Chapter 232: Now Tell Young Sheldon, Who Is More Dreadful—Death or Chuck?!
"Poor little thing."
Monica looked at young Sheldon like this, giving Chuck a reproachful look, her heart filled with pity.
For the vast majority of Americans, only taxes are comparable to death, and even then, only comparable. In reality, death is everyone's ultimate fear.
But young Sheldon actually shouted, "You're only facing death, while I'm facing Chuck Wolfe!"
How desperate must one be to shout that!
"Dr. Wolfe's achievements have indeed made his opponents despair, but you're still young,"
Wernher von Braun comforted him. "There will be other opportunities in the future, and you have more choices than you think."
"You're right."
Young Sheldon wiped away his tears, nodded, and turned to leave. "Faced with an impossible challenge, I should have chosen the wisest course of action long ago."
"...The wisest course of action is to run away?"
Wernher von Braun frowned, speaking to young Sheldon who was walking stiffly and quickly.
He despised those who ran away and gave up. His near-death experience four years ago made him an American hero, but it also reinforced his path to success: never give up!
"This is the best survival strategy programmed into our DNA through human evolution!"
Young Sheldon showed no shame.
"I'll go check on him,"
Monica quickly followed, treating it as practice for future parenting.
"Let's take a picture,"
Chuck reminded them.
"By the way, Mr. von Braun, can we take a picture with you?"
Young Howard immediately asked with an eager smile.
"Of course,"
Wernher von Braun smiled understandingly, then accommodatingly positioned Young Howard and Young Leonard on either side of him. A professional photographer naturally came over and took a picture of them.
"I'll have the photo mailed to you,"
Wernher von Braun said with a smile.
"This is so cool!"
Young Howard's eyes shone as he looked at the well-dressed men and women in the backyard.
"It's tradition,"
Wernher von Braun chuckled. "Every time I make a successful mission, my friends throw me a party to celebrate. But this time it's especially meaningful because Dr. Wolfe, you actually came."
"It wasn't a coincidence,"
Chuck said, looking at him.
"What a clever double meaning,"
Chandler chimed in.
Wernher von Braun's smile faltered. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"Leonard, take Howard to find Monica,"
Chuck said.
"Huh?"
Little Howard immediately objected; he wanted to get a glimpse of the glamorous party scene behind them.
"Let's go,"
Little Leonard said. Though he also wanted to stay, Chuck had spoken, so he wouldn't disobey. He pulled his reluctant friend away.
"I am Police Chief Randy Fischer."
After watching the two children leave, Chief Randy Fischer, under Chuck's gaze, stepped forward, introduced himself, and began to ask. "Mr. von Braun, do you know Jonna Kane?"
"Jonna, I know her."
Wernher von Braun nodded. "I heard about her death; it's truly regrettable."
"Six days ago, late at night, she called you. Do you remember?"
Chief Randy Fischer asked. "What did you talk about?"
"Nothing much. She just heard I was going on another mission and wished me a safe journey."
Wernher von Braun explained calmly, then sighed. "I felt something was off at the time. We hadn't seen each other for many years, and her sudden call was already a bit strange. Although I sensed something was off about her mood, I didn't think much of it, assuming she was just feeling sentimental. Who could have imagined that a day later, on the very day I went to space, she would choose to end her life?"
"So you also agree that she was murdered?"
Chandler teased. "After all, suicide doesn't exactly fit the hero narrative."
"She was murdered?"
Wernher von Braun ignored Chandler's teasing and frowned in confusion. "Wasn't it supposed to be suicide?"
"She was meticulously murdered,"
Chuck said. "The attack happened right after she called you..."
"I've always heard from my NASA colleagues that when they heard Dr. Wolfe had become Detective Chuck, they weren't surprised at all, because if you can handle things in space, handling things on the ground is nothing."
Wernher von Braun looked at Chuck and sighed. "So although this reasoning seems far-fetched, too elaborate, I'm willing to believe you. The method is there, the timing is there, but I don't have a motive."
"You do,"
Chandler teased. "You're the 'lover,' after all."
Chief Randy Fischer explained the book Jonna Kane was going to write to the somewhat bewildered Wernher von Braun.
"I see."
Wernher von Braun looked enlightened, shaking his head and sighing. "So that's why she suddenly called me after all these years. It turns out she was writing about our past and wanted to reminisce. But that's not a motive for murder."
He then reassured everyone and called out to the backyard. "Darling, could you come over here for a moment?"
"Coming!"
A beautiful woman with a great figure walked over, poised and elegant. "Darling, who are they? Oh, Detective Chuck? Darling, did you invite him?"
"No, Dr. Wolfe isn't here as a NASA consultant or colleague, but as a police consultant,"
Wernher von Braun explained. "Jonna Kane died by hanging, and they have some questions..."
"That Jonna?"
Mrs. von Braun asked curiously. "I know about her and Wernher's past. There's nothing to hide. How did that become a motive for murder?"
"You know?"
Chief Randy Fischer was taken aback.
"Of course."
Mrs. von Braun chuckled. "Wernher never hides his past, and there's nothing to hide. He may be a hero, but he's also human! Who doesn't have a past?"
"My wife is right,"
Wernher von Braun said, looking at the crowd. "I'm just a human being too. In my younger days, I also sought happiness and companionship. Although I'm not particularly proud of everything I did, I don't regret it."
"No man regrets his past,"
Chandler winked, then looked at Wernher von Braun seriously when Chuck glanced at him. "But many people see you as a hero, like those two children just now. You are, after all, a public figure with your own PR team. This kind of experience isn't good PR; it could disillusion countless kids."
"You can't say that. There are many public figures whose past was far more chaotic than Wernher's, and their influence was much greater. Yet their image remains positive, and they haven't had any negative influence on children."
Mrs. von Braun hugged her husband, then looked at the crowd, tilting her head and smiling. "Besides, everyone, Wernher's past really isn't a big deal... Believe me!"
"I believe you!"
Chandler swayed and smiled faintly.
Wernher von Braun's smile faded considerably, because even Chandler and the others could understand the implication behind his wife's "Trust me," and he naturally understood as well.
The American entertainment world... those who know, know.
"The FBI's violent crime statistics don't say that,"
Chuck said expressionlessly.
When a country promotes values where the rich and powerful can do whatever they want, glorifying it as normal, those values are distorted and will inevitably have a significant impact on the values of the next generation.
The children of the wealthy can learn from their parents to do whatever they want, indulging their desires without restraint.
But most children of the poor also want to live like the rich, enjoying endless money and beautiful partners, but they lack the resources and opportunities. The disconnect between dreams and reality naturally leads them to substance abuse, watching the upper class on TV proudly proclaiming their privilege, and it's hard for their aspirations not to be warped.
"Are we here to discuss social issues?"
Wernher von Braun asked impatiently. "Dr. Wolfe, is there anything else I need to explain about my motive?"
"Yes."
Chuck nodded. "I heard you're about to retire and are preparing to run for Senate?"
Just then, a familiar voice came from behind. "Dr. Wolfe, we meet again. What's the matter this time?"
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a middle-aged man in a suit with a receding hairline and a smile on his lips walking out of the backyard with a wine glass in his hand. He looked at Chuck with a knowing expression.
"Francis, you know Dr. Wolfe too?"
Wernher von Braun asked in surprise.
"Of course."
The man was none other than Congressman Francis Underwood, known in political circles as Frank. He smiled and said. "Wernher, you're about to start your campaign, so you should know a bit about the industry. This Dr. Chuck Wolfe is almost known as a congressman hunter—well, more accurately, a Democratic congressman hunter. You'd better watch out."
"Too late,"
Chandler teased.
"Oh?"
Francis looked at Chandler in surprise, a smile playing on his lips.
"Chuck says he orchestrated the murder of Jonna Kane, and he's about to run for Senate. Let me guess—he's definitely running as a Democrat."
Chandler scoffed. "Is Chuck indirectly cleaning house for you guys, or is Mr. von Braun just not playing ball? Otherwise, if he pulls this stunt after winning the election, Chuck will truly become a Democratic senator hunter."
"Murder?"
Francis's eyes narrowed, glancing at the somewhat silent Democratic rising star. "Do you have any evidence?"
"They're talking nonsense..."
Soon-to-be-Senator Mrs. von Braun, sensing something amiss, quickly blurted out everything she knew. "Francis, tell me, what kind of motive is this? It's common knowledge!"
"It certainly isn't a good look for someone running for Senate."
Francis looked at Chuck.
"Chief Fischer, call the publisher."
Chuck looked at Chief Randy Fischer.
"Oh, okay."
Chief Randy Fischer agreed and dialed the phone number of the deceased's publisher's editor, turning on speakerphone at Chuck's signal.
"What selling points of Jonna Kane's new book appealed to you?"
Chuck asked after the introduction.
"Well..."
The editor in charge of Jonna hesitated.
"You can discuss this in court if necessary,"
Chuck reminded him.
"Okay."
The editor understood the implication and told the truth. "I only agreed to meet her and sign her new book because she said she had some explosive inside stories about space hero Wernher von Braun. She said he had abused her..."
Before he could finish, Wernher von Braun, who had been silent all along, spoke up. "These are all lies and slander!"
The editor on the other end of the phone recognized the voice as that of the space hero who had recently become very popular on television, and the protagonist of the new book he was in charge of. Thinking back to how Jonna, who had been so excited about making a fortune in this new career, had suddenly died by hanging, and how the male lead, about to be exposed, was suspected of being the murderer by the police, a chill ran down his spine. He dared not say another word.
"You know all of this is verifiable, right?"
Chuck looked at the somewhat distraught Wernher von Braun. "Such severe injuries—the hospital has records of treatment. Your past affairs in Vegas are nothing special, but once news of your domestic violence gets out, it will be devastating for your campaign. Do you think that would be considered a motive for murder by a jury?"
In the United States, candidates for Congress can have reformed from various pasts, but not all past behaviors can be forgiven. If extremely politically incorrect behavior is exposed, they're finished.
Of course, that's assuming it's widely publicized.
A man with a team behind him, about to retire, still ambitious with a bright future, suddenly hears his ex-girlfriend is going to expose his past domestic violence, and chooses murder—this motive would be acceptable to a jury.
"That doesn't necessarily mean Wernher did it,"
Francis said. "Vegas performers, Dr. Wolfe—do you have solid evidence?"
"I'm looking. Nobody's perfect; a crime always leaves traces."
Chuck looked at Wernher von Braun. "Confessing now will save everyone a lot of trouble."
Wernher von Braun remained silent, then said, "I'm innocent."
"You heard that?"
Francis looked at Chuck.
"Does this feel familiar to four years ago?"
Chandler teased, watching Wernher von Braun's tense body. "Back then, the space shuttle suddenly malfunctioned and was about to crash.
You were terrified, but you had to hold on until the very end. Then, you were lucky enough to survive and became a hero? Do me a favor. After this is over, tell young Sheldon how you persevered in the face of fear.
Advise him to abandon that 'You're only facing death, but I'm facing Chuck Wolfe!' nonsense. Who would consider Chuck more terrifying than death? Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
"You must be Chandler,"
Congressman Francis said with a smile, looking at the master of sarcasm.
"Let me guess, you must know my mother~"
Chandler retorted, his lips twitching.
"Hmm."
This wasn't the first or second time, and his mother, being the queen of romance novels, naturally supported the Democratic Party.
After all, it's common knowledge that the Democrats are more socially liberal.
His mother is number one in that department!
"That's not it."
Congressman Francis Underwood glanced at Chuck, spoke meaningfully, then scrutinized Chandler again, asking curiously. "Who is your mother?"
"Here's a hint—my name is Chandler Bing."
Chandler was somewhat surprised that the other party didn't know him because of his mother.
"Oh, you're Nora's son."
Congressman Francis Underwood's eyes lit up, his gaze towards Chandler becoming increasingly knowing, with a rather ambiguous quality.
"..."
Chandler was speechless. Even though he was mentally prepared, he was still quite annoyed by the other party's matter-of-fact attitude and tone. However, under the other party's strange gaze, he felt extremely uncomfortable, and all the witty remarks he wanted to say vanished.
(End of Chapter)
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