About eight in the morning.

Los Angeles port.

Across the boundless sea, cargo ships moored in the designated areas swayed, waves slapping against their hulls, bringing with them gusts of moist spray.

Dean, with the drowsy Harry and Carlo in tow, frowned at the port staff member who was receiving them. "You mean the Elizabeth Cruise Ship still needs at least two more hours to return to port?"

The staff member nodded. "Yes, Detective Sir, that's the latest update from their communication."

"All right, thank you. Once they're back, please call us," Dean said.

"No problem."

With that, the staff member politely exited the reception room.

As soon as he left, Harry yawned deeply. "Dean, since the cruise ship hasn't docked yet, I'll catch some sleep first, or I feel like I could drop dead at any moment."

He and Carlo had been playing video games all night long for the past few days. When playing, they hardly felt tired. But once they stopped, they felt as light as a feather, their eyelids as heavy as lead, longing to lie down as soon as they found something to lean on.

As Harry spoke, Carlo's snoring could already be heard beside them.

Seeing this, Dean was somewhat speechless. "Buddy, I just can't understand the appeal of that lousy game to you guys. You and Carlo are like addicts who can't help yourselves."

At the mention of the game, Harry's sagging spirit perked up.

"I don't know why either.

"That game has a lot of little levels.

"Each level has its special Easter eggs, which make you want to play the next level as soon as you pass one, completely losing track of time.

"You should really try it, Dean."

"You're beyond help. Just sleep. We'll need your assistance later!"

Dean clenched his fists but eventually gave up on helping the two kick their internet addiction. He suspected that even if a woman who was perfectly Harry's type were to stand in front of Harry while he was playing, she would fail to catch his interest.

One could only say these two had fallen deep into that pixelated game.

This is indeed somewhat strange. Because a normal game, while having attractive elements, would hardly make a mature adult become so obsessed in such a short time. Especially Carlo; his willpower, concentration, and self-control are much stronger than Harry's weak nature. Yet, his condition is even worse than Harry's.

This made Dean suspect that the game's designer was very knowledgeable in psychology, using methods like guiding the player's curiosity and interests to turn the game into a sort of digital drug.

There's something off about this game!

Dean stroked his chin, planning to try that little game after handling the cruise ship case to get the gist of it.

As for the state Harry and Carlo were in, it could actually be easily resolved. A forced detox would do. Once the craving passed, their rationality would return. Harry and Carlo would then realize how crazy they had been!

「Half past ten in the morning.」

Dean, bored out of his mind, played with his service pistol but still hadn't received any notification from the port staff. He started to worry that something might have gone wrong with the cruise ship.

On the vast sea, a cruise ship is effectively a locked room. If a psychotic killer mixed in, then there really would be nowhere to flee. Moreover, some kidnappers also like to target these nearshore cruise ships filled with wealthy patrons as their prime kidnapping and extortion objectives.

As he let his thoughts run wild, the phone in the reception room rang.

Dean picked it up.

"Detective Sir, the Elizabeth Cruise Ship has completed docking, and all passengers have been temporarily placed in the VIP lounge. However, their identities are somewhat special, and we hope you can come and handle this as soon as possible."

"Got it!"

After hanging up the phone, a cold glint passed through Dean's eyes.

He had already instructed the port to communicate that all passengers should remain on the ship upon arrival. To his surprise, those people entirely disregarded the directive from the detective bureau. This also indicates that this Rich Ladies Group wields no small amount of influence. Without a clear understanding of their background, I'll need to be cautious.

With this in mind, Dean let out a sigh of frustration, then kicked Harry and Carlo awake. "Let's go, the cruise ship has docked."

Young people recover quickly. After over two hours of sleep, Harry and Carlo were much more alert, no longer looking like they were on the verge of sudden death.

Arriving at the port's VIP reception, the people inside were divided into three groups.

Over ten individuals dressed in attendant uniforms sat near the entrance with an old man. They seemed to be the ship's crew.

Following that were five young, handsome men with different demeanors—some rugged, some delicate, some strikingly handsome—sitting in the middle.

These people needed no explanation. Gigolos.

In the innermost part of the reception room sat seven ladies of varying ages, all dressed exquisitely, clustered around a silver-haired, dignified middle-aged woman, chatting and laughing from time to time.

These people must be the Rich Ladies Group Hawk mentioned. They appeared the most relaxed, showing no concern about the death that had occurred on the cruise ship.

CLAP. CLAP. CLAP.

Dean clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention. "Good afternoon. I am Captain Dean from the Los Angeles Police Department's Fourth Squad. We've received your report, and we need to understand the situation now."

All eyes turned to the silver-haired lady in the back.

She slightly raised her chin and said coldly, "Now that you're here, let Captain Donald explain the specifics to you. We're tired and need to rest! Contact us if you need anything!"

Dean smiled slightly. "Of course, no problem. Beautiful ladies, after you leave your contact information with my colleague, you may go. However, please don't leave Los Angeles in the near future to avoid any misunderstandings."

"Of course, no problem!"

This silver-haired woman clearly held a special status within the group of seven rich ladies. After she left her business card with Harry, the other six ladies cooperatively left their cards as well and then headed outside.

Outside the reception room, a full row of vehicles was already parked, waiting to pick up the rich ladies.

The others weren't so fortunate. They needed to go to the precinct to give their statements.

After a busy half-day, only a small old man with graying whiskers remained in the reception room.

He introduced himself politely, "Good day, Detective. I am Captain Donald of the Elizabeth Cruise Ship. Please ask me directly if you have any inquiries."

"Mr. Donald, is the body still on the ship?" Dean asked, getting straight to the point.

Donald nodded.

"Yes, this homicide occurred on Ms. Moress's cruise ship. To avoid rumors, Ms. Moress takes this matter very seriously.

"Since the discovery of the body, that area has been sealed off and preserved!"

Hearing this, Dean breathed a sigh of relief.

It's good that the crime scene hasn't been disturbed. For cases involving wealthy individuals, many of my usual tactics aren't applicable. I have to ensure the completeness and legality of the evidence chain. In such situations, an intact crime scene is undoubtedly important.

Under Captain Donald's lead, the group made their way to the Elizabeth Cruise Ship, docked at its designated berth.

According to Donald, crew members on standby had not yet left the Elizabeth Cruise Ship. Besides, friends of the deceased had also stayed on board.

Passing through some buildings at the harbor, during the conversation, a large white cruise ship with three decks appeared before them.

"This is the Elizabeth," Donald said, his eyes glinting with pride. "The Elizabeth is one of the few mid-sized cruise ships in Los Angeles capable of long voyages and has quite a reputation among the wealthy."

"You call this a mid-sized cruise ship?" Harry撇了撇嘴. "This thing is twice the size of the apartment building I live in."

"Indeed," Donald shrugged. "Such is the joy of the wealthy."

"Alright, Captain Donald, please lead us to view the deceased quickly," Dean interrupted the loquacious old man.

Donald raised an eyebrow at Harry and led everyone up the gangway to the cruise ship.

The Elizabeth spanned three levels. The gangway was on the second level.

Donald explained as they walked, "The bottom level is where the crew lives; the second level is for the guests' accommodations and… areas for socializing. The body is also on this level."

Passing through the gangway, a glass room that had clearly been specially modified appeared before them. Through the glass, they could see lush plants entwined with colorful snakes, crawling lizards, and large spiders spinning white webs...

"This space was transformed at great expense by Ms. Moress. She's quite fond of these creatures and ensured these little things were specially provided even on the cruise ship," Donald informed them.

"Well, the joys of the rich are truly unimaginable," Harry couldn't help but click his tongue.

Dean took a quick glance and then smiled wryly. "It probably doubles as the beautiful ladies' socializing spot, right?"

Donald just smiled without speaking.

After about ten more meters, a small lounge appeared before them.

Donald stopped, pointing ahead. "The body is inside the lounge. This is the second socializing area. Inside are the deceased's friend and some crew members I've assigned."

Just then, as if hearing the commotion outside, a burly figure clutching a sausage, mouth greasy, emerged from the lounge, mumbling, "Haven't those cops arrived yet? I was hoping to sneak home for a bit... Huh?"

He stopped mid-sentence, looking dumbfoundedly at Dean standing before him, completely bewildered.

"Dean?"

"Beck!"

Dean had an odd expression. "Aren't you supposed to be treasure hunting with Uncle Two? How did you end up on this cruise ship?"

This man was actually his older brother, Beck!

Beck swallowed his food, his face a mix of embarrassment and discomfort. "Ahem, Dean, that's..."

"He is the deceased's good friend!" Captain Donald promptly introduced Beck.

Dean smacked his forehead in disbelief.

His older brother... had he become a gigolo? A disgrace to the family! This was an outrage!

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