Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

The son looked to be about twelve or thirteen, with curly hair, somewhat thin, a bit curious, and with a hint of fear as he glanced around.

The little girl seemed to be only five or six years old, clutching Andesie's leg, her expression filled with unease.

Luke stood up, looked over the four people, and greeted them, "Mr. Cole, please come in."

Luke's gaze fell on the three children, and to be honest, taking statements from children after this kind of case is not an easy task.

The little girl asked Luke, "Officer, have you found my mom?"

Luke was startled and didn't know how to respond.

"Do you like watching cartoons?" he asked.

The little girl nodded her head.

"Go find the grandpa with white hair, he will take you to watch your favorite TV shows."

Vincent, the deputy team leader, waved his hand, "Come here, child, I also bought you some tasty candy."

Hope shook his head; he thought the deputy's voice sounded like the big bad wolf.

Luke said, "Mr. Cole, my colleague will take care of your children, let's go to the break room and talk."

Andesie Cole nodded and said to his eldest daughter, "Lisa, take good care of your brother and sister."

"I know," replied the eldest daughter.

Afterward, Luke took Andesie into the break room.

Upon entering the break room, Andesie, with reddened eyes and a choked voice, said, "Who killed my wife?"

"We're still investigating," Luke replied.

"The thing I feared most still happened; I was always hoping for a miracle, and I still don't know how to tell the children."

"I understand, and we will also do everything in our power to catch the killer of your wife."

"You said my wife died from burning? Did she suffer a lot before she died?"

"To be exact, she died from inhaling a large amount of smoke and suffocating," Luke answered.

Tears flowed from Andesie's eyes, "What could be so cruel? Why do such a thing?"

Luke handed him several tissues, "Can you recall if there was anything unusual about your wife lately, say financially?"

"No, I've already told you that before."

"We found out that your wife had a large personal accident insurance policy under her name, do you know about this?"

"Yes, she bought it last year."

"As far as I know, your family isn't very wealthy, so why did she buy this insurance policy? Whose idea was it?"

"A friend of mine works in the insurance industry, and one time at a gathering, I had a bit too much to drink and agreed to his suggestion to buy insurance, and after that, things got a bit muddled and the policy was purchased.

Nancy even blamed me for it, saying I was wasting money.

Is there a problem?"

"Who is the beneficiary of the policy?"

Realizing the implication, Andesie reacted, "You are suspecting me? My God, you actually suspect that I killed my own wife, and this is the reason you called me to the police station." Andesie appeared quite agitated.

"We aren't suspecting you specifically, but we are considering all involved parties and scrutinizing anyone with a motive.

Mr. Cole, you are an adult.

Put yourself in the police's shoes: If a wife is murdered and the husband stands to receive a massive insurance payout, would you suspect him?"

Andesie sighed and slumped down into a chair, "It's entirely coincidental, I wouldn't do such a thing. It wasn't me."

"I also believe it wasn't you, which is why we've brought you in to make a statement—it's routine procedure so we can focus more of our energy on the investigation."

"How can I be cleared of suspicion?"

"Just answer a few questions truthfully, and we can clear your name."

"Ask away," Andesie said.

"Where were you between 10 p.m. on July 10th and 2 a.m. the following morning?"

"I was at home."

"Can anyone confirm that?"

"My three children."

"Did you leave the house at any point during that time?"

"No."

...

While the police were taking Andesie's statement,

the others were talking to his children.

In the office area outside the break room, the deputy team leader asked with a smile, "Hey, kid, what's your name?"

The girl glanced at him but did not speak.

Undiscouraged, the deputy continued, "I like the braids on your head, who did them for you?"

"My sister."

"You have a skilled sister."

"My mom does them even better. I miss mom," the little girl said, her lips beginning to quiver, "White-haired grandpa, are you a police officer?"

"I have been for fifty years."

"You've been a police officer for so many years, you must be very good, right?"

"Of course, I'm the best one here."

"Can you find my mom?"

"I can help you look for her, but first, you need to tell me about your mom—the more I know, the better I can help you find her.

Are you willing to tell me?"

"I am willing."

...

Jenny looked at the girl in front of her, who appeared to be about fifteen or sixteen years old, as if seeing her younger self. She felt that compared to dealing with Andesie and her younger daughter, she was the more difficult one to handle.

Jenny handed the girl a cup of coffee, "What's your name?"

The girl looked up at Jenny, "Lisa Cole."

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

Instead of answering, Lisa countered, "What about you?"

Jenny hesitated for a moment, "OK, let's change the subject. Can I take your statement?"

"Do I need my dad here?"

"That's up to you. If you feel you're grown up, with independent cognition, you can answer questions on your own.

If you want a guardian present, that's also fine."

Lisa countered again, "My mom... is she dead?"

"Yes."

"Oh my God..." Lisa pressed her forehead, took a deep breath, her eyes reddening, "How did she die?"

"A house caught fire, we found her body inside."

"That's horrifying, I can hardly believe it. Why would this happen to her?"

Jenny took the opportunity to ask, "When was the last time you saw her?"

"The morning of July 7th, at breakfast."

"Was there anything special about that day?"

"I didn't notice anything."

"Did your father and mother ever have any arguments?"

"That's just family conflict, nothing serious."

"Where were you between 3 PM and 5 PM on July 7th?"

Lisa realized what was happening, "Are you interrogating me?"

"No, I'm just taking a normal statement."

"I refuse to answer."

"You don't have to be nervous..."

"I'm a minor, I have the right to refuse you, I'm not wrong, am I?" Lisa displayed a resistant demeanor.

Jenny spread her hands, "That's correct."

"Thank you for the coffee." After saying this, Lisa ignored Jenny.

Jenny, without a choice, acknowledged that a minor has the right to refuse police questioning without a guardian present.

Jenny went to the break room.

It wasn't long before Andesie came out, "Lisa, come here a minute."

Lisa approached the break room door, "What is it?"

"The police want to take your statement."

"I just gave my statement outside."

Jenny said, "You didn't."

Andesie patted his daughter's shoulder, "Don't worry, I'll be right here with you."

Lisa was somewhat reluctant but still entered the break room.

Luke eyed the black girl; she was well-developed for her age. If it weren't for prior information about her age, it would be hard to guess if she was an adult.

"Lisa, please sit down; I need to take your statement."

"Can I refuse?"

Luke countered, "Why would you want to refuse? Don't you want to catch the person who killed your mother?"

Andesie also urged, "Lisa, Lieutenant Luke just wants to ask a few questions. It'll be quick."

Lisa pursed her lips, reluctantly saying, "OK, if it's for Nancy, then ask."

Jenny also crossed her arms and stood at the side.

Luke took out a photo of the landlords of the burned house, the Cage couple, "Do you recognize them?"

"I don't."

Luke brought out a photo of the house, "Ever seen this house?"

"No."

Luke then showed her the piece of cotton found in the dead person's mouth, "Ever seen this piece of cotton?"

"Never seen it before.

Who wrote those bloody words? The killer?"

Luke nodded his head, putting away the photos, "Where were you between 3 PM and 5 PM on July 7th?"

"That question again," Lisa sighed softly.

Luke watched her expression, "Is there a problem?"

Lisa shook her head, "I was at school."

Lying.

"Can anyone prove that?"

"Of course, my classmates can vouch for me."

Lying.

Luke leaned back in his chair, surprised by the unexpected discovery.