Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

This case involves a serious political incident, and Luke definitely can't keep it under wraps. After leaving the interrogation room, he immediately went to the deputy director's office.

Meanwhile, in the office of the First Squad of the Robbery and Murder Department, everyone was discussing the case.

"An impostor?" Little Black frowned and asked, "So you're saying we rescued the wrong person. Where is the real Henrik Laurie?"

Jackson explained, "No, we didn't rescue the wrong person. The real Henrik Laurie didn't even come to Los Angeles. He was in New York for surgery during this time.

The one giving the speech at the plaza on December 10 was the impostor, Farrek Burr. That's why he orchestrated this kidnapping to benefit from Henrik Laurie's team."

The deputy squad leader laughed, "A lot of politicians have impostors, it's nothing unusual."

Jenny said, "When I previously questioned Mrs. Laurie, they were staying in separate bedrooms, which I found suspicious.

Now everything makes sense."

Little Black said, "That's also why he sought out call girls."

The deputy squad leader shook his head, "I think he sought out call girls not just for physical reasons but more for creating a plausible kidnapping scenario.

Using a call girl and then letting her take him to a bar was all part of his self-directed kidnapping plan.

It would make the whole kidnapping seem more reasonable."

The deputy squad leader pondered for a moment and then asked, "What was the relationship between Farrek Burr and the deceased Will Stott?"

Jackson said, "They were friends, and Farrek Burr's identity was recognized by the other party."

The deputy squad leader laughed, combing through his thinning white hair, and said, "I get it. Will Stott did indeed extort Mrs. Laurie, but it had nothing to do with Henrik Laurie's kidnapping case.

He likely used Farrek Burr's true identity as leverage for the blackmail; if he didn't get paid, he'd reveal that Farrek Burr was an impostor.

And that led to his fatal fate."

Little Black said, "So, those two Secret Service agents weren't just there to rescue Farrek Burr; they were also there to do the dirty work."

The deputy squad leader sneered, "Isn't the purpose of the Secret Service to do the dirty work?

I'm not surprised at all."

"Creak…"

Luke pushed the door open and walked into the office, looking at everyone, "Guys, have you decided where to celebrate tonight?"

The deputy squad leader shrugged, "Isn't it a bit too early to celebrate?

This case involves the California election, and if the impostor story gets exposed, it will become a major political incident. How do you plan to handle it?

And those two Secret Service agents, they're not just on a mission. They killed Will Stott to cover up the impostor story."

Luke said, "We've rescued the person who was kidnapped, figured out the case, and caught who needed to be caught.

We've accomplished our task and fulfilled our responsibility.

I've already reported the situation to Reid.

As for the cleanup... that's up to the police higher-ups.

All we need to do is keep it confidential for now.

Can you do that?"

"Of course." Everyone nodded, fully aware of the importance of the matter.

...

Evening.

Palisades Community, the Luke family.

Luke sat on a deck chair in the yard, holding a cup of red wine, sipping occasionally.

The yard was planted with flowers and trees, and a gentle breeze brought a faint scent of greenery.

"Vroom vroom..."

Just then, a red car pulled up outside the yard, and the gate's doorbell rang.

Luke walked to the yard gate and saw a familiar figure, Orty Dean.

Luke opened the gate and smiled, "Good evening, detective lady."

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Did you encounter something on the way?" Orty had arranged to meet Luke that afternoon, and she was ten minutes late.

"It's about the commission matter. I got a definite answer before coming to see you."

"Don't just stand at the door, let's have a drink and chat."

The two walked into the yard, and Luke invited Orty to sit down, pouring her a glass of red wine.

Orty clinked her glass with Luke's, took a sip, and praised, "Good wine.

You really know how to enjoy yourself, lying in such a beautiful yard, sipping fine red wine. It's enviable."

"That's because you didn't see me when I was suffering. Recently, I almost got killed in Las Vegas," Luke hinted.

Orty put down her glass, "That's why I'm here.

The commission from the Las Vegas hotel was our negligence, and I apologize on behalf of the Pinkerton Detective Agency.

In addition, to show sincerity, the 200,000 US Dollar commission for that task will be given to you in full, with the Detective Agency waiving the 30% intermediary fee."

Luke nodded, saying nothing more. The commission requester was targeting him anyway, and the Pinkerton Detective Agency was just used.

Moreover, Luke was able to see through the trick, and Orty also made an effort to help.

Orty leaned forward, looking at Luke, "I have another commission task I'm offering today."

"I'm a bit tired lately, I want to take a break."

"The commission for this task is very generous, are you sure you don't want to hear about it?"

"How generous?"

"One million US Dollars."

Luke laughed, "That's indeed tempting, but the higher the commission, the more dangerous the task, right?"

Orty glanced around and said, "Perhaps for others, but for you, it's a breeze."

"OK, you've successfully piqued my interest, let's hear it."

"Are you investigating the kidnapping of Henrik Laurie?"

"Yes."

"This commission is related to that case."

Luke looked at Orty, directly used a Detection Card, and didn't find any surveillance or eavesdropping devices on her before saying, "Orty, we've talked about this before, commissions shouldn't involve my work."

"I know, but this commission is simple, you and your team just need to refrain from leaking the case details."

"Are you referring to Henrik Laurie using a body double?"

"Yes."

"Who's the client?"

"A supporter of Henrik Laurie."

Luke thought for a moment, "This matter is complicated and involves many people.

The final handling of the case still needs to be determined by the police department's higher-ups."

"The client mentioned that there's no need to worry about the police department's higher-ups; you just need to manage your team well."

Luke rubbed his chin, "A lot of people are involved in this investigation, isn't a one million US dollar commission fee too little?"

"What do you think is appropriate?"

"At least three million US dollars."

"I'll talk to the client."

"Better be quick; every minute counts as a risk of it leaking."

Orty stood up and said, "You're right. I'll contact the client right now and get back to you by tomorrow morning at the latest."

Luke escorted her to the courtyard gate and watched the car drive away.

Regarding this case, Luke had thought it over carefully. This case might unfold into a serious political event, already beyond his control.

Henrik Laurie's team would certainly negotiate with the police department higher-ups, maybe even conduct some under-the-table deals. Judging from what Orty said earlier, both parties might have already reached an agreement.

The next step is to close the mouths of frontline officers.

And the only ones who truly know about the Henrik Laurie body double incident are the members of Squad One, which is why Orty came to him.

What Luke can do now is try to secure some benefits for himself and his team, in other words, demand more hush money.

...

The following evening.

Luke hosted a party at home, with only Squad One attending.

A long table was laid out with fruits, veggie salads, pizza, apple pie, fries, and on the side, the grill was sizzling with roasting meat and seafood.

"Cheers!"

Everyone clinked glasses.

Little Black took a sip of beer, looked at the serene courtyard, and said enviously, "Luke, your place is perfect for parties."

Luke smiled, "I'm glad you like it."

"Barbecue's ready." Raymond brought over the roast.

Luke picked up a skewer of beef, took a bite, and praised, "The meat is tender, tastes great."

The deputy peeled a grilled shrimp and asked, "Luke, you spent quite a while in Reid's office today, what were you talking about?"

Luke took a sip of beer and said, "That's what I wanted to talk about. Considering the complexity of the Farrek Burr case, the police department decided to transfer the follow-up to the Special Operations Bureau."

Little Black frowned, "Why?

This case was obviously solved by us; why should we give them the credit?"

The deputy snorted, "Sometimes credit can be a hot potato, I figured this might happen.

The issue now is what benefits we can get.

As Marcus said, this case was solved by us, there should be some acknowledgment."

Luke said, "As you all know, I recently opened a Detective Agency.

Occasionally, there are commission tasks, and it's getting a bit overwhelming for me alone.

So, I want to hire you all to work part-time at my Detective Agency, it won't interfere with your regular jobs.

Each of you will earn ten thousand US dollars a month, starting with a one-year contract, how about it?"

Luke proposed a three million US dollar fee to the Pinkerton Detective Agency, and the client agreed.

However, the three million US dollars weren't all Luke's; first, Pinkerton Detective Agency would deduct a 30% agency fee, leaving Luke with only 2.1 million US dollars. This money was for him and also the hush money for the members of Squad One.

Luke couldn't take it all for himself.

The deputy smiled, "A part-time job with a yearly salary of 120,000 US dollars sounds good to me, I can't think of a reason to refuse."

Little Black grinned, showing his white teeth, "I can finally put the down payment for a new house on my agenda."

Port raised his glass, "Thanks, Captain, I've been wanting to change my car for a while."

Jackson looked a bit troubled, "Are we going to have a problem doing this?"

The deputy snorted, "The police department's higher-ups have already decided to hand the case over to the Special Operations Bureau, what problem could there be?

Your job is to keep your mouth shut and keep this case confidential."

Luke also said, "Don't worry, everything is above board."

Pinkerton Detective Agency's agency fee isn't for nothing; once the money reaches Luke's hands, it will be clean with no hidden issues.

Matthew rubbed his hands, "I'm going to get a high-spec computer!"

Jenny raised her glass, "Looks like we're going to celebrate well tonight."

"Cheers!"