"But fake is ultimately fake."

"Weren't you bringing me here for identification? Why are you speaking so oddly?"

Luke took out a photo and asked, "Do you recognize this iron shovel?"

Georgia Gray pressed her lips together, "No, I don't."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"We found your fingerprints on the shovel, and some skin flakes too. They've been sent to forensics for DNA comparison."

Georgia Gray patted her forehead, "I remember now, it's my family's shovel, it's just that it's been sitting at the vacation house.

Because it's rarely used, I didn't recognize it at first."

Luke leaned back in his chair looking at her, this excuse was clearly to evade guilt, but it made sense too. It was her family's shovel, having used it was normal, not recognizing it was because it was rarely used.

"Mrs. Gray, if you confess now, I can help you secure a favorable deal. If you keep deceiving the police, you might lose your last chance."

"Captain Li, there might be a misunderstanding here, my husband was murdered, I was imprisoned too, I'm the victim here."

"OK, then explain why no drugs were found in your system?"

Georgia Gray's eyes flickered, letting out a long sigh, "I admit I wasn't drugged, I lied."

"Why did you lie?"

"It was my husband's idea, he killed Kilo Jones, and wanted to escape.

Because I knew about it, I might have been implicated.

He came up with this idea, making me pretend to be imprisoned and disguise myself as a victim.

This way, the police wouldn't suspect me in the murder of Kilo Jones."

"Then why did your husband die?"

Georgia Gray choked up, "I don't know, I saw him driving the Cayenne, I thought he'd fled Los Angeles, I never thought he would be killed!"

Luke stared at her, not seeing any obvious signs of lying. Could it be that she really didn't commit murder?

Was there someone else who killed Kilo Jones?

Luke pressed further, "Where is the murder weapon, the handgun?"

"I really don't know."

Luke fell into contemplation again, the biggest question in this case was that handgun.

The gun was first used in a murder on December 17th to kill Kilo Jones, Georgia Gray's lover.

The second murder was on December 25th, when Officer Jens Hauley was shot dead.

Assume the killer of Kilo Jones was one of the Gray couple, but both were white.

Eyewitnesses described the person who killed Jens Hauley as a black woman.

Could it be true what Georgia Gray said, that there was a fourth person in this case, the black woman, who not only killed Officer Jens Hauley, but also killed Arel Gray, and then buried the body?

Luke sighed softly, although this theory was possible, he wasn't completely convinced by Georgia Gray.

During the last statement from this woman, Luke hadn't immediately noticed her lying.

This woman was quite the actress, Luke didn't let his guard down. He arrested her on charges of obstructing official duties and harboring criminals.

...

That night.

Luke invited Orty for dinner.

On one hand, he had something to discuss, on the other, he wanted hotpot and felt awkward going alone.

The awkwardness of eating hotpot alone even exceeded that of a solo buffet.

Luke chose a Sichuan hotpot restaurant named "Old Nine Gates."

Each person had a small pot, which could be a twin-style pot or a single pot.

This time, Luke chose a spicy beef oil base.

Orty chose a curry and beef oil twin pot.

The variety of ingredients for hotpot was extensive, and the meat was reasonably priced, though the vegetables were relatively expensive. Luke didn't like vegetables much, so he ordered more meat.

Seeing Orty struggling a bit with the chopsticks, "Have you had hotpot before?"

"I love Chinese food, but this is my first time having hotpot. The red oily base looks appetizing, but the smell is a bit strong."

Luke courteously used the communal chopsticks to place some lamb slices for her, "This base is perfect for cooking lamb. Do you like lamb?"

"I eat more beef." Looking at the lamb in the pot, Orty asked, "How long until it's done?"

"Once it changes color, it's ready to eat." Luke mixed a small dipping sauce for her, "Dip it in this for a great taste."

Orty took a sniff, "Smells quite nice."

"This is my secret sauce, the lamb is ready to scoop up, if left too long it'll overcook."

Using chopsticks, Orty tried to grab the lamb, but as the pot was boiling, the lamb moved around, making it difficult to catch.

Luke used a strainer to help retrieve the lamb, "You can use this, it's easier than chopsticks."

Orty took the strainer and managed to scoop up two more pieces, teasing, "Pretty handy, Captain Li is quite the gentleman today."

Luke also cooked a slice of lamb, "I always am, you just never gave me the opportunity.

Here's a little secret... there's still time to pursue me."

"Did you invite me to dinner today just to showcase your gentlemanly side?"

Orty dipped in the sauce and had some lamb, "Wow, it's spicy, but I love the kick."

"I'm glad you like it.

Besides, there is another small matter I wanted to address today."

"I knew it, this meal isn't just a freebie, is it?"

"They're separate things, even if there wasn't anything, I'd still invite you to dinner."