Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

"What is that?" Little Black didn't answer and barged straight into the counter area.

Butka hurried to stop him, "Sir, you can't do that. Even if you are police, you can't just storm in."

Little Black picked up a document that was being printed next to the hotel's fax machine and handed it to Butka, "Here is the search warrant you asked for."

Butka panicked, "Didn't I already help you identify the corpse? Why apply for a search warrant?"

Luke said, "Because you lied."

"I didn't."

"Whether you did or not, you know very well, surveillance doesn't lie."

Luke told two patrol officers, "Watch him, we're going to the surveillance room."

"Hey, Deputy Chief Luke, please wait, I have something to say," Butka quickly called out.

"Before you speak, think carefully. I don't like being lied to. Usually, those who lie to me don't end up well."

Butka found a colleague to watch the front desk for him and whispered, "Deputy Chief Luke, can we talk somewhere else?"

Luke led him to a place far from the front desk, "Speak."

"Sorry, I indeed lied, I'm really sorry."

"Why did you lie?"

"Things are a bit complicated."

"Then simplify it."

"I met the deceased and even talked with him, but his death has nothing to do with me. I was also surprised when I saw his photo."

"Was he a guest at the hotel?"

"Sort of."

"Either he was or he wasn't, what do you mean 'sort of'?" Luke was unsatisfied with the answer, "Which room did he stay in? Where are his family members?"

"Room 707, he checked into the hotel alone."

Little Black frowned, "You're still lying. He was just a child, not an adult, he didn't even qualify to check into a room by himself, how could he possibly check in alone?"

"As I said earlier, it's complicated. That room was booked under my identity. If my superiors at the hotel find out, I might get fired."

"Do you know him?"

"No."

"Then why would you book a room for him?"

"Employees get a 20% discount after three years; I could make a 20% profit,

I was short on cash recently, needed money, so I booked him a room."

"How did he contact you?"

"A week ago, he came to book a room with a fake driver's license.

I've been that age too, I've gotten a fake driver's license myself, and I could tell right away because he was so young.

He really wanted to rent a room, asked me for help.

He also gave me a hundred US dollars as a tip.

He might be young, but he was wealthy.

So I agreed.

He gave me cash, and I checked him in.

It was a mutually beneficial arrangement, he got a room to stay in, and I made some small money.

Please don't tell my boss, I really need this job."

Luke said, "We are here to investigate, not to cover for you.

Of course, we also don't need to report to your boss, how you explain it is your business.

When did he check in, and has he checked out?"

"He checked in on July 26, and the room was checked out today."

"Has it been cleaned?"

Butka glanced at his phone, "By now, it should have been cleaned."

"Fuck!" Little Black cursed, "Are you deliberately destroying evidence?"

"I didn't. I didn't see him yesterday, nor today, and nobody answered when I called him. The money he gave only covered today's room fee; I couldn't afford to lose money by renting the room for him, I would have been at a loss.

So, I canceled the room at noon, it should already have a new guest by now."

As the room had been cleaned and a new guest had checked in, any clues or evidence had been compromised, making it difficult to use as court evidence even if the police could find any remnants.

"What was his name?"

"Kunni'er."

"Full name?"

"I really don't know."

"What is his mobile number?"

Butka took out his phone, flipped through it, and said, "626 836 542*"

Luke immediately sent the number to Matthew. With the mobile number, they could lock down the identity of the owner.

And the owner was likely a family member of the deceased.

Luke assigned tasks. Raymond and Jenny were responsible for reviewing the surveillance to see if, as Butka claimed, the deceased had indeed been at the hotel and whether any other suspicious individuals had contacted the deceased.

Two patrol officers rushed to room 707, waiting for the technical team to take over the scene; regardless of evidence compromise, necessary examination was still required.

Luke and Little Black took responsibility for contacting the family of the deceased.

Soon, Matthew reported back, having found the owner of the mobile number.

Owner, Maureen Yagot

Gender, Female

Age, 42

Address, 102 Caway Street.

Social Security Number, 623-53-854*

Mobile number, 626 836 542*; 626 346 268*

After that, Luke dialed the owner's second mobile number.

Shortly, the phone connected.

A woman's voice came on the phone, "Hello, is this the Yagate residence?"

"Do you know Kunni'er?"

"Of course, he's my lovely eldest son. Sir, what do you want with him?"

Hearing this, Luke's expression grew somber, telling a mother that her son was dead was a cruel matter.

"Mrs. Yagate, how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, why do you ask?"

"I have something to tell you, something unpleasant, concerning your son Kunni'er," Luke continued cautiously.

"Oh my god, has Kunni'er caused trouble again?

What a naughty boy, the moment he comes back, I'll make sure to teach him a lesson."

Luke noticed something off in her tone, according to the forensic doctor's estimation, Kunni'er had died more than 24 hours ago, but from his mother's words, it seemed as if she had plans to meet with Kunni'er."

"Ma'am, did you have an appointment to meet with Kunni'er?"

"Hehe, he is my son, we live together, is there a need to make an appointment?

He just went out to play basketball with his younger brother and will be back soon.

Sir, what exactly is it? Why do you sound so strange?"

Now, it was Luke's turn to be astonished. Wasn't Kunni'er supposed to be dead?

How could a dead person play basketball?