Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Black got out of the car, rubbing his stomach, "I'm starving, we definitely need a big meal."

Luke asked, "Are you sure you want pizza?"

Black acted as though it were a given, "Trust me, when you're hungry, pizza is absolutely the most delicious thing, nothing else comes close."

"OK, as long as you like it."

The two entered the pizza parlor.

At the time, there weren't many people in the store, and they found a spot by the window.

A young male waiter came over and placed the menus on their table, "What would you like to eat?"

Luke pushed the menu toward Black, "You look first."

Black scanned the menu quickly, swallowing his saliva, "I want this Supreme Pizza, my favorite. And a Black Pepper Beef Pizza, with Coke and fries."

He then handed the menu to Luke.

Luke pointed to items on the menu, "Barbecued pork ribs, snack platter, seasonal vegetable salad, let's start with these."

Black rubbed his hands together, "Bring the Coke first, I'm starving to death."

"Buzz." Black's phone rang; he picked it up, a smile spreading across his face, and he sent a reply.

Luke guessed, "Pari Jones?"

"Wow, how did you guess that?"

Luke pressed, "What does she want with you?"

"She's asked me out to dinner tonight." Black chuckled with a smirk, seemingly reading Luke's mind, "Don't worry, I absolutely won't reveal anything about the case's progress, I swear."

"Then why are you going?"

"Don't you think the relationship between us two is quite exciting right now?"

"Isn't investigating cases every day exciting enough?"

"That's different. I'm single now, and interacting with the opposite sex on dates is the normal state of affairs."

Soon, the waiter brought over the food, and Luke was starving too, too lazy to keep advising Black. He grabbed a slice of pizza and started eating hungrily.

Black was right about one thing, when you're hungry, eating carbs is absolutely the happiest thing.

All the big fish and meat, lobsters and abalone can't compare.

Quickly, the two of them devoured the food on the table.

Luke called the young waiter over to settle the bill, "How much?"

"Thirty-five dollars in total, sir."

Luke directly handed him two twenty-dollar bills, "The rest is your tip."

"Thank you, you're really a generous gentleman."

Luke chuckled, "Buddy, you look familiar. What's your name?"

"William."

"William Cam?"

"Yes, I don't believe I've seen you before. How do you know me?"

"Indeed, you don't know me. But we have a mutual friend."

"Who?"

"Margret West, do you know her?"

"Of course, my goddess. I've always liked her a lot, but unfortunately, she's now someone else's girlfriend."

Black said, "Buddy, if you like her, you have to chase her bravely. Don't give up. As long as she's not married, you still have hope."

"Thanks for the encouragement, I will." William patted his chest and asked back, "What's your relationship with Margret?"

Black flashed his badge, "LAPD, I'm Detective Marcus, and this is Deputy Chief Luke. We're investigating a robbery-homicide case, and Margret is one of the victims."

"What?" William thought he'd heard wrong, showing concern, "A robbery-homicide case? What happened to Margret?

Oh my god, she's not... dead, is she?"

"No, Margret is not dead, but Gil is."

William furrowed his brow, pressing for more, "Where is Margret now? How is she doing?

How did Gil die?"

"I haven't asked you yet, and you're already questioning me. First answer my question, then I'll tell you about Margret's situation." After speaking, Luke stared at William's expression and asked, "Did you see Gil and Margret yesterday?"

"Why are you asking this? You don't suspect me, do you?"

"No, it's just routine inquiry." Luke gave a perfunctory reply, "How old are you? Do we need your parents to be present?"

"No need, I can handle it myself."

"Good, answer my previous question."

William thought for a moment, "I didn't see Margret yesterday."

Luke watched him closely, noting his anxious expression and obvious signs of lying.

"Where were you last night between 9 and 11 PM?"

"I was at home."

Lying.

"Did you follow Gil and Margret last night?"

William's forehead broke out in sweat, his hands twisting together, "No."

Lying.

Luke persisted, "You said you were at home between nine and eleven last night, who can corroborate that?"

"Uh..." William hesitated.

"Think carefully before you answer, we will verify it."

"No one, I was home alone."

"Do you usually live alone?"

"No, my parents are divorced. I live with my father, and he wasn't home at the time."

Luke spoke earnestly, "William, do you really like Margret?"

"Yes."

"So, you killed Gil."

"No, I didn't."

"You can't fool me, you've been lying. If you have nothing to hide, there's no need to lie. Since you lied, it suggests you might very well be the murderer."

William glanced around, sat across Luke, and whispered, "Hey, you can't slander me, otherwise I'll sue you."

"You also can't deceive the police, otherwise, the consequences are more serious."

William's face turned sour, looking as though he wanted to say something but ultimately kept silent.

"OK, if you won't talk, I will." Luke organized his thoughts, "You like Margret, but Margret doesn't like you.