NOVEL NEXT Chapter 120: Our Star News Is Thriving!
The closing report received swift approval, officially ending Theodore and Bernie's involvement in the Earl family massacre case.
With their caseload temporarily cleared, Bernie retrieved his selection training materials and immersed himself in intensive study.
Theodore, meanwhile, began collecting cutting-edge psychology papers to lay the groundwork for his theoretical research.
They commandeered the small conference room, savoring a rare leisurely half-day as government employees wound down before the holiday break.
Late afternoon traffic still clogged the arteries leading out of downtown, but the entire city hummed with festive anticipation. Christmas was coming to Washington.
The National Christmas Tree blazed with lights on the White House South Lawn, visible from blocks away.
Municipal crews had already strung Christmas decorations along the capital's main thoroughfares, and Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue sparkled with twinkling bulbs that would illuminate the gathering dusk.
Department stores and specialty shops extended their hours to accommodate holiday shoppers. Elaborate window displays featured artificial snow scenes and glittering star decorations that caught the street lights.
Inside, sales associates wore festive uniforms trimmed with the red and white that Coca-Cola had made synonymous with Christmas since 1931, when the company commissioned artists to create the modern Santa Claus image.
Now those distinctive colors dominated storefronts throughout the district.
The crisp December air seemed to amplify the holiday atmosphere.
Bernie parked outside Woodward & Lothrop department store, and both agents joined the steady stream of government workers doing their Christmas shopping after hours.
Bernie needed gifts for his flight back to Felton day after tomorrow, Christmas with family came first, even for federal agents.
Theodore also made several purchases, asking Bernie to transport them back to their former colleagues.
For young Sullivan, Theodore selected a chemistry experiment kit complete with volcano eruption demonstrations and other safe spectacles.
Bernie examined the packaging with obvious concern, remembering Theodore's previous mention of more advanced scientific equipment.
"You're absolutely certain this won't blow up his bedroom?" Bernie asked, turning the box to read the safety warnings.
"Completely harmless," Theodore assured him. "Basic chemical reactions, nothing more dangerous than baking soda and vinegar."
Only then did Bernie reluctantly agree to play courier.
Theodore chose a Barbie doll set for Bernie's daughter, Gertie; the toy had been launched just the previous year and was selling phenomenally well.
He also selected appropriate gifts for Gary, Supervisor Wenner, Senior Police Supervisor Flores, Councilor Santos, and Ricky. Even his apartment neighbors received a small token.
They encountered several FBI colleagues navigating the crowded aisles, everyone apparently sharing the same last-minute shopping strategy.
By the time they emerged from the store, full darkness had settled over the city, transforming the Christmas lights into a glittering constellation along every street.
The next morning brought palpable restlessness throughout the Justice Department building.
Though agents maintained professional facades, Theodore could sense the underlying anticipation of imminent holiday departure.
Ms. Gandhi appeared at Theodore's desk before noon with travel information. "The Director expects you on tonight's flight to Miami," she said efficiently.
"Do you have any conflicting holiday commitments?"
Theodore's only plan involved studying contemporary psychology theories, research that could be conducted as easily in Florida as in Washington.
J. Edgar Hoover had ultimately heeded Tolson's advice about giving Theodore choices, though the options remained limited.
The schedule change meant departing D.C. that evening, so Theodore handed his car keys to Bernie and collected his minimal luggage.
After exchanging "Merry Christmas" wishes with colleagues, Theodore followed Ms. Gandhi to Washington National Airport.
Hoover consistently used National for non-classified travel, avoiding the speculation that military airfields might generate among journalists.
The Director understood media manipulation as thoroughly as he understood law enforcement.
A Douglas DC-6 waited at the far end of the runway, Hoover's personal aircraft. The flight crew had completed maintenance checks, while several bodyguards struggled with an impressive collection of luggage.
The suitcases appeared extraordinarily heavy, requiring multiple agents to maneuver each one up the aircraft stairs.
Theodore glanced at his single overnight bag, then watched another oversized case being wrestled aboard.
Hoover stood at the base of the boarding stairs, briefcase in hand, posing for photographers from the Star News.
The photo session was purely ceremonial, tomorrow's front page would feature the image alongside a carefully crafted Christmas message previously approved by the FBI Public Affairs Office.
These seasonal greetings followed the same template annually, emphasizing themes like "The FBI works tirelessly year-round to safeguard national security."
The approach struck the perfect balance, reassuring without being alarmist, authoritative without seeming oppressive. In the current climate of international tension, such measured propaganda helped maintain public confidence.
After the photographers departed and the last suitcase disappeared into the cargo hold, the party boarded for Miami.
Theodore had never flown on a private aircraft before and found the experience mildly fascinating. The three-hour flight passed with Hoover reviewing documents continuously, keeping Tolson and Ms. Gandhi on the move.
They retrieved files from various suitcases, apparently stashed throughout the cabin, delivered them to Hoover, then returned them to their mysterious filing system.
Theodore suspected those heavy cases contained nothing but paperwork.
As they began their descent, Hoover finally closed the last folder and glanced at Theodore, who had put away his notebook and assumed a more formal posture.
The Director snorted with mild disapproval, he preferred Theodore's earlier irreverence to this scholarly seriousness.
The aircraft touched down at Miami International's private apron with only a slight bump. The FBI Miami Branch Assistant Director waited with several local agents, accompanied by Miami's mayor and the Dade County Police Chief.
Hoover maintained studied aloofness throughout the greeting ritual. He waved perfunctorily to his own personnel, offered the mayor a brief handshake with formal thanks, and completely ignored the police chief.
Their accommodation was the Fontainebleau Hotel's entire top-floor Royal Suite. Upon arrival, Hoover immediately resumed working and continued until well past midnight.
Theodore began to suspect this was less vacation than change of scenery for the Director's relentless schedule.
Christmas Eve brought morning Mass at Trinity Cathedral, followed by lunch with several political and business figures Theodore didn't recognize in the hotel's elegant banquet hall.
The afternoon featured horse racing at Hialeah Park, with evening cocktails involving an entirely different group of influential locals, none of whom Theodore could identify either.
Drawing on lessons learned from Ronald's social navigation, Theodore performed admirably at both gatherings, clearly pleasing Hoover with his adaptability.
The next few days followed similar patterns. Hoover handled FBI business each morning, directing operations remotely through secure communications.
Theodore used these quiet hours to delve deeper into contemporary psychological research, building theoretical foundations for future casework.
Their shared activities revealed Hoover's two primary recreational interests: golf and horse racing.
At the track, the Director invariably bet exactly $200 on the same horse number, regardless of odds or competition.
Throughout their Miami stay, his chosen number's best performance was fourth place.
Theodore found this structured approach to relaxation quite agreeable, productive mornings balanced with recreational afternoons, combining work with genuine leisure.
After watching New Year's fireworks from the Fontainebleau's penthouse terrace, they packed for the return to Washington.
Throughout the holiday, Theodore and Hoover had maintained comfortable distance, establishing a dynamic that suited both men.
Bernie returned from Felton that afternoon, full of news from their former jurisdiction. He'd discussed the situation with his wife and decided to relocate the family to Washington once selection training concluded.
The timing worked well, Mrs. Sullivan would have an adequate opportunity to handle property matters and other logistics in Felton.
Bernie first returned the proceeds from Theodore's furniture sale, then launched into updates from their old stomping grounds.
The mayor remained under federal investigation, with Councilor Santos serving as acting mayor. Santos hadn't bothered with extensive campaign efforts, lacking any serious opposition made such activities superfluous.
However, Santos was hardly idle. Beyond official duties, Bernie suspected the councilor was occupied with personal matters of a romantic nature.
"I encountered Santos at a South District property when delivering your Christmas gifts," Bernie reported with obvious amusement.
"He had a female assistant with him, and their behavior was... intimate, shall we say. Santos was delighted with the present and insisted I tell you to visit Felton more often."
Compared to Santos's evident success, Senior Police Supervisor Flores appeared haggard and stressed. Bernie claimed he barely recognized the man.
"Director Adams has ordered Flores to recruit another pair of twin detectives," Bernie explained. "The poor supervisor is tearing his hair out over the assignment."
The West District Homicide Team remained unchanged, though Deputy Inspector Burton and Supervisor Wenner were clashing again, creating tension throughout the department.
"Wenner's gained considerable weight," Bernie observed. "The stress must be getting to him."
Gary and Ricky continued their established patterns, Gary pursuing exhaustive detail and thoroughness, Ricky maintaining professional dedication during work hours while departing promptly at quitting time.
Ricky had even inquired about FBI selection training, displaying unexpected interest in federal career opportunities.
After completing his Felton update, Bernie mysteriously retrieved a package from beneath his luggage, then quickly concealed it again when he noticed Theodore's attention.
"What are you hiding?" Theodore asked.
Bernie shook his head with theatrical secrecy.
That evening, instead of his usual study routine, Theodore noticed Bernie absorbed in what appeared to be a third-rate tabloid.
He read with obvious delight, grinning and chuckling like an idiot.
Bernie had returned to Felton and caught up on every December issue he'd missed.
Theodore knew about Bernie's peculiar devotion to the Felton Star and his habit of collecting favorite articles in a scrapbook.
The notebook had originally been intended for preserving newspaper coverage of their casework. Now it served as a repository for ghost stories and sensational fiction.
"How is that newspaper still in business?" Theodore asked, genuinely puzzled.
Bernie sat up on the sofa, eyes bright with excitement. "The Felton Star's circulation has reached second place in the local market! It's not just surviving, it's thriving!"
Theodore found this difficult to accept. He flipped through recent issues of the tabloid and discovered the publication had completely abandoned any pretense of legitimate journalism.
The content was even more outrageous than during their time in Felton.
The Star had embraced its tabloid identity completely. No social issues, no political coverage, not even sports scores, every page was dedicated to the twin detectives series.
This shameless sensationalism hadn't destroyed the publication. Instead, it had generated unexpected success, catapulting the Star to become Felton's second-largest circulation newspaper.
"There are rumors about a collaboration with DC Comics," Bernie continued enthusiastically.
"People from the Justice League came to Felton in December to negotiate with the Star about creating comic book characters based on the twin detectives."
He was referring to DC Comics, not Washington D.C. During this period, DC dominated America's comic book industry with nationwide distribution.
Marvel Comics and Spider-Man didn't exist yet.
Bernie was particularly excited about this development, chattering endlessly about how the twin detectives would sweep the nation.
The next morning brought the end of holiday respite. Pennsylvania Avenue resembled a frozen artery, clogged with returning government workers.
Theodore drove while Bernie caught up on sleep after staying up too late reading tabloid stories.
Upon reaching the Justice Department building, Bernie had recovered his professional demeanor and exchanged greetings with colleagues normally.
At noon, Theodore tracked down Hoover and Tolson at their regular restaurant, thanks to Ms. Gandhi's assistance. Under their surprised scrutiny, he made an unusual request: he needed to borrow money from Hoover to acquire a newspaper.
Hoover frowned, setting down his knife and fork to wipe his mouth carefully.
"What's the newspaper's name?" he asked.
"Felton Star."
Hoover's expression suggested recognition. He glanced at Tolson for confirmation.
"I believe that's the publication featuring twin detective stories," Tolson said uncertainly.
The reminder triggered Hoover's memory, he'd seen references to the Star in reports from Felton. Theodore was surprised they knew about the third-rate tabloid at all. This knowledge only intensified his sense of urgency.
If Hoover and Tolson in Washington were aware of this publication, the situation had reached critical proportions.
Hoover wasn't concerned about Theodore creating problems or spending money, in fact, he welcomed such initiatives.
However, he refused to approve the request immediately, preferring to send agents for afternoon investigation of the newspaper's operations and finances.
"Tell me about your selection training preparations," Hoover said, changing subjects. "Training begins January 4th, day after tomorrow."
Theodore reminded Hoover of their previous agreement regarding casework during training.
Hoover snorted dismissively. "You and the Irishman won't receive any assignments during the entire training period."
"I've researched the matter," Theodore replied evenly. "Interstate crimes between D.C. and Maryland occur daily."
He glanced meaningfully at the elaborate lunch spread before them and rubbed his stomach.
Hoover snorted again, gesturing to the empty chair beside him with obvious satisfaction.
"Those cases won't be assigned to you either. No cases whatsoever. You'll complete training honestly like everyone else."
[End of Chapter]
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