America: The Gear-Up Detective

Connor had previously said that reporters would have to wait until tomorrow to get news of the cyanide poisoning deaths.

However, when Rod and Hank left the underground parking lot, they already saw a large group of men and women holding microphones and cameras gathered in front of the detective agency.

"Where did these people get their information? Their news sense is too sensitive."

Rod looked at the reporter holding up a Los Angeles Times sign not far away and muttered to himself in bewilderment.

Hank sat in the driver's seat, driving without even looking out the window. "Have you ever heard that saying?"

"What?"

"Journalists never have weekends off, because news never ends on weekends."

......

Downtown Los Angeles, below the Sheraton Grand Los Angeles Hotel.

Rod showed his badge and explained his purpose to the security guard at the front desk. Unfortunately, according to the gate's entry and exit records, Emily had not returned after leaving at noon.

Without a search warrant, no matter how Rod and Hank explained, the hotel manager refused to allow them to enter Emily's room to search.

"Hank, maybe we don't need to go into her room, since she hasn't come back since this afternoon."

So she wouldn't have been able to change her clothes, would she?

The question now is, where did Emily go?

Hank called Jose, but Jose couldn't get in touch with Emily. He also asked Luna, but Luna said that the two hadn't seen each other since they parted ways at the police station.

According to normal procedures, the only way to find Emily now is to investigate the surveillance footage in front of the police station or apply for a search warrant and then track Emily's cell phone signal.

Unfortunately, Connor's case also got off to a bad start. Without sufficient evidence, the judge was unwilling to take any risk in signing the search warrant based solely on speculation.

At this moment, Rod and Hank stood downstairs at the Sheraton Hotel, pondering Emily's whereabouts.

"Is it possible that she fled Los Angeles to avoid punishment?" Hank suggested.

Rhodes thought for a moment and retorted, "No, we have no evidence to prove that this case is related to her, and she may not even realize that we have already suspected her."

If she leaves Los Angeles now, it will only draw our attention directly to her, which would be counterproductive.

Rod's mind raced as he recalled the events of the day, scenes and conversations swirling wildly in his head.

Suddenly, Rod noticed a piece of information that they all valued but had not directly connected with.

Rod turned to Hank, who was still smoking, and said, "Let's go, I know where she is."

"?"

......

Westwood District.

Most of the communities here are upscale mixed-use developments, combining high-rise apartments, mid-sized apartments, and detached houses, including very luxurious residences. It is also considered one of the safest communities in Los Angeles.

In front of a three-story villa with an ornate exterior, beautiful surroundings, and a neatly manicured lawn.

Hank slowly brought the black Ford to a stop, and the two men used the car's color to blend into the night.

Hank took out the binoculars he had kept in the car and scanned the villa for any activity.

Taking advantage of this moment, Rod replied to the message sent by Liu Qingxi. After all, she had witnessed the whole process at the coffee shop and was inevitably curious.

After replying to the message, Rod felt like he had forgotten something. He thought about it for a while, but couldn't remember. He shook his head and focused his attention on the current case.

From the outside, the second and third floors of the villa were not lit, with only the first floor having a dim light.

This is where Tessa and Nicholas live.

Rod recalled what Jose had found out earlier: Emily and Nicholas had apparently had an intimate relationship a week ago.

If this hypothesis is true, then there is another possibility in this case: that the husband, Nicholas, conspired with his mistress to murder his wife.

So, since she couldn't find Emily anywhere, she only had one possible destination: to go to her old acquaintance, Nicholas Herman.

Inside the villa at this moment.

First floor living room.

The dim lighting barely illuminated the spacious living room.

On the inner wall of the living room, a huge wedding photo almost covers the entire wall.

In the photo, Tessa, wearing a pure white wedding dress, smiles sweetly and happily holds Nicholas's arm beside her.

In the dim light, in front of the huge wedding photo, a figure in a pure white wedding dress stands, looking at the photo with eyes full of resentment.

The sharp knife in Emily's hand gleamed with a chilling light in the dim light.

In front of the wedding photo, behind Emily, on a leather sofa, Nicholas is bound handcuffs and thick ropes, lying face down on the sofa, desperately twisting his body.

"Are you crazy?! Are you insane?!" Nicholas's eyes were filled with disbelief.

"Am I crazy? No, it's not me who's crazy, it's you guys!"

It's Tessa!

We used to have such a good relationship, but why did she have to!

Why should I be able to have a job I love and a husband who loves me?

What right does she have to show off in front of me?!

Emily screamed, her face contorted in pain.

Looking at the struggling Nicholas, her tone became calm again, as if she were two different people, "Don't think I don't know that you seduced me to get revenge on Tessa, didn't you?"

You know Tessa cheated on you a year ago, that's why you came to me, Tessa's best friend.

Unfortunately, you don't know, we... I've wanted to do this for a long time. I'm willing to do anything to get revenge on Tessa!

As she spoke, an unusual flush rose on Emily's face. She strolled to the sofa, looked down at Nicholas, and brandished a sharp, gleaming knife in the air, as if considering where to begin.

"Buzz buzz buzz~"

Nicholas's cell phone started vibrating in his pocket.

The sudden noise interrupted Emily's enjoyment; she hung up without even looking.

Two seconds later, the phone started vibrating again. This time, Emily threw the phone at the wedding photo behind her, breaking the phone in two. Nicholas, who had been looking at Tessa with tenderness in the photo, now had a black mark on his forehead.

Outside.

Rod looked at the disconnected call and then heard faint sounds coming from inside the room.

He said to Hank with a serious expression, "I suspect Nicholas is in danger right now. I'm going to start breaking down the door!"

According to Los Angeles Police Department regulations, in emergency situations, police officers have the right to enter a home and search it without the homeowner's consent.

Hank grinned mischievously: "Rhodes, you've gone bad too."

"I really heard the sound." Looking at Hank's knowing expression, Rod's lips twitched, and he didn't explain any further.

Taking two steps back, Rod sprinted forward and slammed his foot into the heavy, ornate wooden door.

After a loud crash, the wooden door remained unharmed.

Rod limped to one side and sat down. "Hank, come here."

Hank shrugged and took two steps back, one step, two steps, but still couldn't push off.

"Where was this door made? I'm going to get the manufacturer's contact address from that bastard!"

Seeing Hank's somewhat exasperated expression, Rod smiled silently and began to observe the house's structure from the outside.

Rod walked around outside and could vaguely see two figures intertwined from the window on the left side of the room.

"It's here after all."

Rod signaled to Hank to continue making noise outside the door, while he took the opportunity to enter the room through the kitchen window.