Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Mia Calioka looked at Luke with an inquisitive gaze, "Consultant Li, I've told you everything I know. Can I leave now?"

"Until Filippo Carter is found, I suggest you stay here for now."

Mia Calioka crossed her legs, seeming a bit displeased, "Can I make a phone call?"

"Feel free."

Luke left the lounge, took a beef burger from the takeaway bag on the table. The patty was thick, juicy and tender, very satisfying with each bite.

He'd been busy since morning and hadn't had time to eat. After a few bites, he wolfed down the burger and then a burrito, finally satisfied.

Luke walked over to the computer and searched Filippo Carter's information in the FBI system.

Name: Filippo Carter

Gender: Male

Age: 23

Race: African

Residence: Miami, Florida

Alma Mater: Chicago Loyola University

Phone Number: 518 876 2572

Not much information about Filippo Carter could be found in the system. From the existing data, it seemed he hadn't been in New York for long.

Amir came over and plopped down next to Luke, "This phone number is no longer in service and can't be located." He shrugged, "I guess the suspect has entered escape mode.

Michael is probably going to come up empty too. To find this guy, we'll need another approach."

Luke nodded and returned to the lounge to talk to Mia Calioka again.

Seeing Luke come in, Mia Calioka hung up the phone and stood up, "Consultant Li, can I leave now?"

"No rush, sit down, let's talk a bit more."

Mia Calioka sighed lightly, "I've told you everything I know.

I swear, I really don't know what happened that night."

"I'm not asking about that night, but I want to know about Filippo Carter's situation." Luke sat across from Mia Calioka and continued, "I've checked his background. He's not local, went to college elsewhere and probably just graduated.

When did he join the Venus Club, and how?"

"Filippo Carter is a talent I personally recruited, so I know more about his situation." Mia Calioka thought for a moment and replied, "After college, he came to New York to pursue opportunities.

About six months ago, I met him at a fashion event. He was working as a model for a company then. He's very handsome, muscular, well-proportioned, exuding youthful energy.

So I had the idea and asked if he was interested in working for our club.

He said he needed to think about it, so I gave him a business card.

About a month later, he called me expressing interest in applying to the club.

Then, I personally interviewed him. He was in good physical shape with decent emotional intelligence, so I had him join the club.

Just as I suspected, he was very popular after joining.

Grace Bloomberg liked him a lot too." Mia Calioka patted her forehead and sighed, "Everything was going well; I really didn't expect this to happen."

Luke opened his notebook, jotting down notes simply, and asked, "Does Filippo Carter have a girlfriend?"

"No, our company has strict rules, no employees are allowed to have a relationship. Because that might affect their work at the club.

I've seen similar situations happen before, and I understand better than you how dreadful a woman in love can be."

"Does Filippo Carter have any close friends in New York?"

"Not that I know of. He came to New York alone and hasn't been here long.

The nature of the club's work doesn't offer him much opportunity to make friends."

Luke made a note in his notebook, "How many clients does he have in total?"

Filippo Carter thought for a moment, "Besides Grace Bloomberg, he has four clients.

We're a high-end club offering not just active companionship but also emotional solace. Filippo Carter has to be available whenever the clients need him.

If he has too many clients, it could affect service quality."

"You just mentioned emotional solace, is it possible for these clients to develop real feelings for Filippo Carter?"

"That's impossible. Filippo Carter is very aware of his role and won't get too close to any client.

The clients are just playing around, anything they can buy with money, they wouldn't cherish."

Luke twirled the pen in his hand, "I need you to provide information on the other four clients."

"I'm sorry, I can't do that. It would severely damage our club's reputation and image."

Luke stared at her and slowly said, "OK, then I'll take a step back. Is there anyone single among the four?"

Mia Calioka recalled for a moment, "Yes, there is one single client."

"I need her name."

Seeing Mia Calioka remain silent, Luke continued, "If you don't cooperate, I'll apply for a search warrant.

Four, or one, your choice."

...

Laver Community.

This is an upscale community in New York.

Spacious and tidy roads, luxurious villas, and large green courtyards, all lined with various luxury cars.

Two black Chevrolet SUVs parked on the roadside, and Luke and Amir got out.

Amir compared the address, "That's right; this is the single client of the Venus Club.

Her name is Karen Salas, an MIT graduate and now an executive at a tech company.

Didn't expect a career woman to enjoy this kind of thing."

Luke said, "Career women are people too; they need to address personal needs. It might be more cost-effective because they're too busy for a relationship."

"Wow, that's a novel way to look at things." Amir chuckled and walked to the gate, pressing the doorbell.

"Ding dong."

After a moment, a Mexican woman appeared on the intercom screen, "This is Karen Salas' residence. Who are you looking for?"

Amir showed his credentials, "FBI, is Karen Salas at home? We'd like to talk to her."

The Mexican woman looked surprised, "Do you have any business with her?"

Amir asked back, "What is your relationship with her?"

"I'm the nanny hired by Ms. Salas."

"This is very important, we need to speak with Karen Salas directly."

"Please wait a moment."

After a while, the voice of the housekeeper came through the video doorbell again, "Please come in."

"Creak..."

The gate outside opened.

Luke and Amir walked into the yard, walked along the stone path to the villa's door. The Mexican housekeeper opened the door and invited them in, "Ms. Salas is waiting for you in the living room."

Luke nodded, walked into the living room, and saw a white woman around forty sitting on the sofa, wearing a white casual outfit, looking quite relaxed.

She placed the coffee she was holding on the table, stood up, and asked, "Are you from the FBI?"

Amir again showed his credentials, "I'm FBI Agent Amir Khan, and this is FBI criminal investigation expert Consultant Li."

Karen Salas took the credentials to check, "Why are you looking for me?"

Luke asked, "Ms. Salas, do you know Filippo Carter?"

Karen Salas slightly frowned, running her fingers through her hair, "I know him."

"We're investigating a criminal case, and Filippo Carter is involved in it.

I would like to know more about him from you."

Karen Salas replied, "We're not very familiar with each other. Why don't you ask him directly?"

"He's missing, we can't find him at the moment.

The reason we're here is to find out if you've seen him recently?"

"Sorry, you've come to the wrong place. I don't know where he is either."

Luke asked, "When was the last time you saw each other?"

Karen Salas thought for a moment, rubbing her right finger with her left nail, "About a week ago.

We haven't seen each other for a while.

You said he's involved in a criminal case, what kind of case?"

"A murder case. He could be very dangerous. If you've seen him or know where he is, it's best to tell us as soon as possible."

Karen Salas picked up her coffee and took a sip, "I will."

Luke took out a business card and handed it to her, if you think of any clues regarding Filippo Carter, feel free to contact me.

Karen Salas took the card and said to the housekeeper beside her, "Please see these two guests out."

"Yes, Ms. Salas." The Mexican housekeeper responded and led Luke and Amir out of the villa.

Karen Salas stood by the window, watching as Luke and Amir got in the car and left.

Once the car vanished from sight, she quickly went upstairs, opened the bedroom door, and saw a tall black man hiding in the corner of the window, peering outside.

"Filippo, why is the FBI looking for you?"

"Dear, I told you. I saw something I shouldn't have, got involved in a case, but this case has nothing to do with me.

There's no need to worry."

Karen Salas took a deep breath, examining Filippo Carter, "If you don't want to say more, I won't ask.

Since the FBI has been here, it's not safe for you here anymore. You should leave as soon as possible."

Filippo Carter widened his eyes, "You're kicking me out?"

"No, it's not that. But it's not safe here for you, I'm thinking of your safety."

"It's already dark, and I have nowhere to stay. Can I leave tomorrow?"

Karen Salas shook her head, "Precisely because it's dark, you won't be noticed, it's the perfect time to leave."

"But I don't know where to go now?"

Karen Salas opened the wardrobe, took a wad of US Dollars from a brown leather bag.

She handed the dollars to Filippo Carter, "Take this money; you'll find somewhere to stay."

Filippo Carter looked at the money in his hand, then glanced at Karen Salas, reluctantly saying, "I will pay you back this money."

Filippo Carter turned around and started packing his belongings.

Listening to the somewhat lonely tone and solitary figure of Filippo Carter, Karen Salas suddenly felt a twinge of reluctance.

But then, her gaze firmed again, "I'll have the housekeeper take you out the back." With that, she left the bedroom directly.

Filippo Carter paused, showing a slightly mocking expression, indeed, Mia was right. These women really have no emotions, only transactions.

Filippo Carter finished packing, urged by the housekeeper, he left through the back door of the villa.

Feeling a bit lost, Filippo Carter looked around and then began to walk along the road behind the villa.

However, he hadn't gone far when a black car drove up and stopped by the roadside. Two men got out, yelled, "FBI, hands on your head, don't move!"

Filippo Carter turned and tried to run.

"Woo woo..."

Two black Chevrolet SUVs drove up, blocking his escape.

Several people in FBI uniforms got out, guns in hand, "FBI, don't move, or we'll shoot."

Luke walked out of the crowd, "Are you Filippo Carter?"

"I am.

I don't have a weapon, please don't shoot." Filippo Carter raised his hands high and looked at Luke, "Didn't you leave? Why did you come back?"

Luke laughed, "We didn't leave, Ms. Salas just didn't want us to arrest anyone in her mansion."

Filippo Carter looked towards Karen Salas's house, eyes full of resentment, "That bitch sold me out?"

Luke knew that Filippo Carter misunderstood.

However, Karen Salas's earlier attitude left Luke displeased; he wouldn't offer any explanations for her, "She simply made the right choice."