Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

"Has Balte Ramos ever been threatened?"

"Yes, a guy named Norbert Collins. He's in the same business as us, also running a used car dealership.

Because the two used car dealerships are close to each other, conflicts over customers and car sources are inevitable. Norbert Collins has threatened us before.

If we continued to oppose him and messed up his business, he said he'd kill us."

Luke asked, "Between your two dealerships, which one does better business?"

"Our dealership does better."

"What's the name of Norbert Collins's dealership?"

"Collins's Dealership. He's an arrogant and vicious guy."

Luke noted down the name of the dealership and asked a few more questions.

...

Marcus and the rookie, Port, were responsible for investigating the female witness wearing red high heels.

The two reviewed the surveillance footage outside the apartment and spotted the woman at the parking lot nearby, driving a white Ford sedan.

They quickly retrieved the information on the license plate number.

Name, Anise Snow

Gender, Female

Height, 173 cm

Weight, 118 pounds

Eye color, Blue

Hair color, Blonde

Date of birth, March 12, 1994

Mobile number, 626 496 3412

Address, Torim Apartments, Unit 307.

After finding the address of the female witness, the two did not contact her directly.

Previously, at the case debriefing, her situation had already been analyzed.

Logically, if the female witness had escaped unharmed, she should have called the police. But the police had not received any call.

This suggested two possibilities. First, she might still be in danger and unable to call, or perhaps even under the gunman's control.

Second, she might have run away but for some reason did not want to contact the police.

For either reason, making a call at this stage wouldn't be much help.

So, having acquired the witness's address, Marcus and Port went directly to her home.

In a Ford Explorer.

Harry sat in the passenger seat, glanced at Port driving next to him, and chuckled, "Buddy, I've read the entire Harry Potter series."

Port smiled, "It's a good series. My daughter likes it too. You can discuss it with her someday."

"I think I'll pass. After all, the last Harry Potter book was ten years ago—I can barely remember the plot." Harry shrugged his shoulders and curiously asked, "Buddy, why did you join the Robbery and Murder Department?"

Port countered, "Which Los Angeles cop wouldn't want to join the Robbery and Murder Department?"

"Whoa, I like that answer.

Give it some time and you'll find how right your choice was."

The two continued their casual conversation while driving.

Twenty minutes later, they arrived near Torim Apartments, where the female witness, Anise Snow, lived.

Port parked the car in the apartment's back parking lot, and after doing a sweep of the area, located the white Ford sedan driven by Anise Snow.

They then checked the parking lot's surveillance and saw Anise Snow getting out of her car alone, with no signs of coercion or being followed.

In other words, Anise Snow was not in danger and was free from the gunman's control; she likely didn't want to call the police.

Her reluctance to contact the police meant she was either guilty, distrustful, or too scared to deal with them—either involved in Garrett Swan's death or having a criminal record.

Harry passed this information to Matthew, who investigated Anise Snow's detailed background and confirmed she was indeed on bail.

After understanding the situation, Harry and Port went up to the third floor of the apartment building and knocked on the door of Unit 302.

"Knock, knock."

No response.

Harry called out, "Anise Snow, I know you are in the room and that you are on bail.

You're involved in a shooting incident, and we would like your assistance with the investigation."

There was still no sound from inside the apartment.

"We know you were at the scene when Garrett Swan was killed, and you were nearby. It's in your best interest to cooperate with the police and explain what happened, or else you could be a suspect in the shooting.

You know what that would mean."

After a while, the apartment door slowly opened, and a blonde woman tentatively poked her head out, "Are you really the police?"

"If we were the gunman's accomplices, you might already be dead."

The blonde woman let out a soft sigh and then fully opened the door, "Sorry, I was terrified."

Harry asked, "What's your name?"

"Anise Snow."

"I imagine you wouldn't want your neighbors to hear our conversation. I suggest we find somewhere else to talk."

Anise Snow hesitated for a moment and then stepped aside, "Come in and talk."

Harry walked into the room, taking in the apartment's environment. The place was a mess with clothes strewn about, two pairs of underwear on the couch, and a strong scent of perfume in the air.

"Sorry, it's a bit messy." She tidied up the clothes and said, "Make yourself comfortable."

Harry inquired, "What do you do for a living?"

Anise Snow countered, "Sir, are you looking into the case or trying to hit on me?"

Harry laughed, "Sorry, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed—I'm already married."

"Listen, I don't want any trouble. As you said before, I'm on bail. I can tell you what I know, but... I also need to ensure my safety and freedom."