Chapter 76
Early the next morning.
At first light, David led a search of the estate, but did not discover the whereabouts of the oil painting.
In the afternoon, the two suspects were escorted back to the LAPD.
Luke had just entered the office when Marcus shouted in an exaggerated tone, “Hey guys, look who’s back!”
This was followed by an outstretched right fist and a fist bump with Luke.
The lieutenant praised, “I heard you arrested two suspects by yourself, very much like I did back in the day, GOOD.”
“MAYBE, but, you were definitely not as good looking as me when you were younger, and by the way ‘Kuta’ tastes good.” Luke laughed, the old man was shameless.
Susan came out of her office, “Luke, David, welcome back safely, well done.”
Ramon, Jenny, and Matthew also came forward to say hello.
Luke talked about the capture of the suspect, never be modest when it’s time for self-praise in America.
The crowd was chatting away when the office door opened.
Chief Reed walked in with a serious look on his face and said, “What are you guys doing? I heard the noise from a long distance away. The police department pays your salaries, not for you to chat during work hours.”
Susan stepped forward to explain, “Chief, it’s not what you think, Luke and Big ……”
“STOP! Don’t make excuses for your mistakes, I don’t care why.” Reed’s reprimand brought the atmosphere in the room down to freezing point.
“Pfft ……”
Reed laughed, “Haha, you guys were fooled. Honestly, wasn’t my acting great.
I know Luke and David just returned from escorting the suspects, and I’m here to see them.”
After saying that, Reed stretched out his right hand and made a fist bumping motion to Luke, “I’ve always thought highly of you, good job.
Let’s have a drink together sometime.”
Luke was a bit surprised and extended his right fist to clink with his opponent, “On call.”
Marcus’ eyes widened as if he had seen the unthinkable.
Somewhat lost.
Why can’t I?
Luke then went on to recount the experience in Haymarket and Cindy’s confession of guilt.
After listening to it, Chief Reed lamented, “After twenty years, this case has finally been cleared up.
When we investigated this case back then, we thought for a while that it was a robbery and murder, but we didn’t realize that it actually started from an accident.
Tony is dead and Cindy has confessed, so after all these years it’s finally time to close the case.”
Susan said, “Lawn is still missing, along with the little girl he took. If she were alive now, she would be 23 years old. Similar in age to Rawn’s oldest daughter Sophia.”
Jenny said, “If we can find this little girl, the case will be complete.”
Susan smoothly said, “Jenny, I’ll leave this task to you.”
Jenny responded, “No problem, it makes sense.”
The vice squad continued where they left off, “According to Cindy, she and Tony are guilty of manslaughter. Cole and Lawn, on the contrary, are not guilty of anything more than unlawful taking of another person’s property.
Cole ran away because he killed Tony, and why did Lawn run away?”
Luke said, “According to Cindy the four split the property, Cole got $200,000, she and Tony got $120,000 and some jewelry, and Lawn got $110,000 and the oil painting.
The oil painting was probably in Lawn’s possession and may have been one of the reasons for his escape.
Also when Cindy and Tony separated she took the portion of the dollars that belonged to them and left most of the jewelry with Tony.”
The lieutenant spread his hands, “Tony is dead.
But Cole Davis is still alive, he was the first to find Tony Weir and may know some clues that the police are not aware of.”
Chief Reed nodded, “That’s right, interrogate Cole Davis now before it’s too late.”
Downtown Los Angeles Hospital.
Cole Davis had suffered a gunshot wound, the bullet had been removed but he still needed to recuperate in the ward.
The ward was guarded by officers outside.
After checking their identities, Luke and Marcus entered the ward.
“Hey Cole, how’s the wound?”
Cole glared at Luke and said dismissively, “Your shooting sucks.”
Luke sized him up and laughed, “You’re right, next time I’ll aim for your ass.”
“Haha ……,” Marcus snickered from the sidelines.
“Can you leave me alone for a minute? I don’t want to see you guys right now.”
Luke sat down next to the hospital bed and squared his shoulders, “You have two choices right now, the first is to give your statement here.
The second is that I discharge you now and take you back to the station to give your statement.”
Cole was well aware that this was his last moment of comfort, “What do you want to know?”
Luke took out his notebook, “Recount the crime of the ‘disappearance at Telson Manor’.”
Cole sighed softly and spoke slowly.
He and Cindy described roughly the same situation.
After listening, Luke asked, “Where is Mrs. Anna’s youngest daughter?”
“I don’t know, I just left after I split the money, I didn’t kill the people, and I don’t want to be involved in their shit.”
“And who did the oil painting get distributed to?”
Cole sighed, “There were two deaths all at once, I didn’t kill the people, but I had to split the dead man’s money, and I was in a great panic.
I took the money and was the first to run away, not witnessing them dividing the rest of their belongings.”
Luke changed the subject to another case, “Why did you kidnap Tony and Lawn?”
“I was the most innocent in that year’s case, but it was the police who suspected me, while the three of them were living a life of impunity, and I didn’t know the value of that painting until after the fact, and I heard that the jewelry was also worth a lot of money, on the contrary, it was my two hundred thousand dollars that had the lowest value.
The more I thought about it, the angrier I got, so I kept inquiring about the whereabouts of the oil painting, wanting another share of the money.”
Colton paused and continued, “I never inquired about the oil painting, instead, I accidentally met Tony, after which I launched a revenge, trying to snatch the oil painting back from them.”
“How did you find Lawn?”
“Through Tony, too.”
“Why did you kill Tony?”
Cole froze for a moment, “I didn’t kill Tony.”
Luke leaned back in his chair, “It’s come to that and you’re still lying.”
“I’m not lying, I didn’t kill Tony.”
“We got Tim’s statement and he identified the man as your killer.”
Cole laughed, “He lied, he killed Tony.”
Luke asked back, “Do you have proof?”
Cole bristled, “Conviction evidence is supposed to come from the police, right? Do you have proof?”
Luke said, “There are two possibilities for Tony’s death.
One, Tony was killed by your own hand.
Second, Tony was killed by Tim, but you were the mastermind of the probate case, in other words you instructed Tim to kill Tony.
In either case, we’ll indict you for first-degree murder. I’m sure the jury will make the right decision.”
“Since you’re charging me with first degree murder, what else is there to say?”
Luke pulled out an agreement, “If you voluntarily plead guilty, we’re considering making a deal with you to charge you with second degree murder.”
Cole was silent, it was a double edged sword, plead guilty, sure you’d go to jail, but a lesser charge of second degree murder.
Plead not guilty, and he’d be charged with first degree murder, and if he wasn’t convicted, he’d get away with it.
And once convicted by a jury, it was likely to be the death penalty.
Cole looked torn and was silent for ten minutes before saying, “OK, let’s talk.
Hypothetically, and I do mean hypothetically, you charge me with second-degree murder, and I’m willing to plead guilty.”
“You’re a smart man.” Luke handed the other man the agreement.
Cole took the agreement and looked it over, “Uh …… I have one more request.”
“What is it?”
“Let me know when you find that painting, I’d love to know what asshole is ripping me off.”
Luke smiled, “No problem, but there’s no prize money for you.”