Chapter 425
With questions in mind, Luke rushed to Yue Lai Yue Hao Restaurant.
Just as he walked to the door, a voice rang in Luke’s head, [The Strange Encounter Card is activated and has been used].
Hearing this voice, Luke was basically able to determine that this restaurant was somehow related to the case.
Louise, who was traveling with him, asked, “Counselor Lee, why did you suddenly come to this restaurant?”
Luke said, “The food placed on the table was most likely eaten by the deceased before he was born, and there are no Cantonese restaurants around the deceased’s house.
Most Cantonese restaurants in New York City are concentrated in Chinatown.
I have Chinese blood and am familiar with Chinese restaurants, just follow me.”
Louise nodded, the last time Luke found the murderer with just a set of shoe prints, it made her admire Luke a lot and expect a little more from Luke’s ability.
Hopefully, this time Luke would bring the same surprise.
The two entered the restaurant one after the other, Luke sat down on his familiar seat, the waiter came over with the menu, “Ma’am, sir, what would you like to eat?”
Luke took the menu and asked, “Can you order takeout here?”
“No, we don’t have takeout available at our store, but you can pack it.”
“Why don’t you have takeout on?”
“I’m not sure, it’s the boss’s decision.”
“Can you call your boss here?”
The waitress, who knew Luke and knew that he had come to eat at the restaurant twice, nodded and went to the payment counter to find the boss’s wife.
After a while, the boss’s wife came over, she was wearing a long black dress, her figure was plump, and her body carried a fragrance, “Sir, what do you want to see me about?”
“The food in your store is delicious.
But I can’t find it in the takeaway app.”
The boss’s wife said, “Our restaurant doesn’t have a takeaway service.”
“Why? I’m sure there are many people like me who want to order takeout from your restaurant.”
“Thank you for your recognition.
It’s not that our restaurant doesn’t order takeout, it’s not that we don’t want to serve everyone, it’s just that we’re simply too busy when it comes to the holidays.
For another thing, our restaurant is very strict about our dishes, and in the case of hot dishes, they’re best when they’re fresh out of the pot.
The takeout delivery process affects the taste of the dish and reduces the guest’s impression of the restaurant.
Many customers eat well in the store, and when they order takeout, they are not satisfied with the food instead, and they feel that the dishes we make for takeout are not made with good ingredients.
I don’t know what other restaurants do, but our restaurant is all the same ingredients, just because in the transportation process will reduce the taste of the dishes.
So, we eliminated takeout.”
The owner’s wife added, “Of course, if a guest has a good meal and wants to pack it when they leave, we won’t limit it.
What would you like to eat today? I’ll take your order.”
Luke scanned the menu, “Roasted squab, steamed grouper, white cut chicken, white burnt choy sum, and boiled rice.”
“What would you like to drink?”
“Not for now, let’s order these first.”
“Okay.” The boss’s wife stepped lightly and left.
Louise asked, “Do you know her?”
“I’ve been to this restaurant before.”
Lois pressed, “Do you think the deceased came to this restaurant to pack up her food and take it home to eat?”
Luke was a little surprised, “You know Chinese?”
Lois gestured with her right hand, “A little.”
“You’ll see in a moment.” After Luke finished speaking, he felt that there was something wrong again, since this restaurant could not order takeout, it meant that the deceased had most likely come to the store, so why didn’t he eat at the store, but pack and take it away?
“Louise, have someone check the background of this restaurant.”
“You suspect something is wrong with this restaurant?”
“It’s too early to tell.” Luke couldn’t be sure if the dead man had visited the restaurant by chance or if he had some other purpose.
“OK,” Lois responded and went out to make a phone call.
A few minutes later, Lois returned to the restaurant again and gave Luke the OK sign.
And the first course was already on the table, roast squab.
Lois frowned slightly, “Ooooh, it smells so good.
But I’m not sure I want to eat this cute little thing.”
Luke laughed, “Got a shadow and can’t eat it?”
“No, I’m just not used to eating such a cute animal.
The last time I saw it was in the square, it symbolizes peace, and I don’t think it deserves to be on the table.” Lois shook her head and pushed the roast squab to Luke’s side.
It didn’t take long for the second course to come up, white seared choy sum.
Third course, steamed grouper.
Fourth course, white cut chicken.
Lastly, boiled rice.
After several dishes were served in full, Lois recalled the leftovers from the table at the crime scene, “These dishes you ordered were consumed by the deceased during his lifetime.”
“Yes.” Luke ate a piece of white cut chicken, it was tender and quite tasty, the only thing that made Luke a little uncomfortable was the blood on the bones.
Lois asked, “Do other restaurants have these dishes? Or is this the only restaurant that does.”
“I’m sure other Cantonese restaurants have these dishes, but I’m not sure if they’re this complete.” Luke urged, “Eat quickly and pack the rest.”
Lois understood what Luke meant and followed suit.
When the meal was almost finished, Luke waved his hand, “Waitress, pack this side.”
Soon, a waitress came over with a lunch box and asked, “Sir, which dish needs to be packed?”
“I’ll do it.” Luke took the packing box from her, held it in his hand and observed it before handing it to Louise on the side, “Invite your boss over.”
The waitress was a little embarrassed as to how to call the boss again, “Sir, is there a problem?”
Luke laughed, “Nothing to do with you, just something to talk to your boss.”
The waiter left.
Luke looked at Louise, “Well?”
Louise had a touch of delight on her face, “The dishes and packing boxes are consistent with what was found at the crime scene, the deceased most likely came to this restaurant.”
“Sir, what else is it that you’re looking for me for?” The boss’s wife walked over, her face also carrying a trace of doubt.
Louise took out a picture of Zhou Tiancheng and asked, “Do you recognize him?”
The boss’s wife froze for a moment, picked up the photo and looked at it, nodding her head, “I recognize him.
A few days ago, he came to us for dinner.”
“What dishes did he order?”
“I can’t remember.”
“Did he eat here, or was it packed?”
“Seems like it was packed.” The owner’s wife finished and looked at the two men somewhat warily, her eyes landing on Luke, “Are you here for someone again?
Why do you always come to my restaurant looking for people?”
Luke didn’t answer, his words changed, “When did he come?”
“I can’t remember, maybe January 24th or 25th.”
“Who did he come with?”
“I think it was a man.”
“What was his condition at the time?”
The owner’s wife shook her head, “I see far too many customers every day to pay attention to every customer’s emotions.
Besides, I respect you and the other guests.
I’ve said enough, and I hope you understand.”
Lois pulled her ID out of her pocket, “Fobler.
Ma’am, we’re investigating a homicide, and it’s our understanding that the victim was supposed to have visited your restaurant before he died.
We need to find out what happened to him.”
“Homicide!” The owner’s wife blushed slightly, “How could this happen?”
Lois said, “It’s not a good thing, but it did happen and that’s why we’re here.”
The boss’s wife was helpless, “But that’s really all I know.
He just packed meals at the store.”
Lois looked at the top corner of the restaurant, “We’d like to check the surveillance.”
The owner’s wife asked rhetorically, “Do you have a warrant?”
Lois shrugged, “We don’t have one right now.
But if you need one, we’ll apply for one, but that might be bad for your business.”
The boss’s wife scowled, “Are you threatening me? Think I don’t know the law?”
“No, I’m just being honest.
If we come with a search warrant, the search will definitely be more careful and the commotion will be bigger.
It might interfere with the customers’ meals when the time comes.” Louise let her tone be as cordial as possible, “I hope you don’t misunderstand, this is just a kind reminder from me.”
The boss’s wife thought about it and nodded, “OK, as long as you don’t affect the business of the store, you can check the surveillance, but you are not allowed to take it away.”
“Thanks.”
The boss’s wife teased, “I hope you guys are as dedicated as you were today when I called 911.”
Luke cautioned, “Hey, don’t say things like that.
As dedicated as we are, I hope you never have to use us.”
“You’re right, I take that back.” The owner’s wife gave a bitter smile and led the two of them over to the cash register, “The surveillance is right here, see for yourselves.”
Lois began to operate the computer and clicked on the surveillance video replay.
Luke also stood around to check it out.
Lois clicked on the video from January 24th, an Asian man walked into the restaurant at around eight o’clock in the evening on January 24th, the man was dressed in a casual gray outfit and wore a baseball cap, he took it off only when he entered the store.
“It’s Zhou Tiancheng.” Louise’s tone was a little excited.
Zhou Tiancheng found a table and sat down, the waitress on the side came over and handed over the menu, Zhou Tiancheng said a few words to the waitress and twisted his head to look at the female boss at the cash register.
The waitress walked over to the cashier and said a few words to the boss.
Not long after, the female boss walked over to Zhou Tiancheng, and the two of them briefly exchanged a few sentences before the boss lady once again returned to the cash register.
After that, Zhou Tiancheng left the restaurant with the packed food.
Louise pressed the space bar and the video paused, “What did the two of them say? Why do I feel that the boss’s wife’s demeanor was a bit abnormal after meeting Zhou Tiancheng.”
Luke patted her shoulder, “Let me do it.”
Louise stepped aside and Luke sat down to operate the computer, finding other surveillance at the same time, watching it from different angles and finding the camera that could observe the two’s facial expressions.
After some manipulation, Luke used his lips to analyze the conversation between the two.
Female Boss: “Why are you here?”
Zhou Tiancheng laughed: “Don’t be so cold, one night husband and wife, I’ve been thinking about you.
You are even prettier than what I remember.”
“The person you remembered is dead, my surname is Lin now, don’t bother my life anymore.”
“Where’s Zhou Ning, I want to meet her.”
“Our lives are so peaceful, I won’t let you meet.”
“When did you become so cold?”
“It’s all thanks to you.” The lady boss finished and turned to leave.
Seeing that Luke kept replaying the video of his face, Lois guessed, “You know lips?”
Luke nodded, “The two of them know each other, most likely as a couple or husband and wife.”
Lois recalled, “As I recall, Zhou Tiancheng did get married once, but divorced a few years ago.
His ex-wife’s identity has been very low profile, and the Malay police haven’t been able to find out too many clues, they only know that his ex-wife’s name is Chen Yue, who is also Malay, and they can’t be sure of his current whereabouts.”
Luke had also read Zhou Tiancheng’s ex-wife’s information, and had seen a photo of her when she was young, but the photo was taken very blurry, and there was a big difference between her appearance and that of the current lady boss, and she had most likely had plastic surgery.
Luke and Louise left the cash register and walked over to the lady boss.
The lady boss craned her head to look at the two, “Did you guys watch the surveillance?”
Luke asked, “Ma’am, what is your name?”
“Lin Xi.”
“Did you know Zhou Tiancheng before?”
“No.”
“Has he been to the restaurant before?”
“No.”
Luke reminded, “Ms. Lin, I hope you can think before you speak, and don’t try to deceive Agent Fobler.”
The female owner’s expression changed slightly, and she asked back, “What is your name, sir?”
“My surname is Li, I’m Fobolle’s criminal investigation consultant, you can just call me Consultant Li.”
The female boss was silent for a moment, “Counselor Lee, can I talk to you alone?”
Luke said, “It’s better to have other agents present in this situation now.
Also, don’t hold your breath anymore, since you’re being targeted by Foppel, even if you don’t say anything, we’ll still be able to find out who you are.”
“OK, follow me.” The boss’s wife brought the two of them to the private room on the inside and sighed, “It’s been so many years and that bastard is still tossing me around.”
Lois asked, “What’s your name, ma’am? I said my real name.”
The lady boss glanced at Louise, “Chen Yue.”
“You’re a Malay?”
“Yes.”
“What is your relationship with Zhou Tiancheng?”
“He …… is my ex-husband.”
“Why did you two divorce?”
“After we got married, his business got bigger and bigger and he came home less and less.
He had a lot of women around him and every time he came home he smelled of a different perfume.
I had enough and left him.
He didn’t need me anymore.
Instead of hurting each other, it’s better for each of us to be at peace.”
“Have you two been in touch?”
“No, we haven’t been in touch for a long time, and it’s the first time we’ve seen each other in years.
When I first met him, I was a little surprised too, I thought I was mistaken.”
“Have you met at any other time or place?”
“No.”
“Then why did he come to you?”
“I don’t know.”
“Is there a child between you and him?”
Chen Yue bit her lip, “Yes, we have a daughter.
Please don’t tell anyone, I don’t want to be associated with him now.
Nor do I want my daughter to have a relationship with him.
He doesn’t deserve it.”
“Why did he go back to New York?”
“I don’t know and I don’t care.”
Luke said, “He’s wanted by the Malay police.”
Chen Yue smiled, “Why I’m not surprised.
Am I wanted by the Malay police?”
“No.”
“Then it has nothing to do with me.”
“It’s not as simple as you think, a lot of people are looking for him right now, you might be implicated too.”
“When did the state of New York change the law to already have guilt by association, how could I not know.
Besides, we’ve been divorced for years.
There’s no difference between us and strangers now.”
“New York State doesn’t have a law on guilt by association, but gangsters don’t have that much regard.
You should know Zhou Tiancheng’s fortune better than we do.
He is a piece of fat meat now, and many gangs are looking for him.
If they can’t find him, they might target you mother and daughter.
You should know the consequences.”
Chen Yue’s face was gloomy, her nose slightly flared, “I’ve already run to New York, which is more than 10,000 kilometers away, why does he still refuse to let me go.
I have completely separated from him.
There is no relationship whatsoever.”
Luke reminded, “We believe that, but the gang won’t.”
Chen Yue looked at Luke with a pleading gaze, “What should I do?
What can I do to not be implicated by him, I want to protect my daughter.”
“It’s simple, assist the police to find him.
Better yet, live in another city.”
“Jesus Christ, we’ve had a hard time settling down and now we have to leave because he’s coming.
What about my restaurant? What about my daughter’s school and life?
Our lives are all ruined by him.”
Luke said thoughtfully, “How did Tennyson Chow manage to find you? Did he have your address all along?”
“I came to the United States with a different identity, and I couldn’t have done it at all without him arranging …… it.
As long as he wants to find us is not difficult.
It’s been four or five years since we came to New York and he hasn’t come once, I thought he’d forgotten about us.
I thought I could live again.
Only in the end did I realize it was a dream ……”
Luke asked, “Can you contact him?”
Chen Yue skimmed Luke, “I don’t know.”
“Help us contact him, the best way to try to solve this is to find him.”
Chen Yue took a deep breath, “I have a request or demand.”
“You say.”
“You must guarantee my daughter’s safety.
Don’t let that asshole’s rotten business affect her.”
“Then you guys might have to leave Chinatown for a while.”
Chen Yue gritted her teeth and said, “We’re going to get new identities, flawless ones, and I want to be completely separated from him this time.
Don’t let his shit affect me anymore.”
Luke nodded, “Where is your daughter?”
“Still at school.”
“You make the arrangements for the restaurant and we’ll take you to pick her up.”
“There’s nothing to arrange, nothing is more important than my daughter.
Let’s go.”
Chen Yue put on her jacket and without even explaining to the clerk, led Luke and the two of them out of the restaurant in a hurry, she looked more anxious than anyone else right now.
At this time, it was already more than two o’clock in the afternoon, Chinatown was still full of people and tourists.
Suddenly, a man wearing a gray cap in the crowd caught Luke’s attention.
The man had his right hand in his pocket, medium build, plain clothes, looked a bit inconspicuous, but there was a touch of grimness and sharpness in his gaze.
He suddenly had a bad premonition.
In the next moment, the man wearing a gray duck-tongued cap pulled out a black pistol from his pocket and shot forward.
“Bang ……”
Luke hurriedly pushed Chen Yue away, pulled out his pistol, and out of instinct shouted.
“LAPD!”
This was a kind of stress reaction to encountering danger, not so easy to change.