Carmela Supermarket also had to follow suit with price cuts, promotions, and events, but its profits were still dwindling and it couldn't outcompete Roger's Supermarket.

The number of customers at Carmela is decreasing, worsening the business. Recently, expenses have begun to exceed revenues. If profits can't be turned around this year, the store might have to close, so the owner of Carmela Supermarket hoped I'd help."

"By help, you mean hiring someone to kill at Roger's Supermarket."

"No, I've said it many times, it's not about killing, just causing a disturbance, firing blanks.

If you insist on pinning murder on me, then there's nothing more to say."

"If it's just firing blanks, why not do it at night? Why during the day?"

"Because it causes a worse impact, making people scared to visit Roger's Supermarket during the day. There are only two major supermarkets nearby; if people avoid Roger's, they'll go to Carmela and the goal will be achieved.

Actually, the owner of Carmela Supermarket doesn't want to do this either, but he has no choice; his whole family relies on the supermarket for a living.

If his supermarket goes bankrupt, he'll lose everything, and the bank will seize his house, leaving his wife and children homeless.

So, he's truly at his wit's end."

Luke wasn't moved by this sentiment, and continued to ask calmly, "Where is Carmela Supermarket?"

"On Savito Street."

"Why did the owner of Carmela Supermarket seek your help? What is your relationship?"

"We're sort of partners; I often help deliver goods to his supermarket. If his business is bad, mine gets affected too, and he knows I was once part of the 'Proud Boys' organization.

Once, he invited me for drinks and tentatively asked if I had similar connections. He even promised to pay me if things turned out well, so to maintain our business relationship, I agreed."

Luke had heard of this organization; it's a white supremacist extremist group. "Are you still a member of this organization?"

"I've matured now and no longer participate in their activities. They're just a bunch of childish kids."

"How did you meet Brown Bryant?"

"He is also a member of the Proud Boys. I introduced him when he joined, but I gradually faded away not long after.

I know this kid looks unassuming, but he's ruthless, very bold, and he hates black people. Even if he won't help, he'll never rat me out."

"Where is Brown Bryant?"

"I don't know. After I picked him up in the desert, we had a huge argument, and he drove off in that white Volkswagen."

"Why did you argue?"

"Because he messed things up, and I'll get implicated. He's just a brainwashed fool; I shouldn't have counted on him to do it."

"How do you usually communicate?"

"By phone."

"But according to his mother, he doesn't have a phone."

"Yes, I gave him an old phone."

"What is the phone number?"

"626, 836, 3278,"

Luke instructed Jackson nearby, "Contact the tech team to trace this number."

"Understood, Chief."

"Besides you, Brown Bryant, and Boqi Camela, is anyone else involved in this case?"

"No. I'm not stupid; the fewer people know about this, the better."

"Who got the weapons and equipment?"

"Boqi Camela provided the money, and I found the purchasing channels. I also bought that car from the black market."

"Do you have any follow-up plans?"

"There were no follow-up plans. We initially agreed well that after committing the crime, Brown Bryant would leave Los Angeles.

Brown Bryant had long wanted to leave that home; he'd rather die than live in a black community, and he never wanted to hear the sound of his mom and black stepdad playing cards.

His departure wouldn't raise any suspicions; even his mom wouldn't find it surprising, let alone his stepdad and mixed-race sister. No one really cares about him; he's superfluous in that family?

But unexpectedly, that punk didn't stick to the plan, he blew things up, attracting media attention. The chief of the LAPD even went there, and that's when I knew it was messed up. The police would definitely work full throttle to solve the case, so I planned to leave for a while."

"The logic is sound, but not decisive enough," Luke commented, ordering to handcuff Carl Smith and search his truck.

Luke personally entered the cabin to inspect it, sitting in the driver's seat and looking out the window. The feeling of overlooking others from the truck was exhilarating. Luckily, Luke's plan was to lure Carl Smith out of the truck before capturing him. It would have been a disaster if Carl Smith took the truck on the road; intercepting this giant would be no easy task.

Just then, Jackson approached and said, "Captain, we've pinpointed the location of that phone number."

"Where?"

"On Savito Street, traveling north to south."

Luke frowned slightly and asked Carl Smith, "You just said Carmela Supermarket is also on Savito Street."

"Yes."

"Did the shooter Brown Bryant ever have direct contact with Boqi Camela?"

"No, they are completely unacquainted."

"Is there any possibility that Brown Bryant would go to Boqi Camela's supermarket?"

Carl Smith thought for a moment, then shook his head, "Probably not. Brown Bryant absolutely doesn't know Boqi Camela is the mastermind; everything from the gear to the money was handled through me."

Luke's brow furrowed tightly, suddenly having a bad premonition, "Everyone, get in the car and head to Carmela Supermarket immediately."

"Yes, sir."