American variety show: Sniper Elite

Chapter 152 The Downing Street assassination case is solved

He stared at the television screen in disbelief, wondering if he was hallucinating.

The next second, the news footage switched to a screenshot from surveillance video—the gleaming stainless steel trash can clearly reflected the profile of a man's face.

Beta recognized him immediately: Jackal, a colleague he had met once in London.

Even more absurdly, the news footage clearly marked the image with the code "β" and pointed a red arrow specifically at the reflection of the figure.

Matilda tilted her head and looked at the TV: "Isn't that you?"

Beta slowly put down her teacup, the bone china bottom clinking against the glass coffee table with a crisp "ding".

"Obviously not. This Mr. Jackal seems a bit too enthusiastic." He paused. "He's eager to take the blame for me."
-
Surprises and unexpected events always come one after another.

Beta was busy investigating the inside story of the previous day's news. The following evening, a second bombshell was dropped during a prime-time news broadcast.

On the television screen, the FBI's New York field director stood side by side with a British woman in a suit.

Medvedeva Reich, the MI6 officer who had met Beta briefly at the French airport, now stood under the spotlight, her face devoid of any emotion.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am now announcing to the whole country a major achievement in transnational counter-terrorism."

"The FBI's New York office, in collaboration with MI6, the British Secret Intelligence Service, located and intercepted the mastermind behind the assassination of the candidate yesterday."

"During the intense firefight, five of our agents were wounded, but we ultimately succeeded in killing the armed suspect."

"After comparison with the international joint facial recognition system and verification of the highest-level arrest warrants issued by the security agencies of the United Kingdom, Germany and France, it is now officially confirmed that the suspect who was killed was an internationally wanted criminal - Alexander Duggan."

"This person has been using the dual code names 'Jackal' and 'β' to commit crimes across borders for a long time."

"The investigation confirms that Dugan was not only responsible for yesterday's politician assassination attempt, but also the mastermind behind the following two heinous crimes:"

I. The assassination of the German presidential candidate in Munich

II. The Murder of a Downing Street Journalist in the UK

"Through joint investigation by the FBI's behavioral analysis department and security agencies from three countries, and through cross-verification of criminal methods, behavioral patterns, and action characteristics, it has been officially determined that 'Jackal' and 'β' are indeed Du Gen himself!"

I hereby solemnly declare:

The murder case of the Munich presidential candidate has been solved!
The murder case of the Downing Street female reporter has been solved!
The assassination attempt on yesterday's candidate has been solved!

"The success of this operation highlights the strategic value of international counterterrorism cooperation. Special thanks are due to the outstanding contributions of Agent Meva Lake, head of the British MI6 special operations team."

"Now, please welcome Agent Rick to explain the operation in detail."

The British female intelligence officer, dressed in a charcoal gray suit, nodded slightly to the New York bureau chief and walked to the podium. She gently adjusted the microphone height.

"Regarding the specific details of this case," Mehva Lake's British accent carried through the loudspeaker.

But Beta was no longer listening to any explanation of the case.

He stared at the television screen at the woman who called herself Meva Lake, and next to her, at the photo of the corpse of “β”, which was blurred but whose jackal features were still recognizable.

"Ah!"

A short, cold laugh escaped Beta's throat.
-
FBI New York Field Office, Director's Office. Dusk streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the desk.

The director slowly poured amber-colored whiskey into three crystal glasses, the ice cubes clinking together with a crisp sound.

He pushed the first glass towards Medea Lake, who was sitting upright on the sofa, and handed the second glass to the unfamiliar man in the corner.

The bureau chief gave a meaningful smile and raised his glass.

"Congratulations on our win-win-win situation. The FBI solved the politician assassination case with record speed." He nodded slightly in Medvedeva's direction: "MI6 also brilliantly resolved the Downing Street cold case."

The aroma of whiskey filled the air. The director looked at the silent man, his smile deepening: "And Mr. Jackal, congratulations on obtaining the most perfect 'death certificate.' With just a minor cosmetic surgery, you can walk in the sunlight with a brand new identity."

Three wine glasses clinked together in mid-air, producing a crisp "ding" sound.

"To our bright future," the bureau chief said, his voice laced with the smooth-talking characteristic of a politician. "Cheers."

Medvedeva took a sip of her drink. The man in the corner, the jackal who should have been declared dead, downed his whiskey in one gulp.
-
The phone rang, breaking the silence of the living room. Beta glanced at the caller ID, and Jaina's name appeared on the screen.

He pressed the answer button, and Jaina's signature voice immediately came through the receiver.

“That’s not you on TV,” Jaina asked. “It’s that jackal. What’s going on?”

Beta leaned back in the chair, the leather making a slight rustling sound.

He stared at the chandelier on the ceiling, his voice filled with confusion: "I don't know, I'm even more confused than you are."

He tapped his fingers on the armrest: "I have absolutely no idea what they're up to. Finding a professional hitman to take the blame for me?"

He chuckled softly, a hint of absurdity in his voice: "Ironically, I've been inexplicably 'whitewashed' now. Even if I stood in Times Square and shouted that I was the real beta."

Beta shrugged: "I'll just be seen as a delusional person."

There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone, and Jaina's breathing could be clearly heard.

A few seconds later, her voice became unusually firm: "This is a good thing. I will send someone to find out the whole story, and you don't need to get involved anymore. Now that you've been 'cleaned up,' don't get any more blood on your hands. Prepare to go back to Italy; it's time to introduce you to your family."

Beta asked, "Are you sure?"

“I’m absolutely certain, child.” Jaina’s voice softened, but with a firm resolve: “It’s time to go home.”

“Ashley has been waiting for you to come back.” Jaina’s voice held a hint of helpless laughter: “This is your home.”

She paused, deliberately drawing out her words: "Oh, and there's also that 'little wildcat' Katalia you brought back."

The sound of a glass lightly tapping on the table came from the other end of the phone: "These two girls put on the same show every day: arguing, fighting, arguing again, fighting again."

She sighed softly, "They're practically tearing my castle down."

Beta could almost picture the scene inside that seaside castle.

“So, it’s time to come back and deal with your household chores.” She deliberately emphasized the words “household chores.” “After all, only the owner can tame a cheetah, can’t they?”

(End of this chapter)