But actually, Gelina was the first to be murdered, could she have been the true target, and silver merchant Novina Jones merely an accident, or a ruse by the killer to mislead the police investigation?"

Luke seized the opportunity to analyze, "Do you think the Sweeney couple, Gelina Sweeney and her husband, were the actual targets of the murderer?"

The deputy nodded, "They were a married couple, and it's suspicious for a husband and wife to be killed one after another.

The reason we didn't suspect before was that Helson was mistaken for the murderer, and it was also possible that he committed suicide.

According to your hypothesis, if Helson was also a victim of homicide, then it's very likely that the couple were the real targets of the killer."

Luke thought this guess was interesting, "Matthew, can you check who inherits Helson's estate if he was murdered?"

"OK."

Jackson seemed to have remembered something, "Captain, do you suspect someone murdered for the inheritance of Mr. and Mrs. Helson Sweeney?"

Luke picked up his teacup and took a sip of water, "Such is the reality.

They had no children, so their property would indeed be inherited by others after their death."

Jackson reminded, "Do you remember the statement we took from Victor?

According to Victor, Novina Jones also has a mother, who would be a legal beneficiary if Novina Jones died. And according to Victor, the relationship between mother and daughter was not good.

Could Novina Jones's mother also be a suspect?"

Luke said, "That's a possibility, but I still think the relatives of Helson are more suspicious."

"Captain, how do you make that judgment?"

"The order of death.

Even if the difference is just one minute between who dies first and who dies next, the distribution of the estate could be greatly affected.

If I were Novina Jones's mother and wanted to murder for inheritance, I definitely wouldn't kill my own daughter first, but rather my son-in-law.

That would maximize the benefits."

Matthew came over, "Captain, Helson Sweeney's parents have passed away, and he has a brother who is also his legal beneficiary."

"Notify him to come and identify the body, I want to have a good talk with him."

"Yes, sir."

...

Three o'clock in the afternoon.

A white man in his thirties was brought into the Robbery and Murder Department's first squad.

The white man bore some resemblance to Helson Sweeney, with red-rimmed eyes, and looked younger, carrying a backpack behind him.

Luke sized up the man, introducing himself, "I am the captain of the first squad, Luke."

"Riken."

"Have you seen Mr. Sweeney?"

"Yes, I never expected... to meet him this way. Who killed my brother?" Riken showed a sorrowful expression, his emotions somewhat agitated.

"From the current evidence, it's likely that he committed suicide."

"Why would he commit suicide?"

"We are also investigating the reasons. We would like to take your statement, asking about Mr. Sweeney."

"OK, ask away."

"What was the relationship like between you brothers? Did you keep in touch often?"

"Our relationship has always been good, but I live in New York, and because of the distance, we didn't meet up that often.

But we frequently talked on the phone."

"You live in New York?"

"Yes."

"We only managed to contact you this morning, how did you arrive so quickly?"

"Last night, Helson called me to say that Gelina had died. Although they were not on good terms, she was still my sister-in-law.

I bought a plane ticket and rushed over immediately, but the moment I got off the plane I received a call... Helson..." Riken's voice choked up and he covered his eyes with his hand,

"It was all so sudden, he was my only family in this world.

I can't accept it."

"What time did you talk on the phone last night?"

"It was around nine o'clock, I had just entered my house."

"Was it he who called you?"

"Yes, he seemed a bit down, so I took a few days off to spend more time with him."

"Had he been drinking at the time?"

"It sounded like he had."

"Was he drunk?"

"No, he was very lucid, and he could hold his liquor well."

"Did he have any suicidal thoughts then?"

"No, absolutely not.

Even though they were married, their relationship wasn't good, and they were on the verge of divorce.

To speak unpleasantly, Gelina's death wasn't a bad thing for my brother, as he wouldn't have to pay alimony anymore, and his life would be a lot easier afterwards.

Even if he might be distressed for a while, he definitely wouldn't kill himself.

I'm sure there's something wrong here."

Luke said, "If Mr. Sweeney's death wasn't a suicide, then the person who killed them might be the same.

Do you have any speculation about this?"

Riken thought for a moment, "Although we were close, we lived too far apart, and I didn't know much about his life."

Luke pulled out a photo of Novina Jones, "Do you know her?"

Riken shook his head, "I don't recognize her."

"Did Mr. Sweeney have a habit of soliciting prostitutes?"

"No… At least, he didn't before."

Luke took out another photo, this time of Victor, "Do you know him?"

"I don't recognize him."

Luke had been observing Riken's expressions. His demeanor seemed genuine, not as though he was putting on an act.

Through the questioning, Luke didn't detect any signs of lying from him either.

Moreover, he was very certain Helson wouldn't commit suicide. If he were really the murderer, he probably wouldn't express such a clear-cut attitude.

Many times, when police are determining whether a case is a suicide or homicide, the attitude of family members has a significant impact.

To speak unpleasantly, if the relatives don't take it seriously, neither do the officials. The police would directly rule it as a suicide, making things easier for everyone.

If the relatives have a strong attitude, believing the victim wouldn't commit suicide, the police would take into account the emotions of the family and proceed with caution.

Even though it might be uncomfortable to hear, every industry has its own rules—don't criticize others when you have faults of your own.

Luke lowered his suspicion of Riken and asked in detail, "Was there anyone else in Mr. Sweeney's house when you called him?"

"No," Riken answered, and then, as if remembering something,

"Right, there was someone knocking at the door while we were on the phone, and he went to open it, then he hung up on me."

The time of Helson Sweeney's death was between ten and ten-thirty at night, and their phone call was at nine in the evening. The person knocking at the door, even if not the murderer, might know something about the situation.

"Do you know the identity of the visitor?"

"Uh, I didn't ask.

Helson said a friend had come.

Then, I faintly heard him call the person Henry, I think that was the name."

"Did you hear this Henry's voice?"

"No."

"Does your brother have a friend named Henry?"

Riken sighed, "Sorry, I don't know."

Luke persisted, "What hobbies did your brother usually have?"

"It doesn't seem like he had any, he was quite a dull person."

"Think carefully, this is important." People usually have three social circles—colleagues, neighbors, and friends with shared interests.

The first two circles have fixed locations; one can simply ask around. However, the latter is more widespread.

Riken frowned and thought for a while, "If... if I had to mention a hobby, it would be drinking."

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