Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Luke waved his hand, "Ron Winters, I'm here."

Ron Winters approached and carefully scrutinized Luke before sitting down, "Who are you?"

"Just call me Luke."

"Can I get a beer?"

"Of course."

Luke gestured for the waiter to bring him a beer.

Ron Winters picked up the beer glass and took a hefty gulp, downing more than half in one go.

"Refreshing!

I finally feel like a person again." Ron Winters wiped his mouth, looked at Luke, "Are you sent by Nitro Hotel?"

"Yes."

"Seeing a former employee like this, what do you think?"

"I know that Nitro Hotel laid off a bunch of people recently, including you.

I'm here this time to verify the reason for the layoff."

"Heh." Ron Winters sneered, "I was set up, by a disgusting old woman."

"I know you've felt wronged since you were laid off and even went to the hotel to complain. Can you tell me the reason?"

Ron Winters swallowed and took another sip of beer, asking, "Will you really give me a hotel recommendation letter?"

"Of course."

"Why should I believe you?"

Luke looked him up and down, "Do you have anything worth deceiving you for?"

"You're right; it can't get any worse than this." Ron Winters made a self-mocking remark and slowly said, "I worked at that hotel for two years, the longest job I've ever held.

I love that job.

I considered the hotel my home.

And now, I've been kicked out like a dog, with nothing left.

I used to despise the homeless, but now...

I've become just like them..."

Luke interrupted him, "I checked the hotel's records. You consistently performed well, and the reason you got laid off was because of a report against you."

"That's right, because of that damned report, I not only lost my job but also got kicked out by my girlfriend.

I've been wondering if that awful woman was sent by God to punish me.

But I can't think of anything wrong I've done to deserve this treatment."

"I want to know the specifics of your complaint so I can help you."

"This issue... it's a long story."

"Then start from the beginning."

"Tijie Ely is a platinum VIP customer of the hotel; she has a long-term room and stays a few months every year.

When I joined the hotel, she was already staying there.

When she took a car, I opened the door for her.

When she left, I carried her luggage.

She'd request room service, and I'd even deliver it.

Almost always at her beck and call..." Ron Winters sighed and continued, "Of course, I had my reasons for doing this. She was generous and would tip well each time.

After we got familiar, she'd occasionally give me little gifts.

Gradually, we became friends.

At least, I thought so.

I could tell she was lonely, spending holidays all by herself.

One time, she ordered room service, setting up a whole table of dishes, but she was the only one eating.

She invited me to dine with her.

But hotel policy prohibits that.

I initially wanted to refuse, but her attitude was sincere and pitiful...

Yes, pitiful.

Even though she was wealthy, I sensed she wasn't happy; she was lonely and needed company.

Maybe it was out of sympathy that I sat down and had a meal with her.

That was the first time, and afterward, whenever she ordered room service, I'd deliver it.

She'd invite me for a drink; we'd sit on the sofa chatting, and our relationship grew closer..."

Ron Winters downed the rest of his beer and continued, "A month ago, she ordered room service again, asking for two bottles of wine and a fruit platter.

When I got to the room, she invited me for a drink.

She seemed a bit melancholic, so I agreed.

We drank and chatted, just like friends.

She grabbed my hand, saying I might be the person who cares about her most in the world...

I was a little tipsy, forgot we were in the hotel, forgot she was a guest; it felt like a bar, and I kissed her...

Just once, and she screamed like I was trying to assault her..." At this point, Ron Winters showed an angry expression, "She's in her forties, twenty years older than me. I was trying to comfort her out of pity.

She grabbed my hand first, making me misunderstand. She took advantage, not me.

Besides, she's in her forties; it took all my courage to kiss her.

But she acted like she was assaulted and, disregarding our past friendship, directly reported me to the hotel...

Truly an evil woman."

Ron Winters seemed very upset, his emotion genuine.

"Do you feel wronged?"

"Isn't that obvious?"

"Have you thought about taking revenge on the hotel and Tijie Ely?"

"I went to the hotel for an explanation, but they wouldn't let me in. They even said if I got near the hotel again, they'd call the police on me.

What a bunch of bastards."

"Did you leave a complaint letter in the side lobby of the hotel?"

"In my current state, sneaking into the hotel is hard enough, let alone leaving a complaint letter. Besides, I don't think that complaint box would help.

My issue isn't something a letter can solve.

That wicked woman ruined my life."

Luke felt he wasn't lying and pressed on, "Are you in touch with other laid-off hotel employees?"

"No, they all consider me a client-harassing jerk, no one wants to talk to me.

On the day I was laid off, my girlfriend also kicked me out. Now even a stray dog wouldn't give me a second glance."

Luke said, "Give me an address, in a couple of days, I'll have someone mail the recommendation letter to you."

Ron Winters rubbed his hands, "I don't have a place to stay now."

"Can you help me rent a motel? Just a place to stay."

Luke wasn't indulging him, "Find an address and send it to me. If there's no detailed address, you might not receive the recommendation letter."

With that, Luke stood up, ready to leave.

Ron Winters quickly stood as well, asking, "Can you buy me another drink?"

Luke glanced at him and left twenty US dollars.

"You're a good person.

You're different from the others; at least you're willing to give me another chance, thank you."

Luke waved his hand and left the bar.

Luke basically ruled him out as a suspect; first, Luke didn't catch him lying, and second, given Ron Winters' current state, even if he wanted revenge on the hotel, he couldn't possibly take such a 'mild' approach. He simply didn't have the patience.

"Ring, ring..." Just as Luke returned to his car, his phone rang.

"Luke, it's me." Orty's voice came through the phone.

"Did you find the information I needed?"

"Yes.

Baron Ackman, a senior assistant at Nitro Hotel, is also the assistant to Vice President Kyron Powell.

He's 32, born in New York, came to Las Vegas five years ago, and joined Nitro Hotel three years ago.

I also investigated his financial situation; his credit cards are almost all maxed out, and his properties and car are mortgaged.

His finances are a complete mess.

Moreover, he has multiple records of visiting gambling halls, going almost every week."

Luke snorted, "A gambling addict."

Orty asked, "You suspect he's connected to those two threat letters?"

"There's that speculation."

Last night, Baron Ackman delivered wine to Luke's hotel room. During their conversation, Luke sensed hints of lying and concealment from him.

That's why Luke called Orty to investigate him.

And Ron Winters was just a smokescreen he threw out, possibly to interfere with Luke's investigation.

Even though there's no direct link found yet between him and the two threat letters, a desperate gambler has no boundaries.