Volume 1: First Arrival Chapter 55: Keeping Yourself Secure
Murder is either for love or for money. From the perspective of criminal motives, this already accounts for the majority; other reasons are ultimately a minority.
"No matter what choice Ana makes, it will ultimately be about money, and there will be no room for you to adjust. You must get rid of her."
"While cleaning room 411."
"The murder is complete, and you continue to complete your work without leaving any trace."
"So, now you will follow Officer Westwood back to the police station and cooperate with the investigation."
"Next, the NYPD Crime Scene Division will go to Room 411 and the game room to show off their skills. Let me tell you, there is no such thing as a perfect crime scene. The Crime Scene Division can always find clues."
The answer has been revealed.
Callum immediately took out the handcuffs from his waist and prepared to complete the follow-up work, but he heard a calm resistance, "Wait."
It was Ms. Martinez.
The lady in front of me looks to be about 40 years old. Her thin face is full of stubbornness and arrogance. Even though she has been busy running around all morning, her bun is still tidy, her hair is not messy at all, her uniform is also kept clean, and her back is straight.
Even as things have developed to this point, Ms. Martinez's eyes remain bright and calm.
"So, did you find the body?"
"Without a body, you can't prove anything. All your inferences just now are nonsense."
"Ana resigned."
"She told us face to face, we heard and saw everything, then Ana left the hotel, we are witnesses."
After just a few words, the slightly restless atmosphere in the room caused by Kirk's words calmed down again.
——No body, no case.
Callum’s heart sank slightly, and he was about to speak, but he was a step too slow.
Ms. Martinez’s counterattack was not over yet, as if she could see Callum’s waiting position from the back of her head, and she took the lead to gain the advantage.
"As for stealing trade secrets?"
"We don't know anything."
"No guest has ever reported to the police that they lost files or computers. Don't think that we are all shady just because we are Latin Americans."
"If you don't believe me, you can ask the manager if there have been any thefts in our hotel?"
Brush, brush, brush——
All eyes were focused on Paul.
Paul, who was eating melons, was shocked and stunned. He had never expected that he would be pushed into the spotlight so suddenly, and his brain was unable to process it.
Well.
The sound was stuck in the throat.
But in a flash, Paul came to his senses.
Hotel reputation.
If people knew that the Plaza Hotel's security system had such a serious loophole and that the neglected cleaners actually became corporate spies and stole business secrets, the consequences would be unimaginable, but it would definitely be a disaster.
Trade secrets are one thing, but what about other secrets ?
While the cleaners are busy stealing trade secrets, are they also discovering other secrets and getting hold of the dirty laundry of these celebrities and elites?
Huh!
Just the thought made Paul break out in a cold sweat.
"No... ahem, no."
"There has never been a theft incident at the hotel..."
Paul could sense Kirk's gaze halfway through his words. There was always a hint of smile in those bright eyes , as if he could see through Paul's disguise at a glance.
My heart couldn't help but tremble slightly.
"…I mean it's been a long time since there has been a theft in the hotel."
"And we've had no complaints or protests, nothing. The Plaza has always been the safest and most comfortable place to stay."
Paul swallowed and mustered up the courage to try to look at Kirk, but his sight lightly passed over Kirk's eyes and then drifted upwards, staring at Kirk's slightly curly short hair, and his focus began to dissipate.
"As for these documents, I think they... ahem, they should only be used for reference and study. I believe they have nothing to do with any illegal activities."
Paul stammered and procrastinated, and even though he felt very guilty, he still made up an excuse to get away with it.
Be prudent and protect yourself.
At the critical moment, Paul still chose to "cover up", not only for the hotel, but also for his own work——
Money, this is also Paul's "motive".
There was a gleam in Ms. Martinez's eyes, and she glanced at Paul with a hint of sarcasm, then looked at Kirk with a hint of arrogance and teasing.
"Mr. Policeman, please show some professionalism, okay?"
"Don't just throw mud at people by grabbing some useless evidence. My English is not good, but it doesn't mean I'm stupid."
Be smart, be shrewd, and know when to stop.
I have to say that Ms. Martinez is indeed a character. No wonder she was able to lead a group of "invisible" cleaners and commit crimes under the noses of these elites without alarming anyone. If it weren't for Ana, the silly girl with unrealistic dreams, I'm afraid they would not have been exposed.
So, what should we do now?
First, as Ms. Martinez said, without a report, the police could not build a case, and those involved were not even aware of the leak of the documents.
Secondly, the camera in Kirk's hand is evidence, but this evidence cannot be linked to Ms. Martinez and others. It is simply a photo of a pile of documents. Moreover, Kirk found it behind the tiles. It was a locker that did not belong to any cleaner. The owner could be anyone among the hotel staff.
Next, they need to investigate the bank account dynamics of Ms. Martinez and others based on these documents, and even the bank accounts and related cash flows of their relatives and friends, to confirm that they have traded stocks based on these documents and made a profit, so that they can file a case.
Moreover, it is impossible to confirm the amount of money involved. It is very likely that the amount involved is too small to file a case because there is no reporter and no victim. It is also very likely that the amount involved is too large and needs to be transferred to the White Collar Division of the Investigation Bureau or even the Internal Revenue Service for investigation.
Anyway, this is definitely not the responsibility of the 14th Precinct where Callum belongs.
In other words, they currently lack sufficient direct evidence to arrest the four female cleaners if they are investigating this case as illegal stock trading or industrial espionage .
If we investigate it as a murder case, we will be in trouble because there is no body.
The truth is right before my eyes, but I can't prove anything.
The whole situation is a bit depressing indeed.
Callum had already taken out the handcuffs, but was unable to proceed to the next step, which made him a little frustrated. He looked at Kirk with a somewhat amusing look.
But somewhat surprisingly, Kirk's frustration was fleeting, and he remained silent afterwards, playing the role of a listener very quietly and seriously.
Seeing Callum's eyes at this moment, Kirk's smile actually rose slightly, and the slightly dull atmosphere brightened up again.
Callum: What now?
Kirk: Let me show you some magic.
Callum: What? What's that look you have? I don't understand.
"Ahem." Seeing that the two people in front of him were still silent, Paul cleared his throat again, "Gentlemen... I think it's time for you to leave."
