America: The Gear-Up Detective

The two left Paul's house and sat in the car, but Rod didn't start the car immediately.

Instead, he shared the clues he had just obtained with Jose. They were currently at Evelyn's parents' house, which was a good opportunity for them to confirm the details about Evelyn's new part-time job and the strange diary.

Rod then drove slowly around the area. If Evelyn's parents could prove that Paul was lying, then Paul would be highly suspicious, and Rod could take Paul back to the police station temporarily on charges of giving a false confession.

Rod wandered around the Grassell Park neighborhood, taking in the surroundings. On one side were quiet hillside homes and a close-knit community, and on the other side was a growing wave of new businesses and middle-class development.

From what I've observed over this period, the vast majority of people here are Latino, with a small number of Asians, and almost no African Americans.

Nearby is the Rio de Los Angeles State Park, which provides recreational spaces such as sports fields and wetlands for community residents. The Glasell Park Recreation Center also features a swimming pool, courts, and senior services center.

Rod thought this was a good rental option, and now that the coyotes that had been bothering his grandfather had been dealt with, it was time for him to move out.

For some reason, Rod thought of Liu Qingxi, who was still staying at the hotel.

I wonder how she is now?

Rhodes sighed. Based on his experience, whatever the reason, Evelyn's disappearance for so long probably meant she was in grave danger.

I hope Liu Qingxi won't be too heartbroken then. No, wait, the more heartbroken she is, the better I can comfort her, right? No, why should I comfort her...?

Rod's mind wandered aimlessly before his attention was drawn back by the ringing of his cell phone.

"Jose, any news?"

On the other end of the phone, Jose's deliberately lowered voice came through, "I've confirmed with Evelyn's parents that the diary is real, but they don't know anything about that new high-paying part-time job you mentioned."

After hanging up the phone, Rod thought for a moment and then sent Liu Qingxi a message, asking if she knew about Evelyn's part-time job.

A few seconds later, Liu Qingxi called.

"Rhodes, how's it going? Any news about her?"

"not yet..."

Liu Qingxi's dejected voice came through the phone receiver, "Is that so... I don't really know much about her part-time job, it seems to be related to her ballet club. I don't know the specifics."

Rod then asked, "How was she when you last saw her that noon?"

"It was pretty good. I even felt she was very happy, almost excited. I was about to ask her about it."

However, because she said she was going to be late for the club activity, she left in a hurry.

"Okay, I understand." Then Rod comforted her, "Don't worry too much, just get some rest."

"Um..."

After hanging up the phone, Rod thought for a moment, then looked at Jackson, who was fast asleep in the passenger seat, and punched him in the chest in annoyance.

"Cough cough cough... Attack on the police! Rhodes, take cover!"

Jackson clutched his chest in a panic, while frantically groped around his waist with his other hand.

Once she calmed down, she realized she was still in Rod's car, and then she breathed a sigh of relief.

"Fuck you, Rhodes."

Rod laughed heartily and then said, "Get ready, we're going somewhere else."

"Where to?"

"UCLA!"

......

UCLA, John Wooden Center.

This is the main sports complex and fitness center at the heart of the UCLA campus, a large building spanning over 13 square feet, named after UCLA's legendary basketball coach, John Wooden.

This facility includes three indoor courts for activities such as basketball and volleyball (such as Collins Court), as well as a strength and cardio training area of ​​over 11,000 square feet. It also features several multi-functional classrooms dedicated to dance, fitness, and martial arts, including a Gold Room and a Pyramid Room, along with supporting facilities such as a climbing wall, squash courts, changing rooms, and showers.

Second floor, outside the dance studio.

A ballet class is currently in progress.

Before coming, Rod had asked Jose to check that the society was founded in 2020 and regularly holds free ballet technique practice classes open to all levels at the John Wooden Center, as well as free public performances and terrace shows.

Evelyn is one of the most popular ballet dancers.

Rod and Hank came to the classroom and looked through the window at the door at the rows of long, white legs inside, dressed in revealing clothes.

Rod tapped Jackson, who was staring intently at him, and then knocked on the door.

A short while later, a young white girl in a white ballet costume came out, looked at Rod, her eyes seemingly lighting up, and said cheerfully:

"Handsome, want to come in and watch our rehearsal?"

"Ahem." Rhodes coughed twice, covering his mouth, and then said, "I am Rhodes Lee, a detective in the Murder and Heist Division."

Ignoring Jackson, who was standing on tiptoe peering into the dance studio, Rod pretended not to recognize him and asked the white girl in front of him, "Who are you?"

"I'm Maeve Freeman, the president of this club. Are you here to find a girlfriend?"

Ignoring Maeve's teasing—which could only be described as typical of American girls—Rhodes asked seriously, "Do you know Evelyn Brooks?"

"Detective?" The girl glanced at Rhodes first, then realized what he meant. "Do you need to see Evelyn? We haven't seen her for a few days."

"She has disappeared."

"What!" Maeve Freeman looked shocked. "Missing? How is that possible? She said she needed to take a few days off. Could you have made a mistake?"

Rhodes astutely caught the key phrase, "You said you asked for leave? When did that happen?"

Maeve was breathing rapidly, her full chest rising and falling, her cool ballet dress clinging to her body. Rhodes could only keep his eyes fixed on Maeve's face, trying to glean some clue from her facial expression.

Maeve replied, "Just last weekend, after she attended our afternoon rehearsal, she told me she needed to take a few days off, saying she had a big plan for the evening."

Rhodes raised an eyebrow and pressed, "What big plan?"

"I don't know. She just seemed very excited and told me it was a part-time job to meet an old friend. She said she'd tell me the details in a couple of days."

"In a couple of days?"

Rhodes thought that since Evelyn said that, it meant that in her subconscious, this operation, or rather, the meeting with this so-called old friend, was very safe.

Rhodes pressed further: "An old friend?"

Maeve thought for a moment, then opened the door to the dance studio behind her. A group of girls dressed in white ballet costumes, with curvaceous figures, were leaning against the door.

Then Maeve beckoned to one of the tall, blonde girls, "Willow, come here for a second!"