Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

9:50 PM.

Near Yaslan Bridge.

The riverbed beneath the bridge had dried up, and on the west side was an old gray tent, half-opened, with two people inside seemingly talking in hushed tones.

Little Black glanced outside the tent, then asked Jackson, "Do you think anyone will show up?"

"Three thousand US dollars for a lead on Henrik Laurie is a good deal for them, they will definitely come." Jackson spoke with certainty.

Little Black said, "I really don't get it, why don't those two from the hotel work with the cops?

If they told the police what they know, things would become a lot simpler."

Jackson shrugged, "I don't know either.

But, the world is inherently complex.

And this case involves precisely the most intricate group of people."

Little Black nodded, "You're right, some people who think they're smart like to complicate simple things."

Jackson teased, "Why does it suddenly feel like your words have some wisdom in them?"

"My words always have wisdom, you just never listened carefully before, haha."

"Vroom vroom..."

A car drove onto Yaslan Bridge, Little Black and Jackson immediately perked up, gazing towards the bridge.

It was a red sedan, which didn't stop and quickly drove over the bridge.

Little Black complained, "It's already ten o'clock, is that guy coming or not? I don't want to keep feeding the mosquitoes here."

Jackson sighed, "Don't mention those damned mosquitoes, I feel itchy all over now."

"Vroom vroom..."

A black sedan drove onto Yaslan Bridge, moving slowly, stopping in the middle of the bridge. A person got out and threw the package they were holding off the bridge.

The person didn't linger, quickly driving off the bridge in the black sedan.

Jackson ran out from the tent, heading towards the package.

Little Black quickly took out a walkie-talkie, "This is Number 1, a black sedan just drove over Yaslan Bridge, suspected vehicle."

Luke's voice came over the walkie-talkie, "Did you get the money?"

"The person in the black sedan threw a package under the bridge, Number 2 went to check it."

"I'll have someone keep an eye on that car.

If there's nothing wrong with the money in the package, proceed according to plan."

"Understood," said Little Black, also heading towards the package.

After checking the package, Jackson stood up and gave an OK sign, "No problem, the package contains three thousand US dollars."

Little Black smiled, "At least getting bitten by mosquitoes wasn't in vain."

Then the two left the riverbed, got into the car parked by the roadside, Little Black took out a phone, dialing a number, "Mrs. Laurie, it's a concerned citizen here.

I'm glad you kept your promise.

I received the money, and I will keep my promise too.

What I saw was a black Buick SUV with the license plate 2heb298.

Hope you find your husband soon."

After saying that, Little Black hung up the phone, "Guys, we're done here."

...

Half an hour later.

A black sedan parked by the road, inside sat two men, the one in the driver's seat lit a cigarette and smoked on his own.

The man in the passenger seat had a laptop in front of him, typing on the keyboard.

After a while, the passenger's phone rang, "Ring ring..."

"Hello, it's Logan.

Yes, I checked the license plate you sent, it's a fake license."

A woman's voice came from the other end of the phone, "What do you mean? We got tricked?"

"Hard to say.

That car is a white Toyota sedan, not a black SUV.

The other party may have made up the license plate, or the thieves used a car with swapped plates."

"I got it.

I wasn't holding out much hope anyway."

Logan asked, "Did the thieves provide an address for the ransom drop?"

"Not yet, still waiting for news."

"Understood."

...

An hour later, Rogel's phone rang again, "Ring ring..."

"This is Logan."

"The thieves sent an address, they want two million US dollars dropped by the trash bin on the east side of Kaijin Square at one o'clock in the morning.

Once they get the ransom, they will release Henrik."

"By the trash bin on the east side of Kaijin Square?"

"Yes, are you guys ready?"

"Of course." Logan said, hanging up the phone.

The driver asked, "Where are we going?"

"Kaijin Square."

Logan and his companion drove to Kaijin Square, arriving before the appointed time, the car circled the square but didn't spot any suspicious individuals.

As it approached one o'clock in the morning, Logan and his company parked on the east side of Kaijin Square. Logan got out, opened the trunk, and took out two black travel bags.

The two travel bags looked heavy, Logan placed them beside the trash bin on the east side of the square.

Logan looked around, seeing no one, he then turned and got back into the car.

The black sedan drove away from Kaijin Square.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Logan opened the laptop, rapidly typing away.

The driver asked, "Did anyone take the money?"

"The target hasn't moved yet, find a hidden place to park." Logan kept his eyes on the computer as he spoke.

About ten minutes later, Logan suddenly said, "The target is moving, heading southeast towards Kaijin Square.

Follow it, if we get too far, we'll lose the target."

"Don't worry, I'm a famous driver, haha."

The black sedan quickly started, turning east at the intersection ahead.

Logan stared at the computer screen, directing the car, "Turn right up ahead.

Slow down a bit, getting too close might expose us."

Twenty minutes later, the car drove into a neighborhood.

Logan suddenly said, "The target has stopped, slow down the car."

The driver turned off the headlights and slowed the car, looking ahead. It was almost 2 a.m., and most houses in the neighborhood were dark, except for one with lights on. "I see it, it should be that one." The driver pointed a finger and slowly parked the car by the side.

Logan said, "That's right, the target is there.

Prepare for action, it's best to finish before they discover the tracker."

While putting on a bulletproof vest, the driver asked, "How many do you think there are?"

"There shouldn't be more than four. We'll break in from the back, make it quick."

"Understood."

Soon, the two were fully equipped with bulletproof vests, silenced pistols, smoke grenades, hand grenades, and a shotgun.

Logan reminded, "If the silenced pistol can get the job done, don't use the big guns.

I don't want LAPD coming."

The driver laughed, "Even if they come, I can shake them off."

"Now's not the time to show off your driving skills."

"Just kidding."

After discussing their tactics, the two sneaked into the yard of a white bungalow, crouched low. The windows of the bungalow were closed with curtains drawn, faint light peeking through.

They made their way to the back door, a wooden door. Logan pulled out lock-picking tools and quickly got it open.

Logan made a hand signal, and the two entered the house in single file.

Upon entering through the back door, they saw light coming from the living room, faint voices talking, "Haha, this time we hit the jackpot!

I never dreamed there'd be so much money!

Tonight, I'm going to sleep hugging this cash."

Logan quietly moved to the living room, seeing two men pulling money out of a travel bag.

"Pfft pfft."

He decisively fired his gun, the man with his back to him instantly shot in the head.

The other long-haired white man got hit in the chest, letting out a cry, "Ah!"

Logan walked over, pushed his foot on the man's shoulder, pointing the gun at him, "How many accomplices do you have?"

"Two."

"Where's Henrik Laurie?"

Logan hesitated for a moment, "He's in the bedroom."

"Pfft!" Logan put another shot in his chest.

Then the two began searching the rooms. They opened the west bedroom, finding Henrik Laurie handcuffed to the foot of the bed.

Logan sighed in relief, smiling, "Good evening, Governor."

Just as Logan was about to step forward, a voice suddenly called out, "LAPD!"

"Everyone in the house, drop your weapons, don't move!"

"Fuck!" Logan cursed, reaching for his waist rifle, but then let go.

"LAPD!

Listen up, everyone, drop your weapons!"

Another shout came.

Logan and his partner exchanged a glance, both a bit resigned, sensibly putting down their guns and raising their hands slowly.

Logan called out, "Don't shoot, we're on the same side."

Several armed officers rushed in, disarming Logan and his partner, patting them down.

Luke bypassed them, heading straight to the man handcuffed, "Are you Henrik Laurie?"

"I am."

"You're police?"

"Robbery and Murder Department, Luke Lee."

Henrik Laurie showed a grateful expression, "Officer Lee, thank you for saving me."

Luke unlocked his handcuffs and asked, "Mr. Henrik Laurie, how many robbers were there in total?"

"Two."

Luke nodded and said to Jackson beside him, "Take Mr. Laurie out first."

"Yes, Captain."

After Henrik Laurie left, Luke approached Logan and his partner, asking, "Who are you?"

"Same side." Logan showed the cuffs on his wrist, "Can you unlock these?"

"I haven't heard of other departments participating in this operation."

Logan said, "We're from Homeland Security."

Luke raised an eyebrow, "Do you have any ID?"

"Didn't bring it."

"Why not?"

"Action was urgent."

"That's not a reason, I'll have to ask you to explain back at the station."

Logan protested, "Hey, you can't do this. We were here first, we rescued Henrik Laurie.

You're not only taking credit but also arresting us?"

Without any ID to prove their identity, Luke didn't bother to argue with him, waving a hand, "Take them in."

Luke made a quick round of the house, preparing to talk to Henrik Laurie outside. As he reached the door, his eyes landed on the lock, feeling a strange sense of familiarity.