Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Los Angeles suburbs.

A gray and white church was built next to a remote grove.

A side hall of the church covers about thirty square meters, with curtains drawn and a transparent glass ceiling letting light in and shining on the church's center.

The church doesn't have many decorations or items, with eight chairs placed around the center, and eight people of different races, genders, and ages sit around together.

Among them, the oldest is a white man, seemingly in his fifties, holding a folder with a hammer mark in the upper right corner.

The white man opens the folder and says, "Welcome everyone to the Work Injury Support Group.

I am the organizer of this group, Bern Nelson.

The reason everyone has gathered here is due to difficulties at work affecting our lives and health.

I hope everyone can bravely express their problems and feelings, discuss with each other, and help overcome each other's issues."

Bern Nelson glanced at everyone, "Who would like to introduce themselves first?"

A Mexican man raises his hand, "Hi, my name is Martin, 32 years old, and I have depression…

I am a lawyer who works more than 12 hours every day, and I haven't laughed for a long time…

I feel like I've forgotten what it's like to laugh…

I am very afraid… afraid of the phone…

Since becoming a lawyer, I hardly have any personal time, not even on Christmas when I have to be on call 24 hours…

Every day I live in a constant state of tension…

I really want to turn off the phone and have a good sleep…

But I can't… I have to be responsible for my clients…

My pressure is so huge, I can't breathe, and I've thought about quitting more than once…

I've written resignation letters more than once…

But I still don't have the courage to resign…

I don't know what to do…

I've been solving various problems for my clients, but my own life is a mess.

I've earned a lot of money, but it means nothing to me, just a series of numbers…

I cannot feel any happiness.

The pressure is driving me crazy…"

"Hello everyone, I'm Mary, 28 from Orange County. I'm a telephone operator, and my daily work involves listening to customer requests, providing information, and assisting with billing…"

"Hi, my name is Bolita, I'm 45 years old, with a herniated disc and knee problems, and the doctor advised me to rest for a while.

I'm a gardener, this industry is very competitive and the salary is low…

I've been trying very hard…

But I haven't earned much money and yet ended up with a body full of injuries…"

People at the support group spoke about their respective problems and troubles, mostly caused by work-related issues.

Organizer Bern Nelson listened carefully to each person's story, noted their problems and dilemmas, while also using calm language to advise them.

"Knock knock…"

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Bern Nelson stood up, "Continue, I'll take a look."

Bern Nelson picks up the folder and walks to the door, opens it, and sees two men standing outside, a black man and a young man with black hair, "What can I do for you?"

These two were Luke and Shaq.

They received the group's business card from a psychologist.

Luke felt the three cases might be related to this group, and later asked Shakru Khan and Melanie Hickman, both admitted to having participated in the mutual aid association, and the organizer of the group was Bern Nelson as seen on the business card.

Luke sized up Nelson, "Are you Mr. Bern Nelson?"

"Yes, I am."

Shaq showed his badge, "I'm Detective Marcus from the Robbery and Murder Department, and this is Captain Li.

We are investigating a series of murders and would like to ask you some questions."

Bern Nelson's complexion slightly changed, "Murder case? You must have the wrong person."

Luke queried, "Do you know Shakru Khan?"

"The name sounds familiar."

Luke took out the photo of the person in question, Bern Nelson took a closer look, "Yes, he participated in the group."

Luke then presented Melanie Hickman's photo, "How about her?"

"She's also a member."

Luke thought for a moment and then took out the photos of individuals involved in Ma Jiehui's murder case, "Among these three photos, do you recognize anyone?"

Bern Nelson looked and pointed at the photo of restaurant employee Song Bo, "He is also a member of our group."

"That's right, these three people are involved in three different murder cases.

And they were all members of the Work Injury Support Group.

We have reason to believe your group might be connected to these three murders."

Bern Nelson stood frozen, "Could this be some kind of misunderstanding?

Our group's purpose is to defend workers' rights, it's a charity organization, how can it be involved in a murder case?"

Luke reassured him, "You don't need to be nervous, we are just conducting a routine investigation. I also hope these three murder cases have nothing to do with the group."

"Where were you from 10 p.m. on December 17 to 2 a.m. the next day?"

"I was home."

"Can anyone verify that?"

"My wife."

"Where were you from 9 p.m. to midnight on December 18?"

"At home."

"Where were you from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on December 19?"

"Home."

Luke asked someone to contact his wife to verify his alibi.

Luke continued, "How many people are in your mutual aid association?"