Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Outside the deputy chief's office.

Luke and David walked out of the office one after the other.

David, with a serious expression, said, "Luke, how do you plan to investigate?"

Luke thought for a moment, "Keep things tight internally and loose externally; the first thing you need to do is manage your subordinates well, don't let them cause trouble."

The Anti-Drug and Anti-Gang Department is the most dangerous department in the whole detective bureau or LAPD. Their work involves dealing with drug dealers and gang members. Those who can enter this department are no easy characters. This department also values 'loyalty' the most. With their leader Jones murdered, this group is likely in an uproar, probably even contemplating which tough gang to raid and vent their anger on.

"I can restrain them, but with Jones murdered, it's impossible for them to do nothing.

I'll have them spread out their informants to gather clues about Jones's murder."

"Good idea."

David asked, "Where do you want to start the investigation?"

"I want to meet with the officers who stopped the suspect vehicle, find the driver of the suspect vehicle, and the first crime scene."

"Is there anything you need me to do?"

"Once I find the location of the first crime scene, I'll inform you immediately. You can pay a visit to the local gangs; maybe they can provide some clues."

"Leave it to us. My men are best at this. No matter whose territory Jones died on, they have a responsibility and must provide clues."

Luke reminded, "Don't go overboard."

"Don't worry, I know the limits.

I need to head back, lest the guys under me hear the news from elsewhere." David said, waved his hand, and left.

Luke shook his head, sighed, "If you know the limits, then the devil may care."

Back at the Robbery and Murder Department's first squad office, Luke gathered everyone, "Guys, I just heard some regrettable news...

Jones was murdered yesterday."

"Captain Jones of the Anti-Drug and Anti-Gang Department?"

"Captain Jones is dead?"

"How is that possible? I saw him just yesterday."

"Fuck, which damned bastard did this!"

Luke gestured for them to calm down, then briefly introduced the situation.

He said, with a serious expression, "Reid assigned this case to us for investigation. I didn't refuse, and I won't refuse.

No matter who killed Jones, we have to find him."

Little Black agreed, "That's right, we have to catch the murderer and avenge Captain Jones."

Jackson said, "Captain, give us the orders."

Luke nodded, scanning the faces filled with sorrow or anger, and said, "Prepare your gear, meet in the parking lot in ten minutes."

"Yes, sir."

...

Near Kazka Street.

A police line was already set up on the right side of the street.

Two police cars were parked by the roadside, Luke was the first to get out of the car, hanging the badge on his chest.

"Captain Li!"

"Sir."

The surrounding officers greeted Luke one after another.

Luke nodded in acknowledgment, crossed the police line, and saw a black Honda car in the alley ahead.

John came up and said, "Hi, Luke."

"Buddy, I heard you stopped the suspect's car?"

"Yes, I was patrolling night duty nearby yesterday." John pointed to the black Dongfeng Honda ahead, "That car was speeding, I drove up to signal the driver to pull over.

But the driver didn't stop; instead, he drove even faster. I felt something was off about this car.

Then, the driver drove into the alley, abandoned the car, and ran deeper into the alley.

It was too dark at the time, we couldn't catch him."

Luke asked, "Did you see the driver's face?"

"No, he kept his back to us and even wore a hood while running. But he seemed to be a man from his build."

"What time was it then?"

"Eleven ten in the evening."

"Was Captain Jones already dead at the time?"

"Yes.

When I searched the suspect's car, I smelled blood, and when I opened the trunk, I saw Captain Jones's body.

At that time, he no longer had a pulse or heartbeat."

Luke walked to the car to check, finding a lot of bloodstains left in the trunk, feeling heavy-hearted, he said, "Can you recall any other clues?"

John thought for a moment, "After seeing the body, I didn't recognize it as Captain Jones. After reporting to the headquarters, the night shift detectives from the precinct took over the case.

The body was also taken back to the West precinct for examination; I have a copy of the autopsy report here." John returned to the police car, retrieved an autopsy report, and handed it to Luke.

Luke opened the autopsy report.

Name, Jones Oliver

Time of death, between 9 to 11 p.m. on January 2nd.

Cause of death, three shots to the chest, one shot hit the heart, causing traumatic cardiac rupture, loss of blood in the heart chamber, cardiac arrest, sudden death.

No binding marks or defensive wounds were found.

Murder weapon, nine-millimeter caliber handgun

Luke asked John, "Buddy, where was this car driven from?"

John answered, "We found this car at the entrance of Lawson Convenience Store on Kazka Street. At that time, it was traveling from south to north at high speed."

Luke asked, "Did you find any clues about the suspect in the car?"

"Just after Christmas, the West precinct is short on staff, the technical team hasn't arrived at the scene yet.

However, we've been securing the scene; it hasn't been tampered with."

"Understood, I'll have someone take over the scene." This wasn't bad news for Luke; having his own team take over the site investigation would lead to higher efficiency, "By the way, have you found out who the owner is?"

John answered, "It's a car recorded as stolen."

Luke took a photo of the suspect vehicle and sent it to David, then dialed his number.

"Hey, it's Luke."

David's rough voice came through the phone, "Buddy, how's it going?"

"I'm at the scene of the stopped suspect vehicle, it's a car registered as stolen. I want you to investigate the car's details."

The reason Luke made this request was twofold.

First, to give the Robbery and Murder Department something to do, preventing them from causing trouble.

Second, many theft gangs are linked to local gangs, and the Robbery and Murder Department can more easily gather information.

"No problem, it's time to give those guys something to do. I'll have my men investigate.

As for me... there's a more urgent matter right now." David sighed and said, "I'm planning to visit Jones' house and personally inform his family about his murder...

Do you want to come along?"

This kind of thing, Luke wasn't eager to do either, but since he was responsible for investigating the case, he had to talk to Jones' family—perhaps he could gather some valuable clues.

"Send me the address, and we'll meet there."

"See you soon." David finished speaking and hung up the phone.

Luke called in the deputy and Raymond, assigning them tasks.

The deputy was in charge of inspecting the scene and finding witnesses.

Raymond was tasked with locating the primary crime scene.

...

Half an hour later.

Luke and David met at Jones' house.

David pointed at a blue two-story building, "This is Jones' house; a few months ago, he invited us here for a party."

Jones' house had an open yard, and David led Luke into it. Just then, the door opened, and a teenage white girl with a backpack came out.

David waved and greeted, "Are you Mia Oliver?"

The girl glanced at David, "Who are you?"

"I'm your father's colleague, David."

"I don't think we've met before."

"Last time your father invited us over, I saw your photo."

"You have a good memory." The girl said that and seemed about to leave, but then turned back and said, "By the way, he's not home."

"I know...

Is there anyone else at home?"

"My mom." Mia Oliver said and was about to leave with her backpack. David stopped her, "Mia Oliver, please wait.

I want to talk to you about your father."

Mia Oliver pursed her lips, "I'm not interested in his affairs."

David froze for a moment, seemingly not expecting such a response, "It won't take much of your time; this matter is important to you."

"OK, then go ahead." Mia Oliver crossed her arms.

"I want to speak once your mother is here."

"Come on in with me." Mia Oliver turned to the house, opened the door, and shouted, "Mom, we have visitors."

"Who's here?" A brown-haired white woman came out, looking at David, "Are you Jones' colleague?"

"Yes, I am David."

"What do you need?"

"I want to talk about Jones."

The white woman crossed her arms, "Then why don't you talk to him?"

The attitude of the mother and daughter made David uncomfortable, "Ma'am, I am seriously discussing Jones with you; he is your husband. I hope you can respect him."

"It seems he didn't tell you, we've divorced."

David was stunned, "When?"

"Half a month ago."

David rubbed his chin and looked at Luke.

Since she was the ex-wife, some things indeed didn't need to be said. Luke asked, "When was the last time you saw Jones?"

"Before Christmas, he came back to move some things."

"Where did he move to?"

Jones' ex-wife shook her head, "I don't know, and I don't want to know."

Jones' daughter Mia Oliver asked, "Wait, has my dad not been going to work?"

Luke countered, "When was the last time you saw him?"

"Also before Christmas."

"Do you know where he's living now?"

"Yes, I remember... he seemed to have sent me an address." Mia Oliver said, looking through her phone, "Found it, Christopher Community, No. 203."

Mia Oliver looked at Luke and David, asking, "Did something happen to him?"

"Does it matter? No one here seems to care about him anyway." David wore a trace of anger, turned to leave at the door, and said over his shoulder, "By the way, he won't be bothering you anymore, not ever."

Mia Oliver panicked a bit and asked Luke, "What does he mean, what happened to my father?"

Luke sighed, "David is your father's colleague, and he cares about your father; he just speaks bluntly. Please don't take offense."

"What happened to my father?"

"He's dead."

"What? What did you just say?"

"Last night, Jones was murdered."

"Oh my God, you said my father is dead."

"Yes, currently, I'm leading the investigation into his case.

We came here today to inform you and hope you won't be too upset.

We also want to ask if you know any clues about Jones' murder?"

Jones' ex-wife had a complex expression, "You're lying.

How could he die? He's always the one who kills others...

You must be joking."

"I wish I were joking too.

But I'm not.

Jones is really dead; it's not just you who can't accept it, the entire Los Angeles Police Department doesn't want to believe it either.

The best we can do is catch the murderer and avenge Jones.

If you know any clues about Jones' murder, I hope you'll tell me."

Mia Oliver started crying, covering her mouth with her right hand, sobbing, "Yesterday, he called me, but I didn't answer..."