In the somewhat dim room, from the wall to the table, to the lamp placed on the refrigerator, everything was shimmering with a cold, metallic luster.
Obviously, this was not a comfortable guest room, nor a slightly business-like company office. The oppressive atmosphere here was artificially constructed, and its purpose was to bring greater pressure.
The whole room was divided into two parts, with a long counter in the middle. On one side of it was a single chair, while on the other side, there were a few simpler chairs. It was clear that the person sitting on the single chair would stay for a long time, while people behind the counter often switched out.
It looked a bit like an interrogation room, but there were no iron bars like in a police station's interrogation room. The table, the chairs, the counter were all very close, seeming more like a clinic in a hospital.
With a "click", the light came on. Standing at the door was a Black man wearing the uniform of the Federal Bureau Investigation with a license around his neck.
Behind him, there stood another female employee. Her attire was slightly different, looking like a field agent. She also wore the badge of an investigator on her chest, and there was a pistol on her waist.
After them, there was a white man with glasses and in a suit, gentle and refined. He did not have any form of identification on him, looking more like a scholar, rather than an agent.
The black agent entered the room, sat down on one of the simple chairs next to the counter, removed his license from around his neck, took out his own credentials from his chest pocket and showed it to the figure sitting on the single chair.
"Hello, Professor Rodriguez. I am Jimmy Andres, a member of the anti-violent crime investigation team of the American Federal Bureau Investigation, assigned by the United States Department of Justice and tasked by the New Jersey Higher Education Committee to investigate the seven potential violent crime charges in the public allegations you received earlier."
"This is my colleague, Angela Dodgson, the deputy head of the criminal investigation information collection group. Miss Dodgson will help with criminal investigation information collection for this investigation, and this gentleman here..." Jimmy pointed at the white man in glasses sitting on his right.
"William Denchette, an investigator from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Committee anti-misconduct investigation team, who also serves at the Federal Bureau of Investigation Agent Selection and Education Center as a lecturer in psychology and behavioral science."
William adjusted his glasses, looked at the silhouette on the single sofa and said, "I've heard a lot about you, Professor Rodriguez. I will provide behavioral science analysis reports for this investigation, and make a rational evaluation based on behavioral science and psychology on the assessment results. I hope we can cooperate well."
Jimmy nodded at William, took another look at Angela, then took a piece of paper out of his briefcase. He quickly skimmed the contents, put down the paper, and looked up at Shiller, who was sitting on the single sofa.
The professor looked no different from the photo on his personal information form, in terms of stature, appearance, and attire. Then, Jimmy passed the information form to Angela, who then took another piece of paper to compare with the personal information form. After that, she looked up at Jimmy and said, "The signature and fingerprints match, confirming the person in question is present for the hearing."
Jimmy placed both hands on the desk, looking into Shiller's eyes, "Professor Rodriguez, next, we will ask some basic questions about the charges against you. During this time, you can only answer questions, and you must answer directly. Afterwards, we will give you time for self-defense."
It was evident that Jimmy was being very careful. Although the way the American Federal Bureau of Investigation operates is often criticized, it is undeniable that a superpower has its advantages when investigating and judging anti-violence actions.
Firstly, for all criminals publicly charged, in the process of their investigation and trial, the Federal Bureau of Investigation receives multi-party supervision. Especially when investigating and judging some sensitive people, they are mostly very careful.
At the same time, with multi-party supervision, they can mobilize multiple departments for cooperation, obtaining theoretical support from talents and think tanks in various disciplines from all sectors of society and the public, and with high efficiency.
Shiller took a look at the situation across him. In addition to Jimmy, Angela, and William, there were two secretaries standing on each side of the counter.
One should be a clerical worker from the American Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the other should be from the Department of Justice. They all faced Shiller, their purpose being to record Shiller's speech and behavior.
Another secretary stood behind Shiller, facing Jimmy and other agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, aiming to record their speech and behavior.
So many people squeezed into a small room not only ensured the correctness of the hearing process but also put Shiller under pressure, making him feel isolated. It is a common technique to add pressure in interrogations.
Shiller looked at Jimmy and gently nodded his head. He could tell that this mid-aged black agent had a wealth of experience. However, the rest of the people sitting next to him were quite interesting.