stjorthotic Chapter 80 Are you working for your sugar daddy?
Chapter 80 Are you working for your sugar daddy?
"I was just passing by." Lu Yiming turned around and looked at the two state police officers.
One man pulled out a gun and pointed it at him, while another man went around him and shone a flashlight into the carriage.
"Stop looking, this person is already dead."
Lu Yiming cursed under his breath.
This is really bad luck; he was the only one there.
Moreover, the manner of death was exactly the same as Vance's, as if to say that the two cases were committed by the same killer.
"Police received an anonymous tip that a murder has occurred here, and you are now suspected of being the killer."
The female state trooper leading the group pointed her gun at him and said, "Now put your hands behind your head and lie face down on the car!"
Anonymous report? What a coincidence! I just arrived, and you guys showed up right after.
The contact person died in the car.
He suspected that the butcher had set him up.
But we can't back down now; we need to put ourselves in the initiative.
He reached down to his lower back to retrieve his identification.
"Hands up! Don't move!" the policewoman shouted, raising her voice as she cocked her pistol.
In the United States, police officers will never allow a suspect to put their hands in their pockets.
Otherwise, an American-style iaido scene will unfold in the next second.
"Don't be so nervous, guys. I'm the head of the Fremont Police Department's homicide unit."
Lu Yiming raised one hand, and with the other hand, he used two fingers to pick out a police badge and threw it onto the hood of the engine.
"I'm here in the state capital on some official business."
The policewoman was somewhat suspicious, and didn't lower her gun.
The male police officer leaned forward to glance at the ID, then compared it to Lu Yiming's face.
"He really is a team leader."
The two men exchanged a glance before putting their guns down.
"Officer Lu, why are you in the University of Sacramento's underground parking garage instead of the police station for official business?" the male officer questioned.
Just as Lu Yiming was about to make up an excuse, a trembling female voice suddenly rang out.
"He...he's my boyfriend! We arranged to meet here."
Rachel, wearing a long-sleeved hoodie, suddenly appeared out of nowhere and quickly walked to Lu Yiming's side.
Lu Yiming was taken aback. Why was this girl back again?
You wouldn't happen to be the murderer, would you?
But he reacted quickly, immediately following up on Rachel's words: "Yes, I'm here to deliver evidence, and I stopped by to see my girlfriend on the way."
Although he didn't know what this girl was up to, he decided to clear himself of suspicion first.
This girl looked at me like I'd seen a ghost earlier, and now she's come to my rescue.
He recalled the affectionate look in her eyes in the warehouse earlier. Was this girl's Stockholm syndrome acting up again?
Jigsaw once brainwashed his victims into becoming his disciples after playing games.
"Honey, what happened?" Rachel acted quite convincingly, grabbing Lu Yiming's arm and pressing herself against him.
The two state troopers exchanged a glance, their brows furrowing slightly.
"Besides, this guy was obviously poisoned, right? I just got here, how could I have had time to poison him?"
Lu Yiming glanced at the body in the car, diverting the officers' attention.
Rachel followed the gaze into the car and saw the horribly deceased black man. She screamed in fright and clung tightly to Lu Yiming.
"Oh my god! Isn't that Professor Simmons? He's a professor in our history department who specializes in the serf trade and the triangular trade."
Lu Yiming's lips twitched.
Asking a Black person to talk about the slave trade? Good products speak for themselves, right?
"Regardless, since you're here, we need to take you back for questioning," the male officer said matter-of-factly.
"Please rest assured, we won't take up too much of your time."
Lu Yiming nodded. He knew he couldn't avoid this process, and the more he resisted, the more suspicious it would seem.
"Honey, go back to your dorm and wait for me. I'll come find you after I've finished my business."
He pinched Rachel's butt and gave her a meaningful look.
With that, the group headed together to the state capital's central police station.
……
at the same time.
Inside the governor's office in the government building, curses continued.
An FBI special investigation team has moved into the building and is searching through the lower floors.
Richard slumped in his chair, rubbing his temples with one hand and holding the phone with the other.
"Washington is very disappointed in you. It's one thing to come to the island for fun, but to be secretly photographed and not even know it?"
On the other end of the phone came the angry voice of the blond president.
He had just returned from a visit to China. He went there with a plane full of people, but came back as a lonely old man. He was already unhappy about that, but then he heard Epstein's name being mentioned again.
He had already used his power to seal the entire case file of the Lolita Island case. Those involved in the investigation either shut up or committed suicide by being shot ten times in the back.
How did a video suddenly start circulating on TikTok?!
Does anyone have videos of Loli Island?
If the whistleblower has Richard's video, does that mean... he's involved too?!
"Mr. President, please calm down. I suspect this is the work of the FBI. You know which faction that person belongs to..."
Richard wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his attitude extremely respectful, showing none of the arrogance he had displayed in front of his subordinates.
"Wasn't his son arrested in your state for drug use? Talk to him and try to minimize the impact."
"Okay, okay, I'll take care of it."
The blond president added, "I will have someone investigate this matter, and the official statement will be that this is an AI-generated video."
"Listen, Richard. I'll do my best to help you. But if the fire reaches the White House, then there's nothing I can do."
After saying that, the president hung up the phone.
Not a single word was mentioned about Vance dying in Richard's car.
The implication is clear: if you handle this well, we can remain good allies; if you can't, you'd better prepare to be convicted of first-degree murder.
"Fxxk!"
Richard angrily slammed his phone on the table, his head throbbing with pain.
He now carries two dirty burdens on his shoulders: the Lolita Island scandal and the murder in the car to cover it up.
Only after Vance's murder case is resolved and he proves he is not the murderer will the president step in to help him quell the public opinion surrounding Lolita Island.
He strongly suspected that Gu Qiuqian was responsible for the poisoning.
This old bastard isn't content to be a puppet mayor; he wants to climb over me to get ahead. Isn't he afraid of tearing his own balls with such a big leap?
He's preparing to send state police to Fremont to arrest people.
Just then, the office door was pushed open.
"Governor! Good news! Another person has died."
The secretary ran in excitedly, holding a cell phone.
Richard, already annoyed, grabbed an ashtray from the table and smashed it. "What the hell is good news about dead people? Does it mean all those annoying reporters outside are dead?!"
The secretary quickly dodged, and the ashtray smashed against the door frame, shattering on the floor.
He covered the microphone and said quickly, "Another body has been found in the underground parking garage of the University of Sacramento. The manner of death is exactly the same as Vance's!"
"What?!" Richard was stunned.
"Furthermore, a suspect was apprehended on the spot!"
Richard's eyes lit up instantly; this was indeed good news.
This case could be combined with Vance's death and classified as a series of poisonings!
If the blame is shifted to the murderer, he can clear himself of suspicion of killing to cover up the crime.
He might be seen by the media as a scapegoat, but he doesn't care about that now.
"Quickly! Treat the guy we caught as a suspect! Have the police do some work to solidify his identity as a serial killer!" Richard hurriedly ordered.
The secretary looked troubled: "But... Governor, the person we arrested is a policeman. He's the head of the Fremont Police Department's homicide unit, named Lu Yiming."
Richard was stunned.
Lu Yiming? That little cop who ruined his counterfeit money business?
That's truly double happiness!
Not only can it clear its name, but it can also take the opportunity to remove this disobedient thorn in its side.
Richard slammed his fist on the table and stood up. "Keep it straight, he did it! Have the prosecutor prepare the indictment immediately!"
The secretary nodded, preparing to give instructions into the microphone.
"Mmm...okay...I understand..."
Suddenly, the secretary paused, then said to the person on the other end of the phone, "What did you say? A string of numbers?"
He turned to Richard: "Governor, the escorting officer said that the man surnamed Lu asked him to pass on a message to you, which is a number."
Richard frowned. "What number?"
The secretary glanced at the notebook and read aloud: "7489-xxxx-xxxx..."
The moment Richard heard the number, his pupils contracted sharply, and his mouth opened slightly.
This was the account he used to receive bribes from Rockefeller!
How did this young policeman know this number?!
Although the media criticized him for corruption, it was all unfounded. His accounting methods were so sophisticated that even if the IRS investigated for ten years, they wouldn't find any clues.
But if this account is exposed publicly... then he's really finished! Not even Jesus can save him.
"Quick! Get the car ready! Take me to see this kid!" Richard's fat jiggled, and he grabbed his coat, ready to run out.
The secretary quickly stopped him: "Governor! You can't go anywhere now! There are media waiting outside!"
Richard snapped out of his daze and patted his dizzy head.
"Yes, yes, yes! We can't go out... Go to the police station immediately and bring Lu Yiming to me. Go through the secret passage and don't let anyone find out."
"Also, investigate Lu Yiming's background."
The secretary nodded repeatedly and rushed out to carry out the task.
……
After half an hour.
Government House, Governor's Lounge.
Richard, with a fawning smile on his face, personally greeted him at the door.
As soon as the door opened, Lu Yiming, wearing sunglasses and with his hands in his pockets, slowly walked in.
"Oh my! Officer Lu! We meet again!" Richard grabbed his hand, his attitude very friendly.
This was a completely different person from the arrogant governor who hadn't even glanced at Lu Yiming that morning at the Fremont Police Department.
In just the last half hour, the secretary has thoroughly investigated Lu Yiming's background.
Do not check, I don’t know, I’m scared.
The case involving the dismemberment of corpses, the case of silencing witnesses, and the case of the cult were all solved by this kid.
Of course, having the ability to solve cases doesn't mean anything; these days, there are plenty of capable people.
But... the Rockefeller family actually gifted him a mansion, and during the mansion's renovation, he actually lived in that young lady's private villa?!
The Fremont Police Department is buzzing with rumors about the two of them.
This is interesting.
Who is Mia? She is Rockefeller's most beloved only daughter, and she is known for her fiery temper.
Previously, several wealthy Californians wanted to form marriage alliances with the Rockefeller family, but those young noblemen were kicked out before they even entered the gate.
Judging by this, this kid is probably the Rockefeller family's chosen son-in-law!
No wonder they had access to the ledgers...
Richard was inwardly groaning. "Oh dear, why didn't you say you were working for your sugar daddy? This is like throwing the floodwaters down on Poseidon's temple—a family member turning against their own!"
Now, if he wants to quell the public outcry over Lolita Island and corruption, he still needs old man Rockefeller to spend money and effort!
How could he possibly offend his prospective son-in-law at this time?
"Officer Lu, please have a seat!" Richard respectfully led Lu Yiming to the sofa.
She even personally brought him a cup of coffee.
Anyone who didn't know better would think Lu Yiming was the governor.
Lu Yiming sat on the sofa, picked up his coffee, took a sip, and chuckled to himself.
After his intelligence improved, he was able to see through the schemes of these politicians.
He anticipated Richard's actions from the moment he was taken away by two state troopers.
He would definitely try to make himself a scapegoat and fabricate a serial poisoning case.
After all, Gu Qiu had used this kind of underhanded trick before.
He deliberately revealed the bank account details, making the other party hesitant to act rashly and obediently come to him for help.
"Officer Lu is really young and promising!" Richard said, trying to get closer to him.
"I heard that in the previous counterfeit money case, Officer Lu personally went undercover and managed to take down the criminal gang."
"The state troopers are rude; they dared to snatch a case directly, it's really too much! I've already given them a good dressing down!"
Lu Yiming nodded with a half-smile and watched his performance quietly.
Richard, seeing that he didn't respond, coughed twice and got to the point:
"Another poisoning case has occurred in the parking garage of the University of Sacramento. Officer Lu happened to be at the scene. What are your thoughts on this?"
Lu Yiming understood perfectly; the other party's meaning was clear: he wanted to handle the two poisoning cases together. As long as the campus poisoning case was solved, the blame for Vance's death in the governor's car would naturally be shifted away.
But if you want me to help you solve the case, then we'll see what you're willing to offer.
"Governor, I also think the modus operandi of these two cases is similar, and the state police should be able to solve the case soon."
The implication is: I'm not familiar with this lousy place, and I don't want to deal with it.
Richard panicked upon hearing this and immediately stepped forward, affectionately patting Lu Yiming's hand.
"Brother Lu! The state police are under media scrutiny right now. No matter who they arrest, they'll be accused of being scapegoats."
Richard lowered his voice, "Only a hero detective like you, with an impeccable record and a track record of solving major cases, can help me find a murderer so that this matter can be kept quiet."
Please note Richard's choice of words: he said he found "one" murderer, not "the real" killer.
The meaning is quite straightforward: time is of the essence, so just find someone decent enough to take the blame. As long as the procedures are legal, I'll handle the rest.
Lu Yiming sighed, a troubled expression on his face.
"Governor, this puts me in a difficult position."
The subtext is: there's no benefit in it, I can't take this job.
Richard immediately understood; they were all old foxes.
"Alright! If you can close the case within three days, I'll promote you to Chief of the Fremont Police Department, making an exception for the usual procedures!"
Damn, why does this flatbread taste so familiar?
It's exactly the same as Gu Qiu's drawing! Whether you can even hold onto your governorship is another matter, yet you're giving me empty promises?
Lu Yiming didn't even lift his eyelids.
He extended a finger and dipped it into the coffee in his cup.
I wrote a 2 on the desktop.
Then, six eggs were drawn afterward.
Two million US dollars.
You can get things done, but you have to feed the horse first.
Richard glanced at the numbers on the table; he didn't want much.
"Deal! No problem!"