Big shots only need to maximize their own interests, but small detectives have much more to consider.
After receiving confirmation from Tom Hagen, the detective agency's investigation gradually came to an end.
Part of the focus was on continuing to collect and compare fingerprints for "fixed evidence," while the other part was on trying to capture the missing underboss.
This was mainly deduced from the implications in Tom Hagen's words. Simply confirming that there was a problem with the local intelligence organization, but without catching a significant scapegoat, the Corleone Bishop would probably still be unsatisfied.
Although the missing underboss was less crucial than the "master window opener" in terms of practical effect, he was, after all, the "answer" directly related to the poison bottle in the assassination case.
If they could catch him, the cathedral would have both offensive and defensive options. They could choose to "end it here" and use him to close the case, or they could choose to "follow the vine" or "leave a foreshadowing," making it convenient to do whatever they wanted.
The next afternoon, Wayne took the compiled list to the police station to apply for an arrest warrant.
The detective agency was currently able to lock onto the individuals directly related to those captives, namely the two so-called "bosses," as well as the other companions living with them—basically the people in the other carriage who ran away that night.
Fingerprints and personal items of these people could be found in the residence. In addition, with the existing witnesses in the detective agency, their identities and physical characteristics could be basically confirmed.
Although their files were missing from the city hall, there would still be residual information in various inventories and summaries. With some effort, it could barely meet the standards for a public reward.
"Mr. Wayne, are you saying that these people are the participants behind the assassination case?"
The officer in charge of registering and reviewing the arrest warrant looked at the list and felt a little incredulous.
It was as if he suspected Wayne was "making a big deal out of nothing," engaging in a medieval "witch hunt," or perhaps he was surprised that the water behind the assassination case was so deep, and that the detective agency could dig up so many people from behind a confessed murderer—several so-called "accomplices" had already been caught, and he didn't expect that there could be so many "masterminds."
Wayne nodded to confirm, while also feeling that the other party was making a fuss.
He had only said that these people were the "masterminds" of the assassination case, and hadn't said that they were likely members of the local intelligence organization. If this layer of relationship were also revealed, the other party would probably be even more surprised.
Maybe they'd even sit up in bed in the middle of the night, feeling that their worldview had been refreshed.
Wayne was more sensible in this regard. Anyway, the real situation had already been made known to the cathedral, and the Beaton family and Pastor Tyrrell were now directly targeting Senator Walter.
If anyone wanted to take the credit in this regard, then they could go ahead and try. If they had to push the detective agency out as a target, then Wayne currently had nothing to say, because the investigation results were indeed like this, and the detective agency couldn't deny itself.
However, in that case, Wayne would have to find a way to collect some "additional fees."
Applying for an arrest warrant could only be regarded as "declaring a position" and facilitating the participation of interested parties, but to really achieve the arrest, it was probably impossible to completely rely on it.
The detective agency planned to go "scientific" first and then "metaphysical" in this matter.
The "scientific" approach was simple. By searching and scavenging at the city hall, the simple basic information of the missing underboss was still exposed. His apparent identity was a middle-level manager in a trading company, and the registered address was unsurprisingly useless. He also had some basic daily social interactions in the local area—otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to a high-end restaurant to eat.
Inessa had assessed his survival situation based on her own capture experience, and felt that he was more likely to be still alive:
"From an intelligence perspective, he has only had his identity exposed, but he has not 'betrayed' anything. Therefore, what we need to worry about most is him regaining a new identity and then changing his name and surname to flee to another place. Although there is also the possibility of being silenced, no large-scale intelligence organization would directly do it openly. At the very least, they would have to arrange for someone he trusts to carry out 'secret instructions' and find an opportunity to kill him secretly. Otherwise, once other agents perceive the danger, many tasks would be difficult to carry out seriously."
Wayne thought it was quite reasonable after listening, and Lina also agreed. After all, agents and detectives were similar, both being professions that relied heavily on subjective initiative. Once they were sent out, it was often difficult to supervise them in real time.
The atmosphere of "loyalty to the monarch" and "serving the country" in America was not too strong. If one was exposed and killed, the morale would have long been lost. The subordinates only needed to tacitly slack off a little, fish a little, and prioritize self-preservation, and the organization would basically be functionally dead.
Therefore, from the perspective of internal stability of the intelligence organization, it was necessary to protect the missing underboss in name at this time, at least to make a show for other members to see.
The "metaphysical" approach was even simpler, Lina, the "Wise Sage."
But the detective agency was now being watched by many people. Near the temporary stronghold alone, Lina could find eight surveillance points in one night. If the Wise Sage, who was more like an "evil god" than a "god," was summoned at this time, whether it was noticed by the opponents or by the people of the church, it would be equivalent to a good person self-destructing and capsizing in smooth sailing. It had to be handled properly.
Fortunately, Richmond, in Virginia, was one of the few places that could be considered an "industrial city" at this time. The title of "industrial city" in this era usually meant that there were large lakes or rivers within the city limits. Richmond had the James River running through it, with an average width of several hundred meters.
The detective agency currently planned to continue honestly investigating the missing underboss's interpersonal relationships during the day, first giving that guy a "social death." On these two nights, they would choose a time to dispatch a carriage to the few cross-river bridges in Richmond to "seek God."
As long as there was no one on the bridge, and both ends were blocked, theoretically, apart from being extremely unlucky and having the Holy Spirit descend, at such a long distance, no other extraordinary people should be able to detect and witness it—at least there would be no solid proof.
Originally, it would be safest to go outside the city to do this, but the "guidance" given by the Wise Sage was often a "direction."
If they were too far away, and then He pointed towards Richmond, then it would be a waste of effort.
It was better to do it on the cross-river bridge near the city center. Theoretically, it could eliminate more than 80% of the city's districts in one go, which was the most cost-effective.
Therefore, Inessa took a bunch of people to investigate according to big data, while Lina went to choose a specific location suitable for "seeking God."
According to the principle of having to leave a partner at the temporary stronghold to protect the gold master daddy, Wayne became the one guarding the house this time.
Willie now had the air of a "fingerprint department director." He welcomed Wayne to check the work and progress, but was still a little resistant to Wayne, such an unconstrained "dabbler," personally getting involved again. He kept advising Wayne to just take a look. Don't mess with the important evidence now. There will be plenty of opportunities to practice in the future.
The words would of course be more euphemistic, but that was the meaning.
Although for the boss, it was best if nothing happened after the work was arranged, Wayne still inevitably felt a little bored.
So, after receiving the last three temporary agent bodyguards who came over from gold master daddy Mr. Morrie, and also drawing two lucky reporters to accept interviews, Wayne could only run to the roof to feed the birds. At this time, the sun was setting, and three carriages quickly stopped at the gate of the temporary stronghold.
Wayne stuck his head out to take a look, and it turned out to be Senator Walter.
Huh?
Why would this big BOSS be attracted at this time?
