It was five o'clock in the afternoon.
Jack returned to the Robbery and Murder Department office.
"Hey, guys, I'm back.
The deputy chief spoke, "You disappeared for a day, you'd better have some clues; otherwise, I'll suggest the captain mark you as absent for the day."
Jack pinched his chin with his right hand, "Deputy chief, never doubt my abilities, never."
Luke heard the noise and came out of his office, "Marcus, any findings?"
"Of course, I asked some friends in the gang to look for clues about the suspect vehicle. There was a black market that sold a vehicle of the same brand, model, and color a while ago. The engine number of that vehicle had also been ground off.
I promised them that as long as they assist the police with clues about the buyer, the black market would not be held responsible.
Captain, what do you think?"
"No problem," Luke responded.
As long as there's a market and a chain of interest, these black markets can't be eradicated. If we catch them today, new ones will emerge tomorrow; it is better to keep an obedient one.
Jack continued, "According to the person in charge of the black market, the buyer was likely a white man, over six feet tall, wearing a baseball cap, mask, and sunglasses. He didn't know the man and couldn't see his face clearly.
They paid in cash, hands exchanged money for the car, and the whole process took less than half an hour."
Jackson shrugged his shoulders, "Just based on skin color and height, we can't possibly find the suspect."
"Rookie, shut up," Jack snapped back and continued,
"Places black market are generally not public; most of the time, they require an intermediary. Even though the people at the black market don't know the buyer, there is an intermediary between them.
This intermediary is named Huff, and as long as we find him, we can find the suspect's whereabouts."
Luke smoothly asked, "Do you know where we can find Huff?"
Jack confidently replied, "Of course, I've already found out everything, just waiting for your command."
Just then, there was a knocking sound from outside.
"Creak..." With the sound of the door, Anthony walked in.
Luke was somewhat surprised, "Shouldn't you be in the hospital?"
"I've had enough of it, I've finished my check-up and there's nothing seriously wrong with me. If you keep me in the hospital any longer, I'll really get sick." Anthony pulled up a chair and sat down, "Any progress on the case?"
"Of course, do you want to take over the case again?"
"No, I'm not in a condition to take over a case right now, but thinking about the colleague who was killed by the bomb...
I must do something... Just let me be involved in the investigation.
The Los Angeles Police Department will lead, and we, the FBI, will assist."
"Deal," Luke briefly introduced the progress of the case.
It was eight o'clock in the evening.
This bar was not very large and was mainly divided into three areas: bar, booths, and dance floor.
Luke and Jack walked into the bar, one after the other.
The bar was mostly frequented by black people, and Luke wondered why the name of the bar was Troy, "Are you sure the intermediary Huff is here?"
"I've asked around, he's almost here every night drinking, doing business, and flirting with girls; this bar is pretty much his stronghold," Jack said while scanning his surroundings and pointing at a black man beside the bar, "That's Huff, I've seen his picture."
Luke nodded, signaling Jack to go ahead.
Jack staggered to the bar, sat down, and ordered two whiskeys, handing one to Huff, "Here you go, man."
Huff eyed him, "Who are you? Why are you buying me a drink?"
"I've heard of your reputation, and I want to do some business with you."
"But I don't know you, who are you?"
"Ever heard of Blood Demon?"
Huff chuckled, "Are you joking with me?"
Jack opened his mouth, showing two sharp canines, "I am Marcus, the Blood Demon, and it won't be long before my name rings throughout Los Angeles."
"So, you're new to this."
"No, I'm new here, but not new to this."
"Alright, what business do you want to discuss?"
"I need a car, a clean car."
Huff laughed, "This is a bar, not a car dealership, are you sure you're in the right place?"
"Listen, I know you, and I know what you do.
You should also know what kind of car I want, make it quick."
Huff thought for a moment, "Sorry, I don't do business with strangers."
"Hey, a friend of mine once said, 'once a stranger, twice familiar; there's always a process of getting to know each other.'"
As Jack spoke, he pulled out a stack of bills from his pocket, sniffed them under his nose, "Are you familiar with this?"
Huff took a sip from his glass, but his gaze lingered on the bills.
Jack smiled and pushed the bills towards him, "I said, the name Blood Demon will soon resonate through Los Angeles; this is the first deal, but definitely not the last.
Buddy, partnering with me will be the best decision of your life."
Huff glanced around, grabbed the bills and counted them, then put them in his pocket, "Buddy, what kind of car do you want?"
Jack countered, "What kind of car can you get?"
Huff rubbed his hands together, "As long as I have this, getting any car is not a problem."
"Can you guarantee the car is clean? I don't want any trouble."
"Don't worry, license plates, engine serial numbers... everything will be taken care of, you just pay and take the car."'