Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

"Mineral water?" Jin Xiuhui frowned slightly, as if trying to recall, "I can't remember, isn't it normal to pick things in a supermarket? Besides, there's more than one brand of mineral water in the supermarket; I don't remember clearly."

Luke did not detect any obvious signs of lying on her face.

If she were the Poisoner, she would not remain so calm upon hearing the brand 'Vossen' mineral water mentioned.

Could he have been mistaken, and she had nothing to do with the poisoning case?

"Ms. Jin, we are currently investigating a case that poses a serious threat to public safety. If necessary, we can take emergency action—no need for a search or arrest warrant.

Each second the case is delayed, another victim could be added. Thus, I hope you will clarify the matter.

I am a police officer; I deal with criminals every day and have encountered all kinds of fraudsters.

I can tell at a glance whether you are lying or hiding something.

If you lie, it will impede the investigation. You would indirectly become involved in this case, which isn't good.

I'm saying this to make you understand the seriousness of the situation."

Jin Xiuhui's face changed several times. Her originally fair face was somewhat smeared by sweat droplets falling, "I... I indeed had another purpose for going to Mount Yuan Supermarket that day..." Jin Xiuhui stopped mid-sentence.

"What purpose?"

Looking outside the office, Jin Xiuhui whispered, "My cousin asked me to go."

"What did she ask you to do?"

"She asked me to check the prices and variety of goods at Mount Yuan Supermarket, and that was my purpose for going there. I didn't do anything illegal."

"Why would you do that?"

"The two supermarkets are close to each other, and their main customers are local residents. Naturally, there would be comparisons. If the prices are set too high, customers might not come, opting instead to go to Mount Yuan Supermarket.

If the prices are set too low, the supermarket itself would not make a profit. Therefore, my cousin wanted to get a clear idea of Mount Yuan's product prices.

However, she is the owner of Jiangnan Supermarket, and it wouldn't be appropriate for her to go herself. Besides, she doesn't trust others, so she asked me to help out.

We are very close, and since I am not an employee of Jiangnan Supermarket, it wouldn't matter even if Mount Yuan Supermarket found out."

"Then why didn't you tell the truth at the start?"

"I'm sorry, I just didn't want to affect my cousin's business. Although what I did wasn't illegal, competitors frown upon such actions.

Plus, I truly didn't poison anyone at Mount Yuan Supermarket; I am innocent in that regard."

"Ms. Jin, I understand your initial thoughts. What I want to know is if you are lying now?"

"No."

"Can I trust you?"

"Of course."

"How exactly did you check the prices? How did you record them? It seems hard to memorize so many prices just from memory."

"Uh..." Jin Xiuhui showed hesitation again.

Luke raised an eyebrow, "Ms. Jin, don't let me down?"

"My cousin prepared a mini-camera and put it in my handbag. All I had to do was carry the bag around and keep moving to record the supermarket scene, which would also capturing the prices and types of goods."

Hope chuckled, "Mini-camera? Sounds like something only a pervert would use."

Jin Xiuhui retorted, "I'm not a pervert; I was just helping my family."

Luke asked, "Where are the camera and the footage now?"

"They're with my cousin; those items are no use to me."

"Did your cousin pay you?"

"How could she?

She is my family. I wouldn't take her money. We only wanted to check the supermarket prices, so it shouldn't be illegal, right?"

"Whether it's illegal, I don't know. I'm not very familiar with the laws. However, your decision to confess to the police is commendable.

Based on just that, I won't pursue this matter.

Of course, provided that the spying was the only objective and there was no other undisclosed motive."

Jin Xiuhui breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank God, and thank you both, officers; there's really nothing else."

Luke stood up, opened the door of the office, and looked outside where he saw the supermarket owner Li Shanmei standing not far away, "Ms. Li, could we talk for a moment now that we're done here?"

"Me?" Li Shanmei hesitated, then nodded, "Yes."

"Ms. Jin, thank you for your cooperation; I represent the LAPD in expressing our gratitude." Luke made a gesture for her to exit first.

At the doorway, Jin Xiuhui murmured something in Korean.

Li Shanmei patted her back, comforting her with a gesture to go ahead.

Now, only Luke, Hope, and Li Shanmei remained in the office.

Luke smiled, "Ms. Li, I really admire the relationship you have with your cousin."

Li Shanmei sat on the couch, nodding slightly, "My cousin has taken good care of me; it was she who brought me to Los Angeles.

Officer Luke, are you here to investigate my cousin because of the Mount Yuan Supermarket affair?"

"Your cousin already told you?"

"No, I guessed. My cousin is a good person. Besides this, I can't think of any other reason the police would seek her.

But, I only asked her to learn about the prices and varieties of goods at Mount Yuan Supermarket; that shouldn't be a big problem, right?

Why would it alert you two to come and investigate?"

Luke smiled, "Ms. Li, there are no outsiders here, and I hope we can be more open with each other.

We are police officers; we always carry body cameras, which indeed can record law enforcement scenes, but it's hard to capture small details clearly.

Like the price tags, brands; it's difficult to shoot clearly.

If it's just to understand the prices and types of goods, I don't think using a mini-camera is a good idea.

Getting caught by another supermarket owner could be troublesome.

Your method perplexes me; can you explain it?"

Li Shanmei appeared a bit uneasy and lowered her voice, "Uh... You're right, actually, sending my cousin with the mini-camera to Mount Yuan Supermarket had another purpose.

However, my cousin didn't know about it. Can you keep it a secret?"

Hope grimaced, somewhat scoffingly thinking, 'Indeed, no good deed from a capitalist.'

Luke also mumbled inwardly, 'Well, so much for sisterly love, women...'

"As long as it doesn't affect the police investigation, I can agree."