Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

New York, Manhattan, Calypso Building.

This is the most bustling area of New York, with highly convenient transportation. The subway entrance is only a few dozen meters away from the building.

At ten in the morning, Luke took the subway to the Calypso Building.

Hamidi Shawn's company was located on the seventh floor of the Calypso Building.

Luke got off the elevator, and on the glass door to his right hung a sign that read Trick Investment Company.

Luke entered the company, walked to the reception, and said to the white woman sitting there, "Hi, beautiful, good morning."

The white woman looked up, smoothing her red hair, her blue eyes gazing at Luke, "Hello sir, what can I do for you?"

"Your hair is beautiful."

"Thank you." The red-haired woman smiled slightly.

"Is Mr. Hamidi Shawn in?"

The red-haired woman did not answer directly, "Sir, do you have an appointment?"

"Yes, my name is Luke Lee."

"Mr. Lee, nice to meet you.

Mr. Hamidi Shawn is waiting for you in his office, please follow me."

The red-haired woman stood up, wearing a black professional skirt and red high heels over ten centimeters high, and led Luke to the end of the corridor.

Standing on the west side of the chairman's office was a white man in a black suit.

The red-haired woman said to the man in the suit, "Mr. Shawn's guest has arrived."

The suiting man scrutinized Luke and asked, "Sir, what's your name?"

"Luke Lee."

The suited man opened the office door and said, "Mr. Shawn, your guest is here."

"Let him in."

The suited man stepped aside, gesturing, "Mr. Lee, please come in."

Luke also observed the suited man, the black suit looked a bit tight on him. His build was strong and muscular, not like someone who regularly sat in an office, very likely a bodyguard hired by Hamidi Shawn.

Luke entered the office and saw a white man in his fifties walking toward him. The man was not tall, a little bald, and smilingly said, "Hello Mr. Consultant, I'm Hamidi Shawn."

Luke shook hands with him, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Shawn."

"Please sit down." Hamidi Shawn waved his hand, signaling the suited man to leave, leaving only Luke and Hamidi Shawn in the room.

"Mr. Lee, would you like a cup of coffee or some liquor?"

Luke chuckled, "This is the first time someone has offered me liquor in an office.

Do you have any good liquor?"

"Can't say it's the best, this is whiskey brewed at my own vineyard, it has a nice taste."

Hamidi Shawn poured two glasses, handing one to Luke.

Luke smelled it and took a sip, "The texture is rich with a faint fruity aroma, great liquor."

"I'm glad you like it." Hamidi Shawn smiled, putting down the glass,

"Okay, let's talk business."

"I'm a businessman, I've invested in many fields, as long as I'm interested and see a chance to make money, I want to invest.

I've been lucky, earning more than losing.

Some time ago, I set my sights on a harbor in Los Angeles.

In fact, I've been interested in this industry for a long time.

This industry offers great profits but is accompanied by high risks. It's very challenging, and it's my favorite type of business.

But there never was a suitable investment opportunity.

Until recently, when the Los Angeles harbor was on the verge of bankruptcy due to poor management.

I think this is an opportunity.

I want to acquire the harbor company, and the company's manager is also very sincere. We've had good talks.

Just as I was preparing to go to Los Angeles to negotiate the acquisition contract, I received a threatening phone call.

The caller ordered me to abandon the harbor acquisition and threatened that if I dared to go to Los Angeles, they'd blow my head off with a gun.

I don't want trouble, but I won't be scared off by such cheap tactics.

So, I want to hire you as my security consultant."

"How many threatening calls have you received?"

"One."

"Could it be just a prank?"

"Impossible, the person making the threatening call knew me well and knew about my acquisition agreement with the harbor company.

He definitely came prepared."

Luke probed, "Do you have professional bodyguards?"

"Not only me, but my family also has bodyguards."

"So what can I do?"

"I want to hire you to escort me to Los Angeles."

"Are you worried they'll ambush you on the way?"

"Yes."

"Then just hire more bodyguards, why do you still need me as a security consultant?"

"Bodyguards can protect me personally, but they can't take care of my business.

My trip to Los Angeles is just the beginning, I still need to negotiate the acquisition with the harbor company.

If the acquisition is successful, I need to establish a foothold in Los Angeles.

The harbor business is very complex, involving various levels and industries.

If someone wants to cause trouble, there are too many ways.

For example, they could bribe a gang to cause trouble at the harbor, affecting, or even halting, the business.

I would suffer a big loss.

I know you have connections in the Los Angeles Police Department and the FBI.

I hope you can help keep an eye on the business at the docks.

I don't need you to do anything extra, just maintain order at the docks."

Hamidi Shawn took a sip of his drink and continued, "Of course, that's for later.

For now, you just need to get me to Los Angeles.

If our cooperation goes smoothly and I'm able to successfully acquire the docks, we can sign a long-term safety consultant contract.

What do you think?"

Luke asked, "Who do you think the threat mainly comes from?"

"I don't know either.

The person making the threatening calls is using a prepaid phone, so I can't trace their identity, but it's certain that the call came from Los Angeles.

As far as I know, besides my interest in acquiring the docks in Los Angeles, a few other companies are also interested.

If they manage to scare me off, they'll have one less strong competitor and can acquire the docks at a lower price.

It's a pretty low tactic, but very effective, and the cost is just that of a prepaid phone." Hamidi Shawn's face turned cold, his tone low, "Unfortunately, they picked the wrong person.

If I were that easily scared off, I would've gone bankrupt countless times by now."

Luke asked, "How are you planning to get to Los Angeles?"

"Drive."

Luke rubbed his chin, "Driving from New York to Los Angeles is almost crossing the entire United States.

If those threatening you are really targeting you, they might make a move while you're on the road.

Why not take a plane? It would be safer."

Hamidi Shawn pointed to his chest, "The doctor advised against flying.

Even though I think it's no big deal…

Still, I don't want to meet God prematurely, even if it's just a one in a thousand chance.

So, if you're willing to be my safety consultant, I hope you'll join me on the road."

"How long will you be in Los Angeles?"

Hamidi Shawn shook his head, "Not sure yet, it depends on how smoothly the acquisition goes."

"So this mission should have three phases.

First phase, I get you to Los Angeles.

Second phase, protect you during the dock acquisition in Los Angeles.

Third phase, look after your business at the docks in Los Angeles."

"Exactly.

I'm looking for a long-term partner.

This is also why I want you to come along, we need to learn more about each other to deepen our cooperation.

We can first sign a safety consultant contract for the first phase, as long as you get me safely to Los Angeles, you'll receive a consultancy fee of two hundred thousand US Dollars.

If we get along well during this time, we can discuss the next phase."

Luke thought for a moment, even if someone really intends to harm Hamidi Shawn, they might not necessarily choose to act on the road from New York to Los Angeles.

Even if they had such an idea, as long as confidentiality measures are taken, it's hard for them to pinpoint Hamidi Shawn's movements, which means the likelihood of encountering danger on the road isn't high.

Luke tested, "What if nothing happens along the way?"

"That would mean you're an impressive consultant, helping me avoid risks in advance, and the consultancy fee is still yours."

Luke felt that this business was still pretty worthwhile but didn't agree immediately, "I'll think about it and get back to you tomorrow."

Hamidi Shawn raised his glass, clinking it with Luke's, "Say hi to Negan for me."

"I will." The two talked about some details, and then Luke left the building and took the subway back to his father's house.

After getting off at the subway stop closest to his father's house, Luke went to the supermarket, bought a couple of gifts to give to his mom and the little chubby one.

Then, he bought two bags of ingredients.

At noon, Luke had a meat sandwich and a roast duck, both bought from a Chinese supermarket.

In the afternoon, Luke took a nap.

After waking up, he started preparing dinner.

Every time he came to New York, Li Zhaofeng would cook for him, so today, having some time, he decided to cook a meal for his father.

Since there were only two people, Luke didn't prepare much, just five dishes: hand-caught lamb, stir-fried cabbage, garlic lobster, century egg tofu, and celery peanuts.

By the time Li Zhaofeng got off work, dinner was already on the table.

Seeing the steaming dishes, Li Zhaofeng couldn't stop smiling. He took out a bottle of Wuliangye and chuckled, "Such good food deserves a drink."

Luke had been in Los Angeles for a few days, but due to being busy with work, he hadn't had time to sit down and have a good chat with his father.

The two ate for a bit first to fill up, then drank and chatted.

Luke asked, "Did my uncle get discharged from the hospital?"

Li Zhaofeng put down his chopsticks and nodded, "This afternoon he got through the observation period, and the doctor kicked him out to rest at home."

Luke smiled, "It's good that he's fine."

"Hmph." Li Zhaofeng snorted, "If Julia doesn't behave, even if your uncle is fine now, he'll get sick from anger in the future.

People used to say sons are hard to raise, but now I see, if a daughter doesn't listen, it can really drive you to death."

"What's my uncle and aunt's opinion, have they talked to Julia's boyfriend?"

"What's there to talk about? Their stance hasn't changed, break up."

Luke nodded, having thought of this possibility, "Dad, should we still have a family gathering before I leave New York?"

Li Zhaofeng thought for a moment, then shook his head, "Let's skip it this time, really not in the mood, let's do it another time."

Luke didn't ask further, chatted with his father about other things, and the two drank until midnight.

The next morning, Luke called Hamidi Shawn and agreed to be his safety consultant to escort him to Los Angeles.

They agreed to leave New York the morning after tomorrow…