Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Orty said with an innocent face, "What's the problem with me?"

"You're so pretty, it's normal to get hit on. Cops are normal people too."

"Thank you for comforting me, you really have a way with words."

"I had a good teacher."

"Then he must have a lot of female friends."

Luke laughed, "He's getting married."

Orty squatted down, opened the safe, and took out a check, "Deputy Chief Luke, this is your advisory fee for one year, three hundred and twenty thousand US dollars."

"Thank you." It was the first time Luke had received such a large check, which he placed inside a document and put into his briefcase, "Do you have time tonight? I'll treat you to dinner."

"Are you asking me out?"

"No, just a simple expression of gratitude."

"If that's the case, I'd rather keep this gratitude, and skip the dinner."

Luke nodded, but showed no intention of leaving, "How is the thief, Orleans Sith, who burgled your house that night?"

"Why suddenly bring him up?" Orty countered.

"If you don't want me to meddle, forget it."

"Does he have a problem? Could he really be your man?"

"He's not my man."

"Then why mention him?"

"During the questioning that day, I realized he was lying all along, he wasn't stealing at random, he must know you, and possibly someone was instructing him from behind."

"Why didn't you say so earlier?"

Luke spread his hands, "You are a detective; I thought you had figured it out."

Orty felt somewhat embarrassed and also inexplicably irritable, "Thanks, I'll be cautious."

"I don't owe you a meal anymore." Luke stood up and left.

...

Evening, six thirty.

Levins Buffet Restaurant.

This upscale seafood buffet restaurant is located on the top floor of the hotel, the seventh floor, where one can see the beautiful scenery of half of Los Angeles.

Luke, Linda, the chubby kid, and Robert walked into the restaurant.

Luke had reserved a six-person table in advance, but only four people actually arrived, the advantage being that there was more space to sit comfortably.

The chubby kid seemed very excited, "Oh my gosh, I love this restaurant.

I saw it on a friend's Facebook before; his dad got a promotion and they came here to eat."

Linda said, "You have quite the memory, if only you could use it a bit on your studies."

Robert said, "I'll watch our stuff here, you guys go get the food."

Luke said, "Grandpa, what would you like to eat? I'll get it for you."

"Start with something to drink, like beer and champagne."

"OK."

Following that, the family of three began to select their meal.

King crab legs, lobster, wagyu beef, sea urchin, tuna, beef tongue, foie gras...

Champagne, beer, red wine, white wine, cocktails, all kinds of beverages were available.

The chubby kid quickly got distracted by the variety of foods, and before long, he had grabbed a large pile.

Robert reminded, "Jack, don't grab too much at once, you can always get more after you eat."

Luke carried a plate with beer, champagne, red wine, and cocktails; with the chubby kid around, he didn't have to grab food, which saved him quite some trouble.

The chubby kid, eyeing the plate of drinks, asked, "Can I have one?"

"Technically no, but… you can sneak a sip." Luke passed him a cocktail.

"Thanks, bro."

With the chubby kid's enthusiastic efforts, the table was soon filled with all sorts of dishes.

The chubby kid forked a piece of wagyu beef and took a bite, "Super tender, I love it."

"Then eat more of it; I think you're the most likely to eat your money's worth," Luke said with a laugh.

The chubby kid looked around the restaurant ambiance, "This place must be expensive, right?"

"Two hundred and fifty dollars per person, you're half-price, plus there's a 10% tip."

"Wow, this is the most expensive buffet I've ever had; I remember the priciest buffet I've ever had was eighty dollars per person, and it was my dad who took us." The chubby kid's face lit up with excitement; normally, the buffets he ate at were twenty-five dollars a person, ten times less expensive.

"If you like it, I'll take you here again."

"Bro, did you strike it rich?"

"Can't say I struck it rich; just got an extra part-time job."

Linda raised her glass, "Here's to your new job going well."

"Thank you."

The chubby kid pulled out his phone, snapping pictures while saying, "I have to record this, show off to those classmates, and make Uncle Val regret not coming."

Linda asked, "That's right, why didn't Val come?"

"I called him, he said he had to work late, told me to treat him another day."

Linda shook her head, "He can really say that."

"I plan to treat him to a burger next time."

"Good idea, what about Daisy?"

"She's working overtime, even busier than I am."

"Then let's forget about them, I also want to take a picture to post on Facebook."

"Mom, are you sure you want to do that?" The chubby kid was surprised; he hadn't expected his mom to be so 'vain'.

"Of course. My son is treating me to a big meal, what could be more worth showing off?

The last time I went to such a fancy restaurant... I can't even remember when that was."

Robert nodded, "You're right, I also want to post on Facebook.

I bet none of those old friends of mine have grandkids who would treat them to a 250-dollar buffet.

They will be green with envy.

This is definitely a day worth bragging about."

Hearing his family's words, Luke felt... quite mixed.

He thought that this meal was more than worth it.