Chapter 81: Eliminate One Correct Answer First
"High accuracy?"
Morgan gave a skeptical smile.
"One hundred percent,"
Chuck replied.
"Impossible!"
Morgan laughed. "Don't tell me this doctor is a super genius like you and Reid? Even if that were the case, I don't believe anyone could do that."
"He's not a super genius,"
Chuck shook his head. "He's just gifted, but in the field of medicine, he's exceptional."
"How does he achieve such perfect accuracy?"
Reid was curious.
Unlike Morgan's initial reaction of disbelief, his first instinct was to trust Chuck.
"He doesn't bet on everyone, only on families where there are obvious genetic markers,"
Chuck explained.
"I see,"
Reid suddenly understood. Seeing Morgan looking at him skeptically, he explained, "In genetics, there are many dominant traits that are inherited, such as specific eye color, nose shape, and ear structure. These can be used to definitively determine paternal relationships."
"Is that so?"
Garcia's slightly disappointed voice came through the speaker.
"Garcia, don't worry. One day your facial recognition software will be even better,"
Morgan reassured with a smile.
"Facial recognition software?"
Kate, the FBI New York Director, asked in surprise. "Is the Bureau really developing such technology?"
"I'm not sure if they are officially, but Garcia definitely is,"
Morgan, showing his familiarity with Garcia, said, "She's the most talented tech analyst we have, the queen of cyberspace. If anyone could develop such software, it would be Garcia."
"It's not that impressive,"
Garcia's slightly embarrassed voice came through the phone. "There are plenty of people online who are more skilled than me. I'm not that advanced."
Normally, in private during their playful exchanges, she loved hearing Morgan's compliments, no matter how exaggerated, and would be thrilled. But now, in front of others, she felt slightly ashamed and embarrassed by such high praise.
She was indeed considered highly skilled in the hacker community; otherwise, she wouldn't have been recruited. But she was still far behind the truly elite hackers; otherwise, she wouldn't have been caught.
As far as she knew, there were at least five legendary hackers who were definitely more capable than her. If they were all men, she might claim the title of queen, but gender was impossible to confirm online.
"Dr. Wolfe, are you also looking for dominant genetic markers?"
JJ's question drew everyone's attention back.
"Yes,"
Chuck nodded, methodically flipping through the files.
Reid leaned in, his expression inquiring. After a moment of observation, Gideon spoke up, "Any word on the girl's mother?"
"No,"
Director Kate shook her head. "All the addresses we found were fake."
"We need to keep searching,"
Gideon said. "This is a crucial lead."
"Right, it could be used as evidence in court later,"
Morgan glanced at Chuck with a half-smile.
In his opinion, Chuck's sophisticated investigative methods, regardless of their results, had at least one major flaw: their admissibility as evidence was questionable.
Any defense attorney would exploit this weakness relentlessly.
Even if they caught the suspect, they'd likely be forced to release him due to insufficient evidence.
And if the suspect was truly a law enforcement officer, or even a high-ranking member of a corrupt network, the police union wouldn't stand by idly, further complicating matters.
"Morgan, take Elle with you for a deeper investigation,"
Unit Chief Hotchner ordered.
"Copy that,"
Morgan confidently agreed, and he and Agent Elle, both experienced field agents, headed out.
It was late afternoon.
"We've got results,"
Reid's excited voice startled Gideon and the others.
"What do we have?"
Gideon and the others immediately gathered around.
The printer began humming.
Reid went over, collected the three printed files, and placed them on the desk.
"David Smith, CBI Detective."
"Lucas Drake, Senior Agent, FBI California Field Office."
"Thomas McAllister, Sheriff of Napa County, California."
JJ read out the names from the three files. "Looking at their photos, they do bear some resemblance to the girl."
"Garcia, get me everything on these three, especially Lucas Drake,"
Unit Chief Hotchner ordered.
"Do you think he's the most likely suspect?"
Director Kate asked.
"Yes,"
Unit Chief Hotchner nodded. "Normal corrupt networks are bound by mutual interests. They operate in shadows and would never do something as brazen as Red John's crimes. But not only has he done it, he's made Red John a notorious California serial killer who's evaded capture for years. What does this tell us?"
"It means Red John can't control his urge to kill, and he must hold a unique position in this corrupt network. Otherwise, a network that spans both coasts and has infiltrated multiple key law enforcement agencies would never allow a member to be so conspicuous."
Reid continued, "He's most likely one of the leaders or even the founder of this organization. Only a corrupt network established and led this way would ignore the external pressure on other members caused by Red John's years of terrorizing California without being solved."
"So the first person we can eliminate is Sheriff Thomas McAllister,"
JJ nodded. "A sheriff in a rural county doesn't have that kind of reach."
"I'm more inclined toward CBI Detective David Smith,"
Director Kate said in her distinctive British accent. "The CBI is California's answer to the FBI, established in recent years to prevent conflicts between local police and federal agents. While its authority in California is theoretically less than the FBI's California division, its actual influence and power are supreme.
Because it mediates between local police and the FBI, it not only has close ties with local departments but can also naturally establish connections with federal agents, extending its reach throughout the region.
Red John has committed so many sensational crimes across California over the past decades, yet leaves no traces, baffling investigators. This only proves his connections within local law enforcement.
Even if he accidentally leaves behind damning evidence, it's usually suppressed by his people.
Otherwise, it's impossible to explain how someone could commit so many crimes over so many decades without a single slip-up."
"Dr. Wolfe, what's your take?"
Gideon looked at Chuck.
"I think you all make valid points,"
Chuck nodded. "We should eliminate one correct answer first."
Everyone: "..."
(End of Chapter)
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P@atreon/Soulforger (45+ advanced chapters)