Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Kidnapping cases generally have a "Golden 72 Hours."

The kidnappers usually maintain the hostage's life until they achieve their goals.

The likelihood of hunger and cold is relatively small, but beating and abuse are hard to completely avoid.

The longer the captivity, the less patience the kidnappers have, and the more irritable they become.

The hostages also experience immense psychological pressure, making it easier for them to lose rationality and enrage the criminals.

Once the kidnappers lose patience, they might kill the hostage.

The endurance of minors is worse than that of adults; under strange and frightening circumstances, it's easy for them to cry and cause trouble.

The likelihood of angering the kidnappers is greater, and managing to hold on for three days is already very difficult.

Tonight, overtime is definitely necessary.

The threatening email was handed over to the technical department for investigation.

Luke began reviewing the surveillance videos from the Kalyea community.

Based on the bloodstains found at the scene, the crime likely occurred between nine and twelve at night, and Luke focused on checking the vehicles during that time period.

Two grown people can't just disappear into thin air; the kidnapper would need a vehicle to take them away.

Reviewing surveillance footage is a tedious job.

Luke used to dislike checking surveillance, but that changed after he started practicing his observation skills.

Time flies when someone is doing what they enjoy.

Luke used this psychology to consciously treat surveillance review as an opportunity to train his observational skills.

It felt a bit like playing a game of spot the difference.

Though it seemed somewhat self-deceptive, it was still quite effective.

The power of one's psychology is strong and under the influence of self-suggestion, Luke found that he no longer hated reviewing surveillance footage as much.

With a "snap!" Luke pressed the space bar.

The screen froze, showing a white Toyota sedan with the plate number 7QEB332 at 11:35 PM.

Luke zoomed in on the video, and from the surveillance, he could make out the appearance of the driver.

An Asian middle-aged woman—Amy Ma.

There was no one visible in the passenger seat, and the back couldn't be seen.

But from this evidence, Amy Ma driving away during the time of the incident made her a suspect.

Luke called Matthew over, pointing at the computer screen, "Amy Ma drove away in her white Toyota during the time of the incident. Can you continue to track it?"

"Of course, but it might take some time."

"It's worth it. This clue is crucial."

"As you wish, Deputy Luke." Matthew said, and then as if he remembered something, "I just found more information about this car.

The current registration address of the white Toyota is in the Kalyea community, but I also looked into previous records and found that the registration address had been changed before.

The original registration address was 102 Binney Street in the Boay community.

I hope this information is helpful to you."

Luke nodded, "I will check it out."

...

By six in the evening, Luke took little black and left the detective office.

Getting into the car, Little Black started the engine and asked, "Where to?"

Luke replied, "Let's get something to eat first, then check out that car's original registration address. We might discover some clues about Amy Ma."

"Good idea. I only had a burger for lunch, was counting on dinner." Little Black swallowed, "What do you want to eat?"

"Mexican burritos." Actually, Luke didn't have many options. The case was urgent, everyone was working overtime, and the fact that they could go out to eat was already good enough, so they naturally chose something quick and convenient.

As they drove, Little Black said, "Honestly, knowing that Betty might have been kidnapped doesn't sit well with me. I'm used to seeing life and death, but it's always tough when a child is involved."

Luke lit a cigarette, "You're right, that's why we're working overtime."

"So much has been happening lately, I haven't seen Jaden for a while, and I'm thinking of visiting him when I get a break," Little Black sighed, thinking of Julian, then of Jaden's unreliable mother.

He was genuinely worried about that kid.

Luke took a drag, "Go ahead, if you need financial help, I can help.

Just don't bother me with other stuff."

Little Black "..."

Little Black was just about to thank Luke for Jaden, but after hearing the rest, he swallowed the words back.

Luke's response… well, it was very Luke.

Within his ability, yet wary of trouble.

But Luke being so straightforward clearly didn't consider him an outsider.

Little Black responded, "Got it."

Luke curiously asked, "Have you been in touch with Julian?"

"No, I'm still young, and there is a big beautiful world out there. I'll get over her." Little Black said lightly, waving his right hand, "Buddy, let me have a puff too."

"No, you freak." Luke frowned; he wasn't used to sharing a cigarette with anyone.

"I'm not a freak. I just want a smoke while driving."

"Forget it, just focus on driving."

The two quickly finished a meal at a Mexican restaurant, taking only ten minutes, and then they continued driving to Amy Ma's car's registered address.

...

102 Binney Street in the Boay community.

This could potentially be Amy Ma's residence, considering she might be a victim or a suspect.

To avoid alerting her, Luke parked the car a bit away from the house rather than right in front of it.

The two walked to the residence at number 102.

It was a bungalow, not too large, with a lawn that hadn't been mowed for a long time.

Luke walked over to the window and peered inside, but saw no sign of anyone.

Then, Luke walked to the door and knocked, "Dong dong."

Still no movement.

Luke pointed at the lock, "Can you open it?"

Little Black glanced at it, "Shouldn't be a problem."

Little Black took off his keychain and fiddled with it, and with a "click," the door opened.

Little Black showed a proud expression, "You know?

My mom said I've been smart since I was a kid, there's nothing I can't learn if I want to learn it."

Luke nodded, "When I was a kid, I used to hear such kind lies from my parents too. Don't take it too seriously."

Little Black, "..."

Luke took out his gun, and the two of them entered the house one after the other.

"Click..." Luke turned on the wall lamp.

The living room was somewhat messy, strewn with various items. Luke touched the coffee table and found a thick layer of dust on it.

The house wasn't large, a two-bedroom apartment layout. They quickly searched it and found no suspicious persons.

There were photos of Amy Ma around the room; it appeared they had found the right place—this must be her residence.

Afterward, the two conducted a thorough search of the room.

Little Black opened the wardrobe and took out an ornament, "What is this? It looks a bit like a hat, is it made of silver?"

Luke took it and looked, "It's Miao silverware, which utilizes multiple techniques such as pressing, sparse engraving, carving, and looping; often, it requires going through a dozen or so processes to complete."

Little Black exclaimed, "It's beautiful, I like it.

One day I want to give one to my future girlfriend."

"If it makes you happy."

"Dong dong..." Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

Luke and Little Black were both stunned.

Luke motioned for Little Black to hide to the side, then he peeped outside through the peephole and saw two individuals wearing IRS uniforms.

Luke opened the door.

A Latin woman with a large chest opened her coat, showing her badge, "We are from the IRS, I'm Investigator Shakira."

Luke looked closely, "What do you need?"

"Is Amy Ma here?"

"No."

"What is your relationship to her?"

Luke shook his head, "No relation."

Shakira shook her head, "Do you think I would believe that? You are staying in her rented house, with the same black hair, the same black eyes, indicating you share the same ancestry."

Luke laughed, "Aren't you being a bit presumptive?"

"OK then, tell me. Where is she? What's your relationship with her?"

Luke spread his hands, "Why should I tell you these things when I don't even know what you're here for?"

"We found that Amy Ma is suspected of tax evasion and avoidance, and the amount involved is substantial, over a long period. If the charges are proven, she is likely to be imprisoned.

If you have any financial dealings with her, you'd better be careful."

Again Luke said, "I told you, I have no relationship with her, and I don't know where she is."

"Then why are you in her rented house?"

"How did you find out this house is rented by her?"

Shakira stared at Luke, seeming to sense something wrong, "Who exactly are you?"

Luke also opened his coat, revealing his police badge, "LAPD."

Shakira slapped her forehead, sighing, "Which department are you with?"

Little Black came over and said, "We are from the Robbery and Murder Department, I'm Detective Marcus, and this is Deputy Squad Leader Luke.

Beautiful, nice to meet you," he finished, extending his hand, wanting to shake hers actively.

Shakira ignored him, looking at Luke, "You take the lead here."

"Is there a problem?"

"Were you deliberately trying to trap me in your words just now?"

"No, I said I have no relation to Amy Ma and don't know where she is, all of which is true. It's your insistence on our common Asian ancestry that must mean a familial connection."

Shakira spread her hands, "You standing there right as I opened the door sure made it easy to misunderstand."

Luke said, "That just shows your observation isn't sharp enough."

Shakira sneered, "Congratulations, you've succeeded in infuriating me."

"That was not my intention, I was just stating the facts."

Little Black interjected, "Guys, did you come here to argue? We should be cooperating and sharing intelligence.

Our two departments are the most powerful in Los Angeles, neither Amy Ma nor Jack Ma is a concern to us."

Luke stepped aside, making a welcoming gesture, "Come in, we can discuss this properly."

If they were able to find this location, they certainly must have uncovered some clues that could potentially aid in the investigation.

Shakira, followed by her Black colleague, walked in, quickly searching the apartment, then said faintly to Luke, "We at the IRS rarely collaborate with other departments."

Shakira's statement wasn't boastful but stemmed from the confidence of the IRS.

The IRS is powerful, with its own independent armed forces and law enforcement authority, well-equipped.

Luke said, "Under normal circumstances, we at the LAPD don't wish to work with other departments either.

But the current problem is that Amy Ma is involved in a kidnapping case, and she may also be a victim of the kidnapping.

If she's dead, then it would be difficult to clarify her taxation situation."

Shakira said, "Even if she's dead, she still has to pay taxes."