Chapter 279
Blackie and Jackson were just the tip of this operation.
The so-called joint operation wasn’t as simple as it was taken literally.
The participants were also more than just the Robbery and Murder Division and the Anti-Triad and Narcotics Division.
It was just a joint operation initiated with these two divisions, which had a strong call to mobilize the assistance of the division’s patrolmen.
The clues and locations regarding the Hairy Bear Gang’s organization of silver sales were provided by the Blackmail and Narcotics Division, and Luke just had to arrange for his men to go to the various locations to make the arrests.
Blackie and Jackson handed over the two suspects they had arrested to the patrolmen and ran off to the next location to go fishing.
LAPD officers loved to fish, it was addictive and not only did they get credit for it, but it was also a revenue generator.
Over the course of the night, most of the Hairy Bear Gang’s silver selling locations were swept, and a total of sixteen silver selling women and four gang members were captured, with some unable to be apprehended due to lack of evidence.
However, these twenty people were already enough for the Hairy Bear Gang boss to have a headache, the people in here were divided into two parts, one part was the ones with status, who needed a not-so-small amount of bail money.
More troublesome is no identity of the silver seller girl, these are facing repatriation, this is the other hairy bear gang loss is the biggest.
These silver sellers are the money-making tools of the Hairy Bear Gang in Los Angeles, he will certainly find a way to keep these people, as to whether he can keep these people mainly depends on two aspects, the secondary aspect, if his network of relations is hard enough, he can stay in a number of ways.
There are a lot of tawdry operations in the old United States, and there are many ways to resolve things that are against the law in a legal way.
Of course, the main thing is to look at the attitude of the police, if the police are watching closely, like a vicious dog biting the dead, no one will dare to help even if he pays a lot of money.
The next morning.
Luke made a pot of strong tea, while holding a cup of tea, while yawning.
He was busy until late last night, and he really wanted to sleep in if he could.
“Knock knock.” A knock sounded outside.
“Come in.”
David pushed the door open and walked in, holding half of his leftover nibbled burger in his hand.
Luke asked, “What are you doing in my office so early?”
David sat down across the desk, “Probably missed you.”
“Go to hell!” Luke gave a middle finger.
David picked up the teapot, poured himself a cup of tea and took a sip, “You’re a captain now, why are you still as rude as before?”
“You’re not the same cranky maniac when you’re a vice-captain.
If I hadn’t stopped you yesterday, you would have definitely punched someone again.”
“That guy deserves to be punched.
Besides, I’m only a lieutenant, if I get promoted to captain later, I’ll change.”
Luke laughed, I’ll believe the hell out of you.
“Let’s keep this bullshit to the bar, what the hell did you want to see me about?”
“Couldn’t find you if there was nothing to do.”
“David, you can’t fool me.
From the moment you walked into the office, every move you made, I could tell something was up.”
“OK, you’re Sleuth Luke, who could fool you?”
“No, you’re my partner, I know you too well.
Cut the crap, what’s going on?” Luke yawned, “There’s time, I have to squint.”
David gave an envious look, “Why are you saying this in front of a lieutenant, you asshole?”
“Do a good job, you’ll get your own office too.”
“You’re killing the conversation.” David finished the rest of his burger in one bite and drank a cup of tea to smooth it out.
“The boss of the Woolly Bear Gang is here, and after we had some friendly talks, he agreed to let Petrov cooperate with the investigation, but Petrov will recuse himself from some of the things that involve the Woolly Bear Gang, and I hope that you won’t hold on to them.”
Luke smiled, picked up the teapot and filled it for David, “How did you guys persuade him.”
David said, “He took the initiative to go to the Department of Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Narcotics and asked what we wanted.
In Jones’ words, the Woolly Bear Gang had recently gone overboard, violating California law, disrupting the normal order of Los Angeles, affecting the normal life of the citizens, and disrespecting the LAPD.
In order to protect the interests of taxpayers, the police are going to impose sanctions on the Hairy Bear Gang according to the law until the Hairy Bear Gang faces up to what they’ve done.”
Luke was curious, “What did the Woolly Bear Gang boss say?”
“He still said the same thing, what do you guys want?”
“Jones then talked about Petrov’s case and asked Petrov to assist in the Robbery Murder Division investigation.
The Woolly Bear Gang boss was a little reluctant at first.
Jones warned him that if he didn’t cooperate with the Robbery-Murder Division investigation, the Robbery-Murder Division wouldn’t be able to solve the case and would come after the Hairy Bear Gang.
There was a possibility that a bigger operation would be launched against the Woolly Bears.
The Woolly Bear gang leader compromised.
In his words, they came to California to make money, not to fight, and do not want to go against the LAPD.
As long as the Heist and Murder Division didn’t fuck with their gang, he could get Petrov to say something about the suspects.
And the matter is settled.”
“Very well, let’s clink tea instead of wine.”
David took a drink and smacked his lips, “Tea is tea, it doesn’t replace alcohol.”
“I know, will buy you a drink.” Luke finished and asked rhetorically, “Say, you’re a rich bachelor now, so do you need to dabble in booze every day?”
“Not every cop is as rich as you.
In fact, I’m quite envious that you’re half Chinese, it seems like all Chinese are quite good at making money. At least, all the Chinese I know are richer than me, and it’s rumored that that Klin guy has already secretly opened two Chinese restaurants, which is more than what he earns as a cop.”
Luke seemed to guess what was going on, “You’re paying alimony?”
“Sure. Lindsay has started rehab, but jobs aren’t exactly easy to come by, and this alimony is enough to keep her on track.”
“Is it stressful?”
“It’s okay, Lindsay and I are divorced, but we’re still friends and still care about her.
I’m willing to put up some of the money to help her.
She also needs to be supported right now so she can really get out.
And I’m the only one who can help her.”
“Remember to let me know if you need money.”
“You’ve got another avenue to get rich lately?”
“That’s right, I’ll tell you some other time when there’s a suitable opportunity.”
“I’ll buy you a drink then.” David got up and left the office.
Norwich Hospital.
Ward 704.
Petrov was lying in the ward, his hands and feet bandaged, obviously with a piece less than normal.
After the man was brought to the hospital, the doctors tried to attach his thumbs, but because of the time it took, the best time for surgery had been lost.
For a gang member, the lack of four thumbs, he is basically equivalent to half of the invalid, can not run fast, can not jump high, no strength in the fight, the gun can not hold steady, how to fight with others.
If he was allowed to represent the gang, he would be laughed to death.
“Knock knock.” A knock sounded outside.
Petrov didn’t respond, still lying there in a daze, seemingly having lost interest in the outside world.
“Cluck ……” The door opened.
Luke and Black walked into the hospital room.
“Hey boy, how are you?” Blacky greeted as if he knew himself.
Petrov glanced at the two and remained silent.
Blacky walked over to the bed and sat down smoothly.
“Ah..! Move your ass and sit on my feet!” Petrov sat up with an ‘ow’ and yelled in pain
“SORRY, I didn’t mean to.” There was no sincerity on Black’s face.
“You’re the real asshole.” Petrov shivered in anger.
“Woah wow, it’s weirdly embarrassing to compliment me right off the bat. Can I sit on the right side of the bed?”
Petrov hurriedly retracted his right foot, “No, don’t sit on my bed.”
Black shrugged, “You’re so unfriendly, we just want to have a nice chat with you.”
“I don’t want to talk to you guys.”
“OK, then let’s go.” Luke turned and made to walk away.
“Hey, stop.” Petrov shouted, somewhat helplessly, “What do you guys want?”
Luke asked back, “Aren’t you the one who told us to leave?
We happen to have something going on as well, and there’s no chance we’ll have to catch up on some action tonight.”
“Damn it, I’ve had enough bad luck, don’t threaten me again.” Petrov was a bit frantic.
“No one’s threatening you, you’re the one who hasn’t set yourself straight.
You’re already a loser, the Woolly Bear Gang doesn’t need you anymore. The only way out for you is to cooperate with the police.
I’m doing you a favor by talking to you, if I don’t say anything now and turn around and walk out.
There’s no need for me to say what the Hairy Bear Gang bosses will do to you.”
“FUCK, how was I so unlucky to meet this bereaved star of Novena Jones, if it wasn’t for this stinking woman causing trouble, I wouldn’t be in this situation now.”
Seeing that the other party took the initiative to mention the female victim, Luke smoothly asked, “OK, then let’s talk about Novena Jones, what is your relationship with her?”
“Before I say anything, I want the immunity agreement.”
“You first, if the problem is not serious and it’s just a hookup related to selling silver, we can not charge you.”
“Uh …… Novena Jones is a silver seller under me, she’s young, pretty, innocent, and very popular, a lot of customers like her type, but of course there are some more irascible customers who might get physical.
Novena Jones was beaten more than once, but that was all, I didn’t think she would be killed.
I don’t know who did it either.”
Luke asked, “When did you know she was dead?”
“Our last contact was the night of September 15th, and normally we would have met early in the morning of September 16th and she would have given me the money.
But she didn’t show up the next day and I couldn’t reach her.
At first, I thought she had gone into hiding, but when I didn’t hear from her until the afternoon, I was worried that she might have run away, so I went to check out where she lived.
Then, I met him …… “Petrov pointed at Blackie, wanting to speak.
“I was chased all the way by them before I jumped out of the car and escaped ……
I was about to go out and hide, and I had just packed my things when I heard a commotion in the house, and I went over to check it out with my gun, and then I was attacked by a masked black man, the same pervert who tortured me.”
Petrov showed an angry look, “The pervert thought I had killed Novena Jones and then started torturing me, asking me about Novena Jones.
He was ruthless in his methods, and I didn’t carry it off, so I told him.
But he still wouldn’t leave me alone and wasted me.”
Luke knew that he was hiding something about the Woolly Bear Gang, but according to the previous agreement, Luke didn’t pursue it, “Did he have a gun?”
“I didn’t see one.”
“Then how did he attack you?”
“I was in my bedroom packing, and when I heard the commotion outside I realized the living room lights were out and the light was a little dim ……
I searched the house with my gun and as I was walking near the couch he suddenly appeared from behind it and knocked me out.
He was quick and well trained.”
“Describe his features?”
“Wearing a black mask, black man, about 185cm tall, very strong, wearing all black clothes, I can’t remember the rest.”
“What was the purpose of his attack on you?”
“He was investigating the murderer of Novena Jones.”
“What clues did you tell him?”
“He asked me who might have killed Novena Jones, and I said I didn’t know.
He seemed to know that Novena Jones had been beaten by clients and asked me the identity of those clients, and I …… told him.”
“Who were they?”
“Eddie Ross. This is a rich, perverted guy who beat up Norvina Jones badly because she wouldn’t cooperate.
He paid out a ton of money afterward.
He liked Novena Jones a lot and wanted her again.”
“Were there others?”
“Sayid McCann. He’s a black man, probably around forty, very fond of white women, a kind of morbid fascination.”
Luke made a mental note of the man’s name, “What about his contact information?”
Petrov thought for a moment, “I don’t have his cell phone number, but he likes to bring girls home, once he brought Novena Jones home and beat her up pretty bad.
I’ve been to his house and fixed him up.”
“Did he ask for anything else?”
Petrov hesitated, “Yes, and asked quite a bit about the gang.”
Luke wasn’t very interested in the Woolly Bear Gang, and in his speculation the reason the black man in the mask was asking a lot of questions was probably for the purpose of hiding the real purpose.
And Petrov took the gang very seriously, instead he might have overlooked the masked man’s real motives.
Half an hour later.
327 Girsh Street.
Two cars stopped near a two-story villa.
Luke, Blackie, Jackson, and Jenny stepped out of the car one after another.
Luke instructed, “Jenny, Jackson, you guys stand guard outside the house while Marcus and I go over to inquire.”
Jackson asked, “Captain, do you think the masked suspect will come looking for Sayid McCann?”
“It’s possible, it’s best we don’t make a big deal out of it, if he realizes the police are setting up an ambush, he’ll probably be afraid to come.” There was another possibility Luke hadn’t mentioned, and that was that the masked suspect might have already been here, and then this investigation would probably turn into a body collection.
“Knock knock.”
Black went to the door and knocked.
No one responded.
Luke pressed himself against the wall, could faintly hear a musical sound, and signaled for Blackie to knock again.
“Knock knock.”
“Who’s out there?” A man’s voice rang through the house.
“Cackle ……” The door opened.
A black man wearing a bathrobe and smoking a cigarette stood in the doorway and exhaled a smoke ring, “Who are you? Why are you knocking on my door.”
Blackie flashed his badge, “LAPD.”
“Whoa …… I rarely deal with LAPD, what’s your business? What boring neighbor complained about the noise again?” The black man turned his head and yelled in the direction of the living room, “Hey baby, turn the music down.
SORRY, I just met a chick who likes this heavy metal music.”
The man gave a lewd smile and shook his body, “It’s a white chick, superb, hey ……”
Blacky “……”
Luke said, “Look, we’re not interested in your chick, we’re here to investigate a case, can you let us in to talk.”
“No, can’t let you guys in, she’s not wearing any clothes ……”
Luke didn’t want to bullshit him and got right to the point, “Sayid McCann, we’re investigating a criminal case and would like to ask for your assistance in the investigation.”
“What does that mean? Why would I have anything to do with a criminal case?”
“You know Novena Jones Code?”
Sayid McCann hesitated, “No, don’t know her.”
Luke could see the other man was showing signs of lying, “Hey, you don’t seem to realize the importance of this. I’ll give you another chance, recognize Novena Jones?”
“Uh ……” Sayid McCann sighed softly, “Yes, I know her.”
“What’s your relationship?”
“Not much of a relationship, just met a couple times to talk and exchange ideas.” Sayid McCann had a you-know-what look on his face.
“Did you see Novena Jones on the night of September 15th?”
“No.” Sayid McCann asked back, “What happened to her.”
“She died.”
“Even buy the Karma, that’s too bad, she was so beautiful, I’ve always wanted to have a good conversation with her again ……
Looks like there’s no chance now.
But what do you guys want with me?” Sayid McCann seemed to think of something, “Jesus Christ, you guys don’t think I killed her.
I swear to God, I didn’t kill her, absolutely not.”
Luke kept his eyes on the other man and realized that his expression didn’t look like a lie and he could rule out the other man as the murderer for now.
“If there’s nothing else, can I go back?”
“Sayid McCann, the situation is more complicated than you think.
Someone may be on to you.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“We’ve gotten word that someone is also secretly investigating the death of Novena Jones, and you’re a target for him as well, and he won’t be as polite as we are if he catches you.”
“What is he and what will happen?”
“Probably a friend of Novena Jones, trying to avenge her.
The last john who was hit and found is still in the hospital.”
“Even buy the Karma, that’s terrible, what am I going to do?”
“We police will protect you, but we need your cooperation.”
“Are you guys telling the truth?”
“Of course.”
Sayid McCann gave a panicked look, “What do I need to do?”
“Considering your safety, we would like you to go to the police station for protection, we will temporarily commandeer your house and set up an ambush to capture the other side.
To keep you safe.”
Sayid McCann slapped his forehead and thought, “Is there no other way? I don’t want to go to the police station.”
“You can stay in the house if you want, but sign an agreement that if something happens in the meantime, it has nothing to do with the police.”
“No No, I’m not signing any agreement, I’ll take your advice and I’ll go with you to the police station.” Sayid McCann sighed softly and gestured to his bathrobe.
“Can you give me a few minutes? I’m going to go change and tell my girlfriend about this on the way.”
Luke stared at the other man, thoughtful, “What’s your girlfriend’s name?”
“Sabana Fisher.
Is she going to the police station too?”
Without answering, Luke continued, “What’s your name?”
“Sayid McCann. Is there a problem?
If there’s nothing else, I’m going to change.” With that, the black man prepared to close the door.
“Bang!”
Luke blocked the door to the room, “Considering your safety, I’m going in with you.”
“Come on, you’re not kidding, my girlfriend is in the living room with no clothes on.” The black man squeezed his eyes and smiled cheaply.
“Not that I really care, but she’ll complain about you.”
“I’m sure she’ll understand, so let’s get in there together.” Luke held his right hand down on his gun.
It was too late, the black man made a move without warning and swung his right hand as fast as a shooting star.
Luke, worried that his opponent had a knife, sidestepped to avoid it.
The black man blundered and closed the door of the room.
“Bang!”
Luke pulled out his pistol and kicked the door of the room.
“LAPD!”