Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

If it were an ordinary disappearance or kidnapping case, it would only be necessary to explain the brutality of the kidnappers; even if the ransom is paid, the victim might still be killed. Most families would choose to cooperate with the police.

However, when it involves political matters, things become complicated.

Those involved in politics not only speak lies but also have many secrets that cannot see the light of day. Their concealment and lying are not necessarily because of the case itself but may be due to issues that involve their dark secrets.

For instance, in the previous incident where the wife of the New York mayor was killed, during Luke's conversation with the mayor, there were signs of concealment and lying, but it was eventually proven that he had nothing to do with his wife's death.

So, Luke did not continue disputing with the two; even if he wanted to expose their lies, he needed to find some evidence first, as words alone are not enough.

Later, Luke went to the break room and reported the situation to Reid.

Reid told him to await further news.

This is a tricky case involving the major significance of a gubernatorial candidate, and even Reid couldn't make a decision.

Twenty minutes later, Reid called again, instructing him to take charge of the investigation into Henrik Laurie's disappearance, and if necessary, deploy the city's police force for reinforcement.

Luke collected his thoughts and found Hans Dragon and Mrs. Laurie, saying, "Mr. Hans Dragon, Mrs. Laurie, I just contacted the police department's top brass. They've officially appointed me to investigate Mr. Henrik Laurie's disappearance."

Mrs. Laurie and Hans Dragon exchanged a glance and said, "If there's anything we can do to assist, just let us know."

Luke nodded and said to Mrs. Laurie, "If anyone contacts you about Mr. Laurie's disappearance, whether offering clues or extortion, you must inform me immediately."

"We will."

"Did you check the surveillance footage?"

Hans Dragon replied, "We considered checking the surveillance, but the hotel rejected our request."

"To fully grasp the leads on Mr. Laurie's disappearance, my colleagues will take statements from the campaign team later on.

We hope you can cooperate with us."

Hans Dragon said, "No problem, but we hope the investigation remains confidential.

I don't want the investigation to begin only for it to appear in the news immediately after."

This remark reminded Luke that Nami Inoue mentioned their TV station has an informant in the hotel.

Luke's first thought was to find out who this informant was and prevent them from continuing to pass on information to the TV station.

He then dismissed the thought.

Even before Henrik Laurie went missing, TV stations had already placed informants around him to keep an eye on things.

Now, with Henrik Laurie suspected to be missing, all TV stations are focused on the hotel, and undoubtedly there are more informants than ever. To eliminate all these informants would waste a lot of time and manpower and could likely affect the investigation of the case.

Furthermore, journalists are not foolish; even without informants, they could pick up on clues standing right in front of the hotel.

Luke said, "Mr. Laurie has a high support rate in Los Angeles and is a public figure. The news about his alleged disappearance is already out, making it almost impossible to conceal.

Instead of outsmarting journalists, it's better to focus more on the case itself."

Hans Dragon opened his mouth as if wanting to say something.

However, Mrs. Laurie stopped him and said, "Captain Lee, you're right. Just focus on the investigation.

As for the TV station... I will handle it."

"That would be best." Luke advised them a few more things before leaving the Presidential Suite.

Luke gathered his team, described the case situation, and assigned tasks.

Raymond took a group to take statements from Henrik Laurie's campaign team.

Luke took Little Black and Jackson to investigate the hotel surveillance.

Luke found the manager of the Four Seasons Hotel, showed his badge, and said, "Hello, I'm Luke Lee, the captain of the first unit of the Robbery and Murder Department."

"Hello, Captain Lee, I'm Lars Mel, the manager of the Four Seasons Hotel.

A lot of officers just entered Mr. Henrik Laurie's room. Has something happened?"

Luke scanned around and said quietly, "Henrik Laurie is missing."

"When did this happen?"

"Last night."

Lars Mel shrugged, "That's terrible."

Luke said, "Considering Mr. Henrik Laurie's special status, this matter must remain confidential."

"I understand. A lot of Mr. Henrik Laurie's supporters are gathered outside the hotel, affecting business. I don't want more crowds to amass.

I'll convene the hotel staff to instruct them to keep it hush-hush."

"Manager Lars Mel, there's something else I'd like your assistance with."

"What is it?"

"We would like to review the hotel's surveillance footage."

"Do you have a search warrant?"

"Not yet, but if you need it, we can apply."

Lars Mel thought for a moment and said, "No need, I'll take you to the surveillance room."

"Thank you." Luke replied politely and asked, "Did Mrs. Laurie request a viewing of the hotel's surveillance footage?"

"Yes, but she didn't mention Mr. Henrik Laurie's disappearance, so I refused."

Afterward, Luke, Little Black, and Jackson entered the surveillance room to start reviewing the footage from last night.

Half an hour later, Jackson made a discovery.

At 12:20 a.m., the door to the Presidential Suite opened, and a man wearing a baseball cap exited the room. With his head lowered, his appearance was unclear, and he proceeded down the corridor to the elevator.

The man in the baseball cap took the elevator to the first-floor lobby and left the hotel.

Outside the hotel, the man wearing the baseball cap waited by the roadside for a while, and after a few minutes, a white SUV drove by. The man got into the white SUV and left.

Little Black operated the computer, enlarged the SUV surveillance screenshot, and found it was a white BMW X6, license plate 2Kmb323.

Little Black chuckled, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, "That's it."

...

At the same time.

Police Department, Robbery and Murder Department Interrogation Room.

A white man was handcuffed to the interrogation chair, his eyes scanning his surroundings, finally resting on the glass to his right.

He pursed his lips, made a face, showing a look of complete indifference.

"Creak..." The door of the interrogation room opened.

The deputy and Port stepped into the interrogation room.

The white man shrugged his shoulders, "Hey, guys, you're finally here, when can I leave?"

The deputy sat behind the interrogation table, smiling, "Which prison do you want to go to, tell us.

I have some friends in the Justice Department, maybe I can help you."

"Officer, I just threw a tomato, not a grenade, there's no need to be so serious."

"Kid, don't joke around with me, this is a serious occasion." The deputy snorted and asked, "What's your name?"

"Tommy Walsh."

"Why did you attack Henrik Laurie in the square yesterday morning?"

Tommy Walsh thought for a moment, then replied, "He's a fraud."

"What did he deceive you about?"

"I used to work at a food processing plant, he came to inspect our factory once, he encouraged us to increase production, and even said he would help us find clients abroad, so our products could be sold to Europe and Asia.

He seemed so sincere, I believed him.

But the result was...

Half a year later, our factory went bankrupt due to unsold products.

I also lost my job."

"Is that why you threw a tomato at him, disrupting the event?"

"Yes, isn't that reason enough?

He was the one who caused my factory to close.

If he becomes the Governor of California, he'll definitely ruin more people.

So, I had to stop him."

The deputy pressed his arms on the table, leaning forward, "In the end, your action didn't disrupt the event, your partner initiated the second plan.

Kidnap Henrik Laurie."

Tommy Walsh paused, muttering, "Kidnap... Henrik Laurie?"

The deputy sighed, "Where is Henrik Laurie?"

"Wait a minute." Tommy Walsh interrupted the deputy, "I only threw a tomato at the podium, I never considered kidnapping Henrik Laurie.

Besides, with so many bodyguards around him, how could I possibly kidnap him?"

"But the fact is, Henrik Laurie has been kidnapped, and it's very likely your accomplice did it." The deputy stood up, walked to the interrogation chair, "If you tell me the names of your accomplices, I can consider offering you a favorable plea deal."

"There must be some misunderstanding, I have no accomplices, and never thought of kidnapping Henrik Laurie.

Are you trying to trick me?"

The deputy didn't respond, instead, he turned on the ceiling TV, broadcasting a news report about Henrik Laurie's disappearance.

Upon seeing the news, Tommy Walsh's face changed immediately, his body trembled slightly, mumbling, "How could this happen? What really went down?"

The deputy asked, "Tell me, how are you related to the kidnapping of Henrik Laurie?

Even if you didn't participate directly, you should know some clues.

If you just tell me, I can help you turn into a state witness."

"I'll say it again, I have no accomplices, nor did I take part in any plan to kidnap Henrik Laurie.

I just learned of Henrik Laurie's kidnapping from the news just now."

But the deputy didn't listen to him, he said to himself, "Your factory closed because of Henrik Laurie, you must hold a grudge.

And there must be not just one person who has a similar experience, so you all must be in it together.

Now Henrik Laurie is running for governor, naturally, you all gathered together, wanting to take revenge on your former 'enemy.'

You were responsible for disrupting the event, but the police stopped you.

So, you activated the backup plan, kidnapping Henrik Laurie."

"No no no, it's not like what you said at all.

The factory I was at had a very low income, and a chaotic management, even if it didn't go bankrupt, I planned to resign.

I bear no grudge against Henrik Laurie."

The deputy raised an eyebrow, "Then that's even more suspicious, if you don't hate him, why disrupt his event?"

Tommy Walsh's forehead was covered in fine sweat, he lowered his head, without answering.

Port, beside him, said, "It might also be for money.

I heard Henrik Laurie's family is very wealthy, perhaps that's the reason he and his accomplice kidnapped Henrik Laurie.

How much did you plan to extort?"

"No, I told you, I didn't kidnap Henrik Laurie."

"Then give me a reason, why did you go to the square to disrupt the event?"

"Because... someone hired me to do it."

"Who?"

"Hans Dragon."

The deputy thought for a moment, "Henrik Laurie's campaign manager?"

"Yes, I was surprised too when he found me."

"Why did he do this?"

Tommy Walsh shrugged, "I don't know, I didn't know him before.

He gave me five thousand US Dollars, told me to go disrupt the event at the square.

I originally didn't want to agree...

But I was short on cash at the time, and it was quick money.

So I agreed."