"Alyssa! Alyssa…" Voices called out urgently from outside the lounge.
The Whites burst into the Robbery-Murder Division, their faces streaked with tears as they clung to one another.
The office resonated with their sobs, yet Luke and his colleagues found the atmosphere oddly calming. Far from being disturbed, the team wore smiles of satisfaction. Alyssa's safe return was the ultimate reward for their hard work on the case.
As Luke observed the reunion, he felt a shift in his own heart. Since his rebirth, he had often felt disconnected due to cultural differences, viewing his role at the LAPD as merely a job—one detached from notions of honor, duty, or responsibility. His presence in the Robbery and Murder Division was more about the detective system than personal investment.
Yet now, seeing the Whites reunited, a sense of accomplishment washed over him. This feeling, he realized, wasn't so bad.
The Whites expressed their deep gratitude to each officer, their sincerity palpable. Nothing was more precious to them than their daughter's return.
After bidding farewell to the family, it was already 4:00 AM, and fatigue was evident among the team members. Susan directed everyone to rest.
By 9:00 AM, the team convened for a case summary meeting in the conference room. They pooled their findings and prepared for the final interrogation.
Susan's gaze settled on two individuals, "Luke, Marcus, you two will handle the interrogation of Dave."
The deputy captain raised his hands in disbelief, "You're not serious, are you? This guy has an IQ of at least 140, and you're sending two rookies?"
"I'm aware of Dave's cunning and expertise," Susan responded. "He's well-versed in the law and police interrogation tactics. Your experience might not be enough. I'm banking on a surprise approach."
Luke stroked his chin thoughtfully. "A surprise approach? Is that supposed to be a compliment?" He glanced at Marcus and sighed.
…
In the interrogation room, Dave was already shackled to the chair. As Luke and Marcus entered, he greeted them with a smirk, "Ah, Officer Luke, Officer Marcus. Fancy meeting you here. Nice to see familiar faces."
"Luke, do you smell urine?" Marcus remarked, scrunching his nose as he looked at Dave. "Mr. Lawyer, it seems you can't change your old habits."
Luke remained silent. Dave's tactic of soiling himself was a deliberate attempt to distract and lower the officers' guard, a move that was both clever and disrespectful.
Luke said with a serious tone, "Lawyer Dave, I never expected to see you here."
"I'm surprised too," Dave replied. "Weren't you supposed to be pursuing Steven? What brings you to me?"
"You're confident," Luke observed.
"I didn't think there were any major flaws in my plan. How did you find them?" Dave inquired.
Luke didn't answer directly but asked, "What's your connection with Tony Will?"
"I assisted him with minor matters years ago. We're acquaintances, old clients who had a pleasant rapport."
"Did you instruct him to purchase the modified Taser?"
"No."
"Dave, you should know the situation isn't in your favor. To possibly receive a reduced sentence, you need to cooperate with us."
"I'm telling the truth. I borrowed the Taser from him but didn't instruct him to buy it. I don't know why he did."
Luke retrieved a white plastic evidence bag from the table and displayed the Taser inside. "Is this the weapon?"
"Yes."
"When did you acquire it?"
"Mid-February, I think."
"Can you be more specific?"
"Maybe the 15th or 16th. It's been nearly a month; my memory isn't precise."
"What did you do with it?"
"I used it to kidnap Alyssa."
"And what else?"
Dave shrugged. "I don't follow."
Luke pressed, "Before Alyssa's abduction, there were two Taser-related robberies near the club. The victims resembled Alyssa and were found naked. Were you involved?"
Dave pondered, "I've heard about those cases, but I had no part in them."
Luke smiled, "I'll give you one more chance. Do you confess?"
Dave rested his arm on the interrogation chair, unflinching. "If you want proof of my guilt, show me the evidence."
"Dave, stop hoping for luck. We've thoroughly investigated you and discovered burnt items in your yard. Although some items were partially destroyed, mobile phone parts, jewelry, and clothing buttons were preserved. These are consistent with what was stolen from the first two victims. This evidence could convict you."
After a long silence, Dave admitted, "I'm responsible for all three cases."
Luke adjusted his seating position. "What was your motive?"
"Don't you already know?"
"I want to hear it from you."
"First, tell me why you investigated me."
"We traced Tony Will's Taser to you," Luke explained, then asked, "Why did you commit these crimes?"
Dave replied, "Because of love."
Marcus couldn't help laughing. "Do you really see yourself as some kind of romantic hero?"
"I wish I were," Dave sighed. "It might have avoided all this. But what would you know?"
Luke gestured for Marcus to stay quiet. "Dave, continue."
"I fell in love with Alyssa in college, but she chose my friend Steven. I became a successful lawyer, gained wealth, and status, but lost the woman I loved. I thought I'd find someone better and forget her, but every encounter with them made me suffer. I tried to distance myself, but when I saw Alyssa stripping at a club, my world shattered. I lost control."
Dave's voice wavered, "I wanted to save her from that life and hoped she'd leave Steven and be with me. When she refused, I felt devastated."
Marcus interjected, "Man, that's not how you win someone over. You saw Alyssa at her lowest and then offered money. She'd think you just wanted to support her. Most women would resist."
"So what should I have done?" Dave asked.
"Ask her out for a drink, show your sincerity. If things went well, you might have had a chance. But with your approach, you only drove her away," Marcus advised.
Dave didn't respond. While Marcus's advice might have worked in some cases, it was irrelevant now. His feelings for Alyssa had always been intense, and in her presence, he felt overwhelmed.
Luke redirected the conversation. "Dave, were you taking out your frustration on two women who resembled Alyssa because she rejected you?"
"On February 18, when Alyssa danced at the club again, I was shattered. I drank heavily and, in my drunken state, tried to take her home. I tasered her but got the wrong person. I couldn't control myself and assaulted her…"
Luke noted this down. "And the second victim?"
"Alyssa contacted me, and I was hopeful she might accept me. But after our meeting, she lashed out, accusing me of sending photos of her dancing to her parents. She said she'd never choose me, not even if she picked a man at random from the club. I decided to act that night but didn't wait for her. Anger and frustration led me to target another blonde woman. I regret my actions now..."
"You're not insane, Dave. You're consumed by jealousy. You're wealthy and successful, yet the woman you love chose someone else. This pain, bottled up over the years, erupted violently," Luke said, steering the conversation back to legal matters. "Where's Steven?"