Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Jenny took Shirley for a medical examination.

If it matched her description, she should have signs of being violated, such as tears in her lower region.

If the examination found none, it would prove she was lying.

Shirley portrayed herself as a victim of the case, but in the end, it was just her personal testimony.

It still couldn't rule out the possibility that she was the murderer.

Even if it was proven true, her suspicion couldn't be completely ruled out because, after all, she had been physically close to the deceased.

Luke took out his notebook and noted down Shirley and her husband's names.

Both individuals had potential motives for the crime.

The reason for being potential was because, at the moment, it was just Luke's speculation with no related evidence found.

For instance, was there any conflict between Shirley and the victim?

If there was and Shirley had been to the crime scene, she would be the prime suspect.

Also, did Shirley's husband know about his wife's affair?

If he did, the potential motive would become a definite motive.

Luke had reason to start an investigation on Shirley's husband.

But at this stage, no relevant evidence had been found.

Another possibility couldn't be ruled out, that the crime was committed by a stranger, entirely at random.

In that case, the scope of the investigation would need to be expanded.

Among other things, Shirley mentioned a key point—that during the crime, a gray or black sedan passed by. According to Shirley, they should have seen what happened or at least heard the gunshot.

If that car could be found, it could prove Shirley's innocence. Additionally, those people might provide some clues about the suspect.

…

North District of Los Angeles.

The crime scene was located on the slope of Kabool Mountain.

At eight in the evening, Luke took Jackson and Jack to the vicinity of Kabool Mountain for a late-night snack.

Luke chose a roadside stall and ordered several skewers of food and three beers.

Indeed, just a few skewers.

One skewer of beef, one skewer of chicken wings, one skewer of shrimp, one skewer of sausages, a serving of grilled fish, a serving of grilled hot peppers.

The portions were large—enough for three people.

Luke raised his beer, "Come on, let's toast, tonight's on me."

Jackson asked, "Deputy, why are you treating us tonight?"

Luke speared a piece of beef with his fork, "Because I have money. Any problem with that?"

Previously, Luke had helped a supermarket resolve a robbery case, earning him a $30,000 consultant fee, which had been transferred today.

Although this extra income seemed higher than a policeman's salary, it was actually unstable.

And of that $30,000, besides the hard work, half was due to Luke's status as a police officer.

If Luke no longer held the position of Deputy Chief at the Robbery and Murder Department, they wouldn't be paying him such a high consultancy fee.

Having a platform is very important.

"No," Jackson shrugged.

Black laughed and said, "Deputy Luke has solved many major cases and earned quite a lot of bonuses."

Jackson pursued, "Do you get a bonus for solving a case? How much?"

"You'll know that later, rookie," Black said dismissively, took a bite of a sausage, and grimaced from the heat, "Luke, what are we here for?"

"After dinner, we'll head up the mountain for inquiries," Luke replied.

Jackson was puzzled, "Why not make inquiries during the day but wait until night?"

Luke took a sip of his beer and explained, "Going to different places at different times serves different purposes. Those who go up the mountain during the day and those during the night aren't the same people.

They don't overlap at all."

Black laughed, "It's like exercising.

The reporter goes mountain climbing in the morning, and the victim and Shirley in the evening.

If the victim hadn't been shot, they would be like two parallel lines that, despite both liking to climb the mountain, would never cross paths."

Luke nodded, "Well said. After dinner, we'll go near the crime scene for inquiries. You two take one car, and I'll follow in another.

Keep an eye especially for a gray or black sedan.

Keep the walkie-talkies on and stay in touch."

Black gestured towards himself and then towards Jackson, "Why do I have to share a car with him?"

Jackson seemed somewhat displeased with this tone, "Deputy, I request to be in the same car as you."

Luke smiled, "You two haven't quite grasped the situation here; I make the decisions.

Cooperate well and don't mess up.

Otherwise, I'll report it to the chief immediately."

…

Approaching nine o'clock.

A black Ford and a Mercedes headed up the mountain one after the other.

The two cars were only about ten meters apart.

Although Luke couldn't hear or see them, he felt these two were likely bickering.

Actually, that was irrelevant.

The personality of the Americana is relatively strong.

Just like he and David used to argue a lot, but could count on each other in critical moments, that's what made them good partners.

So, it didn't matter if Kabool and Jackson quarreled; as long as it didn't affect their collaboration, it was fine.

This time, with Luke accompanying them, even if something went wrong, Luke could help them handle it.

It was better than the two of them making a mess on a solo mission later.

Although this possibility was not great, Kabool had an unreliable nature, and Jackson was a rookie fearless like a newborn calf, Luke thought it was still better to keep an eye on them.

Luke didn't drive fast, always keeping an eye on the roadside, which caused the two cars to drift apart a bit.

He spotted a car at the rest area ahead, a black SUV.

It was not the model he was looking for.

Driving a bit further, Luke saw a blonde woman in revealing clothes waving by the roadside.

The woman was dressed very sexily, with a tight T-shirt showing her belly button and a short skirt with a side zipper, grey stockings underneath.

Luke stopped the car and asked through the window, "Need help?"

"Hi, tough guy, I like your car."

Luke smiled, "How did you know my advantages?"

"I can tell; where are you headed?"

"I heard the night view is great on the mountain, showing off Los Angeles lights. I thought I'd go check it out."

"Such a big car, such a beautiful night, don't you find it lonely, tough guy?"

"Got any good ideas?"

"I could be your tour guide; let you experience another kind of beautiful scenery... more thrilling." The blonde licked her red lips, her right hand drawing circles over her chest.

If Luke had just come to Los Angeles, he would have been quite attracted to this blonde.

But now, not really.

Though the blonde dressed very sexily, her looks and figure were significantly inferior to Daisy's; some things are scarier when compared.

"Are you here every night?"

"We could try spending the night together; if you pay appropriately, I'll give you a contact number. Later, we could connect by phone."

Luke pressed further, "Were you here last night?"

"Why do you ask?" The woman sensed something off and said, "I've made myself very clear, are we on?"

"How much?"

"350 US dollars per hour."

Luke repeated his previous question, "Were you here last night?"

"Are you sick? What does it matter what I did last night?

I take back my words; you're not tough, I misjudged you." The blonde showed him the middle finger.

Luke flashed his badge, "LAPD; it's best you don't move before I let you go."

"OMG, are you really a cop?"

"Yes, answer a few of my questions, and I'll let you go."

The woman smirked, showing a peculiar expression as she reached into her purse.

"Don't move!" Luke quickly pulled out a gun, aiming it at her face.

"Hehe, don't be nervous. I'm a cop too." The woman sounded a bit helpless, pulling out a badge from her bag and pointing to a button on her purse, "You know, full recording for enforcement; the guys will assist anytime needed."

Luke countered, "Are you messing with me?"

"No, how would I know you're a cop? Which cop drives a Mercedes G500 around the mountains?" The blonde complained, "It's almost the end of the month; our department's performance is not enough, so... "

"Do you think I like dressing up like this?" The woman shrugged helplessly, "Which department are you from?"

"I'm from the Detective Bureau; how about you?"

"Canyon Division, Jolena Salli." The blonde leaned on the car window, "What brings you here?"

"Last night, there was a robbery and murder here that I'm investigating. I wanted to check out the situation.

Were you here last night?"

"No, tonight is our first operation; my legs are aching from standing." Joanna responded, pressing her earpiece,

"I'm listening.

No, no need for backup. I can handle it.

The driver is a colleague of mine; he is visiting nearby to investigate a case. Mm-hmm.

Got it."

After Jolena finished speaking, she stepped back, "Tough guy, see you some other time.

I need to keep fishing."

Luke handed her a business card, "If you come across anything related to last night's robbery, call me."

The blonde glanced at the card, "Deputy Luke, I will."

"Bye," Luke started the car.

"Bye,"

The blonde waved goodbye, watching the Mercedes drive away.

She put the card in her purse and walked in the other direction, seemingly looking for another spot to fish.

However, she quickened her steps, and only when the Mercedes was completely out of sight did she breathe a sigh of relief.

Pulling out a pack of cigarettes from her bag, she lit one, took a drag,

"Fuck!

Damn cop, scared the shit out of me."