Chapter 122

One o’clock in the morning.

The team members returned to the office one by one.

Susan summoned everyone to the conference room for a meeting.

She took a sip of coffee to refresh herself, “Everyone, tell us about the progress of your investigation.

Ramon, you go first.”

“We’ve investigated Abu Gera, who is Lucas’s double and has very similar physical characteristics to Lucas.” Saying that, Ramon put a file on the projector that

Deceased, Abu Guerra.

Cell phone number, 626 843 3123

Date of birth, May 2, 1988

Address, 132 Harvey Street.

Social Security number, 623-52-7767.

Occupation, actor

Raymond continued, “The deceased was not a native of Los Angeles, and we’ve contacted his parents and asked them to come to the station to identify the body.”

Susan added, “I notified the medical examiner and when Abu Ghra’s parents arrive, they will do a DNA test. I will keep an eye on this matter to determine the true identity of the deceased.

Tell us about your interrogation.”

Luke organized his words, “We gave Lucas a statement and he refused to admit to having anything to do with Abu Ghra’s death.

In his words, they just borrowed Abu Ghra’s death to hype up the movie and achieve a hit.

And the man behind the scenes was director Bel Gru.

Also according to him producer Rosie Beale is also involved.”

The lieutenant continued, “Our side of the story is similar, as Enosha Soest admitted that she deceived the police by deliberately mistaking Abu Ghra’s body for Lucas.

The purpose was to cause publicity and help build momentum for the movie’s promotion, in addition to wanting her husband to have something to talk about and to have the heat back.

She also admitted to being instigated, and even threatened, by director Bel Gru.

In his words, if they didn’t agree, Bel Gru would probably block Lucas.

And according to director Bel Gru, the producers acquiesced to this as well.

In short, the couple’s statements were very similar, either telling the truth or colluding.”

Luke added: “We offered to check Lucas for bruises on his body and he agreed.

After Marcus’ tests, there were no teeth marks on Lucas. He shouldn’t have been the one who killed Abu Ghra, at least not by his own hand.”

The lieutenant said, “We also offered to have the policewoman examine Enosha Solstice’s body, but she declined. In my experience, when they react, they will definitely ask for a lawyer to help with bail.

If we don’t find any new clues, we won’t be able to hold them for long.”

Susan summarized, “From the looks of things, besides the Lucas couple, Director Bell and Producer Rossi are also suspected of being involved in the falsification of evidence, or at least the two of them are in the know.”

Luke added, “The assistant director was the one who reported the case and was the first to find the body and the first to identify Lucas, so I think he’s also under some suspicion. Most likely one of the accomplices as well.”

Jenny asked, “Why is it falsifying evidence, shouldn’t it be homicide?”

Luke explained, “There’s no evidence at this point that they were the killers of Abu Ghra. We can investigate covertly, but there’s no way to subpoena them under that pretext.”

I think that for the sake of the investigation, we can divide it into two cases for the time being.

The first case is the murder of Abu Ghra.

The second case is the case of the faked death of Lucas using Abu Ghra’s body.

Although the two cases may be committed by the same gang or the same person, the other party will definitely take a chance until there is enough evidence.

Solely splitting the two cases to make the complex case simple, as long as they confessed to one of the cases, they would probably reveal clues about the other case during the interrogation process, intentionally or unintentionally.

Once there are logical problems before and after their confessions, it proves that they lied about this place, and we can follow the trail to investigate.”

Susan nodded, “That’s a good idea, from the available evidence both Bell and producer Rossi are suspected in the perjury case, but there is no evidence to suggest that they have anything to do with Abu Ghra’s death.

Even if we question them about something related to Abu-Ghra’s murder, they definitely won’t admit to it.

Then let’s interrogate the perjury case leads first and convict one of them, as long as we have the people under control, we have the name of the investigation, and as for what and how to investigate are all within the realm of maneuverability.”

The lieutenant suggested, “I suggest that Director Bell and Producer Rossi be subpoenaed overnight, lest those two collude.”

Susan was concerned, “Lieutenant, can you physically handle investigating the case all night?”

“My own body, I know in my heart, if I’m tired I’ll find a place to rest on my own.”

Susan also did not say more, directly arranged the task: “Luke and Marcus are responsible for summoning director Bell.

Raymond and Jenny are in charge of summoning producer Rosie.”

Two o’clock in the morning.

Bell’s house.

Bell was an old bachelor who never married and usually lived alone, hiring a nanny who would clean on time.

The second floor had been converted into a theater, and hundreds of thousands of dollars had been spent on renovation costs and equipment alone.

At this moment, the movie ‘Special War Heroes’ was playing in the theater, and the audience was only one person, Bell Gru.

He watched it very carefully, as if it was his first time watching this movie.

This movie was very important to him, and it was one of the highest grossing and best-received movies in his many years in the industry.

He also relied on this movie to completely make a name for himself.

But this movie was like a spell that he could never break again.

Since then, he has directed a number of movies, but the word of mouth is mediocre, the box office is not very high, in the industry’s fame is not as big as before.

Many people said that he had run out of talent.

He doesn’t admit it.

He himself couldn’t figure out why the Special War Heroes was so hot back then.

It was an action-revenge type of movie with little substance and average filming techniques, but it was on fire.

Many people would think of Special War Heroes when he was mentioned.

It made him elated and a little depressed at the same time.

He had always wanted to surpass his previous work, and wanted to make another better movie with a new high in word of mouth and box office.

Letting the world know that he was capable, that he didn’t rely on luck and dividends to make Special War Heroes, but on his own talent.

“Knock knock.”

He faintly heard a knock on the door.

Bel Gru frowned slightly, who would come at this late hour?

Pausing the movie, he went downstairs, checking the door surveillance, it was the handsome dark-haired policeman.

Hesitating for a moment, Bel Gru opened the door and said, in a slightly disgruntled tone.

“What’s the matter with knocking on the door this late? Better give me a reasonable explanation.”

Blackie laughed, “I’d like to tell you that the Special Ops Heroes you made is shit.”

Belle Gru was flabbergasted, “Are you out of your mind? It’s a big night just to say this to me.

Get the hell out of my doorstep immediately, or I’ll file a complaint against you.”

Luke rounded up the scene, “Director Bell, don’t be angry, it’s just a joke.

He’s just a bit of a straight shooter.”

Bell Grue “……”

“You guys came to me in the middle of the night just to purposely piss me off?

OK, you guys succeeded.” Bel Gru made a move to close the door.

Luke pressed his left hand against the side of the door, “We found Lucas.”

Bel-Gru showed a hint of panic, “What the hell are you talking about, he’s dead.”

“Stop pretending, Lucas has confessed to your partnership in the murder of Abu Ghra.

Director Bell, you’ve been convicted, you’ll only be able to film Brokeback Mountain in a steel window in your next life.”

Black squeezed his eyebrows and smiled cheaply, “Or maybe the lead role.”

Luke glanced at him, “You really are cheap.”

“Thanks for the compliment.” Blacky was honored instead of displeased.

Bel Gru was a bit overwhelmed, “I don’t even know what you’re talking about anymore? I’ve never killed anyone, I wouldn’t even kill a dog!”

“You may be a director, but you really aren’t a very good actor, much worse than the Lucas’s.” Luke flashed the arrest warrant, “Come with us.”

Detective Bureau, interrogation room.

Bell Grew was leaning his back against the interrogation chair, looking a little anxious.

Before Luke could open the question, he took the initiative to say, “I didn’t kill anyone, and I had nothing to do with Abu Ghra’s death. You have the wrong man.”

Luke said, “You don’t want to give an account, so we’ll have to take the testimony of the Lucas couple. They confessed that you were the mastermind of the case and that you instructed them to kill Abu Gera.

Wanting to use Abu Ghra’s death for the purpose of promoting the movie.

If the facts are established, we will charge you with first-degree murder.”

“Don’t believe the couple’s bullshit, the couple are liars and I had nothing to do with Abu Ghra’s death.

I admit, I know Lucas isn’t dead and I know it could have been Abu Ghra who died, but that doesn’t mean I had anything to do with Abu Ghra’s death.”

Luke smoothly inquired, “So, you admit to being the mastermind behind faking Lucas’ fake death?”

“I admit to knowing about it, but I wasn’t the mastermind, Lucas was. I only acquiesced in the matter, and can only be considered an accessory at best.”

“With the Lucas couple identifying you together and the fact that you’re the director and you call all the shots on set, you’re more of a mastermind, no matter which way you look at it.”

“I can explain.” Bel Gru was a little flustered, the attitude of the police scared him a little, worried that they would side with the Lucas’s, took a deep breath and

“I did know about Abu Ghra’s murder before the Lucas’s did.

That morning, I got a call from the assistant director just after I woke up and he said that someone had died on the set.

I was a little worried and inquired who the dead man was.

The assistant director said it was probably Lucas.

I immediately called Lucas, but his cell phone was off.

I then called Lucas’ wife and realized that Lucas was not dead.

That’s when it occurred to us that the dead one might be Lucas’ stunt double, Abu Ghra.

The two of them looked alike, otherwise, he wouldn’t have been Lucas’s double, and I knew that the assistant director might have misidentified him.

After that, I hung up my cell phone and was going to tell the assistant director about it so he could confirm if it was Abu Ghra who was dead.

But at this time, Lucas called back with a plan to use his fake death to help promote and hype the movie.

Of course, this was just his excuse, his real goal was to flip the movie and regain heat, traffic and buzz.

He wants to be popular, he wants to be crazy.”

Luke frowned, “Is Akira Kurosawa your idol?”

“I know what you mean, I’m not messing with Rashomon, I have proof.”

“What evidence?”

“I have the phone recordings.” Belle Gru sighed, it wasn’t something glamorous.

He hadn’t planned to take it out right away, but these two unorthodox police officers made it difficult for him to deal with them comfortably.

Bel Gru played a recording on his cell phone.

[“Director Bell, I have an idea that can make this movie a hit.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Remember Paul from Fast and Furious 7?”

“What do you mean, speak clearly.”

“Since the cast and crew thought it was me who died, why don’t we just go along with it and acquiesce to the story. A movie actor getting killed in the manner of a movie plot is sure to create a buzz that could surpass even Fast and Furious 7 in terms of hype.”

The conversation was silent for a moment before Bell’s voice sounded again, “What if the police find out?”

“You’ve seen the double, he looks so much like me that people on the set occasionally misrecognize him, let alone the police.

And dead people can’t talk, we living people can.

When the hype gets worse in a few days, I’ll take the initiative to go to the police to prove that I’m not dead.

If the police ask me why I haven’t set the record straight, I’ll just say I went hiking in the wilderness by myself and didn’t know what was going on in the outside world.

I know a few buddies who like to hike, and they do it all the time, and even if the police don’t believe me, they can’t do anything about me just the same as long as they don’t have proof.”

There was another moment of silence.

Bell asked, “What do you need me to do?”

“I need you to convince the producer, Rossi, that as long as he agrees, the plan will work.

And as soon as the police confirm my death, publicize the situation and expand the impact of this event as quickly as possible.

I also don’t want to delay it too long, the longer I delay it, the more likely it is that the police will find me.

It would be better to have a period of three to five days, which would be more reasonable.

After three or five days, I’ll come forward and announce to the fans, to the world, that I’m not dead, that I’m back.”

Bale said, “Good idea, by then you’ll have something to talk about and will become even more popular.”

“Director, it’s not just me who can reap the benefits, it’s everyone associated with this movie.

Haven’t you always wanted to make a movie that surpasses ‘Special War Heroes’, here’s your chance.”

There was another moment of silence.

Bell says in a firm tone, “OK, I’ll contact Rossi.”]

The audio ends.

Bell let out a long sigh and lowered his head, he wouldn’t have taken out this audio if he didn’t have to.

Once it got out, his reputation in the circle would be ruined.

Praying, he said, “Please don’t ever leak this recording, I am willing to cooperate with your investigation. Will tell everything I know.”

Luke pressed, “Did Mr. and Mrs. Lucas kill Abu Guerra?”

“I don’t know, the couple is spooky, there’s no way they’d tell me.”

“Was the assistant director involved in this?”

“I didn’t tell him explicitly. But he’s familiar with the Lucas couple, especially Lucas’ wife, and I’m not sure he knows.”

“Thank you for the evidence, I lied before, Special Olympics made a great movie. And the movie Brazilian Lovers, my mom loved it.”

Luke was in a good mood, with this audio it was enough to establish that the Lucas couple was the masterminds of the pseudo-criminal evidence.

Belle Gru sighed softly, “Thanks for the reassurance.

But …… I didn’t make the Brazilian Lovers.”

Luke “……”

Ramon and Jenny also finish interrogating Rossi.

Rossi’s statement was basically the same as Director Bell’s.

Producer Rossi was not deeply involved, he knew about it, acquiesced, and gave some cooperation in publicity.

With that, Luke and the others interrogate the Lucas couple again.

With the audio evidence, the couple couldn’t carry the day.

Admitting that they were the masterminds of the perjury case, the couple did whatever they could to turn the tables.

Luke suspected that they might be the real murderers of Abu Ghra, just that there was no evidence to prove it for the time being.

Finishing the interrogation, it’s already five o’clock in the morning, and the sky is flooded with a touch of fish-belly white.

Reed had been kind enough to bring breakfast.

Also brought coffee.

Luke “……”

I’m not drinking this shit, I’m going to bed.