Luke squeezed his way out of the crowd and did not accept interviews from reporters.

Because at the moment, saying anything wouldn't be appropriate. Anthony had confidently declared that everything was under control, only to be proven wrong so quickly.

At this time, if Luke's tone was soft, it would make the reporters think that he lacked confidence, and they might embellish their reports with assertions that the police are helpless against the robbers.

If Luke appeared overconfident and self-assured, he unavoidably would be taken by the reporters as another Anthony.

In short, keeping his mouth shut was the simplest way to handle it.

"Ring, ring, ring..."

Luke had just gotten into the car when his phone rang.

He glanced at it; it was a call from Orty.

Luke didn't ignore the call and push it aside; his mind was somewhat in disarray. The FBI had been bombed, Anthony was injured, and it had a significant impact on him.

Now, he had been temporarily assigned to take over the bank robbery case, which was both a sign of leadership's trust and an invisible pressure.

If another explosion occurred, he and his team members would be the first to face the brunt.

"Ring, ring, ring..." The phone rang again.

Luke sighed and pressed the answer button, "Hello."

"Captain Luke?" Orty's voice came from the phone.

"It's me."

"You sound like you're in a bad mood."

"That's correct, I've been temporarily assigned a tricky case and am quite overwhelmed right now.

So, you better make it quick."

"Your voice sounds tired.

I suggest you take a dip in a hot spring to relax; it might help with the investigation."

Luke hesitated slightly, "I might be late."

"I just happen to have time today."

"See you in a bit."

...

It was a little past eight in the evening.

Los Angeles Hot Springs Hotel.

This was a Japanese-style hotel,

with a unique small courtyard covered with a Japanese wooden house, outside was a hot spring pool, not large, a circular pool about four meters in diameter.

When Luke arrived, Orty was already sitting in the hot spring pool, only revealing her exquisitely beautiful face and rich upper body, with her lower body submerged in the water, beside which was placed a pot of sake and a dish of fruits.

"A hot spring can relieve bodily fatigue, would you like to come down?"

"I'll change clothes." Luke took off his coat, wrapped himself in a towel, and entered the hot spring pool to sit face to face with Orty.

The warm spring waters enveloped his body, Luke exhaled deeply, indeed feeling his muscles relax a bit.

Orty asked, "Would you like a drink?"

Luke picked up a cup, and Orty poured him a glass of sake.

"Thank you." Luke drank it all in one gulp and asked, "Did you need something from me?"

"The Detective Agency received a commission today that just so happens to be related to the bank robbery case you're investigating, so I need your help."

Luke guessed, "Is the client the bank?"

Orty shook her head, "It's the insurance company.

The bank is insured by the insurance company.

The insurance company wants to understand the reason behind the bank being robbed, such as employee mismanagement, internal issues, or illegal collusion, all of which could affect the compensation amount.

The North Hollywood Bank hasn't been doing well in the past two years and is at risk of folding any time.

That's also why the insurance company hired the detective agency promptly."

Luke thought for a moment and responded, "So far, we haven't found any obvious faults with the bank, nor have we discovered any evidence of collusion among the bank staff.

Shortly after the robbers entered the bank, the employees triggered the alarm system."

Orty asked, "Are you confident you can catch the robbers? If some of the assets could be recovered, it would mean the insurance company could pay out less."

"I don't know." Luke was never one to speak too definitively.

"I heard some people at the FBI were injured?"

"Yes, I visited them at the hospital today. One agent died on the spot from the explosion."

"Will you be taking over the bank robbery case?"

"It's very likely."

"If you have information I need, will you contact me?"

"Of course." As long as it didn't interfere with the case investigation, Luke was also willing to make some extra money.

Last time, he provided Orty some information that was trivial to him, for which the agency paid him a 'stipend' of ten thousand US dollars. It was much easier money than working as a police officer.

Luke glanced around, "How much is this hotel room?"

Orty playfully replied, "350 US dollars, would you help me pay half the cost?"

"I'll pay the full amount."

"You're so generous."

"I'm staying here tonight."

Orty was confused, "Why not go home?"

"I like soaking in the hot spring." Luke shifted lower to let the hot spring water soak over his shoulders.

Orty talked with Luke for a while, then left the hot spring pool, striding away with her long legs.

Luke watched her leave and continued to soak in the spring water.

He wasn't planning on going home to sleep tonight.

Throughout his years in the police force, he hadn't had many opportunities to deal with explosives.

And cases involving bombs were generally dangerous, just like the recent explosion that killed an FBI agent.

If Luke was responsible for investigating the clues in the bank's storage locker, it's likely that the Robbery and Murder Department's first squad would have been the one bombed.

Thinking about facing the bomb-making psychopath next, Luke felt tremendous pressure.

Even though Luke had a bulletproof vest, he wasn't sure if it would fully protect him from the bomb's force.

Moreover, what if his subordinates got hurt? As the captain of the first squad, it was his duty and obligation to ensure his team members' safety.

Also, Luke's decision to stay in the hotel tonight wasn't just because he wanted to soak in the hot spring; he felt that perhaps he might sleep more soundly here tonight.

Futhermore, from his conversation with Orty just now, Luke was inspired to consider if North Hollywood Bank were indeed about to close, could they have been involved in an inside job?

If, as Orty said, North Hollywood Bank's financial status was poor and they faced the risk of bankruptcy, then why would there still be over fifteen million US dollars in the vault? That wasn't a small sum.

Luke boldly speculated that if there wasn't that much cash in the vault, then the money could never be recovered, and ultimately, the insurance company would foot the bill,

and the bank would become the biggest beneficiary.

Of course, this was just Luke's theoretical speculation, and its feasibility was still subject to investigation.

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