"Isn't that a bit too fast?"

"It's too stuffy in here, I've got a lot of things to do, and Holip is right next door—it's hard to rest at ease. I always feel like that guy is watching me, you'd understand if you had seen him perform on the field."

"I want to ask you a few questions."

"Go ahead."

Luke took out a photo of Theodore for him to recognize.

After looking at it, Herman shook his head, "Sorry, I don't recognize him."

"Take a closer look."

"That guy was all wrapped up; you really can't see much, plus, I was really scared at the time, I can't remember a lot.

Really sorry, I tried my best."

Luke put away the photo and asked a few more questions before heading to Holip's ward.

"Knock, knock…"

"Come in." Holip had a loud voice.

"Creak…" As Luke entered, he saw Holip lying on the bed watching TV.

Holip rubbed his somewhat red eyes and got up from the bed, "Detective Chief Luke, why are you here?"

Luke looked at the television and said, "Is this your game video?"

Holip nodded, "It's the last game Lev and I played together; we won by a large margin, Lev performed excellently. Other than me, he was the best player."

As a quarterback, Holip was qualified to say that.

Luke pointed to the TV, "You're wearing jersey number 9?"

"That's right, 9 is my lucky number."

Luke's gaze returned to the television, "The jersey looks nice."

The football jersey was orange and striking, with a number and a mountain-shaped pattern on it.

"If you like it, I can give you one."

Luke countered, "Do you often give away jerseys?"

"No, only to important people. Family, friends, fans—I just want to show my appreciation. Thank you for everything you've done for Lev, so…"

"Thanks, I like the jersey." Luke changed the subject, "Holip, I've come today because I have a few questions for you."

"Go ahead."

Luke took out a photo of Theodore, "We found a suspect who might be the shooter, and we'd like you to help identify him."

Holip took the photo and looked at it frowning slightly, "This person... I seem to have seen him somewhere but I can't quite remember where."

"Take your time, think about it carefully."

Holip touched his chin and examined the photo, "I remember now, there was a cheerleader performance during a football game, and this guy rushed in and hugged the cheerleader captain.

It looks like it's this guy, but I don't know his name."

"Have you seen him anywhere else?"

"Not that I remember."

"What about the shooting scene?"

"I don't think so."

"Are you familiar with the cheerleader captain?"

"Josie, we meet often but don't talk much. She's always surrounded by a bunch of guys, I don't really like that vibe."

"OK.

If you remember any clues, give me a call; you know my contact."

Holip nodded, "Next time you want to see me, don't come to the hospital; I'm getting discharged."

"So soon?"

Holip flexed his right arm muscles, "I'm strong as an ox, this is just a scratch for me. I don't want to be cooped up here, it's suffocating."

Luke laughed, "Herman feels the same way; you two really are fated."

"I'll keep an eye on him in the future. If he dares to insult Lev, I won't let him off."

"Same old rules."

"Sorry, I forgot, I won't say it in front of you next time."

Luke smiled and left the ward.

As he stepped out of the ward, Little Black gapped broadly, "Wow, a black quarterback, really a promising kid, hmm."

"Indeed, it's not simple." Luke mused.

The two got in the car, Luke's face remaining serious and silent.

Little Black also sensed something was off, "What's up?"

"I want to look into Holip."

"Why?" Little Black looked puzzled, "He's a good guy; I like him."

Luke said, "He wears number 9 on his football jersey and likes to give jerseys to close friends and family."

"Speaking of jerseys, I recall he said he'd give you one, right? Why only to you, I was there too."

"That's not the point, If you really want it, I can pass it on to you."

"I don't want one that's passed on, I want one directly from him. It's different sentimentally speaking, and if he becomes a football star one day, it'd give me some bragging rights."

Luke sighed, "Why do you always veer off-topic when we talk? Are we discussing jerseys right now?"

"Wasn't it you who brought up the jersey?" Little Black retorted.

Luke "…"

Luke let out a sigh, "What I want to discuss is the issue with the jerseys. You don't need to speak, just listen to me."

Little Black zipped his lips with a gesture.

Luke continued, "Do you remember today at Theodore's house, there was a photo on the table?"

Little Black thought for a moment, "There seemed to be one, what about it?" Little Black guessed, "Could it be a photo of Holip and Theodore together? It shouldn't be, I should have noticed if it were."

"Not a photo together. It was of Theodore and his girlfriend, but he was wearing a football jersey in the picture, the same one as Holip's.

Number 9.

These two probably knew each other, and their relationship is no ordinary one."

Little Black was surprised, "How would they know each other?"

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