"No, my target was only Casdi Torres."
"You're a professional hitman, why did you kill the wrong person?"
"This is a stain I will never be able to wash away from my life." Vadim Tovani sighed deeply, frustrated,
"It's all because of that bastard and woman who broke into the apartment. The moment I fired, they opened the door, which affected my shooting, and the bullet strayed."
Little Hei's eyes widened in surprise and speechlessness. He had thought of many possibilities, but had never considered this reason.
To actually kill the wrong person!
Luke hadn't considered this possibility either, "Describe the process of the crime in detail."
Vadim Tovani slowly recounted, "Someone hired me to kill Casdi Torres, provided me with his information, and recent itinerary. After studying it, I decided to take action in that area so I could escape immediately after the murder.
I selected a rented apartment as the shooting location, not expecting two people to suddenly show up and interfere with the shot.
I missed the target and instead hit the driver.
Afterwards, I killed the man who had broken into the apartment, and the woman ran away.
I chased her to the stairwell and saw that she had run downstairs. If I continued to chase her, it might stir up the tenants, posing a great risk.
So, I returned to the apartment, packed up my things, and fled." Vadim Tovani said, his expression revealing helplessness, "This was my most botched assassination. Not only did I fail to kill the target, but a witness saw me.
Luckily, I picked up the woman's backpack, and I got her address, planning to kill her and eliminate any future problems.
As for what happened after that, you all know."
Luke asked, "Who is the employer?"
"I don't know, and he wouldn't be foolish enough to tell me his identity."
"How did you make contact with each other?"
"He called and found me."
"Did you know each other before?"
"No, he said he was referred by an acquaintance."
"Who is the referrer?"
"How did you conduct the transaction?"
"We met once, and he handed over the deposit directly to me."
"Where did you meet, and what does he look like?"
"On Linus Street, by the roadside. He was wearing a mask and a hat, and I couldn't see his face clearly. I only know he was a Caucasian man, probably not too young, a bit taller than me, that's all."
"How much was the deposit?"
"Ten thousand US dollars, with another forty thousand to be paid upon completion."
"Think carefully, did the employer have any other distinguishing features? Or did he say anything special to you?"
"Uh..." Vadim Tovani thought for a moment, "I can't remember, but I have a habit of recording phone calls on my mobile.
You should be able to find his recording on my phone."
"Tell us about the referrer Anas Pole?"
"He isn't in Los Angeles, likely abroad, and I don't know his exact whereabouts."
After completing the statement, Luke and Little Hei left Room 405. Four patrol officers were still stationed outside the hospital room.
Little Hei said with a sense of regret, "We investigated for so long and actually got the killer's target wrong; it's just ridiculous."
Luke shook his head, "Is there a shortage of absurdities in this world?"
"You're right. Where are we heading now?"
"To Room 309, to talk to Casdi Torres, since he is the real target of the person behind the scenes.
Perhaps he could provide some valuable clues."
Luke and Little Hei made their way to Room 309. Four patrol officers were also guarding outside the room. After what happened last time, Luke didn't dare to take it lightly.
Though the gunman had been caught, the person who hired him was still at large. No one knew if they had other means to kill, so necessary protection was essential until the person behind the scene was apprehended.
Luke pushed the door open and saw Casdi Torres sitting on the bed, video calling.
Casdi Torres turned off the video and stood up. "Captain Li, what exactly happened this morning?"
Luke sized him up, "You're recovering well."
"I'm not in any serious condition anymore, I should be able to leave the hospital in a few days."
Luke took out the photo of the shooter, Vadim Tovani. "Do you recognize him?"
"I don't remember him. Who is he?"
"He's the one who killed Balte Ramos, and this morning, he came to your hospital room wanting to kill you too, but we caught him in time."
"Why did he want to kill Balte? And why did he want to kill me?"
"That day, you and Balte Ramos went out together in a BMW. He originally intended to shoot you, but he was disturbed when he fired, and the bullet went off course, mistakenly killing Balte Ramos.
This morning he broke into the hospital, still intending to kill you.
You are his real target."
"Why? Why does he want to kill me?"
"He's a hitman, hired by someone else."
"My God, why would anyone want to kill me?
So you're saying Balte died in my place.
I was the one who caused Balte's death." Casdi Torres covered his forehead, showing a guilty expression. "A few days ago, I even had an argument with him over opening a new branch. I said a lot of nasty things; I regret it so much.
Balte... I'm sorry, it was me who caused your death."
Little Black consoled, "Casdi, it's not your fault; don't blame yourself too much."
Casdi Torres took a deep breath. "Who is the person who hired the hitman? Why would he do this?"
Luke said, "We're not sure yet; we came to you to ask if you have any clues about the employer."
"Do you know Anas Boel?"
"Have you offended anyone or been threatened by anyone recently?"
Casdi Torres hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "No."
Luke took out a voice recorder. "I'm going to play a conversation between the employer and the hitman. Listen carefully and see if you can recognize the voice."
Luke pressed the play button, and the voices of two men filled the room,
"Whom are you looking for?"
"What do you want him for?"
"I was referred by Anas Boel. I want to kill someone in Los Angeles, and I'll give you fifty thousand US Dollars once the job is done..."
Listening to the voice from the recorder, Casdi Torres's expression changed over and over – first it was nervous, then confused, and finally angry. "It's him!
Luke pressed, "Who is he?"
"My God, it can't be him."