Luke spoke with certainty, "You did nothing wrong. If it were me, I would do the same."

"But Santos doesn't think so, he thinks I'm a selfish woman who wants a mistress who can endure hardships for this big family.

I can't do that.

I just want to take care of my own little family.

Over the years, I've only focused on work, I don't even have my own children.

I tell myself I can't continue like this, I have to leave him and live the life I want.

That's why I came to Los Angeles."

David also encouraged, "Lady, you're right, you're free and have the right to choose."

Luke thought to himself, he couldn't even sort out his own problems, yet he dared to advise others.

"Mrs. Nada Mending, although you've decided to leave Santos, you are still husband and wife, and I'd like to ask you a few questions."

"No problem, Santos is not a bad man, I still have feelings for him, and I hope to catch his killer.

He's lived for others all his life, I don't think it's worth it for him.

He didn't even enjoy the beaches of Los Angeles... people shouldn't live like that."

"Has Santos encountered any troubles recently?"

"His life is simple, just the repair shop, the bar, home, rarely anything messy."

"Does he have any enemies?"

"No, he rarely has conflicts with people."

"What about Benjamin Nasie?"

Nada Mending thought for a moment, "I remember him, he used to be a colleague of Santos, they were on good terms at the start, Santos was not used to the repair shop, and Benjamin Nasie even taught him a few things.

Latterly, Benjamin Nasie was fired by the repair shop boss due to troubles with his work, I heard Benjamin Nasie was angry and made a few scenes at the repair shop, and even hit Santos.

Did he kill Santos?"

"No, that cannot be proven yet." Luke thought, it sounded like a case of a disciple starving his master to death.

"Do you know Badman Pole?"

"I don't remember him much?"

"Layli Harry?"

"That name sounds familiar... isn't she the woman who was killed that was in the news?"

"Correct, these three individuals I've mentioned are likely linked to your husband's death, can you recall any clues about them?"

Nada Mending was silent for a while, "We're both very busy with work, I have to cook when I get home, we have no time or mood to chat.

We are like two tools, I've grown numb, I've forgotten my own life, how could I possibly remember his situation.

Sorry, I can't help you."

"No, our talk just now was very helpful." Luke then handed a bottle of water to her, the laboring people are the most adorable, deserve respect, wherever they are.

"Thank you." This time, Nada Mending accepted the mineral water.

"Could we exchange contact information? Later, the police will contact you to identify the body."

"Of course, I will fulfill a wife's duty and see him through his last journey," she responded.

Luke handed her a business card, "Contact me again if you think of a new lead."

"I will."

Back in the black Dodge car, David couldn't help saying, "I misjudged him, Santos is a jerk, he doesn't deserve this lady."

Luke agreed, "Santos had good intentions in taking care of his family, but he shouldn't morally bind his wife. From some perspectives, such people are terrifying."

David clenched his fists until they cracked, "If Santos were alive, I'd be tempted to hit him."

...

Detective Agency.

Everybody gradually returned to the station.

Susan convened a meeting to gather clues.

Firstly, Luke reported the situation with Nada Mending.

After listening, the deputy sighed, "Typical patriarchal style, self-centered, always promoting how I mean well for you, for the family's sake.

He portrays his family as harmonious and united, but such harmony requires silent sacrifices—Nada Mending is the sacrificed one.

I really despise such behavior," he expressed.

The deputy stated his viewpoint and then switched topics, "We also contacted Benjamin Nasie's wife.

Or should say ex-wife to be more precise.

In her words, Benjamin Nasie lacked ambition, ever since he was dismissed from the repair shop, he didn't want to try other jobs, just complained and was unwilling to make an effort.

He then started to drink heavily, acting like he was God's right hand man when drunk.

He liked to hit people too.

Benjamin's wife couldn't bear it anymore, so she took their children and left. She had already sued for divorce and the process was underway.

Like Santos, it's another broken family."

Next, Xiaohei reported, "Jenny and I went to Laura's house and had a good talk with Laura. From her conversation, she seemed unaware of Badman Pole's affair."

Moreover, she was quite grateful to Layli Harry. Without Layli Harry advocating for the immigration bill, they might have been unable to obtain their status in Los Angeles.

She also requested us to find Badman Pole as soon as possible.

Additionally, she already knew the police had taken the illicit money from her brother's house and hoped the police could return it to her."

Susan countered, "Why doesn't she come to the police station herself if she wants the money? Why did she have you convey this?"

Xiaohei shrugged. "I'm not sure."

The deputy snorted, "It's obvious that woman wouldn't dare. She knows there's something fishy about the money. How can a driver save up three hundred thousand US dollars?

I even suspect she might know some inside information but just doesn't want to tell you."

Susan concluded, "From the clues you've reported, the three ladies, although having conflicts with their husbands, don't seem to have conflicts of the same nature nor direct connections.

It seems the Women's Revenge Theory isn't valid."

The deputy continued, "Looking at the current situation, I think Badman Pole is the most suspicious. He might have orchestrated an extortion scheme, but Layli Harry saw through it, leading to the exposure and murder in his rage.

Besides the finger, the police haven't found his body; he is most likely still alive.

The finger is just a prop he used to deceive the police and fake his own death.

I suggest we issue a warrant for Badman Pole immediately."

Susan frowned; issuing a warrant required evidence.

And the current evidence also suggests that Badman Pole is one of the victims.

Losing a finger doesn't mean he's dead, but who would have the heart to sever their own finger?

If Badman Pole were already dead, then the warrant would be a joke.

And as the captain, she would have to take responsibility."

"Any other opinions?"

Luke summarized today's new clues and felt something was amiss; it was like there was a barrier obstructing his view.

He again compared the profiles of several people involved in the case and focused on the information about Benjamin Nasi.

Name: Benjamin Nasi

Gender: Male

Age: 44 years.

Height: 184 cm

Benjamin Nasi's physical data matched that of the footprint found at the crime scene.

Luke also found a picture of Benjamin Nasi. Although he couldn't accurately assess, the man's weight could also likely be between 85-90 kilograms.

Benjamin Nasi had possibly been to the scene.

No other bloodstains or bodies were found at the scene, suggesting the individual might have left alive.

But what about the fatal bloodstains found in Benjamin Nasi's home?

The bloodstains, after DNA verification, turned out to belong to him.

Luke posited his theory, "Could the murderer be Benjamin Nasi?"

Susan was now keen to hear different opinions, "Tell me your theory?"

Luke didn't mention the footprint data; his suspicions about Benjamin Nasi being the murderer weren't solely based on matching footprint data.

There were too many people fitting that data; it was just one of the criteria for screening the murderer.

"Today, we talked to Nada Mending, the Mexican victim's wife. One situation she mentioned caught my attention.

Immigration.

Santos had recently immigrated to Los Angeles from Mexico.

Badman Pole and his wife were also immigrants from another continent.

And Layli Harry was both a supporter and a promoter of the immigration bill, always hoping that Los Angeles would welcome more new immigrants.

Benjamin Nasi, on the other hand, thought just the opposite; he considered himself a 'victim' of the immigration bill, at least that's what he believed.

He thought Santos Mending took the job that should have been his, became depressed, took to alcohol, and eventually lost his family.

This was also his reason for harboring thoughts of revenge against Santos Mending.

He might even take his anger out on others related to the immigration bill."

The deputy pondered and then asked, "Then why did he sever the finger and put it in Layli Harry's mouth?"

"I don't know; only he would know that."

Susan interrupted their conversation. "Based on the current evidence, both Badman Pole and Benjamin Nasi have certain suspicions.

It's very likely one of them is the murderer, but a judge would definitely not approve two warrants.

So, let's investigate separately now.

Deputy, you take charge of investigating the situation with Badman Pole.

Luke, you handle the clues related to Benjamin Nasi.

Any questions?"

"No, captain."