Tom Stone shrugged, "What is there for me to be suspicious about?"

"How is your father's health condition?"

Tom Stone was unsure why Luke asked this, but still replied slowly, "It's terrible, he needs medical personnel around him 24 hours a day."

"Some people have suspected that your father's health wouldn't allow him to do these things.

He might be a puppet pushed to the forefront, with a real buyer behind the scenes.

Some even suspect that his death was to silence him.

Whoever possesses the oil paintings might be the real buyer behind the scenes."

Tom Stone got anxious and quickly defended, "This is pure nonsense, my father was always decisive and couldn't be anyone's puppet.

I'm not any supposed behind-the-scenes buyer; I haven't done anything illegal."

Luke said, "Whether you are the buyer behind the scenes or not, you should be aware of something; tell me everything you know completely.

Only then can you clear your suspicion.

If the case doesn't make sense, isn't clear, and remains unresolved, we still need to investigate whether there is a buyer behind the scenes."

"Okay, I'll tell you everything." Tom Stone showed a reflective expression, "My father was a successful investment businessman; besides investing in stocks, he liked investing in antiques.

Especially in the last decade, he had a passion for collecting oil paintings; he considered these paintings not just as art but as cultural crystallizations of an era.

In the past two years, his health has been poor, and he inadvertently revealed that he wanted a few oil paintings to be buried with him after his death.

Because he wasn't well, to avoid upsetting him, I never opposed it.

Neither my mother nor my sister opposed, but they didn't actively support him either.

A few months ago, his condition worsened, he called me over and solemnly proposed this idea; I wanted to dismiss it, but he was adamant and wanted my firm stance.

I didn't want to upset him but couldn't agree with the decision either.

Those few oil paintings are very valuable, worth over hundreds of millions of dollars, even for a family like ours; they are a huge fortune, a legacy for future generations, a family honor.

Moreover, once word of this gets out, someone might rob his grave, and the paintings would be taken by grave robbers.

So I refused him.

My father, always decisive and possessing absolute control over the paintings.

But this matter is different; it's his final wish, and if I don't agree, no one can help him with this after his death.

He wasn't pleased but didn't bring it up again.

A few days ago, he came to me again, first handing over the family's precious oil paintings to my care, and then brought up the burial paintings request again.

However, this time he didn't want the family's treasured paintings to be buried but the ones he bought for over three million US dollars.

Three million US dollars is not a small amount, but knowing it's his final wish, I couldn't refuse and agreed.

What happened afterward, you all know."

Luke asked, "Have you seen the paintings in the box?"

"No, my father didn't let me open it, and I didn't take the initiative to look."

"Aren't you curious?"

"If it were paintings worth thirty million, I'd definitely be curious.

But with paintings worth three million, it's alright."

Luke probed, "When did you start suspecting these paintings had issues?"

"Yesterday morning, when you went to talk to my mom, I noticed something peculiar.

I linked the Getty Museum painting heist with the burial paintings.

But I had no evidence, it was just a suspicion...

Still, I decided to follow my father's wishes.

Yesterday evening, when you came to find me, the suspicion grew stronger.

But I had no evidence, and neither did you.

I also had no reason to tarnish my father's reputation...

So, I continued to follow my father's wishes.

Until this morning, when you came to me again...

I decided to assist in the investigation." Tom Stone sighed, his tone sincere, "I feel very sorry for my father's actions."

Luke said, "Apologies can't solve this.

Your father could be the mastermind behind the oil painting heist; this case involves several fatalities, including several police officers."

Tom Stone expressed, "I deeply apologize for their plight; we will also actively compensate and seek forgiveness from their families.

This matter indeed was a mistake by my father."

Luke once again took out the crime sketch of the 'Professor', "How much do you know about this person?"

Tom Stone picked up the sketch, looked at it, "I've seen him once.

That day, my mom went out due to some matter; worried about my father, I went to see him after work.

Happened to see this person leaving the villa.

He claimed to be my father's friend, but I don't recall my father having such a friend.

I asked my father, but he didn't want to say much.

Thinking back now, he might have deliberately sent my mother away that day."

"When did you see him?"

"Before Christmas, around January 24th, at around four in the afternoon."

"Did he have any noticeable features at the time?"

"He was driving a black sedan."

"Do you know the plate number?"

"I didn't notice."

"The brand?"

"I can't recall."

"What role do you think your father played in the oil painting heist?"

"I don't know.

But he is not a cruel person.

I don't think he's the mastermind behind the heist; he should have only wanted to purchase a few paintings for burial.

Moreover, his health is poor, and he did not have the energy to be involved in the robbery.

I think he's only one who bought stolen goods."

"What thoughts did you have after looking at those ten paintings?"

Tom Stone shook his head, "I didn't look closely."

Luke handed him the photos and documentation of those ten stolen paintings.

Tom Stone looked at them, remained silent for a moment, "These paintings are indeed precious too...

But they aren't the style or by the painters my father likes, far inferior to the few we have at home.

From my understanding, he wouldn't choose these paintings as burial goods.

I'm quite confused too.

Taking such a criminal risk to choose these?

It's entirely out of character for him."