American Zombie Detective

The fluorescent lights in the Los Angeles Police Department's interrogation room hummed, and the cold iron chairs and tables created a depressing space.

The door opened, and Qin Jin walked in alone, locking the door behind him.

The ghost sitting in the chair had its jaw almost dropping.

He was 100% certain he had hit him in the chest, but now!

How is it possible that this man is standing here completely unharmed?

Qin Jin did not sit down immediately. He circled the table silently, like a beast surveying its territory.

He stopped slightly behind the ghost, his gaze fixed on the ghost's bald back of the head as if it were a tangible object:

"You're on my turf now, Ghost," Qin Jin's voice wasn't loud, but it was incredibly intimidating.

"I suppose you've already investigated my background and know about my... well, my record. So let's skip the threats and get straight to the point—answer my questions honestly, and I won't kill you!"

The ghost suddenly raised its head, its bloodshot eyes staring intently at Qin Jin, filled with resentment and bitterness, but even more so with the fear of having its reality exposed.

He opened his mouth as if to curse, but in the end he only let out a heavy breath.

"It seems you've thought it through," Qin Jin patted his bald head, walked around, and sat down opposite him.

"Tell me, who sent you to kill me?"

Sweat had soaked the collar of the ghost's prison uniform, and the muscles on his face, which resembled Guo Da's, were contorted as he struggled with an intense internal conflict.

Ultimately, the instinct for survival and the fear of the person in front of him overwhelmed everything.

"It was...it was myself," the ghost's voice was dry and hoarse, as if he was unaccustomed to speaking.

"I believe it was you, you impersonated me, so I wanted to... kill you..."

Qin Jin nodded in satisfaction. Since it was Ghost's own idea, the Tong family definitely wouldn't know, making the kidnapping much simpler...

At this moment, Qin Jin had a sudden thought and asked:

"By the way, Tong Zhenshan, who exactly ordered you to kill him?"

Returning to the first question, the rest went much more smoothly; the ghost answered immediately, almost without hesitation:

"The employer... is anonymous! The phone number and account are encrypted with multiple layers, but... but I was cautious and investigated, and finally discovered... discovered..."

"Go on," Qin Jin glanced at him.

"...It was discovered that all the clues ultimately pointed...to his younger brother..."

"Who?" Qin Jin pressed, leaning forward slightly.

"Tong...Tong Zhenhai!" The ghost practically roared the name, carrying a strange sense of lingering fear.

"So, I... I immediately took a boat and fled San Francisco after killing him."

"What's the reason?" Qin Jin's voice was devoid of emotion, only icy coldness.

The ghost shook its head:

"I don't know... I really don't know! I'm only responsible for doing things for the money. Finding out who the employer is is just to protect myself. I don't dare to delve into his motives... I dare not guess what Tong Zhenhai is thinking."

Qin Jin stared at him for a few seconds, confirming that the fear in his eyes was genuine. He silently etched this information into his mind; this might be a weakness that could be exploited.

"very good."

Qin Jin nodded, temporarily suppressing this explosive information:

"One last question: do you remember how you were caught?"

Upon hearing this, Ghost's face instantly filled with bewilderment and extreme frustration, even more so than when he had just explained things to his employer.

"I...I don't know!"

He blurted it out almost without thinking, his voice filled with disbelief and frustration.

"I really don't know! I left by boat, following the river, intending to disembark and change vehicles at the designated location... I remember it very clearly, I was driving the boat on the river, it was safe! And then... and then..."

He clutched his bald head in anguish, his eyes glazed over.

"And then I don't remember anything! When I woke up again, the handcuffs were on! That damn policewoman was standing right in front of me... I... I have absolutely no idea what happened!"

Hmm, it seems that Qingyin used her illusion magic. I don't know the specific steps, nor do I need to know.

It was just past noon when Qin Jin left the police station. He smiled and declined the invitations from several police chiefs to have lunch together, and took them home. Just then, his phone rang.

"Qin, where are you?" It was a call from Deputy Director Logan, the background noise was a bit loud.

"Outside, planning to go home." Qin Jin made no secret of his plan to skip work, since there were no cases anyway.

"Perfect!" Logan's voice was tinged with amusement.

"In the evening, Chief Morton hosted a small, casual party at his home in Beverly Hills, and he specifically asked me to invite you along."

"Director Morton...that one?" Qin Jin had no idea who it was.

"It's Morton, the Finance Minister, the one who prescribed medicine to save people when I called Alessa last time," Logan explained with a hearty laugh.

There are quite a few people here today, I think you can get to know them all.

Qin Jin instinctively resisted such public occasions, and he immediately said, "Uncle Logan, you know I don't like..."

"Don't rush to refuse, Qin!" Logan, clearly having planned this all along, immediately interrupted him:

"Listen to what the people say first—the deputy mayor is coming, two state legislators are attending, and there are also businesspeople… Oh, and Dr. Campbell is coming too. Isn't your sister a little autistic? Although he studies endocrinology, he must have friends in child psychology…"

"Dr. Campbell, an endocrinologist?" Qin Jin stopped in his tracks.

He has been searching for a scientifically reasonable explanation for Alessa's "never growing up".

A top expert with an international reputation, whose diagnosis and academic endorsement would undoubtedly be the perfect solution!

It's far more reliable than forging documents or threatening a minor doctor.

"Understood." Qin Jin's voice returned to calm. "Send me the location and time, I'll be there on time."

"Great! I knew you'd be interested." Logan's voice was much more relaxed. "I'll send you the address later. See you tonight."

As night falls, the air in Beverly Hills is filled with the fragrance of money.

Chief Morton’s residence is sprawling, with meticulously manicured lawns that resemble a green velvet carpet under the soft landscape lighting.

Soothing jazz music played as well-dressed men and women, holding wine glasses, gathered in small groups to chat quietly. The air was filled with the aromas of barbecue, champagne, and fine perfumes.

Qin Jin arrived on time with Alessa.

He was still dressed in his slightly weary detective attire, and Alessa was in her ever-present gothic dress, holding her Frankenstein doll, with chubby Yuanxiao following behind.

The process of entering the mansion was very smooth. Mr. Morton's personal assistant and butler were waiting at the door. They must have known about an important guest like Qin Jin beforehand. They greeted him politely as soon as they saw him and then accompanied him all the way to Director Morton in the garden.

Director Morton opened his arms and immediately gave Qin Jin a big hug. In addition to showing his enthusiasm, he also showed everyone present his personal relationship with Qin Jin, which of course indirectly increased Qin Jin's importance in the eyes of others.

This is a balance, and also a kind of exchange.

Although Qin Jin disliked this kind of activity, he still politely chatted with Director Morton for a few words, and then met Jack, who was still in recovery.

It has to be said that the fox demon's method of draining her energy was too intense. Although she looked a bit fatter and her complexion was rosy, her body, which had been completely drained, was still very weak, and she would break out in a sweat after only a few movements.

Naturally, Qin Jin kept quiet about this point and simply gave Jack a perfunctory thank you.

Then, Director Morton led Qin Jin through the crowd, introducing them as follows:

"This is Chairman Jeffrey of the City Planning Commission... This is our guardian angel of Los Angeles, Detective Qin of the Canyon Precinct's Homicide Unit 2... Ah, you've heard of him, hahaha..."

"This is Mr. Reese, the president of Wells Fargo's West Coast branch... Oh, Detective Qin, you should get to know him..."

"This is director Steven Spielberg... What, you've met him before?"

Director Spiel, somewhat excited, clinked glasses with Qin Jin and explained:

"The night Mr. Howard had his accident, I was lucky enough to run into Detective Qin and his team, who rescued us from the monster... Detective Qin, this is my phone number..."

Just then, a familiar figure walked out of the crowd with a smile, wearing a well-fitting long dress and a shy smile on her face—it was Muse Chen, or rather, Qingyin.

"Uncle Morton!"

Qingyin's voice was clear and melodious, with a hint of intimacy.

"Muse!" Director Morton's smile widened when he saw her, and he winked at Qin Jin:

"You wouldn't believe it, would you? The team member you just selected is my cousin's daughter. What a coincidence!"

This vixen... she really went to great lengths to find an identity! Qin Jin was slightly surprised.

"Good evening, boss." Qingyin extended her hand to Qin Jin with a graceful demeanor, her eyes clear and her smile sincere, behaving exactly like a junior meeting her superior and elder friend.

Only Qin Jin could see the fleeting cunning and mischievousness in the depths of her eyes.

"Good evening, Muse." Qin Jin extended his hand and gently shook hers, his tone calm and even. "So you and Director Morton are related. What a coincidence..."

"Yes, what a small world." Qingyin smiled even more brightly, as if she hadn't grasped the deeper meaning in Qin Jin's words at all.