2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

When Lucy and Hans question Nicole’s brother Chris, they learn that no one ever interviewed him when she was being considered for the DEA. Is it plausible that Dover could have pulled this off? How could the agency hire someone whose entire family were criminals?

I have no idea how the government goes about verifying background on their recruits. I would think it would fall on more than one person to do it. I don't know how Dover could pull off faking all of the interviews, etc.

I had a person who worked for me (years ago) apply to the FBI and I was interviewed extensively. For new recruits, I do believe it’s only one person doing the background checks. For higher level positions, there are multiple checks and balances.

I can certainly see how Dover pulled it off as there was nothing special about her application that would have warranted more scrutiny. He would have handled everything.

Dover had to have done some serious cover-up paperwork to make this all happen.

He created a marvelous work of fiction.

I wondered how come Dover ended up with the assignment to do Nicole's background checks. That was a highly suspicious coincidence. Plot ploy?

That’s a good question.

I think it is possible.

When my cousin's husband applied for Warden at Balto. City Jail, he was checked by two federal agents. They visited his family, neighbors, former bosses, and army officers. If I remember correctly, my father said they didn't interview everyone in the family because there wasn't any negative information. They picked my parents because my dad was in army intelligence in WWII. If he had reported anything questionable, they would have followed up with more information.

I don't know if more people are interviewed for a new DEA agent but I don't think so. It seems to me it would be easy to combine their reports and then Dover could make sure it was favorable.