Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

"Please wait a moment, I shall give my cousin a call." Li Shanmei left the office, leaving only Luke and Xiao Hei in the room.

Xiao Hei stood up and looked around, "I like this office, it's much more comfortable than Osmon's office. It seems that the female owner of this supermarket is quite nice."

Xiao Hei lowered his voice and said, "Do you think she could be involved with the poisoning case?"

"Hard to say." These two supermarkets were close to each other, and Luke also felt that there might be some 'issues' between them, but what exactly those were was uncertain.

It was more about an intuition he had developed over many years on the force.

This was also why Luke had not directly approached them, but had preferred to wait.

Soon, Li Shanmei re-entered the office carrying a tray, "Officers, I have contacted my cousin, and she will soon come to the supermarket." As she spoke, she placed two cups of tea on the coffee table, "This is a Korean specialty, ginseng tea. Please try some."

"What is ginseng tea? It's my first time hearing about it." Xiao Hei curiously looked at the cup, but then put it down.

He was straightforward and carefree, but he was not foolish.

They were investigating a poisoning case, and since the investigation had led them to this supermarket, it might have problems, so how could they possibly drink tea provided by them?

Luke showed a trace of apology, "Thank you for the tea, but we have a rule that prohibits accepting hospitality during an investigation."

"Sorry, I was not aware of that rule; I only wanted to offer you some tea."

"Understood, and the thought is appreciated."

Li Shanmei sat down on the nearby sofa, picked up a cup of ginseng tea, and took a sip, "How should I address you two officers?"

Xiao Hei introduced, "I am Detective Marcus from the Robbery and Murder Department, this is Deputy Chief Luke."

"The Robbery and Murder Department?" Li Shanmei looked puzzled, "I'm very close with my cousin and know her well, it's hard to imagine her being linked to the Robbery and Murder Department. May I ask what happened?"

Luke had a good impression of this female owner, but after thinking it over, he did not reveal the specifics, as she herself had said, she had a good relationship with her cousin.

If he revealed the reasons for the investigation, the other party might very well inform her cousin, putting the police at a disadvantage.

Besides, since her cousin was the person involved, and she had not yet arrived, what was the point in telling her?

However, about ten minutes later, the office door was pushed open; a Korean woman in her forties entered, the same woman captured by the supermarket's surveillance cameras.

The female owner Li Shanmei stood up, "Cousin, you've arrived.

These are the two officers looking for you, this one is Deputy Chief Luke from the Robbery and Murder Department, and Detective Marcus."

The Korean lady nodded slightly, somewhat reservedly, "Hello officers, I am Jin Xiuhui. What do you need me for?"

"We are investigating a criminal case and would like to understand some details from you."

Jin Xiuhui looked slightly nervous, "A criminal case, are you sure you aren't mistaken?"

Luke glanced at Li Shanmei, "Mrs. Li, may we speak to her alone?"

"Of course." Li Shanmei responded, patted her cousin's arm, and then left the office.

Li Shanmei glanced at Luke and then at Xiao Hei, "I... I haven't committed any illegal acts."

"Mrs. Jin, you seem a bit nervous."

"Isn't it normal to be nervous in front of the police?"

"Relax, we just have a few questions, and all you need to do is answer truthfully," said Luke.

Jin Xiuhui nodded.

Luke got straight to the point, "Are you familiar with Shan Yuan Supermarket?"

"Yes, it's not far from the community where I live. Is there an issue?"

"Have you visited that supermarket recently?"

"Uh... yes, I think so."

"When did you go?"

"I can't remember."

"Then try to recall."

"It was... August 22."

"What did you do at the supermarket? How long were you there?"

"What can one do at a supermarket? Of course, I went shopping. I don't remember how long I stayed."

"Just shopping? No other purpose?" Luke's gaze was piercing.

"Yes." Jin Xiuhui's glance shifted, and she slightly turned her head away.

Lying.

Luke continued to inquire, "Your cousin also runs a supermarket, so if you needed to shop, why didn't you go to your cousin's store?"

Jin Xiuhui thought for a moment, "I like eating rice soup, but I can't eat it every day. Sometimes, I like having steak.

It's the same with supermarkets. Sometimes I don't necessarily need to shop; I just want to browse. I'm too familiar with my cousin's supermarket.

I wanted to visit a new supermarket, which is quite normal.

Is there a problem with that?"

"If that's all it was, of course there wouldn't be a problem, and the Robbery and Murder Department wouldn't come here, but the current issue is that someone poisoned products at Shan Yuan Supermarket, causing one death and one injury.

The owner and employees of Shan Yuan Supermarket all find you suspicious, and that's why we are here."

"Poisoning at Shan Yuan Supermarket? And someone died?" Jin Xiuhui's mouth fell open, seemingly a bit frightened,

"No, no, no, that has nothing to do with me. I just went to browse the supermarket; it can't possibly be related to a murder.

There are many customers at that supermarket; why would you suspect me?"

Luke did not directly answer since they indeed had no direct evidence linking Jin Xiuhui to the poisoning case. He changed the topic and asked, "Mrs. Jin, did you come into contact with Wessen brand mineral water at Shan Yuan Supermarket?"