Chapter 179: Angela: Something's Wrong With You! Bones: Children of Science Don't Get Picky!
"How long will it take to confirm the identity of the body?"
Chuck didn't continue the topic of why he was smiling. He truly didn't know. It was simply an involuntary reaction from his soul suddenly and completely synchronizing with his body for no apparent reason.
This was normal.
With the infusion of two doses of the regenerative serum, the defects he inherited from his predecessor had been alleviated significantly. It's likely that his consciousness would suddenly and completely synchronize with his body at certain moments.
This is a good thing!
It can indeed make people subconsciously happy and want to smile.
After all, with his background and professional training, unless he couldn't help himself, he rarely showed such expressions.
"The victim was killed by a heavy blow to the skull. We've matched 22 points with Coriole Eller and are virtually certain it's her,"
Dr. Bones explained. "DNA testing is underway."
"Do you think it's Senator Bethlehem?"
Dr. Jack Hodgins, a firm believer in conspiracy theories, immediately looked at Chuck.
"I went to the Capitol to question him."
Chuck said, "It's not certain whether he's involved, but his assistant, Thompson, who's Coriole Eller's boyfriend, must be involved. The rest is straightforward."
Having said that, he looked at Agent Booth, whose face had darkened. "You're the agent in charge of this case. Go apply for a search warrant, search Thompson's residence, arrest Thompson, and the case will basically be closed."
"You're just a consultant, not my supervisor!"
Agent Booth really disliked Chuck's tone of giving direct orders. "And you can't be certain!"
"No, I'm very certain."
Chuck said bluntly. "Thompson is definitely involved. If I had law enforcement authority, I wouldn't need your involvement at all."
"..."
Agent Booth's jaw twitched, and his face grew darker.
"Who said before that if he'd arrested the female senator and her congressman father, he would also send them to prison impartially?"
Dr. Jack Hodgins rubbed his chest where he'd been grabbed and scoffed. "Now the evidence is practically irrefutable, and we're only legally searching a senator's assistant's residence. Still making excuses, huh?"
Agent Booth's composure broke again, staring intently at Dr. Hodgins.
Although he didn't want to admit it, he didn't immediately agree to Chuck's request. Not only did Chuck's tone irritate him, but also because this matter involved Senator Bethlehem. He was hesitant and needed to consult his superiors before considering the next steps.
He thought it was normal human behavior,
but in Dr. Jack Hodgins's words, the meaning was completely different. To some extent, how reasonable his actions seemed depended entirely on one's position and perspective.
"Are there any problems?"
Chuck calmly looked at Agent Booth, who glared fiercely back.
"I need to consult my superiors."
Agent Booth took a deep breath, looking away from Dr. Jack Hodgins and at Chuck. "Your certainty isn't concrete evidence. Besides Senator Bethlehem and Assistant Thompson, Coriole Eller had another obsessed fan who regularly stalked her. It could be him."
"It's not him,"
Chuck shook his head.
"Why not?"
Agent Booth asked unconvincingly. "Have you investigated?"
"No need,"
Chuck said. "First, I'm absolutely certain Assistant Thompson is involved. Investigate Thompson first. Whether or not this stalker is involved won't affect the overall outcome. Second, I know exactly what kind of person this stalker is. If this person were truly involved, you would have uncovered them long ago. This isn't a statement of trust in your ability, but a statement of trust in Senator Bethlehem's influence. He's
just an ordinary stalker. If you could eliminate Senator Bethlehem's suspicion, you would have done everything possible. Only if you didn't find even a shred of evidence against this stalker would we have reached this point."
"..."
Agent Booth was speechless.
After the incident, he did lead the investigation and conducted a comprehensive examination of the stalker, but there was absolutely no evidence to suggest he was responsible.
A colleague had suggested they could plant something, but he flatly refused.
He might not have dared to investigate Senator Bethlehem without evidence, but he certainly wouldn't frame an innocent person just to curry favor with a senator.
"See?"
Dr. Bones said matter-of-factly. "That's what you call a 'squint,' a person with a high IQ capable of rigorous logical reasoning. He can easily find the real breakthrough point based on just the slightest clue."
"I'll apply for it!"
Agent Booth said, feeling humiliated, and turned away.
"That's so cool!"
Angela clasped her hands to her chin, her eyes shining as she looked at Chuck. "You're worthy of being Detective Chuck!"
"Not bad,"
Chuck said, gazing at the 3D holographic projection hovering in mid-air.
"Angela developed this herself, and she's applying for a patent,"
Dr. Bones explained on behalf of her best friend.
"It could be improved,"
Chuck said, pointing to the 3D holographic projection and offering his suggestions.
"You also know about art and computers?"
Angela was surprised and delighted, and couldn't help but glance at her best friend, Dr. Bones.
"What's wrong?"
Dr. Bones asked, confused.
"Nothing, nothing."
Angela's eyes flickered, and she looked away with a small smile.
"A little bit."
Chuck told her honestly.
"..."
Angela paused.
Just from the fact that Chuck could casually offer very practical modification suggestions for the 3D holographic software she had carefully crafted, she could tell that Chuck's expertise in the fields of art and computers was very high.
If he only knew a little bit, then who else would dare to claim they knew anything?
Chuck didn't explain that no one knew more about art and computers than his best friend, Anna.
Compared to her, Chuck was indeed only moderately knowledgeable in the fields of art and computers.
Angela was struggling with whether she should pursue such a brilliant man with similar interests instead of leaving him for her best friend when the conversation shifted to her best friend and Chuck, who were already engaged in a lively discussion.
She immediately let out a small sigh of relief.
She realized that after demonstrating a solid understanding of art and computers, which was her specialty, Chuck was also able to engage in in-depth professional discussions with her best friend, a top forensic anthropologist, in response to questions posed by Dr. Bones.
Great!
So Chuck knew a little bit about everything. Her best friend and she were collaborating—one reconstructing a skeleton, the other creating a 3D holographic projection based on the reconstruction—and Chuck could do it all by himself.
The fleeting thought, "Chuck seems like a better match for me, should I let my best friend down?" was pure fantasy.
"Is that just a little knowledge?"
Angela, letting go of the thought, couldn't help but mutter.
"As a detective, some understanding of forensic science is essential,"
Chuck readily explained. "As for anthropology, I have a friend whose father is an anthropologist, so I know something about it too."
"Which anthropologist?"
Dr. Bones asked with interest.
"Dr. Alfred Hofstadter,"
Chuck said, naming little Leonard's father.
"Oh, Dr. Hofstadter!"
Dr. Bones nodded. "He's indeed a very famous anthropologist. He once worked with the renowned archaeologist Louis Leakey. His two series of papers, 'The Impact of Holidays on Human Culture' and 'Annual Summaries of Marital Patterns,' have been widely acclaimed within the field. Their writing, from an anthropological perspective, is very insightful."
"My friend's middle name is Leakey, after Louis Leakey,"
Chuck nodded.
"Dr. Wolfe, about Agent Booth..."
Dr. Jack Hodgins continued, recounting his earlier account of Agent Booth's ancestors and how he became an FBI agent in the capital. "What do you think the reason is?"
"Isn't the conclusion obvious?"
Chuck said bluntly.
In crucial positions, whether leaking classified information at a critical moment, or being more strategic and calculating, those who have inherited John Wilkes Booth's legacy are far more reliable than the average person for certain interests.
"I told you so!"
Dr. Jack Hodgins laughed excitedly.
Few people were willing to listen to his conspiracy theories, but now that a prominent figure like Chuck had come along and actually validated his own ideas, it was a truly satisfying feeling.
"You're not really buying into that, are you?"
Angela was speechless.
"His sources of information are infinitely richer than yours,"
Chuck looked at her. "So his perspective is much more comprehensive. He can see the truth of this world better than you, who are only absorbed in your information bubble."
"How can his sources of information be infinitely richer than mine?"
Angela was a little unconvinced.
Chuck glanced at Dr. Jack Hodgins, seeing him stare back in surprise. He shook his head slightly, not revealing Dr. Jack Hodgins's true background. He simply moved past the subject and left the Jeffersonian Institution.
At this point in the case, progress didn't depend on Chuck's speed, but on Agent Booth's ability to obtain a search warrant.
He had no doubt he could get one; he was certain. With so much clear evidence, if they couldn't even get a warrant for a senator's assistant, then these people were completely worthless.
This is the world of television drama, and the nice thing about it is that, despite their private actions, these people still have to maintain some propriety when facing public scrutiny.
After Chuck left, Dr. Bones yawned and left with her backpack.
Ever since the airport setup by Agent Booth and being seconded by Dr. Goodman to find and reconstruct the body overnight, she hadn't had time to rest.
As soon as she returned home, she showered, fell into bed, and fell asleep. Some time later, a noise startled her from her slumber. She immediately stood up, grabbed the baseball bat she always kept in her bedroom, and headed toward the source of the sound.
Having tackled even a Homeland Security agent with her specialized training, with a baseball bat in hand, she didn't have the fear of a woman alone at home, but chose to go straight for the intruder.
Hiding around the corner, she heard footsteps approaching and immediately swung the baseball bat. Two consecutive blows knocked the man to the ground. Upon closer inspection, she was surprised to discover it was her ex-boyfriend, Pete, groaning on the ground.
"Choosing the first day I'm back to get the TV doesn't make sense,"
Dr. Bones said, waiting for him to get up before questioning him.
As her ex-boyfriend, Pete had the key to her house, and they'd been separated for months. While she was in Guatemala, Pete had plenty of time to take everything that belonged to him.
"I've been thinking a lot about why we broke up,"
Pete said, wincing as he began to talk.
"We argued constantly, and we no longer liked each other,"
Dr. Bones said, expressing her assessment.
"We argued because you're emotionally distant, but deep down, I still think you're hot..."
Pete couldn't take his eyes off his ex-girlfriend, dressed in a tank top and shorts that showed off her athletic figure.
"Oh my God!"
Dr. Bones scoffed. "You're not here to get the TV, you're here for a breakup hookup. Ha! Typical man! You can leave now!"
She dragged Pete toward the door.
"You're not interested in a long-term relationship because you lost your parents when you were young. Do you really want to spend the rest of your life alone?"
Pete offered some amateur psychoanalysis.
"I hate psychoanalysis. Don't give me that."
Dr. Bones shoved Pete out. "I don't know what will happen to me in the rest of my life, but I don't want to see you anymore. Goodbye!"
After closing the door, she returned to her bedroom, closed her eyes, and lay on the bed, trying to fall asleep. She tossed and turned several times before getting up, reaching for her backpack, finding a business card, and dialing the number.
The next day, at the Jeffersonian Institution, in the laboratory.
"Sweetie, you're here..."
Angela greeted her best friend out of habit. Then her eyes widened, and she stared at her, muttering, "Something's wrong, something's different about you."
Dr. Bones ignored her best friend's gossip radar and walked into her office, full of energy.
Angela followed her in, closing the door behind her, and approached her, ready for a proper interrogation.
"Tell me, what happened?"
"Pete came over last night..."
Dr. Bones, unperturbed by the question, began to explain the whole story.
"You and Pete got back together?"
Angela exclaimed, not waiting for her to continue. "That's great!"
"Didn't you agree with me breaking up with Pete?"
Dr. Bones frowned.
"That was in the past,"
Angela said, not disguising her thoughts. "But after meeting Chuck yesterday, I think it'd be great if you and Pete got back together. Then I could try to ask Chuck out. After all, this is the first time I've met such a handsome man with such a deep understanding of both art and computers."
"I see,"
Dr. Bones said, understanding, then shaking her head. "Too bad, though. Pete and I didn't get back together. He came over supposedly to get the TV, but he was actually looking for a breakup hookup, and I chased him away."
"Haha, all men are like that,"
Angela said, smiling knowingly. "Oh, wait, that's not right. If it wasn't Pete, then who made you look so radiant?"
"Chuck!"
Dr. Bones replied frankly.
"No!"
Angela was stunned.
"Yes,"
Dr. Bones looked at her best friend apologetically. "Didn't you encourage me to ask him out?"
"But, but, you're moving way too fast, aren't you?"
Angela, who had previously been actively encouraging her to go for it, faltered. "We just met yesterday, and you were together last night?"
"We're scientists,"
Dr. Bones said frankly, her expression displaying the casual, matter-of-fact attitude of a child of science.
"..."
Angela was speechless. After a pause, she muttered, "You're both scientists. I'm really curious how you approached it?"
"It's simple."
Seeing her friend's shock had subsided, Dr. Bones explained without holding anything back how scientists date other scientists. "After I kicked Pete out, I couldn't sleep because I was thinking about what he and you said. So I called Chuck and told him I wanted to conduct an experiment. Combining my expertise in neurochemistry, I could explore the impact of biological social interaction on humans..."
"Wait, wait,"
Angela said, feeling overwhelmed. "What's all that about?"
"Simply put, I asked him out,"
Dr. Bones explained.
"And then what?"
Angela was puzzled. "Even if it was a date, it should have been tonight. How could you just jump straight to it last night?"
"Listen,"
Dr. Bones said. "He asked me how I planned to conduct the experiment. I was planning to follow your instructions, the normal way: pick a restaurant, have dinner, watch a movie, and then let things take their natural course.
But he asked me if I agreed that the success or failure of the experiment would be determined by the chemical and neural responses during the final biological interaction.
As a scientist, I completely agreed with that."
"And then the next moment, he came over to do the experiment with you?"
Angela was stunned.
"Of course not,"
Dr. Bones shook her head. "He sent me a health screening checklist and told me to eliminate any potential risk factors. After I completed it and got his approval, he came to conduct the experiment."
"..."
Angela was completely at a loss for words. She was truly only fit to be an artist, not a scientist.
"I want details!"
Seeing her chances were over, an indignant Angela righteously voiced her gossip-seeking demands. "Very specific details."
"Not much to tell, just normal biological interaction..."
Dr. Bones began to describe.
In her eyes, because the subject was a top scientist, and the entire process followed scientific experimental procedures from beginning to end, using professional terminology, she truly treated it as a scientific experiment, not registering the unconventional nature of the approach.
"Pfft!"
Angela burst out laughing after hearing all the details, staring at her best friend's face with a strange look in her eyes. "Oh, sweetie, you don't really believe all that, do you?"
"Why not?"
Dr. Bones didn't like the look in her best friend's eyes. She instinctively looked away and frowned. "Although I don't like his approach, what he said is completely scientifically sound. Contraceptive measures cannot guarantee 100% effectiveness. And he made it clear that he doesn't want children, especially these days. Not even accidents are acceptable."
(End of Chapter)
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