Daisy showed a nervous expression, "Do you think his accomplice will come after me?"
"I can't be certain; those were just my speculations." As Luke's voice faded, two waiters came over with wooden trays, Luke's had a lamb chop set, and Daisy's a steak set.
The plate had three small lamb chops, a fried egg, pasta, broccoli, peas, and cherry tomatoes.
Luke liked eating meat even after his arrival and could adapt to the local cuisine. If one didn't enjoy meat, it would be better not to go abroad.
Luke bit into a small lamb chop, savory and juicy, tasting great.
After taking a bite of her steak, Daisy put down her knife and fork, "What should I do?"
After drinking a sip of water and smoothing it over, Luke said, "If my speculation is correct, you must have something they want, something very important."
Daisy replied helplessly, "I really don't know what they're looking for?"
"Could it be related to a case you're currently handling or to a client?"
"Indeed, I have several cases on my hands, but they're all quite ordinary; such incidents shouldn't occur."
"Talk about the cases you're dealing with now."
"Oh…" Daisy looked troubled, "Sorry, I've signed a confidentiality agreement. According to the rules, I cannot disclose details about the cases or the clients. I'm really sorry."
Lawyers are obligated to maintain client confidentiality; professionally speaking, there's no issue, but Luke still felt uncomfortable. I'm strategizing for you, yet you're withholding information from me.
While there's no issue with the system, it would feel uncomfortable emotionally.
Luke suddenly felt his interest waning. He was helping because he was fond of Daisy, but while I speak of personal connection, you speak of protocol.
"I understand... However, it's quite difficult to analyze further with the clues at hand. I suggest you report to the police."
"Aren't you a policeman? Can't you continue to investigate for me?"
"I would like to help you, but now we only have the surveillance blackout issue, and your office hasn't lost any valuable items; it's hard to prove that someone has entered your office. Normally, patrol officers handle such situations." Not only lawyers have systems, but the police do too.
"The suspect Tim has confessed, and the evidence chain is quite substantial. Theoretically, the robbery case has moved beyond the investigation phase. Unless there's a new lead, like someone breaking into your office and proving a connection to the robbery, we cannot reopen the investigation. Otherwise, I don't have the authority to continue."
Biting her seductive red lips, Daisy appeared tense, "What if the accomplice continues to harm me?"
"You don't need to be too nervous; what I said was just speculation, without factual basis. Be more vigilant and dial 911 immediately if anything arises."
After finishing the meal, Luke headed back to the police station. When it comes to business, as is the case with investigations, rushing isn't the way to go.
Luke never coddled those unwilling to cooperate with the police.
A little past one in the afternoon.
Robbery and Murder Department, conference room.
Susan sat in the main seat and glanced at the team members on both sides, asking, "David, Luke, any progress with the informants?"
David kept his head down, showing no inclination to respond.
Luke replied, "We've met with the informant Harry; he hasn't located Tony's whereabouts. However, we learned from him that Tony has a friend named William. We've taken a statement from William."
"They've known each other for over a decade. Tony rarely mentions family in Nevada when sober; during those rare drunk occasions, he'd mention only a wife and kid, yet official records show he's never been married..."
With a grin on his dark lips, Marcus said, "For people at the bottom, marriage does not necessitate registration or a certificate; they couldn't care less about those darn official papers. Tony might have had a woman he loved, and they perhaps had a child, but due to Tony's destitute life or some other reason, the woman left him. This kind of thing is all too common."
"Marcus, I know you're more familiar with the situation in the slums, but please let me finish speaking, OK?"
Luke continued, "According to William, every year a well-off man visits Tony, driving a BMW X5. The two of them seem to have known each other for many years, but what exactly their relationship is remains unclear.
Another point is that Tony seems to have a strong dislike for the police."
Marcus interjected, "Yeah, that's a common trait among criminals."
Luke was slightly annoyed, "Are you telling this, or am I?"
Marcus gestured for him to continue.
"Earlier, I found a package at Tony's place that looked like it had drug residue on it; Tony's probably still using. However, given that Tony seems to be financially okay according to William, I suspect he might have other sources of income. That's all the information we have right now."
After listening, Susan asked, "Deputy chief, what do you think?"
Vincent thought for a moment, "For someone who's not wealthy, drugs are a major expense. If Tony has other financial channels, it's also possible that he gets money through robbery, which could be one of the motives for the crime.
If Marcus's hypothesis is right, and Tony had a woman and child he deeply loved but for some reason, they left him, then his love might have turned into hate.
From the manner of the crime, it's apparent that the perpetrator was not just committing robbery but also had a mindset of revenge. If our supposition holds, the physical features of the victim are likely similar to the woman Tony loved deeply - a white female with golden blonde hair.
This might be his second motive for the crime."
The deputy chief took a sip of coffee and continued, "Thirdly, the fact that Tony hasn't been in touch with his family back home for many years, coupled with his disdain for the police, suggests he might have committed crimes in his hometown.
I recommend that we investigate his hometown. If he hasn't committed any crimes there, it's likely that, if he fled Los Angeles, he would hide in his hometown.
If he has committed similar crimes in his hometown, we might find some clues."
Though the deputy chief was older and lacked the physical vigor of the younger detectives, his experience in solving cases was unparalleled, and his ideas coincided with Luke's.
Even though Susan had had disagreements with the deputy chief, she still recognized his investigative abilities and ordered, "Marcus, Jenny, the two of you are in charge of investigating Tony's wife and child.
Raymond, you'll follow up on the leads of the wealthy man.
David, Luke, you two will go to Nevada and investigate the clues in Tony's hometown."
Traveling elsewhere for an investigation was exhausting, and Luke knew this well, "Chief, can I get a different assignment?"
Susan replied expressionlessly, "What do you think?"
After the meeting, Luke approached Susan.
"Chief, I'd like to talk to you about the robbery case from last Thursday."
The two sat down in the office, each taking their own seat.
Susan picked up her teacup and took a sip of the black tea, "You're not trying to use this case as leverage to avoid going to Nevada, are you?"
"I didn't mean it like that. Yesterday, I met with the victim Daisy and learned some new information from her," Luke briefly recounted his conversation with Daisy.
Susan countered, "Do you think the surveillance outage is related to the robbery?"
"I'm not sure, it's just a speculation. If you think it's necessary, I could look into it."
Susan nodded, "So should I assign someone else to the Nevada investigation?"
Luke smiled, "I have no objections."
Susan managed a rare smile, "No!
I will contact Miss Daisy, and you can rest assured on your trip."