Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Susan found it unreasonable, "Why did you agree to it?"

Maria took a deep breath, "I love him. That hasn't changed over all these years.

I wanted him to stay with us and be there as our children grew up.

I needed a husband, and the children needed a father.

For him, I was willing to take the risk.

But, I never imagined he would kill his own children!

Monster!"

"What did he and George do?"

"I'm not exactly sure what he was doing. But I vaguely heard that they seemed to have killed someone!"

Susan still couldn't understand, "Is it worth it to end up in prison for a murderer?"

"I don't know, I don't know... Wuu wuu..." Maria began crying loudly.

...

Once they left the interrogation room, Susan remarked, "She really is a foolish woman."

"You're right, such a person doesn't deserve sympathy."

Susan asked, "What do we do now?"

"I will report the identity of the suspect Jamie Brady to the captain, then go home to sleep." Knowing the kidnapper was the biological father of the two children, he was less worried that the kidnapper would harm them. Moreover, being with two kids made it easier for the police to locate them.

Luke reported the situation to Susan.

Susan left the police station first, lit a cigarette, pondering whether to take a taxi home or catch a ride with Luke.

"Hey, Marcus!"

A woman's voice sounded from nearby.

"Pari, what are you doing here?"

"I came to pick you up."

"It's so late, have you been waiting for me all this time?" Susan felt a bit touched.

"Not entirely, I was also gathering information about George, as you should know, it's big news."

"Why are you reporters so interested in this guy?"

"It's not us who are interested; it's the people of Los Angeles."

"I don't want to talk about this guy anymore, let's go home. I'm dead tired, I want to cuddle with you and have a good sleep."

The two got into Pari Jones's white Lexus, and as Pari drove, she asked, "I saw you today at the hospital where George is being treated, why were you there? Don't tell me it was a coincidence."

"We're investigating a case that just so happens to involve George..." Susan waved her hand, "Sorry, I can't say much about it."

"I understand, I won't ask about your cases, but I do want to know how George is doing, how is he?"

"I can't say that either."

"Why? I just want to know about his situation, I'm not prying into your case."

"Pari, you're a reporter... If I say something I shouldn't, it won't be good for you or for me."

Pari pulled the car over and looked at Marcus in the passenger seat, "In your heart, am I just a reporter?"

"That's not what I meant, I just..." Susan seemed unsure how to express himself.

"Marcus, I hope you can trust me more. I'm not just a reporter; I'm also your lover..."

"You're right, I've been too anxious."

Pari didn't bring up the matter again, and started the car again, remaining silent the whole way.

Once the car reached Susan's house, Pari stopped, "Okay, you're home."

"Why not drive into the garage?"

"Forget it, you don't really welcome me anyway, no need to deny it, I can feel it."

"No, I didn't mean that.

Pari, I like you, and I would like to invite you to come in with me. It would be my pleasure.

Drive in, you're not planning to go anywhere else tonight. I won't let you leave."

After some persuasion from Susan, Pari parked the car, and both returned to the house.

By then, it was already past three in the morning, and Susan could scarcely keep his eyes open anymore. After a quick wash, he went to sleep.

The next morning.

Susan smelled something fragrant and slowly opened his eyes. He glanced at his phone; it was already nine in the morning.

Having been busy until three in the morning the day before, it made sense to sleep in.

Susan got dressed and saw Pari cooking in the kitchen.

"Smells good, I didn't know your cooking was this amazing."

"You finally decided to get up, you lazybones."

Susan hugged Pari from behind, attempting to give her a kiss.

But, Pari stopped him in time, "No, go wash up first, I don't want to smell your breath."

"Haha..."

Susan laughed and ran to the bathroom to freshen up.

Afterward, the two sat down together at the dining table for breakfast.

Susan held Pari's hand. "Pari, it's really nice having you here."

"Now you realize I'm nice. You weren't saying that last night."

"Pari, are you still mad about last night?"

"Not mad, just feeling a bit upset."

"Are you that interested in George's affair?"

Pari took a sip of milk, "No, what's important now is not George, but your attitude."

"What attitude?"

"Never mind, there's no point in talking further about it. Let's just have a quiet breakfast and then go to work, okay?"

"Pari, I don't want you to leave with hard feelings, I hope you leave happy."

"I also hope I could be happy, but it's already happened."

Susan sighed, looking helpless, "Would you stop being upset if I tell you about George?"

"I told you, it's not about George, it's about your attitude."

"It's not that I don't want to tell you, but even I am not very clear about George's situation."

"You told me last night that you were investigating a case involving George, how could you not know?"