Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Palisades Community.

In the morning, Luke was standing in the spacious and bright kitchen, making breakfast while talking with his father.

"Dad, have you had breakfast?"

"Just had it.

A new breakfast place opened nearby, and their fried dough sticks are delicious. I'll take you to try them next time you're in New York."

Luke joked, "I haven't had fried dough sticks in a long time. Just mentioning it makes my mouth water."

"Haha..." Li Zhaofeng chuckled and then said, "Yesterday, the new company was registered. It's called Dias Investment Company.

I'll send you the equity documents in a bit for you to check out."

"Do I need to make a trip to New York?"

"Not for now.

Even though you're the major shareholder, you don't hold a position within the company. I'll handle it."

"Got it." The father and son chatted a bit more, then Li Zhaofeng hung up the call.

Luke's breakfast was almost ready too: fried eggs, bacon, cabbage, toast, coffee, and blueberries.

"Da da..."

The sound of footsteps rang out as Daisy, wearing a white shirt, walked down the stairs. The shirt was Luke's, a bit oversized, just enough to cover her hips, with her long legs particularly striking.

Luke turned off the stove and put the bacon on a plate, "Hey, beautiful, good morning.

I was just about to call you for breakfast."

Daisy rolled up the oversized sleeves, "I could smell the aroma. Do you need my help?"

Luke placed the dishes on the table, saying, "Just get the milk and chocolate spread from the fridge, and we're set."

"Okay." Daisy came over with the milk and chocolate spread, sitting across from Luke, "Wow, this breakfast is quite a spread." Daisy popped a blueberry into her mouth.

Luke chuckled, "If you don't eat a bit more, you won't be able to hold a gun."

Daisy rubbed her right arm, "Speaking of shooting practice, my forearm feels a bit sore."

"You practiced for too long yesterday. You need to take it slow." Luke handed Daisy a piece of bread spread with chocolate.

"It's too high in calories for me. I'll just have the bread." Daisy picked up a slice of bread, added fried egg, bacon, and cabbage, and took a bite. "It tastes good."

Luke also took a bite of the bread spread with chocolate and nodded, "The chocolate spread I bought has high purity and low sugar, so it shouldn't be too high in calories.

Want to try some?"

Daisy shook her head and continued the previous topic, "You know, I'm usually very busy with work and can't often go to the shooting club. Plus, you're busy with your work and might not have time to teach me.

That's why I want to learn how to use the gun as soon as possible."

Luke smiled, "You're very smart and have already basically mastered the use of the handgun, but knowing how to use it doesn't mean you'll use it well; you still need to practice regularly.

Sometimes, a half-baked shooter is even more dangerous and could end up getting themselves killed."

Daisy knew Luke was looking out for her and agreed, "I'll listen to you. I'll practice shooting whenever I have time, Coach Li."

"Ding dong..."

Luke's phone rang. He checked his phone and saw his father had sent over a document.

After breakfast, Luke took out the document and had Daisy help him check it over. There were no issues with the document's content.

After taking care of business, Luke suggested, "The weather's nice today, let's go to the beach."

Daisy glanced at her watch, "I have an afternoon meeting with a client and need to go back to the law firm.

But I'll make a delicious lunch for you at noon today."

"Sounds good." Luke shrugged, long used to it.

After breakfast, Luke showed Daisy around the villa and watched a movie in the villa's private theater.

As noon approached, Daisy went to prepare lunch.

Luke received an unexpected phone call, "Hello, Mr. Li.

I'm Romit Bull."

"Mr. Bull, what can I do for you?"

This Romit Bull was Luke's new neighbor and also the author of the novel "Disappeared Lover." They had met before while Luke was investigating a case.

"Captain Li, I was wondering when you might have some time. I'd like to pay a visit."

Although he wasn't sure why the other wanted to meet, considering they were neighbors, Luke said with a smile, "I'm free this afternoon."

"Could we meet at 2 PM?"

"Certainly."

"Great, see you in the afternoon." Romit Bull said and hung up the phone.

Luke, with his phone, touched his chin, also curious about what Romit Bull wanted.

From the kitchen came Daisy's voice, "Luke, I need your help. I don't really know how to use your new oven."

Luke laughed, "That's funny, I don't really know how to use it either.

I'll go get the manual, and we can figure it out together."

With Luke's help, Daisy successfully completed the lunch.

American dishes are similar for the most part, though there are some differences in taste.

Daisy can't cook many dishes, but they taste pretty good.

Especially the fried cod, which was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, retaining the fish's freshness, and it's Luke's favorite.

There was also a mushroom soup, which was Luke's first time trying, and it suited his taste.

With such a good dish, how could he not have a little wine? Luke opened a bottle of red wine and drank more than half of it himself.

The only regret was that Daisy had to meet a client in the afternoon, so he could only drink alone.

After the meal, the two rested for a while, then Daisy went to work at the law firm.

...

Two o'clock in the afternoon.

Luke welcomed another guest, Romit Bull.

Luke invited him into the yard, and the two sat in the small garden drinking tea and chatting.

Romit Bull put down his teacup and asked, "Captain Li, I heard that the Mogaro Forest Park arson case was also investigated by you?"

Luke handed him a Chinese cigarette and lit one himself with a smile, "That's right, Writer Bull, you have sharp information."

"As a detective novelist, I need to constantly look for new themes and inspiration.

This is the biggest fire in Los Angeles in recent years and hard to ignore."

Romit Bull lit a cigarette, took a puff, and then looked at it, "What kind of cigarette is this? It tastes strange."

"It's a Chinese cigarette. Once you get used to it, the taste is okay."

Romit Bull blew a smoke ring and said, "I heard that three bodies were found at the fire scene. Can you tell me about this arson case?"

Luke shook his head, "Sorry, this case is still in the confidential stage, so at least for now, I can't say much."

"I understand, it's indeed a bit presumptuous of me to ask.

But, you know, I'm conceiving a novel with a police officer as the main character, and I need a lot of material."

Luke suggested, "As far as I know, there are many crime documentaries online. You can watch them, and they might help with your new book."

"No need for you to say it.

I've watched all the crime documentaries I could find, and many have been adapted into novels or TV series, which have become quite common.

I want to write something different, a work that can rival Sherlock Holmes."

Romit Bull's tone was high, showing a look of yearning.

"That's an ambitious goal. What can I do to help you?"

"You know, I'm a bestselling author, with some fame, and I don't lack money, but that's far from enough.

I hope to become a writer as great as Conan Doyle, hoping that my works will be popular around the world and be passed down forever.

But it's not easy.

It's very difficult, extremely difficult."

Luke speculated, "You hope I can provide some real cases, thus gaining material and inspiration for creation."

"Yes, that's indeed one of the reasons I came today."

"What's the other reason?"

"At the party last time, I mentioned to you that I hope to create a detective novel based on you, portraying you as America's Sherlock Holmes.

I'm serious, and I hope to get your authorization."

Luke was puzzled, "Why does it have to be based on me?

You can create a character that better fits your requirements as the main character. As long as your novel is exciting enough, along with sufficient publicity, I believe it will be another bestseller."

Romit Bull shook his head, "I don't lack bestsellers, that's not difficult for me. I understand publicity better than you.

But now I want to create a work that can rival Sherlock Holmes.

A great work across the ages.

Such lasting influence cannot be achieved through ordinary publicity.

Which is also the main reason I sought you out."

"Tell me, what can I do?"

"You don't have to do anything, just be yourself. The longer you live, the more and more renowned cases you solve, the more it will benefit my work.

You are the prototype of the main character in my novel. People will want to know more about you after reading my book. When they learn about your deeds, discover that you truly are a 'famous detective' who has solved many major and strange cases, it will provide a boost to the work and attract more attention, you could say it brings its own buzz."

Romit Bull said sincerely, "Luke, please believe me.

I won't joke with my work.

I am already a bestselling author, no one better understands the skills of writing than me, and in this aspect, I won't be inferior to Conan Doyle.

The only thing I'm missing now is a good theme, a highlight that can bring more topics and heat.

And you are my best creative partner."

Luke spread his hands and asked very straightforwardly, "What's in it for me?"

"I can pay you a considerable authorization fee."

Luke pointed at his yard, "You should know, I don't really lack money.

Besides, being too famous is not a good thing for a policeman."

"Luke, you can't be on the front line all your life, you have to think about your future.

When you become a high-level officer, fame will bring you unexpected benefits, and your path will become wider and wider.

Fame and fortune are twin brothers, the more famous you are, the easier it is to make money.

Ordinary officers can't afford such an expensive villa.

Believe me, this will be a win-win."

Luke said thoughtfully, "I will seriously consider your proposal."