Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Inside a business police car.

Luke sized up Volod Russell across from him. Russell's face showed no fear or anxiety, and he occasionally glanced out the window. Following his gaze, Luke looked toward the fire in the forest park.

Luke asked, "Volod Russell, what was your reason for arson?"

Volod Russell didn't answer, as if he hadn't heard, and still stared out the window.

Port nudged Volod Russell's shoulder. "Hey, our captain is asking you, why did you set the fire?"

Volod Russell retorted, "Why do you eat?"

"Because I'm hungry."

"Why do you drink water?"

"When I'm thirsty, I naturally drink water. Does this have anything to do with you setting the fire?"

"Of course." Volod Russell looked at Luke and Port, saying seriously, "Eating and drinking water are your biological instincts, setting fires is mine.

There's no reason, it's just an instinct."

Volod Russell spoke naturally, and Luke saw no signs of lying on his face.

Luke whispered to Port, "Is this guy right in the head?"

"Uh... the last time he was arrested, he seemed normal," Port said uncertainly.

Luke stared at him, pondering for a moment. "Describe how you set the fire."

Volod Russell glanced out the window. "I don't like the night, I've disliked it since childhood, so I usually go to bed early.

But last night, I had insomnia, I was restless and couldn't sleep no matter what.

Later, I went out for a walk and entered Mogaro Forest Park.

The trees in Mogaro Forest Park are very dense, it was very dark around, I lit a cigarette, it was the only light.

The light was very small, ready to be swallowed by the darkness at any moment...

Soon, the cigarette was about to burn out, and I knew I had to make a choice, light or darkness.

In the end, I chose light!" Volod Russell looked out the window, as if speaking to himself or to Luke. "Don't you think it's beautiful?"

Luke asked, "What time did you start the fire?"

"I don't remember clearly, it should have been before nine o'clock, maybe around eight fifty."

"What time do you usually go to sleep?"

"When it gets dark, around eight o'clock."

"You went out for a walk because you couldn't sleep?"

"Yes."

"What time did you leave your house?"

Volod Russell thought for a moment. "I don't remember clearly, maybe a little past eight o'clock, should be no later than eight twenty."

"Where do you live?"

"In the Yibala community."

Luke used his phone to check the location of the community.

"Did you walk when you went out for a walk?"

"Sometimes I walk, but last night I wanted to take a drive, so I drove out."

"I just checked. Driving from the Yibala community to Mogaro Forest Park takes twenty minutes, and you left home a little past eight and started the fire around eight fifty. Don't you think the timing is tight?"

Volod Russell shrugged. "I think it's just right."

"Where in the park did you start the fire?"

"In the valley."

"From your community to Mogaro Forest Park takes twenty minutes by car, that's where we are now, and from here to the valley, it takes at least ten minutes, considering it's nighttime, it could take even longer.

Do you still think there's enough time?"

Volod Russell licked his lips and continued, "I come to Mogaro Forest Park often, I'm very familiar with this place. The time is enough for me."

"OK." Luke stared at him, pressing further, "Which car did you drive to Mogaro Forest Park?"

"A dark blue pickup truck."

"License plate?"

"Hxeb328."

Just as Luke noted down the license plate, there was a knock on the door outside.

Luke opened the car door. Jackson stood by the car, glanced inside. "Captain, I have something to report."

After getting out of the car, Luke walked aside and asked, "What is it?"

"The preliminary autopsy results are out."

"We found a male corpse, the body wasn't burned to death, nor was it suffocated by smoke—it was burned post-mortem. Because the body is charred, the exact cause and time of death require further examination."

"What about the identity of the deceased?"

"All items related to the body were burned, we can't determine the identity for now."

Luke sighed. "I understand."

Jackson looked at the business car. "Captain, is this guy the arsonist?"

Luke didn't answer, turned and returned to the business car, asked Volod Russell, "You just said you set the fire out of instinct?"

"Yes, I've always liked light."

Luke opened his phone, taking out the photo of the charred corpse. "Is this the light you were talking about?"

Volod Russell glanced over and quickly turned his head aside, "This has nothing to do with me. Blame it on that unlucky bastard for running slow. Rather than saying he burned to death, it's more like he died from stupidity."

"Did you deliberately set the fire to kill him?"

"No, I don't even know him.

I've already admitted to arson; there's no need to lie about this."

"Regardless of the reason, he died in the fire you set, making you the murderer."

Volod Russell sighed, "I'm sorry too... I just like fire, never intended to kill anyone."

Luke said to Port beside him, "Watch him."

"Yes, sir."

Luke got out of the business car, recalling their conversation. He didn't notice any obvious signs of lying, but there were contradictions in the testimony.

Firstly, the crime happened rather hastily. Secondly, the body wasn't burned to death; the corpse was burned post-mortem.

So who was the killer of the corpse?

Luke felt it might not be Volod Russell.

He's admitted to arson; if he were the killer of the corpse, there's no reason to lie.

Subsequently, Luke called in the deputy team, assigning him to investigate Volod Russell's whereabouts last night to determine if he had the time and motive for arson.

Luke himself continued to guard the scene.

The fire lasted for another three hours, until five in the morning when the dawn light appeared, and firefighters finally extinguished the blaze.

During this time, because the fire was too intense, two firefighters were injured and taken to the hospital.

Eight a.m.

Luke led a team into Mogaro Forest Park to investigate the cause of the fire.

The once lush Mogaro Forest Park was now bare, with charred trees everywhere. The muddy ground made walking difficult.

Black shook his head and sighed, "That bastard burned half the park bare for his twisted fetish; he should definitely be sent to the electric chair."

Jackson sniffed hard, "I smell something burnt."

Black sniffed hard, "There's a burnt smell everywhere; I can't tell any difference."

Jackson said nothing, quickly walked forward, and found a charred object beside a burned tree. Jackson poked it with a stick and frowned, "Seems like a wild boar."

Black also walked over, "Wow, it really is roast wild boar. Your nose is almost as good as a police dog's."

Jackson showed a look of pity, "Poor little guy, it must have been in pain and felt helpless."

Black shook his head, "You're not God; you can't save every pig."

Jackson sighed, "I don't want to talk to you right now, you heartless fellow."

"No, I'm not heartless; I'm usually very kind, but my sympathy doesn't extend to a pig.

I don't find it much different from the pigs on the dinner table.

Of course, maybe the pork on the table would smell better, who knows."

Jackson put his hands on his hips and asked back, "So do you want to take a bite?"

"Hey, stop arguing." Luke interrupted them, pointing forward, "Go see what's over there?"

Black made a face at Jackson and turned towards the direction Luke pointed. He halted even before getting close, stepped back two steps, and shouted, "Fuck, what's this creepy thing...

Seems like a human!"

Luke came over and saw a charred object; upon careful inspection, it indeed resembled a human shape, "Call the forensic doctor and the technical team."

Shortly, the forensic doctor and the technical team arrived at the scene; the forensic doctor identified it as a burned corpse.

Another twenty minutes later, Raymond found another corpse on the other side of the valley.

After finishing the site survey, the police left Mogaro Forest Park with the two newly discovered corpses.

Black sniffed his clothes, "I feel like my whole body stinks."

Jackson shrugged, "You always have such a unique perspective on things, but the main point is that this big fire killed three people.

And because the bodies are all charred, we can't even identify the victims.

Don't you think that's the main point?"

The deputy covered his nose and came over, laughing, "Marcus was right; you two do stink!"

Black added, "I'm just smoked by the burnt smell, but this rookie has bad breath."

After quickly cleaning up, Luke changed his clothes and shoes in the car and asked, "Deputy, what did you find out?"

"We found Volod Russell's home; I talked to Volod Russell's wife.

According to her, Volod Russell didn't leave home last night until he saw news about the fire on TV.

That should be around nine-thirty.

From Volod Russell's wife's description, Volod Russell didn't have the time to commit the crime."

Black said, "Could Volod Russell's wife be lying to protect him?"

The deputy continued, "I suspected that possibility.

Then we checked the surveillance and found the dark blue pickup truck with plate number Hxeb328 driven by Volod Russell.

The truck left the community at nine thirty-two at night, and arrived near Mogaro Forest Park around nine fifty-five.

Road surveillance even captured images of Volod Russell driving the vehicle.

This guy lied; he's definitely not the arsonist."

Jackson spread his hands, "Arson is a serious crime; if he didn't do it, why would he plead guilty?"

The deputy rubbed his chin with his right hand, "From my experience, this guy possibly took the fall for someone else."