Little Hei interjected, "I know, it's the dentist Peter, we took his statement and he voluntarily mentioned his poker game with the deceased that night.

They were boy and girlfriend, which is quite normal."

Mary glanced at Little Hei and said indifferently, "Actually, the DNA material did not come from Peter Dester."

Little Hei frowned," Are you sure?"

"Of course, the identification equipment doesn't make mistakes."

"Wow," said Little Hei, his eyes widening with shock, "So you're saying Peter was cuckolded. Then whose DNA is it?"

Mary replied, "Rossi Bill."

"That name sounds familiar, the missing lover and film producer," Little Hei mused, "Suddenly it doesn't feel so surprising anymore.

But why did Peter Dester lie? Just to boast to me that he played poker with a celebrity?"

"Possibly, I know the reason." Mary flipped to a new page of information before continuing, "The forensic doctor discovered skin tissue under the victim's fingernails, which after DNA sample comparison, matched completely with Peter Dester.

He definitely went to the victim's place and did engage in some activity with the deceased, but the activity might have been different from what you're thinking, not very friendly."

Little Hei caught on, "The murderer is the victim's boyfriend, Peter Dester!

Did he strangle his girlfriend in a fit of rage after discovering she played poker with the producer Rossi?"

Luke agreed, "Based on the examination results, this is indeed possible, and the motive is established.

I think we should have another in-depth chat with Peter."

...

Half an hour later, Luke and Little Hei arrived at Peter's workplace.

The Malik Dental Clinic.

Peter seemed somewhat surprised by their arrival, "Sorry, I have a scheduled client I need to do a teeth cleaning for, can you wait for a moment?"

Little Hei countered, "How long will that be?"

"Not long, just about fifteen minutes."

Little Hei nodded, "I've never had my teeth cleaned before, could I watch?"

"I'm afraid that's not possible, we have protocols at our clinic, and customers would not agree." Peter finished speaking and shut the room door as the sign beside it lit up with 'Do Not Disturb'.

"You wait here, I'm going to step outside for a smoke," Luke said as he walked outside, leaning against a Ford car and appeared to be smoking out of boredom. In reality, he was keeping an eye on the ward where Peter was working.

They didn't have a warrant and could only wait.

Fortunately, without any alarms, Peter made no attempt to run away.

Fifteen minutes later, Peter took off his work clothes and revealed an expectant expression, "Detective Chief Marcus, do you need me for something? Did you catch Courtney's killer?"

Little Hei corrected, "No, I'm still a detective, this is Detective Chief Luke."

Peter extended his right hand, "Nice to meet you, Detective Chief Luke, I think we met at Courtney's place before."

"Yes." Luke shook his hand politely, "Can I ask you a few questions?"

"Of course, I've always been willing to help the police."

"What time did you go to Courtney's place last night, and when did you leave?"

"I've already told Detective Marcus."

"I know, I want to confirm it again."

"I arrived at nine and left at twelve."

"Was anyone else there during that time?"

"Just the two of us."

"Did Courtney see anyone else?"

"She might have gone out during the day, what's this about?"

Luke, naturally not able to directly tell him, "You've been cuckolded," had to beat around the bush, "Did you play poker with Courtney last night?"

"Yes, I've mentioned this. I never intentionally hid it, and as boyfriend and girlfriend, it's quite normal. I absolutely did not force her in any way."

Luke said, "But we didn't find your genetic material inside Courtney."

"I used a protective sheath, that's quite normal, don't you use one?" Peter retorted.

Luke and Little Hei exchanged a glance; his words seemed to make sense.

They were plausible.

But why hadn't the producer Rossi used protection?

Luke continued, "The forensic doctor found your skin tissue in the crevices of Courtney's fingernails, how do you explain that?"

"What does this mean? You don't think I killed Courtney, do you? Why would you think that, I loved Courtney, I would never harm her," Peter Dester felt very wronged.

Luke persisted, "You were at the crime scene and have seen Courtney's body. She died from strangulation to the neck. It could have been hanging, or maybe she was strangled.

If someone's neck is grasped, they will instinctively claw at the other person's arm, leaving the assailant's DNA under the fingernails."

"You really suspect me.

You're focusing your energy on doubting the person who reported the crime, instead of catching Courtney's killer. I'm her boyfriend, not her enemy." Peter Dester sighed and rolled up his sleeve,

"You can see for yourself whether there are any wounds – I have a clear conscience."

Little Hei examined the other's arm, indeed not finding any scratches, "Then why were your skin cells under Courtney's nails? Did you two have a fight, and she scratched you?"

"I could choose not to explain, but I want to explain. Not because I want to help you, but because I loved Courtney. I want you to feel at ease with your investigation and focus on where you should be looking." Peter began taking off his clothes as he spoke.

"Hey, hey, man, what are you doing? I'm not into that," teased Little Hei.

"Shut up." Luke had an inkling of what was coming.

Peter took off his shirt, showing them his back, "Courtney gets pretty wild when she gets into it. She scratched my back – in that position I can't possibly strangle her neck, nor would I have the strength for it.

You all know what I mean."

"Of course," they replied.

"I understand more deeply than you," Luke and Little Hei both said almost at the same time.

Fearing disbelief from the other, Little Hei added, "My back has more severe marks than yours, it's pretty much always scarred. Truly battle-scarred and distinguished."

Peter Dester spread his hands, "Do you still suspect me?"

"We believe you, because I have similar experiences," Luke first affirmed, then quickly shifted,

"But not everyone has these kinds of experiences, so I hope you'll go to the technical department for a wound comparison and identification. Make those who lack experience, or whose experience isn't enough, believe you, too."

"Will that really help the investigation?"

"Certainly."

"No problem, I'll go," Peter said.

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