Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Money is a good thing.

But Luke was no longer the poor kid who had just arrived in Los Angeles.

He now had his own business and had gained some recognition in the industry. With more and more ways to earn money, he didn't need to grab every cent he came across.

As for the reason he refused Penny, there were two main points.

He was very satisfied with his current relationship with Lilith. They had collaboration and deep exchanges, without interfering in each other's lives.

Secondly, treasure hunting is a dangerous job that involves tremendous interests. Team members must trust each other; otherwise, unnecessary disputes can arise due to conflicts of interest, and it could even lead to murder and robbery.

Penny and Luke had only met twice, so she couldn't possibly fully trust Luke. Likewise, Luke couldn't fully trust her.

Since his heart wasn't in it, why should Luke force himself?

After finishing dinner, Luke took his leave.

Penny watched Luke's departing figure, her expression flickering with uncertainty, not knowing what she was thinking.

The next morning at ten o'clock, the sky was clear, and the waves were gentle.

A broadcast voice sounded on the cruise ship, "Dear esteemed passengers.

The cruise ship is about to arrive at the Atlantic City port. Passengers disembarking at this port, please head to the right side exit of the ship.

Thank you for sailing with us."

The broadcast repeated this message two more times.

Upon hearing the broadcast, Luke also stepped onto the deck, with two of Hamidi Shawn's bodyguards not far behind him.

The cruise ship sailed quickly over the sea. Due to its large size, there was not much swaying on the deck.

Luke stood by the ship's railing, watching as the cruise ship entered the port.

Ahead of the cruise was a small boat, seemingly leading the way.

On the distant dock, some people stood watching the approaching cruise ship. Some looked like staff, while others resembled passengers.

The cruise ship slowly came to a stop, but did not fully dock at the pier.

Those original dock-side passengers approached the cruise on a small yacht.

The cruise ship lowered its gangway, the yacht anchored beside it, and passengers climbed the gangway to board the cruise.

Luke observed each customer boarding the cruise, checking for suspicious individuals.

Suddenly, he noticed a familiar figure.

It was CBS TV's intern journalist, Nami Inoue.

All passengers had boarded the deck, and Luke asked the two bodyguards behind him, "Did you get it all on camera?"

One bodyguard shook his phone, "Don't worry."

"If these people deliberately approach Hamidi Shawn, you know what to do."

The two of them nodded and then left the deck.

Luke walked toward Nami Inoue and greeted her, "Hi, beauty, good morning."

"Luke, what are you doing here!" Nami Inoue's fair cheeks showed a look of surprise.

"That's what I'd like to ask you."

"I'm here for a holiday. Did you board from the New York port?"

"Yes."

"Let me guess." Nami Inoue blinked her lively big eyes, "You went to New York to investigate a dismemberment murder case?"

Luke smiled, "You're not following me again, are you?"

"If I weren't on vacation, I'd definitely follow you to New York. The murder of the New York mayor's wife is big news.

I can't wait to hear the inside scoop."

Luke spread his hands, "Looks like I've got dinner plans for tonight."

Nami Inoue waved her hand, "See you later, I'm off to check my room."

After watching Nami Inoue leave, Luke went to find Hamidi Shawn, who was swimming in the pool.

Seeing Luke, he actively swam over, wiped his face and said, "Luke, want to race to see who can swim to the other side first?"

"What's the bet?"

"The loser treats dinner tonight."

"Sorry, I already have plans."

"Wow, you made new friends on the cruise that quickly."

"I just happened to run into an old friend." Luke replied nonchalantly, then asked, "Did you see the photos of the new passengers?"

"Yes, they showed me as soon as they got back.

No one I know.

But, there is a pretty Asian lady among the new passengers."

Luke raised an eyebrow, "Good eye. I'll keep an eye on her for you."

"You know that's not what I meant." Hamidi Shawn shook his head with a laugh, "What's next on your agenda?"

"It's simple. Stay in your room as much as possible. The less contact with outsiders, the safer it is.

Make sure you always stay within your bodyguards' sight."

Hamidi Shawn sighed, "OK, I'll do as you say."

Luke stood up, looking at Hamidi Shawn in the pool, "You should lose some weight."

"Haha... the people around me only care about the Gold Coins in my pocket, not my figure."

...

At eight in the evening.

On the Silver Cloud cruise, in the Chinese restaurant.

Luke and Nami Inoue entered the Chinese restaurant together.

There weren't many people in the restaurant, only a few scattered tables of diners.

To facilitate their conversation, they chose a table outside. A waitress handed them the menu.

Nami Inoue gestured for the menu to be given to Luke, "You order today, let me try authentic Chinese cuisine."

Luke took the menu and joked, "Hope you brought plenty of cash."

Most Chinese food in America is adapted to the local people's habits and taste. Some dishes have been changed a lot, while others retain the original flavor.

Luke ordered some dishes that foreigners seldom eat, only Chinese people would order these, and they were the least altered.

Considering Nami Inoue's lighter taste, he mainly chose Cantonese dishes.

The two of them opened a bottle of red wine.

After the waiter left, Luke observed Nami Inoue. She was wearing a beige long dress, revealing a hint of snow-white skin on her chest. Her graceful figure was faintly visible.

If Caucasian beauties are passionate and fiery, East Asian beauties have a sense of exquisite aesthetics.

The sea breeze blew by, and Nami Inoue brushed the hair beside her ear and eagerly said, "Luke, can you tell me about the case of the dismemberment murder in New York?"

"Why so excited? It's not like you haven't reported homicide cases before."

"But it's the wife of the Mayor of New York who died!"

If it were someone else asking, Luke probably wouldn't reveal anything, but he had previously collaborated with Nami Inoue and there was a certain level of trust between them.

He scanned the surroundings with his eyes, and seeing no one nearby, he briefly explained the situation of the case.

After listening, Nami Inoue seemed somewhat unsatisfied yet regretful, "This is a globally watched major case. I really wish you had contacted me back then."

"I thought about contacting you at first...

However, the identity of the deceased was too special, and the FBI director personally issued a gag order.

The whole case was kept confidential, and those journalists were the last to know.

Even if I contacted you in advance, it wouldn't have made it possible to report any sensational news.

Next time there's suitable news, I'll let you know."

"You better keep your word and not brush me off.

The director said that if I work a bit harder, I could soon become a full-fledged journalist."

"I never lie to beautiful ladies. Wait for my news."

Seeing Nami Inoue smile, Luke changed the topic, "What did you go to Atlantic City for?"

"Traveling."

"Traveling alone?"

"I've wanted to travel to Atlantic City for a long time.

Originally, I planned to come with my boyfriend.

But we broke up two months ago, so I came alone.

What about you? Are you also returning to Los Angeles on the cruise alone?"

"I'm with friends."

Nami Inoue asked softly, "Are you here to investigate a case?"

"No, a friend of mine also needed to go from New York to Los Angeles.

However, he encountered some trouble and was worried someone might want to harm him, so he wanted to travel with me."

Nami Inoue stood up, sat down next to Luke, and curiously asked, "What's this trouble you're talking about? No one's going to attack the cruise ship, right?"

They were very close, and Luke could smell a faint fragrance, smiling, "Don't worry, it's a small matter."

With Nami Inoue's understanding, anything that could make Luke act was unlikely to be a small matter.

She probed, "Will ordinary passengers be in danger?"

"No." Luke shook his head, jokingly saying, "If you're scared, you can stay in my room tonight."

Nami Inoue chuckled, "You should have said so earlier, then I could have saved on room costs."

Outside the restaurant, a black figure walked past. His steps were unhurried, his peripheral vision just catching sight of Luke and Nami Inoue's table.

He did not linger, instead returning to his room, closing the door, and entering the bathroom to turn on the faucet.

From a bag hanging in the bathroom, he took out a satellite phone and dialed a number.

Moments later, a voice on the satellite phone asked, "Have you succeeded?"

"Not yet."

"Have you found the target?"

"No."

"You've been on the ship since this morning; why haven't you found the target yet?" The voice on the other end sounded displeased.

The man in black explained, "After boarding the cruise, I first familiarized myself with the ship's environment.

Only in the afternoon did I start looking for the target's location, but I haven't seen them yet.

I feel that they might be prepared, making the task tougher than expected."

"Hey, don't make excuses for your incompetence.

You took the advance payment; you must get the job done. That's the rule."

"I saw a very dangerous person on the ship, and I'm worried he might interfere."

"Who?"

"The captain of the Robbery and Murder Department in the Los Angeles Police Department, Luke Lee. He's specifically responsible for investigating murder cases and is quite famous in the LAPD system, having solved many homicide cases."

"You must be mistaken. If he's from the Los Angeles police, what's he doing on a cruise?"

"I don't know.

But when I boarded, he was standing by the railing.

I'm certain he saw me.

Moreover, I have a feeling he's looking for me."

The voice on the other end grew serious, "Do you think Hamidi Shawn hired him for protection?"

"That's a very likely possibility."

"Are you saying you can't complete the task because of Luke Lee on the cruise?"

"No, even if Luke Lee is here to protect Hamidi Shawn, I'm confident I can kill Hamidi Shawn.

But Luke Lee is the most renowned detective in Los Angeles. If I kill Hamidi Shawn, he might catch me.

He's solved many tricky major cases and might even trace back to you.

That's what concerns me."

"Then be careful and act when he's not around.

Once it's done, I'll add another hundred thousand US Dollars.

Besides, you might be mistaken; the person might not be a cop.

Don't scare yourself."

The man on the other end snorted, dissatisfied, "Get yourself together. I don't want to see him alive when he reaches Los Angeles, understand?"