At 8 p.m., FBI Washington Headquarters, Mr. Clent’s office.
"Polonium-210 has also been detected in Vireness’s body."
Upon hearing Mr. Clent’s words, Luo An imdiately furrowed his brows and asked:
"How is she? How exactly was she poisoned? What was the poisoning agent?"
"We don’t know these details yet, but Vireness has been taken to the hospital, and they are dealing with it there."
Mr. Clent’s voice was low as he solemnly said:
"The attending physicians indicated that the test results show Vireness was poisoned no more than 10 hours ago and is still within the effective rescue ti fra; it’s not too late for ergency treatnt."
Polonium-210 is a highly toxic nuclear elent that, once it enters the human body, will adhere to proteins, and even combine with plasma, traveling along the bloodstream to the bones, lungs, heart, etc., ultimately causing rapid-onset tumors, liver atrophy, and kidney sclerosis due to its radiation effects.
As a heavy tal, Polonium-210 is no different from other common heavy tal poisonings that have antidotes; it is generally detoxified using dithiol-type chelating agents in most cases.
The reason Polonium-210 is so deadly is not because of its extre toxicity, but rather because it is difficult to detect in ti, often resulting in missed opportunities for optimal rescue, and a direct countdown to the end of life.
Hearing that Vireness had been taken to the hospital for ergency treatnt, Luo An’s eyebrows relaxed, and he let out a long sigh of relief before asking:
"Chief, was Vireness really only investigating the case of the assassination of Blue-eyed Roy?"
"Blue-eyed Roy" was an assassin. His death in prison was not particularly unexpected in so ways.
The key question is who killed him and why.
Mr. Clent looked at Luo An with satisfaction, nodding slightly, and said:
"The assassin dying in jail is just a prelude.
The real incident that Vireness was investigating is the source of the Polonium-210 that poisoned her."
Polonium-210 is not a common item; naturally occurring polonium can only be found in uranium or thorium ores, and its presence in Earth’s crust is one part in a hundred quadrillion.
All the usable Polonium-210 in human society has been produced by scientists using nuclear reactors and technical thods, with a very limited yield. The globally recorded annual production is only around 100 grams.
After Mr. Clent finished speaking, Luo An instantly ca to realize:
"Chief, are you worried that soone is secretly producing and selling Polonium-210?"
Mr. Clent took a small sip from his water glass and gave Luo An a look, saying:
"It’s not who’s worried; it’s the people higher up."
As ntioned before, the most terrifying aspect of Polonium-210 is not its intense toxicity, but its difficulty to detect.
A few micrograms of Polonium-210 is enough to cause death, but such a small amount of material, if not specifically inspected, is very hard to detect.
Luo An nodded in realization, with several thoughts flashing through his mind but his expression unchanged, he then asked:
"So, Chief, the reason you called here tonight is?"
"The investigation must continue, despite Vireness being hospitalized due to poisoning."
Mr. Clent put down his water glass, stood up from the sofa, walked to his desk, found a file folder, and handed it to Luo An as he said solemnly:
"I hope you can take over the work that Vireness left unfinished.
On one hand, investigate and catch the person who poisoned Vireness.
On the other hand, investigate and clarify the source of this Polonium-210, and catch both the seller and the producer!"
Luo An did not directly reject Mr. Clent, but he also did not imdiately accept the task; he patted his thigh with a bitter smile and said:
"Chief, I injured my ankle a while ago, and I won’t be able to move as quickly as before for the ti being. This case may require a long ti."
Luo An ntioned this for two reasons: to reinforce the impression that he was not to be taken lightly and as a subtle probe.
"I’m aware your body has been injured, and this will indeed be a tough assignnt for you, but there is no rush on this case."
Mr. Clent walked up to Luo An and gently patted his shoulder, his eyes filled with approval as he comforted and explained to Luo An:
"Those who can obtain Polonium-210, as well as those who can manufacture Polonium-210, probably don’t have ordinary identities. There may even be soone behind them.
From the beginning, Vireness has conducted a covert investigation, and you are no exception; you can simply carry on with a secret investigation as well.
For the duration of the investigation, Vireness had requested six months, and you don’t need to change that. If the situation is special, it can even be extended, so you don’t have to worry about the ti at all."
Feeling the appreciation and sincerity of Mr. Clent’s words, Luo An’s eyes shifted slightly, and he nodded and smiled, agreeing:
"Yes, sir, I will investigate this case thoroughly."
Mr. Clent nodded with satisfaction and added:
"Vireness has already been hospitalized, so you have to be extra careful during your investigation. Rember to check your health frequently.
Additionally, call if you encounter any difficulties, and I can provide support at any ti!"
"No problem, sir, I’ve noted it, and I will be extra careful!"
"Good."
After a brief chat, Luo An left Mr. Clent’s office. The secretary at the door quickly stood up to help Luo An with his files, escorting him all the way down to the parking lot.
Once seated in the car, Luo An looked at the secretary with a smile:
"Thank you."
"You’re welco."
The secretary waved his hand indicating it was nothing, then he chatted with Mona for a mont with a smile, and turned back to the FBI Washington Headquarters building.
"That’s quite rare."
Watching the secretary’s receding figure, Mona complained as she started the car and drove out of the parking lot:
"As long as Mr. Clent is in, that secretary hardly ever leaves the entrance of his office, let alone escorting people down to the ground floor."
"Maybe he saw my injured ankle and thought it was inconvenient," said Luo An with a smile and a casual reply. He was aware of the reason behind the secretary’s attitude change and did not look down on him or anything; respecting each other and collaborating was the right approach.
Mona was aware of these matters as well, and she had just casually made a complaint. After rging onto the main road, she asked:
"What did Mr. Clent want with you tonight? Is there another case?"
"By type of case, this ti it is a poisoning case, combined with an investigation of dangerous materials."
Luo An rubbed his temples and closed his eyes to think, saying:
"The difference is, this ti the enemy may be from within."
Mona: "?"
————
Three days later, the day after Christmas, the hospital reported that Vireness had completed her ergency treatnt, leaving the advanced radiation care and moving to a general intensive care ward.
As soon as visitation was allowed, Luo An imdiately set off to the hospital to check the situation.
At ten o’clock in the morning, at a renowned hospital in New York on the sixth floor of a high-end ward.
After a quick check to ensure there were no hidden recording or video devices in the room, Luo An put his crutches aside, sat down next to the bed, and smiled:
"Good morning, boss."
Vireness gave a bitter smile and gently shook her hand:
"It’s not good at all."
At this mont, Vireness’s face was pale; the sharpness of her usual makeup had vanished, replaced by a look of fragile exhaustion. Her oversized hospital gown also made her look very frail.
Polonium-210 had entered her gastrointestinal tract, necessitating ergency asures such as inducing vomiting, stomach pumping, cathartics, and diuretics. Vireness had been thoroughly tornted these past few days, completely drained of energy.
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