Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

I was furious, feeling deceived once again. We couldn't have taken such a big risk for nothing.

I decided to take the risk and kidnap them, demanding ransom from the little girl's parents.

I knew it was wrong, but at that point, I had no choice.

You all know what happened next."

Luke made a note in his notebook and asked, "What do you plan to do with Mrs. Venice and the little girl?"

"Want to hear the truth?"

Luke nodded.

Wang Chao smiled, his gaze somewhat vacant, "I don't know, I haven't thought it through. But I know that no matter what, I can't involve my wife.

She's pregnant, and knowing too much would not be good for her.

I plan to face it alone."

Luke probed, "Are you going to kill them?"

"I probably won't kill the little girl; she hasn't seen my face, and was blindfolded the whole way.

I might not be able to do it.

But Mrs. Kenneth... she's got to pay a price, she deserves what's coming."

Wang Chao did not conceal anything about the case and confessed smoothly. With eyewitnesses and physical evidence, he couldn't deny his involvement.

Even though the case was solved, Luke didn't feel any relief, rather, he felt a heavy heart.

At their core, Wang Chao and his wife weren't bad people. They just wanted a better life. Unfortunately, fate played them a cruel hand, leading them down a point of no return.

Luke felt that they didn't live openly enough. Working off the books was illegal; they lived in constant fear of immigration services and government agencies, probably even afraid to speak loudly. Living in such chronic stress predisposes individuals to trouble.

Luke didn't want to condemn the couple. He felt more a sense of inevitability.

Being second-generation himself, Luke was well aware life wasn't easy; not everyone has the courage to live it again.

If you were to conduct an interview on the street with the theme 'Will you come again next life?'

Luke believed that quite a few people would choose not to return.

In the past, Luke couldn't understand why the good die young and the wicked live for a millennium, feeling the world was unjust.

From another perspective, if you were already in hell, leaving first might even be a blessing.

Of course, one shouldn't be too negative. Since you are already here, you might as well live well.

Luke didn't dwell on his sadness for too long, nor did he have the right to complain.

With the Detective System, his life was bound to be an exceptional one.

...

The case was solved.

Everyone planned to gather at a bar that evening.

David and Luke drove together, chatting off and on.

While driving, David casually asked, "Is David coming tonight?"

Luke shook his head, "I asked him, he's on duty tonight, he can't make it."

David shrugged, "Too bad, I wanted to talk to him about this case."

"Talk about what? It's not like he's never handled a case."

"I mean about the hostage rescue; we successfully rescued two hostages." David held up two fingers,

"Buddy, that's a great achievement, I'm proud of us both."

Luke smiled. Although David was boasting a bit, they did successfully rescue the hostages without any casualties. Indeed, the casework was commendable.

David blinked his large eyes, "Luke, do you think we'll get a reward for this?"

Luke looked down at his phone before asking, "What kind of reward are you referring to?"

"A promotion! I've been a detective for a long time now, and you're already a deputy. I can't stay just a detective. I need to keep up with you,

Luke the Deputy, Marcus the Chief Detective, sounds matched when said out loud, doesn't it?"

"You're right, and I think you're about to be promoted?" Luke replied noncommittally, typing on his phone.

"Really?" David looked hopeful.

Luke didn't respond, sending a message on his phone instead.

David frowned, "Buddy, I'm talking to you, why are you distracted?"

Luke put down his phone, "I'm chatting with Daisy, asking when she gets off work tonight."

David pouted, "What's your relationship with her now?"

"Boyfriend and girlfriend."

David shook his head, "Doesn't seem like it."

"Why not?"

"Remember when I was with Julian? She used to call me up at night often, asking when I would be home, whether we should have dinner together, stuff like that.

But when we hang out drinking, even late into the night, I've never seen Daisy call you."

"We don't live together."

"That's not a reason not to call."

Luke shrugged, "Maybe... she's just too busy."

"Buddy, you're a smart man, you shouldn't give such poor excuses."

"I'm not making excuses, we do sync up in some ways. For instance, we help each other out in life.

In bed, she also enjoys being with me."

David chuckled, "I can understand, your relationship is probably something between lovers and friends with benefits.

One step forward is a lover, one step back is a friend with benefits. Actually, I kind of like your relationship.

Normally everyone is busy with their own stuff, there's enough space, and no excessive interference in each other's life. You hang out when there's time, that's pretty good."

Luke shook his head, "You make it sound like you know so much, what about you and Julian then?"

"Uh... it's a bit complicated; we are quite compatible too, but I don't want to get married." At that, David seemed to recall something amusing,