Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Upon hearing this, Luke felt a sense of foreboding.

David's talk of a complete crackdown wasn't about small-time operations; this was gearing up for a fight.

Isn't it a bit hasty to plan a raid on a gang based on one suspect's word?

Then again, if it wasn't reckless, it wouldn't be the Robbery and Murder Department.

Luke stopped him, "Wait, it's not the time to do this yet. We need to first verify if it was truly Viper Gang that killed Jones."

David came to his senses, "You think there's something wrong here?"

Luke pondered, "It's hard to say. When I talked to Teddy Tucker, he was in a really bad state, full of panic, fear, and worry.

His concern for his family didn't seem fake.

I think we should wait for him to calm down before interrogating him again."

David was silent for a moment, "So what should we do?"

"Don't tell me you don't have informants in the Viper Gang."

"Of course we do, but since Jones was killed because of an informant, I'm not sure we can trust them."

Luke thought it over, "We don't need to fully trust them. Just have them help us find out if Jones's death is related to the Viper Gang, and we can judge for ourselves."

David nodded, "I'll take care of it."

Luke reminded him, "Remember, don't engage the Viper Gang until we've got the facts straight.

Suppose, just suppose Teddy Tucker is lying.

Then the real culprit might be someone else entirely, and their aim could be to provoke the police into a fight with the Viper Gang."

Hearing this, David cooled down immediately, "I get it. I won't act against the Viper Gang for now.

And what about Scarface? What are you planning to do?"

"Send me Scarface's files.

I'll keep an eye on the investigation."

"Got it."

After David left, Luke sighed quietly, sitting down to think.

If it was really the Viper Gang that killed Jones, wouldn't they just eliminate the informant Teddy Tucker so no one would know?

Why leave Teddy Tucker to take the fall?

The police aren't fools. It's unlikely Teddy Tucker can take the blame for this alone.

From this angle, could someone be deliberately steering the investigation towards the Viper Gang?

Afternoon.

Luke interrogated Teddy Tucker again.

This time, armed with detailed files and photos of Scarface, Teddy Tucker's identification confirmed Scarface as the true culprit behind Jones's murder.

Among the three accomplices, two were Scarface's underlings in the Viper Gang, with the other having an unknown identity.

This time, Teddy Tucker seemed much more stable emotionally; Luke noticed no obvious signs of lying.

If Scarface, the confidant of the Viper Gang leader, is the real perpetrator, then the mastermind behind Jones's murder could very well be the Viper Gang.

"Ring ring..." Luke's phone rang, displaying David's number on the screen.

"This is Luke."

"An informant has tracked Scarface's whereabouts; we'll meet at the parking lot."

"Understood."

Luke returned to the Robbery and Murder Department office, gathered a few team members, and set out.

Upon arriving at the parking lot, Luke got into David's car and asked, "How's the situation?"

As David started the car, he replied, "An informant spotted Scarface in a firefight on Kalis Avenue in the western outskirts of Los Angeles."

"Who is Scarface fighting with?"

"The informant isn't quite sure."

Luke asked, "That's not Viper Gang territory, right?"

"No, many people heading to Mexico choose that direction."

Luke stated, "I interrogated Teddy Tucker again this afternoon, and he clearly identified Scarface.

Do you think Scarface acted on Viper Gang's orders?"

David fell silent and sighed, "It's hard to say.

Logically, as a key member and confidant to the Viper Gang leader, Scarface being involved in Jones's murder couldn't be unrelated to the gang.

Also, I've never heard of any personal vendetta between Jones and Scarface.

But oddly, none of the police's informants in the Viper Gang have heard anything about the gang wanting Jones dead.

Even if these informants are not high-ranking, if the Viper Gang did kill Jones, they would surely take precautions against police retaliation and take corresponding actions within the gang.

Yet the Viper Gang remains normal as ever, with no signs of gathering, tension, or any mobilization and defense.

Policing the Viper Gang wouldn't be difficult at all."

Luke asked, "Can we talk to the Viper Gang leader?

If he dares to come to the police station, it would partially prove his innocence.

If we could get his cooperation, maybe we could uncover the real reason behind Scarface's murder of Jones."

"What you said makes sense. If the leader of the Viper Gang doesn't dare to go to the police station, then it suggests he has a problem.

At least he knows something," David sneered. "If that's the case, we don't need to be polite."

Half an hour later, Luke and his partner arrived at Kalis Avenue in the western suburbs of Los Angeles.

The patrol officers had already cordoned off the scene.

After getting out of the car, Luke put on his badge and asked a patrol officer, "What's the situation here?"

The patrol officer shrugged, "Sir.

We received a report of a gunfight in the area.

By the time we arrived, the gun battle was over, leaving two corpses, a damaged car, and shell casings all over the place."

Luke nodded, bypassed the patrol officer, and entered the scene to investigate.

Judging from the scene, the two sides of the gunfight should have been on opposing sides of the road; two bullet-ridden bodies lay beside a car, blood staining the pavement red, and numerous bullet holes marking the vehicle. The intensity of the confrontation was evident.

Luke walked to the two bodies for a closer look. These two were exactly Scarface's lackeys and were involved in killing Jones.

David recognized the bodies too. "Dead just like that, a cheap end for those bastards."

Luke observed the street closely and noticed four patches of blood nearby, two belonging to the deceased. Another patch was not far from the bodies, while the other was across the street.

Luke speculated there were likely other wounded individuals at the scene.

David approached and said, "According to our informant, Scarface was driving a Mercedes, and we didn't spot the car in the area, so he may still be alive and has driven away."

Luke said, "Maybe the mastermind wants to silence them."

"Vroom vroom..." At that moment, several cars approached from afar, catching the attention of Luke and David.

The cars stopped outside the police line, and a group of Mexican men, all sporting the same tattoos, disembarked with ill intentions towards the gunfight site.

The surrounding officers immediately became vigilant, placing their right hands on their guns.

Raymond stepped forward, extending his left hand to signal them to halt, "Don't come any closer. This is a crime scene. Leave immediately."

A middle-aged Mexican man wearing sunglasses stepped up, pointing to his chest, "My brother is dead. As his family, shouldn't I be here?"

David came over, looking at the man with sunglasses, "Whoa, isn't this Carlo Rose, the leader of the Viper Gang?"

"Yes, it's me, Deputy David. I hope you can give me an explanation."

David laughed, "An explanation?"

"That's right, my men were shot without reason. Shouldn't the Los Angeles Police Department be responsible?

Where is Scarface?

I want to see him."

David shook his head, "It seems your position as a leader is outdated. You know nothing. You might as well give your spot to someone else and retire early.

Maybe you'll save your own life."

Carlo Rose kept a stern face, "I don't need you worrying about my affairs. Take care of yourself, Deputy David."

Luke said, "Mr. Carlo Rose, if it's convenient, I'd like to invite you to the station for a talk."

Carlo Rose looked at Luke, "Who are you?"

"My name is Li, from the Robbery and Murder Department. I'm currently in charge of this case investigation."

Carlo Rose said, "What I've heard is that my brother Scarface was shot. I'm the victim's family."

"I understand, which is why we need you to come to the station to talk, to find out who wants Scarface dead. Only by finding him quickly can we ensure his safety. What do you think?" Luke planned to coax him to the station first. If Jones's death was truly linked to the Viper Gang, they could catch the ringleader.

Carlo Rose said, "Even without police help, I can find Scarface myself."

David chuckled, "Are you scared?

Does hearing the word 'police station' make you pee your pants? Coward."

Carlo Rose shook his head, "I'm not interested in your provocations. If you want me to go to the station, give me a reasonable reason, otherwise, my men won't agree."

Luke stared at him, "Jones is dead, is that reason enough?"

Carlo Rose showed a surprised expression, "Captain Jones?"

David said coldly, "That's right, Jones was killed by your man, Scarface."

Carlo Rose took a deep breath, "Wait, are you sure Scarface killed Jones?"

Luke spoke with absolute certainty, "Another suspect identified Scarface, without a doubt."

Carlo Rose's face changed immediately, "This has nothing to do with us, the Viper Gang. I swear, the Viper Gang had nothing to do with Captain Jones's death.

I respect him and the Los Angeles Police Department."

Luke said, "Then come with us to the station; we will respect you, too."

"I told you, I have nothing to do with Jones's death." Carlo Rose glanced back at his men, with an intentional or unintentional step backward.

"Then you should all the more come with us.

Only by actively cooperating with the police investigation can the Viper Gang clear its suspicions.

When we learned that Scarface was the killer, we didn't raid the Viper Gang. That's already a concession.

As the leader of the Viper Gang, shouldn't you do something for your gang?" Luke glanced at his watch, "The decision is in your hands. I'll give you a minute to consider."

Cold sweat dripped from Carlo Rose's forehead. He knew very well what the so-called choice was: either fight or cooperate with the police.

Suddenly, he regretted coming here.