Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Director's Office.

"Knock, knock..."

Director Cook slightly frowned, suffering from a nervous headache, he disliked forcefully knocked doors, and said in a deep voice, "Come in."

"Creak..." The door opened, and two men and one woman entered the office.

Director Cook looked puzzled, "The three of you, what brings you here?"

David cut to the chase, "Are you the director?"

"Cook, just call me by my name."

David showed his badge, "I'm Detective Chief David from the Robbery and Murder Department. I've come to your hospital to investigate a case. Can we talk?"

"What case?"

"A robbery case."

"Are you mistaken, sir? Our hospital hasn't reported any crime nor has such an incident occurred."

"Don't be so sure. Although the environment here is good, the people in those wards are not on vacation. Just because it didn't happen here doesn't mean it didn't happen outside."

"OK, tell me what you need."

"We would like to see the diagnostic report and medical records of Lorne Bull."

"Do you have a search warrant?"

"No, we are just here to gather information. We hope you can assist us."

"Without a patient's permission, we cannot show anyone their diagnosis or medical records. That's the hospital's policy, and I can't break it."

"Lorne is in a coma. By the time he wakes up, the suspect might have already crossed the Pacific."

"You can seek the consent of his family. If they agree, we are willing to cooperate."

David sat down in the chair and leaned forward, "Cook, don't complicate matters. Helping others helps yourself.

We are just asking privately for now, and if something really arises, it can be resolved privately as well.

You give me face, I'll give you face.

If you don't agree, the police might just be delayed for a while but can still find what they need through other means.

When we come with a search warrant, it won't look good for anyone here, and we will proceed by the book.

If your hospital gets implicated because of this case, nobody can help you.

Do you understand what I mean?"

Cook adjusted his glasses, somewhat troubled, "That would not be in line with hospital policy."

"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. We might not be allowed to look, but you can. Afterwards, we can chat like friends; friendships at the LAPD are very precious," David finished, looking toward Daisy, "Miss Lawyer, is this illegal?"

Daisy slightly furrowed her brows, "Theoretically, it's not a problem."

"Then that's enough." David then looked again at Cook, "What do you think, Mr. Director?"

Cook was silent for a moment, "Lorne Bull?"

"Yes."

"Please wait a moment." Cook left the message and exited with a stern face.

Luke sat on the black leather sofa, stretching lazily.

Daisy came closer and whispered, "Is this really okay?"

"Illegal?"

"No."

"Then that's enough."

Daisy pressed further, "Is this how you usually handle cases?"

"Only occasionally," Luke added, "We often deal with suspects who have committed serious crimes; sometimes you have to be flexible."

Daisy whispered in Luke's ear, "Should I give your colleague my business card? I think he might need my help later. But... would that be impolite?"

"Not necessary for now. I'll keep an eye on him."

"Isn't he a higher rank than you?"

"Even if I can't keep an eye on him, the captain will cover for him."

"Captain Susan?"

Luke nodded slightly.

"Creak..." the door opened.

A female nurse walked in, each poured a cup of coffee for the three from Luke.

Then she just stood blankly at the door, showing no sign of leaving.

About ten minutes later, Director Cook returned with a stern face, still holding a file, and motioned for the nurse to leave first.

David put down his coffee cup, "Director, thank you for the coffee, can we chat now?"

Cook's gaze flickered, "Uh... just a private chat among friends?"

"Yes."

Cook countered, "Can I trust in our friendship?"

Luke was somewhat surprised by Cook's question, which had a hint of pandering. Could a chief really be intimidated by a detective?

There was a problem.

David extended his right fist, his tone confident, "Of course."

Cook hesitated slightly, then extended his fist and tapped it against David's.

This gesture surprised Luke even more.

Wow, is the detective really that impressive? Luke felt more anticipation about his promotion.

David also noticed something was off and urged, "Cook, can you talk now? Don't be nervous, we're just chatting."

"I just reviewed Lorne Bull's diagnostic report and medical record and found some issues."

"What issues?"

Cook thought for a moment before saying, "Lorne had quite a few external injuries. The diagnostic report stated he fell and hurt himself, but from my experience, that may not be the case."

"From your experience, how were these injuries caused?"

"Electrocution, beating."

David countered, "If that's the case, why didn't your hospital call the police?"

"According to hospital regulations, when faced with such situations, the attending physician should either report it or dial 911..."

"Then why wasn't that done this time?"

"I don't know, Lorne's attending physician is Brooke, who is quite young... It's likely due to lack of experience."

David smirked, "Or it could be intentional."

Chief Cook pondered for a moment, "Detective David, you just said we were having a private chat... not to make too big a deal of it..."

"Yeah, I'm a man of my word. Convenience to others is convenience to oneself. We won't interfere in matters unrelated to the case, and we are not interested."

"Thank you," Chief Cook breathed a sigh of relief.

Luke interjected, "Chief Cook, can we now see the diagnostic report?"

"Of course, of course, I was just about to report to the police on behalf of the hospital, and I'm willing to cooperate with your department." Cook handed the report over to Luke with both hands.

Luke took photos and sent the report to Susan.

She would have the relevant technicians examine it.

Twenty minutes later, Susan called. The forensic doctor, based on the diagnostic report, speculated that Lorne's injuries looked defensive and indicated he might have also suffered electrocution and abuse.

With this assessment, Luke and David felt more certain.

Luke smiled, "Mr. Chief, may we use a conference room?"

...

3rd floor, Lorne's hospital room.

Brooke, Caroline, and Sofia were discussing in low voices.

"Knock, knock..."

The sound of knocking came from outside.

"Come in."

A young nurse entered the room, "Dr. Brooke, the chief has asked for you to attend a meeting in the conference room on the fourth floor."

"I understand," Brooke replied without much thought, turned around, and said, "Mom, Sofia, I have to go to a meeting. Call me if you need anything."

Knowing her son was explicitly summoned by the chief for a meeting brought a smile to Caroline's face, "Go ahead, don't keep the chief and your colleagues waiting."

Brooke pointed at his mother and Sofia, "Don't fight in the hospital room, OK?"

Receiving no reply, Brooke shook his head and went up to the fourth floor.

"Knock, knock..."

Brooke knocked on the conference room door and walked in.

However, as soon as he entered, he was stunned. Waiting for him were not the chief and his colleagues but the two detectives he had just seen.

"What are you doing here?"

Luke smiled, "What a coincidence, we meet again."

Brooke sighed softly, "If you're here for Lorne's diagnostic report, don't bother. I won't show it to you.

If you want to see the video will, then go find my mom. The will is with her, I don't have a say in it."

Luke countered, "Is it up to you when it comes to Lorne's diagnostic report and medical records?"

Brooke frowned and asked softly, "What exactly do you mean?"

Luke threw a document onto the table, "Did you write this?"

Brooke picked up the document and his expression turned to shock, "How did you get your hands on the diagnostic report and medical records? It's illegal to look at them without the patient's and doctor's permission!

Even if you're the police, you can't do this."

"We just received a report from Chief Cook. During his rounds, he discovered that Lorne's injuries were suspicious, and after reviewing the diagnostic report, he suspected that Lorne might have suffered from electrocution and abuse. This situation is related to an ongoing investigation, and we have taken up the case.

Brooke, as Lorne's attending physician, why didn't you choose to call the police?" Luke pulled handcuffs out of his pocket and placed them on the table,

"If you can't provide a reasonable explanation, we'll have to take you back to the police station."