The Blacklist

Chapter 81 Finding the Kingmaker's Whereabouts
Just as Aram received a new job and started to get busy, Kerry noticed that Gina was looking at something behind Mira not far away, so he asked casually: "Madam, what are you looking at?"

Gina said without turning her head: "There was a car accident in New York State, and a state legislator behaved very bravely after the accident..."

Hmm? Kerry immediately paid attention and shouted, "Mira, put this news on the big screen, everyone else come and see! Gina, call the boss down, we're going to work!"

The news is simple. New York State Congressman Patrick Chandler was driving his wife and daughter across a bridge when he was hit by an out-of-control pickup truck and fell into the river. The pickup truck fled after the accident. The New York police have issued a warrant for his arrest...

In the camera of a passerby's mobile phone, Chandler showed his bravery by breaking the car window in the water and rescuing his wife and daughter to shore. Unfortunately, his wife died on the spot due to severe head injuries, while his daughter just choked on water and was not seriously injured. She is receiving treatment in the hospital...

After watching the news, everyone felt a little sad, but they didn’t know what Carrie meant by asking them to watch this traffic accident?
Then, Kerry asked Aram to find a piece of news that happened in the Czech Republic a few days ago on the Internet and showed it to everyone again - a Czech national congressman was arrested by the police from a gay club and accused of murdering a well-known male waiter in a room inside! Subsequently, the congressman resigned under the pressure of public opinion to concentrate on dealing with the lawsuit...

Compared with the previous news, this one is more explosive, but everyone still doesn’t understand why we should watch this.

Carrie asked Aram to leave photos of the Czech congressman and the American state legislator on the big screen, and then began to introduce the situation: "The second news is about what happened in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, a few days ago. The protagonist was promoted to the position by Reddington with a large sponsorship. For this reason, he has been protecting Reddington's 'business' in the Czech Republic for several years... His accident this time has a huge impact on his 'business' in Eastern Europe!"

Hearing this, Cooper immediately reacted and said, "Richard, are you saying this is the beginning?"

"Yes." Carrie said, "I met with Reddington not long ago. He confirmed that a well-organized criminal group is currently attacking his business and his men, and this Czech congressman is the latest victim!
"Although Reddington cannot confirm the specific plan of this criminal group now, he can be sure of one thing: the person who planned this 'Czech MP murder' is a famous conspirator nicknamed 'The Kingmaker'!"

"King's Champion"? No one has heard of this name, but it sounds quite impressive.

Kerry said: "No one knows the real name and appearance of this 'Kingmaker', but it is said that he has a huge influence on the political arena of many countries, because many high-level politicians were promoted by him, which allowed him to make huge profits after his successful operation.

"No one knows what criteria he uses to select his target clients, but there are rumors that the 'King' will start training his clients when they are teenagers or very young, including the right schools, excellent mentors, and even the right spouse. All arrangements will be made...

"When a client is ready to run for election, he will do whatever it takes to help him win the election, including shaping a positive image for him, controlling public opinion, attacking his competitors, planning and creating scandals about his political opponents, framing them, and, if necessary, assassinating them to eliminate their opponents, etc...."

Hearing this, everyone understood that what Kerry meant was that the case of the Czech congressman was the same! However, "Richard, without mentioning the Czech case, do you mean that the car accident of New York Congressman Chandler was also planned by the Kingmaker?" Donald asked on behalf of everyone.

"Yes." Carrie nodded and said, "Reddington has received news from Europe, and it can be confirmed that the 'Kingmaker' arrived in the United States not long ago, and Chandler's car accident was his latest plan." "But the congressman's wife is dead!" Elizabeth raised an objection, "What good will this do for Congressman Chandler?"

Mira explained for Kerry: "Whether this car accident was planned or not, what will happen next is predictable - the death of Congressman Chandler's wife will win him a large number of sympathizers; and after the car accident, he showed heroic spirit and rescued his wife and daughter from the sinking car, which will also gain him a lot of support... These are great news for politicians!"

Everyone felt a little uncomfortable, but they had to admit that Mira was right.

Cooper nodded and said, "These are Richard's speculations. To confirm this, Tang, you and Mira should go to New York, visit the scene of the accident, and then talk to Senator Chandler."

Donald and Mira went out to carry out the mission. Carrie continued, "I have just asked Aram to start checking the foreigners who came to the United States from Prague in the past 24 hours. Gina, Liz, you can help too!"

Soon, Alam summarized everyone's search results and reported: "During this period, there were a total of 6 flights from Prague to the United States. We got all the passenger lists and screened them based on some possible characteristics. Foreign males, aged between 35 and 65, traveling alone in first class, narrowed the list to 47 people."

Elizabeth continued, "Forty of them are on business trips. Gina and I have confirmed their identities and itineraries with their companies, so there are only seven people left."

"Six out of the seven people stayed in the hotel or guesthouse they filled in on the entry form, with one exception!" Alam said, sending this personal information to the big screen.

Paul Frederick Smithson, British.

Aram continued, "Also, I have found out that the credit card this person used to purchase the flight ticket was used to book a room in Manhattan 45 minutes ago, at the Saint Rose Hotel in Midtown!"

"Okay, then let's go to New York too!" Carrie stretched and decided to go out for some exercise.

This time, as before, Cooper and Aram stayed at home, while he took Gina and Elizabeth with him.

It is 380 kilometers from Washington to New York, and it takes an hour by helicopter. If I had known earlier, I would have set off with Donald and Mira, which would have saved the FBI the fuel cost of an entire flight.

(End of this chapter)