Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Orty asked, "If Baron Ackman is really involved with the threatening letter, what is his motive?"

This question also crossed Luke's mind.

First, there's the feasibility of this speculation.

Baron Ackman is not only an employee of the Nitro Hotel but also the assistant to Vice President Kyron Powell. Delivering a threatening letter is easy for him, posing no difficulty.

As for Baron Ackman's motives, nothing is apparent on the surface, requiring further analysis.

First, there's the content of the threatening letter, merely a short phrase: 'On Thanksgiving, a big gift will be delivered to the hotel.'

It didn't specify what the gift would be.

It also didn't mention any demands.

Strictly speaking, this isn't much of a threat, just that the method of delivery was somewhat odd, along with a sinister, bloody skull at the bottom of the letter.

The hotel is worried something might happen on Thanksgiving, hence they hired him to investigate.

Luke's thoughts returned to that supposedly non-threatening threatening letter, 'On Thanksgiving, a big gift will be delivered to the hotel.'

Breaking down this sentence, there are three main points: time, place, and delivering a gift.

Looking at Baron Ackman's current financial state, he's in dire need of money, yet sending these two threatening letters would hardly yield any financial benefits. Luke speculates that he might be instructed by external forces.

So, what effect could this threatening letter achieve?

The consequences it might cause could perhaps back-calculate the motivations of the mastermind.

The first guess is that the threatening letter aims to affect the hotel's business, disrupting its normal operations. However, as it stands, only the upper management of the hotel knows about the threatening letter, with no impact on the staff or guests, so it doesn't significantly affect the hotel's business.

The second guess is that the threatening letter targets an individual at the hotel, perhaps Vice President Kyron Powell?

No, while the second threatening letter was left at his doorstep, it didn't have much impact on him either.

Luke suspects that the reason the second letter was directed to Kyron Powell is simply because Baron Ackman, his assistant, could exert influence on this matter secretly.

The third guess is that this affair targets the Pinkerton Detective Agency?

The Pinkerton Detective Agency operates nationwide; such a small commission would hardly affect the agency.

So, only the fourth guess remains: the so-called threatening letter is a setup to draw himself into the plot.

In short, Luke's theories remain speculative.

First and foremost, he needs to confirm whether Baron Ackman is linked to the threatening letter, for once that is ascertained, the person behind it can be found by tracing the clues.

Luke drove back to the Nitro Hotel and went straight to the office of Vice President Kyron Powell.

Kyron Powell invited Luke to sit down and handed him a cup of coffee, "Mr. Li, was your investigation successful today?"

"Yes, I've found some clues." Luke took a sip of the coffee.

"I knew I was right about you." Kyron Powell smiled.

Luke put down the coffee cup, saying, "President Powell, I'd like to ask you a few questions."

"Go ahead."

"What was your first reaction upon seeing the threatening letter?"

Kyron Powell held the coffee cup, recalling for a moment, "To call the police."

"Then why didn't you report it to the police?"

"Baron Ackman reminded me that alerting the police would blow things out of proportion, potentially affecting the hotel's business. After some consideration, I chose not to report it."

"Then why did you choose to commission me to investigate the matter?"

"Because, Mr. Li, you have a great reputation and are capable; we believe you can resolve this matter quickly and effectively."

"President Powell, thank you for your trust, but I'm interested in the details of the process. For example, I was in Los Angeles, how did you think of me? And how did you learn of the connection between Pinkerton Detective Agency and me?"

Seeing Luke's serious demeanor, Kyron Powell switched his tone and said, "To be honest, I've never interacted with detectives and didn't know where to find one, so I entrusted the matter to Baron.

He contacted the Pinkerton Detective Agency and recommended you to me.

Coincidentally, I'd heard of your name, so I decided to commission you to investigate the threatening letter." Vice President Kyron Powell shrugged, "Is there a problem with that?"

Of course, there's a problem.

Luke could now be certain that Baron Ackman was definitely involved with the threatening letter, using his position as the vice president's assistant to lure him step by step into the trap.

To prevent Kyron Powell from unintentionally revealing anything to Baron Ackman, Luke reminded him, "During the investigation, I've found that Baron might be linked to the threatening letter."

Kyron Powell showed a look of surprise, "Baron, how is that possible? He's been my assistant for two years now."

"Does he like to gamble?"

Kyron Powell thought for a moment, "He used to enjoy a few games at the casino, but I warned him about it, and he hasn't gone since."

Luke replied, "He just doesn't gamble at the Nitro Hotel anymore but visits other casinos frequently. I've checked his financial status; all his credit cards are maxed out, and his house and car are mortgaged.

You should know more about desperate gamblers than I do."

Kyron Powell's expression turned grave, "Why would he do this?"

"He should be acting under someone's instructions."

Kyron Powell sighed, "Is there anything I need to do?"