Victor got out of the car, wearing an apologetic expression, "sorry, I didn't mean to deceive you all."

"But the fact is you did lie, and you betrayed our trust. What does your lie have to do with Gelina's death? Why would you lie about this?"

"It has nothing to do with it; I didn't know about Gelina's murder until you came this afternoon. I bear no grudge against her; I did not kill her at all."

"Then why did you lie about being gay?"

"As I've said before, everyone in the barbershop knows I'm gay. It's not something I made up to deceive you...

It's just to better serve customers and gain their trust, that's all."

"What does being gay have to do with cutting hair?"

Victor rubbed his hands together and explained, "To make your mark in an industry, you must have a unique selling point; make yourself irreplaceable. That's how you increase your personal value.

You get rewarded more under the same working conditions."

At this, Victor looked at Luke and Jackson, "Have you heard about Tyjackson? He's my idol. He charges 1650 US dollars per haircut.

His clients are all Hollywood stars and politicians, and you have to book in advance to get a haircut with him.

He's gay, running the barbershop with his husband. He is a role model to me."

Luke said, "A person's success is multifaceted; it doesn't mean he's successful because he's gay, your view is somewhat one-sided."

"Captain Lee, no offense, but I understand the hairdressing industry better than you do.

Many women come to salons not just for a hairstyle, but sometimes they also seek someone to confide in.

They talk about issues in life, marriage, work, friendships.

Men can't empathize with these problems.

And there are some things not suitable to discuss with other women.

The ideal person is often a gay confidante. Many women wish for a gay best friend.

Someone who understands men but also thinks from a woman's perspective, not really a man, nor a woman, the perfect confidant.

Once you become their confidant, they also become your loyal customers.

My relationship with Gelina was just that, nothing more."

"So your gay identity is just a persona?"

"Exactly.

With so many hairdressers in the shop, I needed a special label, and at least for now, this label has brought me quite a few customers."

Luke said, "I've dealt with many suspects, and many lie when making their statements, in general, I can tell.

But when talking to you, I didn't detect any sign of lying."

Victor smiled, "That's not surprising. I've been pretending to be gay for two years now.

When I first started saying I was gay, I was a bit nervous; maybe then you could have seen it.

But I've been 'gay' for two years now, at least in the eyes of others. People often ask, 'Are you gay?'

'Yes, I'm gay.'

After saying it so often, it becomes second nature."

"Practice makes perfect?"

"Exactly."

"I want to know about your whereabouts on September 14th, all day."

"I was off that day, spending it with my girlfriend—24 hours straight. If you don't believe me, you can ask her."

"Where did you both go?"

"We stayed at home, watching TV, sunbathing in the backyard, cooking, and doing some stuff lovers do.

I'm usually quite busy with work, so on my days off, I do as I please; I might go out or stay in the whole day."

"Where were you between 10 pm and 12 am on September 15th?"

"Still with my girlfriend. By that time, we should have just gotten home, washing up, having a drink, and going to bed.

We have rather regular lives; I'm not the type to party. I only pretend to be gay for work."

"Did Gelina ever confide in you?"

"Yes."

"Then you must know her quite well."

"I wouldn't say I know her that well, but she did tell me some trivialities.

I didn't want to mention this, I'm not one to gossip, nor do I wish to divulge a client's secrets to anyone..." Victor's expression showed he was hesitant to continue.

Luke urged, "Gelina is different; she's dead now, her body dissected, no more secrets to hide.

The private things she told you might be key to solving the case.

It would benefit her, you, and the police."

"OK." Victor thought for a moment before saying, "Gelina's father is dead, and her mother lives in another state, but their relationship isn't good.

Gelina wanted to be childfree; her husband agreed when he was younger, but in the last two years, he wanted a child, hoping she'd have one while she's still young.

Gelina wouldn't agree.

In fact, she was pregnant once before, had an abortion in secret without telling her husband, afraid to tell anyone but me."

"Are you sure her husband didn't know?" Luke felt this clue was significant.

"I'm not sure, but she told me she would never let her husband find out because that could lead to divorce."

"What was the real reason they were considering divorce?"

"According to Gelina, her relationship with her husband hadn't been good for the past two years, but it wasn't so bad that they were separating or getting a divorce—until recently, when she found out that her husband was seeing prostitutes behind her back.

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