Reborn: The Rookie Detective Chapter 71 71: 71-Trouble

When an Arican catches a cold, even those with health insurance are reluctant to go to the hospital. Doctors usually send them ho, advising them to drink plenty of water, take so vitamin C, and rest in bed.

So might obediently follow this advice, but regardless of its effectiveness, this treatnt plan is less favorable for others.

Bed rest ans temporarily giving up work, no inco, missing planned parties, and the long-awaited weekend with their sweetheart.

This is certainly unacceptable. But if they want to get an IV drip to quickly eliminate the side effects of a cold, such as body aches, nasal congestion, and runny nose, they have to obediently register and wait in line.

Aside from private hospitals for the wealthy, most people's colds have already been gone for half a month by the ti they get an IV drip at a public hospital. Therefore, these people have to make another choice.

In modern Arica, OxyContin and other prescription opioids, synthesized through modern chemical industry, are packaged as miracle drugs.

A cold? Take three pills a day, and say goodbye to general discomfort.

Toothache? Take three pills a day, and the pain will naturally subside once the nerve rots away.

nstrual cramps? Take three pills a day, and easily get through the period.

Then, in less than a month, these people will find themselves unable to live without these little painkillers.

How rampant are opioids in Arica? One statistic speaks volus: a country with a population of just over 300 million consus a massive percentage of the world's opioids. In the trunk of LAPD officer Jack's patrol car, there's a first-aid kit containing a spray called naloxone, specifically for ergency treatnt of people near death due to opioid overdoses.

"So the robbers were actually after these prescription drugs?"

Jack's question was answered.

Angela pointed to the nails prying open the wooden board.

"See the plastic bag fragnts above? The pills were inside the plastic bag, and it was torn when it was pulled out, scattering a few."

Jack could roughly picture the scene that had unfolded.

The killer might have let their guard down after getting what they wanted, perhaps even planning to take a couple of pills on the spot and then go downstairs to join their accomplice in their heinous act. The victim, thinking they had an opportunity, tried to grab the weapon from the killer, and in the chaos, a shot rang out. The killer, realizing they had killed soone, grabbed their accomplice and fled in panic.

"Looks like the case isn't too complicated. So, what's the next step in finding the killer?" Angela asked without looking up, fiddling with her phone.

"What would you do?"

Like being back at police academy for their graduation exam, Jack's mind raced, quickly recalling the knowledge he had acquired back then.

"Uh, find people the deceased knew who knew that he had these prescription drugs. They must have so connection to him."

"Find his classmates, close friends. The deceased was just a teenager; he couldn't have gotten these contraband drugs on his own. So of these people must know sothing, and the murderer might even be among them."

"Then eliminate the elderly, children, and those whose height and build don't match Christine's description. Investigate their backgrounds one by one to see if any of them are related to drugs or other contraband."

"So what are we waiting for?" Angela showed Jack her phone screen.

"I found his school, an expensive private preparatory school, not far from here. Let's go ask."

That afternoon, as soon as Jack and Angela returned to the precinct, they were summoned to Commander Grey's office.

"Have you gotten any results from your investigation?"

Jack silently glanced at Angela; he was just an assistant, and should know when to keep quiet.

Angela, a true Arican, didn't mince words at this point.

"We spoke with so of the deceased's friends. He underwent a phase of addiction rehabilitation treatnt three months ago, but the Christine's didn't ntion it at all."

"This matches the secretions we found at the corners of the deceased's mouth; only those who have had bronchitis or are addicted to opioids would have this."

Commander Grey's lips curled slightly; now, facing Angela, he had beco the examiner.

"But accessing the deceased's addiction rehabilitation dical records requires a court order. You only have less than 20 hours left. How do you plan to find his addict friends?"

Angela answered calmly, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"Luckily, I brought the youngest and most handso male officer from the Wilshire Police Departnt. He easily got the suspect's na out of one of the deceased's ex-girlfriends: Bruno Winch, who lives in the Highland Park area."

"While Jeff was in school, he was selling prescription drugs to this guy's rich classmates."

Commander Grey was quite satisfied, opening the office door and walking out.

"I'm here to apply for an ergency search warrant from the judge. You two notify Bradford and Harper's teams to move in imdiately."

"What the hell!"

Angela cursed angrily. When the fully ard team stord into Bruno Winch's residence, they found a body lying in a pool of blood, next to a blood-stained baseball bat and a broken cell phone.

"White sneakers, red triangles. This is the guy who assaulted Mrs. Christine."

Commander Gray holstered his pistol and kicked the shoes on the corpse's feet.

"That was a grueso death. Even drug dealers fighting amongst themselves wouldn't go to such lengths for a few illegal drugs. Aren't they known for executions like shooting soone in the back of the head while they're kneeling?"

Jack muttered, still sowhat unwilling to give up. He crouched down to check the man's pulse, but the corpse suddenly opened its eyes, startling everyone present.

After taking the seriously injured drug dealer Bruno Winch to the hospital, Angela and Jack exchanged glances. Taking the opportunity, they checked on Nolan, who had been visiting his old fla, and pulled Carrie aside to ask about the situation.

Carrie shook her head: "Severe traumatic brain injury. Even if he survives, he'll most likely be in a vegetative state. He's currently in a deep coma and won't wake up anyti soon."

Angela sighed. It was already 7 PM. Commander Gray had only given them 24 hours, aning that if they couldn't catch the other killer or obtain decisive evidence by noon the next day, the case would be handed over to a regular detective.

The case has progressed to this point, and the basic outline is now clear. Even if it were handed over to an inexperienced detective, it would only be a matter of ti before they could solve it. And what they need most right now is ti. Once the case is handed over, it ans all their previous efforts will have been for nothing.