Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

9:00 AM.

Luke drove to the Santa Monica foothill.

A very modern art museum and beautiful gardens have been built here—the Getty Center.

Luke parked his car in the parking lot and walked to the Getty Center's front plaza, where the surrounding architecture and scenery blended seamlessly. Perhaps due to Christmas, there weren't many tourists today.

Luke stretched lazily and breathed in the fresh air; it was nice to occasionally wander through the hills.

A Black man walked over, wearing a yellow hat and carrying a checkered bag. He approached Luke and said, "Sir, I'm very hungry, can you buy me something to eat?"

Luke looked at the man, lifted his clothes, and took money from his pocket, unconsciously revealing the gun at his waist. He handed over two US Dollars, "Merry Christmas!"

"Thank you, sir. Merry Christmas!" The homeless man thanked him and quickly walked away with the two US Dollars.

Opinions vary on giving money to the homeless, with many different viewpoints. American homeless people come from various backgrounds but generally fall into three categories.

The first category consists of those with working limbs who could work but are lazy, preferring to live on welfare.

The second category includes those who are ill and unable to work.

The third category comprises individuals with education, ambition, and aspirations who once tried but failed, and, unable to withstand setbacks, have become somewhat disheartened and disillusioned.

On the issue of giving money, opinions are mostly divided into two camps. The first camp supports giving money since some homeless people truly struggle to afford a meal, and with one or two US Dollars, they can have a decent meal.

If you don't give, it might become the last straw that breaks the camel's back.

The other camp believes you shouldn't give money. Once you give, you'll be persistently approached by homeless people.

If you give them one or two bucks, they aren't satisfied and might keep pursuing for more, and the situation could even become dangerous due to disputes.

Luke thinks both camps make valid points; it boils down to whether you have the means.

For Luke, whether to give entirely depends on his mood. If he sees the person is truly pitiful and can't afford a meal, he might give two or three US Dollars out of kindness.

If the person dares to harass him and keeps asking for money, he'd find a secluded spot to give them a good smack until they behave.

A graceful figure approaches in the distance, smiling and saying, "I didn't expect that Captain Li has such a kind side."

Luke jokingly replied, "Regretting missing the chance to know me better last night, aren't you?"

Orty seemed unbothered as if she didn't understand, "That's why I asked you to the museum today. Have you been to this famous Los Angeles museum before?"

"No, I'm a simple man, seldom coming to such cultured places." Luke hadn't visited the museum before but was aware of its founder.

This old man is Paul Getty, a ruthless person whose grandson was kidnapped by the Mafia, had an ear cut off, yet he still refused to pay 17 million US Dollars in ransom, drawing much criticism from the public.

Luke knew some inside details, reportedly after Getty's grandson was kidnapped, the family held a series of emergency meetings about the abduction, claiming he focused entirely on money over people, a biased stance.

Getty's open refusal to pay the ransom stemmed from fear other family members would become targets for more kidnappers; his coldness was a negotiation strategy.

Getty had four wives, four sons, and over a dozen grandchildren.

Regardless of the truth, this kidnapping was merely a slight ripple in his life, not even a setback.

This museum is Getty's 'real grandson,' costing 2.2 billion US Dollars to build and bears his heart and soul.

The museum's main theme is in white, and its collections mostly include paintings and sculptures, featuring renowned works by Monet, Manet, Chansay, Van Gogh, etc.

The museum's plaza is filled with numerous sculptures, of varied shapes and styles, male and female.

The museum offers free entrance and exploration at will.

Luke rarely visited museums before, finding them dull and tedious, but after walking around this one, felt differently.

Every painting has its origin, each represents a period, each is a condensed history phase...

In some sense, these sculptures and paintings are the summary of Western civilization...

If only viewing superficially to kill time, you might simply be wasting time.

But if you truly engage with the experience, there may be insights and inner enrichment.

Orty served as Luke's guide while touring the art exhibition, stopping at an impressionist painting, "This piece, 'Still Life' by Chansay, was auctioned for 60.5 million US Dollars in 1999.

It gives art enthusiasts globally the opportunity to view the master's work and solidified his status in the art world."

Luke scrutinized the painting, perhaps because it was his infrequent visit and lack of artistic sense, he couldn't see what was special about it.

The two continued walking forward, reaching the hall's center, where Orty pointed at a blue-green-hued painting, "'Irises,' the museum's treasure, Van Gogh's 1889 masterpiece.

The Getty Museum bought it for over 53 million US Dollars at auction in 1988, setting a record for oil painting sales at that time."

Luke didn't pay much attention to painters, but he knew Van Gogh's name. He maintained an appreciative attitude without critiquing his work.

The two toured until noon before dining at a restaurant located outside the museum.

This Italian restaurant was a place Luke quite liked; he enjoyed Italian cuisine but was usually too busy for such leisurely indulgence.