Senator Pratt, wanting to find the evidence box quickly, rented out one floor directly.

Peter, to allow Neil to move freely, put Neil's electronic ankle bracelet on his own ankle. After Karaway discovered it, Peter was suspended; Karaway revoked his badge and gun, had him escorted out, but Peter escaped.

While they were searching for the box in the Empire State Building, James Bennett and Neil Kafrey's people were inside too, and they had already located the box's position early, directly acquiring the box.

However, an accident occurred when taking the box, causing both Karaway and Pratt to see James Bennett, triggering the other agents to attempt capturing Bennett.

Afterwards, Senator Pratt's bodyguard caught Bennett and brought the box back, but when they searched the scene after Pratt's death, they didn't find the evidence in the box, only a stack of postcards.

What is confirmed now is that Pratt and Bennett were once alone together, and afterwards, Peter arrived at the scene.

According to Peter, Pratt and Bennett were pointing guns at each other; after Bennett shot and killed Senator Pratt, he placed the gun on the table. When he tried to escape, Peter picked up the gun to threaten Bennett and even shot beside them.

Bennett escaped, and Peter was captured by agents who arrived shortly after.

That's all the known information for now."

Jimmy:"Let me think. What you said is a bit muddled, the clues don't match."

Hughes kept quiet, and the two walked forward and arrived at a coffee shop, ordered coffee, and sat at a table by the window.

Jimmy looked at Hughes:"There's a problem here. If we follow the sequence you mentioned, Bennett used Peter's gun to kill Pratt, but Peter's badge and gun had already been revoked by Karaway, so why was his gun in Bennett's hand?"

Hughes shook his head:"I'm just passing on information I got from others; I don't know the detailed situation."

Jimmy:"Karaway is suspicious; she must play a crucial role here."

Hughes:"The case is now led by a joint investigation team from headquarters; I can't get complete information, I'm retired."

Jimmy:"Are you all going to abandon Peter?"

Hughes:"No one's abandoning Peter, what do you think we're doing right now?"

Jimmy:"You said 'we.' Who else is involved?"

Hughes didn't respond, he took a sip of coffee, remaining silent for Jimmy to figure it out himself.

Jimmy:"There are quite a few issues with this case; Peter can be saved. Bennett may not be caught, but at least the current evidence besides the gun and gunpowder residue can't fully accuse Peter, he has no reason to kill a Federation Senator."

Hughes took out an MP3 from his pocket, plugged in headphones and gave it to Jimmy, "Listen for a bit."

Jimmy put on a headphone, heard a phone recording, after listening, he took off the headphone, "Is this Karaway's call record with Senator Pratt?"

Hughes nodded:"Got with help from a friend at NSA."

Jimmy:"Not enough as evidence, but enough to prove Karaway as the mole, leaking investigation clues to Senator Pratt. Also, based on this, Karaway can be countercharged with conspiring with Pratt to frame Peter.

Peter's gun is the biggest evidence; after the agent revoked his badge and gun, why did the gun appear on Senator Pratt's side? They can't explain this point, can't tighten the evidence chain."

Hughes:"Yes, it's useful as a clue, but similarly insufficient as evidence, and NSA won't testify either, the monitoring this time wasn't preapproved."

Jimmy:"What are you planning to do now?"

Hughes:"Still waiting for the investigation, hoping to find more evidence."

Jimmy nodded:"Understood. Just continue waiting then."

-----------------

After having coffee with Hughes, Jimmy drove to work. As soon as he got to the office, Isabel approached, "Jimmy, we need to hold a small press conference today, prepare and join it later."

Jimmy frowned:"Regarding yesterday's case?"

Isabel:"Yes, just a brief introduction, not touching on case investigation progress."

Jimmy nodded:"Okay, I'll prepare."

Seems Karaway couldn't suppress it, she said yesterday to seal the news, yet a sudden press conference is called this morning, likely directed from the office higher-ups, probably from headquarters.

The press conference wasn't held in the small meeting room due to too many reporters. Even after rejecting a part, the small room was still inadequate.

The conference opted for the large meeting room directly, cleared of tables and chairs, forcing all reporters to stand during it.

The spokesperson remained Isabel, Jimmy assisting, with a few others maintaining order on the side.

Isabel:"Thank you all for attending today's case briefing. Yesterday morning, Senator Terrance Pratt was killed by gunfire in the office space of a foundation he rented out in the Empire State Building; the weapon used was a Glock 19 handgun.

The case is currently investigated by FBI agents from both Washington, D.C. headquarters and the Manhattan office under a joint task force. Due to the investigation's current phase, we're unable to disclose progress due to confidentiality rules.

One suspect has been apprehended, but their information can't be shared for now. We'll convene another conference to update once the investigation yields results."

Reporter:"Rumors say a FBI agent killed the senator; is it true?"

Isabel:"Sorry, we haven't been authorized to disclose suspect details yet."

Reporter:"According to Empire State Building staff, numerous FBI agents were searching there during the incident; is it related?"

Isabel:"Unrelated, we were searching evidence from another case at the time."

Reporter:"Who's heading the case investigation now? Why aren't they participating in this press conference?"

Isabel:"Apologies, the joint task force's tight focus on case content means they're not attending early-stage briefings."

Reporter:"So many agents on-site couldn't prevent the suspect from killing Senator Pratt? Does any negligence relate to the case happening?"

Isabel:"Apologies, case-related specifics can't be revealed yet."

Reporter peered at their notepad: "Senator Pratt was attacked by two individuals in a park yesterday morning; we found their wanted information. Are they related to your case investigation?"

Isabel:"Apologies, we cannot provide suspect information presently; please await further updates."

...

"No comment" was Isabel's frequent reply today as directives forbid disclosing any details, making the conference essentially an announcement with no further information.

Jimmy watched Isabel besieged by reporters ahead, admiring these seasoned spokespersons for braving this without faltering—if he were there, he'd probably be speaking with temper by now.

Among info gathered from reporters, Jimmy unexpectedly realized many interesting points since he hadn't seen case documents; he didn't know James Bennett and Neil Kafrey were already wanted by yesterday morning for attacking Senator Pratt.

This is a crucial clue; personal resentment now provides James Bennett motive to shoot Senator Pratt, lending more credibility than Peter shooting the senator.

It simultaneously suggests part of Peter's account might be plausible, about Bennett and Pratt pointing guns at each other; uncertain if the task force has considered that aspect in their investigation.

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