Chapter 1040: Suspect, and Foggy’s New Client
After leaving the intelligence department, Luke received a call from Dustin, then went straight to the 15th Precinct.
HQ had just received the news that someone survived last night when the Irish gang was wiped out, but that person had escaped.
Now, this lucky man named Elliot Grote had brought a lawyer to the 15th Precinct to turn state’s evidence.
Luke and Selina weren’t surprised at all.
What happened at the police station often contradicted the normal logic of most people.
Since most people didn’t commit any crimes, they would naturally think that there was something wrong with the brains of criminals who entered the police station themselves.
While there were indeed many who had a screw loose, many more had practical considerations. It was just that this was something law-abiding citizens couldn’t understand.
Was this Elliot Grote trying to turn over a new leaf?
Luke simply observed him for a moment from the doorway before he closed the door.
This person’s heart was filled with fear, despair, foreboding, and many other emotions, but there was no remorse.
He was an irredeemable criminal. He just wanted to live, and had no intention of going back on his word.
Shutting the door, he looked at the two familiar faces standing by the door, and said helplessly, “Foggy, Karen, why are you taking this case?”
Foggy and Karen looked at each other, and it was Foggy who said, “Last night, we were playing pool at the bar, and Grote approached us and told us about the Irish gang being wiped out.”
Luke frowned. “Last night?”
Foggy hesitated, then whispered, “This is just a conversation between friends, right?”
Luke smiled and said in a low voice, “Of course. It won’t appear in any official records.”
Foggy explained in an even lower voice.
In fact, Grote really had no choice but to come to the police station today.
He’d been shot last night when he’d gone to find Matt and Foggy. He’d collapsed after only a few words with them.
Foggy and the others had had to take him to Metropolitan General Hospital, but it wasn’t long before the assailant arrived and pursued Grote and Karen out of the hospital.
After the two of them had been lucky enough to escape, Foggy and the others had no choice but to send Grote to the police station for his protection.
Luke looked Karen up and down in surprise. “Are you okay?”
She was only a girl in her twenties, and it was already very brave of her not to piss her pants when she was being chased and shot at, but she actually managed to escape with Grote.
Was she also a potential female warrior?
Karen was a little tired, but she was in good spirits. She didn’t look like she’d been shot at last night.
Karen shook her head. “I’m fine.”
After some hesitation, she explained in a low voice, “I think that the person was only after Grote. I wasn’t his target.”
Luke asked, “His?”
Karen nodded. “I saw the man who was after Grote. White male, about thirty-five years old, with a buzz cut, a fierce appearance, and a strong physique.”
Luke asked, “Does that mean the assailant was captured by hospital cameras?”
Foggy shook his head. “No. When he entered the hospital, there was a large area with malfunctioning wires and lights. Karen’s probably the only person who had a clear look.”
Luke nodded. “Got it. Karen, don’t tell anyone about this for now. If the police ask you, just say that you were frightened and can’t remember anything.”
Karen couldn’t help but glance at Foggy.
Foggy, a Columbia law graduate, explained at once, “It’s perfectly normal for a person not to remember anything when they’re frightened. You don’t have to say anything, but you can also give a statement at the right moment, and it wouldn’t be a false statement…”
He paused, and looked at Luke and Selina awkwardly.
Was it too much for him to discuss such petty tricks in front of two detectives?
Luke, on the other hand, nodded and said, “This case is a little tricky. Karen had better not mention it before there are any major developments. Even if she does, we might not necessarily be able to catch the suspect. Hm, Grote should have seen the assailant, right?”
Foggy grimaced. “He said he was frightened, and can’t remember what he looks like.”
Luke spread his hands with a smile. “Look at how skilled he is. Where’s Matt?”
Before Karen could say anything, Foggy got an uncomfortable look on his face and forced a smile. “He’s not feeling well. He’s resting at home.”
Luke’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Foggy’s expression. That excuse sounded familiar! Was Lawyer Matt injured again?
However, he didn’t press Foggy for an answer. He simply nodded and said, “This case isn’t simple. The Irish gang may not be the only victims of the massacre. You have to watch your own safety.”
Foggy: “What’s going on?”
Luke said, “After this is personal talk, okay?”
Foggy reflexively said, “Okay.”
“I’ve checked the files. Several gangs have been attacked in similar ways in the past six months, and more than twenty people have died. However, the cases happened in New Jersey and Nassau County, so no one connected them,” he said.
Foggy’s eyes widened. “What?”
“Don’t tell anyone about this. Just keep it to yourselves.” Luke nodded. “I’ll let you know if there’s any progress on this case, but make sure you stay safe.”
Foggy grimaced. “But we’re representing Grote.”
Luke looked at him quietly. “Then be careful. Don’t die so easily.”
Foggy: …Dude, why are you being so serious?! My legs are shaking.
Just then, a black detective walked over. When he saw the four of them, he greeted them one by one. “Are you discussing the community reconstruction plan again?”
Luke chuckled. “Heh, hello, Detective Mahoney. Those kids are probably happily doing volunteer work right now. I’m relieved.”
Mahoney laughed, too. “Sooner or later, they’ll understand that it’s a wonderful and righteous thing.”
Luke nodded. “But I’m here about the Irish gang today.”
Mahoney glanced at Foggy, who didn’t say anything, then said, “HQ wants to take the case?”
Luke shook his head. “It’s just a matter of understanding the situation. That’s why the two of us are here. We won’t interfere.”
As he spoke, he glanced at the interrogation room.
Mahoney understood that Luke was making it clear that he wasn’t going to take the lead in the case. At most, he would just learn a little more about the situation on the side.
He was also relieved.
Luke and Selina had a good reputation in the Clinton area, and Mahoney was also part of NYPD; it wasn’t hard to check their identities as detectives. Luke really didn’t want to get into a conflict with these two from HQ.
The 15th Precinct’s image at HQ was already bad enough; Mahoney didn’t want to be blacklisted as well.
With that confirmed, everyone followed Detective Mahoney into the interrogation room.