Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

"And even if the captain's speculation is incorrect, that woman might still be a victim of domestic violence, and we need to investigate."

Luke said, "Raymond, you contact the property management company and inquire about the situation with Apartments 611 and 707.

Jenny, you're coming with me to conduct surveillance on the seventh floor of the apartment."

"Yes, sir."

...

Patuo Apartment, seventh floor.

Luke had climbed the stairs, carefully inspecting each step without finding any suspicious traces.

Upon reaching the seventh floor, Jenny looked toward Apartment 707 and asked the two patrol officers on watch, "Has anything unusual happened?"

A black patrol officer replied, "No one has come out."

Jenny asked, "Captain, what should we do?"

Luke didn't answer; he was waiting for news from Raymond.

Jenny glanced at her watch, "Shall I knock on the door and bring that woman out?"

Luke vetoed, "No, if there is really a gunman hiding in 707, they might not be suspicious the first time someone knocks.

The second time, he'll definitely be on alert, and you'll be in danger too."

Jenny said, "But the longer we wait, the more danger that woman's in, I'm worried..."

Luke interrupted, "Stay calm. Earlier, it was just our speculation, with no evidence linking the person inside Apartment 707 to the shooting. Let's wait until Raymond has checked things out before we make a move."

"Creak..."

As Luke's voice fell, the door of Apartment 707 opened unexpectedly.

The officers on the scene all showed tension on their faces.

A tall white man stepped out from the room.

Jenny, her hands on her gun, shouted, "Los Angeles Police, don't move!"

"Put your hands up!"

The other officers also took out their guns and stayed on alert.

The white man startled, hurriedly raised his hands, "Hey, don't shoot, I'm unarmed."

A patrol officer instructed, "Put your hands on the wall, slowly, and don't make any extra movements."

A patrol officer went over and frisked the white man, "He's got no weapon."

The white man said, "Sir, I'm a good guy, haven't done anything illegal."

Jenny asked, "What's your name?"

"Rudger Yarolim."

"And the lady from earlier?"

"She's still in the room."

"What is your relationship with her?"

"We're married."

"Have you been to Apartment 611 this morning?"

"No, I've been home all day, this is my first time stepping out."

"Do you have a gun?"

"No."

"Who was in your home this morning?"

"Just my wife and I."

"But from what we know, around nine this morning, there were arguments and the sound of things being thrown in your home. What happened?"

The man hesitated for a moment, "Nothing happened."

Jenny pressed, "Then how did your wife get the injuries on her face? And how were her clothes damaged?"

The man looked down, silent.

"You won't talk?" Jenny walked to the door and called out, "Los Angeles Police, Mrs. Yarolim, please come out for a moment."

Shortly after, a white woman came out from the apartment room, the same one who had opened the door for Jenny the first time, "Officer, is there a problem?"

"Mrs. Yarolim, is the man outside your husband?"

"Yes."

"Did you go to Apartment 611 today?"

"No."

"Are you the owners of this apartment?"

"Yes."

"Have you left your room at all today?"

"No."

"Is there anyone else in your apartment right now?"

"No."

"How did you get the injury on your face?"

The woman covered her cheek with her hand, glanced at her husband, and said quietly, "I fell accidentally."

"Huh..." Jenny sighed softly, "You don't need to look at anyone or be afraid. We are here, and nobody can threaten you.

Were you beaten by someone?"

"No."

"Have you been the victim of domestic violence?"

The woman looked panicked and glanced at her husband again, "No, if you keep asking, our relationship is really good, truly."

Luke stood by, observing the couple the entire time. Regarding the questions about Apartment 611, the couple hadn't lied.

This indicated that they probably had nothing to do with the shooting at Apartment 611, and Luke's previous conjecture might not hold.

However, the couple did lie about certain things. When Jenny asked about domestic violence, both showed signs of lying, suggesting there might indeed be domestic abuse.

Los Angeles law takes domestic violence quite seriously, and once investigated, severe cases could lead to a four- or five-year sentence.

For this reason, a small portion of couples do not admit to domestic violence, even with police at their door, the couple won't confess, and in such cases, police are often unable to proceed with a domestic violence case, likely leading to the issue being dropped.

As for how the police knew about the situation?

Typically, couples won't report it themselves, and it's likely a neighbor who calls the police.

If indeed one of the spouses called the police, then it's likely the case would proceed as a domestic violence matter, complicating things.

Luke sized up the couple, his gaze falling on the husband, "Mr. Yarolim, I am Captain Luke Lee of the Robbery and Murder Department's first unit. May I talk to you alone?"

"There's no need."

"I think there is. If you don't want us to come again, it's better to resolve the issue once and for all."

Rudger Yarolim glanced at his wife and nodded his head, "OK."