Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

7 p.m.

Old Sichuan Flavor Hot Pot Restaurant.

This hot pot restaurant was located in the community where Luke lived, and it was famous for its authentic Sichuan-style hot pot.

Luke had eaten here twice before. Whether it was authentic or not, he couldn't say, after all, he wasn't Sichuanese in his previous life.

But the taste was indeed good.

Of course, since it's located in Los Angeles, there have been some modifications, such as offering soup bases other than just the spicy kind.

On the second floor, a private room by the window was filled with people from Squad One of the Robbery and Murder Department, eight people sitting around a large round table, each in front of a small yin-yang pot.

Luke's choice was a mix of butter and curry soup bases, while most others had one spicy and one non-spicy flavor. Only little Black had chosen two non-spicy flavors, one curry and one mushroom soup.

While waiting for the dishes to be served, Luke introduced them to everyone, "You've always said you wanted to try real Hua Country cuisine? I brought you here.

"This hand-cut lamb, both texture and taste are the best, the tripe should be cooked in the spicy pot for the best flavor, and these are bubbling beef balls..." Luke introduced each dish on the table.

The deputy captain said, "Looks not bad. But what's the occasion today for you to treat us?"

"Haha..." Luke laughed, "Deputy, don't dig a hole for me. I didn't say I was treating, we'll stick to the old rules—everyone pays their own way."

Little Black couldn't wait to grab some lamb with his chopsticks and put it into the hot pot, "Hua Country food isn't cheap. There has to be a theme for the dinner, right? Is it because we solved a case?"

Luke pointed to Jackson sitting beside him, "This is to celebrate Jackson's first case solved after joining our Robbery and Murder Department—a welcome banquet for him. I'll cover his share."

Jackson smiled, "Thanks, Deputy Luke."

"Wow." Little Black looked envious and glanced at Jackson, "You should be thanking me, rookie."

Jackson rolled his eyes, "I'd rather not."

Susan lifted her beer glass, "Jackson, you've performed well these past days. Cheers."

"Thank you, Captain." Jackson raised his glass and took a sip,

"I'm also happier being part of the Robbery and Murder Department. I feel my work has more meaning now... Of course, I'm not saying patrolling didn't mean anything, just that investigating suits me better.

And I really didn't expect the killer to be the victim's wife.

This case was full of deception, utterly different from my previous experience as a cop.

I'm thankful for everyone's care over this period, including Detective Marcus.

I've learned a lot.

Here's to you all."

Black frowned, "What do you mean including Detective Marcus? You're clearly implying something."

Jackson denied, "It's just as it reads."

"Definitely something there."

"No."

Luke said to the others, "Guys, don't mind them, let's get to cooking."

Susan took a bite of the lamb, "Really great. What's this dipping sauce? I love the rich flavor."

"Sesame paste."

Jenny pointed to the dipping sauces in front of Luke, "Why do you have three kinds of dipping sauces? What are the other two?"

"This one's the greasy mix;

And there's the compound dipping sauce, a mix of various ingredients and sauces with a unique flavor too."

Jenny said, "Sounds good. I'll have to mix one for myself later."

Everyone ate hot pot and chatted as they ate.

The deputy captain said, "Actually, in cases like this where one spouse is the victim, the other often becomes a prime suspect.

Guys, always remember this."

Luke replied jovially, "Words of wisdom."

"Haha..." Everyone laughed.

The deputy captain didn't argue but simply spread his hands in resignation.

Luke wiped his mouth, "Captain, I'd like to request a few days off."

"Why?"

"I've been feeling pretty burned out recently, need a bit of rest and a change of scenery."

The deputy captain asked, "A young guy like you is saying he's 'tired' in front of an old man like me who's over sixty? Really?"

Susan nodded, "If there are no new cases, you can take a break."

"Thanks."

Little Black asked, "Where are you planning to go to relax?"

"Las Vegas."

"Wow." Little Black's mouth fell open in envy. "I want to go too."

Luke smiled, "I'm not taking you."

"Is your lawyer girlfriend free to go with you?"

"I'm going alone; still wouldn't take you."

Little Black "..."

The deputy captain suggested, "Guys, how about we go to a bar for a drink after dinner?"

Luke said, "Not tonight; I have a date."

Jackson announced, "I've got plans to grab a drink with some old colleagues, sorry."

"Ding-a-ling-ling..."

Little Black's phone rang, and he pulled it out to look, showing an expression of surprise, "I'm going to take a call."

The deputy chief shook his head, "Really, a bunch of annoying fellows, ruining my mood."

Little Black stepped out of the private room, scanned the surroundings, "Hey, beauty, what made you think of me?"

"Congratulations, Detective Marcus, I heard you solved the car-sex robbery murder case."

"Haha, as expected of a well-informed journalist. You didn't call just to say that, did you?"

"I'd like to invite you for a drink tonight, have you got time?"

"Err... someone has already asked me earlier."

The woman's voice on the phone sounded a bit disappointed, "This is the first time I've been turned down."

"Hehe." Little Black chuckled, "Seeing how sincere you are... where at?"

An hour later, after everyone finished hot pot, they went their separate ways.

Luke went to pick up Daisy from work; they were discussing a vacation in Las Vegas.

Little Black got a lift to Savage Bar from Luke, which was only three blocks away from the hot pot restaurant.

Little Black got out of the car, said goodbye to Luke, and turned to enter the bar.

The bar was lit with flashing lights, with some people gyrating on the dance floor, others drinking alone, and some chatting with friends.

Sitting beside a table for two was a black woman whose figure looked good from the back, "Hey, Reporter Jones, you look very pretty today."

"Thanks, Detective Marcus, take a seat. Let me buy you a drink."

"No, I should be the one buying you a drink." Little Black sat down, ordered a whiskey for himself, and a glass of red wine for Pari Jones.

"Reporter Jones, what did you want to see me about?"

"Call me Pari." Pari Jones corrected him, and clinked glasses with him, "I've been a bit frustrated with work lately, just wanted someone to talk to."

"Why me?" If any other woman had said that, Little Black definitely wouldn't have asked such an insensitive question, but he was wary of Pari Jones.

"Why couldn't it be you?"

Little Black didn't beat around the bush, "Because of the Dracula Bar vampire murders, you almost got sent to prison. Even though it's not my personal business, I'm still part of the Robbery and Murder Department. I thought you might hate me."

Pari Jones took a sip of her red wine, her demeanor slightly tipsy, "You're right, I was indeed a bit angry when I first found out, feeling like I was played.

But after calming down and putting myself in your shoes, what would I do if I were you?

I might have made the same choices you did. So, with that, why should I complain about you?

I've said before, there are no eternal enemies.

There's no conflict of interest between us. I'm a journalist, you're a policeman; we could be friends, or even good partners."

Little Black probed, "What kind of partnership?

"For instance, if you're investigating a case, and it happens to be good material for the news, you could share some information with me.

I have my sources too. If I come across any useful information, I'll tell you right away.

We can benefit mutually."

Little Black shrugged, "Cops have to sign confidentiality agreements."

Pari Jones replied, "No case can be completely confidential. Even if the police don't talk, journalists will find out from other channels. It just wastes some time and resources.

You'd only be helping me save some time and resources; it wouldn't count as breaking the confidentiality agreement.

Because those aren't really secrets."

Seeing that Little Black didn't reply, Pari Jones continued to persuade, "Actually, I've cooperated with other officers before and understand their investigation methods.

There are generally three levels of confidentiality for a case.

The first type, as I've just mentioned, can be discovered by journalists with some time—these could essentially be made public without any loss to the police and without affecting the investigation.

But it's different for journalists. Reporting earlier could lead to higher viewer ratings.

The second type is a grey area.

This category of information could be disclosed or not, and is quite valuable. If you could provide this kind of information, I would be extremely grateful.

And make a suitable return."

The third type is key case information, which definitely needs to remain confidential. If you don't talk, I won't blame you.

I won't make things difficult for you, nor will I let you make a mistake because of it.

How do you feel about this partnership model?"

Little Black stroked his chin, "Why do I feel like I'm at a disadvantage?"

"I only mentioned my needs just now. I can also offer you some help. Say, I have my own investigative channels, whatever I find I can assure you I'll tell you immediately.

Secondly, the police sometimes need to release certain information, whether true or false; I can assist with that.

Thirdly, if you give some valuable information, the TV station could also provide some compensation."

Little Black waved his hand, "That kind of money, I can't take; it's too hot to handle."

"You're right; I wouldn't recommend that you take it either. As long as we can gauge it well, our cooperation could be said to be mutually beneficial.

Trust me, having a journalist friend is definitely not a bad thing.

If you receive some unfair treatment, I can help you out.

We could just be friends; nothing wrong with that." Pari Jones's tone was very sincere.

Little Black pondered for a moment, "I'll need to think it over."

"Of course." Pari Jones raised her glass, clinked it with Little Black's, "To our future cooperation, cheers."

Little Black squinted his eyes, "Talking about cooperation is a bit premature; I think we could start off as friends.

Just like back at Dracula Bar, didn't we have a great chat?

I liked you back then..."