Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Chen Kelin continued to ask, "Mr. Otway Stone, when was the last time you saw Mr. Gallian Coffey?"

"Wow..." Otway Stone's eyes shifted as he shrugged, "Honestly, I can't remember, it's been a long time since we last met."

Chen Kelin opened his notebook and asked, "On October 27th, that is, the night before last between 8 and 9 PM, where were you?"

"Haha, it seems you came prepared." Otway Stone shifted his body back, leaning on the chair.

Chen Kelin continued, "So, you admit that the night before last, the night when Mr. Gallian Coffey was murdered, you met?"

"No." Otway Stone shrugged, "I wouldn't say we met, I just saw him from my side.

I don't think he saw me."

Chen Kelin pointed his right index finger at him, "You were stalking him."

"Slander, this is absolute slander. I am Otway Stone, the founder of Otway Film Company, an excellent director and producer, I would disdain such a thing."

Chen Kelin pulled out a picture of a red Tesla sedan, "Is this car yours?"

"It's my wife's."

"But you were the one driving that day." Chen Kelin pulled out a few surveillance photos, "According to our investigation, the day before yesterday afternoon Gallian Coffey left the company to go to his secretary's house, and you were following behind in this red Tesla.

If you weren't following him, tell me your purpose."

Otway Stone scratched his head with his right hand, helplessly said, "I wanted to see him and then sit down to have a nice talk."

"I think no one would like your way of talking."

"I didn't either, but I had no choice." Otway Stone tapped the table with his fingers, hummed, "That bastard wouldn't take my calls, wouldn't let me into his company, one time he even had the bodyguards kick me out of the house.

So, I could only follow him, trying to find an appropriate opportunity to talk."

"What kind of conflict do you have that he refuses to see you?"

"Some trivial work matters, nothing serious."

Chen Kelin said, "How did your conversation go at Gallian Coffey's secretary's house?"

"You're a cunning guy." Otway Stone shook his head with a laugh, "I saw the news, I know Gallian Coffey is dead, don't try to pin this murder on me.

I admit following Gallian Coffey's car into his secretary's community, but I didn't go into the secretary's house, nor did I kill anyone."

"When did you leave Gallian Coffey's secretary's house?"

"About a dozen minutes later, I saw that he didn't come out, so I left."

"Left?" Chen Kelin questioned.

"That's right."

"Since you discovered Gallian Coffey's affair, why didn't you take this opportunity to have a good talk?"

"Heh." Otway Stone sneered, "How should I talk? Threaten him, I know you cheated with your secretary, if you don't listen to me, I'll tell your wife and notify the media.

Come on, I sought him to talk, to mend our relationship, not to make it worse.

If I used that affair to threaten him, our relationship would be completely over.

If the affair is exposed, it would indeed bring him some trouble, but it's not a big deal.

When it comes to real interests, he wouldn't care.

I know this guy too well, he values interests over reputation."

Chen Kelin retorted, "So, you just left, as if nothing happened?"

"Of course not, I'll mention it when the time is right.

Considering I helped him keep his secret, I think he might be willing to assist me where he can.

If the affair gets out, it will bring some trouble to him and the company.

Compared to the difficulties I face, it's trivial.

Since we can have a win-win, there's no need to use threats.

I'm a smart person."

"After leaving Gallian Coffey's secretary's community, where did you go?"

"Home."

"What time did you get home?"

"I can't remember exactly, around nine o'clock."

"Can anyone verify that?"

Otway Stone thought for a moment, "No, my wife attended a party that day and hadn't come home yet."

"Where's the red Tesla you drove that night?"

"In my home's garage."

"Mr. Stone, do you own a handgun?"

Otway Stone spread his hands, dissatisfied, "I've told you, I didn't go to Gallian's secretary's house, Gallian's death has nothing to do with me.

Why do you keep treating me as a suspect in this interrogation?

Even if I were to kill Gallian, do you think I'd be stupid enough to kill him myself?

I'm not an idiot."

"Please answer my question directly."

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm not old enough to have dementia."

Chen Kelin took out a tablet, playing a video, Otway Stone's face changed slightly after watching it.

Luke also watched the video, more precisely, it was elevator surveillance, Otway Stone stood in the elevator, taking a black handgun from his bag and tucking it in his back waist.

"Mr. Stone, what is this?"

"Are you monitoring me?"

"No, this is surveillance from Coffey Company's elevator, according to employees from Coffey Company, two months ago you went to the company looking for Mr. Gallian Coffey, the two of you had a big argument in the office, you even pulled out a gun to threaten him.

Since then, Mr. Gallian Coffey has forbidden you from entering the company.

So this time you followed him to his secretary's and used that black handgun to kill him and the secretary."

"No, I didn't.

I don't have a gun, nor would I kill."

Chen Kelin tapped the tablet with his fingers, "Then what is this?"

Otway Stone sighed, "This is a prop gun, fake, it can't kill anyone.

This gun is in the cabinet in my living room, if you don't believe me, you can check.

Of course, you'd need a search warrant first."

Chen Kelin shook his head, "Mr. Stone, you seem to not realize the seriousness of the problem.

You have a conflict with Mr. Gallian Coffey, you've previously threatened him with a gun, and you appeared in the community where he was murdered during the timeframe of the crime.

These circumstances are very unfavorable for you.

If you are truly innocent, you should cooperate with the police investigation.

That's the only way to clear your name quickly."

Otway Stone sounded displeased, "I came to the police station to cooperate with your investigation, didn't I?

And I've told the truth.

Gallian's death has nothing to do with me."

Seeing the tension in the air, Luke changed the question, "Mr. Stone, can you talk about the conflict between you and Mr. Gallian Coffey?"

"Just some company business, I doubt you'd be interested, Officer Li."

"This might help in clearing your suspicion."

Otway Stone hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "OK, it's nothing that can't be said.

Otway Film Company was founded by me, we've made many classic movies, 'Cold-blooded Gunman', 'Lover's Champagne', 'He is the Murderer', 'Glorious Martin', etc.

I believe you must have watched them." Otway Stone looked expectantly at Luke and Chen Kelin, but got no response, so he continued,

"A good movie doesn't always sell well, the company's situation wasn't great, plus my failed investment resulted in financial problems, and I decided to transfer a portion of the company's shares.

There were many investors wanting to buy in at that time, and eventually, I chose Gallian.

For two reasons, first, we've always been good friends.

Second, he promised me two conditions.

But things change, once he became the largest shareholder, he didn't keep his promises.

Only then did I realize my previous actions were inviting a wolf into the house.

I was very angry.

This is why I went to him with the prop gun.

I didn't intend to kill him, I just hoped he would keep his promise, that's all."