Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

I couldn't find my phone, so I had to drive to the hospital where Mom works...

"I'm very sorry for hitting someone with the car. It wasn't intentional."

Luke pondered for a moment, "After you found Jamie dead, did you get close to him?"

"No."

"Did you touch anything else?"

"No."

"Did you ever wear Jamie's leather shoes?"

"No."

Lying.

Through these questions, Pek seemed nervous and flustered, showing signs of lying.

The first time we met, Pek injured dozens of protesters, and his emotions were extremely unstable—fear, nervousness, anger, guilt...

Such a mix of complex emotions made it difficult to discern whether there were signs of lying.

But this time was different. Pek had calmed down. Asking some sensitive questions now made it easier to notice emotional fluctuations and slips.

The purpose of an interrogation is to ascertain the facts.

If he refuses to confess, find loopholes in his statements to prove he is lying and force a confession.

Luke took out a transparent plastic bag from his briefcase. It contained a black handgun. "Does this gun look familiar to you?"

"I've never seen it."

"This is Jamie's gun. We found your fingerprints on it, which means you've not only seen it but also touched it, used it!"

The lawyer waved his hand, "Pek, don't speak for now." The lawyer then looked at Luke, "Deputy Chief Luke, we are here to assist LAPD in finding Jamie's killer. But that doesn't mean the police can slander my client at will."

"Mr. Lawyer, what should I call you?"

"Sylster."

"Lawyer Sylster, we don't want to suspect Pek either, but the evidence we have is very unfavorable to him. This gun not only has Pek's fingerprints on it, but it's also the murder weapon that killed Jamie!

I think you should be clear about what that implies."

Lawyer Sylster said, "Even if my client touched the gun, that doesn't mean he fired it."

Luke asked, "Pek, have you ever fired a gun?"

"No."

"But we've done a gunpowder residue test on you and found traces on your right hand, arm, and shirt.

How do you explain that?"

Pek argued, "I didn't shoot. Someone else went there, too.

I even found a bloody footprint at the scene. If you don't believe me, you can check it out."

"You're right, we did find a bloody footprint at the scene, and if I'm not mistaken, that footprint should be yours."

"No no no, those aren't my shoes, and I wouldn't fit in shoes that big."

Luke smiled, "Indeed, the bloody footprint was left by an adult's shoes, and at first glance, it would lead one to think an adult committed the crime, misleading the investigation.

But now, the problem is, we've pegged you as a suspect, and your feet can fit into those leather shoes.

Moreover, we found your fingerprints on the shoes, and the situation is very unfavorable for you now."

Lawyer Sylster intervened again, "Deputy Chief Luke, my client is only ten years old. I don't think he's capable of shooting an adult."

"Then you should look at the scene where he hit a dozen protesters with a car. I heard one of the victims might need leg amputation surgery. Lawyer Sylster, the police wouldn't lightly interrogate a ten-year-old child without sufficient evidence."

Luke pointed to the evidence on the table, "Pek has the motive, the opportunity, and there's evidence pointing to him—like the handgun, gunpowder residue, and the leather shoes.

All of this evidence would be enough for a jury to convict him."

Lawyer Sylster sighed, glanced at Pek, "I'd like to speak with my client in private."

"No problem, I'll give you ten minutes," Luke said, taking the documents and evidence and leaving the interrogation room.

The lawyer, Pek, and Pek's grandmother began an intense discussion.

...

Luke and Xiao Hei returned to the office.

Luke poured himself a cup of coffee.

The Deputy Chief asked, "How did the interrogation go?"

"We've said what needed to be said; now it's up to the lawyer."

The Deputy Chief curled his lip, "It's best not to get your hopes up, then."

Jenny said, "Guys, I have some good news over here. Kunni'er's mother has arrived in Los Angeles and is on her way to the police station to identify the body."

The Deputy Chief was somewhat surprised, "She's actually come! To be honest, I'm quite taken aback."

Xiao Hei waved his fist, "I won."

The Deputy Chief shrugged, "I didn't make a bet with you."

"I'm not betting with you guys; I was betting a hundred US dollars on human nature.

I know you don't believe in Kunni'er's mother, think she's lying, trying to swindle money.

Your thoughts are correct, more rational.

But when I consider Kunni'er's situation...

I feel... the world needs some emotional people."

Luke glanced at his watch, "Buddy, well said. Break's over.

We should head back to the interrogation room."

A few minutes later, the two returned to the interrogation room.

Luke sat opposite at the interrogation table, "How did the discussion go?"

Lawyer Sylster exchanged a look with Pek, "Deputy Chief Luke, assuming, just assuming, Pek confesses, what kind of plea deal can he get?"

Luke countered, "What kind of deal do you want?"

"Self-defense."

"Give me your reasons."

"Jamie Brady was a wanted criminal. He kidnapped my client and his sister, held them captive, restricted their freedom, didn't allow them to leave, even threatened them that if they dared to leave the house, he would kill them.