Luke sized up Bowen Cano, who was half a head shorter than Luke and probably not even 180 cm tall, and under forty years old.

He did not match the suspect's footprint characteristics.

Since Bowen Cano was not the suspect, his words were likely true.

Badman Pole was Layli Harry's driver.

If it really was Badman Pole who had hired someone to attack Layli Harry's home.

What was the motive?

Was it Badman Pole's own decision, or was it at Layli Harry's behest?

Luke leaned toward the latter, as it was hard for a driver to suddenly come up with 200,000 US dollars in cash.

If the real mastermind behind this was Layli Harry, what was her true purpose?

Why have someone shoot up her own home?

Was it related to the recent victim's case?

Layli Harry had died, and only by finding the black driver Badman Pole could they clarify things.

David let Bowen Cano go. "Back to the station?"

Luke looked at his watch, it was already past one in the afternoon, "I'm hungry."

David had an "I knew it" expression, "How about we pick up a burger on the way?"

This statement reminded Luke of something his colleagues often said during late shifts in his past life, "How about a bucket?"

"No."

Luke verbally declined, but the lunch options in America were indeed limited, always the same few things.

They ended up choosing a stew restaurant.

They found a seat by the window and a slim white female waitress approached, "What would you like to eat?"

Luke took a glance, thought she was pretty, and somewhat familiar, "Alyssa."

The waitress in front of him was indeed the female victim of the 'Taser Gun Robbery Case', and the goddess that Lawyer Dave obsessed over.

The waitress stepped back in surprise, "Officer Luke, what brings you here?"

"You work here?"

"Yes."

David said, "We were just passing by and thought we'd grab something to eat, do you have something quick?"

"The stew is quick and it's the specialty of the house, tastes great."

Luke glanced at the menu, "Two seafood stews and one spicy pork chop, thank you."

"Coming right up." Alyssa went to the kitchen to say a word, then came back with two colas,

"This one's on me."

Alyssa didn't say much, nodded, and turned to leave.

Luke stopped her, "Can we talk?"

Alyssa paused, "Is it about that case?"

"No, it's something Dave wanted to tell you, and he asked me to help convey it. I know you don't want to bring up that matter, and I haven't reached out to you because of it.

If you want to know, I'll tell you.

If you don't want to, that's fine too."

Alyssa replied without hesitation, "I don't want any more ties with him, and I'm trying to let go of the resentment.

I trust in the law; he will face the justice he deserves.

Life is easier without Steven, without Dave.

Let it be."

Luke raised his glass in a gesture of respect, "I respect your decision."

"Thank you."

Luke had thus fulfilled his promise to Dave.

Knowing that Alyssa had found a new job, Dave probably could give up any thoughts of breaking out of prison.

Smart people can be more dangerous when fixated.

After filling their stomachs, the two prepared to return to the detective bureau.

Luke's phone rang, "Ding-a-ling..."

"Hello."

Little Black's voice came through the phone, "Hey, heard you're looking for Badman Pole?"

"You found his whereabouts?"

"Is there anyone I can't find?" Marcus chuckled.

Luke could imagine his smug expression through the phone.

...

Burna Motel.

A black Dodge was parked at the roadside, Luke rolled down the window.

Little Black walked over and leaned on the window, "My informant found out about Badman Pole.

The day before yesterday at noon, he rented a room here."

"Where do you get so many informants?" Luke was somewhat envious.

"Just grow up in the slums and you'll meet a lot of bad folks who grow up to be the backbone of gangs.

Your network just spreads out.

Of course, the prerequisite is you have to grow up too." Little Black shrugged, "Thinking of making some of those informants yourself?"

"I don't want to steal your bread and butter."

The three rushed to the motel's front desk.

The reception was managed by a black lady who, after Little Black flashed his badge and mixed charm with force, successfully earned her trust.

The black lady led the three to Badman Pole's motel room, "Bang bang."

The lady knocked hard, as if worried the person inside wouldn't hear her.

"Who's out there?" A woman's voice came from inside.

The black lady said in her characteristic raspy voice, "Room service."

"I didn't call for room service."

"Your room service is due, you need to pay now."

"I paid for three days; today is only the second day."

"You're mistaken; you only paid for two days in cash."

"Bitch, do you think I'm easy to bully? Don't assume I wouldn't know just because it's a cash transaction..." The door to the room opened, and a black woman in her thirties came out cursing.

When she saw Luke and the others, she was startled and immediately closed the door.

"Bang!" David grabbed the door and forcefully pulled it open.

Luke held his gun in both hands, "LAPD." He subdued the black woman.

David and another officer entered the motel room, one in front and one behind, to search.

"Clear."

"Clear."

The motel room was small, equipped with a bed and a sofa, adjacent to a separate bathroom.

A little boy was shivering on the sofa, looking pitiful.

"Fuck! What are you doing! Put away your damn guns, don't scare my son." The black woman shouted loudly.

Luke glanced at the black little boy and put away his gun, "Where is Badman Pohl?"

"I don't know."

"What is your relation to Badman Pohl?"

"He is my husband; he hasn't come home for two days. I've been looking for him too."

"What is your name?"

"Laura Pohl."

Luke motioned for her to sit on the sofa, "Laura, can I trust you?"

"Of course, I have no reason to lie to you." Laura hugged her son close.

Luke spoke soothingly to the little boy, "We are not bad guys; we just need to ask your mom a few questions. Don't be afraid."

The little boy, with a crying tone, stammered, "Are you here to arrest my dad?"

"No, your father is in trouble; we are here to help him."

"Can you help me find my dad?"

"We will do our best."

Marcus called to the little boy, "Hey, boy, let's go out and talk."

The little boy looked at his mother.

The mother nodded, "Go ahead."

After Marcus took the little boy out, Luke got straight to the point, "What was Badman Pohl doing?"

Laura Pohl shook her head, "I don't know; he didn't say."

"Then why aren't you staying at home, but running to this motel?"

"Badman said he had something important to do that might be dangerous, so he put us up in this motel. He also said he would contact us afterward, but he never came back or called, and I'm worried sick." Laura Pohl sobbed softly.

"Do you know what Badman Pohl does for a living?"

"Yes, he drives for Senator Layli Harry."

"A driver's job is to drive; didn't you find it strange that he suddenly mentioned doing something dangerous?"

"My husband is not just Ms. Layli Harry's driver, but also her assistant.

Layli Harry is extraordinary, she is not just anyone, she has many potential political enemies, and my husband has always been secretly protecting her.

These things can't be known by the public, and I have always silently supported him.

Thus, I seldom inquire about his work, this time was no different.

But I didn't expect… he never came back, and I'm worried sick."

Luke asked, "Given that your husband has been missing for two days, why haven't you reported to the police?"

"I was terrified, I didn't know who to turn to for help or who to trust. Why are you looking for my husband? Did something happen to him?"

"Ms. Layli Harry is dead. Your husband was her driver, and we want to understand some situations from your husband."

"What? You're saying Ms. Layli is dead. Oh my god... how could such a terrible thing happen?"

"You didn't know about this?"

"No, I've been out of touch with the outside world since I came to the motel. I had no idea about Ms. Layli Harry's situation. Could my husband be in danger? Do you have any news of him?"

Luke thought to himself, would we be here if we had news?

"Being husband and wife, do you really know nothing about Badman Pohl's affairs? Or has he encountered any difficulties, offended anyone?"

Laura Pohl thought for a moment, "Some time ago, a group of people came to my house and took my husband away.

When my husband came back, he was beaten black and blue, which terrified me.

I asked him what happened, but he refused to say and he didn't report to the police either.

He also told me not to get involved.

He was very adamant at the time, which made me feel uneasy."

"About that group of people, do you have any impressions?"

"I secretly took some photos through the window." Laura Pohl took out her phone, scrolled through it, and handed it to Luke.

The first photo showed Badman Pohl just stepping out of the house, with several unfriendly-looking men approaching him.

The second photo showed Badman Pohl being led onto a car, yet his gaze was directed towards the right side of the car.

The third photo, on the right side of that car, showed another car with a white man in a suit leaning against it, smoking a cigarette, as if he was just an onlooker.

Luke's gaze locked onto this man; he had seen him before.

It was the deceased's brother, Maquire Harry.

This was unexpected for Luke.

These two had private contact?

Considering the matter of Badman Pohl hiring gunmen to attack the victim's home.

At the time, Luke had felt that Badman Pohl was likely just a middleman, as he couldn't possibly have come up with two hundred thousand dollars himself.

But the actual employer could very likely have been the deceased, Layli Harry.

But now finding out that Badman Pohl had connections with the deceased's brother, Maquire Harry.

Could the mastermind behind hiring the gunmen to attack the victim's home be Maquire Harry?

He certainly had the funds to do it.

If it indeed was Maquire Harry's doing, what was his motive?

Could Layli Harry's death be related to him?