Los Angeles Detective

  Chapter 160 Interview (big chapter)

  The next morning.

  Near Laura Pall's house.

  In a Ford Explorer.

  Luke yawned, flattened the seat, and changed into a comfortable position.

   "Last night, I asked you to stare at Pari Jones, why did you drink with her, did you expose yourself?"

   "How is it possible? I am Detective Marcus of the Police Detective Bureau, how could she see through me." Xiao Hei was quite confident, and smiled, "I didn't look for her, she took the initiative to look for me.

  In fact, this is quite normal. A handsome single man is sitting not far away, with a faint glint of melancholy in his eyes, which woman would not be tempted.

  I can understand her. "

  Luke shook his head, not knowing where his inexplicable sense of superiority came from. You must know that a good reporter is not only good at digging news, but also a good observer.

  He was worried that Xiao Hei would be discovered by the other party during the stalking process.

   Of course, this is not a big problem, "What did you talk about?"

   "Vampire, she is very interested in this, and she also regarded me as a customer of the bar, and kept asking me about the bar.

   He also asked me if I was here last night, and if I saw any strange things, such as vampires biting people.

   Even asked me if I really believed in vampires and the like.

  I told her, 'Of course there is.

   But fear not, I will protect you. '

  Through her insinuating questions, she felt that she probably knew about the murder that happened last night. "

  Luke pinched his forehead, thinking that there should be two possibilities for Pari Jones to chat with Xiao Hei.

  The first possibility is that she recognized Xiao Hei, knew that Xiao Hei was a policeman, and wanted to trick him.

  The second possibility is that she didn't know that Xiao Hei was a policeman, but she just saw a single man not far away who seemed to be interested in her, and she happened to want to inquire about something, so she hooked up with Xiao Hei.

  Luke thinks that the second possibility is more likely. Xiao Hei's image itself is a bit unreliable. As long as he is himself normally, no one will associate him with the police.

   If you really want to play, he might be crazier than Pari Jones.

  If, as Xiao Hei said, it was Pari Jones who took the initiative to ask him for information, it means that Pari Jones probably knew that there was a murder in the bar.

  The homicide happened yesterday. Although the police are investigating, they have been keeping it secret. It stands to reason that Pari Jones should not know that the scene of the first crime was in a bar.

   This also confirmed Luke's previous guess that Pari Jones probably had other news channels.

  Luke took out his mobile phone and reported to Susan, expressing his guess about Pari Jones.

  He did not intend to directly investigate Pari Jones. The other party is a reporter. If he investigates the other party without evidence, it will be very troublesome if the other party finds out.

   As for whether to investigate Pari Jones, that is Susan's problem.

  The captain is not called for nothing, he has to step up at critical moments.

  A yellow school bus slowly stopped in front of Laura Pall's house.

  Jaden waved goodbye to his mother and got on the school bus.

  Xiao Hei said flatly, "He is a good guy, just like me."

   Luke laughed, "That shows that good things are limited."

   "Haha..." Xiao Hei laughed heartlessly.

  He doesn't have high demands on himself and is very satisfied with his current life.

   Then the two got out of the car.

   Xiao Hei waved his hand and said, "Laura."

   "Marcus, why are you here? Jaden just went to school."

   "I know, I watched my buddy get in the car."

  Laura Pall was a little surprised, "Are you here to find me?"

   "Exactly."

  Laura looked at Luke aside, "Inspector Luke, you're here too."

   "Laura, how are you doing?"

   "It's okay, the police station refunded us part of the money, which is my husband's legal income. We are living a decent life now. What's the matter?"

   "Have you been to Dracula's bar lately?"

   "I've been there, what's the problem?" Laura stepped aside, "Oh, come in and talk about it."

  Luke and Xiao Hei entered Laura's house.

  The living room is not tidy, there are clothes scattered on the sofa, and a model of a vampire is placed on the TV cabinet.

   "Sorry, the house is a bit messy." Laura put the clothes on the sofa in order, "Please sit down."

  Xiao Hei picked up the vampire model and looked at it, "Laura, have you started to like vampires recently?"

   "Uh, it's just a decoration." Laura said perfunctorily, then changed the topic, "Tea or coffee."

  Xiao Hei waved his hand, "No need, we just chat for a few words."

   "OK." Laura sat on the sofa next to her.

  Xiao Hei is familiar with Laura, so this time he is in charge of asking, "Laura, do you often go to Dracula's Bar?"

   "No, just occasionally, just relax."

   "When was the last time you went?"

   "Yesterday, no, it was the night before yesterday, what happened?"

   "Did you go alone, or with other people?"

   "I went with friends."

  Xiao Hei took out a photo of the victim, "Is it her?"

   "My dear...Nicole...what happened to her? Could it be...she died!"

   "She died near the bar the night before yesterday or in the early hours of yesterday. Since you went to the bar together, we would like to know about the situation at that time."

   "Wait, why did she die? I still can't accept it." Laura covered her head with her hands.

  Xiao Hei wanted to pat her on the shoulder, but he stretched his hand half way and then retracted it, "What's the relationship between you two?"

  “We used to be colleagues, and we had a good relationship. Although she was younger than me, she got along very well, and we would meet occasionally.

  Since my husband… left.

  She has been helping me out of my sadness, inviting me to dinner and chatting with me. She is a good person. ' Laura sighed.

   "What's her full name?"

   "Nicole Cecil."

   "Can you describe what happened that night?"

  Laura fell into memories, "I was not in a good mood that day and wanted to go out for a drink.

   Ask her to go to Dracula's Bar for a drink.

  It was a vampire-themed bar, which was interesting.

  We had a good time at first, drinking some wine, chatting, and dancing.

   Then her phone rang, and there was some noise in the bar, so she went outside.

  I waited for a while, and then received a message from her, saying that I have to leave first.

  After that, I never saw her again. "

  Xiao Hei asked, "Laura, can I read the message she sent? Of course, you can also refuse, this is not mandatory."

   "OK, you are my friend, there is nothing wrong with it." Laura took out her phone and clicked on the communication software, "This is what Nicole sent."

  Xiao Hei took it over and looked at it, and there was only one sentence, 'Laura, I'm leaving early, let's make an appointment another day. '

  Xiao Hei handed the phone to Luke. Luke glanced at it and handed it back to Laura, asking, "How did you get to Dracula's Bar?"

   "We took a taxi."

   "What time did you go to the bar?"

   "About eight o'clock in the evening."

   "What time did Nicole leave? What time did you leave?"

   "Nicole is around nine twenty, and I am around ten thirty."

   "During this time, have you seen any suspicious people?"

   "Uh... you know, it's a vampire-themed bar, with a lot of people in fancy dress, but they're not bad in their nature.

  Some people also took the initiative to strike up a conversation with us, and some people offered me a drink, but I didn't feel anything suspicious. "

   "Do you know who called Nicole?"

"have no idea."

   "What's her phone number?"

   "6268263173"

   Luke wrote it down in his notebook and continued to ask, "As far as you know, does Nicole have any physical problems, such as mental or heart diseases."

   "Not as far as I know."

   "How's her guts?"

   "What does that mean? I don't quite understand what you mean?"

   "Is she brave?"

   "It's okay. Does it have anything to do with her death?"

   "There is indeed some relationship." Luke said perfunctorily, "Does she like vampire culture?"

   "Ah... how should I put it? I can't say I like it very much, but I don't think she hates it either."

  Luke asked back, "That is to say, you actually want to go to the vampire bar, and she just goes with you."

   "Yes." Laura replied, pointing to herself, "What do you mean? You think I killed Nicole."

   "nono." Xiao Hei interrupted the two, "That's not what he meant, it was just a purely routine inquiry."

   But Laura seems to have heard it in her heart, grabbing her hair, "Damn it... If I didn't ask her to the bar that day, she wouldn't have died.

   I really didn't expect this to happen, I just wanted to go and relax.

   Shared with her a good bar with a great vampire culture, I thought she'd love it...

   I really didn't expect this to happen. "

  Xiao Hei comforted, "I know, it's not your fault, she just had an accident, you don't have to blame yourself too much.

   Also, when did you become obsessed with vampire culture? "

  Laura sighed softly, "Since my husband died, I have been missing him very much, thinking that it would be great if he was still alive, and it would be great if people didn't die or could come back from the dead.

  When I entered that bar, a kind of hope would faintly rise in my heart.

  How I wish...he was still alive.

   Vampires are OK, ancient and powerful beings with eternal life.

  They can allow ordinary people to obtain this ability through the method of First Embrace.

  What a magical ability, what a desirable ability..."

   Laura sobbed softly as tears welled from her eyes.

   Seeing her like Xiao Hei felt very sad and worried, "Laura, you should cheer up, your husband is dead, and he won't be coming back.

   But you still have Jaden, even for Jaden, you have to face reality and become strong.

Understand? "

   "I know, but I really miss him. Jaden is the same. I often hear Jaden sobbing in the room. He misses his father as much as I do."

  Xiao Hei continued to persuade, "Laura, you must cheer up, Jaden will only become strong if you are strong.

  You must set a good example for Jaden and let him understand that his father is dead and it is impossible to come back.

   Meanwhile, his father was watching him in heaven.

  He lives well and works hard, that's what my father wants to see most.

   If you can't get out by yourself, Jaden can't get out even more.

  He's a kid and it's going to be a bad influence on him. "

  Laura nodded and said nothing, not sure if she had listened.

  Luke didn't care much about Laura's housework, and he didn't think he was qualified to be someone else's spiritual mentor. "Did Nicole bring anything with her that night?"

   "There is a black backpack with some commonly used things in it."

  Luke wrote it down in his notebook and continued to ask, "Do you know where Nicole's family lives?"

   "73 SNIYIG Avenue. She lives with her parents and occasionally in the company dormitory."

  …

  SNIYIG Str. 73.

  A commercial vehicle with the logo of a news TV station was parked beside the yard.

  Two people got out of the car, one was the black female reporter Pali Jones, and the other was a videographer.

  Pari Jones said, "Carter, you can just stay in the car."

  The photographer was a little surprised, "Are you sure?"

   "Of course, I will do this interview myself."

  Pari Jones walked to the door and rang the bell, "Ding Dong."

   After a while, a white man in his fifties opened the door, "Who are you looking for?"

   "I'm Pari Jones."

  The white man shook his head, "Sorry, I don't know you."

   “I am a reporter for CBE News Television.”

   "Reporter? What's your business?"

   "Our TV station has a program, Miss Nicole Cecil is our interview subject, we want to interview her."

   "Wow...Interview with Nicole, how come I haven't heard her talk about it."

   "Maybe... she wants to surprise you guys."

   "She's not home right now."

   "I know, I not only want to interview Nicole, but also her family, to understand a more real her from many aspects."

  Mr. Cecil pointed to himself, "You want to interview me too?"

   "Yes, this is my press card." Pari Jones handed over the card.

   "I don't really want to be interviewed... Not really ready yet."

   "Mr. Cecil, don't be nervous, we're just asking about Nicole, not about your private life."

  Cecile laughed, "Hearing what you said, I feel a little sad.

  Come on in, I'll get in touch with Nicole, if she's okay, I can do an interview. "

  Pari Jones entered the room and said with a smile, "Mr. Cecil, you should know that Nicole wants to give you a surprise, and she doesn't know that we are coming to interview you.

  Actually... we also wanted to surprise her. "

"surprise?"

   "Yes, what do you think?"

   "OK, sounds good."

   "So, can we start?"

"Can."

  Pari Jones officially began to ask, "Mr. Selsey, are you willing to accept an interview about your daughter Nicole?"

"Yes."

   "Does Nicole have a boyfriend?"

   "Not as far as I know."

   "Does she like going to bars?"

   "Occasionally. Even if she goes, she probably won't tell me."

   "Have you heard of Dracula's bar?"

   "No, the name sounds a bit strange, is it related to vampires?"

   "Yes." Pari Jones asked, "Does Nicole like vampire culture?"

   "She's timid, I remember when she was a kid she went to the movies and there was a shot of a vampire coming out of a coffin that freaked her out, she didn't like vampires..."

   "So you think she'll go to a vampire-themed bar?"

   "She shouldn't go alone."

   "What if a friend asks her out?"

   "That's possible, Nicole is a very kind girl, she is good at taking care of her friends, and she rarely rejects others..."

  …

  In a black Ford Explorer.

   While driving, Xiao Hei said, "You know what? I am very worried about Laura, she is not a strong woman.

   This is a big question. "

  Luke said, "Maybe her husband's death has a greater impact on her, maybe it will be fine after a while."

   "It's not just Laura that worries me, it's her effect on Jaden.

  The biggest difference between me and Jaden is that I have a strong mother.

  My mother took care of me from a young age by herself, she was never depressed and never depended on any man.

  She made me understand that people should be self-reliant, self-reliant, and self-loving.

   I didn't have a father, but it didn't have much of a negative impact.

  Jaden is different. If his mother can't let go, he is even less likely to let go. "

  Luke asked back, "Then what are you going to do? Help him fill the vacancy of his father?"

   "Wow... Your question is difficult for me. I don't have the confidence and preparation to be a father. I don't think I can do it." Xiao Hei shook his head.

   Soon, the two fell into a brief silence.

   To be precise, Xiao Hei became quiet.

  The two drove to Nicole's community.

  Xiao Hei observed the surrounding landmarks, "It seems to be No. 73 in front, and there is a car parked at the door."

  Luke saw it too, frowned slightly, "Pull over."

   "Why? There is still a distance."

   "That's the news station's car."

  Xiao Hei pulled over and asked curiously, "Could it be that reporter Pali Jones also came to interview Nicole's parents?"

  Luke sighed, "Probably."

   "How did she know that the deceased belonged to Nicole? And how did she know the address of Nicole's home?" Xiao Hei showed a surprised look.

  This is what Luke was thinking about too.

  Luke and Xiao Hei also just learned Nicole's real identity and home address from Laura.

  Reporter Pari Jones arrived first, and was even interviewing the family of the deceased.

   This is a big problem.

  A reporter knows more about the case than the police.

   If the news reports come out with more content and clues than the police have found, then the fun will be great.

   This problem is serious.

   Not only for the case itself, but also for the First Squadron of the Robbery and Murder Division.

  Luke, as the elite of the Robbery and Murder Division, has both glory and loss.

  He was thinking a little deeper.

  He had long guessed that Pari Jones might have some clues that the police didn't know about.

   Now it seems that Luke still underestimated the other party.

  If she just saw Nicole being killed, Pari Jones probably wouldn't be able to find out Nicole's identity.

  According to Laura’s description, Nicole was carrying a black backpack with her on the night she was killed, but the police never found that backpack.

  Pari Jones probably obtained the items in the deceased's backpack, and thus found the address of Nicole's home.

  It is illegal to take evidence from a crime scene.

  Of course, these are all Luke's conjectures, and if you want to arrest someone, you need tangible evidence.

   A few minutes later, Pari Jones came out of Nicole's house, took the car of the news station and left.

  Luke and the two entered Nicole's house and asked about his father.

   Sure enough, as Luke guessed, Pari Jones was investigating the Dracula bar.

  Luke asked Xiao Hei to stabilize Nicole's father, and immediately made a video call with Susan, telling him about the new investigation.

  Luke briefly explained the clues he found, and concluded, "The current situation is very troublesome, and we must take action against Pari Jones."

   "Do you have any evidence to prove that Pari Jones took the items left by the deceased at the scene?"

   "No, this is just my speculation."

  Susan's tone was also a little helpless, "Pari Jones is a reporter, it's very difficult for us to arrest people based on speculation alone."

   "Captain, what I'm worried about now is not only that Pari Jones has other important clues, but more importantly, she dared to contact the parents of the deceased, which shows that she is ready.

  She was making a time difference. Before the police found Nicole's real identity, she reported the case as news in advance.

   I'm guessing she's most likely going to be covering this case on the news tonight.

   Also, according to Marcus' investigation, her show is at eight o'clock in the evening. Luke glanced at his watch, "Nine hours from now." "

  Luke's judgment is well-founded, not entirely guesswork.

You know, before meeting Nicole's parents, Pari Jones must have guessed that the police would investigate Nicole's parents sooner or later. Once the police learned about her interview from Nicole's parents, they would definitely guess that she might have Leads unknown to the police.

  Thus the police may interfere with her news reports.

  Yes, after contacting Nicole's parents, she will definitely make a program as soon as possible and broadcast it that night.

   But the problem now is that all speculation and suspicion have no evidence.

  The best way is definitely to arrest and search Pari Jones.

   But it is difficult to apply for a search warrant without evidence.

   No search warrant and no evidence.

  Another crucial point is that Pari Jones is a reporter. If the police arrest people with insufficient evidence, a news incident is likely to be created.

   After a while, Susan said, "According to your previous report, I asked Matthew to investigate Pari Jones' information secretly.

  She made two remittances yesterday afternoon and this morning respectively, the first time was 1,000 US dollars, and the second time was 4,000 US dollars, both of which were sent to the same person, Michael Carter.

  Miguel Carter has a history of drug abuse, and is still on bail because of violent injuries. "

  Susan didn't explain, but Luke already understood what she meant, "I'll see."

   These two remittances are too coincidental.

  Reporters and the police have informants, and the two sums of money are likely to be used by Pari Jones to buy clues.

   The battle line breaks through from weak points.

  …

  On a street not far from Dracula's bar.

  A white man was wandering on the street with messy hair, yawning and sniffing from time to time.

  While passing by an alley, a black man appeared beside him, staring at a pair of big eyes and squeezing his eyebrows, "Hey, buddy, I have a new product, do you want to try it?"

  The white man hesitated and refused, "No, I've already quit."

   "Comeon, don't lie to yourself. This is a new product, the quality is guaranteed, and it is still in the trial sale stage. The current price is very cheap. After this period of time, it will not be the same price.

  You try it, it is definitely a good product. The black man looked left and right, and then took out a bag of sugar from his pocket.

"new goods?"

   "Exactly."

  The white man swallowed, "How much?"

   "As I said, it's a trial sale now, and it only costs fifty dollars."

   "OK, give me a pack."

   "That's right. There is no need for people to make things difficult for themselves. They should enjoy themselves in time." The black man smiled, handed him a bag of sugar, and took fifty dollars from him.

   "Dude, see you another day." The black man left the words and disappeared into the alley.

  The white man put the sugar into his trouser pocket, with a complex expression on his face, with excitement, worry, and more impatient.

  He quickened his pace and walked forward.

  A Ford Explorer parked on the side of the road, and a black-haired young man and a black man got out of the car.

   It was Luke and Xiao Hei.

  Xiao Hei stopped the white man, "Hey, why are you sneaking around?"

   "Get out of the way, I don't have one."

"You have."

   "None of your business, don't get in my way." The white man threatened with wide-eyed eyes.

  Xiao Hei flashed his police badge, "lapd, do you still think it's none of my business?"

   "Comeon, this trick again." The white man showed an annoyed look.

  In the United States, the police are allowed to fish for law enforcement.

   "Meigel, if I remember correctly, you are still on bail for violent wounding. Your sneaky appearance makes me feel suspicious, and I will conduct a routine body search on you.

  Face against the wall, put your head in your hands, don't play tricks. "

   "You guys..." Meigl wanted to scold, but he didn't dare to say it.

   Soon, Xiao Hei found the bag of sugar from his pocket, "Wow, what is this? I think your bail officer should be very interested."

   "Please don't do this, I don't want to lose my bond, let alone go to jail, give me another chance."

  Xiao Hei asked back, "Why should I give you a chance, give me a reason?"

  Meigel looked gloomy, obviously he also knew that it was difficult to persuade the police.

  Luke looked at Miguel and said, "Hey, I seem to have seen you. Do you know Pari Jones?"

   "Yes, I know her." Meguel replied hastily, as if grasping at straws.

"how did you guys meet?"

   "Ah...Actually, we are still in touch today. I am a friend of her, and I have provided her with some interesting news." Miguel seemed to regard Luke as a friend of Pari Jones.

   "What news?"

   "I...found a murder."

"where?"

   "Dracula's bar, four or five blocks from here."

   "How did you find out?"

   “At the time, my car was parked at the back of the bar, where you don’t have to pay for parking…

  I was drinking in a bar when I heard screams from the back door of the bar. I went out to check and found a woman lying on the ground. I was terrified and prepared to drive away.

  Afterwards, I sold this news to Pari Jones. We are friends now. Are you familiar with her?

  We have mutual friends, can you let me go? "

   Luke laughed, "I can help you or not contact your bail officer, but I don't make friends with liars, and I don't like people who lie to me."

   "I didn't lie to you, what I said is true."

  Luke cut to the chase, "There is one thing that you may not be aware of, the purpose of our visit is to investigate the murder at Dracula's bar.

  We have more clues than you, don't hide anything from me, what did you find at the back door of the bar? "

  If it is as simple as what Miguel described, and Pari Jones is not a fool, how could he pay him so much money twice.

  There must be something wrong with this guy.

  (end of this chapter)