Chapter 1338 - 612: Case Closed
Gold!
Leonard Hogan confessed to the murder and described his motive.
But he didn't admit to taking the gold from the safe.
Luke speculated two possibilities: the first, Leonard Hogan had an accomplice.
After committing the murder, Leonard Hogan had his accomplice take the gold and reshape the golden body, to welcome its arrival.
The second possibility.
After killing, someone else went to the scene and stole the gold from the safe.
Luke looked at Leonard Hogan and tested him again, "Where is the gold Bellam Solo hid in the safe?"
"I told you, I've never seen any gold."
"Were there others present when you killed Bellam Solo?"
"No."
"When you arrived at Bellam Solo's house, did you see any suspicious people?"
"Didn't notice."
"Did you tell anyone else about wanting to find another body?"
"No."
Luke still couldn't see any signs of lying on his face.
After a few more questions, Luke and Michael left the ward.
Michael frowned, "Could we have been wrong, and the gold wasn't in the safe but hidden elsewhere by Bellam Solo?"
Luke said, "If that's the case, then why would someone cut off Bellam Solo's fingers?
The fingerprints on Bellam Solo's fingers can open the safe. Regardless of whether there is gold in the safe, there was definitely a third person who visited the scene.
The timing should be after the murderer Leonard Hogan committed the act but before the FBI arrived.
Moreover, gold is heavy, and another suspect would need a vehicle to transport it."
With a rough idea, Luke and Michael restructured the case, and through road surveillance, they identified three suspect vehicles that matched the timing.
Among these suspect vehicles, one gray Buick's owner turned out to be a follower of the Eternal Sect.
Name: Walliams Fran
Gender: Male
Age: 36
Phone number: 212 876 2578
Address: Kavel Apartments, Room 403
Social Security Number: 050-53-7362
Criminal Record: Theft
License Plate: KEO3948
With a theft record, an Eternal Sect follower appearing near the scene at the time of the incident gave the FBI enough reason to suspect him as Leonard Hogan's accomplice.
Kavel Apartments.
It's an old apartment complex located in the suburbs of New York, standing eight stories tall with two elevators, one of which is under repair.
The FBI surrounded the apartment, and Luke and Michael reached Room 403.
"Knock knock."
Michael tapped on the door.
No response.
"Bang bang." Michael forcefully knocked on the door again.
Now there was some movement inside the apartment.
After a while, the apartment door opened, revealing a sleepy-eyed, white man in his forties at the entrance.
He yawned, reeking of alcohol, holding onto the doorframe, looking hungover.
"Who are you looking for?"
Michael scrutinized him, "Are you Walliams Fran?"
"Who are you?" Walliams Fran took a step back, showing a vigilant expression.
Michael presented his credentials, "FBI!"
Walliams Fran visibly trembled, "What do you want with me?"
"Do you know Bellam Solo?"
"Yes."
"What is your relationship?"
"Friends."
"When was the last time you saw him?"
"On the night of October 7th, we were at a gathering with mutual friends."
"When did you meet, and when did you leave?"
"Met around eight, left at ten."
"After that, did you see him again?"
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." Walliams Fran pursed his lips and retorted, "Why are you asking about Bellam Solo?"
"He's dead."
"Oh my God, that's terrible. When was he killed, have you captured the killer?"
"No, that's why we're here to gather information from you."
"Uh... I'm willing to help you, though I honestly didn't know Bellam Solo was dead or what happened to him."
Michael asked, "Can you answer a few simple questions?"
Walliams Fran hesitated for a moment, nodded, "Go ahead."
"Where was the last place you saw Bellam Solo?"
"Victor Church, with many others, not just the two of us, and they can vouch for me."
"Have you been to Bellam Solo's house?"
"No, we just share the same faith but seldom interact privately."
"Do you own a Buick with the license plate KEO3948?"
"Yes."
"Are you the one using this car?"
"Yes."
"Have you lent the car to anyone?"
"No."
"According to our investigation, this car was near Bellam Solo's house on the night of October 7th, how do you explain that?"
Walliams Fran looked visibly anxious, rubbed his hands, "Could someone have used fake plates?"
Michael said, "Road surveillance not only captured the license plate but also the driver.
It was you.
So, why did you murder Bellam Solo?"
"I didn't kill Bellam Solo, I swear to God, this is all a misunderstanding..."
"Cut the crap, you don't worship God." Michael interrupted his defense, "We know you're the killer, and deep down, you do too."