Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Additionally, the suspect might have also forgotten this point and did not include the shoes in his calculation of the stolen items.

If the value of the shoes were added, the items he stole would have exceeded 950 US dollars.

"That's a felony!"

Both pairs of shoes were similar in color and style, indicating that only someone with observation skills far beyond the average person, like Luke, would have difficulty noticing the difference at first glance.

Upon hearing Luke's words, Kathu quickly leaned over the laptop, zooming in and carefully comparing the videos, his face lighting up with surprise, "Indeed, why didn't the patrol officers notice that?"

Luke thought to himself that if every police officer were as skilled as him, California wouldn't have such ludicrous laws like the zero-dollar shoplifting.

Val said with a hint of pride, "My nephew has solved many major cases, he's not to be compared with those patrol officers."

Kathu said, "Actually, I have another idea. Can we transfer the evidence to the police and have the suspect charged with a felony?"

Daisy said, "We could do that.

But in doing so, we wouldn't be able to reach a private settlement with the suspect, and he might still sue Val for intentional harm.

According to California law, the most likely outcome is that both would end up in jail, and the suspect could still sue the supermarket for civil compensation.

What good would that do for the supermarket?"

After some thought, Kathu didn't hesitate to agree, as Daisy had said, the supermarket's relationship with Val was one of mutual glory, "I want the suspect to be charged with a felony as a lesson, and as a warning to others involved in zero-dollar shoplifting.

Our supermarket deals with zero-dollar shoplifting every week, not only disrupting regular operations but also impacting customers' shopping experiences.

Although we can claim insurance afterward, the supermarket still suffers losses.

I detest these zero-dollar shoplifters just as much as Val does.

Our annual expenditures on insurance alone are a significant sum, and I don't want to let the suspect off so easily; I want him to serve time.

I believe this will serve as a deterrent to other zero-dollar shoplifters.

At the very least, before trying zero-dollar shoplifting, they'll think of this suspect's fate.

Even if they choose to shoplift, they won't dare target our supermarket easily; they might consider other supermarkets instead.

This is of great significance to Figaro Supermarket."

Luke understood Kathu's point of view, but he wasn't particularly interested.

He was here only for his uncle's sake; the long-term interests of the supermarket were of no concern to him.

Daisy said, "I understand your feelings, but as I just mentioned, if we submit the evidence, even if the charges against the suspect are escalated from misdemeanor to felony, it still won't prove Val's actions were self-defense.

Strictly speaking, these are two separate cases.

A settlement could benefit both parties."

Kathu looked towards Luke, "You are the assistant chief of the Robbery and Murder Department and could spot the suspect's issues at a glance, surely there are other aspects of evidence that prove Val was acting in self-defense, right?"

Luke said, "Didn't lawyer Daisy just say that with the evidence we just found, the suspect could reach a settlement? Why bother looking for other evidence?"

Kathu replied, "Of course, it's necessary. The merchandise the suspect stole exceeded 950 dollars, which qualifies for a felony. If a settlement is reached, it's like indirectly letting him off the hook.

Moreover, having him convicted of a felony would greatly assist the supermarket."

Luke smiled and said, "First of all, I'm not in charge of investigating this case, and whether the suspect is charged with a misdemeanor or a felony has nothing to do with me; I'm only concerned about Val's safety.

As for the interests of your supermarket, they are even less my concern.

Also, let me add, if your supermarket gets involved with me, it won't be up to you, the general manager, to make decisions anymore.

It would be under my control."

Kathu could tell that the assistant chief of the Robbery and Murder Department didn't see him as significant.

It wasn't about whether more evidence could be found but rather an unwillingness to waste the time.

Kathu was not only unfazed but even more pleasant, smiling as he asked, "And what is your name?"

"Luke."

"Assistant Chief Luke, I, representing Figaro Supermarket, would like to hire your services to investigate this case."

Luke held up two fingers, "This isn't one case, it's two cases."

"You're right. You've already found evidence to charge the suspect with a felony, and I believe you can also find evidence that Val acted in self-defense.

I'd like to hire you as a security consultant for the supermarket to assist with gathering relevant evidence. What do you think? I am quite sincere."

Luke said, "How sincere are we talking? Be specific."

After a moment of thought, Kathu proposed, "If you can get the suspect charged with a felony and prove that Val was acting in self-defense, the supermarket is willing to pay you a consultant fee of 30 thousand dollars."

Luke smiled. This was much faster money than what he made solving cases in the Robbery and Murder Department.

He could almost consider buying a house with his savings.