Luke said, "Your expressions have already told me that you know each other."
The Korean woman in her thirties spoke, "What happened to her?"
"We are investigating a case, and she happens to be a witness. We'd like to ask her some questions. Are you familiar with her?"
"I do know her, but not closely. She occasionally comes for manicures. I only know her last name is Kim, but I don't know where she lives or have her contact information."
Luke didn't completely trust the woman's words as he understood that some Asian women, even if they know something, might not tell you. It wasn't that they were unkind, just more cautious and didn't want to invite trouble.
"Do you know how we can find her?"
The Asian woman in her thirties walked to the window and pointed outside, "Past this intersection, there's a Gangnam Supermarket. I suggest you ask there; you might find out where she is."
"Gangnam Supermarket?"
"Does she work at this supermarket?"
"I'm not very sure, I still recommend you ask there yourselves."
"OK, thank you." Luke gestured to his colleague, Xiao Hei, "When there's a chance, my colleague will bring his wife here for a manicure."
Xiao Hei was taken aback and retorted, "Can we get a discount?"
"Of course, I'll give you the highest discount, 20% off," the Asian woman smiled and saw them out of the store.
After they walked a few steps, Xiao Hei retorted, "Why is it my wife?"
"Because I don't have a wife."
They walked a distance equivalent to one Luke and saw the Gangnam Supermarket the nail salon owner had mentioned.
The area around Gangnam Supermarket also had many shops, almost all of them styled in Korean fashion.
Los Angeles has more than three hundred thousand Koreans, making it the largest Korean community abroad.
Gangnam Supermarket is located within the Korean community.
This area heavily reflects Korean culture and showcases signs in English, Korean, and Chinese, easily giving a sense of traversing through time and space.
Upon entering the supermarket, a woman dressed in Hanbok greeted them with a smile, "Welcome to Gangnam Supermarket."
Xiao Hei spread his hands, "Why is it another supermarket? We've been dealing with supermarkets all day."
"This is good news. Finding a common point in the cases indicates that our direction of investigation is correct. Just follow this lead, and we might uncover the truth of the case."
Xiao Hei retorted, "Are you saying this case involves competition between peers?"
"It's too soon to say," Luke evaded the question and started looking around the supermarket.
This supermarket, compared to Shanyuan Supermarket, had similarities and differences.
Both supermarkets were similar in size and offered both Korean and Western products.
The difference was that Shanyuan Supermarket leaned more towards Westernization, with Korean products making up only 30 percent.
Gangnam Supermarket, however, primarily stocked Korean products, nearly all kinds of Korean food and goods could be found here.
Naturally, it also had the Vilsen Mineral Water that Luke was most concerned about.
After surveying the supermarket, Luke approached the cashier and took out the photo of the suspicious Korean woman, "Hello, do you know this woman?"
The cashier, a Korean girl in her twenties, glanced at the photo and then at Luke, "Yes, what do you need her for?"
"Can you tell me where she is?"
The female cashier shook her head, "Sorry, I don't know you."
Xiao Hei showed his badge, "LAPD. We are investigating a criminal case and want to ask her some questions."
"Wow... Please wait a moment." The Korean cashier left the words hanging as she walked towards the back of the supermarket.
Xiao Hei asked, "Why do you always ask the cashiers?"
Luke whispered, "Not every employee can be a cashier. Being a cashier at least shows that the boss trusts her, either due to close relations or because her work is stable.
Moreover, every customer who buys something comes here to pay, meaning they interact with more clients.
Other supermarket staff are busy with their duties and hence, have less contact with the customers."
Just then, a Korean woman in her thirties approached, "Gentlemen, my name is Shanmei Li, and I am the owner here."
Luke sized up the woman, Shanmei Li, who was wearing a black dress and had a gentle smile on her face, exuding a good aura.
Luke took out his phone with the suspicious woman's photo, "Miss Li, do you recognize the woman in this photo?"
"Yes, she's my cousin. Is there a problem?"
"Can you give us her contact information and address?"
"Uh..." Shanmei Li hesitated, "Can you tell me what happened?"
"We are investigating a criminal case and would like to ask her some questions."
"I am not comfortable revealing her information at random. How about this? I'll call her directly and have her meet here at the supermarket."
"You're welcome. Please, follow me to my office."
"Won't it disturb your work?"
"It's okay, my cousin is like family to me; her issues are my issues."
Luke and Xiao Hei were led into the office, which was not large but neatly organized in a typically Korean style, decorated with many potted plants.
Shanmei Li asked, "Would you officers like something to drink? We have coffee, green tea, and black tea available."
Luke politely declined, "No, thank you. We just had coffee before coming here."