Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Robbery and Murder Department, First Squad Office.

The deputy team leader turned on the hanging TV. He was used to watching the morning news, but after switching a few channels, all were broadcasting the cruise hijacking case.

And the protagonist in the news was none other than the long-absent captain.

The deputy team leader sighed, "How much longer will this old boring news keep replaying? Can't those clueless reporters get off their butts and investigate some new news?"

Little Black teased, "Like a sixty-something white-haired man still sticking to the frontline of investigation."

"You're right. I've dedicated my whole life to the Robbery and Murder Department. I've investigated more cases than the steaks you've eaten. Don't I deserve this qualification?"

Little Black replied, "You certainly do, but they clearly prefer Luke. And you can't deny, the cruise hijacking case sounds more thrilling, more likely to rattle the nerves of those rich folks."

The deputy team leader replied helplessly, "Alright, I admit I'm a bit jealous of that lucky guy, Luke."

Jackson said, "Actually, I think being famous isn't such a good thing. After all, our job is to solve cases, not to be Hollywood stars."

The deputy team leader grumbled, "Unless you want to be like me, just a deputy for life, you better drop those childish ideas."

Jackson shrugged, "Actually, what I'm most curious about is where the captain is. Has he been in contact with you guys?"

Little Black replied, "From what I understand about him, he should be resting in the comfort of his big villa."

Jenny laughed, "Honestly, I'd love to try a cruise trip. I wonder if the ticket prices will drop after this hijacking incident?"

Jackson agreed, "I'm quite interested in a cruise trip too. When the captain returns, we can ask him how it feels to vacation on a cruise."

Creak... The office door opened, and Luke greeted everyone with a smile, "Guys, it sounds like you're talking about me."

Little Black was somewhat surprised, "Captain, you're here. I thought you were going to rest a while longer."

Luke did have that thought, but since he was here, he still needed to give the impression of being diligent to his subordinates.

"Any tricky cases lately?"

The deputy team leader said, "We just cracked a particularly nasty murder case.

The crime scene was on the eastern side of Newster Square. Two masked men wearing black hoods shot someone in the daytime, resulting in one death and one injury, with the injured being a minor. Many citizens witnessed it, and the impact was severe.

We arrived at the crime scene. Through eyewitness descriptions, reviewing surveillance, and a lot of analysis, we deduced the culprits' modus operandi and escape direction.

We found the black hoods in a trash can in the direction the culprits escaped and extracted the suspect's DNA.

After DNA identification and comparison, we found out the identity of the culprits.

We got the culprits in the interrogation room, and in less than half an hour, they confessed.

You came back late."

Luke smiled, "Well done! With you watching over the first squad, I can rest assured."

The deputy team leader pouted, "I wish you weren't assured."

Luke didn't bother to respond to this complaining old man.

Then, Luke briefly described the case of the Coffey company chairman meeting a tragic end at the secretary's house.

Little Black asked, "I know about this case; isn't the second squad investigating it?"

"The Coffey group offered a one million US Dollar reward to expedite the investigation and hoped I could participate in the case investigation.

So Reid hopes our first squad can join forces with the second squad to investigate."

The deputy team leader asked, "What if there are differences in the investigation?"

"The first squad takes the lead."

"Still, it's up to you." The deputy team leader glanced at Jackson beside him, "See, that's the perk of fame.

The second squad's Captain Clint might already be hiding in the office crying."

Little Black's eyes lit up, instantly energized, "With a reward, there's more motivation, which is a good thing for everyone, why cry?

If they didn't want Luke to participate in the investigation, the Coffey company might not have offered this reward."

Jackson followed up, "What kind of background does this Coffey company have?"

The deputy team leader thought for a moment and frowned, "Decades ago, I heard of the Coffey family's name. They're a big local family with some influence in politics."

"I'm more curious about why the chairman of the Coffey company died at the secretary's house?" Little Black rubbed his chin and laughed, "If I'm not mistaken, the incident must have happened at night."

Little Black chuckled lecherously, wearing an expression everyone understood.

"We're discussing the case here. Be serious, even if it's for the sake of the reward." Luke warned, continuing, "The specific details of the case are still unclear. Once Director Reid finishes talking with Captain Clint, I'll coordinate with him."

Little Black proactively suggested, "Captain, I'll go with you to the second squad."

This case was originally investigated by the second squad, but now it was handed over to Luke. Even if Chen Kelin could understand, others in the second squad might have feelings. Luke worried that Little Black couldn't keep his mouth shut and might say something inappropriate, causing unnecessary trouble.

"Jackson will go with me; the others wait for news."

Half an hour later, Luke received a call from Chen Kelin. However, instead of going to the second squad, Chen Kelin brought the case files to the first squad to talk.

Luke invited him into the captain's office and asked, "Captain Chen, would you like something to drink?"

Chen Kelin shrugged, "I'm not here for tea."

"Whether you drink or not, I'm definitely having some.

If the director hadn't called, I'd probably be leisurely enjoying afternoon tea in my own garden." Luke's words aimed to show he had no intention to snatch the case.

"I know, Director Reid told me everything.

"You're in the spotlight now and don't care about this bit of credit." Chen Kelin placed a stack of files on the table. "Let's talk about the case first."

"This murder case involves two victims, Blanchie Coluk and Gallian Coffey."

"The time of death for both is between 8 PM and midnight the night before last."

"Yesterday morning, people from the Coffey company discovered that Blanchie Coluk and Gallian Coffey hadn't shown up for work and couldn't reach them, so they reported it to the police."

"After some investigation, the police found their bodies in the home of the deceased, Blanchie Coluk."

Chen Kelin took out photos from the crime scene and explained, "The body of the deceased Blanchie Coluk was found by the bedside, she was shot three times, with a fatal wound to the head."

"Gallian Coffey's body was found in the bathroom, he was shot four times, with a fatal wound to the chest."

"According to the identification, both victims were killed with the same handgun."

Luke picked up the photos from the table and leafed through them. The deceased Blanchie Coluk was wearing a black lace nightdress, with large red bloodstains on it.

Gallian Coffey lay in the bathroom, blood staining the area red, and it wasn't hard to guess the relationship between the two.

"Did the murderer leave any clues?"

"The tech team found some biological material at the scene, still under identification."

"Any witnesses?"

"We interviewed the surrounding neighbors, no one heard gunshots that night; I suspect the killer might have used a silencer."

"Did the surveillance capture the killer?"

"There was no surveillance in Blanchie Coluk's home.

We checked the community surveillance, but haven't found any suspicious people or vehicles so far."

"What was the killer's motive?"

"There are signs of rummaging in the victim's home, it could be robbery murder, or it could be a staged scene after the murder; I'm personally inclined towards the latter."

"How many people were involved in the murder?"

"Judging from the scene, there were likely no more than two people."

"Any suspects?"

Chen Kelin cocked his head, "Which one are you referring to?"

"Let's hear it."

Chen Kelin said, "The Coffey company has been developing and expanding over the years, involving multiple industries, and has offended quite a few people.

Just last month, Gallian Coffey was in a car accident, but fortunately, he was in a bulletproof car and wasn't hurt, unlike the driver who hit him, who was severely injured and hospitalized."

"As far as I know, during his tenure as Chairman of the Coffey company, Gallian Coffey offended many people, but due to the confidentiality of company business, the relevant personnel are unwilling to talk, so we can only investigate on our own."

"There are three individuals with significant suspicion." Chen Kelin pulled out a stack of documents and handed them to Luke, "These three people have business connections with the Coffey company, more precisely, a conflict of interest, with verbal threats and intimidation exchanged."

Luke took the documents and reviewed them.

"Ring, ring..." Chen Kelin's phone rang.

He stepped aside to answer the call.

After hanging up, he said to Luke, "The deceased Blanchie Coluk's husband was on a business trip out of town and has just arrived at the police station to identify the body. I need to talk to him.

Are you coming?"

Luke asked, "Both of the victims were married?"

"Isn't that how it is with these wealthy types?"

"It seems you'll need to add another suspect." Luke stood up and left the office with Chen Kelin.

A few minutes later, the deceased Blanchie Coluk's husband was brought into the meeting room.

He was a white man in his thirties, looking anxious, with a slightly creased suit, "My name is Buddy Corruck, I'm Blanchie Coluk's husband.

You contacted me before, saying there was a robbery at my place. How's my wife? I haven't been able to reach her."

Chen Kelin and Luke exchanged a glance, then sighed, "Mr. Buddy Corruck, I'm sorry to inform you, but your wife has been murdered."

"What! How could this happen!" Buddy Corruck clasped his hands together, eyes widened, and asked in a trembling voice, "When did this happen? How did she die?"

"The night before last, she was shot in your home."

"Oh my God, this is terrible, I was only gone a few days, how could this happen?

Where is my wife's body? I want to see her."

Luke turned to Jackson next to him, "Take him to identify the body."

"Yes, sir."

After Buddy Corruck left, Chen Kelin proactively asked, "Luke. The director has already said this, although it's a joint investigation, you're taking the lead on the case. What's your next step?"

Luke thought for a moment then said, "Since both Squad One and Squad Two are combined in this investigation, we have enough manpower, so why not split up and investigate separately? Each investigates one of the victims' situations and promptly shares information."

Chen Kelin nodded, "We've been focusing our investigation on Gallian Coffey and have made some progress, so let's continue with that line of inquiry."

"No problem, I'll be responsible for investigating Blanchie Coluk, and I'll get in touch if I find any leads."

"Understood." Chen Kelin nodded and walked out of the Squad One office with a complex expression.

Chen Kelin had long known that with Luke's abilities, it was only a matter of time before he'd be ahead of him, just didn't expect it to come so soon...