Chapter 324 Doubtful
eight pm.
Metzker Bar.
Luke was chatting with several police officers with a wine glass.
Luke said, "Jones, is the gray pickup outside your new one?"
"That's right, the latest Dodge RAM1500 has a 6.2-liter HemiV8 supercharged engine with a maximum power of 712 horsepower and is matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It has an undeniable sense of control and is worth owning."
Jones took out the key from his pocket, shook it, "Want to try the car?"
Xiao Hei smiled and said, "Captain Jones, are you advertising?"
"Yeah, I'm just telling you, hurry up and replace your sissy car!"
Xiao Hei "..."
"Ha ha…"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Chen Kelin twitched the corners of his mouth with a half-smile, and walked up to Luke, "Luke, I want to talk to you."
"Okay." The two walked aside, and Luke asked, "Is it about Olive Browning?"
"Yes." Chen Kelin nodded, "Let's find a quieter place, and I'll treat you to a midnight snack."
"sounds good."
…
One pot beef restaurant.
This is a Chinese restaurant with red lanterns hanging at the entrance, Chinese menus and pictorials posted inside, and the decoration is also Chinese style.
At this time, it was already nine o'clock in the evening, and there were still two tables of customers in the store.
Chen Kelin and Luke sat at the stall outside the store, when a Chinese waiter came over and asked, "What do you two want to eat?"
Chen Kelin signaled to pass the menu to Luke, "Luke, take a look."
Luke took the menu to check. This is a restaurant that specializes in beef, and said, "Here is your restaurant's signature dish, a pot of beef, a plate of peanuts, and a plate of cucumbers."
Luke handed the menu to Chen Kelin again, "Take a look."
Hearing the standard appetizers ordered by Luke, Chen Kelin was a little surprised, and said with a smile, "Can you eat preserved eggs?"
"certainly."
The wine was brought by Chen Kelin, who took a bottle of Guojiao 1573 from the trunk of the car.
They were the only table of new guests, and the dishes were served quickly, including three cold dishes and a beef pot.
There are beef brisket, beef tendon, tripe, bullwhip, and beef **** in the pot, with a lot of green onion and coriander sprinkled on top.
Luke sniffs the scent, "Looks good."
Chen Kelin introduced, "This store has been in business for decades, and hand-made beef **** are their specialty."
Luke took a piece of bullwhip first, "It tastes good."
Chen Kelin smiled and poured Luke a glass of wine, "I toast you, thank you for the new clues to the case."
Luke picked up the glass and smelled it, and took a sip, "It's the first time I drink Guojiao, it tastes good."
Chen Kelin put down his wine glass, "I heard that you put two boxes of Wuliangye in the back of your car, is it true?"
"Who told you?" Luke was a little surprised.
Chen Kelin shrugged, "The police department has no secrets."
"This wine is good, I might put a case of Guojiao next time." Luke asked after taking a bite of the dish, "Kelin, you came to me today not just to thank you."
Chen Kelin poured Luke another glass of wine, and said solemnly, "I want you to take over the kidnapping case of Olive Browning."
Luke asked, "Why?"
"This morning, Director Reid and I met the parents of the kidnapped. Because the kidnappers demanded a ransom last time but nothing happened, they lost trust in the Second Squadron.
They have learned about your situation and know that you have solved many major cases, and hope that you will take over the investigation. "
Luke was a little surprised. It was the first time that a family member of a victim asked him to handle the case. "There are regulations in the bureau, and there are corresponding arrangements for which department will take over the case. I think it should be considered comprehensively.
The family members of the victim only knew some superficial information and were not familiar with the internal affairs of the police station.
Moreover, the No. 2 Squadron has handled the case of Olive Browning before, and is more familiar with the case. "
Chen Kelin said helplessly, "You are right.
But the problem now is that the family members of the victim no longer believe in the ability of the Second Squadron to handle the case.
If the Second Squadron continues to investigate the case, they will feel uncomfortable, and the Second Squadron will also feel pressure.
On the contrary, the first squadron can go into battle lightly, and the second squadron will also assist you if necessary. "
Luke said, "I'm still an acting captain.
It's not good to ask you, a more senior official captain, to assist me in investigating the case. "
"Some things cannot be seen on the surface. Although your qualifications are still young, your ability is beyond doubt.
You still have a bright future, as long as you make meritorious service, it's only a matter of time before you get promoted.
But I'm... very satisfied with my current position. "Chen Kelin hesitated to speak.
Although Chen Kelin didn't speak clearly, Luke understood what he meant. It should be the so-called 'workplace ceiling'.
Except for a few extremely outstanding Chinese, most Chinese will meet.
Luke picked up the wine glass and clinked glasses with Chen Kelin, "I will seriously consider it."
…
The next morning.
Rett had a formal talk with Luke, hoping that the first squadron could take over the case.
The matter has come to this point, and Luke did not hesitate any longer, agreeing to take over the case of Olive Browning's kidnapping.
He began to understand the situation of the case in many ways.
First, Luke went to the Second Squadron to meet Chen Kelin, asked him about the case, and got the case file.
In the afternoon, Luke invited Olive Browning's parents to the police station to take notes.
A black couple entered the meeting room, Luke got up and said, "Mr. Browning, Ma'am, I am the captain of the First Squadron of the Robbery and Murder Division, and I am now in charge of investigating the kidnapping of Olive Browning.
I invite you here today to learn more about the case. "
The black husband came over and held Luke's hand, "Hi Captain Lee, I'm George Browning, the father of Olive Browning."
"Please sit down, both of you."
George Browning said, "Captain Li, I have known you for a long time.
Since my daughter had an accident, I have been following the dynamics of the Los Angeles Police Department. I know that you are a very powerful police detective and have solved many major cases. You also rescued the deputy mayor's daughter.
Thank you very much for your willingness to take over my daughter's case, so that we can see hope again. "
Luke said seriously, "Mr. and Madam Browning, thank you for your trust. I will do my best to investigate the case."
Mrs. Browning choked up, "Thank you, I thank you for Olive."
Luke nodded and said, "I want to know about the process of Olive Browning's disappearance. It's very important. The more details the better."
George Browning recalled for a moment and said, "It was the night of July 9th. Olive's classmate celebrated her birthday. She went to her classmate's house to attend a party. It was agreed that the party would end at ten o'clock, and I would go to her classmate's house to pick her up." she.
But at 9:10 in the evening, Olive called and told my wife to pick her up.
My wife was in the bathroom, I answered the phone, I asked her what happened, she wouldn't tell.
I realized that the situation was wrong at that time, because we had made an appointment before, and I was going to pick her up from my classmate's house. Now not only was it earlier, but her mother was also asked to pick her up, which is very abnormal.
I asked her if she was in danger? Is there anyone nearby?
She said no and hung up the phone. "George Browning sighed, with a painful expression on his face, "My wife and I drove to her classmate's house immediately, but when we got there, we didn't find her.
Classmates at the party said they saw her go out on the phone, and no one saw her after that. "
“It just happened without warning. My wife and I were in a panic. Just when we were about to mobilize people to search for her, my cell phone rang. It was my daughter’s number.
I answered the phone, but it wasn't my daughter who spoke, but a man's voice.
Then, let me prepare one million dollars, and when he calls, I will release him as long as I get the money.
After that, I hung up the phone. "
"1 million cash is not a small amount, can you afford this money?"
"I run a freight company, the economic situation is not bad, and I can make up the money in two days."
"When did you call the police?"
“On the matter of calling the police, my wife and I had a disagreement. She was worried about her daughter’s safety and wanted to pay a ransom to save her.
And I am worried that the kidnappers will not count what they say, and they will still tear up the ticket after collecting money, so I am more inclined to call the police.
Finally, our husband and wife compromised with each other, raising money while secretly calling the police.
Responsible for the investigation of the case is the Second Squadron of the Robbery and Murder Division.
The next morning, the robbers called with a disposable mobile phone and asked my wife to put 1 million cash in Sokri Park at ten o'clock in the evening, and she was only allowed to go alone.
I asked my daughter to answer the phone according to Captain Chen's instructions. I heard her daughter calling for help, and that was the last time I heard her voice.
After learning about this situation, Captain Chen began to deploy surveillance in Sokri Park in advance.
My wife also went to pay the ransom as ordered by the robbers, but the robbers never took the money, and there was no news of my daughter.
I never figured out why things turned out like this? "
Luke asked, "Have you heard from the robbers again during this time?"
"No. We always thought Olive... was murdered.
Thank you for another news from Olive.
I know she's probably in a bad situation, but at least she's alive. "
Mrs. Browning sobbed softly, "Captain Li, please save my daughter, you are our last hope...
I beg you. "
"I'll do my best." Luke asked a few more questions and sent the couple off in person.
By making notes for Browning and his wife, as well as Chen Kelin's description and files, Luke got a general understanding of the circumstances of Olive Browning's kidnapping.
After the No. 2 Squadron received the alarm, it began to secretly investigate the kidnapping of Olive Browning, and also made notes for those who attended the party that day.
According to the classmates who attended the party that night, they did see Olive Browning leaving the party in a panic, but they didn't know why she left.
The No. 2 Squadron took notes on the party participants, and found no suspicious persons.
As for the suspect not coming to get the ransom after asking for the ransom, the police have never found out the reason.
Disposable mobile phones cannot find the identity of the user.
Eventually, all leads fell apart and it became an unsolved case until a squadron spotted Olive Browning on a pornographic video.
After Luke learned about the case, he combined the three people's descriptions and files, and found nothing suspicious. The Second Squadron had checked everything that should be checked, and it would take time and effort to check again. Check properly.
So, Luke focused his investigation on the pornographic video, in which the man wore a mask and the girl's face was clearly visible.
There are three girls in those pornographic videos. Except for Olive Browning, the identities of the other two girls have not been clarified. Luke guesses that the two girls may also be missing persons.
The three girls were probably kidnapped and held hostage by the same gang. Finding out the situation of the other two girls will also help the investigation of the case.
After Luke arranged the task, a squadron split up to investigate.
Soon, the police found out the identity of another girl through face database comparison.
Name, Tayana Haney
Age, 11 years old
Skin color, white
Residence, No. 128, Verge Community, Los Angeles
Date of disappearance, June 5, 2022 (already found, case withdrawn)
Reporter, Connor Haney (father-daughter relationship)
Seeing this information, Luke was pleasantly surprised. This girl has been found, and maybe she can provide some valuable clues.
…
Half an hour later.
128 Virgie Community.
Luke and Jenny got out of the car one after the other. The reason why they took Jenny to investigate was because it would be more appropriate to have a female police officer on this occasion.
Another car was parked not far away, and Xiao Hei and Jackson sat in the car and watched.
After finding Tayana Hanni's information, Luke couldn't help but wonder why Tayana Hanni was able to return home safely?
It is precisely for this reason that Luke is a little more vigilant.
"Boom..." Jenny knocked on the door.
After a while, the door opened, and a middle-aged Caucasian woman stood at the door, "What do you want?"
Jenny asked, "Excuse me, is this Tayana Hanny's house?"
"Yes, who are you?"
Jenny flashed her police badge, "lapd, we want to know about Tayana Hanny."
"Understand what? I'm a little confused."
"What's your relationship with Tayana Haney?"
"I am her mother."
"According to our knowledge, Tayana Hanni had a missing record in June, and we are here to verify the situation."
"Oh, it was just a misunderstanding, the child played a prank, and then she came back by herself. We have educated her, and this kind of thing will never happen again."
Luke asked, "Did your daughter come back by herself?"
"Yes."
"Do you remember the specific time of disappearance and return time?"
"It's been a few months, I can't remember exactly, maybe three or four days."
"Did Tayana Hanny tell you what happened to you while you were away?"
"Actually, the matter is very simple. She felt that my husband and I preferred my younger sister, so she ran away from home in a fit of anger. Later, she ran out of pocket money and came back by herself.
She herself has nothing to do, but the whole family and her are worried. "
"Is Tayana Haney home? I want to talk to her."
"She went to play at a friend's house and hasn't come back yet."
"Ma'am, we want to speak to her in person."
"I'm sorry, although my daughter has returned, but it is not a good memory.
I don't want her to have similar thoughts, so please leave.
Thank you for your concern for my daughter, she is fine now. "After the woman finished speaking, she directly closed the door.
Facing this situation, Jenny was a little confused, "Captain, what should we do now?"
"Let's go first." Luke and the two got into the car and drove away from the Verge community.
Not far away, Xiao Hei has been observing the situation here, took out the walkie-talkie and asked, "Captain, what happened?"
"Tayana Haney's mother is at home, she has no clues of value, and she doesn't want us to see her daughter.
You continue to watch around, confirm Tayana Hanni's situation, and report to me in time. "
"Yes, sir."
Luke recalled the conversation just now, and could feel that the woman was hiding something.
The other party is hiding something, does he know that his daughter has shot a pornographic video?
Is Tayana Haney really back safe and sound?
If she really came back, why would the kidnappers let her go?
Doubts came to mind one by one.
(end of this chapter)