Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

"Do you have two cell phone numbers?"

Luke continued to confirm the identity, wondering if he had made a mistake, was the deceased not the son of the device's owner?

"Yes."

"Is the other cell phone number 626 836 542* being used by Kunni'er?"

"Yes." The woman seemed to become suspicious, "Is there a problem? Who exactly are you?"

"Does Kunni'er have a Captain America shield tattoo on his shoulder?"

"Yes, what are you trying to say?"

Luke confirmed again, "Are you sure you saw Kunni'er today?"

"Huh..." the woman sighed, "Which department are you from? What do you want?"

"I'm with the LAPD, the deputy head of the Robbery and Murder Department, Luke, and I think we need to meet."

"Robbery and Murder Department?

Oh my God, what happened to Kunni'er?"

"Didn't you just see him? Why not ask him?"

"Sorry, I lied, I thought you were..." Maureen Yagot stopped herself.

"Thought I was what?"

"I thought you were from Child Protective Services or a foster care center."

Luke sensed something was off, "What is your relationship with Kunni'er?"

"I'm his guardian."

"You're not his mother?"

"I never said I was his mother; however, I treat him like my own son, no different from a biological one."

"Are you related to Kunni'er by blood?"

"No, he's been in foster care with us for over two years, although there's no blood relation, I always call him my eldest son.

Yes, he's a part of our family."

"When was the last time you saw him?"

"Uh... do I really have to answer this question?"

Luke changed his question, "Did you see him today?"

"No, what exactly happened to Kunni'er? As his guardian, I have the right..."

"I've got something to take care of, I will contact you later." Luke hung up the phone directly.

Luke didn't elaborate with this so-called guardian and didn't have her come to the police station to identify the body.

Luke thought it necessary to visit Kunni'er's foster home. He was worried that if he said too much, the woman might destroy some clues related to Kunni'er.

Mike beside him asked, "What's the situation?"

"Get in the car, I'll tell you on the way."

...

In America, there are no welfare institutions (orphanages); children must be placed into family care.

It's divided into adoption and foster care, and Kunni'er is likely the latter.

Half an hour later, Luke arrived at the address registered to the phone number.

By then, it had gotten dark.

The residents of the community had already turned on their lights.

Luke parked the car by the roadside and walked to the doorway with Mike.

"Dong dong..." Mike knocked on the door.

After a while, the door opened.

Standing at the door was a white boy around ten years old.

Luke asked, "Hey, buddy, what's your name?"

"Carter."

"Does Kunni'er live here?"

"Yes." The little boy shouted into the house, "Mrs. Yagate, someone is looking for Kunni'er."

As his voice fell, a black woman came out, pulling the white boy Carter into the house, "Carter, go back and eat your dinner."

Then, she asked warily, "Who are you?"

"I'm Detective Marcus from the Robbery and Murder Department, and this is Deputy Head Luke."

The black woman looked past Mike, who had spoken, and toward Luke, "Was it you who called just now?"

"Yes, we're here for Kunni'er."

"Sorry, I lied, Kunni'er isn't home. I am looking for him as well."

"Why did you lie?"

"Uh... this question is a bit complicated."

"No problem, we've got time, may we come in to talk?"

After hesitating for a moment, the black woman stepped aside, "Please come in."

Luke entered the house, observing the surroundings.

Maureen Yagot, the black woman, said, "Sorry, there are a lot of kids in the house, it's quite messy in here."

The room indeed was quite untidy with numerous children's toys and clothes scattered around.

In the dining room, there were five people sitting; a middle-aged black man stood up and walked towards the living room, with another four seated by the table: a black boy, a black girl, the white boy Carter, and an Asian girl.

A modern family.

"Who are you, and what brings you to my house?" the black man asked.

"LAPD, we're here for Kunni'er. How may I address you?"

"Michael Yagate. Why are you looking for Kunni'er?"

"We're investigating a criminal case; he's a person of interest, and we need to speak with him."

"I knew it, that kid was bound to cause trouble eventually," Michael sighed and spread his hands in a helpless gesture.

Maureen pointed to the dining table, "Michael, you take care of the kids' dinner. I'll handle this."

"OK, I don't want to deal with that kid's mess anyway, as long as he doesn't affect our lives." Michael turned and walked away.

Maureen walked up to Luke, "Deputy Head Luke, just what case is Kunni'er involved in? As his guardian, I have the right to know."

Luke didn't answer, walking over to the coffee table to pick up the photo resting there. The picture showed a total of seven people. In addition to the Yagate couple, there were five children, including Kunni'er.

Dead man's identity confirmed.

"Mrs. Yagate, where is Kunni'er's room? I would like to take a look."

"Sorry, unless you tell me what's going on, I'm afraid I can't let you into Kunni'er's room. I have the right to know."