Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Los Angeles Chinatown.

A black SUV drove into Chinatown, with many pedestrians on both sides of the street, most of whom seemed like tourists, and among them, Chinese faces were the majority.

Luke looked out the car window at the right side of the street, unable to understand why there were so many Chinese tourists in Chinatown.

Local Chinese people in Chinatown were not surprising, but tourists from China coming to Chinatown baffled Luke.

Chinatown in America retained some Chinese traditions, but it had somewhat lost its essence, far less authentic than the Chinese vibes in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

In Luke's opinion, since one is visiting America, one should experience American culture, and visiting Chinatown in America is not as good as going to Hong Kong or Taiwan.

The black SUV stopped beside a two-story building with a slanted roof, and a sign for Silver Cross Law Office hung above the first floor.

"Stop here," Luke waved his hand.

"Silver Cross Law Office?" Xiao Hei craned his neck to look, "This is my first time hearing of a law office with that name."

Luke laughed, "That's why it's in Chinatown and not on Wall Street."

Luke came here to look for Wang Shaokang, a suspect in the Silver Cross case forty years ago.

Luke and Xiao Hei entered the ground floor of the law office, which was simply decorated, with white wall panels forming a reception desk. A Chinese woman in her thirties sat behind the desk, glanced at them, and frowned slightly.

"Good morning, gentlemen," the Chinese woman spoke in Chinese.

"Hello, is Mr. Wang Shaokang here?" Luke also asked in Chinese.

The Chinese woman smiled, "Yes, sir. How may I address you?"

"My surname is Li."

"Mr. Li, do you have an appointment?"

"No, I came because of his reputation."

The Chinese woman flipped through her records and said, "Mr. Wang's schedule is full today; you might have to wait a long time."

"No problem, we have time."

The Chinese woman stood up, walked to the front of the reception desk, and pointed to the right, "Turn right ahead; there's a waiting area."

"Thank you."

Luke and Xiao Hei entered the right-side waiting area, which led to an independent law office.

There were two rows of tables and chairs inside, with many people resting on them. Luke looked up and saw that most of them had Chinese faces.

Luke found an empty seat and sat down. At the table next to him sat a couple in their forties, talking quietly and intimately.

Xiao Hei casually greeted the man next to him, "Hey, buddy, are you here to see Lawyer Wang Shaokang too?"

The Chinese middle-aged man glanced at Xiao Hei, pointing to himself, "Sorry, I don't speak much English..."

Luke greeted in Chinese, "Brother, how should I address you?"

The Chinese man smiled, "My surname is Song."

"Brother Song, are you here to see Lawyer Wang Shaokang too?"

"Yes, everyone here probably is," the man surnamed Song pointed at the surrounding people, speaking with certainty, "Wang Shaokang is the best lawyer; everyone in Chinatown knows that."

Luke nodded in agreement, "That's why I'm looking for him."

"Creak..."

The door to the lawyer's office opened, and a woman in her forties walked out, looking grateful. She turned to a Chinese man in his fifties behind her and said, "Lawyer Wang, thank you so much. If it weren't for your help, I really wouldn't know what to do...

America is somewhat different from what I imagined... it's really difficult."

The man referred to as Lawyer Wang nodded, "Don't put too much pressure on yourself; I'll follow up on the case to ensure your legal rights."

"I understand, I really can't thank you enough."

"You're welcome."

The woman looked troubled and hesitated, "I'm having some financial difficulties now, and my bank account is frozen. I might have to pay you later."

"I understand, you can pay me when you have the money," Lawyer Wang said, jokingly adding, "Don't forget to charge me interest."

"Thank you, I don't know what to say..." the woman choked up, her eyes reddening.

Lawyer Wang seemed unconcerned, "Send the documents to my assistant after you return, so we can proceed legally as soon as possible."

"Thank you," the woman thanked him again and left the law office full of gratitude.

Xiao Hei's mouth dropped open in disbelief, "I've never seen a lawyer who doesn't love money! If I didn't have money, my lawyer wouldn't even look at me."

The man with the surname Song said, "Lawyer Wang is different from other lawyers; he values justice over money, and that's what I admire most about him."

"Wow, your English is not bad," Xiao Hei teased.

The man with the surname Song looked a bit embarrassed and gave a wry smile.

Xiao Hei didn't delve into whether the man's English was bad or if he just didn't want to talk to him, and continued, "In my impression, only some naive young lawyers value justice more than money.

Other lawyers wish they could lie in a pile of money 24/7."

The man surnamed Song shook his head, with a hint of admiration in his voice, "Lawyer Wang is the most responsible lawyer I have ever met; he has a famous saying.

Fees can be waived, but justice can't be delayed."

Xiao Hei shrugged, "OK, if he's really like you said, he's indeed different from the lawyers I know."

The man surnamed Song laughed, "Coming here is definitely the right choice for you."

"I also hope it's worth the trip," Luke stood up and walked towards the office.

The man surnamed Song reminded, "Hey, without an appointment, Lawyer Wang won't see you."

"Buddy, don't be so sure," Xiao Hei stood at the door, waving, "See you later."

The man surnamed Song shook his head with a smile, naturally extending all five fingers of his right hand, "Five, four, three, two, one..."

However, to his slight embarrassment, after counting down, Luke and Xiao Hei were not kicked out of the office.

Inside the lawyer's office.

After entering the office, Luke asked the middle-aged Chinese man in a suit, "Hello, are you Lawyer Wang Shaokang?"

"That's me." Lawyer Wang Shaokang looked at Luke and Xiao Hei, "What can I help you with?"

Xiao Hei showed his police badge, "LAPD, Lawyer Wang, we'd like to talk to you."

Wang Shaokang said, "Due to my work, I know quite a few officers, but you two look unfamiliar."

"We are from the Robbery and Murder Department."

"Robbery and Murder Department?" Wang Shaokang muttered, frowning slightly, "OK, tell me why you're here."

Luke got straight to the point, "The Silver Cross case from forty years ago, do you remember it?"

Wang Shaokang was stunned for a moment, swallowing, "Of course, I will never forget."

"The police have decided to reopen the investigation of the Silver Cross case."

Wang Shaokang asked in surprise, "Why?"

"We recently investigated a murder case and found a common thread between the two cases, deciding to merge the investigations of both cases.

I have reviewed the Silver Cross case files from forty years ago and am visiting some of the individuals involved back then."

"Individuals involved?" Wang Shaokang laughed, "Or are they suspects?"

"Listen, I have read the Silver Cross case files, I know you had certain conflicts with the victim of the case, so you were listed as one of the suspects.

But I have a different opinion from theirs, I don't think you're the killer.

So, I think reopening the Silver Cross case is not a bad thing, catching the killer would completely clear your name."

Wang Shaokang stared at Luke, pondering for a long time, "What do you want me to do?"

"I would like to ask you a few questions."

"What if I refuse?"

"Mr. Wang Shaokang, you are a lawyer, you have the ability to protect your own rights.

I can't think of a reason for you to refuse."

Wang Shaokang sighed, "This case isn't a pleasant memory for me.

Although I'm not the killer in the Silver Cross case, I do share one thing with the killer, I also think the victim of the Silver Cross case deserved to die."

"I have looked into the victim of the Silver Cross case, he did indeed do many wrong things, but as a lawyer, don't you think it's more appropriate to use legal means to punish him?"

Wang Shaokang was silent for a long time, "My mother was run over and killed by that bastard.

At first, I also believed in the law, believed that he would face due punishment.

But what was the result?

He was merely given probation and community service, not a day in jail.

Do you like such a law?"

"No, I certainly don't like it.

I hope such a person receives the harshest punishment," Luke said firmly.

Wang Shaokang's expression softened a bit, checking his watch, "I have many appointments with clients today, so I can only give you five minutes."

Luke probed, "Were you involved in the death of the Silver Cross case victim?"

"If I were involved in this case, the police would have arrested me forty years ago, rather than waiting for you to question me now."

"Mr. Wang, please answer my question directly."

Wang Shaokang glared at Luke, and then slowly said, "I was not involved."

"Do you know Gallian Coffey?"

"Who is he?"

"Chairman of the Coffey Group."

Wang Shaokang lowered his head, pinching his forehead, "I don't know him.

Does he have something to do with the Silver Cross case from forty years ago?"

"He was killed too.

We suspect that the person who killed him is the same person who committed the Silver Cross case murder forty years ago."

"You mean the Silver Cross killer struck again after forty years?"

"Yes.

That's also why I want to understand the Silver Cross case from forty years ago."

Wang Shaokang slowly raised his head, "Sorry, I'm afraid I can't help you, I don't know the Gallian Coffey you mentioned, nor do I know anything about his case."

"But you know the Silver Cross case."

"The Silver Cross case relates to my mother, I don't want to bring it up again.

Recollecting it is painful for me every time," Wang Shaokang stood up, assuming a gesture of seeing guests off.

Luke also stood up, asking, "By the way, why is this law firm called Xiuying Law Office?"

Wang Shaokang said, "It is in memory of my mother, her greatest wish was that I would become either a lawyer or a doctor."

Luke thought for a moment, "As far as I know, your mother seems to have been called Laura."

"Laura was the name she changed to after coming to America.

Xiuying was her name in China, it has a traditional ethnic tone.

Full of hopes and aspirations, she came to Los Angeles, hoping to integrate into life here, so she changed her name to Laura.

Unfortunately, God played a trick on her.

Ultimately, she did not belong in Los Angeles, and American law did not give her justice.

Therefore, I still prefer her previous name."

"Sorry for making you recall unpleasant memories again," Luke nodded, acknowledging, and left the office with Xiao Hei.

Xiao Hei, being naturally friendly, waved goodbye to the man named Song and followed Luke out of the law firm, speaking confidently, "Captain, my intuition tells me, this guy definitely has a problem."

"Intuition alone can't convict," Luke said, sitting in the car's front passenger seat.

Xiao Hei started the engine, "Where to?"

"Coffey Group."

Luke carefully recalled, when he mentioned the Coffey Group, Wang Shaokang's demeanor seemed unnatural, like he was avoiding, evading.