Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Marico Lugo was startled and quickly denied, "No, I didn't kill him.

He was my good friend; I would never hurt him."

Luke retorted, "If you didn't kill him, why did you lie?"

Marico Lugo swallowed, hesitating slightly, "I..."

"Your lies and hesitation make it hard not to suspect you.

Listen, the reason we're here is that we've found out you're involved in this case.

Don't think about avoiding it anymore; tell me, what exactly happened that night?"

"Woof woof..."

Another burst of barking came from the house, and Luke looked up to see Marico Lugo's mother peering from the window.

Jackson said, "Your mother still cares about you, don't let her down."

Marico Lugo turned to glance at his mother and sighed, "I'll tell you...

Last night, we didn't go to Nasim Bar.

Will Stott called me, asking me to drive him to meet someone."

"Where to?"

"The north gate of Villaut Park, hardly anyone goes there, and there's no surveillance."

"Who did you meet?"

"I don't know, I didn't get out of the car; I was just his driver."

"Why did Will Stott meet that person?"

"He said the man owed him money and he was there to collect it.

I know it sounds ridiculous, I didn't believe it either, but after the meeting, he indeed brought back a suitcase and shared ten thousand US Dollars with me.

Although I didn't see it, I guess the suitcase was full of money."

"How much money?"

"I don't know; even if I asked him, he wouldn't tell me.

Getting ten thousand US Dollars, I was content enough."

"Are you sure it was last night?" Luke questioned.

According to Will Stott's girlfriend, Will Stott transferred her fifty thousand US Dollars yesterday afternoon, the timeline doesn't match.

Marico Lugo pursed his lips, "Yes, but last night was the second time, we also went the night before."

"Did you go to get money the night before as well?"

"Yes, it was also a black suitcase; he gave me five thousand US Dollars."

"Was it the same person he met?"

"I don't know; he wouldn't let me get too close or ask.

I just glanced from afar, it seemed like the same man."

"Will Stott asked the same person for money two consecutive nights?

Don't you find that suspicious?"

"I asked, but he wouldn't say.

He's my friend, and he gave me fifteen thousand US Dollars; it was a simple matter, I had no reason not to help him.

Besides, I was just driving, I didn't do anything illegal."

"It's not that simple; you drove for him, kept watch, and took his money, which makes you his accomplice.

If he committed a crime, you also won't escape."

"I really have no idea what he was doing? I was just driving, I never got out of the car."

Luke shook his head, "You still haven't realized the severity of the problem."

"Asking for money from the same person for two consecutive nights shows a greedy behavior; if there's a second time, there will be more, and that's the reason Will Stott was killed.

You, as his accomplice, might also be silenced." Luke rubbed his chin, "You're very lucky to still be alive now."

Marico Lugo showed a look of panic, "You mean... that person might kill me too?"

"Think carefully, was there anything unusual last night?"

Marico Lugo was silent for a moment, then said, "Around two a.m., Mark suddenly started barking, waking me up, and I even scolded it."

"The dog?"

"Yes."

"Did Mark bark in the middle of the night before?"

"No, Mark has been well-trained by my mom, it only does that when a stranger comes to the house."

"Treat it well in the future; it saved you and your mother."

Marico Lugo broke into a cold sweat, "Are you serious?"

"The person who killed Will Stott was calm and professional; he had no reason not to kill you.

Unless, the plan was disrupted and had to be aborted."

"Oh my God, will he come back to kill me?"

"It's possible."

"What should I do?"

"Tell me everything about Will Stott and that person; as long as we catch Will Stott's killer, you will be safe."

"This is terrifying!" Marico Lugo gasped, his body collapsing to the ground as if exhausted, "I will definitely cooperate with you and tell you everything I know."

Luke nodded and stared at Marico Lugo, asking, "Where is Henrik Laurie?"

"What Henrik Laurie?"

"The candidate for governor of California, he was at Nasim Bar in the early hours of December 11, and Will Stott had a drink with him at the same table.

Afterwards, Henrik Laurie disappeared."

"I remember, I was at the bar that night, too; Will met a strange guy wearing a white shirt and dress pants in the bar, which was quite unusual.

Will went over to his table with a drink for a chat, and I was curious why Will would know someone like that.

Will said it was an old friend, so I didn't ask more."

"Is Henrik Laurie's disappearance related to Will Stott?"

"It shouldn't be related; we left the bar together, he was drunk, and I took him home."

"After leaving the bar, did you see Henrik Laurie again?"

"No, I swear to God."

Luke stared at him, not seeing any obvious signs of lying.

...

Robbery and Murder Department office.

Three o'clock in the afternoon.

The team members who were out investigating returned one after another, and Luke convened a meeting.

Luke glanced at everyone, his gaze falling on the deputy team leader, "Deputy, are there any new discoveries from the tech team and the forensic doctor?"

The deputy team said, "According to the technical team's investigation, Will Stott's house should be the first crime scene.

There are no signs of forced entry on the door; the murderer likely entered the room through the window."

The deputy team looked down at the document and continued, "The forensic doctor has also conducted a preliminary identification.

The deceased was shot, 9mm bullet, one shot to the left chest, one shot to the head, both fatal wounds, the method was very professional.

Because the body was frozen, it's difficult to determine the exact time of death.

Additionally, I sent officers to interview nearby residents, none of the neighbors heard gunshots, so I suspect the killer may have used a silencer.

All this indicates that the murderer is likely a professionally trained military assassin."

Luke pursued, "Did you find any clues related to the kidnapping case at Will Stott's house?"

"No."

Jackson said, "Could it be that we've been investigating in the wrong direction, that Will Stott is not related to Henrik Laurie's disappearance or kidnapping?"

Little Black retorted, "If it's unrelated, why would he die?

And where did he get that unexpected fortune?"

Luke reflected on the case and slowly said, "There is another possibility, Will Stott and Henrik Laurie's disappearance are not directly related, but he saw or knew something about Henrik Laurie's disappearance.

He used the clues he knew to extort money, but because of his greed, the person he was extorting killed him."

The deputy team said, "This idea is interesting. Assuming your analysis is correct, then who was Will Stott extorting?"

Everyone exchanged glances, each forming their own suspicions.

Little Black, not fond of riddles and without many scruples, said, "Is it those two at the Four Seasons Hotel?"

Luke said, "That's very likely.

I noticed earlier that there was something wrong about those two, and I've had people watching them at the hotel. They haven't left, but that doesn't mean they can't contact the outside world.

Moreover, Henrik Laurie has been missing for a while now.

If Henrik Laurie was kidnapped, the kidnappers would have already called for ransom, but they continue to deny it.

Clearly, they are deliberately hiding something."

Jackson said, "Can we have a good talk with them?"

The deputy team snorted, "Talk about what? Talk about how they sent a hitman to get rid of Will Stott? Do you think they would admit it?"

Jackson shook his head, "I don't think the killer is necessarily those two staying at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Killing isn't a trivial matter, and if Will Stott's disappearance isn't directly linked to Henrik Laurie's.

Why would they dare to kill so easily?

What possible motive could they have to kill?"

The deputy team said, "Jackson, you're too young.

Politicians have too many shady secrets; as soon as someone stumbles upon them, they will unhesitatingly kill."

Little Black said, "Since we suspect it might be the people from the Four Seasons Hotel, shouldn't we do something?"

"Do something, definitely." Luke began to assign tasks, "Will Stott chose the trading location at the north gate of Villaut Park. Deputy team, you take people to check the vicinity.

Additionally, I suspect that after killing Will Stott, the murderer also contemplated killing Marico Lugo, but was scared off by a dog's barking.

Therefore, they are likely to attempt to silence Marico Lugo again.

Raymond, tonight you take people to secure the safety of Marico Lugo and his mother."

"Yes, sir."

The deputy team pondered for a moment and said, "This investigation approach is quite prudent, but somewhat passive."

Luke retorted, "Do you have any good ideas?"

"I wouldn't call it a good idea, but it's worth a try."

...

Half an hour later, at the Four Seasons Hotel.

In the presidential suite.

Mrs. Laurie leaned back on the couch in the bedroom, a bit less elegant, her brows furrowed, dark circles under her eyes, lifted the wine glass from the coffee table, and took a deep sip.

"Ring... ring..."

Her phone rang.

She took out her phone and saw an unfamiliar number displayed on the screen.

She hesitated for a moment, then pressed the answer button, "Hello."

"Is this Mrs. Laurie?"

"Yes, who are you?"

"I am a concerned citizen; I know where your husband Henrik Laurie is."

Mrs. Laurie abruptly straightened up, "Where is my husband?"

"Uh... Before saying that, there is a small difficulty."

"What difficulty?"

"I recently lost my job, life's tough, and I have three kids to raise. I need some money, not much, just enough to get us through this hard time."

"Are you extorting me?"

"No, just a request."

"How much money do you want?"

"Not much, thirty thousand US dollars will do."

"How do I know you're not tricking me?"

"On the early morning of December 11th, I was drinking near Nasim Bar and saw your husband being kidnapped near the bar by a black SUV.

I happened to take a picture of that car's license plate number.

As soon as I get the money, I'll surely tell you the license plate number."

"Give me the license plate number first, then I'll pay you."

"I'm not stupid.

Pay first, then I'll tell you the license plate number.

Thirty thousand US dollars is nothing to you. Is it necessary to haggle with a poor person?"

"You'd better be telling the truth; if you're tricking me, I will definitely report you to the police and catch you."

"If you report it, you'll never find out the license plate number.

As long as I refuse to say, even the police can't do anything."

After a long time, Mrs. Laurie asked, "Only thirty thousand US dollars?"

"Yes."

"How do I give it to you?"

"Tonight at ten o'clock, have someone drop the money off the Yaslan Bridge.

Once I get the money, I'll tell you the license plate number.

You will then be able to trace Henrik Laurie's whereabouts."

Mrs. Laurie said coldly, "You'd better not trick me."