Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Instead of calling it a hospital, it seemed more like a hotel.

Nancy's family doctor was in room 205.

"Knock, knock..."

"Come in."

Luke and Black knocked and entered.

"Hello, are you Dr. Chad Claire?"

A Caucasian doctor put on his glasses and looked at Luke and Black, "Yes, I am. Do you have an appointment?"

Black showed his badge, "I am Detective Marcus from the Robbery and Murder Department, and this is Deputy Team Leader Luke.

We are investigating a case and would like to ask for your assistance."

"What case? And you needed to come to the hospital for it?"

"Do you know Nancy Cole?"

"Yes, I'm her family doctor. What about it?"

"She's dead."

Chad showed a look of surprise, "How did it happen so soon?"

Black retorted, "What do you mean by 'so soon'? Did you know she was going to die?"

"Yes, she had come in for a check-up a while ago, and she had cancer. Her condition was not good, and I recommended treatment.

But she found it hard to accept and was very upset, resisting treatment."

"Was there still a chance for her to be cured?"

"Certainly, there was a chance with treatment, but it's hard to say about a complete recovery. Even if it was temporarily controlled there was a possibility of it spreading again in the future, and the situation was rather complicated.

But given the rate at which her condition was progressing, she shouldn't have died so soon. How did she die?"

"She was burned to death."

"Oh my god... Is that why you are here?"

"Yes."

"Sorry, I'm afraid I can't help you.

I was just her primary doctor, but she didn't come back for follow-up visits. I called her, but she refused treatment."

"Why?"

"I don't know. Her mood was very unstable, so I referred her to a psychiatrist.

I felt that during that period, a psychiatrist might have a greater impact.

I even thought she might return for treatment with persuasion from the psychiatrist.

But she didn't.

I'm very sorry to hear this news."

Luke said, "I need the contact details and address of that psychiatrist."

Dr. Chad, "No need."

Luke firmly replied, "I need it!"

"She's in the clinic downstairs."

Luke "..."

...

Room 105.

Luke and Black knocked and went inside.

"Are you Dr. Josephine Blanch?"

A blonde female doctor wearing glasses looked towards them, "Yes, that's me. Who's seeking treatment?"

Black smiled and asked, "Heard you're a psychiatrist, what do you think?"

Josephine smiled, "I think... both of you need it."

Black, caught off guard, didn't banter anymore and introduced their identities.

"Police? What is it?"

Luke pulled out a picture of Nancy, "Do you recognize her?"

"Yes."

"She had psychological counseling here, a poor woman, seemed to be named Nancy."

"Yes, we'd like to know about her situation."

Josephine smiled, "Sorry, I signed a confidentiality agreement, which is even stricter than yours."

"Who is your confidentiality agreement aimed at?"

"My patient Nancy."

"Does it still apply if Nancy is dead?"

"Oh my god..." Josephine sighed lightly, looking somewhat exasperated as she sat in the chair.

Luke fixed his gaze on her, "You don't seem very surprised by her death."

"Did you come down from upstairs?"

"Yes."

"Then you should know Nancy had cancer. She was very sad and prone to depression; I've seen many similar cases."

"Do you think she might have committed suicide?"

"Not sure, but she was desperate. In that state, nothing she might have done would surprise me."

"Can you describe her condition at the time?"

"I don't remember the details, but I do have a video recording, with her permission."

"Then let us see the video recording."

"Sorry, even if Nancy is dead, I can't just show the recording."

I am a psychologist, and patients allow me to record them out of trust.

I won't betray her.

Unless you have the proper documentation."

"Does it really have to be this complicated?"

"You have your duties, and I have mine."

Feeling helpless, Luke could only contact Susan to request the necessary documents and have them sent directly to the hospital's printer.

Luke and Cole waited for over an hour before the search warrant was faxed over.

Only then did Dr. Josephine hand over the video to them.

Luke plugged the USB stick into his laptop and started reviewing the psychological consultation videos.

In the video, a Black woman was sitting in the same position in the same consultation room, and it was Nancy.

Dr. Josephine said, "Nancy, you can talk now. Why are you so sad?"

"I have cancer."

"My God, I'm sorry to hear that. I can understand your sadness."

"No, you can't understand. I have no hope anymore."

"You must be strong. Cancer can be cured. With technology so advanced today, I have seen many patients recover and they are doing very well now."

"You don't have to comfort me. I know the treatment process will be painful and the chances of a complete cure are very small. I don't have the courage to keep going."

Josephine asked, "Are you married?"

"Yes."

"How is your relationship with your husband?"

"I love him, and he loves me."

"Do you have children?"

"Yes, we have three lovely children. Although they sometimes make me angry, I really love them."

"Think about your husband, think about your children. They will encourage you, they will go through this difficult time with you. With them by your side, cancer is not unbeatable.

You must remember, love is the greatest power, and it can conquer all."

"I... maybe others can, but I am not that strong."

"Nancy, you have to believe in yourself. Even if just for the people you love, you need to try to live on, actively seek treatment, and maintaining an optimistic attitude can also help your treatment."

"Dr. Josephine, thank you for your encouragement. I know you are right... but I just feel that I can't keep going.

My life has been hard, very tiring, and I don't want to continue anymore."

"If you have any difficulties, you can tell me. We can find a solution together, and it will make you feel better to talk about it."

Nancy took a deep breath and slowly said, "We have been struggling for so many years.

Every day is busy, and there are endless tasks to do.

Besides work, I also have to tidy up the house and take care of the children, although my husband helps me, it still feels very hard.

We live very hard; we hope to provide our children with a good environment so that they won't have to live at the bottom of society like us.

Over the years, I have been trying, continuously giving, never living for myself.

I believed that as long as I worked hard, my children and I would have a better life, could move into a spacious and beautiful house, have decent jobs, and enjoy the rest of our lives.

I have always believed...

Always tried...

But in the end, what did I get?

Cancer!

Oh God, why do you treat me like this?

I live so earnestly, so arduously, why are you still mocking me?

I am lost.

I don't see the point of trying anymore?

I see no hope now." Nancy slowly closed her eyes, as if resigning to her fate.

Josephine sighed softly and in a gentle yet firm tone said, "Nancy, it's not over yet. Cancer is not the end.

You should pull yourself together.

As long as you get through this, everything will be okay.

I believe, your effort is not meaningless.

It's just not the time to reap the benefits yet.

Think about your husband and your children.

Give yourself another chance.

Even if you fail, you won't have regrets."

Nancy shook her head, "No, I've seen it clearly now, my effort is meaningless.

Some things are not achievable by making an effort.

Like the clients at our beauty salon, many of them have had everything since birth.

They don't need to do anything, just enjoy life every day happily.

They eat a meal that could cover my family's food expenses for a month.

They spend on beauty treatments what I earn in half a month.

They have endless large houses, and they're even too lazy to rent them out.

And me?

I have nothing.

I don't even dare to think about it.

This world is unfair, I'll never have a life like theirs.

I see no hope..."