Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

"You should apologize to me."

Luke said, "Don't worry, I'm here to verify some clues. If you're willing to assist with the police investigation, we will prove your innocence."

Darwin Morrison, somewhat agitated, replied, "I've been assisting you all along. Everything I've said is true."

Karen Ray retorted, "You're lying.

You said you didn't go to Highway 1 in the early morning of the 18th, but we found you on the road surveillance — the photos are very clear. Do I need to remind you?"

Darwin Morrison sighed, "Yes, I... did go.

The reason I didn't tell the truth is because I was worried you'd misunderstand.

But that doesn't mean anything, nor does it prove I killed him."

Karen Ray said, "Lying shows you're guilty. And, you were indeed near the crime scene that night, meaning you had the opportunity."

"I told you, I was around there, but I didn't see him, much less kill him.

Also, you searched my house and car and found no evidence, which should prove my innocence."

Karen Ray corrected, "That only shows we haven't found evidence yet, not that you're innocent."

"I am innocent."

"We found the body based on your text message address, how do you explain that?"

Darwin Morrison angrily said, "He did ask to meet, but that doesn't mean his death is related to me.

You detained me, interrogated me, searched my home; it's you who should be giving me an explanation."

Luke interrupted their conversation, "Hey, stop arguing, it's pointless." Without giving them time to respond, he continued, "Mr. Darwin Morrison, what's your relationship with the deceased, Kilo Jones?

Why meet at such an early hour?"

"He... was my neighbor.

We were meeting for a personal matter."

"Being neighbors, why not talk at home? Why arrange to meet so far away?"

"You should ask him, he was the one who texted me to meet there."

Luke inquired further, "Did you two speak on the phone beforehand?"

"Yes."

"Did you talk about the meeting on the phone?"

"Yes, I said I wanted to meet him, he said he'd think about it, then he texted me.

I went to the meeting place but didn't see him.

I don't know why he died, but it has nothing to do with me."

"Can you be sure it was the deceased who sent the text?"

"I can't be sure."

"Other than you two, does anyone else know about the meeting?"

"No one."

"What shoes were you wearing that night?"

"Dress shoes."

"What size are your dress shoes?"

"Size 43."

Luke presented a set of footprints found at the scene, "Are these your footprints?"

Darwin Morrison thought for a moment and shook his head, "No, I didn't even get out of the car that night.

I couldn't see Kilo Jones, nor could I reach him on the phone.

Feeling something was off, and since the area was quite remote, I drove back home."

Luke scrutinized his expression but didn't catch any clear signs of lying. Then he used a footprint identification card on the footprint photo.

A set of data appeared in his mind.

[Shoes, dress shoes with cross-pattern

Gender, female

Height, 168-174CM

Weight, between 110 and 120 pounds.

Age, between 38 and 43 years.]

Seeing this data, Luke was somewhat surprised; the dress shoes were actually worn by a woman. Based on her height, it was unlikely she wore size 43, suggesting small feet in large shoes, likely trying to disguise as a male to mislead the police.

According to suspect Salma Gonzalez's description, the officer was shot by a female gunman, which aligns with these clues.

The Canyon Station had previously focused on Darwin Morrison, assuming the killer was male, but it now seems they might have been searching in the wrong direction.