Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

"If only I had a horse riding tutorial card right now."

Tom led the horse around and asked, "Mr. Lee, would you like to give it a try yourself?"

Luke asked, "Will it suddenly start running?"

"As long as it's not startled, it generally won't."

Luke hesitated a bit. Although riding was exhilarating, it was also a technical skill, not something that could be learned in a day or two. This Tom might be a skilled rider, but that didn't necessarily mean he could teach others.

If the horse got scared and he fell off, it would be embarrassing, and getting injured would be an even greater loss.

Luke only wanted to try riding, but he didn't have much energy or mind to devote to it.

Although he hadn't learned much technique, he was now one of the people who had ridden a horse, surpassing ninety-five percent of the world's population.

Luke looked toward the riding arena and noticed two more people had arrived, a Caucasian man entering with a girl.

"Who are they?"

"Mr. Cruise's son, Hill Cruise, and his granddaughter."

A few thoughts suddenly flashed through Luke's mind.

Why had they come riding when he did?

Were they here to seek him out intentionally?

Or did Mr. Cruise know his son would come riding and so had Tom bring him too, to create an opportunity for a conversation?

Or was it Tom's own idea?

"Does Mr. Hill Cruise really enjoy horse riding?"

Tom answered, "The Hill family lives in Los Angeles, and they occasionally come back to stay at the estate. I guess they just returned this afternoon.

Lately, he's been teaching his daughter to ride, so they often come over to the arena."

"Tom, thanks for the effort.

I might not be cut out for learning to ride. Could you introduce me to Mr. Hill Cruise?"

Tom, as if pardoned, said, "Of course, I'm actually not good at teaching others to ride either."

Tom, holding the reins, walked towards the arena and called out to the man helping his daughter onto a horse, "Hill, Miss Erin, good afternoon."

The man assessed Luke, "Tom, who is this gentleman? I think it's my first time seeing him."

"This is Mr. Lee, the new security consultant Mr. Cruise has just hired."

Luke dismounted, "Hello, Mr. Hill Cruise, I'm Luke Lee."

"Hello."

The two shook hands.

Luke examined the man, who appeared to be just over fifty, slightly overweight, with a resemblance to Fuan Cruise, both with blond hair.

"Mr. Hill Cruise, could we speak privately?"

Hill Cruise looked at his daughter, "Sweetie, can you wait for me a moment?"

"No need, I've already learned to ride, so you can go ahead and talk," the girl said, then she flicked the reins and rode off.

Hill Cruise smiled wryly, "Mr. Lee, sorry for that spectacle."

"No, she rides better than I do. How long has she been practicing?"

"Less than two months, about once a week."

Luke realized that mastering horse riding in a short period was unrealistic for himself and began the real discussion, "Mr. Cruise, may I ask you a few questions?"

"Are you referring to the threatening letters?"

"Yes."

"Do you suspect that I wrote that letter?"

"I suspect everyone, including your father."

Hill Cruise laughed, "That's an interesting thought. It would be very interesting if the old man wrote it."

"Have you seen the threatening letter?"

"Yes."

"Do you have any suspects?"

"Maybe, but I won't tell you."

"That letter wasn't written by you, was it?"

"No." Hill Cruise shook his head, "I like straightforward people, but sometimes being too straightforward can be off-putting."

Luke smiled, "Sorry, but as the estate's security consultant, I need to ensure the safety of everyone here."

Hill Cruise eyed Luke, "And who exactly are you?"

"My primary job is as a police officer."

"No wonder you look familiar. I think I've seen you in the news... you're the recipient of the Public Safety Officer Medal. It seems the old man splurged this time to hire you."

Luke smiled, "Mr. Fuan Cruise is indeed very generous."

Hill Cruise said, "You just mentioned ensuring everyone's safety here?"

"Yes."

"I also received a threatening letter, maybe you could investigate that too. It could potentially be from the same person."

"When did you receive it?"

"Yesterday morning."

"Where did you find it?"

"At my house in downtown Los Angeles, someone had thrown the envelope onto the lawn."

"May I see it?"

"I didn't bring the original, I only have a photo." Hill Cruise took out his phone and opened a photo.

A few lines of red text were written on a white paper, 'Cruise family bastard, you are nothing but a thief, a robber.

People like you usually end up dying horribly.

I heard your dad got you a new mom, ready to call her 'mom'? Ha ha...

We'll meet soon... prepare to face God's punishment.'

Hill Cruise put his phone away, "Officer Lee, what do you think of this threatening letter?"

Luke said, "This letter is handwritten, while the other threatening letter was printed. Moreover, the tone and content of the two letters differ, and the places where the letters were found are also different.

From the current evidence, they seem not to be from the same person."

"But from his tone, he also knows about the engagement ceremony. He might also come here to cause trouble. Aren't you responsible for the security of the ceremony? Maybe you could look into it as well."