Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

A relatively short and slender white detective yawned, "Captain, isn't this case primarily handle by the first squad?

Why are we being called to the scene late at night?"

"Luke's deputy line was unreachable; as for Vincent, the man is already old, asking him to come to the scene at this time might result in an additional body on site," said Chen with his distinct cold humor.

The white detective persisted, "What about Susan, the captain? She's the boss of the first squad."

"Susan might become a good captain, but that doesn't mean she's fit to do field investigations," Captain Chen put on his gloves, "Kevin, you ask too many questions, it's time to get to work."

White detective Kevin walked into the bar and saw the bustling crowd, "OMG, it's going to be a busy night."

Captain Chen had patrol officers help maintain order while team members from the second squad took customer statements, asking about what happened when the incident occurred. Captain Chen and Kevin went up to the stage to examine the body.

Looking down at the body and the water bottle beside it, Captain Chen shook his head, "It's already been on the news, yet he's been poisoned in public, unbelievable."

Kevin snapped his fingers, pointing at the Caucasian man on the floor, "I recognize him, I saw him buy bottled water at the Shanyuan supermarket on surveillance footage, but never identified him."

Captain Chen squatted down to examine the body, "Signs consistent with cyanide poisoning." After examining the scene, Captain Chen removed his gloves and called out, "Where's the person in charge here?"

"Right here." A woman in a blue dress came over, "My name is Kristen Enco, one of the antiques in this bar, and part-time host.

I was on the scene when Darcy was poisoned."

"I'm Kevin, a detective from the Robbery and Murder Department's second squad, and this is Captain Chen from the second squad.

Ms. Enco, please describe the scene at the time of the incident."

"Oh... it was terrifying, I really don't want to recall it," Kristen sighed lightly, pinching her forehead.

After hesitating for a moment, she began to recount the details of the incident.

Kevin spread his hands, "I'm a bit confused, the audience had already warned him about the water possibly being poisoned. Why would he still drink it?"

Kristen shook her head, "I don't understand what he was thinking, but I can guess some of it.

He was a stand-up comedian, very talented, and he wouldn't pass up any chance to perform.

The atmosphere at the time, the effect of drinking that bottle of water, was far greater than if he had just put the bottle down.

Professionally speaking, his choice was sound, he staged a fake death act that got the whole crowd going.

He was a genius.

He hadn't seen the news of the poisoning, and even if someone warned him, he wouldn't think he'd be so unlucky as to drink poisoned water.

The chances were low, but... that bottle of water was indeed poisoned.

Nobody expected such a thing to happen."

Chen Kelin concluded, "So you're saying he drank the poisoned water voluntarily?"

"Yes, all the staff and patrons on site saw it," Kristen spread her hands helplessly, "I still can't believe it myself."

"Where did the water come from?"

"He brought it himself; he only drinks that brand of mineral water, always kept locked in his own locker."

Chen Kelin pressed, "Did he offend anyone recently?"

"I don't know, but stand-up comedians, especially good ones, never lose a war of words. You might like him on stage, but not necessarily in real life."

"Since he was performing, do you have video footage?"

"Yes, I'll get it." Soon, Kristen Enco brought over a small camcorder and played the footage of Darcy's stand-up act.

Kevin smiled, "I like this guy, especially his critiques on Desperate Housewives, pity I didn't get to know him sooner…"

"Hey, let me through, you can't stop me!" a middle-aged Caucasian man barged in shouting.

Chen Kelin inquired, "Who is he?"

"Darcy's agent, Markway Sakozi."

Chen Kelin waved his hand, signaling the patrol officers to let the middle-aged man in, "You are Darcy's agent?"

"Yes, how is Darcy?" Markway looked towards the stage as he spoke, "God, is that him? Was he really poisoned to death!

Damn God, why would you play such a joke?"

"Mr. Sakozi, did Darcy really like to drink Vison brand mineral water?"

"Yes, he was very opinionated, once he decided on something, he rarely changed."

"Did you see the news about the poisoning?"

"I just saw it on my way here, damn it, I've been so busy these past few days, I had no time for that damn news.

If I had seen it, I definitely wouldn't have let him drink that brand of water."

"You said you've been swamped lately, where have you been?"

"Uh..." Markway Sakozi hesitated to speak.

Chen Kelin turned to the hostess, "Ms. Enco, I'd like a list of today's staff."

"OK, I'll compile it." Kristen Enco turned away to leave.

Chen Kelin looked at Markway Sakozi again, "Can you speak now?"

"Darcy was a genius, though he entered the industry late, his talent for stand-up was strong, and he hadn't yet fully unleashed his abilities.