Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Half an hour ago.

Eno Community, Linda's house.

"Haha..."

Laughter filled the dining room.

Linda, Val, the little chubby one, and Grandmother sat at the dining table, eating and chatting.

Although Grandmother can be unreliable sometimes, she's a great conversationalist, and with her around, the room rarely falls into silence.

Grandmother took a sip of her red wine, "Linda, it's been a long time since I've tasted your cooking, it's still as great as ever. There's no denying you've inherited my cooking talent."

Linda shrugged, "You could skip that last part."

Val chuckled, "Speaking of which, it's been ages since I've had Mom's cooking. Where have you been this year, why haven't you contacted us at all?"

"Oh... I've been quite busy this year, doing a lot of things.

I went to Africa to help the children suffering from poverty and hunger, I can't imagine there are places in the world where people don't have enough to eat.

I volunteered there and donated some medicine and food.

Later... I went to China, a vast country with a large population, some wealthy areas, but also impoverished mountainous regions, where students have to travel long distances to school.

So... I funded the construction of a Hope Primary School."

"Wow..." The little chubby one looked surprised, "Grandma, you're amazing, doing so many good deeds.

Both Africa and China are places I've longed to visit, yet haven't been.

But I've heard from my brother that the population in China is drastically declining, and many rural schools have been shut down because they're unable to enroll students. Why build another Hope Primary School?"

Grandmother looked slightly uncomfortable, "Uh... How's your studying going lately?"

Val laughed, "Truly a loving family."

Linda stood up, pointing at the dishes on the table, "Lunch is over.

I cooked today, so it's your turn to handle these, I'm sure you can do it well."

Grandmother shook her right hand, "Yesterday, while preparing a surprise for you all, I hid in a box and accidentally twisted my hand.

So, it's up to you now." Grandmother's gaze fell on Val and the little chubby one.

Linda was quite used to these scenes, but her attention was caught by the ring on Grandmother's finger, "Is that diamond ring real?"

Grandmother cheerfully waved her right hand, "Do you think I'd wear a fake one?"

"Mom, where did you get the money to buy a diamond ring?" Although Val wasn't familiar with the diamond market, she could tell its size — akin to a pea — meant it wasn't cheap.

"Buy a diamond ring?

Nonono, if a woman has to buy her own diamond ring, she's too much of a failure.

This was given to me by someone else."

Val grabbed Mom's hand to take a closer look, "Why accept such an expensive gift from someone?"

"I didn't want it, but the person insisted on giving it to me. It's quite troubling..." The expression on Grandmother's face didn't match the word 'troubling' at all.

Linda sat back in her chair, "Who gave it to you?"

Grandmother seemed slightly displeased with her daughter's tone, "The way you're talking, I thought your grandmother had come back to life."

Linda retorted, "So... you want to anger her to death again?"

"I've told you many times, your grandmother wasn't angered to death by me." Grandmother lowered her voice, "Actually, I've always suspected it was Aunt Sophie, but I'm afraid of getting hit so I've never asked her..."

Val joked, "If Aunt Sophie hits people, I wouldn't be surprised at all."

Linda was somewhat speechless.

Grandmother glanced at Linda's right hand, "You're still young... You should start afresh, forget that scoundrel.

When you got married, I always felt the two of you weren't suitable; he was just a passerby in your life."

Linda glanced at the little chubby one, "Mom, now's not the time to talk about this.

Instead of caring about me, why don't you think more about Val?"

Grandmother held Val's hand, "Dear, you really should find someone."

Val pulled his hand away, "Hehe, why turn the focus on me? Do you think I can't find a girlfriend?

That's impossible, I do have someone I'm seeing."

Linda said, "Then bring your girlfriend back, like Jack did."

The little chubby one winked at Val.

Val sighed and defiantly said, "I will..."

"Woo woo..."

Suddenly, the sound of sirens came from outside.

Linda went to the window to check, finding three police cars parked outside the yard.

"Why are there police cars outside?"

The little chubby one said, "Could they be here looking for my brother?"

"Luke is off today, and outside are patrol officers..." Linda finished speaking and glanced at her brother unkindly, "Val, what's going on?"

Val had an innocent expression on his face, "This is your house, how would I know what's happening? How do you know they're here for me?"

Outside, the patrol officers got out of their cars and walked into the yard, Linda urged, "Jack, call your brother."

...

An hour later.

A Mercedes G500 drove into the community.

The car stopped by the roadside, Luke stepped out and saw a familiar police officer.

"John."

"Hi, Luke, I was about to get in touch with you." John walked over.

"What's up?"

"I had planned to watch a match with a friend, but he suddenly had something come up and won't be able to go. Do you want to join me?"

"When?"

"Tonight."

"What match?"

John smiled mysteriously, "You'll find out when we get there."

"See you tonight." Luke glanced towards the house, "What's been happening here?"