Chapter 21 Chapter 21

Puller retrieved the computer and briefcase from the police department's evidence room.In accordance with the prescribed regulatory procedures, he filled out some necessary forms. When he walked out of the police station, Cole couldn't help but yawned and stretched. Puller said, "You should go home and get some sleep. I promise I won't wake you up again." She smiled and said, "Thank you very much." "Is that tattooed sleeve a gang logo? Or some guys here just like having this particular decoration on their arms?" "I think I've seen something like that at Drake before, but didn't pay attention. I can ask."

"Thank you, see you tomorrow." "Are you really going to the scene at zero six zero?" "I've got to give you some extra rest. I'll be there at six-thirty." "Oh, I found a forensic doctor who can do autopsies." "Who is it?" "Walter Kellerman. He's first-rate. He even wrote a textbook on forensic pathology." "When did he start the autopsy?" "Tomorrow afternoon. Around two o'clock, in Drake's own clinic. Do you want to be there?" "Yes." He started walking in the direction of the hotel.

"Hey Pooler, why don't you look like you're going to bed?" He turned back and said, "If you need me, you have my number." "Does that mean I can call to wake you up anytime?" "at any time." Puller walked briskly back to Annie's Motel.Cole was right, he didn't want to sleep just yet.He checked the traps that always set up whenever he left his hotel room, to make sure no one had broken in while he was away.Annie's Motel does not offer services like housekeeping or food delivery.Travelers had to clean up their rooms and go out and find their own meals, which Puller thought was fine.He didn't see anything amiss.

Five minutes later he was on the road again, destined for the Department of Homeland Security safe house.He called ahead and asked the secret service there to wait for him.It took him fifty minutes to drive to the place on the winding mountain road.CID investigators on field missions often seek this type of safehouse to store important exhibits when reliable security equipment is not available at the scene.For obvious reasons, the presence of two Secret Service agents is necessary, both to store and to retrieve evidence. Puller, along with the agents on duty at the safe house, packed the computer and briefcase in a special case.The box will be sent to the Army Criminal Investigative Laboratory in Atlanta.Puller didn't have the technical expertise to decipher computer codes, and despite having access, he probably didn't have special authority to view them privately.Because Reynolds' computer and briefcase may contain national security secrets, they have arranged for an Army courier to carry the sealed box and take off from Charleston, West Virginia tomorrow morning, and the same day Later in Atlanta.Puller could deliver the case himself, as he had done in the past, but he felt it was more important to stay at the scene of the crime for now.

In the military, you have to always remember to protect your ass①.Therefore, Puller reported the transfer of evidence to White in advance and obtained approval. In order not to assume responsibility, White had to ask for instructions and obtained the consent of a brigadier general-level superior.As for how the commodore guarded his ass, Puller had no way of knowing and didn't really care. ①cover your ass: slang term, literally translated as "cover your ass".It means that when doing things, you must first ensure that others cannot blame you after the fact and pass the responsibility for problems to you.

On the drive back to Drake, Puller called an administrator at the Army Criminal Investigative Laboratory in Atlanta.She was a War Department civilian named Christine Craig, and she was still on duty because of an urgent case.Although they didn't meet each other a few times, they have cooperated on many cases.Puller briefly explained to her what was going on. "Christine, I know you guys have access to almost any secret, but if you want to check his computer and briefcase, you should get permission from the Defense Intelligence Agency first, and be sure to put them in your special In the safe. I have noted the relevant precautions for you."

"Understood, Puller. Thank you for giving me the first breath." According to the needs of technical analysis of evidence, the Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory has divided many branches, specifically for hidden fingerprints, wounds caused by bullets and utensils, chemical components of drugs, DNA, blood, paint, cars, digital data and computers and other evidence, and the trend is that there are more and more departments, and the classification is getting more and more detailed. "Also, Christine, the situation at the crime scene is very complicated, so I have to send you a large number of things in the next step. The technical analysis of them may involve almost all of your departments. Please be prepared. I have explained the circumstances of each exhibit as clearly as possible and sent them with the exhibits. However, I may need to email or call you to provide more detailed information. I feel that this case is very important. It's very anxious up there."

"I'm wondering why the higher ups didn't let those of us who are engaged in technical investigations show up. How many investigators are with you?" "only me." "You're kidding?" "It's me, Christine." He heard her take a deep breath. "Hey, Pooler?" "what?" "What you said just now gives me a little idea of ​​what happened today." "What happened today?" "We had a call today from the Secretary of the Army's office." Puller gripped the steering wheel firmly with one hand and pressed the phone to his ear with the other.

"Minister of War?" "Yeah, it's not something that happens every day." "I know. What are they going to do?" "We were asked to report everything at all times. Then we got another call." "You guys are very popular. Who's calling?" "The FBI. It's the director's office. Same request, inform them. I think you should know that." Puller thought about what he had heard.Don White did not exaggerate when he said that many parties were concerned about this case.Perhaps the answer to all of this really lies in Colonel Reynolds and his work at the Defense Intelligence Agency.But why would the FBI get involved?

"Thank you, Christine." "You're welcome, how is your father?" "Still the same." No one asked what happened to his brother. He turned off his phone and continued driving. He went back to the hotel, took the backpack out of the car and into the room.His Malibu had a special siren in the trunk, as well as a few unexpected features that certainly weren't there when it left the factory.But Puller always believes that for some important objects, only he himself is the best security device, so these objects are always carried by him. Puller lay down, one M11 under his pillow and the other in the palm of his right hand.For safety reasons, the only difference is that the bullets are not loaded.He'd wake up in an instant, pull the bolt, slide the bullet into the chamber, pull the trigger on target, and never miss.He can complete all these actions in three seconds, and he believes that this speed is enough to deal with all kinds of accidents.

He needs to go to sleep.Ten seconds later, just as the troops had taught him, he fell asleep.