Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Forensic doctor Hila came over and removed her gloves, "Guys, the preliminary autopsy is complete."

Everyone consciously gathered around, as the body itself was the best evidence, and the autopsy could unearth these evidences.

Forensic doctor Hila said, "Based on the condition of the body and the bloodstains, the car seems to be the primary crime scene.

The fatal injuries to the deceased were two gunshot wounds to the chest, one of which struck the heart.

The time of death was between 9 p.m. and midnight.

Once the bullets are extracted, I will hand them over to the identification department for ballistic examination.

Additionally, there were marks on the body suggesting the deceased had been bound, but no binding tools were found.

That's all the information we have for now."

Susan nodded and then said, "A driver's license belonging to the deceased was found in the car."

Susan took a photo and sent it directly to the chat group.

Name: Baron Smith

Gender: Male

Height: 184cm

Weight: 150 pounds

Eye color: Blue

Hair color: Brown

Date of birth: March 16, 1984

Phone number: 626 836 2526

License plate number: 7leb398

Jack photographed the car's license plate, "It seems the murdered man is indeed the car owner."

Susan scanned the crowd, "Does anyone else have any findings?"

Luke recounted the contents of the reporter's statement and analyzed, "From the scene, the deceased was only wearing socks before his death and had red lipstick marks on his face, suggesting a possibility of intercourse in the car.

The deceased did not dress quickly, indicating that he must have encountered the crisis during or just after the act.

And at that time, his partner in the car must not have left.

Thus, it is normal for the murderer to flee after the killing.

But why has the partner disappeared too?"

Jack said, "Could the partner have also taken the opportunity to flee?"

Jackson stroked his chin, pondering, "Maybe, but if she fled, why didn't she call the police?"

Jack shook his head, "Don't you find that contradictory? If they were intimate enough for that, why would she want to kill the victim?"

Jackson thought for a moment, "We lack enough clues to determine the exact reason, but could there be a possibility that she intentionally lured him out under the pretense of intimacy to lower his guard and then killed him?"

Susan interrupted the two, "Gentlemen, you both make valid points, but the current issue is how to find this partner. Only by finding her can we ascertain if she is a suspect?"

Luke replied, "I found a pair of handprints on the front of the car, which likely belong to the partner based on the scene."

Jack, with a sly grin, said, "Is there a chance the handprints are from the car owner himself? If I guessed right, that would be interesting."

Luke, "…"

Jackson frowned, "Saying that... aren't you being disrespectful to the deceased?"

Jack glared, "Do you have a problem with me?"

Jackson waved his hand, "No, I just think that this is a crime scene and should be taken seriously.

We should maintain the minimum respect for the deceased."

Jack, unsatisfied, "A man dies bare-bottomed in a car, and I can't even be a bit curious?"

Jenny interrupted the two, "Gentlemen, instead of arguing, why don't we find out who owns those handprints, hmm?"

Jenny finished speaking and looked at Susan and Luke, the team leader and deputy, "The fingerprint scanner has matched the fingerprints found on the car. I've posted her information in the group."

Name: Shirley Yarter

Gender: Female

Date of birth: May 2, 1983

Phone number: 626 876 457*

Address: 176 Porter community

Social Security Number: 623-23-534*

Susan instructed, "Luke, you lead the team to investigate Shirley Yarter's circumstances.

Raymond, contact the victim's family to identify the body."

"Yes, captain."

...

176 Porter community, Yarter residence.

This is a middle-class community; the Yarter's villa is among the larger ones in the area.

To the right of the yard is a green lawn, to the left are brightly colored flowers, and two cars are parked in front of the garage.

A black BMW and a white Volvo.

The house is kept very clean with a family photo on the coffee table.

Mr. and Mrs. Yarter and a teenage boy about fifteen or sixteen years old.

Today is Saturday, and the whole family is at home resting.

Mrs. Yarter is cooking in the kitchen while her husband takes out a bottle of red wine from the cabinet, "We're all home today and have no plans for the afternoon, we might as well have a drink."

The teenager looked hopeful, "Can I have some?"

"Of course," the man nodded.

"No," Mrs. Yarter objected, "Before you go to college, you shouldn't touch a drop of alcohol."

"Mom, can I have a beer then? Many of my classmates have already had beer at home."

"They are them, and you are you, why do you have to be like them?"

"Why can't I be?" the teenager countered.

Ms. Yarter stared at him and said word by word, "When I was your age, I could only get a pitiful amount of pocket money from your grandmother by doing household chores myself, shouldn't you do the same?"

The teenager, feeling helpless, looked toward his father.

Just as the man was about to speak, he saw his wife glaring at him and quickly made a gesture of surrender.

"Ding-dong..." At that moment, the sound of the doorbell came from outside.

The man nodded to his son, "Go see who it is?"

The teenager complained, "Why me?"

The man laughed, "Because I'm your dad."

"Right, now you remember you're my dad." The boy complained, then walked to the door and glanced at the video call; a strange woman was standing outside.

The boy opened the door, "Who are you? What do you need?"

The woman standing at the doorway was indeed Jenny from the Robbery and Murder Department.

After opening the door, Luke also appeared from the side.

Blackie and Jackson were guarding the surrounding yard.

The police still were not clear about Shirley Yarter's role in the case and were not taking any chances.

Luke asked, "Is this Shirley Yarter's house?"

"What do you want with my mom?"

"Is she at home?"

The boy frowned, "Who exactly are you? If you have no business, I'm closing the door."

Luke showed his badge, "LAPD. We are investigating a case and would like to speak to Shirley Yarter about it."

The teenager looked surprised, "You're cops, why do you need to speak to my mom? What about?"

"We have confidentiality agreements and can't disclose details. Is Shirley Yarter at home?"

"Wait a minute." After speaking, the boy closed the door directly.

"What a rude kid." Luke ducked next to the wall, his right hand pressed on the butt of his gun.

The boy hurriedly ran back to the living room.

The man asked, "Who were you talking to just now? Was there a visitor?"

The boy was a bit frantic, "It's the LAPD, they said they are investigating a case and need to speak with my mom about it."

"LAPD? What do they need to know?" The man asked, puzzled, as he got up and walked toward the door.

As the head of the family, it was time for him to step up.

Mrs. Yarter paused for a moment, then wiped her hands, took off her apron, and walked outside.

"Creak..." The door opened again, and a middle-aged man, who looked somewhat like the previous boy, was standing at the doorway.

Luke again showed his badge, "LAPD, we need to speak to Shirley Yarter."

"I'm her husband."

"Do you have a search warrant?"

"No, we just need to speak to her about something."

"What is it? You can talk to me first. If we can help, we will."

Luke said solemnly, "We are from the Robbery and Murder Department, investigating a serious criminal case, and we can't disclose case details to anyone except those involved.

Sorry, please call out Shirley Yarter."

"Oh my God! Robbery and Murder Department!" The man realized the gravity of the situation, "Has someone died?"

"Hey, what's up? Are you looking for me?" Shirley Yarter walked out of the house, interrupting the conversation.

"Mrs. Yarter, we would like to ask you about some things?"

"You must be mistaken, I have never dealt with the Robbery and Murder Department before."

Luke was getting impatient, "We are here to ask about last night's events, just a few simple questions, it won't take much of your time."

The man looked at his wife, "Did something happen last night?"

Shirley Yarter shook her head, "I still think you have the wrong person.

But... as a citizen of Los Angeles, I'm willing to assist the police in their investigations; everyone has a duty to make this city safer, right?"

"Thank you for your understanding."

"Would you prefer to talk here, or go to the police station with us?"

Shirley Yarter pursed her lips, "What do you think is appropriate?"

"If it's convenient, I recommend going to the police station."

"OK, no problem." Shirley Yarter smiled, turned to her husband and son, and said, "Hey, gentlemen, the cooking is up to you now.

I'm off to be a superhero and help the police catch bad guys.

See you later."

Mr. Yarter pulled his wife aside and whispered, "Hey, they just want to ask a few questions, let them ask here, why go to the station?"

"Uh... I don't really like having the police at our house, they stay at the door too long, and it's easy for the neighbors to see.

There are always some nosy neighbors who love to gossip.

So, I'd rather go to the station; I'll be back soon."

Mr. Yarter was still worried, "Dear, did something happen?"

"I don't know." Shirley Yarter shook her head, and seeing her husband's disbelief, added, "I really don't know; I'll tell you after they've asked their questions.

I'm going to change my clothes."

A few minutes later, Shirley Yarter came out of the house, kissed her husband goodbye, and got into the police car under her son's gaze.

Seeing this warm family of three, Luke also doubted whether he had the wrong person.

Or perhaps, the fingerprints were just a misunderstanding, maybe he was thinking too maliciously.

Men, it's normal.

On the way, Luke made no inquiries, and Shirley Yarter did not initiate any conversation.

However, Luke kept observing her quietly and noticed a red mark on her wrist, resembling a ligature from being bound...