Chapter 9 Brothers

Eno Commercial Plaza sits at the crossroads of three neighborhoods.

The chubby man and the white girl didn't head into the Eno community to the west but instead walked towards the Kale community in the south.

After a few minutes, the girl stopped at the door of a villa with a gray roof and waved goodbye to the chubby man.

He stood there, grinning as he watched her go inside.

Only after she was safely inside did he turn to leave.

Just a few steps later, he noticed a black Harley-Davidson motorcycle in the distance, with a black-haired young man leaning against it, smiling.

The chubby man hesitated briefly, perhaps due to a guilty conscience, but then greeted his brother with a smile, "Wow, what a coincidence, what are you doing here?"

Luke lit a cigarette and took a puff, "Was that your girlfriend?"

"No, we're just classmates. Don't talk nonsense," the chubby man quickly denied.

"I saw you both drinking milk tea with the same straw. Do you do that with all your classmates?"

The chubby man got angry, "Were you stalking me?"

"Seems like I was right. You really have a girlfriend."

"Are you here to threaten me?"

"I'm concerned about you. You're too young, and falling in love now could affect your studies."

"Did I hear that right? You actually care about me? Is the sun rising in the west?"

Luke spat, "Watch your attitude, I'm your brother."

"So what? You're not my guardian."

"You're right. I should tell Mom about this, maybe she'll soon get to hug her grandson."

"We just went on a date, we haven't done anything like that yet. Please don't tell Mom." The chubby man's tone was almost pleading.

Luke didn't want to be too harsh. After all, he still had to stay in the same house for a while. "Okay, if you want me to keep it a secret, you have to promise me something."

"Yeah, I get it." With that, he took out a wad of money from his pocket and handed it to Luke.

Luke was taken aback, "What do you mean?"

"Come on, this is all the pocket money I have." Though reluctant, the chubby man handed the money over, his practiced movements evoking pity.

Luke counted it and found $126 in total.

"We've reached an agreement, right?" The chubby man shrugged and turned to leave.

"Wait."

"You've already taken all the New Year's money Dad gave me. That's all I have." The chubby man's eyes were red, his voice choked.

Luke pulled out another $400 from his pocket and handed over $526 in total.

"What do you mean?" Now it was the chubby man's turn to be stunned.

"Returning your New Year's money."

"Are you serious?"

"Don't you want it?"

"No, no, no! I'm just surprised." The chubby man took back the money and counted it carefully. "Why did you give me an extra $300?"

"That's pocket money for you."

"Oh, am I dreaming?" The chubby man slapped himself, leaving a red mark on his face.

"I still can't believe it." He was dazed for a moment before recalling something. "You just asked me to agree to a condition. What is it?"

"Don't call me an asshole in the future."

"Oh... how did you know?" The chubby man felt guilty. Since Luke took his New Year's money, he had cursed him behind his back but never dared to say it to his face, fearing a beating.

"I'm a cop."

"I guarantee that the words 'brother' and 'asshole' will never meet again."

Luke put on his helmet, "Good, get on the bike."

"I've always wanted to try it. This is the first time you've invited me." The chubby man sat on the back seat of the motorcycle, the tires noticeably sagging.

Luke twisted the throttle, and the Harley roared.

The chubby man was eager, "You know, I'd rather drive the Harley myself than sit in the back."

Luke laughed, "Keep dreaming."

…

Saturday morning.

Police Department.

At nine o'clock, Luke arrived on time at the Robbery and Murder Division.

The office atmosphere was tense.

David glanced at Luke, "I thought you wouldn't come today."

Typically, if there's no urgent case, detectives can rest on Saturdays and Sundays.

But if there's a case, the investigation continues.

Luke had debated whether to come today. Whether it was a sense of duty or simply interest in the case, he showed up.

"No new attacks last night?"

David shrugged, "No news yet."

Deputy Vincent said, "No news is good news."

Raymond looked at the clock on the wall, "The first two 'Taser robberies' were on Friday nights, before one in the morning.

But no police information today. Could the suspect have not committed a crime last night?"

Deputy Vincent combed his hair. "The suspect left 'you like' in blood to provoke the police. He won't stop easily.

He'll strike again."

Luke suggested, "Could the suspect change his time or method?"

Deputy Vincent thought for a moment, "The suspect's patterns are clear. I doubt he'll change."

Jenny turned, a carbon pen in her hand, "Maybe the suspect struck last night, but the victim didn't report it for some reason."

Deputy Vincent snapped his fingers, "Bingo, that's likely. The suspect chooses remote locations. Victims might not be found before they wake up.

And though the suspect steals all the victim's property and clothes, the economic loss isn't huge. No one carries much on them.

It's the being stripped naked that's worse.

Some women are too ashamed to report it and stay silent."

Jenny said, "As a woman, I understand, but I think they're condoning a crime."

"Crack..."

The office door opened, and Marcus, a black man with a gold necklace and a police badge under it, walked in.

"Hey guys, I'm here!"

Deputy Vincent pointed to the wall clock, "You're late."

"Come on, I was up all night investigating. Don't treat a dedicated cop like that."

Deputy Vincent snorted, "You smooth talker, you better have useful clues."

Ten minutes later.

Meeting room.

Captain Susan sat at the head of the table, her expression serious, "Marcus, report your investigation."

Marcus sipped coffee, "Jenny, next time add two sugar cubes, thanks."

Jenny flipped him off.

Marcus smiled, "I contacted some gang friends yesterday and asked them to look into 'the postman.'

This guy's elusive.

I spent a lot to get some news. He's a firearms expert; pistols, rifles, sniper rifles, tasers, he can modify them all.

A genius.

I showed him a photo of the modified taser. He admitted modifying it. He consigned five tasers at three gun stores.

Joway Gun Store is one."

Susan asked, "What's the postman's real identity? Why didn't you bring him in for questioning?"

Marcus said, "I promised my gang contacts I wouldn't touch him.

If I did, no one would help me in the future."

Susan asked, "How do you know he's telling the truth? What if he's lying? Maybe he's even an accomplice."

Marcus said, "I follow the rules, so will he. If he lies, he'll suffer."

Susan frowned slightly, making the room tense.

Deputy Vincent whispered, "Captain, our priority is to catch the killer.

This isn't Internal Affairs... Sticking to rules will just complicate the case."

"I know this isn't Internal Affairs," Susan replied. "Do you know why the director made me, the head of Internal Affairs, the captain?"

This hit Deputy Vincent's weak spot, "I don't know, and I don't care to know."