Los Angeles Detective

  Chapter 551 Merit

  Luke led the team back to the police station after getting Rochel Horn's information and the surveillance video during the drug testing period from Kallman.

  Luke arranged for the team members to investigate separately, and then returned to the captain's office.

  In the office, Luke put all the clues and evidence about Rochelle Horn's case on the table, and reorganized his thoughts on the investigation.

   First of all, whether Rochel Horn's death was a suicide or a homicide is still uncertain.

   Luke is personally more inclined to commit suicide.

  One reason is that the police did not find a container containing drugs at the scene of the crime, and it was likely taken away by others, indicating that a second person may have been present when Rochelle Horn died.

  Secondly, from the current situation, it can be seen that Rochel Horn is a responsible person, and it is impossible to commit suicide by leaving his wife and young children, which is not in line with common sense.

  The third point is that the fire at Kallman Pharmaceuticals was too coincidental.

  Rochel Horn died on July 10, and a fire broke out in the Kallman Pharmaceutical Company on July 11. There may be a certain connection between the two.

  Luke checked the surveillance on July 9 when Rochelle Horn went to the Kalman Company to participate in the drug testing. Although Rochelle Horn was serious at the time, he found no obvious abnormalities.

  Luke also asked people to investigate the situation of the same batch of drug testers, and maybe they could find some clues.

   "Boom..."

  There was a knock on the door outside.

"Come in."

  Xiao Hei pushed the door open and walked in, "Captain, we have discovered something."

  Luke and Xiao Hei walked out of the captain's office together and came to Jackson's desk.

  Jackson said, "Captain, according to your request, we compared the surveillance video of the Kallman company and the neighborhood where Rochelle Horn died.

  A suspicious black Chevrolet sedan with license plate 2Huy377 was found. "

  Jackson paused, and continued, "At three o'clock in the afternoon on July 10, this car went to the community where Rochelle Horne died, and left at five o'clock in the afternoon.

   At nine o'clock in the evening on July 11, the car went to the vicinity of the Kallman Pharmaceutical Company and left around twelve o'clock in the evening.

   It is completely consistent with the time of committing the crimes of the two cases. I think the owner of this car is a major suspect. "

  Luke played back the video, compared the cars in the two videos, and asked, "Have you found the owner's information?"

  Owner, Ronnie Prada

Sex: Male

  Height, 177cm

   Weight, 150 lbs

   Date of Birth, March 16, 1984

   License plate number, 2Huy377

  Address, 405 Marbury Community.

  Criminal record, suspected of intimidation, violent dunning, and intentional injury.

Luke remembered the conversation he had with the homeless Martin. According to Martin, the deceased could not find a suitable job and had to maintain the family's expenses. For a while, he had been relying on gambling to make ends meet. The bet is bound to lose, and eventually owes a lot of usury.

  This Ronnie Prada is likely to be a member of the loan shark organization, and Rochel Horn may have borrowed money from their organization.

  But under normal circumstances, loan shark organizations rarely kill borrowers. It is very simple, whoever pays the money after death.

  Ronnie Prada’s car was still nearby on the night that the Kalman Pharmaceutical Company caught fire. This matter may not be as simple as a simple debt collection.

  Luke couldn't figure out the relationship between the three for a while.

   Subsequently, the police investigation focused on Ronnie Prada.

  …

  Big Regal Casino.

  The casino covers an area of ​​nearly 10,000 square feet, with all kinds of entertainment items, such as baccarat, blackjack, roulette, poker, slot machines, etc.

  A black man wearing sunglasses and a gold chain walks into the lobby of a casino, waving his hands and shouting, "Hey, yeeyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyys...

   Today is a happy day, and I believe that Lady Luck will be mine tonight. "

  His voice was loud, coupled with his exaggerated expression, he quickly attracted the attention of the surrounding gamblers.

  But the black man didn't care. He swayed to the side of the roulette, took out two five-hundred-dollar chips from his pocket, and slapped them on the roulette table, "I press red."

'boom! '

  His strength was so great that the table trembled when he slapped it, which aroused the dissatisfaction of other gamblers.

  The black man didn't care, and stared back fiercely.

   This arrogant black man is Xiao Hei who came with a mission.

  The police found a black Chevrolet that had been to two crime scenes during the time of the incident. The owner of the car was Ronnie Prada, who had a criminal record for loan sharking.

  Luke guessed that the deceased should have lost money in the casino, so he asked Ronnie Prada for a usury loan, and they were in contact with each other.

   Ronnie Prada is likely to have some connection to the deceased's death.

  The police began to look for the whereabouts of Ronnie Prada.

   However, most of the information left in the police station by a repeat offender like Ronnie Prada is not true, and it is impossible to find him with official information.

  So, Luke can only think of other ways.

  Luke asked someone to check the credit card records of the deceased, and found that he had often spent money near this casino for a while. Luke guessed that the deceased should have gambled and lost money in this casino, and probably borrowed usury nearby.

  That's why there is tonight's lure out of the hole.

   At this point, a roulette has started to spin.

  A small yellow ball rolled on the roulette wheel and stopped at the red 12 area under the eyes of everyone.

  Xiao Hei waved his fist and shouted loudly, "Yeah, I won, I won! Haha!"

  Xiao Hei's shout attracted the attention of the gamblers around. Some cast envious glances, some disgusted, and some ignored it directly.

  Xiao Hei's chips also changed from one thousand to two thousand.

   With a big grin, Xiao Hei put two 500 chips and one 1,000 chip on the gaming table, "I bet on odd numbers."

   Other gamblers also bet one after another. There are many ways to play roulette. Everyone can have different betting methods, and the odds are not the same.

  The roulette turned again, and everyone's eyes were on the yellow ball. Under everyone's gaze, the yellow ball stopped at the position of black 15.

   odd number.

   "Yeah yeah..." Xiao Hei jumped up excitedly, waving his right fist vigorously, "I told you, Lady Luck belongs to me tonight.

  I will be the gambling king tonight! "

  Xiao Hei's rhetoric once again attracted the attention of other gamblers. Some were envious, while others were dissatisfied. They pointed at him, and some waited to see his expression of losing money.

  The chips in Xiao Hei's hand became four thousand dollars.

  Xiao Hei pushed his chips to the area of ​​1-12, "comeon, baby, I'm going to play a big one!"

  Xiao Hei won two hands in a row, which also attracted many gamblers at this time. Some people were optimistic about Xiao Hei before, thinking that he was lucky, and wanted to follow him, but seeing his low probability of betting this time, they were a little bit discouraged.

  The yellow ball rolled in the roulette and slowly stopped at the position of the red 3.

   "Oh! Haha..." Xiao Hei waved his hands, jumped high, and then took a spacewalk.

  This is the charm of gambling, which can double, even double, or triple your chips in an instant.

   The odds for this game were 2:1, and Xiao Hei directly won 8,000 dollars, with a total of 12,000 chips.

  Xiao Hei won three games in a row, coupled with his 'extroverted' personality, he soon became the focus of the casino.

   With a smile on his face, Xiao Hei placed the chips in the area of ​​13-24, "I will win again, definitely!"

  Xiaohei's self-confidence attracted more people's attention. He won three rounds in a row, and his momentum was in full swing. Several people were moved and bet with him.

  But there are still more gamblers who choose to wait and see, or bet in their own way.

  The roulette wheel turned again, the yellow ball rolled, and finally stopped in area 30.

  Suddenly, Xiao Hei's face drooped.

   Several people who bet with him also looked annoyed, "fuck!"

   "I was tricked by this bastard."

   "I shouldn't be with him!"

  Other gamblers also talked about it. Some said that Xiao Hei was too reckless and should not bet all his chips.

   Some people also said that Xiao Hei blasphemed the goddess of luck and deserved to lose money.

   At this time, Xiao Hei was unwilling and annoyed, watching the croupier take away the chips, as if he was about to cry.

  He turned his head and looked at the white man with a big belly, "Hey, buddy, you saw that, I won three games in a row before, so I was very lucky.

   It was just a mistake.

  Can you lend me some chips?

  I will definitely win this time, and I will return it to you immediately. "

  The pot-bellied white man laughed, "Do I look like an idiot to you?"

  Xiao Hei looked at the plump Mexican woman beside her again, "Hey, beauty, can you lend me some bargaining chips?"

   When I win the money, I will treat you to a drink tonight. "

  The Mexican woman rolled her eyes, "Go home and meet your mother for a drink."

"Ha ha…"

  The gamblers around laughed.

  Sometimes watching other people lose is happier than seeing them win.

  Especially Xiao Hei's previous arrogant performance made many gamblers very disgusted. Seeing him deflated at this time, let alone feel very happy.

  Xiao Hei's face was a bit ugly, and he looked at the roulette reluctantly.

   At this moment, a white man with earrings came up, "Hey, man, I saw it. You won three in a row."

  Xiao Hei glanced at the other party, "That's right, I was very lucky today, but I just made a mistake.

  I can still win it back. "

  The white man with earrings shook his fist with Xiao Hei, "I believe in you, Tom."

   "Marcus." Xiao Hei looked at the white man Tom, and asked in an expectant tone, "Dude, can you lend me some chips? I won, and I will pay you back double."

   "I can't, but I know who can."

"who?"

  Tom patted Xiao Hei on the shoulder, "Come with me, I'll take you to borrow money."

  Xiao Hei asked, "Where are you going?"

   "It's not far." Seeing that the other party hesitated, Tom said, "If you want to borrow money, come with me."

  Xiao Hei hesitated for a while, but still left the casino with the other party, got into a white Toyota car and left.

"where are we going?"

   "Take you to borrow money, it will be here soon."

  The car drove for a few minutes, and drove to the back of a nearby apartment building. Tom got out of the car, "Let's go, the person who can lend you money is in this apartment."

  Xiao Hei stood beside the car, "Dude, don't tell me, are you a loan shark?"

   "That's right, I'm indeed a usurer." Tom directly showed his cards, pointing at Xiao Hei, "Look at you, besides me, is there anyone else who would lend you money?"

  Xiao Hei waved his hand, "I don't want to borrow money from usury."

  Tom sneered, "You bastard, didn't you keep saying that Lady Luck is on your side?

  You just won 11,000 dollars with 1,000 chips, as long as you win again, will you still care about the interest? "

  Xiao Hei thought for a moment, then took a deep breath, "You are right, I will go with you."

   "That's right, come in with me, I'll show you a big man." Xiao Hei's performance of refusal and welcome, on the contrary, won Tom's trust and led him into the apartment.

   After entering the apartment, Tom took Xiao Hei up the stairs to the fourth floor and knocked on the door of Room 401.

   "Crackling..." The door opened.

  A bald man was standing by the door. When he saw Tom, he stepped aside to let them in.

  Tom led Xiao Hei into the apartment. Inside the apartment was a small office with several desks. A white man with a beard sat at the table and smoked a cigar.

  Xiao Hei recognized the other party at a glance, it was Ronnie Prada.

  Tom showed a flattering smile, "Boss, this is the new client I brought, a lucky guy who won three hands in a row in the casino.

  In the end, because of a mistake, it was all lost.

  He wants to borrow some money to win it back. "

  Ronnie Prada looked at Xiao Hei sharply, "You want to borrow money from me?"

"Yes."

   "Do you know the rules?"

"have no idea."

   "It's okay, I can teach you." Ronnie Prada smiled, stood up, and asked, "What's your name?"

   "Marcus."

   "I'm asking for the full name."

   "Marcus Smith." Xiao Hei made up a name casually.

   "OK, Mr. Smith, how much do you want to borrow?"

   "A thousand dollars."

   Ronnie Prada shook his finger, "It's too little, it's not enough to play in the casino.

  If you want to win money, you must have enough principal.

  If you are too timid, you will never make a fortune. "

  Xiao Hei gritted his teeth, "I want to borrow three thousand dollars."

   "That's right." Ronnie Prada stretched out his hand, "What do you want to mortgage?"

   "Uh...I have nothing right now."

   "Then give me the ID?"

   "What certificate?"

   "Driver's License or Social Security Card."

  Xiao Hei shrugged, "I didn't bring it."

   "Hey, buddy, if you want to borrow money, you have to be sincere.

  Don't take me for a fool, huh. "

  The bald man next to him blocked behind Xiao Hei, his fists creaking.

   "OK, I brought my social security card." Xiao Hei fumbled in his trouser pocket, took out a flat wallet, took out his social security card and handed it to Ronnie Prada.

  Ronnie Prada reaches for his social security card, looks at the name on it.

"boom!"

   At this moment, there was a loud bang outside, and the door was blasted open.

   Several men with guns rushed in.

   "lapd!"

   "Police, don't move!"

   "Put your hands up!"

  Ronnie Prada heard the movement, and touched his waist with his right hand.

  Xiao Hei also moved, and a brutal collision sent Ronnie Prada flying, and Ronnie Prada fell heavily to the ground.

  Xiao Hei swung his right fist and hit Ronnie Prada directly on the head, knocking him unconscious and taking away his pistol.

   "lapd, don't move!"

  (end of this chapter)