Chapter 243
Two o’clock in the morning.
Detective Bureau interrogation room.
The reason why this time was chosen for the interrogation was because the interrogation conditions were already in place, and secondly, this was the time of day when people were most likely to be sleepy and in the worst spirits, making it easier to break through her psychological defenses.
“Cluck ……”
The door opened, and Luke and Blackie walked into the interrogation room with grave expressions on their faces.
Luke placed a kraft paper bag on the table and looked at Maria who was sitting across the table, hesitating to speak.
Blackie, on the other hand, shook his head and sighed softly.
The two men’s actions made Maria a bit unsteady and took the initiative to ask, “Lieutenant Luke, did you find my child? What happened?”
“SORRY……,” Luke said with a desire to speak, taking out a few photos from a kraft paper bag, “We were late.”
“What do you mean? The kidnappers took my kids?”
Black said, “The kidnappers had already run away when we arrived. We found blood in the living room.
Maria, I’m really sorry ……”
Maria panicked, “What do you mean? Why would there be blood in my house. It’s impossible, absolutely impossible ……”
Luke puts a picture in front of Maria, a picture of Maria’s house with some blue spots visible on the right side of the coffee table.
Maria grabbed the photo with both hands, a puzzled look on her face, “Why are there these blue spots in my living room, what is this?”
“After the blood has been cleaned up, a special reagent will give off a fluorescent reaction.”
“Jesus Christ, what the hell is going on? You guys tell me what the hell is going on?”
“We found the backyard based on the traces left by the blood reaction, dripping blood to be exact, and found a fresh patch of dirt in the backyard that should have just been buried.
After we dug the pit of dirt, we found the body of a girl.” Luke took out another photo and put it in front of Maria.
Maria instantly recognized that this was her own backyard, which had been dug out into a large pit, and next to the pit was a black plastic bag over a meter long, which was opened at one corner, revealing the head of a little black girl.
“Ah!” Maria yelled, “Martha, No!”
“Oooh ……” Maria cried out sadly.
The corner of Blackie’s mouth curved up, bad woman, now I’ll also let you feel the feeling of being cheated.
The photos are all synthesized.
“Oooh ……” Maria cried sadly for a few minutes before she stopped.
Luke handed the other woman a tissue, “I’m sorry we were late. Couldn’t save her in time.”
“Why? Why did she die?”
“I think she was killed by her kidnapper.”
“He promised me he wouldn’t hurt my child, he promised.”
Xiao Hei said in a serious manner, “Maria, I used to trust people easily, but after experiencing being cheated a few times, I realized that some people’s words cannot be trusted.
Not to mention kidnappers.
You’ve been tricked.”
“NoNoNo, I don’t believe it, he had no reason to do it, I already promised he would kill George, why would he hurt Martha.”
Luke said, “We speculated that the kidnapper was most likely one person, it was difficult for him to control two children by himself, something might have happened in the meantime, or maybe he found it easier to control one child.
So, he brutally murdered Martha.” Luke’s tone was solemn, “I promise that I will rescue your son, Peck, as soon as possible to avoid a repeat of the tragedy.”
“You guys think he might still kill my son?”
“My guess is that this kidnapper is probably a drug addict, sober maybe not, but if he’s high on drugs ……,” Luke said lustfully, “I promise you that I will do my best to search for Peck’s whereabouts. ”
“Oooh ……” Maria cried even more, “God, why do you have to be so cruel, why does this have to happen to me… …”
Luke sighed, “Maria, I can understand your feelings.
But I hope you can pull yourself together and recall something about the kidnappers, only by knowing more clues about the kidnappers and finding out the real identity of the kidnappers can we free Peck.
Martha is already dead.
I also don’t want Peck to have another accident.”
Maria suddenly shouted, “Jamie Brady!”
“Who is he?”
“He’s the man who kidnapped Peck and Martha.”
“You know him?”
“Yes, he’s a brute, the murderer of his own daughter.”
“What’s the relationship between you two?”
“He’s my boyfriend, we’re not married but he’s Peck and Martha’s father …… He’s been in jail a couple times and I’ve waited for him to come back and given him a chance over and over again.
But what about him?
Actually murdered my daughter!
Woohoo ……”
“Where is Jamie Brady now?”
“I don’t know.”
“Think about where he might be going?”
“I really don’t know, I seldom asked about his shit, and I didn’t want to get to know his foxy friends, and I’ve always avoided getting involved with his shit, and I never thought ……” Maria covered her face with her hands.
“I regret it, I shouldn’t have helped him, he killed Martha, he’s a murderer!”
Luke pressed, “Why did you help him kill George?”
“He told me that George and he had done a big deal together, and that George had been caught by the police and would probably turn tainted witness.
If George gave him up, he wouldn’t just be arrested, he’d probably get the death penalty.
So, he begged me to kill George …….”
Black felt a bit incomprehensible, “Why did you agree to him?”
Maria took a deep breath, “I love him, it hasn’t changed in all these years.
I want him to stay with us and grow up with our two children.
I need a husband and the two children need a father.
For his sake, I was willing to take the risk.
But I didn’t think he would even kill his own children!
Bastard!”
“What was he and George guilty of?”
“I’m not sure exactly what he was doing. But I vaguely heard that they seemed to have killed someone!”
Blackie still couldn’t understand, “Is it worth putting yourself in jail for a murderer?”
“I don’t know, I don’t know …… oooh ……” Maria let out a painful cry.
After leaving the interrogation room, Blackie lamented, “What a silly woman.”
“You’re right, this kind of person doesn’t deserve sympathy.”
Blackie asked rhetorically, “What do we do now?”
“I’ll report the identity of the suspect, Jamie Brady, to the captain and then go home and sleep.” Knowing that the kidnapper was the biological father of the two children, there was no worry that the kidnapper would strike; the other party had brought two dragons with him, instead, he was easy to be discovered by the police.
Luke gave Susan a report on the situation.
Blackie exited the Detective Bureau building first, lit a cigarette, and was wondering whether to take a taxi home, or rub Luke’s car home.
“Hey Marcus!”
A woman’s voice rang out not far away.
“Pari, what are you doing here?”
“I came to pick you up.”
“It’s so late and you’ve been waiting for me?” Kuro was a little touched.
“Not really, I’ve been inquiring about George as well, you should know that this is big news.”
“Why are you reporters so interested in this guy?”
“It’s not us who are interested, it’s the citizens of Los Angeles.”
“I don’t want to talk about this guy, let’s go home, I’m getting sleepy, I want to cuddle you and get a good night’s sleep.”
The two got into Parley Jones’ white Lexus and as Parley drove, she asked, “I saw you today at the hospital where George is being treated, why were you there? Don’t tell me it was a coincidence.”
“We’re investigating a case which happens to be related to George ……,” Black waved his hand, “I’m sorry, I can’t say too much about the details.”
“I understand, I won’t inquire about your case, but I would like to know about George, how is he doing?”
“That can’t be said either.”
“Why? I just want to know how he’s doing, I’m not inquiring about your case.”
“Pari, you’re a reporter …… If I say something I shouldn’t, it won’t do you or me any good.”
Pari pulled over and looked over at Marcus in the passenger side, “In your mind, am I just a reporter?”
“I didn’t mean it like that, I’m just ……” Black seemed at a loss for words.
“Marcus, I hope you can have more trust in me, I’m not just a reporter, I’m also your lover ……”
“You’re right, I was the one who was too nervous.”
Pari didn’t bring it up again and started the car again, not speaking on the way.
The car drove up to Blackie’s front door and Pari stopped the car, “OK, you’re home.”
“Why don’t you drive into the garage?”
“Never mind, you’re not very welcoming, no need to deny it, I can feel it.”
“No, I didn’t mean that.
Pari, I like you and I’d like to invite you to come home with me, it would be an honor.
Pull in, you’re not going anywhere tonight, I’m not letting you go.”
With Blackie’s soft words, Pari parked the car and the two returned home.
At this time, it was already more than three o’clock in the morning, Blackie was already too sleepy to open his eyes, and after a simple wash, he went to bed.
The next morning.
Xiao Hei smelled a fragrance, slowly opened his eyes, glanced at his cell phone, it was already nine in the morning.
Yesterday had been busy until three in the morning, it was normal to sleep in today.
Blackie put on his clothes and saw that Pari was cooking in the kitchen.
“It smells so good, I didn’t realize your cooking skills were so good.”
“You finally gave up getting up, big lazy ass.”
Blackie hugged Pari from the back and wanted to give her a kiss.
However, it was stopped by Pari in time, “No, you go wash up first, I don’t want to smell your breath.”
“Haha ……”
Blackie laughed and ran to the bathroom to wash up.
The two then sat together at the table to eat breakfast.
Blacky held Pari’s hand, “Pari, it’s good to have you.”
“Now you know I’m good, that’s not what you said last night.”
“Pari, you’re still mad about last night.”
“Not mad, just a little upset.”
“You want to know about George that badly?”
Pari took a sip of milk, “No, it’s not George that’s important right now, it’s your attitude?”
“What attitude?”
“Forget it, there’s no point in talking about it, let’s have a quiet breakfast and then go our separate ways to work, OK?”
“Pari, I don’t want you to leave with emotions, I want you to be happy.”
“I wish I could be happy too, but what’s done is done.”
Black sighed, helplessly, “Is it possible that if I tell you about George, you won’t be angry?”
“I told you, it’s not George I care about, it’s your attitude.”
“It’s not that I won’t tell you, but, well, I’m not exactly sure about George.”
“And you told me last night that you were investigating something to do with George, so how could you not know?”
“It’s a little complicated …… I only heard about it from Luke, and he wouldn’t let me tell anyone.”
“What did Luke tell you?” At the mention of Luke, Pari came to her senses, this lieutenant was much more powerful than Blackie.
“Pari, if I tell you, will you promise not to spread the word about this?”
“Sure.”
“You’re sure you won’t tell anyone else, and you won’t report the news about it.”
“Sure.”
Black was silent for a moment and lowered his voice, “George is dead.”
“Dead! Didn’t he say he had been resuscitated? How can he be dead?” Pari showed a surprised look, this was big news.
“I don’t know, Luke just mentioned it and told me not to tell anyone.”
“Is this news accurate?”
“Not accurate, George is in the care of the Western Division and Luke heard about it.
That’s why I didn’t tell you.”
“If George is dead, then why didn’t the LAPD publicize his death?”
“You ask me, who do I ask?” Blackie spread his hands.
Pari frowned slightly, she had some guesses about this, as a reporter, she was very sensitive to the things behind the news, and was able to sense that this George matter was likely to be a bombing thunder.
Once George died because of the police’s violent enforcement, it would definitely become a big incident, and might even become the trigger for some kind of movement.
As the party involved in the accident, the LAPD definitely didn’t want this incident to come to light, and they would most likely hold the attitude that this would be a big deal.
Pari took a deep breath, this was definitely a big hit.
Seeing Pari in a daze, Blackie admonished, “Pari, I’m telling you out of trust, you mustn’t tell anyone else about this matter, otherwise, I won’t likely get into trouble.”
“I know, eat your breakfast, you have to go to work afterward.” Pari handed Blackie a piece of toasted bread.
In a black Mercedes G500.
Luke was sitting in the driver’s seat driving and Blackie was sitting in the passenger seat.
Luke yawned, “Why the listless look? Exercise too late last night?”
“No, I’m still feeling a little guilty.”
“Guilty about what?”
“I feel a little sorry for Pari.”
“Did you tell her that the news was inaccurate?”
“Yes.”
“Did you tell her that the information was not to be spread or you would be in trouble too?”
“Yes.”
“Then there’s no problem, you’re just having a private chat with her and it’s normal for you to use some of the information you’ve inquired about as a topic of conversation.”
“What if Pari broadcasts this out?” Kuro asked rhetorically.
“Then completely part with her, this woman can betray you once, she can betray you twice.”
Blacky nodded, thinking that Luke had a point, however, he thought of something else: “Then if Pari didn’t broadcast this news, and knew afterward that George didn’t die, wouldn’t she notice that I’m cheating on her?”
“What’s wrong with that, you can just blame it on me. You heard it from me anyway.”
“Then will she think you’re setting her up?”
“I just told my partner a message I heard by chance, what does it have to do with her?”
When Xiao Hei heard this, it seemed to make some sense.
Then he wilted again, still feeling a little weak.
Luke said with a straight face, “Marcus, you and Pari are already somewhat utilitarian together, so it’s a good opportunity to test the waters, and if she can stand the test, you can be confident and bold with her in the future.
If she broadcasts this as news, you should also grow a heart.
Trust me, it won’t do you any harm.”
Xiao Hei sighed softly, “Why so cruel?”
“A long pain is better than a short one.” Luke wanted to eliminate this time bomb beside Xiao Hei through this opportunity.
If the other party could withstand the temptation, Luke would also change his opinion of her.
On the contrary, let Blackie recognize it as early as possible so that she won’t fall on her head.
Although he knew that Luke had a point, Xiao Hei still couldn’t get over it in his heart.
Why was his relationship so choppy?
Is it not good to be a steady fuck buddy?
At ten o’clock in the morning, Luke and Blackie arrived at the police station.
As soon as they entered the office, the vice squad yelled, “Guys, you’re just in time to donate money.”
“Donate what money?” Blackie was already in a bad mood, and the mention of money made him even more upset.
Jenny said, “I contacted Quinnel’s real mother, she doesn’t live in Los Angeles, but in another state, and she’s willing to come to Los Angeles to identify the body, and she’s also willing to assist the police in catching his son’s killer.
But she has no money.
I hope we can pay the traveling expenses.”
Luke spread his hands, “What kind of operation is this? This is a police department, not a charity organization.”
Jenny said, “You’re right, everyone understands the reasoning, but Quenelle’s mother doesn’t have any money.”
“So get reimbursement from the captain?”
The lieutenant interrupted, “It’s no use, we have limited funds to spend on that.”
“That’s what the captain said.” Jenny nodded and said to Luke and Blackie, “So it’ll be necessary for everyone to pool their money to buy the airfare.”
Luke asked, “How much?”
“Five hundred dollars, and we’ve already got four hundred dollars, just you two to go.”
It wasn’t a lot of money, but Luke didn’t want to contribute.
The lieutenant was watching the show while holding a comb through his hair, “Luke, you’re the only one with money, don’t dawdle.”
“I’m rich, but I don’t want to be an ingrate.” Luke took out twenty dollars and gave it to Jenny.
Marcus is silly generous, directly pulled out eighty dollars: “I’ll make up the rest, although I don’t have the money …… but I still hope that their mother and son can recognize each other.”
Jenny was a little surprised, “Marcus, you’re the one who donated the most, I’ll call the money to Quinnel’s mother as soon as possible, I believe she’ll come over soon.”
“It’s also possible that she’s taking the money to buy drugs.” Luke warned.
Blacky “……”
The vice squad seemed to have thought of something, “Luke’s words remind me.
Previously, according to our analysis, Quennel originally lived in dire straits, and the reason why he was able to be extravagant before his death was most likely because of his biological mother.
Logically, his real mother should have money, why would she be so embarrassed that she couldn’t even afford the traveling expenses.
Jenny, have you guys asked her?”
“Yes, I asked.” Jenny put the money away and continued, “I inquired if she had been in Los Angeles recently?”
“She admitted to coming to L.A. to meet Quenelle and said that it was Quenelle who mailed her a sum of money before she went, otherwise she couldn’t even afford a plane ticket.
According to her, she never gave money to Quenelle, instead Quenelle gave her a sum of money when they parted.
However, that money was taken by her boyfriend.”
The Vice Squad nodded, “That’s interesting, so where did Quiniel get his windfall?
That money was his catalyst!”
Luke said, “That would be a question for Derek and Jamie Brady.”
CFP-TV.
Pari Jones carried her briefcase through the crowded office lobby to her office cubicle.
She didn’t like this office environment; she’d always wanted an office of her own.
After a brief cleanup, she carried her mug to the pantry, ready to pour a cup of coffee to drink.
Last night, in order to track down and investigate George’s news story, she had tossed and turned until three o’clock in the morning, which was how she managed to get some information out of Marcus.
At this time, the pantry gathered a few colleagues chatting idly, these people are also journalists, however, Pari did not come for a long time, and they are not very familiar with them, and do not want to get together.
However, while pouring coffee, she still heard a few people gossiping.
A white female reporter said, “That group of LAPDs never know what human rights and respect means, they look like they have their nose in the air all day long.”
A black reporter laughed, “My neighbor is a LAPD, and that guy stands at the gate of his yard every morning with a cup of coffee in his hand, observing everyone around him as if to say, hey, you watch out or I’ll put you in jail.
I hated him.”
A male Asian reporter said, “The LAPD did go a little overboard on this one, but I got some information that that George isn’t clean and has quite a rap sheet.”
A black female reporter was disgruntled, “Hey, Kim, you’re wrong in that idea.
Regardless of whether George has a previous record or not, he has been duly sanctioned and everyone should be treated equally. That’s no reason for the LAPD to enforce the law violently.
If George is released from the hospital, I’ll be the first to interview him.
He’s a hero.”
The black male reporter said, “Come on, wait until you get out of the hospital. Whenever I get the chance, I’ll sneak into the hospital and be the first to interview him.
The only way to be a qualified reporter is to get first-hand news.”
The white female reporter agreed, “That’s right, all in all, the LAPD is going to be out of luck this time.”
Pari Jones listened to a few sentences and did not join in the discussion, nor did she stay too long, and then went out of the pantry, only the corners of her mouth showing a touch of disdain: “A bunch of useless guys, actually still scrambling to interview George.
He’s dead.”
Parley Jones suddenly had a sense of superiority.
It looked like everyone hadn’t gotten the news yet and she was the only one who knew about George’s death.
Pari took a deep breath, knowing full well that this was an opportunity, and if she took advantage of it, she could stand out and not have to be crammed into a public office area with these guys.
She would love to be the first reporter to broadcast the news of George’s death.
But then again, she had promised Marcus ……
Pari finished her coffee and her mind was made up, and with a determined look in her eyes, she stood up and walked to the vice president’s office.
In a person’s life, there are only a few chances to change their destiny.
Once you miss it, you won’t have it again.