Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

"Things are a bit complicated... I only heard it from Luke, and he didn't allow me to tell anyone."

"What did Luke say to you?" Pari's spirit perked up at the mention of Luke; this deputy captain was much more formidable than Little Black.

"Pari, if I tell you, can you promise not to let this out?"

"Of course."

"You're sure you won't tell others, and you won't report on it either."

"Sure."

Little Black was silent for a moment, then lowered his voice and said, "George is already dead."

"Dead! Didn't they say he was saved? How could he be dead?" Pari showed a look of surprise; this was big news.

"I don't know, Luke just mentioned it and told me not to tell anyone."

"Is this information accurate?"

"It's not accurate; George was in the custody of the western division, and Luke had also just heard it.

That's why I didn't tell you."

"If George is already dead, then why wouldn't the LAPD announce his death?"

"You're asking me, but whom should I ask?" Little Black spread his hands.

Pari frowned slightly; as a journalist, she was very sensitive to the underlying stories behind the news and could sense that George's case might well be a ticking time bomb.

Once it's revealed that George died due to police brutality, it would definitely become a major incident and might even spark some kind of movement.

As the involved party, the LAPD definitely wouldn't want this to be exposed. They would likely prefer to downplay the situation.

Pari took a deep breath; this was definitely a hot topic.

Seeing Pari daydreaming, Little Black advised, "Pari, I told you this out of trust. You mustn't tell anyone else about this; otherwise, I might end up in trouble."

"I understand. Let's eat breakfast, and then we need to get to work," Pari passed a piece of toast to Little Black.

...

Inside a black Mercedes G500.

Luke was driving, with Little Black sitting in the passenger seat.

Luke yawned, "Why do you look so gloomy? Did you exercise too late last night?"

"No, I just feel a bit guilty."

"Guilty about what?"

"I feel somewhat sorry for Pari."

"Did you tell her that the message wasn't accurate?"

"Yes."

"Did you tell her not to spread the news, or else you would be in trouble?"

"Yes."

"Then there's no problem. You were just having a private chat with her, using some information you found out as conversation; it's totally normal."

"What if Pari broadcasts this news?" Little Black countered.

"Then break it off with her completely. A woman who can betray you once can betray you a second time."

Little Black nodded, feeling that Luke made sense, but then something else occurred to him, "But what if Pari doesn't broadcast this news and later finds out George isn't dead. Wouldn't she realize I was deceiving her?"

"What about it? Just pin it on me. After all, you heard it from me."

"Won't she think you're setting her up?"

"I just shared some info I happened to hear with my partner. What does it have to do with her?"

Little Black heard this and understood the logic.

Then he drooped again, still feeling a bit uneasy.

Luke spoke seriously, "Marcus, your relationship with Pari has always been somewhat utilitarian. Use this opportunity to test her. If she withstands the test, you can be bold in your relationship with her in the future.

If she broadcasts this news, you should be careful.

Trust me, it's for your own good."

Little Black sighed softly, "Why so cruel?"

"A short pain is better than a long one." Luke wanted to use this opportunity to remove the potential time bomb next to Little Black.

If she could withstand the temptation, Luke would change his opinion about her.

Otherwise, it would be better for Little Black to recognize this sooner to avoid getting hurt.

Although knowing Luke was right, Little Black still felt uncomfortable inside.

Why did his love life have to be so troubled?

Wouldn't it be better to be steady friends with benefits?

At ten o'clock in the morning, Luke and Little Black arrived at the detective bureau.

Upon entering the office, the deputy captain called out, "Guys, you came just in time, it's time to donate."

"Donate what?" Little Black was already in a bad mood, and the mention of money only aggravated him.

Jenny said, "I've contacted Kunni'er's biological mother. She doesn't live in Los Angeles but in another state. She is willing to come to Los Angeles to identify the body and assist the police in catching her son's murderer.

But she has no money.

She hopes we can cover her travel expenses."

Luke spread his hands, "What's this? This is a police station, not a charity."

Jenny replied, "You're right, we all understand that. But Kunni'er's mother doesn't have any money."

"Then ask the captain for reimbursement?"

The deputy interrupted, "No use, our budget is limited, cannot be spent on this."

"That's what the captain said too." Jenny nodded and said to Luke and Little Black, "So, we need everyone to pitch in for the plane tickets."

Luke asked, "How much?"

"Five hundred dollars; we've already collected four hundred dollars, just missing the two of you."

The amount wasn't much, but Luke didn't want to pay.

While combing his hair with a comb, the deputy watched the scene unfold, "Luke, just you are the rich guy, stop hesitating."

"I may be rich, but I don't want to be the sucker." Luke pulled out twenty dollars and gave it to Jenny.