He thought deeper.

He had long suspected that Pari Jones had some clues unknown to the police.

Now it seemed that Luke had underestimated her.

If it was merely witnessing Nicole's victimization, Pari Jones should not have been able to find out Nicole's identity.

According to Laura's description, Nicole was carrying a black backpack the night she was killed, but the police never found that backpack.

Pari Jones likely obtained the items from the victim's backpack, thereby finding Nicole's home address.

Taking evidence from the crime scene was illegal.

Of course, these were all Luke's conjectures; to arrest someone, he still needed solid evidence.

A few minutes later, Pari Jones came out of Nicole's house and got into the news station's car and left.

Luke and another person entered Nicole's home and asked her father some questions.

As Luke had guessed, Pari Jones was there to investigate the matter at Dracula Bar.

While Luke had someone keep Nicole's father stable, he immediately video called Susan and told her about the new developments in the investigation.

Luke briefly mentioned the clues he had found and concluded, "The current situation is troublesome, we must take action against Pari Jones."

"Do you have evidence that Pari Jones took the items left at the scene by the victim?"

"No, this is just my conjecture."

Susan sounded somewhat helpless, "Pari Jones is a journalist, and without concrete evidence, it is difficult for us to arrest her."

"Captain, I'm not just worried about Pari Jones having other vital clues now; more importantly, she is prepared to approach the victim's parents, which means she is well prepared.

She is playing on the timing difference, planning to report the case as news before the police find out Nicole's true identity.

I suspect that she might report on this case in the news tonight.

Also, according to Marcus' investigation, her program airs at eight o'clock in the evening." Luke glanced at his watch, "That's in 9 hours from now."

Luke's judgment was somewhat based on data and was not completely conjecture.

You should know that before seeing Nicole's parents, Pari Jones would have also guessed that the police would eventually talk to Nicole's parents. Once the police learn from Nicole's parents about her interview, they would certainly guess that she might have clues unknown to them.

This would likely interfere with her journalism.

Therefore, after meeting Nicole's parents, she would definitely have hurried to prepare the program to air it that evening.

But now the problem is that all conjectures and suspicions lack evidence.

The best option would certainly be to arrest and search Pari Jones.

But without evidence, it's hard to apply for a search warrant.

Without a search warrant, it is impossible to find evidence.

One key point is that Pari Jones is a journalist, and if the police don't have sufficient evidence for the arrest, it could lead to a news scandal.

After a while, Susan said, "Based on your previous report, I had Matthew secretly investigate Pari Jones' records.

She had two wire transfers yesterday afternoon and this morning, the first for one thousand US dollars and the second for four thousand US dollars, both sent to the same person, Michael Carter.

Michael Carter has a history of drug use, and he is on bail for assault."

Susan didn't need to explain further, but Luke understood her point, "I'll handle it."

These two payments were too timely.

Like the police, journalists also have informants, and this money was likely Pari Jones' way of buying clues.

Strike at the weakest link in the battle line.

...

On a street not far from Dracula Bar.

A Caucasian man was wandering down the street, his hair messy, yawning occasionally, and sniffing his nose.

As he passed an alleyway, a black man emerged, his eyes wide, squeezing his eyebrows, "Hey, man, I got fresh products. You want to try?"

The Caucasian man hesitated for a moment and refused, "No, I've quit."

"Come on. Don't lie to yourself. This is fresh stock, I guarantee the quality is good, and it's still in the trial selling phase. Right now, it's very cheap, but after this period, it won't be the same price anymore.

Try it; it's definitely good stuff." The black man looked around cautiously, then pulled out a packet of white powder from his pocket.

"Fresh goods?"

"Yes."

The white man swallowed, "How much?"

"Like I said, it's the trial phase, just fifty US dollars."

"OK, give me a packet."

"That's right, there's no need to be so hard on oneself; one should enjoy life timely." The black man smiled, handed him a packet of sugar, and took fifty US dollars from him.

"Buddy, see you another day." The black man left those words behind and vanished into the alley.

The white man put the sugar into his pants pocket, his expression revealing a mixture of excitement, worry, and mostly impatience.

He quickened his pace.

A Ford Explorer stopped by the roadside, and a black-haired young man and a black man got out of the car.

It was Luke and Little Black.

Little Black stopped the white man, "Hey, why are you acting so sneaky?"

"Move aside, I am not."

"You are."

"None of your business, don't block my way." The white man glared, threatening.

Little Black flashed his badge, "LAPD, do you still think it's none of my business?"

"Come on, not this trick again." The white man looked annoyed.

In the US, the police are allowed to conduct sting operations.

"Michael, if I remember correctly, you are still on bail for assault. The way you're sneaking around makes me suspicious, I need to conduct a routine search on you.

Face the wall, hands on your head, no tricks."

"You guys..." Michael wanted to curse but didn't dare to speak out.

Soon, Little Black searched his pocket and found the packet of sugar, "Wow, what's this? I think your parole officer would be very interested."

"Please don't, I don't want to lose my bail money, nor do I want to go to jail, just give me another chance."

Little Black countered, "Why should I give you a chance? Give me one reason?"

Michael's expression turned grim; clearly, he knew it was hard to persuade the officer.

Luke eyed Michael and said, "Hey, I think I've seen you before, do you know Pari Jones?"

"Yes, I know her." Michael replied eagerly, as if grasping at a lifeline.

"How do you know her?"

"Ah... actually, we were in touch today; I'm her friend, I provided her with some interesting news." Michael seemed to think Luke was a friend of Pari Jones.

"What news?"

"I... discovered a murder."

"Where?"

"Dracula Bar, a few blocks from here."

"How did you find out?"

"At the time, my car was parked at the back door of the bar where parking was free...

I was drinking inside when I suddenly heard screams from the back door, so I went out to check and found a woman lying on the ground. I was scared and prepared to drive away.

Later, I sold the news to Pari Jones, so now we're friends. Are you close with her?

We have a common friend, so can you let me go just this once?"

Luke laughed, "I can help you, and I might not contact your parole officer, but I don't make friends with swindlers, nor do I like those who deceive me."

"I didn't deceive you; what I said is true."

Luke got straight to the point, "There's something you might not be aware of; we came here to investigate the murder at the Dracula Bar.

We have more clues than you do, so don't hide anything from me, what exactly did you find at the back door of the bar?"

If it was as simple as Michael described, Pari Jones is not a fool. Why would she pay him so much money twice?

This guy definitely has a problem.

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