Things were different domestically.
In California, police officers could have part-time jobs.
Many officers worked as security personnel or detectives during their vacations.
Luke had no qualms about receiving consultancy fees.
Investigating whether Val acted in self-defense wasn't too difficult for him, it just required wasting some time.
Luke reviewed the surveillance video again and discovered some new clues.
Although the fight occurred in a surveillance blind spot, that didn't mean the surveillance was useless.
The cameras didn't capture Val and the suspect, but they did capture the onlookers.
These spectators could serve as witnesses, provided, of course, they saw the entire conflict.
If they didn't see the suspect choking Val but only saw Val hitting the suspect, that would be disadvantageous for Val.
This was the predicament Val was now facing; the police had questioned several onlookers at the scene, all of whom had arrived after hearing the commotion and only saw Val hitting someone.
The timing of these testimonies was crucial.
Otherwise, the witnesses they found would only make matters worse.
Luke needed to find someone who had seen the entire fight, as only they could help clear Val of the suspicion.
There were three cameras outside the shopping mall; Luke carefully compared the three, analyzing the timing, paths, and demeanors to identify a black man who might have witnessed the whole incident.
This black man was also in the surveillance blind spot, but when he appeared in the video, he was using his phone to record, likely capturing the scene of the altercation.
Now, the problem was that the exact timing of the recording was unclear.
If the recording captured the entire altercation, obtaining the video would prove Val's innocence.
Some might think this case wasn't complicated, so why couldn't the patrol officers clarify it.
In reality, the reason could be inferred from a common theft case.
If a house is burglarized, is the case difficult to handle?
Checking community surveillance might reveal the thief's presence.
But can they catch the thief?
The odds are they cannot.
It sounds paradoxical and illogical, but it happens every day.
If one wonders why Luke could investigate so effortlessly.
It could only be described as an overwhelming strategic superiority.
In investigative terms, if patrol officers were compared to the CBA, then the Robbery and Murder Department would be the NBA; both play basketball, but the skill levels are clearly different.
Luke, in the NBA, was akin to a James; moving to the CBA would practically be a cakewalk.
Luke carefully tracked this man's movements and discovered that he had merely passed by the supermarket without entering.
From the man's trajectory, it seemed he most likely headed to the parking lot behind the supermarket.
Luke accessed the parking lot's surveillance and identified the man's car as a gray Chevrolet.
Luke contacted Matthew, and quickly found the car owner's information.
Date of Birth, March 2, 1986
Phone number, 626 876 7821
Address, Jialier Community, 125
Social Security number, 623-53-1326
License plate number, 7Seb323
Some things are inconvenient to discuss over the phone; since the car owner's address was found.
Luke planned to visit with Val in person.
Jialier Community, 125.
A taxi stopped outside a gray two-story building.
Luke and Val exited the vehicle; Luke didn't drive his own Mercedes G500, feeling that a taxi was more appropriate for the occasion.
Val looked at the house number in front of the door, adjusted his clothes, held a gift bag in his hand, and asked Luke, "Do you think this is okay?"
"That's good. Just be sincere, and I think it will be fine."
Val nodded, stepped into the yard, and knocked on the door, "Knock, knock."
Moments later, the door opened, and a black man stood at the threshold, assessing Val and Luke, "Who are you guys? What do you want?" After saying this, he scrutinized Val closely,
"Hey, I think I've seen you before."
Val nodded, "Yes, yesterday afternoon someone tried to rob the supermarket, and I stopped him. We ended up fighting.
You were there at the time too."
The black man raised an eyebrow, "How do you know I was there? You wouldn't have noticed me then. Never mind, I don't really want to know; what do you guys want exactly?"
Val replied, "Can we talk inside? It's not very convenient to talk here."
The black man flatly refused, "No, I don't like strangers in my house."
Val handed over the gift bag, "Sir, this is a gift for you. We're here to ask for your help, and it won't take much of your time."
The black man opened the bag and pulled out a bottle of champagne, "I'm curious, how did you know I live here?"
Luke explained, "We reviewed the supermarket's surveillance footage and saw you there, then we asked around, and it so happens a mutual acquaintance knows you.
My friend has been falsely accused of assault by the robbery suspect. He needs your help now.
Of course, it's up to you whether you want to help or not, and you make the final decision. But before that, we hope you can give us a chance to ask for help and let us explain things clearly.
We come with great sincerity."
Luke was very polite in his speech, given he was seeking help, the attitude had to be displayed.
If one were arrogant while seeking help, it would be strange to expect any assistance.
The black man looked at Val, then at the gift bag in his hand, and stepped aside, "OK, come in and talk."