Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Okai Community, Will Stott's house.

The white woman was trembling slightly, stepping back, her body somewhat weak and limp.

Jenny quickly supported her, helping her to sit on the sofa.

After a long while, she calmed down, holding her forehead, "Who killed him?"

Luke confirmed, "Is he Will Stott?"

"Yes."

"We just discovered the body; we haven't determined the cause of death yet."

"Oh my God, this is terrible.

We just talked on the phone yesterday...

He even said he wanted to take me on vacation to Hawaii... How did things turn out like this?"

"What's your name?"

"Viola Bello."

Luke asked, "Viola, hadn't you broken up with Will Stott? Why did you agree to a vacation together?"

Viola Bello wiped the tears from her eyes, sighed, "We have been seeing each other for many years, breaking up isn't the first time, break up, get back together, break up, get back together ... repeated many times.

It was me who proposed the breakup this time, mainly because he lacked ambition.

He refused to work, always wanting something for nothing. All our bills during the relationship were paid by me, I was really tired and exhausted, I am a woman, I also need love, I want someone to rely on.

There was no future I could see with him."

Viola Bello paused and continued, "Yesterday morning, he called wanting to get back together, I refused.

He called again in the afternoon, told me he now had money and would allow me to live a comfortable life.

I didn't believe him, but soon I received a $50,000 transfer.

We originally had an agreement that as soon as there was $50,000 saved, we'd get married.

Then he called, saying the $50,000 was compensation for these years, hoping I'd reconcile.

I asked where the money came from, he said he won the lottery.

I didn't believe it, but he wouldn't say more, and asked me to come to see him today, promising to take me to Hawaii for a vacation.

This morning, he didn't contact me. His phone was out of reach, so I came to his house looking for him.

Who would have known..."

Viola Bello shook her head, sighing, "I just knew it wasn't so easy to win the lottery, something was definitely wrong with him suddenly having money..."

Luke pressed on, "Did he ever mention any means of acquiring money?"

"No, if there was a way, we wouldn't have broken up.

I'm not a money-grabbing woman, I truly loved him...

But I was really too tired..."

"Were there any shady or criminal friends around Will Stott?" If Will Stott was really involved in the kidnapping of Henrik Laurie, he should have had accomplices.

"Yes, he often hung out with some shady friends to drink, I didn't like them and rarely had contact with those people.

So, I only know one of their names, Marico Lugo."

"Where does Marico Lugo live?"

"In a nearby community, but I forgot the name."

"Did Will Stott mention how much money he made this time?"

Viola Bello shrugged, "I asked, but he didn't say."

"Where would he hide money or important things?"

"He liked hiding things in the kitchen cabinet."

"Why?"

"I don't know, but I saw him often doing so."

Luke signaled to Port, who went into the kitchen to search. After a while, Port came out, shaking his head, "There are signs of rummaging in the cabinets, no money or other important items found."

Luke wasn't too surprised, this indicated the killer searched carefully, calmly, with plenty of time.

At the same time, Luke was pondering one question, where did Will Stott's money come from?

From the current situation, Henrik Laurie's disappearance should be related to Will Stott.

If Will Stott was truly involved in the kidnapping of Henrik Laurie, then the money should have been ransom; who paid it?

Henrik Laurie's wife?

Or campaign manager, Hans Dragon?

Previously, Luke met with them at the hotel and asked if they received ransom calls. At that time, both claimed no, and Luke could detect signs of lying or concealment.

Therefore, Luke had been keeping someone at the hotel to watch them, reporting any departure.

But Luke didn't receive any report of them leaving the hotel.

Luke instructed, "Jenny, contact Matthew to check Will Stott's financial status and account transactions."

"Understood."

Half an hour later.

The deputy team arrived at the scene with the forensic doctor and the technical team.

The technical team used reagents to restore the scene, Will Stott died on the living room floor, surrounded by a large amount of bloodstains, which were probably cleaned with disinfectant afterward, explaining the open windows for ventilation.

As for the forensic doctor, the body was frozen, which slowed down the investigation. They needed to wait for the body to thaw to proceed with further identification.

Afterward, Luke arranged for everyone to split up to investigate, collect community surveillance, visit neighbors, and look for the deceased's friend, Marico Lugo.

Luke searched the house and found the killer left very little evidence, very professional.

Jackson walked in from outside, saying, "Captain, I analyzed the deceased's communication records and found a contact named Marico Lugo, they've been in frequent contact recently.

I found Marico Lugo's address, just a few minutes' drive from here."

"What are we waiting for?"

After saying that, Luke took a team to Marico Lugo's address.

Cris Community.

This is also an old-style community, mainly single-story houses, but relatively speaking, the environment here is better, at least the community road isn't bumpy.

Jackson pointed to a pointed-roof house not far away, "There, number 125."

Two cars stopped by the roadside, and the group got out of the cars one after another.

As soon as Luke approached the yard, he saw a black Rottweiler run out from the backyard, barking at Luke and the others, "Woof woof woof..."

Xiao Hei stood outside the yard, whistled to the Rottweiler, and smiled, "This guy looks really strong. I've always wanted to have a dog like this, but my mom doesn't agree.

Now that I have kids, it's even more impossible."

Jackson asked back, "Why? Dogs are the best companions for kids."

"I think so too, but my mom doesn't." Xiao Hei shrugged, looking at the still-barking Rottweiler, "This guy doesn't look very friendly. Anyone got some food?"

At this moment, the door opened, and a plump white woman in her fifties or sixties came out, "Mark, don't bark, come back."

The Rottweiler barked at Luke and the others once more before trotting over to the white woman.

The white woman looked at Luke and the others, "Gentlemen, is there something I can help with?"

"Is this Marico Lugo's house?"

"No, he's just staying at my place."

"What's your relationship with him?"

"I'm his mother. Who are you?"

"LAPD!" Jackson flashed his badge, "Is Marico Lugo home now?"

"No."

"Do you know where he went?"

"That's what I want to know too. If you find him, let me know." The white woman said, then turned to go back inside.

Luke called after her, "Ma'am, I can tell you're a kind person."

The white woman stopped, "Why do you say that?"

"Because you're not good at lying."

The white woman was taken aback, nodded, "You're right, it's indeed a bit difficult for me.

That guy is inside the house. I'll get him out."

"Thank you."

The white woman went back into the house, followed by the sound of a commotion.

"Mom, why are you doing this?

I told you, if someone asks for me, just say I'm not home."

"Shut up. You're a liar yourself, and you want to make me one too.

Leave my house at once, then you won't be home, and I won't have to lie."

"I am your son."

"Right, otherwise you'd be sleeping on the street, not having a warm bedroom.

Go sort out your mess, or don't think about coming back into my house."

"Mark, get this bastard out of here for me!"

"Woof woof woof..." A flurry of dog barks came from inside the house.

"You let a dog do this to me, I am your son...

Oh oh oh, you stupid dog, get away from me.

Who exactly is your son?"

Amid a clamor, the door opened again, and a white man was driven out.

"Fuck! You stinky dog, one day I'll skin you!" The white man complained, turned, and saw Luke and the others. He wanted to run but found all exit paths blocked.

"Gentlemen, good morning."

Luke glanced at his watch, "It's not early.

Mr. Marico Lugo, we'd like to talk to you."

"I don't know you."

Xiao Hei pointed at his badge, "Do you know this?"

"Yes, sir, what do you need from me?"

"Do you know Will Stott?"

"Yes, he's my friend. Is there a problem?"

"When was the last time you saw him?"

"What happened to him?"

"Answer my question first."

"Yesterday."

"What time yesterday? I need a precise time."

"Around midnight last night."

"What were you doing?"

"Went to a bar for drinks."

"Which bar?"

Marico Lugo paused, then answered, "Nasim Bar."

"Will Stott went to Nasim Bar last night?"

"Yes, we often go to that bar. Is there a problem?"

"You might have gone to Nasim Bar before, but last night the police had people stationed there, and Will Stott didn't go.

You lied."

Marico Lugo seemed a bit flustered, pursing his lips, "Sorry... I might have remembered wrong."

"Then think carefully, where did you two go?"

Marico Lugo asked back, "If you're investigating Will Stott, why not go ask him directly?"

"He's dead."

"What? Dead!" Marico Lugo's mouth opened wide, showing an expression of shock, "Who killed him?"

Luke pointed at Marico Lugo, "You."