Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Robbery and Murder Department.

Interrogation room of the Narcotics and Anti-Black Forces Department.

Jim sat quietly next to the interrogation table.

"Creak..." The door to the interrogation room opened.

A black man with graying hair, a stocky build, dressed in a suit and tie, carrying a briefcase walked in.

Jim said, "Lawyer Kaoom, you're late."

"Buddy, have a little patience. You're sitting here in the AC while I nearly ran my legs off gathering information."

Jim was not convinced, "You're earning money; I'm spending money—that's the difference."

The black lawyer, Kaoom, chuckled, "OK, for Franklin's sake, I was wrong."

"I don't want to argue about right or wrong now. I just want to know why I was arrested."

"The police charged you with possession of stolen goods."

"You know that's not what I'm asking." Jim looked around and lowered his voice, "The real reason?"

"Did you direct Anlek to steal a client's out-of-print vinyl record?"

"Yes, that bastard Anlek betrayed me, but right now, I want to know the identity of that client?"

Kaoom confirmed, "The client you're speaking of is an Eurasian, with black hair, black pupils, about 185cm tall, and muscular, right?"

"That's him. I want all his information."

Kaoom sighed, "He's a police officer. Getting his information won't be easy."

"I know the rules. Name your price, and you won't be short a penny."

"OK, since we go way back, I'll put it on your tab," Kaoom recalled,

"You've messed with the wrong person. He's the deputy head of the Robbery and Murder Department, Luke, and he was the previous partner of deputy head David. It's said the two are very close.

You must know about David, who stirred up quite a bit of trouble as soon as he was transferred to the Narcotics and Anti-Black Forces Department; he's a complete asshole.

Having good relations with a former partner like him probably means he's not much better.

You were reckless to cross such a person; it's like stirring up a hornet's nest.

All he needs to do is buy David a drink, and David would screw you over—your business would be completely ruined."

"fuck!"

Jim appeared frustrated, "I misjudged him. I saw him as a young, smiling guy, like a sunny big boy. How was I supposed to know he would be a cop?

And how would a regular cop have vintage records?

If I had known he was a cop, I never would have touched him.

This asshole hid deep, unlike David, whose slickness you can spot a mile away."

Kaoom said, "You're right, he is different from David. Not only is he young, but he's also highly regarded by the upper echelons of the police force, having solved many major cases. You should know about the Las Vegas shooting incident.

He personally subdued the gunman, and just for that, he could receive a Medal of Valor directly awarded by the Great Commander.

If nothing unusual happens, he will eventually become a high-ranking official in the Los Angeles Police Department.

Jim, I know your ambitions. You're not content to spend your life in a pawn shop and want to make a mark in the gangs.

But if he sets his sights on you, you might miss many opportunities to rise."

Jim sighed. Although slightly upset, he somewhat agreed with Kaoom; there was always a subtle connection between the gangs and the police department.

The police's upper echelons might not decide who becomes the gang leader, but they can decide who doesn't get to be one.

Just as a few targeted police actions can unfold, your lackeys make no money, loyal ones either die, get injured, or are incarcerated, and the disloyal scatter.

No external forces are needed, nor police interference. The competitive forces within the gang will replace you.

Jim also rose from the slums step by step to his current position and had seen plenty of cops. If everyone played by the rules, the cops naturally had an inherent advantage sufficient to completely suppress the gangs.

If the gangs didn't play by the rules, the cops could play dirty too; that's when cops are the most dangerous.

Being both player and referee isn't fair play at all.

Jim was aware that he was not in the right this time, and it was a lesson learned.

Being arrested was not a big deal; he could be bailed out.

Going to jail wasn't scary either. How could you aim to reach the core of a gang without doing time? There were brothers inside to look after him—it would just be like a short course.

Right now, his biggest worry was what Kaoom had just said. He had offended Luke, and once that kid became a high-ranking police officer, he was sure to disfavor Jim, and by then it would be too late to make amends."

As for killing Luke outright.

Only a deranged fool would think that.

Taking out an LAPD officer was too risky; if you failed, you'd face their crazy retaliation.

If you succeeded, you'd still face police retaliation. You definitely couldn't stay in Los Angeles—the only option would be to flee.

He had struggled in Los Angeles for twenty years and had only just achieved his current status, with money, status, and a family. Leaving Los Angeles, he'd be nothing."

If he couldn't see this simple truth, he wouldn't have made it to where he was now."

Jim said, "Get me out on bail as quickly as possible. I want to meet him in person."

…

These past few days, the police station wasn't very busy, so Luke devoted some of his energy to the vintage records.

Luke considered repeatedly and finally decided to auction the records publicly.

Aiming for a high auction price was only one of the reasons.

Moreover, as a police officer with certain authority, a public auction could also prevent others from spreading rumors.

Luke's current position was not high, so perhaps no one cared about this issue, but he would be promoted sooner or later. When you're at a higher position, more people keep an eye on you—better safe than sorry.

After careful consideration, Luke didn't choose an auction house but opted for an online public auction instead.

There were three reasons.

First, different auction items suit different auction methods. If you put a mummy up for online auction, it would obviously be inappropriate.

But records were different. A record itself is a medium of entertainment with a large target audience, and having a deep connection with the legendary band The Beatles, it was highly suitable for an online auction.

Second, although an online auction still goes through an auction house, the commission is lower. With all sorts of miscellaneous fees added together, it only amounts to a 5% commission, which is quite cost-effective.

Third, online auctions are quite flexible, where auctioneers can set their own prices within an appropriate range.

The auction duration is usually within 24 hours, and the highest bidder wins.

Luke thought this method was best suited for selling his rare vinyl record.

Before the auction, Luke needed to take the record to the auction house, where it would be appraised and stored. The auction house, acting as a third party in the transaction, would receive the payment from the buyer after the auction was completed and then release the auctioned items to them.

Afterward, the auction house would transfer the money to Luke.

This way, everyone's interests could be protected.

If there were any issues with the record later on, it would be a matter between the auction house and the buyer and had nothing to do with Luke.

Since the auction house took a commission, they were obligated to guarantee the item's authenticity; otherwise, why take a commission?

Luke placed the rare vinyl record in the care of the auction house and drove back home, finally able to get a good night's sleep.

Rare vinyl records were like unexpected windfalls, different from houses and cars.

You can't steal a house.

Cars have identifying marks and can be recovered if stolen.

But a vinyl record is different. If it's hidden away in some obscure corner for decades, where do you even start to look for it?

Riches tempt the heart, and it's hard to predict who might get greedy.

Luke drove near his home and saw a Black man standing at his doorstep, neatly dressed and wearing gold-rimmed glasses.

Luke smiled; the man had turned up quite quickly.

"Why are you here? Are you looking for me?"

"Deputy Luke, I apologize for bothering you for a few minutes, but there might be some misunderstanding between us that I'd like to clarify," the man said.

"You're Jim?"

"Yes."

Luke glanced at his watch. "You have five minutes."

"You came to my antiques store last time wanting to sell a rare vinyl record. I really liked that record and wanted to add it to my collection.

When I was discussing it with a friend, he overheard and might have misunderstood, leading him to do something irrational.

I am truly sorry.

Perhaps my explanation was also to blame for his misunderstanding.

I apologize again. I really didn't mean for him to act that way.

I did not mean to offend you."

Luke didn't buy this explanation. "If you like it, you can buy it with money. Don't think about any shady ideas in the future."

"You're right, and I also want to purchase that rare vinyl record of yours; money is no issue." Jim had been contemplating how to resolve his conflict with Luke over the past two days.

The conflict with Luke was solely because of that rare vinyl record, which was extremely precious and scarce. Whenever Luke and his friends would boast, they would inevitably mention this vinyl record.

And every time the record was mentioned, it would bring up some unpleasant memories, which was not ideal.

Jim didn't want to be on the radar of someone who might become a high-ranking police officer in the future. His gang's business was in a gray area, and it would be easy for Luke to target him.

Jim decided that since the conflict began with the record, it should also end with it.

The solution was simple; buy Luke's vinyl record at a high price and leave a good impression.

In the future, recalling the vinyl record would bring to mind the premium price he paid for it.

He aimed not to gain favor, but to avoid being a target of attention.

"Unfortunately, you're too late; that vinyl record has already been sent to the auction house for auction." Even if he hadn't agreed with the auction house, Luke wouldn't have sold it directly to Jim.

"Which auction house? I really like that record, and I also want to participate in the auction."

"Carlisle Auction House."

"Can I participate in the bidding?"

"America is a free country, bidding on your favorite record is your right and has nothing to do with me."

"You're right, I will definitely participate in the auction."

Luke smiled, "Good luck, would you like to come in for a cup of coffee?"

"No, I must go. My wife is waiting at home for dinner." Jim said and then turned and walked away, only getting into a car parked at the roadside after walking several tens of meters.

Luke returned home, took a bath, and had some dinner.

At eight o'clock, the online auction officially began.

Luke poured himself a glass of red wine and sat beside the computer to watch the auction.

The auction page listed a detailed description and photos of the record, with a starting price of four hundred thousand US dollars and each bid increment not less than ten thousand US dollars.

Soon there appeared the first bidder, an account named Raffi, who bid four hundred and ten thousand dollars.

At eight ten PM, the second bidder appeared, an account named Jasmine, who bid four hundred twenty thousand dollars.

At eight fifteen PM…

Around nine o'clock, the bidding price had reached four hundred fifty thousand dollars.

The auction had increased by fifty thousand dollars in just one hour, and Luke was quite satisfied, considering there were still twenty-three hours of bidding time left.

Luke watched for another hour, and the bidding price increased further, reaching four hundred seventy thousand dollars.

He guessed it wouldn't increase much more, so he didn't keep watching and went off to wash up and sleep.

The next morning, Luke got up first thing to check, and the price had risen to four hundred ninety thousand dollars.

Not bad, it had reached his expectations.

During the day at work, although Luke seemed calm, he was somewhat preoccupied, but he resisted the urge to check the computer.

The auction price had reached his target, so he would be satisfied even if it didn't increase any further.

After work, Luke immediately turned on the computer to check, and the bidding price had reached six hundred fifty thousand dollars.

Luke was surprised as this had exceeded his expectations.

Upon checking the bidder's account name, it was Strange House Antiques Store.