Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Upon learning that Hamidi Shawn was attacked, Luke immediately set out with Hamidi Shawn's two bodyguards to provide support.

Luke took the elevator, while the two bodyguards took the stairs to corner the gunman who shot at Hamidi Shawn.

"Dingdong..."

Luke exited the elevator on the ninth floor, where bullet marks and blood stains marred the corridor, but no sign of the gunman was found.

Luke took out the walkie-talkie and asked, "Hamidi, I've reached the ninth floor, what's the situation?"

Hamidi Shawn replied, "A few minutes ago, the gunman stopped shooting. We've been hiding in the room, not daring to check outside. I suspect the gunman has already escaped."

At this moment, footsteps echoed in the stairwell as Hamidi Shawn's two bodyguards arrived.

Luke spoke into the walkie-talkie, "Open the door. We're coming in."

"Creak..." The sound of the door opening was heard.

The door to room 906 opened.

The black bodyguard peeked outside, then stepped aside.

Luke noticed he was shot in the back and asked, "Are you injured?"

"The attacker used a Glock 19. I was wearing a bulletproof vest, so it's not too bad.

But Matos got injured."

Luke entered the room, seeing Hamidi Shawn pressing a towel to bodyguard Matos's leg.

Hamidi Shawn looked up, letting out a sigh of relief, "Thank God you guys finally came.

Matos got shot in the shoulder and leg, and needs treatment immediately."

Luke told the newly arrived bodyguard, "Contact the black chef Martin, and have him find the ship's doctor."

Luke checked Matos's wounds, confirming they hadn't hit any arteries, and were not fatal.

He then asked Hamidi Shawn, "Did you get a look at the gunman?"

"Yes, the gunman was wearing a black jacket, medium build, gray curly hair, likely a Caucasian."

Luke pressed further, "Was the gunman injured?"

Bodyguard Matos replied, "I hit him in the arm."

Luke nodded, reassuringly, "Although we didn't catch him just now, he won't get far.

Once we solve the hijacking, we'll capture him for sure."

Hamidi Shawn expressed gratitude, "Luke, thank you for the gun.

If not for the gun you gave us, all three of us would probably be dead."

Luke nodded, "Do you know where Julian Ron is?"

Hamidi Shawn shrugged, "We split up after leaving the restaurant. I suppose he's in his room."

"Secure the room and I'll go have a word with Julian Ron."

Hamidi Shawn seemed puzzled, "What do you need to talk to him about?"

Luke didn't answer, instead flicking the walkie-talkie in his hand, "Contact me if anything comes up."

Luke left room 906, stood in the corridor observing his surroundings, noticing nothing unusual, then proceeded to the door of room 902, giving it a knock.

No response came from inside.

"Mr. Ron, it's Luke, please open the door."

After a moment, the door opened, and Julian Ron peeked out into the corridor, asking, "Was there a shootout in the corridor just now?"

"Let's talk inside." Luke walked directly into the room, finding Julian Ron and his girlfriend Anty Doherty inside.

Julian Ron pressed further, "What happened just now?"

"A gunman attacked Hamidi."

"Did you capture the attacker?"

"No."

"Was Hamidi injured?"

"He's unhurt and safe now."

Anty Doherty also came over, asking, "Was the one who attacked Hamidi the hijacker of the cruise?"

Luke shook his head, "It's not clear yet."

Julian Ron frowned and asked, "Luke, is there something you wanted from us?"

"I'm investigating the cruise hijackers and wanted to get some information from you."

"What information?" Julian Ron spread his hands, smiling, "I'm a shareholder of this cruise. You don't think I'm involved with the hijackers, do you?"

"I'm not saying you're involved with the hijackers, just that I suspect they might have smuggled contraband onto the cruise from the port in Cancun, Mexico, and it just so happens you boarded from there.

I want to know if you noticed anything unusual at the time?"

Julian Ron shook his head, "I didn't notice anything."

Luke then turned to Anty Doherty, "What about you?"

Anty Doherty shrugged, "I know even less."

Luke stared at Anty Doherty, "You seem a bit on edge, sweating quite a bit."

Anty Doherty took out a tissue and wiped the sweat from her forehead, "The gunfire scared me. We came for a vacation, didn't expect to encounter danger."

Julian Ron put an arm around Anty Doherty's shoulders, comforting, "Darling, don't be afraid, I'll protect you."

Luke watched the two, sensing something off about Anty Doherty.

"Miss Doherty, the cargos hijackers smuggled onto the cruise from the port in Cancun may relate to the safety of all passengers.

If you know anything, I hope you can tell me."

"I don't know what you're talking about. How could I be involved with the hijackers?" Anty Doherty clutched Julian Ron's arm, "Darling, I've been with you all the time, you can vouch for me."

"That's right, we've been together the whole time, she can't be involved with the hijackers." Julian Ron affirmed confidently.

"I also hope I'm mistaken, but Miss Doherty, why are you lying?"