Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

In a black Chevrolet SUV in the New York suburbs.

Amir was driving, and Luke was looking at the files in the passenger seat.

Suspect's name, Tangji Bruns.

Age, 36

Occupation, Piano teacher

Family member, daughter

Car, Black Lexus sedan

Amir glanced at Luke and asked, "Any new findings?"

Luke said, "I'm wondering, if this person is the killer, what would be his motive?"

Amir analyzed, "Back in the days, Blood Hand Mike committed multiple murders.

Because after his left hand was injured, he could no longer play the piano, his career was devastated.

He valued his music career intensely and couldn't accept this fact, leading to a twisted heart, envying those with healthy, beautiful hands.

So he would cut off others' hands to fill the void within himself." Amir paused, then continued,

"If Tangji Bruns is indeed the murderer we're seeking.

Given his long-term contact with Mike, his mindset must have been influenced by Mike. Considering he is also a pianist, his motive for murder is likely related to piano and music."

Luke shrugged, "Killing for the love of music, don't you think it's a bit ironic?"

Amir sighed, "Isn't the world full of ironic things?"

"Why do I sense a note of cynicism in your words? That's not how a young person should think."

Amir corrected, "It's not cynicism, it's clarity."

During the conversation, the Chevrolet SUV drove into the Bartley Community.

The community is located in a slightly remote suburb of New York, but the living environment is quite nice, with each house having a small independent yard. Although not big, it's quite suitable for a family BBQ in the yard.

Amir and Luke got out of the SUV.

Luke habitually surveyed his surroundings, the community streets were relatively clean, and no suspicious figures were spotted nearby.

Luke looked toward the yard of Tangji Bruns' house, noticing the neatly trimmed lawn, with the garage on the right side of the house, its door closed tightly.

Amir pressed the doorbell at the gate.

"Ding dong..."

Soon, a middle-aged white man appeared on the visual doorbell screen, "This is Tangji Bruns' residence, who are you looking for?"

Amir stared at the screen and answered, "Hello Mr. Bruns, we are FBI agents, we would like to talk to you."

The man frowned and countered, "FBI? What do you want with me? I've never had any dealings with the FBI.

Are you sure you have the right person?"

Amir said, "Mr. Bruns, we are indeed here for you, it's hard to explain in just a few words, it would be best if we could meet in person."

Tangji Bruns hesitated for a moment, "I have something to do and will have to go out later."

"We won't take up much of your time, I promise."

"Okay, come on in."

"Click!"

The gate opened.

Luke and Amir entered the yard.

At the same time, the door of the house opened, and Tangji Bruns walked into the yard, "Can I see your IDs once more?"

Amir took out his ID and handed it to him, "I'm Amir, an agent from the FBI Criminal Investigation Department, and this is FBI forensics expert Consultant Li."

Tangji Bruns looked over the ID, returned it to Amir, "This is my first time dealing with the FBI. What do you need from me?"

Luke said, "Mr. Bruns, what we need to discuss might be quite private, I suggest we find a quiet place."

"As I mentioned, I have to go out later, so I'm afraid I don't have time to go somewhere else with you."

"If it's convenient, we could talk in your house."

Tangji Bruns glanced at his house and declined, "I don't like strangers in my home.

If you find it unsuitable to talk here, we can schedule another time."

Luke glanced toward Tangji Bruns' house, and in the window corner saw a face, seeming to be a little girl, but before Luke could see clearly, the face disappeared.

"Then let's talk in the yard."

Tangji Bruns checked his watch, pointing to a white plastic table and chairs beside them, "Let's sit down and talk."

The three of them sat around the white round plastic table.

"What do you need from me?"

Luke got straight to the point, "Do you know Mike?"

Tangji Bruns asked, "Blood Hand Mike?"

"Exactly."

"Yes, I know him, you're here about his case?"

"That's right, how did you know him?"

"We've known each other for a long time, he's a pianist I admire greatly, very talented, unfortunately...

You know his story well.

"If his hand hadn't been injured, he might have become someone as significant as Murray Palecia."

Luke didn't know who Murray Palecia was, nor did he care, "Have you always been in contact with him?"

"Yes, is there a problem with that?"

"What kinds of things do you talk about?"

"Music. It's our common hobby."

"Have you ever talked about the murders he committed back then?"

"No, I'm not interested in those things."

Luke probed, "Aren't you afraid of interacting with this kind of serial killer?"

Tangji Bruns retorted, "He's in prison and can't get out. Even if I go visit him, I can't contact him directly. What's there to be afraid of?"

Amir stated, "What makes a person like him frightening is not just his actions, but his thoughts and ideas.

As far as I know, most people are scared when they hear of serial killers, let alone being in contact with them."

Tangji Bruns said, "I understand what you mean. When I first heard he was a murderer, I was scared too.

I didn't even believe he was the murderer at first. My first correspondence with him was to verify this.

Later, I learned that he killed out of love for music, but this love was too deep and too powerless, leading to despair and making him do such irrational things.

He's completely different from those murderers who kill for money, lust, and desire."

Amir frowned slightly, "You seem to sympathize with him."

"Not exactly sympathy. I know he did wrong, but he also received the punishment he deserved, which is why he's in prison.

I only communicate with him about music, which is not illegal."

Luke changed the subject, "Do you own a black Lexus?"

Tangji Bruns nodded, "Yes."

"Can I take a look?"

"Why do you need to see my car?"

"Just to have a look."

Tangji Bruns seemed resistant, "I don't think the FBI came to me just to look at my car.

I refuse."

"OK." Luke probed, "On the evening of October 3, did you drive that car anywhere?"

"No, I didn't drive out that day."

"On October 3, did you lend the car to anyone else?"

Tangji Bruns hesitated for a moment, "No."

Luke looked at him, vaguely seeing signs of lying on his face.

Luke took out a photo of the deceased Grace Bloomberg, "Do you know her?"

Tangji Bruns picked up the photo and looked at it, "Never seen her, what's up?"

"She was killed on the evening of October 3."

"What's that got to do with me?"

"After she was murdered, both her arms were cut off, and a Blood Stain Symbol was left," Luke showed him a photo of the blood symbol.

Tangji Bruns frowned, "Mike's been locked up in prison; how could he..." He seemed to think of something, "Are you suspecting me?

Did you come here because you suspect I'm the murderer?

Come on, I admit I know Mike, but so do a lot of people. That doesn't mean I'm the murderer."

Luke hinted, "On the night of October 3, a black Lexus was seen near the crime scene by a witness."

"No no no, that has nothing to do with me, you've got the wrong person." Tangji Bruns stood up, pointing outside,

"Please leave my home."

Luke said, "Mr. Bruns, we're not suspecting you, but hoping you can provide some clues helpful to the case..."

"Ring ring..." Amir's phone rang, and he stepped aside to take the call.

"As I said, I'm not involved in this case. You're completely wasting time; you should investigate someone else." Having said that, Tangji Bruns turned and walked back into the house.

Luke stood up, still wanting to say something, but Amir had come back over and whispered, "Luke, there's a problem."

"What is it?"

Amir glanced at Tangji Bruns who had walked back into the house, and replied, "The New York police have found another body. A similar blood symbol was discovered around the body, and this time, the victim's legs were cut off."

"Are you sure the legs were cut off, not the arms?"

"I confirmed, it was indeed the legs. They haven't found the severed legs; it's very likely the murderer took them.

I know this is somewhat different from Blood Hand Mac's modus operandi, but the police found the unique blood symbol at the scene. They believe it might be the same murderer, which is why they contacted us."

Luke glanced at Tangji Bruns' house, then walked towards the outside, "Let's get in the car first."

Once in the car, Amir started the engine and asked, "What do you think of Tangji Bruns?"

Luke thought for a moment, "This guy's a bit off. He's definitely hiding something; we should keep an eye on him."

Amir mused, "I have the same feeling. He makes me uncomfortable, and his thoughts are disturbing. With a father like that, his daughter must be very pitiful.

Besides, he was very resistant to us, and his house probably hides some secrets."

"Evidence, we need evidence now. Otherwise, no matter how suspicious, it's just speculation." Luke was also a bit frustrated; one case hadn't been solved, and now another victim had appeared. The media would certainly not miss such big news, and all major TV stations would scramble to report on it.

FBI investigators would be under even more pressure.