Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Approaching noon, Luke managed to steal some time for a quick lunch.

Meanwhile, the police also collected information about the deceased through other channels.

Hashimoto Yumi was a first-generation immigrant; her parents were both in Japan, and she had no immediate family in Los Angeles.

Additionally, about a month ago, Hashimoto Yumi had reported an office theft, but due to a lack of sufficient clues, the police hadn't caught the suspect.

As for Hashimoto Yumi, Luke harbored many doubts; without her family around, he could only learn about her through other means.

In the afternoon, Luke and Jackson hurried over to the Yamini Architects Design Company.

The company was located in a three-story office building with a unique architectural style. The building was predominantly green with a lot of glass structures, giving it a novel appearance.

Luke and Jackson arrived at the lobby on the first floor and approached the reception to explain their purpose.

Soon after, a white woman in her thirties approached, dressed in a black business suit. After a brief exchange with the receptionist, she looked towards Luke and said, "Sir, are you here to see Vice President Hashimoto?"

"Yes," Jackson introduced proactively, "I am Detective Jackson from the Robbery and Murder Department, and this is Captain Lee."

"Good day to you both, officers. I am Melanie Hickman, Vice President Hashimoto's assistant. You can call me Melanie.

Is there a problem with President Hashimoto?"

Jackson countered, "Why do you ask that?"

"President Hashimoto is always punctual for work, but she didn't show up today and didn't call in sick either. I've been trying to reach her on her mobile but can't get through; this is very unusual."

Luke said, "Hashimoto Yumi is dead."

Melanie Hickman showed a look of surprise, "Oh my God, are you serious?"

"That's why we're here."

Melanie Hickman pressed, "How did President Hashimoto die?"

Luke glanced around; there were people passing by from time to time, "Who in the company knew her well?"

"I'm her assistant; I had a lot of contact with her."

"Then let's find a quieter place to talk."

Melanie Hickman nodded, "Okay, officers, please follow me."

Melanie Hickman then led Luke and the others to a break room and poured two cups of coffee for them, "Captain Lee, is President Hashimoto really dead? She was fine just yesterday; I can't believe it."

"If you don't believe it, you can come with us to the police station to identify the body."

With no immediate family in Los Angeles, Luke still hoped to find someone familiar to confirm Hashimoto Yumi's identity.

Melanie Hickman looked uneasy, "Identify the body?

Uh... I'm afraid I can't do that...

I'm sorry..."

Luke offered an alternative, "If you're willing, we can let you see the body of the deceased to confirm if it's indeed her?"

Melanie Hickman hesitated for a moment, her hands intertwined and still seeming a bit nervous.

Jackson encouraged, "Don't be scared, we're with you, there's nothing to worry about."

Taking a deep breath, Melanie Hickman finally said, "OK, I can identify her through a photo."

Jackson took out a photo and placed it in front of her.

Melanie Hickman reached out her hand tentatively before retracting it, staring at the photo on the table before quickly turning her head away, "It's President Hashimoto.

Who killed her?"

Luke said, "That's what we want to find out.

Since you are her assistant, you must be quite familiar with her affairs. Has she encountered any trouble recently?"

"I'm not too sure about that.

Though I am her assistant, she seldom talked about personal matters; I only helped her with work-related issues."

"Did she have anyone she was especially close to?"

Melanie Hickman said, "President Hashimoto originally worked at the Japanese branch and was later transferred to the Los Angeles company.

It seems she didn't have many close friends or family here."

"What kind of car did she usually drive to work?"

"Usually a red Lexus, and occasionally, a red Ferrari.

She would park it in the parking garage below; I've even ridden in it once, that Ferrari is beautiful."

"Apart from serving as the vice president in this company, did Hashimoto Yumi have any other part-time jobs?"

"Part-time jobs?

That seems unlikely.

President Hashimoto was very dedicated to her work, often working over ten hours a day, sometimes even until eight or nine in the evening. How could she find time for another job?"

"Did she have a boyfriend?"

"Probably not, at least I've never seen one."

Luke took notes; according to assistant Melanie Hickman, Hashimoto Yumi seemed to be a regular corporate executive. So why would she take a side job as a streetwalker?

"Why didn't she have a boyfriend?"

"I asked her once, and she said she was too busy to have time for that."

No time for a boyfriend, but time to be a streetwalker?

Could it be a special preference?

Luke pressed further, "Did she have any unusual behaviors?"

After thinking for a bit, Melanie Hickman replied, "No."

Luke flipped through his notebook, "Did anything happen to her before?"

"Not to my knowledge."

"According to police records, she filed a police complaint recently; did you know about that?"

"Yes.

Her office was burgled, but there wasn't much of value there, and it was left at that."

"Was it only her office that was burgled, or did the whole company experience theft?"

"I remember it was just her office that was burgled."