Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

"That's right, she's over a decade older than me, so what...

She's charming, and that's enough. I frankly don't give a damn about age."

Luke interrupted the two men's conversation and continued to ask, "What's Mrs. Kenneth's full name?"

Mark licked his tongue, "I don't know, she never told me.

She asked me to call her madam, and I thought it sounded really good, very emotional..."

Little Black laughed, "I get what you mean."

"How did you find out that something had happened at her house?"

Mark answered, "We planned to meet this morning.

After she dropped off her daughter at school, it was our time alone...

But this morning, I couldn't reach her, I didn't know what happened.

I didn't dare come too early, afraid of running into her husband and daughter.

So, I came at the agreed time to check, and then I discovered that something had happened at her place."

Luke recalled and asked, "When you arrived, was the door locked?"

Mark lowered his head and was silent for a moment, "Yes, it was locked.

I had the passcode, so I went in to check.

Sorry, I shouldn't have lied to you.

But it was all a well-intentioned lie, I was worried about Mrs. Kenneth and didn't want to expose our relationship.

I didn't intend to hide any case details; I just wanted to hide our affair."

"Does her husband know about you two?"

"No, we've kept it very well hidden.

Her husband is a university professor, and we always pick the times he's teaching for our dates, there's no way he could know about it."

Little Black mischievously asked, "Is it quite thrilling?"

Mark nodded, "It does feel quite different."

"What's Mrs. Kenneth's cell phone number?"

Mark blurted out, "626 879 2574."

Little Black pressed on, "You memorized it."

Mark nodded, "When you're infatuated with someone, you remember everything about them."

"Guys, this is not the time to share relationship experiences," Luke interrupted the two and continued, "Has Mrs. Kenneth ever stood you up before?"

"No, she's always punctual. I can tell she truly liked me."

Little Black curiously asked, "Then how do you feel about her? Is it just a fling, or something serious?"

Mark said seriously, "I'm serious, I love her."

"Have you two thought about marriage?"

This time, Luke did not interrupt Little Black, as this question was somewhat related to the case; emotional issues can often become a motive for a crime.

"Yes, I have thought about it, but I'm not sure I have the capability," Mark seemed torn and insecure, "Her husband is a university professor and I'm just a plumber; I worry I can't give her what she wants."

Luke asked a sharp question, "Apart from you, did she have any other lovers?"

"Impossible, I told you, she also really liked me genuinely and wouldn't mess around."

"Aren't the two of you messing around?"

"We're different.

Mrs. Kenneth's relationship with her husband was already a marriage in name only. They'd even stopped living together and no longer shared a bed, Mrs. Kenneth would have divorced him long ago if it weren't for their daughter.

So, I'm her true love."

Luke had been observing Mark, and although some of his words sounded unreliable, from his micro-expressions, it didn't seem like he was lying,

"From what you know about Mrs. Kenneth, what do you think happened at their house?"

"I have no idea, all I can think about now is her safety; if she can come back safely, I'm willing to do anything. Really."

"Has she been troubled by anything lately?"

"Not that I'm aware of, she's a wise woman, there's little that can trouble her."

"In this relationship, who takes the lead between the two of you?"

Mark thought for a moment and answered earnestly, "We both love each other; it should be mutual."

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Uh..." Mark showed an embarrassed expression, "Yes, I have a girlfriend."

Luke gave a subtle look, "Mrs. Kenneth doesn't mind?"

"No, I told you she's a mature woman, she wouldn't mind."

"And your girlfriend? Is she mature enough?"

"My girlfriend... she's a different type, completely different from Mrs. Kenneth, there's no comparison."

"Tell me the exact time you arrived at the Kenneths'?"

Mark caught on, "You're not still suspecting me, are you?"

"We just want to clear your name, relax."

"Nine o'clock, I got there at nine."

"Where were you before that?"

"I was just waiting outside the community, waiting for Mrs. Kenneth's call, but it never came, so I came over myself.

Everything I've said is true, the situation in the house has nothing to do with me."

Luke confirmed again, "Did you lie this time?"

"No, absolutely not," Mark guaranteed with conviction.

Luke handed him a business card, "If you think of any clues, you can call me at any time."

"I will." Mark took the business card with both hands, displaying a look of entreaty, "Please, you must keep this confidential. You absolutely cannot let Mrs. Kenneth's husband learn of this."

Luke said, "That's as long as you haven't lied."

"I promise I haven't."

Little Black watched Mark walk away and mused, "He sure knows how to play the game. I feel like I've met my match!

An opponent I've never encountered before!"

Luke wrote down the key points of the interview in his notebook, "You're right, he does know how to play. But just because of that, it's easy to mess things up."

After a while, Susan gathered everyone to go over the case.

Susan asked, "What have you found out?"

The deputy analyzed, "From the scene, the perpetrator was likely looking for something, the blood at the stairway entrance suggests there may be another victim. I lean towards this being a robbery scene."

Susan frowned, "If there truly is another victim, we must quickly ascertain their identity. Jenny, did you find out the situation of the homeowner?"

"Yes, Matthew just sent it over." Jenny opened the information on her phone and read,

"Homeowner, Brown Kenneth

Gender, Male

Date of Birth, February 8, 1979

Cell phone number, 626 346 2523

Social Security number, 623-53-7342

Family members, Daughter

Marital Status, Divorced"