Chapter 11 Obligations

"Luke asked again, 'How many Tasers do you still have in your store?'

'There are only two left. The other one was sold in January.'

'I want the buyer's information.'

'Okay. But I hope this doesn't affect my business.'

Luke said, 'I'm not interested in small fry like you, but if you lie to me, you'll regret it.'

'I don't need to lie. I'm just a businessman, and nothing is more important to me than my business.' The boss pointed to a stool outside the counter. 'Please sit down for a while. I'll go check the gun purchase records.'

Luke remained vigilant, scanning the gun store as the boss went to retrieve the records.

'Sir, I found it.' The boss returned, placing a document on the counter. 'This is all the information I have on the customer who bought the modified Taser.'

Name: Tony WeirMobile number: 626 863 9845Date of purchase: 2022

A copy of the driver's license dated January 13, 2019, was also attached, though it was somewhat blurry.

Luke pointed to the camera in the corner of the ceiling. 'Call up the surveillance video.'

'Sir, the surveillance video is only saved for a month. It's already March, and the footage has been overwritten.'

'Hand over the hard drive that stores the surveillance video. We'll take it back to the police station.'

'OK,' the boss reluctantly agreed, complying with Luke's order.

David, meanwhile, was busy verifying the customer's information with Matthew, the civilian staff member.

Soon, Matthew sent back the details on Tony.

'Sir, here's the hard drive you wanted.' The boss handed the hard drive to Luke.

David, holding his phone, showed a clear photo of the customer. 'Is this the man who bought the modified Taser?'

The man in the photo was a white male in his forties with a mustache.

The boss squinted at the photo. 'Uh... it looks a bit like him.'

'Don't play games with me. Look carefully. I need an accurate answer,' David demanded.

'There are many customers every day. I can't remember everyone's face, especially after a month,' the boss replied, looking embarrassed.

David seemed dissatisfied and was about to press further when Luke intervened, holding up the hard drive. 'David, we have this. Machines don't forget.'

David glared at the boss. 'You'd better not be lying.'

As Luke and David left the store, the boss muttered a curse under his breath.

In the black Dodge Challenger, David grinned. 'Pretending not to be a law officer—that's what you call using your brain? That's old-school. My grandfather used to do that.'

Luke laughed. 'History repeats itself. It's not about new or old methods; it's about how and by whom they are used.'

'Planning a career change to philosophy?' David joked.

'Yep, call me Professor Luke from now on.'

'Enough joking. Let's focus on the case,' David said, rolling his eyes. 'I got Tony's address from Matthew. Should we pay him a visit? He might be the suspect in the Taser robbery.'

Luke's stomach growled. 'Let's grab some food first.'

'Seriously?'

'Yes, I don't work on an empty stomach.'

They went to a Mexican restaurant where Luke ordered a beef burrito, a chicken burrito, and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. The burritos, wrapped in cornmeal tortillas, were filled with shredded purple cabbage, carrots, lettuce, and either grilled chicken or beef, topped with salad dressing or sweet and spicy sauce.

After a satisfying meal, Luke, feeling sleepy, settled into the passenger seat, leaving David to drive.

'If I were the captain, I'd fire you as an example,' David said.

Luke, eyes closed, replied, 'That's exactly what I wanted to say.'

David started the car. 'With your work attitude, you'll never be promoted to captain.'

'David, hard work alone doesn't guarantee success. Talent is necessary.'

'Don't lecture me like an old man. You're not much older than me.'

'True. Cover for me when you become captain. For now, let me nap. Wake me when we get there. And drive slowly and steadily,' Luke said, reclining his seat.

David shook his head and drove to Tony's address.

After a ten-minute nap, Luke awoke to find the scenery outside had changed significantly. The streets were dirty and old, with colorful tents lining the sidewalks and a noticeable increase in the number of homeless people and minorities.

'It doesn't look like the suspect is doing well,' Luke observed.

'If he were, he wouldn't be robbing people. This area is full of drug addicts. Maybe he's one of them,' David sighed.

David turned on his right signal and parked the car. 'We're here.'

Luke checked his Glock, a light pistol with a 17-round magazine, ready for any emergency.

David, holding a SUB-2000 carbine, said, 'Time for you to upgrade to a bigger gun.'

Luke patted his inner thigh. 'I already have one.'

David shook his head, speechless.

They approached a dilapidated wooden house, pushing through a damaged fence and overgrown yard.

David signaled for Luke to cover the back door. Luke, with his gun drawn, scanned through the back door's glass, seeing no signs of anyone inside.

David knocked on the front door. 'Tony, open up. We know you're home.'

No response.

David knocked harder. 'Hey Tony, open the door!'

Still no response.

Luke, hearing everything from the back, knew that anyone inside would have heard the knocks.

David, silent for a moment, gestured for Luke to be quiet. 'I think I heard something... like a cry for help.'

Luke felt a bad premonition. 'What are you doing?'

'I heard a cry for help. As police officers, we have the right and duty to investigate,' David said, kicking the door open. 'LAPD!'