Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

March 2.

Beverly Hills.

This is one of Los Angeles' most renowned communities, featuring the world's most upscale shopping street. Many famous Hollywood stars live here, attracting countless tourists from around the world every year.

A red BMW drove along the wide street, slowing down and merging to the right, entering the driveway concealed by dense woodland.

The fence gate at the entrance opened slowly, and the red BMW drove into the yard, stopping at the garage door.

A woman of around forty, of Mexican descent, stepped out from the driver's seat. She opened the trunk and took out grocery bags filled with fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Mexican woman carried the bags to the door; after facial recognition, the door opened automatically. The woman pushed the door open, entered, and changed into slippers before habitually placing the grocery bags in the dining room.

She walked back to the living room and noticed some mess; the TV cabinet appeared to have been searched through. She frowned slightly and called, "Ms. Mosel, are you up?"

No response.

The Mexican woman walked up the spiral staircase to the second floor, calling out, "Ms. Mosel, do you want breakfast first, or a bath?"

"Mm-hmm."

This time, the bedroom upstairs emitted an unusual sound.

Feeling somewhat strange, the Mexican woman plucked up the courage to walk to the bedroom door, ready to knock, but found it open. She slowly pushed it open, her eyes widening, her face showing an expression of shock.

On the bed lay a shapely Caucasian woman, naked and bound at the headboard with her hands, gagged with black lace underwear, her legs spread and feet tied to the edges of the bed.

"Oh my God, Ms. Mosel, you..." The Mexican woman was somewhat flustered.

"Mmm..." The Caucasian woman on the bed shook her head and struggled forcibly.

The Mexican woman hurried over, removing the black lace underwear from her mouth, asking, "Ms. Mosel, what happened?"

"Call 911, report it quickly!

Mmm..." Rebecca Mozer cried out in a hoarse voice, seemingly venting her anger and humiliation.

…

An hour later.

Luke led the team to Beverly Hills.

Jackson complained while driving, "Captain, can't go any further ahead."

Luke yawned and looked forward; the road was full of cars, and the sidewalks packed with people.

Luke felt that even honking wouldn't clear a path anytime soon, and being close to the scene, decided to walk.

As he walked forward, he understood the reason for the traffic jam: on the outermost, private cars; further in, TV station interview trucks; at the innermost, police cars.

And as for the onlookers, they were even more diverse: neighbors from around, passing tourists, and some merely there for the spectacle.

Among the crowd, Luke noticed Nami Inoue throwing him a flirtatious glance.

Jenny shrugged, "It's just a robbery case; why such a big noise?"

Jenny said, "The victim is Rebecca Mozer."

Jenny asked, "Is she famous?"

Jenny replied, "Yes, she's been in a lot of films and TV shows. My favorite is 'Hot and Sweet.'

She plays a doctor with excellent medical skills, immense responsibility, and a way with men.

She even has a Golden Retriever named Boel, a real sweetheart.

I even think Boel is the real male lead of the show; he always appears in the female lead's time of need, like family."

Jenny replied, "Didn't leave much of an impression on me."

Jenny answered, "The show was canceled after only one season; I always thought it was a pity."

Luke squeezed through the crowd, finally entering Rebecca Mozer's house, as camera flashes went off nonstop and several reporters recognized him.

"Captain Li, it's said Rebecca Mozer experienced a robbery at home. Is she injured?"

"Officer Li, do you think this is a typical burglary or a targeted revenge case?"

"Earlier, an ambulance took Rebecca Mozer away. How severe are her injuries?"

"Captain Li, how long do you plan to solve the case...?"

With numerous microphones thrust before him, Luke felt helpless; he hadn't even seen the scene yet, what is there to say?

The victim in this case is a famous film and television actor, making the case's impact far greater than ordinary robbery cases; it easily becomes a talking point during casual chats, which is why the detective bureau immediately put him in charge after the incident.

To solve the case quickly, and simmer down the public opinion as soon as possible.

Luke ignored the reporters' questions and walked directly into the yard, where a patrol officer approached, saying, "Captain Li, hello, I'm the patrol officer Orochi Kuka who first arrived at the crime scene."

Luke shook hands with him and said, "Hello mate, could you give us an overview of the situation here?"

"We received the emergency call at about 8:40 and arrived at the scene at 8:50.

The victim is Rebecca Mozer, the homeowner; the reporter was Rebecca Mozer's maid, Meifeier Masi.

She claims that Rebecca Mozer was robbed early this morning.

Then, the ambulance arrived on the scene and took Rebecca Mozer away."

Luke asked, "Are Rebecca Mozer's injuries serious?"

Orochi Kuka shook his head, "The injuries are not very serious, but she was frightened and is a bit mentally unstable."

"Was the burglary alarm triggered?"

"No."

Luke nodded, "Where is the caller, Meifeier Masi? I'd like to talk to her."

"She's in the living room." Orochi Kuka made a gesture of invitation and led Luke into the villa.

Orochi Kuka walked to the sofa and said to a Mexican woman, "Ms. Meifeier Masi, this is Captain Li. He's in charge of investigating the robbery case and would like to talk to you."

Meifeier Masi stood up and looked at Luke, appearing somewhat uneasy.

Luke also observed her and gestured to sit down, "Let's talk while seated.

Were you the one who reported the case?"

"Yes." Meifeier Masi nodded slightly.

"What is your relationship with the victim, Rebecca Mozer?"

"I'm her nanny."

"How long have you been working at her home?"

"About more than two years, almost three years."

"Does Ms. Mozer usually live alone?"

"Yes.

I am here during the day and go back to my own home at night."

"Can you describe the situation at the time of the incident?"

Meifeier Masi took a deep breath and said, "I usually start work around eight o'clock, and if Ms. Mozer requests, I sometimes start earlier.

Today I went shopping at a supermarket, so I was a bit later than usual, arriving at Ms. Mozer's house around eight-thirty.

Usually, Ms. Mozer is already awake by this time, but today I didn't see her.

I noticed the living room was a bit messy, called out for her, but got no response until I heard noises coming from her room, so I went to check.

Then, I discovered she was tied up on the bed, with her mouth gagged."

"Did you move any items at the scene?"

"No, I just placed the groceries I bought in the dining room and then went to Ms. Mozer's bedroom to untie her."

Luke looked around the living room and asked, "Was anything missing or moved in the house?"

Meifeier Masi pointed to the TV cabinet and said, "Those cabinets were all opened, and I'm not sure what exactly is missing.

Ms. Mozer was terrified, very alarmed, and she didn't tell me anything."

Luke went up to the second-floor bedroom. The room was large, with an ensuite bathroom and walk-in closet, and all cupboards were open. A small safe in one closet was also left open, with nothing visible inside.

Then, Luke asked Meifeier Masi to describe the scene when she found Rebecca Mozer.

Upon learning the position in which Rebecca Mozer was bound, Luke examined the disheveled bed and found some stains and blood marks, suspecting the victim might have been assaulted by the robber.

Luke asked Meifeier Masi, "Does this house have a burglary alarm system?"

"Yes."

"Why was the alarm not triggered?"

Meifeier Masi shrugged, "I don't know either."

Luke walked to the bedroom window and found it open, with faint footprints visible on the windowsill, "Isn't there an infrared alarm on the window?"

"No.

Ms. Mozer has two cats, and they love lying on the balcony; she didn't want to limit their freedom, so no infrared alarm was installed on the window."

Luke asked, "Where are the two cats?"

Meifeier Masi shook her head, "I don't know either; they might have been scared and run elsewhere."

Jackson said, "Even if there's no infrared alarm because of the cats, there should be a camera AI burglary system. I've seen quite a few cameras in this house. How did the suspect avoid them?"

Luke opened the window, which faced the backyard.

If the footprints on the windowsill were left by the suspect, the suspect likely entered the room from the backyard.

Luke observed the backyard from the window, directly below was a swimming pool, surrounded by trees, and asked, "Why are there so many trees in the backyard?"

Meifeier Masi answered, "Ms. Mozer often swims and sunbathes in the backyard, valuing her privacy; the trees around the yard can block the view."

"You're right; they not only block people's view but also the cameras'." Luke pointed at the row of trees by the south wall of the house and said, "Those trees are quite low. If someone enters the backyard from that angle, the cameras might not capture any footage, creating a surveillance blind spot.

The AI burglary system doesn't function at all."

Luke speculated it might have been an inside job, or at least the perpetrator had previously cased the house, "Has anyone visited Rebecca Mozer's house recently?"

Meifeier Masi replied, "Uh... a couple of days ago, Ms. Mozer hosted a party, inviting about thirty guests."