Conna Simon picked up the drink next to her and took a sip, "Abu Gela, I still remember him, how is he doing recently?"

"He's not very well."

Conna Simon pouted, "Did he scam again?"

"He's dead."

"Really?"

"Of course, that's also why we are here."

"Oh my gosh, that's too bad. To be honest, I kind of miss him."

"Are you being sarcastic?"

"I'm serious."

"You forgave him?"

"Of course, everyone makes mistakes, and so do I, as long as the other person is willing to change.

I think we should give him a chance, be more forgiving, the world would be lovelier that way."

Marcus nodded, suddenly feeling that the woman before him was quite kind, garnering more of his favor.

Conna Simon glanced at Little Black and then at Luke, "What do you want from me? You don't think I killed him, do you?"

"No, we just want to understand some cases he's suspected of scamming."

"It's been a long time, probably more than a year ago," Conna Simon thought for a bit, then continued, "Back then, I had just celebrated my 35th birthday, and suddenly I felt... like I wasn't young anymore.

A bit anxious, a bit unhappy... and not really in the mood to chat with friends. Sometimes it's very hard to open up to people you're too familiar with, you guys should understand.

So I went online to find friends to chat with, and I came across someone interesting, his profile picture looked a lot like Lucas, super handsome, and I was smitten right away.

I love the film 'Brazilian Lover' starring Lucas, and since I was a little fan of his, I started chatting with this person, wanting to get to know him.

After chatting a few times, he seemed like a nice guy.

We met in person then.

Wow, he really did look like Lucas, especially at night, the contour of his profile, super handsome.

I really liked him.

But I was also a little afraid to meet him, you know... my figure is a bit... plump.

But he didn't mind, we enjoyed each other's company, eating and chatting together.

During that time I felt very happy, as if I were in a dream.

Not long after that, he began to borrow money from me, all kinds of reasons to borrow money.

At first, I complied with his requests, but later he became unreasonable, I could tell that he was becoming more and more perfunctory, and his purpose for meeting was just to borrow money.

I liked him, but I'm not stupid.

Later... I called the police."

Luke asked, "Does he have any accomplices?"

"I've never seen any."

"Does he have any enemies?"

Conna Simon shook her head, "I don't know which of his words were true and which were false. Unfortunately, I might not be able to help you guys."

Little Black felt indignant for Conna Simon; although Abu Gela was lousy, he never scammed women for money.

"Why were you willing to reconcile with him?"

Conna Simon laughed, "You really want to know."

"Of course."

"We did it."

"What do you mean?"

"It means what you're thinking, three times."

"We knew each other for two months and met many times, but his purpose was just to scam money, he didn't actually like me, there was never any intimate gestures.

But to reach a settlement, he took the initiative to propose that we could...

...and I agreed."

Little Black pursed his lips and nodded, feeling like his earlier conclusion might have been premature.

Conna Simon seemed to reminisce with a smile, "I still remember that night, the light was a bit dim, he really looked a lot like Lucas.

One of those times, I even imagined him as Lucas, and then..."

Luke interrupted, "Enough, you don't have to go on. That should be a beautiful moment between the two of you, no need to share with anyone else."

"You are right, even though he's dead, I will always remember that night. I really liked him, if he had chosen to be with me then, even though I knew he didn't like me, knew it was for money, I would have been willing.

Maybe then, he wouldn't have died." Conna Simon said somewhat sadly, "May I ask how did he die?"

"Sorry, I can't disclose the specifics."

Luke asked a few more questions before leaving the beach.

Little Black was somewhat moved, "I never would've thought a settlement could be reached in such a way, Abu Gela was ruthless indeed."

Luke's focus wasn't on that, but on Abu Gela's scamming history.

Human nature is greedy, many scammers who taste the fruit of their deceit find it hard to stop.

Abu Gela would likely scam again, and just because Conna Simon forgives him doesn't mean other victims would as well.

Back at the detective bureau.

Luke found Matthew and asked him to investigate Abu Gela's communication and online records, hoping to find clues to the victim's fate.

"Creak..."

Just then, the office door opened.

Chief Reid walked in, "Everyone, there's something I'd like to take a few minutes of your time."

The deputy chief grumbled, "Reid, don't even think about making us work overtime again, no amount of overtime pay could make that possible."

"I know everyone has been working hard these past few days, and that's not why I'm here," Reid spread his hands and continued, "The producer of the movie 'The Disappearing Lover,' Rossi Bill, has been bailed out."

"Fuck! I knew this would happen," the deputy chief said discontentedly.

Jenny asked, "Perjury is a serious crime, even if he got bail, it seems too quick."

The deputy chief sighed, "That's America for you, that's the power of capital, I've seen too much of this in my life."

Reid explained, "Hey, don't think so negatively.

Rossi Bill indeed is an accomplice to perjury but he's just a secondary player, who accepted the actions of the Lucas couple without much involvement in the case."

"Why are you speaking for him?" the deputy chief complained.

Reid took a deep breath, "Is it that obvious?"

The deputy chief curled his lip, "I know you too well."

Reid glanced towards the door, "Since that's the case, I might as well speak plainly. Rossi Bill is willing to donate one point five million dollars to the detective bureau, with three hundred thousand as a reward for solving the Abu Gela case."

Little Black looked hopeful, "Is the three hundred thousand reward for us?"

Reid nodded, "You should know that Rossi Bill isn't deeply involved in the case, and continuing to investigate will indeed cause him some trouble, which would mean increasing the bail amount.

Instead of him spending more money on bail, it's better to donate it to the detective bureau. What do you think?"

Luke nodded, "Do a favor for others, do a favor for yourself."

Reid snapped his fingers, "Exactly, that's the spirit."

Little Black laughed, "I think it's not bad, Rossi has the money, and giving a part of it to the detective bureau.

It could allow the detective bureau to serve the citizens better, it's a win-win.

Why not?"

No one else said anything.

Under the premise of complying with legal regulations, the police department has certain maneuverability in the investigation of cases, and as long as they wish, they could offer Rossi some conveniences.

It's a bit like a law enforcement version of a plea bargain, just more subtle.

It's not illegal.

In cases where there is no personal grievance.

Who would say no to a bonus?

...

After work.

Luke didn't go straight home. He had slept until twelve noon and wouldn't be able to fall asleep if he went back now.

Daisy was working overtime today, and Luke didn't really want to stay at home alone either.

So he just went to the club for shooting practice.

According to Raymond, shooting at fixed targets can't improve your shooting skills, but it can maintain your proficiency.

Plainly speaking, it's like martial arts; you need to practice every day.

Luke humbly accepted his advice and decided to shoot a couple of targets after work regularly—it was just a matter of minutes and wouldn't impact his other tasks.

"Ding ling ling…" Luke's cellphone rang; it was Little Black calling.

"What's up?"

"I have some good news for you."

"Did you catch the murderer of Abu Gela?"

"No, but I found your little treasure."

"What's with that disgusting tone, makes me want to punch you."

"A lot of people want to punch me, probably could line up from Los Angeles to New York City, you want to join the queue?"

"Just get to the point, what is it?"

"I found Harley."

Luke, gun in hand, fired a burst at the target, emptying the magazine, and then asked, "Where?"

"You have to agree to a condition before I tell you."

"What condition?"

"I'll help you get it back, but you have to let me borrow it occasionally."

"My car isn't for borrowing."

"Then you can wait for that rookie cop, maybe he will surprise you for Christmas," Little Black said with a mischievous laugh.

"Fuck!" Luke sighed and relented, "You can borrow it, but only when I'm not using it."

"Deal."

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