Chapter 23 Alyssa

Kelly glanced at the photo and asked, "Is this the same one from earlier? I'm not sure."

"Thank you," Luke replied, shaking his head slightly. "I don't think this is the person we're looking for."

Paul shrugged. "Then I can't help."

Luke pressed on, "Are there any dancers who left the company in the past month and fit this description?"

Paul muttered as he thought, "White, blonde, 170 cm… There was someone like that—Alyssa Moore. She left last Saturday."

"When did you last see her?"

"Friday night. She was wearing a blue bikini. Thin waist, long legs—she's quite beautiful."

"Do you know why she left?"

"I don't. I just got a text from her Saturday morning. That's all."

"Can you give me her phone number and address?"

"I don't know her address. The phone number is 626-863-8532."

Luke dialed the number but got a message saying the phone was temporarily unavailable.

"Is there any other way to reach her?"

"No."

Luke asked, "Don't you find it odd that Alyssa resigned via text rather than in person or over the phone?"

"That's just how it is in this industry. Dancers are paid daily and aren't bound to stay long. Many don't want others to know they're in this line of work. Some just leave without a word."

"Is there anyone in your club who was close to Alyssa?"

"She wasn't very social. She usually left right after her performance and didn't mingle much with the other dancers. I occasionally invited her out for drinks and conversation. That's about it."

"Do you know anything about her family?"

"No."

"Thanks." Luke stood up and shook hands.

"Is Alyssa the person you're looking for?" Paul asked.

"I'm not sure yet. Excuse me." Luke and Marcus left the club.

Marcus inquired, "Do you think Alyssa might be another victim of the 'Taser robbery'?"

"It's possible." Luke sent a text from his phone: "Hi Matthew, I need your help. Find out everything you can about Alyssa Moore. Her phone number is 626-863-8532. I need the information by tomorrow morning. Thanks."

Marcus asked, "Where to now?"

"Home. We need some rest."

The next morning, at nine o'clock.

Robbery and Murder Division.

Luke walked into the office, yawning. "Good morning, everyone."

The deputy teased, "Luke, I heard you were working late last night. That's unusual."

Luke glanced at Marcus, who was grinning widely.

David added, "You really worked overtime at that kind of club?"

"David, don't act like you didn't want to go yourself," Luke said, taking a seat. "Matthew, did you get any information on Alyssa?"

"Yeah, I just got it this morning. Arrived at the station after seven and had several cups of coffee." Matthew handed over a document. "Here's what you wanted."

Luke reviewed the information. "Yes, this is her."

The deputy grabbed a coffee and asked, "What did you find out at the club? Spill it."

David joked, "Maybe you picked up some dance moves you can show us. I'd love to see that."

Luke gave David a look. "Lately, I've been pondering why the suspect would remove the victim's clothing and leave the word 'youlike' at the scene. Initially, I thought it might be a peculiar fetish or a way to taunt the police. But then, I wondered if 'youlike' could be a question directed at the victim. Who would publicly undress someone else?"

As Luke spoke, Susan emerged from the captain's office and motioned for him to continue.

"I checked the crime scenes for the 'Taser robbery' and discovered a dance club located between them—the Ball Club. Marcus and I visited the club and found a dancer named Alyssa Moore, who matches the description and performed last on Friday before sending a resignation text on Saturday morning. Her phone is currently unreachable."

Luke handed Susan the information. "Matthew's investigation revealed two text messages from Alyssa's phone on Saturday. The first was a resignation message: 'Boss, I'm resigning and won't be coming in again. Thanks for everything.' The second was a farewell message: 'Steven, I'm done here and leaving. Don't contact me.' Since then, the number has been inactive."

"I suspect she might be the third victim of the 'Taser robbery'," Luke concluded.

"That's intriguing," Susan said, examining the information.

Jenny noted, "Although Alyssa fits the victim profile, the crime scenes differ. The first two victims were robbed and discovered quickly, while Alyssa's case seems more like a disappearance or kidnapping."

"I've considered that as well," Luke replied. "My theory is that the first two cases might have been practice runs for the suspect, and Alyssa could be the real target."

Susan asked, "Matthew, can you reach Alyssa?"

"No, her number is the only contact we have."

"Let's convene in the conference room," Susan directed, setting up the projector with Alyssa's information:

Name: Alyssa MooreDate of Birth: June 11, 1988Family: Husband, ParentsHome Address: 106 Leon Community, Los Angeles

David pointed to the projector. "Alyssa texted on Saturday. Today's Wednesday—four days have passed. If she were kidnapped, her family should have reported it by now."

Matthew added, "There's no record of an alarm regarding Alyssa."

The deputy analyzed, "From Alyssa's texts, it seems she didn't notify her parents. Either they knew of her departure, or she wasn't close to them. The message to 'Steven' suggests a strained relationship, which might explain her departure."

"Regardless of whether Alyssa is a victim of the 'Taser robbery,' her current situation is likely dire," Susan said. "Raymond, contact the technical team to locate Alyssa's phone. David, Luke, investigate her home. Matthew, find her husband's and parents' contact details. The rest of you, stay alert."

"Yes, Captain," everyone replied.