Speck Street.

The street is located in the southern part of downtown, dilapidated and a bit run-down, with many homeless tents and colorful graffiti on both sides.

Two black cars drove onto the street and parked by the roadside near the Takido convenience store.

The passenger door of the car opened, and Luke stepped out of the passenger seat, glancing at the convenience store sign, then surveying the surroundings. He entered the convenience store with Blackie, while the others stayed outside.

Sitting behind the counter was a curvy Mexican woman in her twenties. She glanced up at Luke and Blackie, then returned to painting her nails.

Blackie leaned against the counter as if boneless, "Hey, beautiful, I want to ask you something."

The female clerk glanced at Blackie, "I'm already married, my eldest son is five, and my little girl is three.

My husband is still alive, so you have no chance."

"Haha..." Blackie laughed, "You're interesting, I like you."

"Liking me won't do you any good. I don't want to be shot dead by my husband for cheating. Believe me, he would definitely do it."

"You're not the only one whose husband has a gun." Blackie flashed his badge, "Ma'am, I'm Detective Chief Marcus from the Robbery and Murder Department. We're investigating a serious criminal case and would like your help.

I trust your husband won't shoot you over this."

"Sorry, I misunderstood, but you really seemed like..." The female clerk shrugged and didn't continue, then asked, "What do you want to ask?"

Blackie said, "Forty minutes ago, did someone use a Wells Fargo credit card here?"

"Yes."

"We need to find that person."

"Can I refuse? After all, I have no reason to disclose a customer's whereabouts."

"Of course you can.

Next time, we'll apply for a search warrant and conduct a thorough inspection of your convenience store..." Blackie raised an eyebrow, giving a knowing look.

The female clerk snorted lightly, showing reluctance. After hesitating for a moment, she stepped out from behind the counter, looked towards the store entrance, and said, "The person you're looking for bought a bottle of brandy and a bag of corn chips."

Blackie said, "I asked about his whereabouts."

The female clerk glared at Blackie without speaking.

Luke walked to the store entrance, gazed outside, and his eyes landed on a suspected homeless person across the street. Beside the homeless person was a bottle of brandy and a bag of corn chips. "Is it him?"

The female clerk nodded and returned behind the counter.

"Thank you."

Luke gave Blackie a signal, and the two left the convenience store.

Luke headed across the street, scrutinizing the homeless man, who had short hair, a salt-and-pepper beard, jeans, and a floral shirt, seemingly in his fifties or sixties, casually sitting on the street-side steps.

Luke approached, eyes on the homeless man, initiating the conversation, "Nice weather today."

The homeless man wiped corn chip crumbs off his beard, "Yes, I enjoy every day in Los Angeles. What's up, buddy."

"Luke."

"Martin."

"Hey, Martin, I want to ask you about someone."

"Okay, if I know them, I'll tell you." The homeless man took a sip of brandy.

"Do you know Rochelle Horn?"

Homeless man Martin glanced at Luke, "Who are you?"

Luke showed his badge.

"Yes, I know Rochelle Horn.

What happened to him?"

"He's dead."

Martin sighed and took another big gulp of brandy, "He was a nice guy..."

Noticing no surprise on Martin's face, Luke asked, "You knew he was dead?"

"I didn't know...

But he wasn't in a good state recently, was quite negative. To be honest, I was a bit worried about him."

"Have you known him for long?"

"About a few months, I can't really remember."

"When did you last see him?"

"Probably the day before yesterday, he seemed preoccupied. We drank a bottle of beer together, didn't say much, and he left his credit card and took off."

"A Wells Fargo credit card?"

"Yes, I just went to the store to buy a bottle of alcohol and snacks."

"Why did he leave his credit card with you?"

"You should ask him."

"I can only ask you now."

"It's not as complicated as you think, he probably just wanted to buy me a drink.

I planned to return the credit card the next time I saw him." Martin sighed, pulled out a Wells Fargo credit card from his pocket, "Can you help me pass it to his wife?"

Luke accepted the credit card, "Do you know much about his situation?"

"Though we haven't known each other long, we did have good conversations."

"Can you tell me about his situation?"

"Do you have a cigarette?"

Luke took out two cigarettes, handed one to him, and lit one for himself.

Martin lit up a cigarette, took a puff, and said with a look of enjoyment, "You know what? He's really envious of me."

Luke was a bit surprised, "What?"

"You heard right, that guy is really envious of me." Martin laughed, pointing at the bottle of brandy and corn chips on the ground, "A $3.5 bottle of brandy and a bag of corn chips, that's enough to make me happy all day.

Happiness is actually quite simple; don't regret the past, don't worry about the future, just live well in the present.

I know it might sound cliché, but not many truly achieve this."

Martin pointed to himself, speaking in a proud tone, "I've managed to do it.

I live each day as if it's the last day of my life.

Seeing the sun rise the next day feels like a bonus.

Then it's another happy day."

Martin turned to look at Luke, "Are you happy?"

Luke was taken aback for a moment, then nodded, "Yes, I'm very happy."

"Looks like you're lucky, just like me.

We should celebrate." Martin passed the bottle to Luke, "Do you want a sip?"

"No, I don't drink during work." Luke declined; he didn't like sharing a bottle of alcohol with men.

Luke pursued, "Did you know Rochelle Horn lost his job six months ago?"

"Of course, if he hadn't lost his job and was still working diligently, maybe we would never have met and wouldn't have become friends." Martin's eyes reddened slightly, "I do miss him a bit.

But it's okay, maybe we'll meet tomorrow, who knows?"

"Do you know what he's been doing to make a living since losing his job?"

"Yes, this guy has been racking his brains to support his family, and I've even given him some advice.

He initially hoped to work for other travel agencies, but after several interviews with more than a dozen companies, they all fell through.

He tried other jobs too, but either they weren't up to standard or the pay was too low to support his family, and they all ended in vain.

This guy had a good streak initially, he'd win some money at the casino to support his family, but luck isn't something you can rely on forever.

From what I know, he later lost quite a bit of money and borrowed a lot of high-interest loans…" Martin sighed lightly, taking a puff of his cigarette, "Poor guy.

To get money, he ultimately chose to be a pharmaceutical trial participant.

I advised him against it, that it's not a good job.

But he went anyway.

In his own words, he wasn't alone; he had a wife and children waiting for him to bring money home.

At the time, I had a bad feeling; he's not capable of handling this responsibility now, but he won't let it go, and forcing it could very well kill him."

Luke asked, "Is he currently working as a trial participant?"

"Yes."

"Do you know which pharmaceutical company and what drug he's testing?"

"No, I didn't ask.

This topic itself is sad, everyone knows drug trials are harmful to health, yet some people have to be trial participants for money, which is itself tragic.

But this system happens to be legal. Don't you find it scary?"

"Do you know where he went yesterday?"

"I don't know. While we chat quite well, he couldn't possibly tell me everything.

Essentially, we're two different kinds of people.

That's why he's willing to open up to me." Martin lay on the street, adjusting to a more comfortable position, and said somewhat sadly, "I know many people look down on homeless people, but not everyone can be a homeless person.

I can feel that Rochelle really envies my current life, just due to various reasons, he can't live as freely as I do.

Sometimes, I really pity this guy, but I can't help him; he has to walk out on his own.

Clearly, he ultimately didn't manage to do it."

Luke left a business card, "If you think of any clues about Rochelle Horn, feel free to contact me."

Martin looked at Luke's business card, "Actually, it's also quite good that he's gone; he doesn't have to bear those heavy burdens anymore.

He was too tired, it's time for him to rest."

After getting in the car, Little Black scratched his ear, "I actually listened to a homeless man boast superiority, and the annoying part is…

I think what he said makes quite a bit of sense."

Jackson teased, "So, are you planning to quit and become a homeless man?"

"I won't leave the detective chief position open for you, don't even think about it.

Besides, I also have a lovely daughter to support.

I wouldn't want her wandering with me." At this point, Little Black felt a bit inexplicably touched, and his tone shifted, "Captain, where are we headed for investigation now?"

Luke said, "According to Martin's description, Rochelle Horn is likely working as a trial participant, which explains why his body contained compounds similar to antihypertensive drugs. We should talk to the pharmaceutical company where Rochelle Horn served as a trial participant."

Little Black said, "But Martin doesn't know which pharmaceutical company Rochelle Horn worked for?"

Luke said, "I checked, there are about a dozen pharmaceutical companies in Los Angeles, including Jelsen Pharmaceuticals, which produces Nebivolol antihypertensive drugs, also located in Los Angeles."

Little Black shrugged, "Maybe it's not a coincidence."

Jackson thought for a while, raising a doubt, "But from what I know, Nebivolol antihypertensive drugs are already on the market, so further trials shouldn't be necessary."

Luke replied, "You're right, the composition found in the deceased's body is similar to Nebivolol antihypertensive drugs, but not completely identical. Either Jelsen Pharmaceuticals is developing a similar new drug, or another company is researching further.

Jelsen Pharmaceuticals would know better than us amateurs.

After all, it's often your competitors who understand you the best."