Beside the swimming pool, there was a middle-aged Black man dressed in trendy clothes, exuding a peculiar scent. He was wiping away tears with a handkerchief while two female patrol officers stood awkwardly nearby.
They whispered to each other, discussing some gossip about the female celebrity in the pool.
Upon seeing Brian and his team arrive, the two female patrol officers lit up, "Hey, are you Brian, the Autopsy Officer from the Hollywood district?"
One of the blonde patrol officers warmly greeted Brian.
This female officer, while having quite a nice face, was tall and muscular. Her bare arms, covered in reflective hairs, clearly belonged to someone with a vigorous hormone secretion.
Her companion, also a female patrol officer, curiously scrutinized Brian who had just arrived.
"Yes, I am Brian. Can you tell me briefly what happened here?"
Brian nodded to them both, scanning the surrounding security devices.
Such mansions generally have their own independent security systems.
Before the officers could respond, the crying middle-aged Black man erupted in anger towards Brian, "Get out! Why are male officers allowed in here? Get out, you disgusting man!"
"Who is he?" Brian curiously asked.
The female patrol officer shrugged,
"He’s Paola Rigado’s manager, and he’s the one who called the police.
He mentioned that the deceased had a private appointment last night. For some privacy reasons, she turned off the security systems, and he wasn’t staying here.
He couldn’t reach the deceased today, got worried, came early, and found the body in the pool...
Oh, and he doesn’t allow male officers inside the villa, claiming it’s disrespectful to the deceased woman. Considering she was a public figure, the department had us lock down the exterior while we conducted a brief survey inside."
In a capitalist country, rich people still get to enjoy certain luxuries.
At least the police are somewhat more cautious around them, even in cases of crime, opting for a softer enforcement. Otherwise, their extensive connections, ability to mobilize financial resources, or even influence public opinion can be quite headache-inducing.
"I see.." Brian nodded and said to Tom, "Buddy, here’s your chance, get the body from the pool."
"No problem!" Tom’s voice was shrill, unable to suppress the smile on his face.
Brian was truly a brother.
He usually only got to briefly see her on TV, but today he would have the chance to touch her directly.
This, however, infuriated the Black manager.
His small hand, holding the handkerchief, trembled, "You dare allow this grotesque man to desecrate Paola’s body, it’s criminal! I will expose your disgust in the media, I will file a complaint.."
With a sharp smack sound,
The effeminate Black manager flew out three meters without a peep, crashing heavily onto the distant steps, becoming stupefied.
Brian disgustingly wiped his hands, "Ungrateful for the kindness shown."
With that, he gestured to Tom.
With a splash, Tom dove into the pool fully clothed, dog-paddling toward the deceased woman’s body.
The two female patrol officers watched Brian in surprise.
Police brutality in the United States and excessive use of lethal force were common topics every year in every state, but arriving at a crime scene and first striking the person who reported the case were rarely seen.
After all, this was a wealthy area.
They were patrol officers, and although their compensation wasn’t bad, they often faced difficult situations.
Unlike some community officers who might just resolve domestic disputes with a gunshot, snagging paid administrative leave, and ending up with no consequences.
"Brian, don’t you think you were a bit too impulsive?"
The female patrol officer expressed her concern.
Brian shook his head, pointing to the badge pinned on his suit lapel, "That person just now attempted to obstruct a public officer from performing duties and verbally insulted and attacked a police chief’s staff. Please take him back later and sue him."
To beat someone and then to press charges...
This method was in stark contrast to Brian’s handsome and sophisticated appearance, catching the two female patrol officers off guard.
"No problem, but usually, this kind of action isn’t very effective. It’s likely that the court’s judge won’t accept our prosecution suggestion. Even if they do, there will definitely be a bail option, and he might end up causing you trouble later on."
The hairy female patrol officer advised her.
Her colleague nodded, "The Justice Department has been worsening.
I heard that prisons have developed an industrial chain; as soon as someone gets locked up, they contact the inmates to offer them loans for bail.
It’s ridiculous, we just arrest them and they’re released in a couple of days.
Every arrest carries the risk of being shot.
If it weren’t for the need to support a family, I would have quit already."
Hearing this, Brian also felt fortunate to have joined NW rather than a normal precinct, district office, or those local police offices.
In the United States, the relationship between every police team and the Justice Department is generally strained.
Their practices are indeed disgusting.
This was still a time before law enforcement body cameras were common. Once widespread, policing would become even more difficult, restrictive, and thankless.
Brian explained in response to the concern, "It’s different here with NW. If that effeminate man dares to complain against me, I’ll let him know what being unreasonable is like."