Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Mubaku Community.

This is a community predominantly inhabited by Mexican immigrants. The environment here is average, and the yards are not very big, but every household grows bright red chili peppers, giving it a lively feel.

A black Challenger was parked by the roadside. Luke looked outside through the window, and on the right was the home of the informant, Teddy Tucker.

A mid-level officer in the police force had been killed due to an informant, which might cause a lack of trust between the police and the informant. If not handled properly, the impacts could be significant.

Teddy Tucker's house was a single-story building with a small yard, fenced with white wooden rails. Luke took out binoculars and observed for a while, but saw no one around.

On the west side of the yard was a black Chevrolet sedan with the license plate 3ewu368, which was the suspect vehicle that appeared at the crime scene.

The car being home suggested that Teddy Tucker was likely also at home.

Subsequently, Luke devised a capture plan.

Little Black was in charge of leading the team to apprehend, while Luke and others were on alert around the area.

Once the setup was complete, an officer used a battering ram to directly break through the door.

Little Black led the team into the house, "LAPD!"

"No suspect found!"

"There's movement at the back door!"

"Bang!" The back door swung open, and a figure dashed out of the house.

"Police! Don't move!"

"Hands on your head! Squat down."

A Mexican man attempted to escape through the back door, but Luke had already arranged officers to block the way.

"Don't shoot! I'm unarmed." The Mexican man held his hands over his head and knelt on the ground.

Jackson went over, handcuffed him, searched him, and found a handgun on his person.

Luke sized up the man, "What's your name?"

"Teddy Tucker."

"Do you know why we're arresting you?"

"I don't know."

"If you don't know, why did you run?"

"A bunch of armed people suddenly broke into my home, I didn't know if you were real police or imposters, of course I ran."

Luke took out Jones's photo, "Do you know him?"

"Never met him."

Luke pointed at the photo, "I'm giving you another chance, don't lie."

Teddy Tucker looked around, "Can we talk alone?

It's not convenient to speak in front of everyone."

Luke gestured, "Take him inside the house."

Once inside, Teddy Tucker whispered, "I know Jones, I am his informant.

This was supposed to be confidential, my identity must be kept secret, otherwise I'll be in danger.

So, you'd better let me go."

"Jones is already dead."

Teddy Tucker questioned, "When did this happen? How come I didn't know?"

Luke stared at him, "You don't seem surprised."

Teddy Tucker explained, "I just find it hard to believe, you're not lying to me, are you?"

Luke pointed outside, "Is that black Chevrolet your car?"

"Yes."

"Who uses this car?"

"I do."

"Has the car been loaned to anyone recently?"

"No."

"Where were you between 9 and 11 PM on January 2nd?"

"I was at home."

"Was the car home too?"

"Yes."

"Who can verify your whereabouts?"

"I live alone; I was watching TV at the time."

Jackson poked his head out of the bedroom, "He's lying, there are women's and children's items in the house; he doesn't live alone."

Luke pointed at Teddy Tucker, "Look at me.

I know you were at the scene when Jones was killed, stop covering it with poor excuses.

Tell me, who killed Jones?"

Teddy Tucker's expression changed and he sighed, "OK, since you all know, I have nothing to hide.

Yes, I killed Jones."

"Why did you kill Jones?"

"He forced me."

"What did he force you to do?"

"Forced me to be an informant for him, making me gather intel on gangs.

It's a job I've done for him for years and I'm tired of it.

Moreover, I have a wife and kids now, I want a stable life and I don't want to be an informant anymore." Teddy Tucker sighed and continued, "That night, I'd arranged to meet him to make it clear.

But he wouldn't agree and even hit and threatened me.

If I didn't continue being his informant, he'd send me to prison.

I was enraged...so I shot him."

"How many shots did you fire?"

"Four in total."

"Three shots hit the chest, another missed."

"Jones didn't shoot?"

"No, he was overconfident, thinking I wouldn't dare harm him."

"After killing Jones, how did you deal with the body?"

"I stole a black Honda, put his body inside, planning to take it to a deserted area to bury it so no one could find him.

But I was too nervous while driving, went a bit fast, and then unfortunately ran into two patrol officers checking cars...

Fearing capture, I abandoned the car and fled."

Luke thought for a moment and felt there was something wrong with his statement, "Which car did you drive to meet Jones?"

"The black Chevrolet sedan."

"Then who drove the black Honda used to transport the body?"

Teddy Tucker remained silent for a while before answering, "I drove it there in advance."

"How far in advance, and at what exact time?"

Teddy Tucker sighed deeply, sounding a bit powerless, "I can't remember."

"It's not that you can't remember, you're lying.

You definitely have accomplices, probably more than one.

If we can find you, we can find them too.

You should know the consequences of killing a cop. If you still want to live, you'd better tell the truth."

Teddy Tucker clutched his hair with both hands, "I killed him, it was me alone.

I've admitted it, what more do you want?"

Luke said, "You didn't have enough reason to kill Jones at all.

You say you have a family and want a stable life, yet you go and kill a cop?

Do you think we're all idiots?

Also, where's your family?"

Luke walked over to the TV cabinet and picked up a photo of Teddy Tucker, a Mexican woman, and a little girl.

"Where are they?"

"I don't know..." Teddy Tucker finally broke, crying out, "I want to know where they are more than you do.

I beg you, stop asking.

I killed Jones, I'm the murderer."

"Look at me." Luke made him raise his head and asked, "Did the real murderer take your family?"

Teddy Tucker's face showed a terrified expression, "I..."

"Tell the truth, what really happened?

As long as you're honest, we'll make sure your family is safe."

"Are you telling the truth?"

"Of course." Luke's tone was confident.

"They broke into my house, kidnapped my wife and daughter, and made me arrange a meeting with Jones.

Then, they killed Jones...

There was an accident when they were transporting the body, so they wanted to frame me instead.

They said if I cooperated with the police, they would kill my family.

As long as I confessed, they would release my family."

"Who are they?"

"I don't dare to say."

"Do you really believe them? Even if you confess, they won't spare your family."

Teddy Tucker spread his hands, helpless, "I have no choice."

"Now you do. Work with the police, and we'll rescue your family."

"But I'm worried..."

"Your worries are useless. It's not like confessing would lead the police by the nose; we demand to catch everyone involved in Jones's murder.

Even if we catch you, we'll still intensify our pursuit of the other culprits.

If you don't cooperate with the police, your family will be in even greater danger.

Besides, the longer we delay, the slimmer the chances of rescue."

Teddy Tucker's expression changed several times, and after pondering for a long while, he said, "Scarface, I only know someone with the nickname Scarface."

"How many were there?"

"Four."

"What's Scarface's real name?"

"I don't know; I only know he's a senior member of the Viper Gang."

"Why did they do this?"

"I don't know."

"They didn't let me ask more, just told me to follow their orders.

I never wanted to harm Jones; I always respected him...

But they took my family, and I had no choice...

Please, you have to save my family, I beg you."

Luke stared at Teddy Tucker, his face full of panic, helplessness, fear...

Indeed, this case still involves a gang. Luke felt it necessary to talk to David.

Luke returned to the police station and called David into the Robbery and Murder Department office.

Luke asked, "Is everything going smoothly on your end?"

"I warned the gangs around the crime scene, and they agreed to help investigate Jones's murder," David responded, "And you? Did you find the informant Teddy Tucker?"

"We found him. At first, he said he killed Jones himself, but the statement didn't match up.

He later told the truth, that someone named Scarface, along with three henchmen, broke into his house, kidnapped his family, and forced him to set up a meeting with Jones.

Scarface and his men killed Jones."

"Scarface?"

"It's a nickname; Teddy Tucker doesn't know his real name. However, he said Scarface is a senior member of the Viper Gang."

"Viper Gang?" David frowned slightly.

"That's right. Are you familiar with this gang?"

"Of course, very familiar. This gang was formed over a decade ago and remained small in its early days.

In recent years, it's been expanding rapidly, often provoking other gangs, expanding its territory and manpower.

Jones had been cracking down on this gang for the past few months.

And this Scarface is a core member of the Viper Gang, a trusted confidant of the gang leader.

If Scarface indeed led the attack on Jones, it's undoubtedly connected to the Viper Gang." David clenched his fists, showing an angry expression.

"Fuck, these damned bastards are declaring war on the police!"

David turned to leave immediately after speaking.

Luke asked, "Where are you going?"

David replied coldly, "To gather the team and take down these Viper Gang bastards all at once."