system is like a privately-hired company, with no hierarchical difference in authority with the FBI. The FBI may seem prestigious externally, but the police can operate independently of them.
Unless there is a direct order from the highest authorities.
There have been confrontations between the two before.
As for this serial murder case, its impact is too significant. In the past, or rather in the police system, the FBI's involvement was not necessary. However, this case is too severe, and the investigation is too challenging.
The FBI is not foolish; their involvement at this time means that, if the case is solved, both parties will share the credit, but if not solved perfectly, the FBI will bear some responsibility, sharing some of the blame with the police.
An apparent gamble, or rather, the rewards may not be proportional to the effort.
But for Simon, this is a positive development. If the FBI willingly steps in, he welcomes it.
At least, whether the case is solved or not, he can shift some of the responsibility.
With that thought, he picked up the phone again: "Get George in here."
"Yes, sir."
After hanging up, a white police chief in his thirties knocked on the door and then entered to see Chief Simon: "Chief."
"George, the FBI agents will arrive at the police station to join the investigation team soon. You will be responsible for coordinating with them."
"Sir, about the authority..."
"Equal authority, it's a cooperative endeavor; you are in charge of oversight," Simon clarified, meaning George should prevent the FBI agents from overstepping, given their different operational styles.
"Yes, sir."
"Go on."
Simon watched George leave, thought for a moment, and then picked up the phone again.
"This is Simon..."
…
An hour later, a black Chevrolet SUV parked in front of the Queens police station, and four individuals, three men and a woman, alighted from the vehicle.
George was already waiting and greeted each person with a handshake.
The middle-aged white man leading the group spoke first: "Chief George? I'm Coulson."
"Agent Coulson, I'm in charge of your reception."
"Thank you, I hope we have a fruitful collaboration."
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