Chapter 254
The following morning.
Pinkerton Detective Agency.
A black Mercedes parked at the entrance, Luke stepped down from the car and observed the surrounding.
The detective agency has two floors up and down, the left side is a bar, the right side is a video store, this place is not far from the subway entrance, the transportation is convenient, and there is a lot of traffic.
In Luke’s impression, the detective agency is usually opened in the remote place, rarely opened in the busy streets.
Luke entered the detective agency, on the right side of the front desk sat a Mexican female receptionist around thirty years old, stood up and asked, “Sir, do you have an appointment?”
“Yes, I need to see Ms. Dean.”
“Are you Mr. Lee?”
“That’s me.”
“Miss Dean is in her office on the east side of the second floor, I’ll take you up.”
The female receptionist led Luke upstairs and knocked on Orty’s office, “Miss Dean, Mr. Lee is here.”
“Please come in.”
Orty walked to the door to greet her, she was dressed in a light blue dress and white heels, showing off her two slender thighs, “Lieutenant Luke, it’s good to see you again, would you like something to drink?”
Luke surveyed the office and Orty himself, “Got any green tea?”
“No, only coffee and black tea here.”
“Black tea then.”
“I thought you were going to say casual.”
“I’m not a casual person.”
“OK, I’ll make the tea while you sit down for a while.” Orty pointed his right hand toward the couch and made a gesture of invitation.
Luke placed his briefcase on the table, through last night’s research, he had decided that working with the Pinkerton Detective Agency would do him no harm, at least for the time being.
Olty made black tea, twisted her slender waist and came over, handed a cup of black tea to Luke, picked up another cup of black tea herself and took a sip, “This is a friend’s own black tea, how do you taste it?”
Luke took a sip, the tea was cold, a little sweet, a little sour, somewhat similar to iced tea, “You added honey and lemon?”
“And ice so you don’t have to wait for the tea to cool.”
Luke said, “Since you like it fast paced, I’ll get right to the point, I read the contract you gave for hiring a consultant. Most of the terms are satisfactory, except that I think the period of engagement is a bit long.”
“How long do you think is appropriate?”
“The hiring period is six months, and the consultant’s fee remains at two hundred thousand dollars.” To be honest, Luke didn’t have a clue in his heart when he opened this condition.
But the sale of goods and services, naturally, there is a measure to come, even if the other party does not agree, you can still talk about it again.
Orti color did not change too much: “Do you have other requirements?”
“Your detective agency can privately recommend me to customers, but also in the company website or detective agency internal use of my name, but can not be publicized in the public media.”
“There is no problem with that, you are originally targeting high-end clients, and the detective industry does not require extensive advertising.”
“No problem then.”
“You wait a moment, I need to make a call and ask for instructions from the top management of the detective agency.”
After saying that, Orty went out of the office.
Luke wasn’t in a hurry, sitting on the sofa and playing with his cell phone, when he saw that Blackie had sent a text message, “Luke, do you have time today? I’m going car shopping, want to come with me?”
Luke replied, “You should have bought a car a long time ago, but I don’t have time today, I can’t go with you, you’d better talk to Julian.”
“What are you doing?”
“You buy the car first, some other time.” Luke said perfunctorily.
It wasn’t long before Orty opened the door and walked in, “Lieutenant Luke, I’ve kept you waiting.”
“How did the discussion go?”
“I asked the senior head for instructions, and he came up with a compromise, one year of employment for three hundred thousand dollars.”
Luke said, “Six-month engagement, one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.”
“One year engagement, three hundred and twenty thousand dollars.” After Ortie set the price, he was afraid that Luke would not agree and advised, “Our detective is is very sincere and wants to work with you for a long period of time.
What’s the difference between one year and half a year, as long as we work well together, the contract will be renewed.”
In fact, Luke wasn’t really obsessed with the length of the employment period, before, the detective agency’s offer was two hundred thousand dollars for one year’s employment.
His proposal to shorten the hiring period from one year to half a year was tantamount to indirectly raising the price of the consultant fee.
Half a year’s employment fee of two hundred thousand dollars, a year is 400,000 dollars.
The two sides bargained and increased the one-year employment fee of two hundred thousand dollars to three hundred and twenty thousand dollars a year.
This price had exceeded Luke’s expectations.
From this, it could also be seen that those so-called ‘high-end clients’ might not really take money for granted.
Seeing on the face of this great beauty, Orty, Luke ‘reluctantly’ agreed.
Orty went to organize the new contract.
In the afternoon, the formal consultant employment contract was signed in the presence of both lawyers.
After signing the contract, the lawyers of both sides left, leaving only Luke and Orty present.
Orty laughed, “That lawyer Daisy is beautiful, you guys seem to have a good relationship.”
Luke glanced at her, “Are you jealous?”
“Heh.” Ortie laughed softly, her beautiful eyes rolled, “Lieutenant Luke, from now on we will be colleagues, please take care of us in Los Angeles.”
“I will.”
“I hope that in the future there won’t be any more car stops by the police.”
“I can’t guarantee that, you have your own problems.”
With an innocent look on her face, Orty said, “What’s my problem?”
“You’re so pretty, it’s normal for you to get hit on. Cops are normal people too.”
“Thanks for the reassurance, that’s very kind of you.”
“I had a good teacher.”
“He must have a lot of female friends then.”
Luke smiled, “He’s getting married.”
Orty crouched down, opened the safe and pulled a check out of it, “Lieutenant Luke, here’s your consultant fee for the year, three hundred and twenty thousand dollars.”
“Thanks.” It was the first time Luke had gotten a check for such a large amount, and put it in his briefcase sandwiched between a document, “Do you have time tonight? I’ll buy you dinner.”
“Are you asking me on a date?”
“No, simply to show my appreciation.”
“If that’s the case, I’d like to leave this thanks, dinner is not necessary.”
Luke nodded, not meaning to leave, “What happened to Orleans Sith, the thief who burglarized your house the other night?”
“Why do you suddenly remember him?” Orty asked rhetorically.
“If you don’t want me to ask questions, forget it.”
“What’s wrong with him? Is he really one of yours?”
“He’s not one of mine.”
“Then why did you bring him up?”
“I realized during questioning the other day that he’d been lying, that he wasn’t just randomly stealing, that he should know you, and that he might even have someone behind him.”
“Why didn’t you say so earlier?”
Luke spread his hands, “You’re a detective, I thought you’d already seen it.”
Orty was a little embarrassed and inexplicably annoyed, “Thanks, I’ll be careful.”
“I don’t owe you dinner.” Luke got up and left.
Evening, six-thirty.
Levins Buffet.
It was an upscale seafood buffet restaurant located on the top floor of the hotel’s seventh floor with a great view of half of Los Angeles.
The four of them, Luke, Linda, Little Fatty, and Robert, walked into the restaurant.
Luke booked a table for six in advance, but only four people actually arrived, the benefit is that everyone can sit more spaciously.
Little Fatty looked excited, “Even Karma’s, I love this restaurant.
I’ve seen this restaurant on my friend’s Facebook page, and the last time his dad got promoted, this is where the family came to eat.”
Linda said, “You have a great memory, it would be nice to use it a little for studying.”
Robert said, “I’ll keep an eye on things here while you guys get the food.”
Luke said, “Grandpa, what do you want to eat? I’ll get it for you.”
“Let’s start with something to drink, something like beer and champagne.”
“OK.”
Afterwards, Luke’s family of three began to choose their meals.
King crab legs, lobster, wagyu beef, sea urchin, tuna, beef tongue, foie gras ……
Champagne, beer, red wine, white wine, cocktails, all kinds of drinks were available.
The little fat man was quickly attracted by the various cuisines, and in no time at all, he took a large pile of them.
Robert reminded, “Jack, don’t take too much at once, you can eat before you take it.”
Luke was carrying a plate with beer, champagne, wine and cocktails, with Little Fatty, he didn’t even need to take the food, it saved him a lot of work.
Little Fatty looked at the tray, “Can I have a drink?”
“Theoretically, no, but …… you can sneak a drink.” Luke handed him a cocktail.
“Thanks old brother.”
The table was set with an assortment of food thanks to Little Fatty’s efforts.
Little Fatty forked up a piece of wagyu beef and took a bite, “It’s super tender, I like it.”
“Then you should eat more, I think you are the most likely to eat back.” Luke laughed.
The little fatty surveyed the restaurant, “It must be expensive here.”
“Two hundred and fifty dollars a head, you’re half price and there’s a ten percent tip.”
“Wow wow, this is the first time I’ve eaten such an expensive buffet, I remember the most expensive buffet I’ve eaten in the past was 80 dollars a head, or dad took us there.” The little fatty revealed an excited look, the buffet he usually ate was twenty-five dollars a head, which was ten times more expensive.
“You like to eat, I will bring you here again in the future.”
“Older brother, you got rich?”
“Not exactly rich, just got an extra part-time job.”
Linda raised her glass, “Good luck with your new job.”
“Thanks.”
Little Fatty took out his cell phone and took a picture while saying, “I’ll make sure to take a picture of it so those classmates will be envious, and Uncle Val, he’ll regret not coming too.”
Linda asked, “Right, why didn’t Val come?”
“I called him and he said he had to work a late shift and asked me to invite him another time.”
Linda shook her head, “That’s really nice of him to say.”
“I’m going to buy him a burger next time.”
“Good idea, where’s Daisy?”
“She’s working late, busier than I am.”
“I’ll leave them alone then, I’ll take a picture and post it on Facebook too.”
“Mom, are you sure you want to do that?” Little Fatty was a little surprised, not realizing that his mom was also so ‘vain’.
“Of course, my son treats me to a big meal, is there anything more worth showing off than this?
The last time I came to such a high class restaurant …… I can’t remember when it was.”
Robert nodded, “You’re right, I’m going to post a Facebook post too.
I bet none of my old friends have grandkids who would treat them to a $250 buffet.
They’d die of envy.
It’s definitely a day to brag about.”
Listening to his family, Luke had …… mixed feelings.
He felt that the meal was superb.
Using the money earned to improve the lives of his family, wasn’t this the meaning of making money?
This feeling is great.
Robert took a sip of champagne, “Luke, tell us about your new part-time job.”
The little fat man planted another crayfish in his mouth, “I’d like to know too.”
Luke said, “Grandpa, do you know the Pinkerton Detective Agency?”
Before Robert could say anything, Little Fatty grabbed the answer, “I know.” Little Fatty cleared his throat and said gruffly, “We never rest.”
Luke said, “I’m not talking about the game, I’m talking about the real Pinkerton Detective Agency.”
Robert nodded, “I’ve heard of it, this detective agency has been established for more than a hundred years, there are quite a few legends about them, and even the ‘Pinkerton Act’ was introduced to limit their growth.
This detective agency wants to hire you as a part-time detective?”
“To be exact, it’s a consultant, I’ve solved a few cases in Los Angeles, and I’m also considered a little famous, they want to hire me as a consultant for the detective agency, it’s just a titular name, and they’ll give me a consultant fee worth a lot of money every year.
It will also recommend some clients to me, however, I have the right to refuse.”
“Older brother, you’re going to become a detective?”
“No, I don’t plan to take cases for the time being.”
Robert put down his knife and fork: “In my experience, this money is not that easy to get, capitalists all have the same face.
I guess it won’t be long before they approach you to take the case.
You have to be prepared.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Luke responded, not really caring.
In Los Angeles, no one could threaten him.
The following morning.
Luke rested.
He woke up, washed up briefly, poured a pot of tea and drank tea in the courtyard.
He didn’t want to go anywhere today, just stay at home and rest for the day.
The extra detective fee made his life more restful.
Once a person was free from the pressure of survival, they would lower their motivation to work and become lazy.
“Woohoo ……” Just then, a van drove by and stopped not far from Luke’s house, directly in front of Luke’s neighbor on the east side of the house.
The van was followed by a small car, from which came down a white man, of medium build, in his thirties, looking very strong, whom Luke had not seen before.
The Ruidu neighborhood was a Chinese neighborhood, mostly Chinese, with maybe ten percent or so white.
Two men of Mexican descent came down from the van, wearing blue work clothes, looking like porters.
Under the direction of the white man, the two Mexican-American men began to move furniture from the van to the house next door to Luke’s.
New neighbors?
Luke didn’t care too much, finished his tea, and went to breakfast.
With a bowl of soy milk, an egg, a bowl of beef noodles, and a side of small pickles, Luke had a satisfying meal.
By the time he returned home, the truck had already driven away, so he guessed that the stuff was finished moving.
In the morning, Luke didn’t go out again and studied handwriting identification at home.
He purchased a lot of paid study materials online and prepared to learn this skill during the break.
“Dingdong ……” Luke’s doorbell rang.
Luke walked over to open the door and saw the moving white man standing outside with a bag of red wine in his hand.
“Hello, my name is Marshall Smith, I just moved in next door and thought I’d stop by and say hello.”
“I’m Luke Lee, nice to meet you.” The two men shook hands.
Marshall pointed to the house next door, “I just moved here, the house needs to be redecorated, I’m sorry, it might be a bit noisy in the next few days, it will bring you some noise.”
“I can understand.”
Marshall handed Luke the red wine, “Thank you for your understanding, this is a gift for you.”
“Thanks.” Luke took the red wine and invited, “Please come in and sit down, I’ll pour you a cup of tea.”
“No thanks.
The house is a mess right now, and I have to go clean up, so I guess I have a busy day ahead of me.”
“Need any help?”
“Not at the moment.”
Luke walked Marshall to the door, “Do you live with family?”
“No, I’m single.”
Luke looked at the other man’s expression and felt that there were signs of a lie, he continued to ask, “What do you do for a living?”
“I’m a wine merchant, I often need to travel to sell wine, I can’t remember how many places I’ve been.”
Lying.
“Are you from Los Angeles?”
“Yes, I grew up in Los Angeles as a child, then followed my parents to other states, and I’m back here now.
It has a lot of memories for me and it’s a very special place.”
Lie.
Luke tried further, “I feel like you look a little familiar, have we met before? Do you recognize me?”
“No, I haven’t been in LA for a long time, we should be meeting for the first time.”
This sentence was not a lie.
“Welcome to the Ruidu community.” Luke said politely.
“Thanks, see you some other time.” Marshall waved and went back to his house.
A guy who was full of lies, Luke became wary.
However, since the other party didn’t recognize him, he shouldn’t be aiming at him.
Whatever.
There were too many lying people in this world, and as long as there was no threat to him, Luke didn’t bother to look deeper.
Some troubles were self-inflicted, so why bother?
Of course, if the other party threatened himself, that was another matter.
The following morning.
At nine o’clock in the morning, Luke arrived at the Robbery and Murder Division.
The crowd was eating breakfast, and Blackie handed Luke a taco and milk, “Saved for you.”
In the morning, Blackie messages Luke and says to buy him breakfast.
Luke realized when he got to the office that he wasn’t treating himself alone, but had bought breakfast for everyone on the team.
“Your treat?”
“That’s right, I bought a car yesterday, so I’m treating everyone to a little celebration.”
“Didn’t you go buy a car the day before yesterday?”
Black took a sip of his coffee, “A car isn’t a hamburger, how can you buy it right away, I just picked it up yesterday, Julian went with me.”
The lieutenant said, “Congratulations on making up with Julian, I’m honestly surprised to hear that.”
Jenny chimed in, “Yeah, that’s not his style.”
“You two bores are just envious.” Blackie laughed.
Luke took a sip of milk, “What kind of car did you buy?”
Blackie played mysterious, “Guess?”
“Huh.” Luke laughed, on your point of mind, I still can not guess.
“I’ll take you to see, the car is parked below.”
“OK, I want to see it too.”
The two then went down to the Detective Bureau building.
Luke scanned the parking lot and didn’t see the new car suspected to be Blackie’s, “Where’s your car?”
“Over there.” Blackie pressed the car key to unlock it.
“Drip.”
Not far away, a black Toyota Camry lit up its lights.
Luke was a little surprised, “Is this your new car?”
Blackie patted the car and introduced it, “It’s got a nice look, power seats, and a great stereo, and the key thing is that it’s cheap, so Julian and I both like it.”
“I thought you were going to get the Cadillac?”
“The one Cadillac I like is too expensive and requires a loan ……
I’m not alone now.
So, I went with this car, which sells well and performs well.”
Luke patted him on the shoulder, “You’ll be a good father.”