Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Teacher?

Student?

Could it be the principal?

Oh my, that's big news.

Luke snorted, "It's none of your business, you should worry about your own grades."

Luke was about to leave but was stopped by the little chubby guy, "Hey, big bro."

"What's up?"

"If, and I'm just saying if, you invite Maggie to watch the NBA game, do you think she would go?"

"I'm busy as hell, why would I invite her to a game?"

"For example, if I also go that night, maybe we could have a good chat."

"I don't want to get involved in you kids' romances, spare me, little brother, I'm begging you."

"This could affect my happiness for the rest of my life—are you going to just stand by and watch, my dear brother?"

"Are you sure it's for the rest of your life, and not just the rest of your body?" Luke waved his hand and left.

The little chubby guy shouted, "It's you who likes the Lakers' girl, not me."

...

Luke and his group found Ali Bergman's teacher, a woman in her forties with shoulder-length hair, dressed formally, looking somewhat serious.

Luke explained their purpose for being there.

The teacher adjusted her glasses and sighed, "I heard about it from Sharon, and initially didn't believe it."

Ali was a good student, and she was so young...

God shouldn't have taken her so early, it's so unfair."

Luke suggested, "Sharon Frank and another student, Marissa Hawking, were good friends with Ali. I'd like to talk to them."

"I have no problem with that, but it requires the consent of their guardians."

"OK."

Half an hour later, Luke met Sharon Frank and her father in a classroom.

Jenny and Raymond were in the next classroom speaking with Marissa Hawking.

Sharon was also a white girl, tall and slender, wearing a white knitted sweater and light blue jeans, exuding a youthful vibe.

She seemed to have just cried, her eyes a bit red.

Her father was a middle-aged man in a well-pressed suit, with meticulously combed hair. He glanced at his watch and whispered a few words to Sharon Frank.

Then, he looked at Luke, "Officer, can we start?"

Luke nodded, "Sir, you are Sharon Frank's father?"

"That's correct, my name is Arild Frank."

"Thank you for taking the time to assist the police investigation."

Arild Frank nodded, "I knew that girl, she often played with my daughter.

They were good friends.

It's such a pity.

I also want to do something for her."

Luke then looked at Sharon Frank, "Did you see Ali Bergman last night?"

"Yes."

"How was she then? Was there anything different about her?"

Sharon Frank recalled for a moment and said, "We had planned to hang out last night, so Marissa and I drove to see her.

Her mother wasn't home, she was alone.

Originally, we planned to stay over at Marissa's, but Ali said she wasn't feeling well and wasn't going.

Marissa and I were a bit disappointed, but we didn't force her and left."

"What time did you leave?"

"We arrived around nine, didn't stay long, left in less than ten minutes."

"Where did you go?"

Sharon Frank's eyes darted around, hesitating briefly, "We went to Marissa's house."

"What transportation did you use?"

"A blue Tesla sedan."

Luke noted it down, "What did you do at Marissa Hawking's house?"

"Not much, took a shower, chatted about school, then went to bed."

Luke sensed she might be hiding something, probing, "Ali was sick, and her mother wasn't home.

Why didn't you stay over to take care of her?"

Sharon Frank licked her lips, "We didn't want to disturb her rest."

Luke pressed, "Or was there another reason?"

Sharon Frank glanced at her father and shook her head.

Luke also looked at Arild Frank, "Mr. Frank, could I speak with your daughter alone?"

"Why? Is there something I shouldn't know?

I don't see the necessity." Arild Frank shrugged, not intending to leave.

Luke continued asking, "Did you see anyone suspicious near Ali's house that night?"

"No."

"Do you think Ali was really unwell, or was there something else?"

"I felt she wasn't in a bad condition at the time, not serious, so we left.

Besides, she seemed a bit different that night."

"What was different?"

"I can't quite say..."

"Does Ali have a boyfriend?"

"As far as I know, she doesn't. But she's very likable and pretty, with quite a few admirers."

"Could you tell me who those admirers are?"

"Borco Cooper, Yarn Columbus, those two have been pursuing her recently."

Arild Frank suddenly asked, "Darling, do you have any admirers?"

Sharon Frank rolled her eyes, "I refuse to answer."

"How is Ali's relationship with her mother?"

Sharon Frank frowned slightly, "From what I know, their relationship isn't great. Ali dislikes her mother's new boyfriend, always feeling that his gaze is weird.

But her mother doesn't believe it, she's very taken with the new boyfriend. Recently, mother and daughter had a big fight over this."

"Are you aware Ali reported domestic violence?"

"Yes, I feel this issue is complex. Ali's mom hasn't hit her, but...

Sometimes, her mom uses cold violence; Ali hates that feeling.

She loves her mom, just doesn't know how to express it."

Arild Frank reminded, "Sweetheart, reporting to the police isn't the right way to express love.

Effective communication is."

"I got it, Dad."

Luke handed Sharon Frank a business card, "If you think of any new leads, you can contact me anytime."

"OK." Sharon just took the card when Arild Frank next to her took it, "I'll keep it safe for you so you don't lose it."

Then, Arild Frank stood up, "Officer, may we leave?"

"Certainly." Luke escorted the two out of the classroom.

After a while, the door of the next classroom opened.

Jenny and Raymond also finished their conversation, and Marissa Hawking left with her mother's company.

Luke and his team gathered together, comparing notes from their interviews,

Luke felt Sharon Frank was hiding something, asking, "Can you talk about their whereabouts last night?"

Jenny said, "According to Marissa Hawking, they went to Ali Bergman's house around nine last night. They were supposed to go over to Sharon Frank's to hang out, but Ali wasn't feeling well, so she didn't go.

Then, Marissa and Sharon drove over to spend the night at Sharon Frank's."

"Spend the night at Sharon Frank's?" The black guy raised his eyebrows, "But when we asked Sharon, she said they spent the night at Marissa Hawking's.

What exactly did they do that night?"