"Detective Chief Luke, I want immunity,"
"Then you'll have to describe the case first to see if you qualify for immunity,"
"OK, then I'll make a hypothetical statement. If we can't reach an agreement, I won't admit to anything. Besides, you might get some inspiration from this. You're so smart, you might just solve the case on your own,"
Luke made a welcoming gesture with his hand.
"You should know that Los Angeles is hierarchical, and the children of the poor are at the bottom. The poorest and blackest kids are at the very bottom, and most black kids have a hard time crossing the social ladder through education and hard work.
Only a very few lucky ones can leap up the social classes by becoming singers, actors, or sports stars. It's not easy and they're often the envy of the other black kids around them.
It's not easy for them to grow up successfully; they need protection and investment.
I may not be a good person, but I do good within my abilities.
For example, I provide protection for some talented black kids without needing much in return. I just let the world know they're under my wing, and no one in this area dares to mess with them. They won't be excluded by the other black kids and can grow up smoothly.
If these kids have a conscience once they make it, they'll give me some proper reward, like hiring me as a bodyguard or manager, and I can get a handsome return.
With my support, these kids also get some implicit benefits, like people coming to their side willingly to become their friends, followers, or however you choose to call them,"
Relatively speaking, these followers have a much closer relationship with the stars. The stars take care of food, housing, entertainment, and all sorts of expenses, even looking after their families. In return, the followers do things for the stars, protect their safety, and may even take the fall for them."
Luke said, "Holip is the star, Theodore is the follower, and you're the boss providing them protection?"
Pike shrugged, "Hypothetical statement?"
Luke scribbled in his notebook, "Of course, go on."
"Holip is a talented kid with excellent physical fitness. He's very strong, and I like him a lot. I'm willing to protect him.
Everything was fine, but Holip's damn heroism got the better of him again. He's always dreaming of being a savior and worshipped by others.
On the afternoon of May 10th, Holip called me, saying there had been a shooting at the school and he had accidentally injured a student.
I told him he shouldn't have called me but should have contacted his follower."
"But the problem is, Holip is not yet a real sports star, nor does he have significant financial power; all he has is promises.
A promise could be worth its weight in gold or could be worthless.
You need someone of status to provide some assurance to ensure the promise holds any weight.
That person of status spoke with the follower to establish the rights and duties between the star and the follower, providing guarantees for their promises to each other.
Whoever breaks the promise will pay a certain price.
That's what happened."
Luke turned to look at Little Black; he understood the rules of the black slums better.
Little Black nodded slightly.
Luke flipped to a new page in his notebook and continued, "What about Kyle Torres?"
"I remember that name, what about him?"
Pike closed his eyes and thought, "So, it's the death of this bastard that has the FBI suspecting me of being involved in the shooting."
"That's right, tell me about him."
"Kyle Torres did indeed have ties to the Skull Gang, but they weren't that close. He could at best be considered a peripheral member. His death has nothing to do with me."
"Then why do you think he was killed?"
"Maybe it was bad luck, or maybe he offended someone. I'm not too clear on it."
"If you can't explain it, the FBI will still take you away. They won't be as 'gentle' as I am,"
Pike sighed, "I want the immunity deal."
"Say your hypothetical statement." Luke suddenly found himself liking California's laws. Conversing with a clever suspect was convenient; they could make deals out in the open.
Pike fidgeted with his fingernails as he spoke, "I heard... this kid was secretly dealing drugs. The Skull Gang doesn't touch drugs; I hate them, and I won't let my people touch them either.
But I can't control everyone, and where there's demand, there will be supply. If I don't do it, someone else will, and rather than letting gangs that don't get along with us profit, it's better to go to those who know the rules." Pike rubbed his fingers, giving a knowing look.
"Kyle wanted to get drugs from the gangs that sell them, but he didn't have much capital, so he needed someone to vouch for him. This area is controlled by the Skull Gang, so he asked them for help.
With the Skull Gang's guarantee, he successfully got the goods, but then he ran into problems selling them. He felt like he was being watched and got scared to sell.
Without sales, there's no money, and he couldn't pay back what he owed.
The supplying gang came to the Skull Gang, and if they didn't take care of it, they'd handle it themselves.
We bought Kyle some time to try and raise the money.
Then, a couple of days later, the shooting happened. That's all I know."
"What's the name of the supplying gang?"