Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Santa Monica Beach, with its azure seas and beautiful landscapes, gathered numerous tourists.

People were swimming in the sea, surfing, sunbathing, and playing beach volleyball, all amidst laughter and cheerful voices.

In stark contrast was the crime scene, cordoned off with police tape, as if it belonged to a different world.

The gruesome state of the crime scene also attracted the onlookers from many tourists.

Unlike Kabool Mountain, which was secluded with fewer people, Santa Monica Beach, as a tourist destination, drew large crowds, including many foreign tourists.

Soon, television crews rushed over to interview.

With their cameras blockading the outer perimeter, a Black female reporter even flirted with Jackson by batting her eyes at him.

Jackson returned the gesture with a smile.

Luke shook his head, realizing his words had been in vain.

Susan gathered everyone and said, "Guys, doesn't this scene look familiar?"

The deputy waved his hand, "A naked man shot in the backseat of a car, with a woman's handprints found on the front dashboard. The method is the same as the previous cases; it must be the same killer.

According to the pattern of the previous two cases, there should also be a female victim."

Susan nodded, "You're right. The person who reported the crime is the female victim, and she has been taken to the hospital for treatment."

Jackson asked, "Was she forced to play poker?"

"Not sure yet," Susan said as she pulled out a document. "The forensic doctor has completed a preliminary autopsy. The time of death was between last night nine and twelve.

The backseat of the car was the first crime scene. The victim was shot three times, twice in the chest and once in the head, the latter being fatal.

The situation is basically the same as the last case."

The deputy surveyed the surroundings, "The suspect chooses his locations well; this area, after nine o'clock at night, has very few people, making it an ideal spot for committing the crime.

If there's no direct connection between this victim and the previous ones,

I guess the killer might be a serial murderer targeting those engaged in car sex.

If he starts changing his crime locations, it will be even harder to catch him."

"Let's get moving," Susan said, scanning the group as she began assigning tasks. "Deputy, you and Jackson canvass the area to see if there are any witnesses.

When I arrived earlier, I saw some tents on the other side of the highway."

Raymond and Jenny, check the nearby road surveillance for any suspicious vehicles or individuals.

Luke and Marcus, go to the hospital and see the female victim."

"Yes, captain."

The team dispersed into action.

...

Atro Hospital.

Room 205.

A girl lay in bed, curled up on her side, her body gently heaving as if she were crying.

Next to the bed sat a middle-aged Caucasian woman, seemingly whispering comforts.

A Caucasian man paced beside the bed, his face ashen as if someone owed him hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The Caucasian woman looked up, slightly annoyed, and said, "Can you stop pacing? You're making me dizzy."

The man stopped walking, his expression growing uglier, and he glanced angrily at the mother and daughter, swallowing his anger.

"Knock, knock..." a knocking sound came from outside.

The man walked over, opened the door to the hospital room, and saw two men standing outside, his expression wary. He did not want any man getting close to his daughter. "Who are you?" he asked.

The visitors were Luke and Jackson.

Jackson showed his badge, "LAPD, I'm Detective Marcus, and this is Deputy Luke. We're in charge of investigating the robbery-homicide at Santa Monica Beach, and we would like to speak to the victim."

The man sized up the two, "My daughter has already reported to the police and explained everything. She's not in good shape right now and doesn't want to see strangers."

Luke said, "Sir, I understand your feelings, and we don't want to disturb your daughter's rest.

But as the victim of the case and currently the only known eyewitness, her statement is crucial for us.

I believe you also want the police to catch the criminal as soon as possible."

A voice from the room, choked with sobs, said, "Let them in."

The Caucasian man opened the door wider and stood aside.

Luke entered the room, glanced around, and his gaze settled on the girl lying in bed. She looked to be around sixteen or seventeen, probably still in high school.

"Are you the caller, Margret West?" he asked.

The Caucasian girl sat up, "Yes, it's me."

Luke, concerned, asked, "Are you feeling any better?"

The girl nodded.

After arriving at the hospital, Luke inquired from the doctor who checked her; Margret had some abrasions and lacerations, but her condition was not severe.

"The case of Gil Bruce being murdered is under my investigation. To understand the details of the case quickly, we need to take your statement," Luke explained.

Margret nodded again.

"Were you present at the scene when Gil Bruce was murdered?"

Margret nodded slightly.

"If your condition allows, I hope you can answer verbally."

"I can."

"What was your relationship with the deceased, Gil Bruce?"

"He was my boyfriend."

"Describe the events and the course of yesterday up to the incident."

"Yesterday evening we had planned to go to a movie. Around seven, he picked me up outside my community, and then we went to a nearby cinema.

After the movie, around nine, he suggested going to the beach, and I agreed.

We arrived at the beach around nine twenty, and we sat in the car, talking for a while.