Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

So, the bonus given by the MGM Group was something he had earned through hard work.

Luke spent most of his time busy with work and rarely focused on converting assets into cash, which was why the realization had been delayed.

More importantly, he wasn't short of money now.

With Luke's previous savings, the bonus from MGM Group, and the informant fees, he already had as much as eight hundred thousand US dollars in cash.

Luke felt that he should start a side business, perhaps venture into business, it might provide a long-term channel for converting the system gold into cash.

...

The next morning.

Office of Squad One, Robbery and Murder Department.

At nine o'clock in the morning, Susan held the case summary meeting on time.

Unlike the usual full gathering, there were only six people seated around the conference table, with Luke and Xiao Hei both absent.

Without these two people, the atmosphere of the meeting felt somewhat lackluster.

Susan said, "Last night, the identity of the suspect driving the vehicle in question was clarified, his name is Pike Steele, and he has a history of theft.

As for whether he is related to the murder of Nancy, it is still unclear."

Jenny speculated, "Since the suspect has a history of theft, could he have gone to Nancy's house to steal, been spotted by Nancy when she returned home, and then a conflict arose? The suspect injured Nancy, and theft turned into robbery.

To avoid Nancy calling the police, the suspect held her hostage and took her to the Cage couple's house, then set the house on fire to destroy the body and eradicate the evidence."

Jenny's idea was in line with what Susan had previously speculated, she said, "That is indeed possible.

So, our next focus of investigation should be on the suspect Pike Steele.

We need to determine his whereabouts during this period as well as who he has been in contact with.

Of course, if anyone else has any other investigation ideas, feel free to share."

Jenny said, "Yesterday, I spoke at length with Lisa and got her biological mother's phone number from her.

Her biological mother doesn't live in Los Angeles, so she can't come to the police station to make a statement. We've arranged a video statement for this morning."

Susan said, "Good, you and Matthew are responsible for verifying their mother-daughter alibi.

These two also have a certain motive for the crime."

"I understand."

Susan continued to instruct, "Deputy Chief, you contact the family of the suspect Pike and have them come to the police station for identification and make a statement, asking about Pike's recent activities."

The Deputy Chief spread his hands, "I feel that investigating Pike isn't very meaningful. We can't focus all our energy on a petty thief, as we might miss other clues."

Susan frowned, "Do you have any other investigative directions in mind?"

"I want to investigate the place where the victim Nancy worked. We've been delving into her family relations but haven't looked closely into her workplace. It's possible she was killed because of something related to her job."

Susan felt somewhat helpless, but the Deputy Chief's point seemed reasonable, "Raymond, you'll accompany me to see Pike's family.

Deputy Chief, proceed with your line of investigation."

The Deputy Chief smirked, "I will."

...

Inside a black Dodge Challenger.

Jackson was driving and glanced at the Deputy Chief beside him, looking as if he had something to say but was holding back.

"Kid, what do you want to say?"

"Uh... Deputy Chief, the way you spoke to the Chief just now, wasn't that a bit... inappropriate?"

The Deputy Chief chuckled, "You want to learn from me?"

"No."

"Then there's no problem."

Jackson "..."

The old man was stubborn and not easy to get along with.

Jackson decided not to bother any further.

The drive was mostly silent, and he began to miss working on assignments with Xiao Hei and Luke.

Yesterday afternoon, he should have gone with them, then he could be on a break now.

"Oh my god, why am I even thinking this..."

105 Warner Street, Plisha Beauty Salon.

Jackson parked the car at the curb.

The Deputy Chief got out of the car, took a look around, and then walked into Plisha Beauty Salon.

A white female receptionist came forward with a puzzled expression, "Good morning gentlemen, can I help you with something?"

This was a women's beauty salon with no male clientele.

Before Jackson could speak, the Deputy Chief showed his badge, "I am Deputy Chief Vincent from the Robbery and Murder Department, I need to speak with the person in charge here."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"Are you the person in charge?"

"No."

"Then, recall what I just said."

Seeing the stern-faced old man, the white female receptionist felt somewhat powerless, "Just a moment."

With that, she went to the back.

After that, the sound of footsteps approached, and a white woman in her thirties walked in with a faint smile on her face, "I'm pleased to meet you, Deputy Chief Vincent. I am the manager of this beauty salon, Claudius Karl."

"Hello, Ms. Karl, we're here to investigate a criminal case and need your beauty salon's assistance."

"Are you talking about Nancy's issue?"

"You knew something happened to her?"

"Yes, she hasn't been to work for a few days, and I couldn't contact her. Later, her husband called, saying Nancy went missing..." Claudius sighed softly, "How is she now?"

"She's dead!"

"Oh my God, that's terrible!"

"We are here to investigate the cause of her death."

"No, no, although Nancy was one of our employees, her death has nothing to do with our beauty salon."

"Don't be so quick to deny it, and don't be nervous. We just want to look around the place where Nancy worked and ask a few simple questions.

It's just routine questioning, relax."

"Okay, I can show you around, but there are female clients here... some places might be inconvenient."

"Then just show us the convenient places."

"No problem, please follow me." Claudius made a welcoming gesture and led the two on a tour of the beauty salon,

"May I ask how Nancy died?"

"Trust me, you wouldn't want to know," the Deputy Chief put him off with a reply. He then asked, "What was her usual job here?"

"Nancy was on the older side, with average care skills, so she mainly handled various chores and logistics. However, she was hardworking—a good employee, such a pity."

The Deputy Chief walked around the beauty salon and noticed a few private rooms seeming to be occupied, "Your beauty salon is doing well?"

"Yes, we have a lot of regular customers, and our reputation is very good."

"I would like to ask you a few questions."

"Please come with me." Claudius took the Deputy Chief and Jackson into an office, "Would you two like something to drink?"

"No, not necessary," the Deputy Chief cut to the chase, "Has Nancy been acting strange lately?"

Claudius thought for a moment, "Now that you mention it, she has been acting a bit unusual lately."

"Unusual how?"

"She hasn't had the same patience at work, she wouldn't respond when called, and seemed preoccupied with her thoughts all day long. Other than that, all was well."

"Have there been any suspicious persons looking for her recently?"

"Doesn't seem like it."

"How was her relationship with her husband? Had she mentioned anything about a divorce or the like?"

"I'm not too clear on that."

The Deputy Chief took out a photo of the car theft suspect, Pike, "Do you recognize him?"

"Never seen him."

The Deputy Chief then took out Lisa's photo, "What about her?"

"Don't recognize her."

He then showed her the photo of Lisa's mother.

"No impression."

The photo of the landlord Cage couple.

Claudius took a close look, her expression changing subtly.

"Do you know them? The man or the woman? Or both?"

"The woman."

"Larina Cage?"

"Yes."

"How do you know her?"

"She is a client of our beauty salon," Claudius pointed outside, "Just before you came, I had just received her, she's in room 202 getting a facial treatment."

The Deputy Chief was also taken aback, "Have Larina and Nancy had any conflicts?"

"No."

"Do they know each other well? Have they had any direct contact?"

"There definitely has been contact, but knowing each other well is another matter. As I said earlier, Nancy was on the older side. Those who do intimate care tend to be relatively younger. Nancy did more of the miscellaneous work.

Moreover..." Claudius hesitated.

"Moreover, what?"

Claudius said quietly, "Some clients... don't particularly like black people. It has nothing to do with our beauty salon, it's the personal opinion of the clients."

The Deputy Chief, unconcerned with political correctness, said, "Take us to meet her."

Claudius seemed troubled, "The client is in the middle of a treatment, it's somewhat inconvenient."

The Deputy Chief glanced at his watch, "I'll wait for her five minutes.

In five minutes, bring her to this office."

"I understand." Claudius turned to leave.

"Wait, don't tell her anything, remember, not a thing."

"Okay."