Fred Kramer shook his head and sighed softly, "No."

Luke pressed on, "Do you think Rochelle Horn's death is related to this arson case?"

Fred Kramer shrugged, "I don't know, I'm not even sure if Rochelle Horn was our company's drug tester.

I think the investigation of the case is more appropriate for the police to handle."

Luke was not satisfied with his attitude, "Then confirm whether Rochelle Horn is your company's drug tester."

Research data is static, but people leave traces. Even if related data is destroyed, Rochelle Horn would definitely leave some clues if he had been to Kerman Pharmaceutical Company.

Fred Kramer nodded, "I'll contact the relevant person in charge."

Fred Kramer walked to the side, took out his phone, and made a call. After a while, he came back and said, "Hold on a minute, I've called in the person in charge of the drug testing, you can ask him.

By the way, why do you think Rochelle Horn is our company's drug tester?"

Luke took out Rochelle Horn's test report and handed it to him.

After looking at the test report, Fred Kramer cursed, "Fuck, this bastard not only killed himself but also brought trouble to our company."

"Can you confirm it?" Luke retorted.

Fred Kramer looked a bit embarrassed, "The drug components in the test report are similar to those of the antihypertensive drug we are developing...

He shouldn't have been drinking, let alone taking drugs.

This bastard is utterly undeserving of sympathy."

Luke questioned, "Are you sure it's not a problem with your company's drug?"

"No, there is more than one tester for this new type of antihypertensive drug, and he's the only one who has had an accident.

Moreover, the efficacy of this antihypertensive drug is very evident, and it has the potential to completely cure hypertension, but during the medication period, drinking large amounts of alcohol is prohibited, let alone doing drugs.

We repeatedly remind and warn before testing, it's simply intolerable." Fred Kramer grew increasingly angry, holding his forehead,

"Our intention in developing this new antihypertensive drug is to benefit humanity, but one trouble after another is really exhausting...

It's very frustrating."

"Professor Kramer."

A white man in his thirties walked over from not far away, he had long hair, was very tall, somewhat thin, and held a document in his hand.

Fred Kramer waved him over and gestured, "Captain Lee, let me introduce you, this is Kem Smith, who is responsible for the drug testing."

Fred Kramer then said to Kem Smith, "This is Captain Lee from the Robbery and Murder Department, he wants to ask some questions about the drug testers."

"No problem."

Luke looked the man over and said, "I heard the data on the drug testers was also burned in last night's fire?"

"Yes, the data and information about the new drug were stored together, it's truly regrettable."

Luke asked, "I heard your company is developing a new type of antihypertensive drug?"

"Yes."

Luke took out Rochelle Horn's file, "Was he a tester for this new drug?"

Kem Smith looked over the file, "Yes, Rochelle Horn, I remember him.

Although his testing-related documents were destroyed, I still have his basic information and contact details."

"When was the last time you saw him?"

"It should be three days ago, what happened to him?"

"He died."

"Oh my, another terrible news, how did he die?"

Luke handed Rochelle Horn's test report to Kem Smith.

After reading it, the man's face changed drastically, "Oh God, why did he drink and do drugs!

I warned him more than once not to drink excessively, not to take drugs.

He also promised me.

This is suicide, definitely not a problem with the drug."

Luke picked up on something, "You just said not to drink excessively, which means it's possible to drink even while taking this new drug."

Kem Smith pondered and said, "A small amount of alcohol won't cause significant adverse reactions to the body.

I personally meet each drug tester and instruct them on how to use the medication, and I told them to try not to drink.

But some people still asked if they could drink a little.

I explicitly told them, beer no more than 500 milliliters.

Liquor over 30 degrees, no more than 100 milliliters.

As long as they don't drink excessively, it's completely within the safe range.

But look at his test report, the alcohol content in his body was way over the limit, and he even did drugs, this is outright suicide."

Luke asked, "When you last saw him, did he exhibit any unusual behavior?"

"Sorry, I saw more than one drug tester that day, it's impossible to remember each of their expressions.

I can only say that his health was certainly fine because a comprehensive check is done every time they come.

If we found any health issues, we would certainly stop him from taking the new antihypertensive drug."

"Do you think he committed suicide?"

Kem Smith replied, "I don't know either, but from the test report, he's completely ruining his body, and even if he didn't take the new antihypertensive, he might have died from a drug overdose.

I really don't like people or behavior that destroys their own body, they just don't understand the value of health."

"Do you think Rochelle Horn's death has any connection to last night's arson?"

"I can't see any connection."

Fred Kramer patted Kem Smith on the shoulder and encouraged, "Kem Smith is a hero of our company, he was the first to rush to the scene to extinguish the fire."

Kem Smith shrugged, "I think in that situation, anyone would have done the same."

Hearing this, Luke became intrigued.

Rochelle Horn was a tester for the new antihypertensive drug, he was killed on the night of July 10th, and on the night of July 11th, the information of the new antihypertensive drug was destroyed.

The two cases have a certain connection, plus the close timing of the incidents, there is a high possibility of a correlation.

Moreover, Luke boldly guessed whether the arsonist and the killer who murdered Rochelle Horn were the same group.

Following this line of thinking, finding the arsonist would also lead to finding the murderer of Rochelle Horn.

And as the first person to respond to the fire, Kem Smith's testimony and description are of great value.

Luke said, "After the police investigation, it was found that others were present at the time of Rochelle Horn's death, and he had no history of drug use. It is very likely not a suicide but a murder.

I suspect that his death is related to the arson case last night.

Mr. Smith, I would like to know some details about the fire last night."

Kem Smith glanced at Fred Kramer beside him.

Fred Kramer nodded slightly.

Kem Smith said, "Ask away."

"What was the exact time of the fire last night?"

"Around a little after eleven in the evening."

"Where did the fire start?"

"The sixth floor, in lab 609, which is also the lab for developing a new type of antihypertensive drug."

"Did you see anyone suspicious at the time?"

Kem Smith shook his head, "No."

Luke stared at the other's expression and saw his eyes flicker, suggesting signs of lying.

"Where were you when the fire started?"

"I was staying in the dorm last night, feeling a bit down, so I went downstairs for a walk, then I saw the sixth floor was on fire.

I rushed upstairs trying to put out the fire...

But the fire spread so fast, I was helpless, and I smelled the scent of an accelerant."

"Did you see who started the fire?"

"No."

"When did the company's security arrive?"

"Not long after, probably three or four minutes later than I did. They also attempted to put out the fire, but it spread too fast, and we could only wait for the fire department."

"Do you have any suspects for the arson?"

Kem Smith thought for a moment, then shook his head, "No."

Luke saw hesitation in his expression.

"What do you think about Rochelle Horn's death?"

"No clue at all."

"If Rochelle Horn was murdered, do you have any suspects?"

"No, I can't think of who would want to kill him. He was just one of the drug testers; even if he died, it wouldn't have much impact on the drug testing.

Of course, I still feel sorry about his death." Kem Smith finished, frowning, "Wait, why do I feel like you're interrogating me?"

Luke said, "Why do I feel like you're deliberately hiding something?"

"I'm not, your feeling is wrong." Kem Smith turned to Fred Kramer, "Professor Kramer, if there's nothing else, I'll get back to work."

"Go ahead."

Kem Smith turned and left, not even daring to glance at Luke again.

Luke increasingly felt that there was something wrong with him.

Earlier, when Luke asked if he saw anyone suspicious when the fire started, his microexpression indicated signs of lying.

Luke's microexpression analysis was quite practical.

Luke couldn't always tell when someone was lying.

But if he felt something was off about someone, it was likely that the person was lying.

The reason is simple: some people are good at concealing, acting, have had facial surgery, or use stronger emotions to cover up signs of lying.

For example, if a person encounters a kidnapping or car accident, they're already in extreme fear and panic, making their emotional state abnormal and volatile, which makes it difficult to analyze signs of lying.

In those situations, being abnormal is normal, while being normal seems abnormal.

Luke glanced at Fred Kramer, "Do you suspect he's related to the fire?"

Fred Kramer was momentarily stunned, seeming unprepared for Luke to ask that way, "No, he's a great employee, very serious about his work.

Captain Lee, what do you think about the arson?"

Luke shrugged, "For similar cases, the local fire department and police should handle them; it's not within my jurisdiction.

Besides, I know too little about the fire situation to make an accurate judgment.

My responsibility is to investigate Rochelle Horn's death. Since it's found that Rochelle Horn was a drug tester at Kerman Company, and his death is somewhat related to the new antihypertensive drug.

I hope Kerman Company can provide relevant investigation materials, such as surveillance, a list of other drug testers, and financial transactions."

Fred Kramer sighed, "OK, I'll have someone prepare it."

After watching Fred Kramer leave, Xiao Hei asked, "Captain, do you think Rochelle Horn's death is related to Kerman Pharmaceutical Company?"

Luke thought for a moment, "Although Rochelle Horn's cause of death is still unknown, considering the manner of his death and the arson at Kerman Company's building, there is likely some connection."

Xiao Hei speculated, "Do you think the person who killed Rochelle Horn could be the one who set the fire at the Kerman office building?"

Luke shrugged, "I can't be sure, maybe."

Xiao Hei suggested, "Should we take on the arson case and investigate it together?"

"Do you want to work overtime tonight?"

"No." Xiao Hei answered decisively.

"Then shut up." Luke made a zipping motion across his lips.

Although Luke had similar suspicions, he did not intend to actively take on the case.

Firstly, he suspected Kem Smith and could investigate him in the background.

Even if Rochelle Horn's death is linked with the arson, Luke could collaborate with the sub-division department investigating the arson case.

Actively taking on the case is labor-intensive and has pros and cons.

If it were a year ago, he might have taken the case eagerly for merit, but now there's no longer a need.