Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth
Chapter 57 - 57 Identity
The body was severely decomposed, making it difficult to conduct an autopsy at the scene, so the forensic doctor took the body back to the police station.
The initial autopsy was not completed until after four in the afternoon.
Forensic Doctor Hila was a white female in her thirties, somewhat resembling Susan.
This resemblance was not about looks, but demeanor—reserved, with a serious appearance.
Forensic Doctor Hila said, "The victim's body is highly decomposed, and the time of death is estimated to be between February 25 and February 28.
The preliminary autopsy results suggest strangulation due to something around the neck, but the extensive decay makes it difficult to identify the murder weapon from the wounds.
That's all the information for now; further autopsy is required."
Susan said, "Hila, thank you for your hard work."
"Yeah, this is a big job, plenty to keep us busy." Hila finished speaking and turned to leave.
Susan scanned her teammates, "What does everyone think?"
The deputy said, "First, we need to identify the victim. Based on the clothing and body type, the victim is very likely Tony Will. What role did he play in this case?"
Raymond said, "Tim might also be involved in this case, should we re-interrogate him?"
"Tim might be the real culprit, and without evidence, he won't easily confess; rash interrogation could scare him off.
It is better to wait for the test results and catch him on spot." The deputy took out his comb, adjusted his hair, "I think we could talk to Lawyer Dave. He is an old friend of Tony, he might provide some valuable clues."
Marcus asked, "Speaking of Dave, he's a cunning guy, could he also be involved in the attack on Lorne? Could he even be the mastermind?"
Luke thought for a moment, then shook his head, "It's very unlikely.
Dave committed the 'Taser gun robbery' purely because of his obsession with his unrequited love.
The cause of Lorne's attack and Tony's murder was a will; as a lawyer, Dave doesn't lack money, he wouldn't need to do such a thing."
The deputy said, "I agree with Luke's assessment, I want to talk to this guy."
…
Seven in the evening.
The entrance to the Moon Storage Center.
A red convertible parked outside, and a slender brunette got out of the car.
Luke walked out of the gate, waved his hand, "Hi, beautiful, can I buy you a drink?"
Daisy laughed, "A '82 Raffi?"
Luke gave a dry laugh, can we not have a normal conversation?
Daisy looked at the entrance to the Moon Storage Center, "You've been investigating here all day?"
"Yes. The lead you provided was very valuable, there have been new developments in the case."
Daisy asked further, "What did Lorne store in the warehouse?"
"You wouldn't want to know."
"Now I'm even more curious."
"We found a large box in Lorne's warehouse, when we opened the lid, there was a highly decomposed body inside… the scene was… quite shocking."
"Oh my god, are you trying to scare me? Why would Lorne put that in the warehouse."
"It's a bit complicated." Luke didn't go into the details of the case but instead asked, "Do you remember when I said Caroline went crazy?"
"Of course, is she better now?"
"We wanted to take her statement today, but the hospital thought there might be some risk. If she recalls the events of that night, it's likely she'd be traumatized again.
According to the investigation, Caroline was at the warehouse that night and likely saw that body."
Daisy frowned slightly, "Someone going to the warehouse alone at night, opening a box to find a decaying body… oh my god, that's horrifying. No wonder Caroline was driven into a mental breakdown."
Luke suggested, "Let's go eat something. I haven't had much appetite since noon and I'm about to faint from hunger."
"Are you sure you can eat?" Daisy was skeptical.
Luke let out a sigh, "Then let's get some fruit to tide us over."
The two bought fruit at the supermarket, and Daisy invited Luke to her place to make him a 'generous' fruit platter.
Luke was skeptical, do I not know how to cut fruit?
Lately, Daisy had been finding various excuses to have Luke drive her home.
This wasn't because she was timid, but any woman living alone in a two-story villa would feel uneasy returning to a dark home at night.
Once inside the villa, Daisy took the initiative to cut some fruits.
Luke sat on the leather sofa, poured himself a glass of red wine, and drank alone.
Sitting on the sofa, he grew bored and couldn't help but think of the will case again.
He had initially thought the case was just a dispute among the beneficiaries of the will, but it now seemed it might not be as simple as he had imagined.
Lorne was attacked.
Daisy was attacked.
Caroline went mad.
A man presumed to be Tony Will was killed.
Luke's thoughts drifted to Brooke, Sofia, and Emma.
These three didn't seem capable of such ruthless actions.
Besides, as long as they weren't foolish, they should know that creating such a commotion would definitely make the police suspect them.
But to say that the three were completely uninvolved in the case, he couldn't believe that either.
From the existing evidence, the suspect likely attacked Lorne and obtained the keys to the warehouse and the social security card from him, with a group intending to break into the warehouse to steal.
Later, the suspects had a falling out and killed the man suspected to be Tony.
If Luke's guess was right, then what exactly was Lorne hiding in the warehouse? What could incite internal conflict within the group to the extent of committing murder?
Luke grew increasingly curious about the case.
Daisy came over carrying two plates of fruit, seeing Luke lost in thought on the sofa, "Hey, what are you thinking about?"
"Thinking about that case."
Daisy smiled, "Thinking about the case at my place doesn't come with overtime pay."
"I want to solve the case quickly, so you don't have to worry and be scared anymore."
Daisy handed Luke a piece of apple with a toothpick, "Doesn't taking you home every day interfere with your work?"
"It's a minor thing; besides, I don't want to work late. I'm just worried about your safety after I leave..."
"Wow, don't scare me now. After hearing what happened to Caroline, I'm already feeling jittery, and I'll probably sleep with the lights on tonight."
Luke ate the apple, "Have you considered hiring a bodyguard?"
Daisy pouted, her tone slightly whiny, "You're not really fed up with me, are you?"
"I just want to make sure you're safe."
"I've thought about hiring a bodyguard... but I don't like having strangers at home." Daisy looked worried,
"I once saw a movie where someone was attacked, hired a bodyguard, and then it turned out the bodyguard was the culprit. The protagonist had no chance to even flee. It was terrifying to think about."
Luke laughed, "Then you bring me home, aren't you afraid of inviting the wolf into your den?"
"I trust you." Daisy's tone was calm and sincere.
She had not been sleeping well for several days, feeling as if someone was always nearby whenever she closed her eyes—an unsettling feeling.
Luke provided her a sense of security.
"That's comforting to hear." Luke smiled, holding Daisy's hand, "Do you want me to stay over tonight to keep you company?"
Daisy found the suggestion somewhat awkward but didn't refuse, changing the subject instead, "That's a good idea. Why don't you be my bodyguard then? I can pay you on time, how about that?"
"I don't want money."
Talking about money would make it a professional relationship.
Luke made his intention clear. He wasn't after the money; he was attracted to her personally.
Daisy looked at Luke with a scrutinizing gaze, "I can't let you protect me without showing my gratitude. What do you want?"
He wanted to be with her.
But that sort of thing could be thought about and acted upon.
It wasn't something to be said outright.
Luke answered, "Invite me for breakfast every day, homemade."
"Deal, I'll go get the guest room ready for you."