Robbery and Murder Department, Police Detective Bureau.
Because of overtime last night, Luke arrived a bit later than usual in the morning.
The police had taken statements from Dalnio's mother and brother, whose accounts were consistent, both providing alibis for Dalnio.
Luke temporarily eliminated Dalnio as a suspect.
This lead having gone cold, Luke shifted the focus of the investigation to other clues.
Word came from Camos Hospital that Anise Snow's health was recovering well, and she was now able to participate in criminal investigation sketching.
At eleven in the morning, Luke and Xiao Hei rushed to Camos Hospital.
Anise Snow was staying in room 508 of the hospital.
Casdi Torres was in room 309 of the hospital.
From the existing evidence, as a partner of a deceased person, Casdi Torres had certain conflicts of interest and was also suspected of hiring someone to commit murder.
Luke hesitated briefly, deciding not to visit room 309 yet. He planned to wait until Anise Snow completed the criminal investigation sketch and then take the sketch portrait to room 309, asking Casdi Torres to assist in identification to test his reaction.
Luke and Xiao Hei arrived at room 508, where two patrol officers were guarding the door, and they entered after showing their credentials.
Xiao Hei, ever sociable, greeted her, "Hey, beautiful, how's your recovery going?"
Anise Snow lay in her hospital bed, struggling to sit up, "Detective Chief Marcus, I'm glad to see you.
I thought I was about to meet God."
Xiao Hei laughed, "Don't worry, I've spoken to the doctor. You're recovering well and will be discharged soon."
"Did you catch the bastard who shot me?"
"Then I'd rather stay in the hospital a little longer."
"If you want to catch him sooner, help us complete the criminal investigation sketch."
"No problem." Anise Snow turned to look at Luke, "Is this handsome guy the sketch artist?"
Xiao Hei said, "Correct, he's an excellent criminal sketch specialist and also my part-time boss."
"Wow, I didn't expect the boss to be so young. After I'm discharged, are you going to arrest me on charges of sedition?"
Luke placed his backpack on the table and pulled up a chair beside the bed, "No, what concerns me is the murder case, I'm not interested in anything else.
From the current situation, our goals are aligned. The gunman wanted to kill you to silence you, and we want to catch the gunman.
Only if we catch the gunman will you be safe. So, let's complete this criminal sketch together, okay?"
"Alright, what do I need to do?" Hearing Luke's assurance, Anise Snow finally felt relieved.
Luke took out a drawing board and pencil, "Recall the physical characteristics of the gunman, the more detailed the better."
Anise Snow took a deep breath, slowly closed her eyes, "He's a Latin male, black hair, height's hard to judge, should be over one eighty..."
Luke reminded her, "Describe his specific facial features."
"His hair is somewhat curly, very thick, eyebrows also thick, his eyes fierce, skin quite dark…"
As Anise Snow described, Luke sketched, occasionally having her confirm.
This process lasted nearly an hour before Luke completed a highly detailed sketch portrait.
Luke handed the sketch back to Anise Snow, "Is this him?"
"Very much alike, your artistry is remarkable."
"Thank you." Luke handed the sketch portrait to Xiao Hei and asked, "Anise, think carefully, is there any other clue you'd like to tell us?"
"No, I've been concentrating on remembering the gunman's face, feeling quite down and my brain about to explode.
It's been a long time since I've had to think this hard."
"We won't disturb your rest any longer. If you recall any new clues, you can call Detective Chief Marcus." Luke got up to tidy up, leaving the room with Xiao Hei.
Xiao Hei was checking his phone, having already taken a photo of the sketch portrait and shared it in the group, "With this sketch, we can catch that bastard."
Luke said, "From your tone, it seems you've taken this quite personally."
"If a large caliber bullet whizzed by you, believe me, you'd feel the same.
The feeling was like having death brush past you." Xiao Hei complained, then asked, "Where to now?"
"Room 309, let Casdi Torres identify the criminal investigation sketch, to see if he recognizes the gunman."
The elevator was going to take a while, so instead of waiting, they took the stairs for speed.
The two reached the third-floor staircase, and Luke saw a male orderly coming up from the second floor, also heading onto the third-floor corridor.
The man was wearing a mask, obscuring his full face, but the shape of his eyes and face made Luke feel a trace of familiarity.
This man's eyes and facial structure were very similar to the sketch Luke had just completed; having just drawn it, even though the man wore a mask, Luke keenly felt the resemblance.
Could it be the gunman?
Had he come to the hospital to kill the witness, Anise Snow?
No, he went to the third floor.
Had he recognized Marcus and therefore deliberately avoided him?
His target was Casdi Torres.
Casdi Torres and the first victim were partners, both had been in the same car when the first victim was killed by a sniper from a distance. Casdi Torres was injured in the car accident and had not seen the gunman's face, so there was no need for silence, which is why the police did not arrange for a security detail.