[Chapter 581: Kill, Kill, Kill -- Until No One Says No]
FBI Director Lawrence felt like he was losing his mind.
The string of major cases hitting New York, New Jersey, and Chicago was already enough to give him a headache. He personally led the task force to New York, but not a single useful lead came out of the investigation.
Fortunately, one of his capable subordinates suggested pinning the blame on Middle Eastern terrorists. This move provided a perfect scapegoat and gave the U.S. military a flawless excuse to deploy troops to the Middle East. After reporting this plan to the White House, it received unanimous support from both the White House and Congress, which felt to Lawrence like a fresh glimmer of hope.
Just when he thought these cases could finally be closed that way, something happened that made his blood boil with rage.
Deputy Director Maslow -- someone Lawrence had never gotten along with at the bureau -- had teamed up with Deputy Attorney General Eric Gorelick, and three influential senators: Roger, Carol, and Cody. No one knew what kind of drugs they'd been on, but they were trying to overturn the consensus reached by Washington's top leadership. Using every possible means, they pushed to implicate Linton in the murders and even pushed for a congressional investigation and hearing against him.
Their meddling instantly turned the FBI into a public punching bag. In the eyes of the public, the bureau had become synonymous with incompetence.
Even more shocking to Lawrence was Linton's overwhelming and rapid retaliation. Less than 24 hours later, those five families were wiped out mercilessly in their own homes by the most brutal and bloody means imaginable.
Lawrence considered Maslow and his allies' deaths as entirely self-inflicted. He even felt a flicker of satisfaction -- no one in the bureau would dare oppose him anymore, which meant he could tighten his grip on the FBI.
But at the same time, a cold dread crept in. Even the top officials living in Washington's most secure residential complexes -- once thought to be the safest places on Earth -- could not escape Linton's mysterious method of silent, trace-free killings.
What followed was an overwhelming surge of pressure: countless high-ranking figures flooded his phone, demanding swift resolution of the cases.
He sensed that if these five brutal slayings in Washington remained unsolved, his own directorship could be on the line.
But there truly were no clues at the crime scenes. After receiving the reports, Lawrence personally led the bureau's top experts, equipped with cutting-edge technology, to investigate firsthand.
It was all for naught -- no useful evidence was found.
Even the local Washington military unit of 1,600 troops was powerless in the face of this mystery.
Still, he managed to secure permission from President Clinton to deploy the military -- not to hunt the killer -- but to protect government buildings and the safety of McClain Town, in hopes of preventing future murders.
Like everyone else, Lawrence was 100% certain that these killings were orchestrated by Linton, but lacking any proof, he was unable to take even a single step against him.
At this point, he actually hoped the congressional hearing against Linton would commence as soon as possible, with the Senate granting judicial authority to go after him.
But those hopes shattered quickly.
Just as troops were dispatched, something far more horrifying -- and almost impossible to believe -- occurred.
Twenty-nine senators were decapitated simultaneously inside the Capitol building, right before the eyes of other senators, without any sound or warning.
When Lawrence rushed to the scene with his elite team, they were horrified by the carnage.
The Capitol was fortified like a fortress. Its structure was secure beyond doubt; even the exterior windows were bulletproof. A 50-man fully armed military detachment guarded it 24/7, enforcing extremely strict security measures.
Yet, despite all of this, the murders happened, right under everyone's noses, targeting 29 of the nation's highest-ranking senators.
No one could fathom how the killer managed this -- especially since the victims were spread across different floors and offices.
What made it even more absurd was that the other senators present at the scene had no idea how it happened. All they saw was a sudden flash of light, then their colleagues' heads were severed in an instant. Many whispered that this must have been some kind of diabolical magic.
By this time, the North Tower of the Capitol was completely deserted -- everyone, including the powerful senators themselves, had fled -- for fear of the inexplicable carnage.
It was pure terror: To be alive during broad daylight, and witness 29 top-ranking officials brutally beheaded with no explanation -- who knew if one's own head would be next?
Even the Secretary of State, Warren Christopher, was too scared to remain in the Capitol. With the help of his assistant, he fled in panic, hopping into his car and instructing the driver to speed away.
He didn't know what had truly happened or why so many were killed simultaneously. On the way, he debated where might be safest and ultimately decided to seek refuge in the White House.
Only those senators who witnessed the murders firsthand remained in the building -- traumatized and emotionally broken, supported by their assistants and security guards as they shuffled down to the main reception hall.
They had to stay for the FBI investigation. Surrounded by fully armed soldiers, they shivered with fear, feeling no shred of safety. Some female senators even wept uncontrollably in sheer terror.
When the FBI arrived and briefly questioned them, most were immediately sent to hospitals by ambulance. The few who weren't rushed to the airport to flee Washington.
The truth was, they could give the FBI no useful information -- they didn't know how their colleagues died, only that a flash of light appeared and their heads were instantly severed. No one caught sight of the killer, nor the murder weapon.
One thing was clear: every victim was clearly aligned with or recently convinced to support the congressional investigation into Linton.
After reviewing all the eyewitness testimonies, Lawrence knew the truth beyond doubt -- this was Linton ruthlessly eliminating his enemies.
What horrified Lawrence even more was how the murders had been carried out in the heavily guarded Capitol.
According to witnesses, the killer never actually appeared on the scene; the weapon seemed to materialize from thin air and vanish just as silently once the killing was done.
It was definitely not a sniper attack -- sniper bullets would shatter the skull, not sever heads cleanly.
Besides, no bullet marks were found on any windows -- installed with bulletproof glass capable of stopping even high-powered sniper rounds.
Lawrence despaired after reviewing the evidence, realizing that even though he was certain Linton was behind it, he still lacked anything concrete to act against him.
And seeing how vicious and audacious Linton had become, casually killing senators, Lawrence admitted: if Linton targeted him, he didn't even know how to defend himself.
It seemed safer to avoid any evidence surfacing -- lest it put his own head on the chopping block.
But as he carefully read the witness statements again, he stumbled upon something even more chilling.
Every senator killed had openly supported the investigation against Linton, including those recently persuaded to join. Meanwhile, those who remained neutral -- even sharing the same rooms -- were unharmed.
Could this mean Linton had the means to monitor every room in the Capitol, listening and watching every word, identifying enemies precisely for decapitation?
The bureau had scoured the crime scenes using the latest equipment, detecting no surveillance or listening devices.
So how did Linton accomplish this unfathomable feat?
Adding to the mystery, surveillance on Linton at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel since yesterday afternoon showed he hadn't left the premises -- he was seen having breakfast with his assistant at 9 a.m. that morning.
Lawrence's mind involuntarily spiraled into speculation: could Linton be an agent of God, endowed with miraculous powers -- or was some otherworldly force aiding him?
No, the situation was completely out of control. Lawrence knew he had to report these case details and his speculations immediately to the White House.
Just then, his phone rang again. The voice on the other end belonged to the bureau's deputy duty officer.
...
"Director, new report: three senior officials in the Treasury Department building -- Deputy Secretary Ernst Arandi, Budget Office Director Alke Frank, and Treasury Bureau Chief Credi John -- were decapitated in their offices."
"What? Didn't National Guard troops set up a 100-man security detail there? Haven't they arrived yet?"
"They arrived fully armed twenty minutes prior to the incident. But no unusual activity was detected beforehand. The building is now sealed off."
"Dispatch the tactical team for on-site investigation and evidence collection. Focus on what the victims were doing or saying at the time. Make sure to coordinate closely with the National Guard to avoid conflict."
---
Back at 10 a.m., Linton had just beheaded 29 senators in one fell swoop. The wild thrill surged through him as he scooped up Li Xiaoran into his arms and headed to the master bedroom.
Li Xiaoran was in the throes of ecstasy, sensing Linton's intense passion. She eagerly responded with tender kisses. "You bad boy, thinking naughty thoughts again?"
"Baby, who wouldn't?"
Their joyful, sweet murmurs interspersed with soft moans echoed through the room.
While locked in blissful combat, Linton's mind raced. Beyond the Senate, he wondered if others harbored ill will against him. Why not eliminate them all at once?
Releasing his spiritual awareness, he scanned other government offices across Washington.
Indeed, he uncovered many plotting against him behind his back.
Since they were all practically begging to die, Linton didn't hold back. He unleashed his flying sword, slicing down anyone who dared stand in his way, heads rolling relentlessly until no one dared resist.
---
Back with Lawrence, barely off the phone and finishing instructions for his team, he headed toward the parking garage with his assistant when the phone rang again.
"Director, another major case: in the Justice Department building, Director Christoph of the Legal Affairs Office, Director Ajax of Judicial Management, Mercyrel, head of the National Criminal Justice Association, and Corian, head of the Antitrust Bureau -- all were decapitated."
"Were the National Guard troops on-site when this happened?"
"I confirmed they arrived ten minutes before, securing the Justice Department, but apparently to no effect."
"Immediately dispatch tactical units for crime scene investigation and evidence collection. Focus on the victims' activities and conversations at the time..."
...
After hanging up, Lawrence felt an icy chill. Was there truly a supernatural force aiding Linton? The gravity of the situation far exceeded his worst fears.
Accelerating his pace, he boarded his car and ordered the driver to head to the White House when screams erupted near the South Capitol building. From the distance, he could make out cries of "Murder!".
The driver glanced over, "Director, it seems there's a disturbance over at the House of Representatives."
Lawrence's heart pounded. Could there be killings there too? Leaving now didn't seem wise. "Let's check it out."
Arriving at the South Capitol entrance, they found chaos inside. Office workers poured out of the upper floors but were stopped by fully armed soldiers.
A commanding officer, looking to be a captain, shouted, "Everyone return to your offices. No one is allowed to leave until the investigation is complete."
As tension mounted, Lawrence pushed forward, flashing his badge. "Someone tell me what happened here."
His phone rang again; it was the duty office. "Director, another major case -- nine dead at the House of Representatives..."
"I'm at the scene now, no need to say more."
Just then, a congressman stepped up -- a familiar face from Maine named Garrett.
"Director Lawrence, we were in session when suddenly House Majority Whip Harlick Watt and nine other Republicans were inexplicably decapitated. Since you're here, please help us communicate with the soldiers. We need to leave -- this place is too terrifying."
"Mr. Garrett, please remain calm. Given the severity, an investigation is unavoidable. For now, don't return to your offices -- stay together here in the main hall. With so many soldiers here, your safety is assured."
He called in FBI staff stationed in the North Tower to bring in equipment and additional personnel.
The case here was straightforward. After the massacre in the Senate, House members were already on edge.
But with 300 fully armed National Guard troops securing the Capitol, nerves gradually steadied.
Unlike the Senate, where the Democratic Party held the majority, the House was predominantly Republican.
With Linton's mass killing hitting hard, including Roger, Carol, and Cody, over 30 Republican senators had been brutally slain in less than a day. Considering Republicans only held 46 Senate seats, this amounted to a devastating blow.
...
In the House, Majority Whip Harlick Watt had felt some relief when the National Guard took over security. He gathered some Republicans to strategize a response to the dire situation.
Finally, while discussing the massacre of 32 senators, he raised his voice, "This must be Linton's work. We must unite. I propose we call an emergency House session to vote on a resolution, jointly pressuring the White House to issue an executive order for the immediate arrest of Linton."
Eight others immediately stood in support.
Before others could react, a flash of light appeared -- and Harlick Watt, along with the eight supporters, were instantly decapitated.
The rest fled in terror.
When witnesses spoke of the incident afterward, they lowered their voices at the mere mention of Linton's name -- some wouldn't even say it aloud, writing it on paper instead.
Clearly, they understood the bitter truth behind Harlick Watt's and his allies' deaths. Fear gripped them all; no one dared propose action against Linton anymore.
...
By midday, the flow of reports to Lawrence was like plunging into an icy abyss.
In just one morning, across both houses of Congress and various government departments, 73 officials publicly supporting a special investigation against Linton had been beheaded.
More terrifyingly, even three generals inside the Pentagon had been decapitated for the same reason.
Everyone finally realized that backing a probe against Linton was a death sentence -- no matter where you were, even the Pentagon's famously impenetrable fortress offered no sanctuary.
Silence fell everywhere. The name "Linton" became taboo among all who knew the truth. No one dared utter threats or plans against him anymore.
After all, life is precious -- when your very existence is on the line, friendships, party loyalties, justice, and honor mean nothing at all.
*****
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