America: The Gear-Up Detective

Rod looked at the Walmart SKU label.

This is a unique code used by Walmart to track specific products, inventory, and pricing. Through this code, you can directly check in their system which stores have a sales record for that product.

Before Rod could ask any questions, Connor said directly, "I have already asked Walmart to investigate the origin of this suitcase. Following this lead will at least narrow down the scope of our search."

This is also a clumsy method. If there are ten Walmart stores in Los Angeles that sell this style of suitcase, then Rod and his team will have to investigate each one individually.

Fortunately, at least we have some clues now, so we're not just wandering around aimlessly anymore.

Jose also asked, "Approximately how long will it take to get a result?"

"Let's do it this afternoon, Walmart needs some time too."

Rhodes asked again, "Didn't they say the preliminary autopsy report was out? What about the cause of death for the two children?"

Before Connor could answer, Hank slammed the file folder on the table, his voice filled with anger, "FUCK! That's exactly what shocks and infuriates me."

Feeling his emotions running high, Hank took a deep breath to calm himself before continuing, "The medical examiner found no external injuries or blows on the body."

Toxicological tests were also conducted on the pleural effusion and liver samples of the two children.

A certain drug was found in both bodies, but it's too early to determine the specific components and concentration.

"So, these two children were drugged and poisoned?" Evan asked.

Hank shook his head, looking somewhat heavy-hearted. "That's what they thought at first too."

But this morning, when we went there, they made a new discovery.

They found signs of acute pulmonary congestion and edema, organ congestion, and scattered petechial hemorrhages in the pericardium and pleura inside the organs of the two corpses.

These are typical signs of death from mechanical asphyxiation!

In forensic medicine, mechanical asphyxiation refers to death caused by external mechanical violence that obstructs the body's respiratory function, leading to systemic hypoxia and carbon dioxide retention.

To put it more simply, it means they suffocated.

Anna covered her mouth, her face filled with disbelief, and instinctively cried out, "Oh God!"

Jose cursed out loud, "FUCK! This is utterly monstrous! Torturing two children like this?"

Evan's expression remained normal, but the pen he used to take notes was trembling incessantly, reflecting his inner state, which was not as calm as he appeared.

Rod was also shocked. What grudge could possibly lead someone to torture the two children like this?

Based on the traces left at the scene, and combined with Hank's statement that there were no external injuries on the surface of the body.

It was easy for everyone to guess that the two children had most likely suffocated to death after being wrapped in plastic wrap!

When someone suffocates to death, the process from lack of oxygen to unconsciousness, and then to cessation of breathing and heartbeat, usually takes more than two minutes.

During these two minutes, the two children will experience a strong feeling of suffocation and burning due to the sharp increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in their blood. The negative pressure in their chest cavity will increase, and their brains will become more aware of their physical condition.

Rhodes could already imagine the state of the two children before they died, the pain of suffocation, the clear and long process, coupled with the gradually increasing fear of dying.

It's no wonder Hank was so angry; he has always been intolerant of crimes against children, let alone killing two children in this way.

Connor, his face also somber, said, "Everyone, don't let your emotions affect our professional judgment."

It is precisely because of the killer's cruel methods that we must be more calm, more professional, and catch the killer without making any mistakes.

Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment, and don't let mistakes caused by your emotions allow the killer to escape.

Connor patted Hank on the shoulder, then stood up. "Let's call it a day for now. We won't have any leads for a while. Get your emotions in order; we'll start properly this afternoon."

After saying that, Connor turned and left, but his slightly hurried steps proved that he was not as calm as he appeared.

Come to think of it, Connor has two daughters and a son, all of whom are quite young, so he should be more empathetic than anyone else.

The group sat in the conference room, looking at each other, able to sense each other's emotions, but unfortunately there were no clues at the moment, so they had to suppress their feelings for the time being.

After leaving the conference room, Rod glanced at the time.

There was still an hour until lunch break, but Rod had no interest in staying at the police station.

So I decided to go for a drive.

As a detective, Rhodes' working hours are relatively flexible; he is not required to stay at his workstation.

After all, every senior detective has their own way of gathering intelligence and leads, and they will go out on field missions from time to time.

Rod reached up and rubbed his forehead, letting out a long breath.

A notification sound came from my phone.

Rod parked the car on the side of the road and looked at his phone.

It was a message from Liu Qingxi, a photo of her sitting in the music room with a dark brown violin beside her, accompanied by the text:

"I rehearsed all morning today, and just finished playing a piece. My wrists are so sore."

Looking at Liu Qingxi in the photo, Rod smiled slightly, and his mood improved considerably.

After a brief chat, Liu Qingxi had to go to rehearsal, and Luo De ended the conversation.

After this interruption, Rod was about to continue driving around when he looked up and realized he had parked his car near a Panda Express restaurant.

Remembering that he hadn't even eaten breakfast, Rod decided to just grab a bite.

If we do find a clue this afternoon, it will undoubtedly be another fierce battle, and I might not even feel like eating then.

This is a fast food restaurant two blocks from the detective agency. It's advertised as Chinese food, but many dishes are modified versions.

Fortunately, Rod was okay with it, and some of the dishes were actually quite good.

It wasn't mealtime, but Rod pushed open the door and entered. There were only a few people scattered around in the fast food restaurant.

Rhodes glanced around and spotted a blond figure sitting in the center of the restaurant.

Leila Cross, she used chopsticks somewhat stiffly with one hand, and held her phone in the other, swiping the screen, occasionally frowning as she looked at something.

Rod casually ordered a few dishes that looked good, then headed straight to the table where Lyra was.

Leila sensed someone walking towards her, frowned slightly, put down her phone, and looked at the person.

Upon recognizing Rhodes, he smiled broadly again, "What a coincidence, Rhodes."

Rod sat opposite Lyra.

Today, her blonde hair was styled in a bun, revealing her long, white swan neck. She wasn't wearing makeup and looked a little tired. Her cheeks were slightly puffed out as she chewed food, adding a touch of cuteness to her otherwise charming demeanor.

"Have you been resting well lately?" Rod asked with concern, noticing the faint dark circles under Lyra's eyes.

Lyra rolled her eyes at Rhodes, then took a sip of water before saying, "It's all because of your captain, Connor."

The two bodies you found this time were under my supervision, and he's been urging me to submit a report for the past two days.

There was no other way but to work overtime and finish it.