Chapter 4 Chapter Four

"This case is for you alone, Puller." John Pooler sat across from Don White's desk.White is the head of the Special Investigations Division of the CID Command.For many years, the command has been based at Belvoir Military Base in northern Virginia.The base was later closed while the army adjusted.It was decided to move the command to Quantico and to further strengthen its unified command of the various Army criminal investigation branches.After moving here, both the National Academy of the FBI and the Military Academy of the United States Marine Corps became neighbors of CID. Before coming to see White, Pooler made a brief stop at his current apartment outside the base.He packed some things and took care of his cat.Puller named the small, fat cat with orange and tan stripes, Eivor, because he kept running away from Puller without permission.Eivor meowed a few times, wrapped himself around Puller, scratched his legs, and let him stroke his arched back.

① Ewool: transliteration of AWOL. AWOL is the abbreviation of absent without official leave, which means leaving without authorization. "There's a case, Eivor. Be back in two days. Food and drink, and trash cans, in the usual places." Eivor meowed again in understanding, then slipped away.Puller adopted it as a stray two years ago, and Puller reckons it will wander somewhere else someday. There were several voicemails on the landline at the apartment.He kept the phone because he was worried that the phone's battery would sometimes die.He just listened to one of the messages in its entirety.

He sat down on the floor and replayed the message twice. His father, Lieutenant General Puller, known as "John the God of War", was one of the greatest soldiers in the United States.He was the commander of the legendary 101st Air Assault Division known as the "Falconers".He's out of the army, and he's no one's commander anymore.However, this does not mean that the old guy accepts either of these two facts.In fact, he didn't accept it.This of course also shows that the old guy is not really living in reality. General Puller still gives orders to his youngest son, as if he were still at the top of the military hierarchy and his children at the bottom.The old man may not remember what he said in the message on the phone, or even call his son at all, but the next time Puller sees the old man, he will probably bring it up again and scold his son His orders were not carried out.

General Puller was as unpredictable in everyday civilian life as he was on the battlefield.It is this characteristic that makes him one of the most difficult opponents to beat. If there is anything that can frighten a soldier, it is the encounter with an unexpected enemy, who will not hesitate to use any inconceivable tactics in order to obtain victory.For his opponents, John Puller, the god of war, was such an enemy.Therefore, he has won far more battles than he has lost, and the strategies and tactics he has adopted have become an important part of the army's training materials.Those future officers studied his battles at the military academy, and brought the famous Puller's tactics to every corner of the army barracks.

Puller deleted the general's message.For now his father will just have to wait. Then Puller came to CID Command. The U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Department, or CID, was established by General "Jack of Spades" Pershing on the battlefields of France during World War I. Since 1971, it has become a first-level command under the Ministry of War, with the highest commander at the rank of brigadier general.Its agencies are spread out in many parts of the world, and there are nearly 3,000 people in total, 900 of whom are investigators, like John Puller.It was a vertical chain of command, with the Secretary of the Army at the top, investigators at the bottom, and three thick layers of bureaucracy in between.Like spaghetti with layers of bolognese, Puller thought.

Puller stared at White and said, "We usually send more than one man when a soldier is murdered off-campus, sir." White said: "I hoped that there would be people from us in West Virginia to cooperate with you, but it seems that there is no one available right now." Puller then asked the question that had puzzled him since he received the assignment: "The 3rd Military Police Group has a battalion at Campbell Military Base in Kentucky, and West Virginia is their area of ​​responsibility. They are perfectly able to investigate the colonel's arrest." kill case."

"The victim is from the Defense Intelligence Agency. In such a sensitive case, 701 'Quiet Detective' should be used." Referring to this title, which is often used to praise the high-quality front-line agents of the 701st Military Police Group, White A smile appeared on his face. Puller didn't return his smile. White continued, "Campbell Military Base. That's where the 101st Air Assault Division is stationed. Your father's old unit, the Eagle Division." "A long time ago, sir." "How is the old man?" "That's the way he is, sir," Pooler replied casually.He didn't want to talk about his dad with anyone but his own brother.And when their brothers talk about their father, they usually only have a few words at most.

"Okay, okay. Anyway, 701's team of on-site investigators is the best of the best, Puller. You're not like other military police groups, you're not just randomly placed at headquarters. You're appointed from above .” "Understood." Pooler sat there, wondering how long White would go around telling him something he didn't understand. White pushed a stack of papers along the metal tabletop. "Here is the preliminary situation. The staff on duty recorded the original information. Before you leave, meet with the leader of your brigade again. An investigation plan has been drawn up, but you can deal with it randomly according to the situation on the spot."

Puller took the file, still looking at the other person. "Can I have a brief reminder, sir?" "It was Colonel Matthews Reynolds who was killed. As I said, he was with the Defense Intelligence Agency. He was in the Pentagon. He lived in Fairfax, Virginia." "What's the connection with West Virginia?" "It's not clear yet. But his identity has been conclusively confirmed. So we know it was this man." "What did he do in DIA? Could that have anything to do with his killing?" "The Defense Intelligence Agency is very tight-lipped about who they have and what they do. However, we still heard that this Reynolds is retiring from the military and intends to work in the private sector. If it is needed in the process of solving the case , we will let you have access to some of his information."

if you need?Puller thought to himself. "What was his role in DIA?" Don White twisted subconsciously on the chair. "He reports directly to the deputy director of J2①." ①J2: Refers to the Intelligence Department of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff.The President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense exercise command over the joint commands and combat forces through the Joint Chiefs of Staff.Its Joint Staff has 8 functional departments. J2 is the intelligence department, others such as J1 is the manpower and personnel department, J3 is the combat department, and J4 is the logistics and equipment department.

"The head of J2 is a major general, right? He's the one who provides the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff with daily military updates?" "That's right." "A guy got killed over there, why doesn't the Defense Intelligence Agency go all in on the case? Don't they have investigators with badges?" "All I can tell you is that this task fell to us. In other words, it fell to you." "If we catch the criminal, the DIA, or, more likely, the FBI guys will swarm up and hold the criminal to show off to the media?" "I'm not talking about that." "The Defense Intelligence Agency really did nothing about this?" "Again, I can only tell you what I know." "Okay. Do you know which department he plans to work in after retiring?" White shook his head. "Not known at this time. You can check specific issues directly with Reynolds' immediate supervisor. General Julie Carson." Puller decided to speak out. "It appears that I must be granted access to his file in the course of the investigation, sir." "Let's talk about it later." Inexplicable answer.Puller noticed that the other person didn't meet his eyes when he said this. "Any other victims?" Puller asked. "Wife. Two children. All killed." Puller leaned back and said, "Wow, four people died. The West Virginia murder scene must be a mess, and DIA is involved. We usually have to send at least four or six Investigators, plus a capable technical detective team, and even a dedicated lab guy," he said, referring to the Army Criminal Investigative Laboratory at Gillum Base in Atlanta. "We need to have enough people to extract and analyze the evidence at the scene, and we should also arrange special personnel to investigate the connection between this case and the Defense Intelligence Agency." "I think you used a very crucial word just now." "What word?" "usually." Puller straightened up. "Speaking of usually, in a unit of the size of the 701st Gendarmerie Group, I usually receive tasks from my brigade commander, not a senior officer like you." "You're right." Apart from this one sentence, White didn't seem to want to explain any more. Puller's eyes fell on the document.Obviously, the higher authorities only want to use his own power to solve the case. "The phone said it was like a slaughterhouse." White nods. "That's how they describe it. Well, I don't know how many murders have happened in that part of West Virginia in the past, but I guess the scene of this case must be very brutal and bloody. Anyway, you must have seen it when you were in the Middle East It’s been a lot worse than this.” Puller made no reply.Just as he didn't want to talk about his father, his experience of performing missions in those desert areas was also a topic he didn't want to talk about. White continued: "Because the scene is in a demilitarized area, the local police are in charge of the investigation. It's the countryside, and I hear they don't even have a homicide detective. So, it's up to us to investigate. The ones in military uniform. It takes a bit of strategy. Unless it is proven that the killer was also a soldier, there is no reason for us to even fully intervene in the investigation. Take a leading role in that as well. For that, we need to get on better with the police there." "Is there a safe place to keep the evidence?" "The Department of Homeland Security has a safe house thirty miles from the scene. Someone is on duty there to watch you open and close the safe. I've got a permit for you." "I suppose I can also contact the Criminal Investigation Laboratory directly?" "Yes, absolutely. Also, we called West Virginia shortly after receiving the information. They have no objection to the involvement of the Army Criminal Investigation Department. The relevant documents will be issued to them by military lawyers soon. " "Lawyers are good at writing stuff like that, sir." White studied him carefully. "But we are an army after all, and it is necessary to have a little diplomacy while punching hard. And I heard that you are also very good at these two aspects." Puller was silent.Throughout his military career he has dealt with various officers.Some officers are nice, some are idiots.Puller wasn't quite sure which category this guy was in. "I've only been here a month, and they appointed me to the position after they moved the command out of Belwar," White said. "I'm still figuring it out. You've been in this business for five years." "Almost six years." "When it comes to you, everyone tells me that you're the best we have here, even if you're a little weird." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "I'm sure I don't need to tell you that the case is very much up there, Puller. I mean not just the Secretary of War, but those in the corridors of civilian power in Washington." "Understood. However, I have investigated some cases involving national defense intelligence. At that time, the higher-ups did not emphasize anything to me. If the high-level officials paid so much attention to this matter, then Colonel Reynolds' work in the Pentagon must be a bit special. Interesting stuff." He paused, "Or, maybe something very shady." White smiled and said, "Maybe you're as good as they say you are." Puller met the other's eyes and thought: Maybe I'd be a really good scapegoat if things screwed up."So you've been in this business for almost six years," White said. Puller remained silent, knowing what he was going to say next, because so many people had already said it.White's next statement proved Puller right. White continued: "You went to college. You can speak French, German, Italian is OK. Your father and brother are officers." "Used to be an officer," Puller corrected, "and the only reason I know the languages ​​is because I was stationed in Europe as a kid with Dad's troops." White didn't seem to be paying attention to what he was saying. "I know you were a star when you took classes at the Military Police Academy," he said, referring to the Army Military Police Academy at Leonawood, Missouri. He continued, "As a military policeman, you dealt with countless drunks among soldiers in accordance with military discipline. You have successfully solved crimes in almost every place where the US Army is stationed, and you have access to top secret documents and sensitive information. Permission." He paused, "although you were almost disqualified because of your brother." "I'm not my older brother, and all my licenses have been reviewed and re-acquired." "I know." White was silent, patting the armrest of the seat lightly. Puller said nothing.He knew what was next.It's always like this. "So, why didn't you go to West Point, Puller? And why did you have to be an Army criminal investigator? Your service record is pure gold. Number one in Ranger school. Fabulous combat performance. Battlefield You will lead soldiers. Your father won forty-nine high-level military medals in more than 30 years. You have been in and out of Iraq and Afghanistan six times, and the medals you have won in battle are almost half of your father's. Two Silver Stars, one of which put you in the hospital for three months. Three Bronze Stars with Vs. Three Purple Hearts. And you caught us in Iraq A guy wanted by fifty-two cards, isn't he?" ①The U.S. military uses V-shaped ornaments to commend heroism in the face of armed enemies, and is generally worn on the ribbon of the medal. "Five of spades, sir," Pooler replied. "Yeah. You got enough honors and got plenty of wounds. The Army loves a combination of medals and scars. You're a racehorse with an impeccable thoroughbred military pedigree. If you're still in the Rangers Special Forces If you go to West Point, you should be a major by now, maybe even a lieutenant colonel. And you will have at least two stars on your shoulders before you retire. , hey, maybe wear three stars like your father, if you play the political game right. And in our army criminal investigation department, your enlisted status determines the most you can be sergeant major. My The ex told me the only reason you finally applied to be a warrant officer was because the sergeant major's ass had to sit behind a desk while a warrant officer was able to show up." ①In the epaulets of the generals of the US Army, the brigadier general has one star, the major general has two stars, the lieutenant general has three stars, and the general has four stars. During wartime, a five-star general can be specially awarded. "I don't like desks much, sir." "So here you are. Picked CID. On the low end of the bar and star ranks. I'm not the first to wonder about that, Warrant Officer." Puller's gaze fell to the rows of seniority badges worn by the other party.White was dressed in the Army's blue Category B service uniform.This new military uniform is gradually replacing the old green uniform.For any officer and soldier, the seniority badge or medal on his chest is the DNA of his military experience and achievements.To the eye of the untrained eye, they speak for themselves and nothing of substance can be withheld.From the perspective of actual combat, there is nothing remarkable about this man's experience.There is no purple heart or V ornament in sight. Although the rows of seniority badges may make the layman envious, they are actually nothing but the accumulation of quantity.All they could tell Puller was that the guy in front of him was generally an undisturbed office bloke whose shooting practice was limited to each inspection for a gun license. Puller said, "Sir, I like the way I am, and I have no regrets about the way I've gone. And besides, it's moot. That's how it is." "I guess that's it, Pooler. I guess it is. Maybe someone will say you're not trying to get ahead." "Maybe it's a flaw in my character, but I never mind what people say about me." "I have also heard about this feature of yours." Puller's eyes were stern. "Yes, sir. I think there's a case for me to get over as soon as possible." White glanced at the computer screen. "Then pack your things and hurry up and go." When he looked up a moment later, Puller had disappeared. He didn't hear the big soldier leave at all.White leaned back deeply, the chair creaking involuntarily.Maybe that's why Puller got so many medals.No one can beat a man who comes and goes without a trace, can he?