The topic sentence is the first sentence of the paragraph.
He wishes his son would come back
Direct characterization is when the author tells the audience how is the personality of the character. Dr. Shlemiel is a complex character, showing many different qualities, revealing faults as well as virtues.
Indirect characterization is when the author shows things that reveal the personality of the character. Dr. Shlemiel develops some changes and learnings that reveal some truth about life. But in the end, it is up to the reader to draw logical conclusions about the character's personality.
Answer:
he told them that the perpetrators fled to Texas.
