Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Luke looked toward the reception desk and asked, "Who is the recipient?"

"I don't remember too clearly, seems like it's... Mike."

Luke turned to Nami Inoue and asked, "Do you know anyone named Mike?"

Nami Inoue thought for a moment and said, "Probably not, besides, the name is too common. Could it be a fake name?"

Luke also considered this possibility.

Lucy said, "If it were a fake name, why not just write the supervisor's name?"

Nami Inoue replied, "His target is the news department, but he wants the two bombs separated."

Luke agreed with Nami Inoue's guess, "Lucy, I need you to help find the other package."

Lucy shivered violently and said in a trembling voice, "Will it... suddenly explode?"

"As long as you find it, you can leave immediately. I'll stay by your side, and I'll handle the rest."

Lucy nodded, took a deep breath, and walked toward the reception desk very slowly, with light footsteps, as if afraid heavy steps would trigger an explosion.

Lucy walked to a spot four or five meters from the desk, then walked around to the back, pointing to a black package under the desk, "It's that black bag; no one should have touched it."

"Are you sure it's that one?"

"Yes, I'm sure." Lucy said while retreating.

A few short steps seemed to make her collapse, and Nami Inoue hurriedly supported her from behind.

Luke used a detection card on the black package but didn't detect any active electronic devices inside.

Luke breathed a sigh of relief, indicating that even if the package contained a bomb, it wasn't a timed or remote-controlled one.

It's most likely a trigger bomb; as long as it isn't touched, it shouldn't detonate.

Luke waved, "Everyone step back, wait for the bomb squad."

This thing is better left to the professionals.

Patrol officers and ambulances arrived at the scene one after another.

Due to the possibility of another bomb, Luke did not let them enter.

When the bomb squad arrived, Luke also retreated outside.

Reid arrived as well, looking at Luke and the "Little Black," "How are you two? Not hurt, I hope?"

Little Black shrugged indifferently, "Come on, this bit of commotion is not louder than my mom's voice."

Reid said seriously, "I understand your mom; she has a reason to be loud."

Little Black "..."

Reid looked at Luke, "Were there many casualties from the explosion?"

Luke replied, "The explosion occurred in the supervisor's office, a bit far from the main office area.

Currently, the only known fatality is the supervisor.

A few desks near the supervisor's office were affected by the explosion, and the people at those desks have varying degrees of injuries, but none are fatal. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the novèlfire.net

Most others were just frightened, not in serious trouble."

Reid nodded and asked, "Do you think this explosion is related to the chemical materials found at the slaughterhouse?"

"Anette Stone used to work here and still contacts several colleagues who are close. I think it's entirely possible.

I suspect Javier Hagen, the supervisor, might also have known about some of Anette Stone's investigations, which might be why he was killed."

During the conversation, the bomb squad was ready.

He wore a dark blue heavy bomb disposal suit, holding a detector, and walked steadily towards the black package.

He put the detector above the package to scan.

After a while, he set the detector aside and took out tools to start disassembling the package.

Everyone in front of the monitor screen took a deep breath, showing a tense expression.

Luke slightly frowned and said to Reid beside him, "This procedure seems a bit off."

Reid rubbed his chin, "Simplified procedure, looks like there shouldn't be any issue."

Through the monitor, Luke could also see the process of disassembling the black package.

Inside the outer packaging was a cardboard box, and when the lid was opened, something shot out with a "whiz," startling the bomb technician and everyone in front of the monitor screen.

Luke took a closer look; it was a spring-loaded clown jumping toy.

A false alarm.

Or perhaps this was a prank.

Later, the bomb technician took out a black hard drive from the bottom of the box.

The bomb technician shouted, "Bomb deactivated."

"Safe."

Everyone was completely relieved.

The black hard drive was handed to Reid; he looked at it without noticing anything special.

Reid handed the hard drive to Little Black, "Get a computer that's offline and see what's inside?"

"Okay, Chief."

Little Black found a laptop, plugged in the hard drive, and opened the video files on it.

The video background was somewhat dark, featuring a person wearing a black cloak, hooded, with a white mask over the face, appearing a bit eerie and terrifying.

"Hey, sorry to meet you this way, but it's the only way to get your attention.

Killing isn't for the sake of purpose but to strive for lasting peace.

I have many bombs similar to today's, and they're more powerful and destructive. I hope these bombs never get used.

But that isn't up to me; it's up to you.

My demands are simple.

Within 12 hours, release L338 detained at Guantanamo Prison.

If not released within the agreed time, there will be a new wave of attacks, broader in scope, and greater in harm.

Don't test my limits, or the result will be a battered Los Angeles.

And more innocent citizens will die because of your decisions.

You only have 12 hours."

The video ended.

Reid glanced at his watch and said, "It's 7PM now. Although this is pre-recorded, and the attacker can't control the exact time we watched the video, it's roughly estimated that a new round of attacks will likely occur tomorrow morning."

Little Black curiously asked, "Chief, do you know who the L338 required to be released in the video is?"

"It's likely a code name for a Middle Eastern terrorist leader, an extremely dangerous guy.

He was just detained at Guantanamo Prison at the end of last year, and his men have been trying to rescue him."

"Any chance he could be released?"

Reid shook his head, "That's not up to us to decide."

Luke also felt it was tricky, having never encountered a situation like this before, "Should we continue investigating this case or hand it over to the FBI?"

"I contacted the FBI's counterterrorism division before coming; they should be arriving soon."

"Should we continue investigating the dismemberment case?"

Before Reid could answer, Luke's phone rang.

"It's Matthew calling, probably has new clues," Luke said, then answered the call, "This is Luke."

"Captain, I screened the identities of the slaughterhouse employees; there's a retired soldier named Honey List."

Luke asked, "Where did he serve?"

"The Middle East."

Luke said, "Send me this guy's information."

"Okay, Captain."

Luke hung up and said, "Matthew found clues to the dismemberment case; the suspect previously worked at the slaughterhouse and served in the Middle East."

Reid thought for a moment and said, "Find a way to locate this person, monitor his movements, but don't immediately arrest."

"I understand. Once Matthew sends over the information, I'll take some people to investigate near the suspect's home." Luke was facing terrorist issues for the first time and felt uneasy.

Reid still felt uneasy, pulling Luke aside to quietly instruct, "This case is huge, and the credit is tremendous; LAPD alone can't handle it.

Besides, we're likely dealing with terrorists who are more ruthless and cruel than previous suspects.

I know neither you nor your team wants to let go of this credit, and I feel the same way.

But all you need to do is investigate; leave the rest to the FBI. They are more experienced in this area, and we only need to assist them. This case has enough credit for us to share."

"I understand, I'll only handle the investigation, and the capture will be handed over to the FBI."

Reid patted Luke on the shoulder, "Stay safe!"