Chapter 233: Underwood - We're Giving You Face So You Can Have Face! Chuck - What Did You Say?
"Dr. Wolfe, would you like to speak privately?"
Congressman Francis Underwood gave Chandler an ambiguous look for a moment, then looked at Chuck.
Chuck nodded.
The two left the group, whose expressions were somewhat off, and walked outside.
"Dr. Wolfe, I know Mr. McGough, and I know General Dunn even better!"
Congressman Francis Underwood smiled at Chuck. "They are both people I respect, and also my friends, so what I'm about to say is entirely from a friend's perspective—don't misunderstand."
"It's alright, you don't have to be a friend."
Chuck showed no surprise at having his background exposed, and said calmly.
His stepfather, the bald bureau chief, was easy to trace, and as for his biological father, General Dunn, for a congressman at the level of Democratic Whip, it was naturally impossible to hide if he really wanted to know.
Chuck had long anticipated this.
He had never relied on his stepfather, the bald bureau chief, or his biological father, General Dunn!
"..."
Congressman Francis Underwood paused, scrutinizing Chuck for a moment, unable to discern whether Chuck's apparent lack of concern was mere bluffing or genuine confidence. His gaze turned cold. "Let's be friends for now. Chuck, this won't work.
I know you're just investigating, nothing more. But others don't know that! Constantly provoking powerful people like this isn't a wise choice. At our level, anything is no longer just a case—it's a matter of politics! Wernher von Braun—I don't know what he's done, and I don't care.
I only know he's a rising star in our Democratic Party's upcoming Senate race, a space hero in everyone's eyes! Someone like that absolutely cannot be involved in some performer's murder case! Do you understand?"
"Understood."
Chuck nodded. "You've lost all respect for the law."
"Respect for the law?"
Congressman Francis Underwood laughed. "You're just smart—you have no concept of the true rules of our world."
He then stared coldly at Chuck. "Detective Chuck, we're only giving you face because we're giving you face! Remember this—go back and use your super-high IQ to think things through, or we'll show you what the real world is like!"
With that, he resumed his gentle smile and turned to leave.
He didn't say anything arrogant like "I am the law" or "Whatever law you want, I'll make one for you," but his eyes conveyed the same meaning.
He knew Chuck would understand.
Chandler and Chief Randy Fischer quickly came outside.
"What did he say?"
Chief Randy Fischer asked.
"Don't tell me he's my dad~"
Chandler said, looking at Congressman Francis Underwood, who was raising his glass and smiling at him, with a thoroughly sarcastic expression.
"He warned me not to investigate any further,"
Chuck shook his head. "He's not your father."
"Thank God!"
Chandler clasped his hands together in a comical prayer. "That's such a relief! Everyone knows you can tell who's related by looks—I trust your judgment."
"He's interested in you,"
Chuck said, then walked over to Monica and the three little ones.
"...What?!"
Chandler froze for a moment, then couldn't help but peek inside again. Seeing Congressman Francis Underwood still staring at him, he tensed up, clutched his backside, and jogged after Chuck, yelling, "Tell me you're joking!"
"I never joke like that,"
Chuck said bluntly.
"Oh my God!"
Chandler, seeing that Chuck didn't seem to be joking, couldn't help but let out the classic exclamation of his ex-girlfriend Janice, and said self-deprecatingly. "I thought he knew me because of my mother, but I didn't expect it might be because of my other parent~"
As always, as long as Chuck wasn't being sarcastic, he had complete faith in Chuck's judgment.
"What do we do now?"
Chief Randy Fischer looked at Chuck with worry.
This was the Democratic Whip, a real big shot in Washington, with unimaginable power. With the other party speaking up, he, a mere police chief, really didn't have the courage to confront him.
"It's up to you."
Chuck stopped and looked at him. "If you want to investigate, continue investigating. I'll still be your consultant. If you don't want to investigate, then report this case or close it. Treat it as a suicide—that's fine too."
For cases like this, his primary concern was always whether the victim was innocent, his perspective naturally rooted in his past life's values.
If innocent, he would help as much as possible.
If someone isn't innocent, then it's all handled strictly by the law; he'll support the law enforcement agencies no matter how far they're willing to go.
This time, however, the former Vegas performer named Jonna Kane, who met her demise by selling her past dirty laundry, is, in his eyes, not entirely innocent.
Compared to this principle, Congressman Underwood's warnings and threats have absolutely no effect on him.
Because in his view, people with such a lack of respect for the law are birds of a feather. The female senator's arrest for a crime of passion was the first time; the Bethlehem senator almost became the second; and the future democratic senator and astronaut hero Wernher von Braun is now on the verge of becoming the third—but these will certainly not be the last.
He can foresee himself standing before Congressman Underwood again, repeating the previous conversation, asking, "We give you face because we give you face? Say it again?"
He has that patience!
No one understands delayed gratification better than him!
"Keep investigating!"
Chief Randy Fischer didn't answer immediately, only making his decision after returning to the police station.
"Good job, buddy."
Chandler looked at Chief Randy Fischer with newfound respect, patted him on the shoulder, and exclaimed. "You're really cool!"
"Of course."
Randy Fischer, the eternal optimist, was delighted and invited Chandler, whom he considered a partner. "Shall we go catch a concert tonight?"
"...Let's wait until this case is over,"
Chandler said with a forced smile. "Your priority right now is solving the case, cool guy~"
"Okay,"
Randy thought for a moment and then put it aside for the time being.
"I'll take them home first,"
Chuck said. "You and Chandler go and take statements from the victim's editor, and at the same time, have the Vegas hospital send over the victim's hospitalization records for domestic violence, so the forensic team can expedite their investigation of the crime scene evidence."
"Okay,"
Randy agreed.
Chuck drove Monica and the three kids home first.
In the car.
"How did it go?"
Monica glanced at the three kids in the back seat, who were listening intently. She wanted to hold back from asking, but after driving for a while, she couldn't resist.
"Everything went smoothly,"
Chuck said succinctly.
"We didn't come here just to take a picture with him, did we?"
Howard Jr.'s eyes darted around. "We just happened to be passing by. So what's the main purpose of our visit?"
"Guess,"
Chuck glanced at him in the rearview mirror.
"I guess,"
Howard Jr. stroked his chin. "It's not like the astronaut is a criminal, is it? You're here to arrest him?"
At this point, he couldn't help but laugh.
In his opinion, how could this be possible!
That's an American hero!
Chuck looked away without answering him.
Little Howard laughed for a while, then suddenly stopped laughing.
Little Sheldon looked gloomy and lost in thought, seemingly having forgotten even his usual arrogance and disdain, which worried Monica, who had been watching the three little ones.
After dropping the three children off at home, Monica asked worriedly. "Weren't you being too harsh on Sheldon? Look how you've hurt him. Such a proud, super-genius boy, and he sees you as something more terrifying than death."
"Don't worry,"
Chuck said calmly. He was even more concerned about Sheldon's condition than Monica, and had already considered this. "He has Beverly."
"..."
Monica's lips twitched. Although she knew what Chuck meant, she still wanted to retort. "True! Beverly suits Sheldon's personality and habits, but Beverly isn't Sheldon's mother, and even if she were, it wouldn't be the same. After all, he's not her. He's constantly being challenged by Chuck. What if he can't recover one day?"
She knew that after Sheldon was challenged by Chuck, Beverly would praise and encourage him while recording his brainwaves.
Sheldon always managed to regain his arrogant self, but what if something unexpected happened?
"Then he wouldn't be him,"
Chuck said expressionlessly.
He wasn't worried about that. Everyone said Leonard was a "doormat," able to endure all sorts of unbelievable humiliations, his resilience being paramount—that's why he could be the best friend and roommate of the troublesome and annoying Sheldon Cooper.
But thinking about it carefully, the troublesome and annoying Sheldon Cooper, having survived from childhood to adulthood and successfully convinced a group of friends to follow his ideas, required wisdom and resilience far exceeding Leonard's.
Such a Sheldon Cooper couldn't be completely defeated; in the end, he would always convince himself and the world with his bottom line and flexible approach.
Of course, with Chuck as a variable, it was indeed challenging that young Sheldon encountered this so early, increasing the unpredictability.
But that's okay. Sheldon, capable of providing double the points, is indeed unique, but without him, points would simply accumulate more slowly, not be impossible.
And if Chuck were to accommodate Sheldon's mentality, wouldn't that make Chuck become like Leonard and the others, indirectly manipulated by Sheldon?
That would definitely be frustrating, and would likely extinguish all sources of satisfaction. You see, only by living a life guided by one's own desires and with a clear mind can one gain satisfaction.
Chuck would never do something so foolish!
To borrow a line from future Sheldon: "If a genius truly falls, no one is to blame but himself for being too weak!"
"How's the case going? Is it Wernher von Braun?"
Seeing that Chuck had made up his mind, Monica had a strange feeling of 'a strict father disciplining his son, a loving mother not wanting to interfere,' so she didn't say anything more and shifted the topic back to the shocking case she encountered on her first crime scene.
"It's him."
Chuck nodded.
"Oh my God!"
Even though she was mentally prepared, Monica was still incredibly shocked to hear such confirmation from Chuck. "That's an American hero! If this gets out, the impact will be terrible!"
"You'll get used to it."
Chuck didn't seem to care.
In the world of American TV shows, aren't these kinds of things common?
It's just that the media doesn't give it enough attention, so nobody mentions it.
As Monica processed the shocking news in the passenger seat, she came to her senses to find that Chuck had already driven the car back to the hillside villa, and Jane, whom she hadn't seen since going to Chicago, came out to greet them.
The two women exchanged complicated glances, especially Jane.
She had just learned that there was a new case, and this time, it was Monica who had accompanied Chuck, even though she knew it was a coincidence.
But this feeling of being replaced still made her very uncomfortable.
"I'm going to help Chandler,"
Jane said to Chuck, nodded to Monica, and headed to the garage, driving away.
"Is she angry?"
Monica asked worriedly.
"Then why don't you call her back?"
Chuck said casually.
"..."
Monica was speechless.
Chuck had promised to thank her properly tonight, and now he wanted her to ask Jane to come back? How could that be possible!
Chuck ignored Monica's thoughts and thanked her properly after she finished freshening up.
Just as Monica was sound asleep, Chuck received a call from Jane. "Chuck, something bad has happened. The FBI has taken over the case and taken all the files and evidence."
"Then you should come back first,"
Chuck said calmly.
"What about me?"
Chandler's voice came through.
"Me too!"
Randy, always so eager, chimed in.
"You guys should come too,"
Chuck said after a moment's thought.
After hanging up, he called Director Kate of the FBI's New York field office to inquire.
"Chuck, let's just forget about it,"
Director Kate advised after a quick inquiry. "Someone high up has specifically spoken to headquarters. The final result will definitely be that this is treated as classified documents and stored in the FBI archives, and that's it."
"Okay, I understand,"
Chuck said, unsurprised.
Classified documents, of course, concern US national security; further inquiry would violate the Espionage Act—it's a classic FBI tactic.
After Jane and the other two arrived, he informed them of the news.
"Holy crap! Is the FBI really that corrupt?"
Chandler exclaimed incredulously. "Aren't they supposed to be the most neutral and impartial law enforcement agency?"
"Your tone is off,"
Chuck pointed out.
"What's wrong with my tone?"
Chandler asked, confused.
"Normally, you should say that with a sarcastic tone, then it'll be right,"
Chuck corrected. "But this time, you're just shocked, not sarcastic, so that's wrong."
"But I was just shocked—I even forgot to be sarcastic,"
Chandler retorted.
"If that's all you've got, then you absolutely can't run for president, or you'll be in over your head before you know it,"
Chuck said, looking at him and offering a fitting comment.
A president who believes the FBI's self-proclaimed absolute neutrality and impartiality is just too naive!
"What?"
Chandler finally recovered, swaying slightly as he teased. "They dare to go against the president? I remember the FBI director is nominated by the president, right?"
"So?"
Chuck countered.
Chandler: "..."
(End of Chapter)
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