Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Luke observed her expression and asked, "Ma'am, do you know Danny Carter?"

"Yes, a strong young black man, he's all over the news now."

"On the evening of November 18th, did you see Danny Carter in the community?"

"No."

Luke, sensing that she might be lying, probed, "But Danny Carter said he thought he saw you at that time."

The black woman countered, "Are you sure?"

"Yes, that's what he said."

"It looks like our conversation should come to an end," the black woman said, tilting her head in a gesture of dismissal.

Daisy said earnestly, "Ma'am, please wait a moment.

I am Danny Carter's attorney, and he is currently being falsely accused and in a desperate situation.

We need your help."

The black woman shook her head, "Don't joke.

He's a sports star, a wealthy man, I can hardly imagine his life.

Take another look at my life...

I don't think I have the power to help him."

Daisy replied, "Danny Carter is also black, raised from childhood in a slum, his upbringing far less fortunate than this community.

He became a football player through his own efforts, you should know how hard that is for a black child.

Danny Carter is not the person you think he is, he has been financially supporting friends and family from his childhood; he is not like those cold-hearted rich people.

Now, he is facing the biggest predicament of his life, and he too needs a just person to help him through this difficult time.

Ma'am, right now you are the only one who can help him."

The black woman showed a hesitant look, glanced around, and said, "Come on in."

The furniture in the black woman's home was somewhat old but very clean; she asked Luke and his companion to sit on the sofa, "Would you like anything to drink?"

"Thank you, ma'am, we don't need anything," Luke politely declined and asked again, "On the evening of November 18th, did you see Danny Carter?"

The black woman nodded, "Yes, a not very tall, very spirited young man."

"Was he with Billie Warwick at the time?"

"Yes.

The car was very nice, I was surprised to see Billie Warwick stepping out from the passenger side."

"Can you describe their movements and demeanor?"

"After Billie Warwick got out of the car, she went in first to open the door, and Danny Carter followed her in.

This was pretty much it...

I didn't watch too closely at that time; after all, it was their private business, and it would have been rude to keep staring."

"Did Danny Carter make any forceful moves on Billie Warwick?"

"No."

"Danny Carter's car was stolen, and the car's dashcam might prove his innocence; we need to find that Porsche, did you see the car being stolen?"

"No."

"Before the car was stolen, did you see any suspicious people around?"

"Uh..." the black woman showed a hesitant look, glancing at Luke and then turning to Daisy, "You really aren't police?"

Daisy took out a business card, "My name is Daisy, my contact information and law firm are on here."

The black woman accepted the card, nodding, "That night, I did see a suspicious person around Billie Warwick's house, looking around sneakily.

However, I didn't see him steal the car."

Luke asked, "Did you tell the police about this?"

"No.

I didn't see that man steal the car.

Also, my son is in jail, I don't trust the police.

You must keep it to yourselves once you leave, I won't admit to anything.

That's all I know, I can't help you with anything else," the black woman said, looking like she didn't want trouble.

Luke asked, "Ma'am, did that suspicious man have a vehicle?"

"No."

"Can you describe what he looked like?"

"He was a black man, it was somewhat dark so I couldn't see his face clearly, but he had a distinctive hairstyle with dreadlocks and the hair on the left side of his head was shaved."

Luke pressed, "How tall was he? How old?"

"He seemed to be in his twenties or thirties, about as tall as you."

"What was he wearing at the time?"

"It seemed to be a black top and dark blue jeans," the black woman said, counter-questioning, "You're really not a cop?"

"I'm a detective."

Daisy pulled out her wallet, handing the woman three hundred US dollars, "Ma'am, thank you for your help."

"Whoa... what does this mean?"

"It's a small token of appreciation from Danny Carter; I will get reimbursed by him."

The black woman appeared grateful, "Thank you, I am now sure you are not police, they wouldn't give money, they might even take me away."

Daisy looked at Luke, laughed, and said, "Ma'am, you're really funny."

After leaving the house, Daisy asked, "Any thoughts?"

Luke said, "That dreadlocked black man sounds suspicious.

Although we don't know his name or could see his face clearly, his distinctive hairstyle should make him recognizable."

"Where do we go now?"

"Keep visiting, perhaps we'll dig up more clues."

The two continued their visits until the evening, but their luck seemed to have run out; neighbors did not provide any more valuable information.

The two had dinner at an Italian restaurant, then headed back to Daisy's home.