1960: My uncle is the FBI Director

Is Chapter 54 the end? (Please continue reading)
"Even if you beg Paul Miller for mercy, he won't agree."

Theodore used the phrase "an eye for an eye" to explain.

"The shift from arson and attacks on police officers to murder is a clear example of crime escalation."

“He can no longer derive pleasure from ordinary crimes. He needs murder to give him the pleasure of destruction.”

"But this pleasure will fade quickly."

"He will continue to commit crimes in order to repeat the experience. If you don't catch him this time, your jurisdiction will be filled with a madman who keeps killing people."

"Moreover, he is a smart man. His killing efficiency will become more and more efficient, and his actions will become more and more covert. It is very likely that if we miss this opportunity, we will never be able to catch him again."

Theodore closed the notebook and turned to the side, saying, "The decision is yours, Mr. Cullinan."

Outsiders had no way of knowing how Ricky struggled with his inner conflict; they only saw him standing there, his expression constantly shifting, and nodding in agreement before Helen Bennett returned.

However, Helen Bennett's attitude changed drastically after she went to the restroom.

She rejected Theodore's offer to alleviate her guilt by helping to bring the murderer to justice.

Despite Ricky, Keller, and Bernie taking turns trying to persuade her, Helen Bennett remained unyielding.

She even refused to sign the statement and repeatedly said that she had never said those words.

The trapping plan failed before it even began.

Before leaving, Theodore organized the statements she had denied, his voice unusually calm.
"How do you think he'll view your guilt? Will he praise you as a kind and conscientious girl?"

Will he applaud and cheer for you? Or will he see you as just another Teddy Santos?

Theodore stepped forward, coming to Helen Bennett's side. "You think you're the new Bride and Goose?"

“He may be Clyde, but you are not Bonnie, much less his Bonnie.”

Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were famous outlaws of the 1930s. They were a handsome couple, ruthless and bloodthirsty, and were considered legends of their time.

Many people in America are fans of the Bonnie and Clyde duo; they think they're cool.

Helen Bennett's eyes flickered, and she rushed out of the interrogation room, fleeing the police station like the wind.

Bernie was puzzled by Helen Bennett's change in attitude.

Theodore explained
“Confessing is meant to alleviate guilt, but betraying Paul would exacerbate self-loathing and make her think, ‘I am just as guilty as he is.’”

"She viewed crime as a unique bond between the two of them, and betrayal was tantamount to self-destruction."

He concluded by saying, "It's okay, we'll ask for her consent, but Paul might not."

…………

Upon returning home, Helen Bennett immediately informed Paul Miller.

Paul Miller, however, didn't take it to heart at all, and instead invited her out in the afternoon.

For a moment, Theodore's words came to mind, but she was immediately overwhelmed by Paul Miller's sweet talk.

She readily agreed, but felt secretly ashamed after hanging up the phone.

They've done so much together, how could she think of him like that?

They shared so many secrets, so many shared memories.

She thought the policeman was right; they were the modern-day Bonnie and Clyde.

Bonnie wouldn't betray Clyde, nor would she.

Clyde wouldn't deceive Bonnie, nor would he.

…………

Theodore didn't expect to get a response so quickly.

News came at 3 p.m. that Helen Bennett had just driven away from home alone.

The four reacted immediately and set off in two separate vehicles.

Ricky instructed the detectives to follow Helen Bennett and report their location to them at any time.

Soon, the detectives reported that Helen Bennett had met up with Paul Miller and entered the central area together.

Further investigation would involve cross-regional law enforcement.

Bernie grabbed the walkie-talkie and said, "Rickie."

"...Keep pursuing it! I'll make arrangements with the central district."

"And also, call me Supervisor Cullinan or Mr. Cullinan!" Bernie laughed heartily. "Yes, sir!"

They chased him all the way from the East District to the Central District, and then from the Central District into the West District.

Once inside the West End, Bernie contacted several familiar detectives for help, and the trail of the two notorious thieves immediately became clear.

Bernie grabbed the walkie-talkie and shouted, "Supervisor Cullinan, you can have that guy with him stop!"

"Tell him to wait for us at the station! Say that Bernie Sullivan and Theodore Dixon from the homicide unit sent him! Haha!"

Bernie put down the walkie-talkie, amazed by Paul's eagerness to act.

Theodore pointed to his head.

"He couldn't control himself from immediately eliminating any unsettling elements in order to regain a sense of control."

"In fact, he can't even control his own emotions."

Bernie asked curiously, "Is this the identification mark you were talking about?"

Theodore nodded. "I'm already surprised that he could spend a year planning the murder of Teddy Santos."

"People like this usually don't have that much patience."

Bernie looked at him and thought to himself, "I don't see what's surprising about you."

With the help of Western District detectives, the distance between the two sides was further shortened.

Soon, the final report came through the walkie-talkie.

The two men drove into Oil Street together with another car with license plate number FA-0613.

There was a moment of silence on the walkie-talkie, then Keller's dry voice came through.
Why is Anthony here?

"FA-0613 is Anthony's car!"

…………

Theodore quickly found the three cars.

They were haphazardly parked outside an abandoned house.

When the men burst into the room, Paul was holding a gun and forcing Helen to lay a hand on young Howard, who was tied to the bed.

Helen was in tears, her whole body trembling, as if she hadn't yet recovered from the shock of the shattered dream of the Bride and Goose.

She couldn't believe it; the detective was right, Paul really was going to kill her!
Clyde is going to kill Bonnie!

Paul panicked when he saw someone break in; he hadn't expected them to arrive so quickly.

Upon seeing the gun in his hand, Bernie stepped forward, drew his gun, and fired in one swift motion, the bullet striking Paul's right hand holding the gun.

Ricky stepped forward, subdued Paul who was clutching his hand and screaming in pain, and together with the patrol officers from Oil Street, took him away.

Helen didn't realize what was happening until Keller took Howard Jr. away as well, and she burst into tears.

After a while, Ricky returned and helped Helen leave.

The room finally became quiet.

Bernie put away his gun, looked around, and felt a little unreal.

"It's over so easily?"

Theodore looked up at him, puzzled.

Bernie shrugged. "It's just a feeling—" He pondered for a long time but couldn't think of a suitable adjective, so he just shook his head.

“This is just a kidnapping, at most an attempted murder.” Theodore took out his gloves and briefly examined the scene.

"In the other case, we still have no cards to play."

The forensic doctors from the West District Branch arrived quickly and took over the scene.

Theodore, feeling more at ease with Samuel's students, followed him back to the police station.

Because the case involved cross-regional operations, Ricky had to go to the West District Branch to communicate and coordinate first.

Fortunately, he knew the deputy superintendent of the Western District Police Station, so this part was not difficult.

While waiting, Theodore and Bernie learned from other detectives that the homicide case had been solved and the case was being closed.

They glanced instinctively at the deputy superintendent's office.

(End of this chapter)