Luke looked at the oil painting, "Is this a really good forgery?"

"Yes."

"I want to take this painting back for authentication."

Jim glanced at the deputy, then looked at Luke, "Do you have a search warrant?"

"No."

Jim shrugged, "As you wish."

With or without a search warrant, situations undoubtedly differ, but Jim still decided to do Luke a favor.

He had suffered losses at Luke's hands before, knowing this guy wasn't easy to deal with; no need to confront him head-on.

"Deputy, take the oil painting back for authentication, I'll have a private talk with Jim, the boss."

The deputy glanced at Jim, "Why not take this sly kid back to the station?"

"I'll consider it."

Luke didn't take him to the station, not because he knew the guy, but because this guy was too crafty—easy to catch, hard to convict.

He had been listening in on their conversation all along; Jim was very careful, never admitting the painting was real. Luke might as well give him a favor, gain something substantial.

Jim invited Luke into the shop, the two sat by an antique table and chairs in a corner.

Luke got straight to the point, "You should still be on bail, right?"

Jim lowered his head, using his right middle finger to adjust his gold-rimmed glasses, "Captain Li, that old detective named Vincent might be mistaken.

I had nothing to do with the Getty Museum's oil painting theft case."

"Since I'm here, I don't plan on leaving empty-handed. Either you provide some valuable clues or you'll come back to the station with me."

"Captain Li, selling high-quality forgeries isn't illegal; an antique store isn't an auction house, not everything can be a genuine piece."

"We've received information that you're selling the genuine oil painting 'Rome' here. Before determining the authenticity of the painting, we can employ some investigative measures.

For instance, applying for a search warrant to search your antique store or even pawn shop." As long as he's involved in the oil painting theft case, Luke has ways to leverage him. Even if this 'Rome' painting isn't problematic, can he say all the items in the antique shop are legit?

Not to mention those things in the pawn shop.

Luke believed that as long as Jim was wise enough, he'd certainly compromise.

"Captain Li, I respect you and am willing to assist in your investigation, but I truly have no connection to the Getty Museum oil painting theft case.

I just wanted to make some money during this wave, that's all."

"Tell everything you know, don't hide anything or lie.

I'm only interested in the oil painting theft case, you should understand my meaning." Luke's implication was, as long as you're not involved in the oil painting theft, other charges I can overlook.

From Luke's understanding of Jim, this guy wasn't clean; the information didn't come through legitimate channels, and what Luke needed now were precisely these unconventional channels.

Luke worried the other party would hesitate and hide valuable information.

Jim had experienced Luke's tactics; last time Luke dealt with him through David's connections, this time involved the oil painting theft case, meaning he fell into Luke's hands. He thought it over, knowing cooperation with Luke was indeed the only way out,

"I did hear about the oil painting theft case, knowing ten oil paintings were stolen from the Getty Museum, including one by Sivenson Pierger titled 'Rome'. So I had the idea of acquiring a high-quality forged painting too.

The painting I acquired is different from ordinary forgeries; the artist's skill level is high, enough to pass for the real thing.

The genuine oil painting theft has already spread in the antique circle.

Some customers are always interested in these stolen genuine pieces.

Maybe some spendthrift will buy the painting, and I'll make a fortune.

That's the situation."

Luke said, "It won't be easy to sell your oil painting as a genuine piece."

Jim nodded, "I know.

Out of a hundred people, probably 99 won't believe it.

But if it's sold, it'll be a huge gain.

Even if it ultimately doesn't sell, I can discount it.

High-quality forgery still has a market in antique stores; there's no worry about selling.

I won't lose money, so why not try?"

"Aren't you afraid of backlash if customers find out you're selling fake paintings?"

Jim laughed, "I never claimed it was genuine. My place is an antique store; quality depends on one's ability. Once out of this door, it has nothing to do with me.

Moreover, these stolen oil paintings are registered with the police. I don't think the other party dares to authenticate them.

Without authentication, how can there be real or fake?"

"You know which group stole the oil paintings?"

"I don't."

"Do you have any information about the stolen oil paintings?"

"I don't.

If those robbers aren't foolish, they probably won't be selling the oil paintings now."

Luke took out a photo of the suspect, George, "Do you recognize him?"

Jim picked it up and examined it carefully, "I don't recognize him.

Sorry, I truly don't know much about the oil painting theft case."

Luke pondered for a moment, then said, "If you were to steal oil paintings, how would you handle them?"

This question posed no difficulty for Jim, "You've touched on the crux; there's a saying, 'stealing paintings is easy, fencing them is hard', which is exactly the situation now.

Many newcomers put a lot of energy into theft but realize the real issue once they have the goods.

The stolen items are virtually unsalable.

So, professional groups always plan fencing channels in advance before committing a crime."