Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

"Is my wife's disappearance related to them?"

"They are the owners of the house that burned down."

Luke took out a photo of Martin's lover, Gail, "Do you recognize her?"

Andesie shook his head, "I don't recognize her."

Luke switched to another photo, this one of a beautiful two-story villa, "Have you seen this house before?"

"No, such a beautiful house, I wouldn't even dare to dream of it. Is this the house that was burned down?"

"Yes." Luke put away the photos, "Have you and your wife made any enemies recently? Or encountered any trouble?"

"No, we might not be very rich, but we've always lived diligently, without having any messy trouble.

We believe that with our hard work and our own hands, we can have a better life in the future.

I just never thought that Nancy...

I never considered it." Andesie's eyes reddened, his voice choking up.

"When you argued, did your wife ever mention anything about a divorce?" Luke didn't want to ask so bluntly, but when one spouse is in trouble at home, the other often becomes a suspect.

"No, our relationship has always been good, and although we argue sometimes, it's all normal.

We would never divorce, and we have never even reached that point. It's impossible."

Luke stopped there, changing the subject, "Where are your other two children?"

"They're both at school."

"Can you bring them back? I want to take their statements."

Andesie thought for a moment, "I haven't figured out how to tell them yet, and I don't want them to worry or be afraid.

I hope to wait until the identification results are out tomorrow...then tell them.

I hope you can understand, it's not easy for a family." Andesie looked towards the house, "My little girl has been waiting for her mother to come back. I don't know how... I can't... bring myself to tell her."

Andesie wiped his eyes, looking very sad.

Luke didn't press any further and searched the house again.

The house wasn't large, somewhat dilapidated, with just three rooms: the master bedroom belonged to Andesie and his wife, the eldest daughter and the youngest shared one room, and the son had one room to himself. If Nancy were dead, this family would suffer even more.

Half an hour later, Daisy's team arrived at the scene.

It had been three days since Nancy's disappearance, and the scene had been somewhat tampered with.

There wasn't much in the way of clues or evidence to be found.

Even if some evidence was gathered, it might not be admissible in court.

Around seven in the evening, with no significant progress in the investigation, Luke went home.

The primary reason he left work so early was that the DNA matching to determine whether the victim was Nancy had not been completed.

Only when the DNA results were out and the victim's identity confirmed would the next phase of the investigation be meaningful.

Instead of staying late, it was better to come in early the next day.

That evening, upon returning home, Luke received a text message.

His bank account showed a deposit of five hundred thousand US Dollars, with the transfer note stating it was the MGM Group's reward for bravery.

Luke thought that MGM Group would contact him after the transfer, but half an hour passed without a message.

It was just as well; Luke didn't want to take their call now. They were strangers to each other, and he would not know what to say after picking up the phone.

Receiving the money was what mattered. It's the most substantial thing.

One had to admit, MGM Group's handling of this improved Luke's impression of them.

Say you'll give the money and you do, a direct transfer, without any fuss.

That was far more sophisticated compared to those who, after giving money, loiter around you day in and day out, as if fearful you'll forget their favor.

That's why they are the CEOs of major corporate groups.

This was handled beautifully.

Luke felt great, his mind already contemplating luxuries.

He took out his phone to video call Daisy, asking when she would be free so he could invite her to dinner.

After dinner, they might even play poker.

Luke was at an age full of vigor; while romance could wane, passion could not be neglected.

This was essential.

Home wasn't convenient, but a hotel was an option, adding a touch of excitement.

And as for the expense of a hotel.

What's money for? Luke certainly wasn't lacking in that department now.

...

The next day.

The detective bureau.

The forensic team delivered the report first thing in the morning.

Through DNA comparison, the victim was established to be the mother of Nancy's daughter.

With the victim's identity confirmed, the case moved into the next phase of investigation.

Susan gathered everyone to discuss the directions for case investigation.

Susan held a file in her hand, "The bloodstains found in the victim's living room had been tampered with by the murderer, making them unusable for DNA comparison.

However, the blood type of the injured could be determined, and it matched that of the victim, Nancy.

Considering that the same person was the victim in both incidents, the cases were combined for investigation."

Susan continued, "Based on the current information, it's very likely that the victim, Nancy, encountered a kidnapping at home. She was then taken by the criminal to Martin Cage's house, and after 3 days, her body was destroyed to eliminate evidence.

What happened during those three days? We don't know.

The suspect's motive is also not clear at this time.

Given that Nancy's household goods were stolen, personally, I feel that the suspect might have broken into Nancy's home to steal. Nancy happened to return home and got into a conflict with the suspect, resulting in injury, and the theft turned into robbery.

To prevent Nancy from calling the police, the suspect kidnapped her, and eventually killed her."

After Susan finished, she looked around at the others, "Do you have any other thoughts?"

Vincent, the deputy team leader, said, "I've read through Andesie's statement.