In the blink of an eye, it was already October, and many rchants began planning and promoting Halloween events. The pumpkin decorations everywhere gave Los Angeles a Halloween vibe.
During this ti, the writer Romit Bull often ca to chat with Luke, and the two gradually beca familiar with each other.
After so serious consideration, Luke agreed to the licensing of the novel character prototype.
Once the novel, inspired by Luke, is published, it's sure to boost Luke's reputation to so extent.
This matter has both pros and cons.
Overall, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.
Luke can own a luxury house and have a fortune of over ten million US Dollars, which is not just from his police salary.
More importantly, it cos from the fa he accumulated after participating in solving major criminal cases.
Currently, Luke is only sowhat famous in Los Angeles, but if one day he becos renowned across the US, this fa will also convert into profit, snowballing as it goes.
To increase one's reputation, just working hard is not enough; the key is having soone to promote you.
Romit Bull, being a well-known detective fiction writer, his novel is likely to be a bestseller. A bestseller goes through a series of promotions before its release, indirectly promoting Luke's na too.
Additionally, after reading the novel, readers will also beco interested in Luke's identity and may even actively seek out Luke's stories.
As the promotions from various aspects take place, Luke's fa will grow, and he will beco synonymous with the contemporary fad detective.
At the end of the day, this is also a kind of persona.
As long as Luke continues to successfully solve cases, the detective persona can be maintained.
With the persona, cos heat, and the benefits follow.
Of course, these are just the rosy promises Romit Bull painted for Luke. Though reasonable, it still seed sowhat speculative.
Therefore, Luke put forward so more concrete demands, such as instead of a licensing fee from Romit Bull, he wanted to receive 10% royalties from the new book.
10% royalties from a bestseller involve significant interest and represent a long-term revenue, which Romit Bull had to consider seriously.
Two days later, Romit Bull agreed to Luke's request but also proposed a condition.
Luke must also participate in the creation of the novel, providing material and professional advice for the new novel.
Luke also agreed to the conditions proposed by the other party.
However, they did not formally sign a contract but worked together for a few days to see if they got along.
Luke doesn't know how to write novels, so the style, outline, plot, rhythm, etc., were still handled by Romit Bull.
Luke primarily provided materials and detailed suggestions.
As for the confidentiality agreent with the police, it wasn't much of a concern.
Since it's a novel, there would definitely be modifications and can't be identical to the original case.
By trimming so details, making so changes, and then rearranging, it becos more dramatic.
After a few days of collaboration, Romit Bull's creation speed significantly increased. The materials provided by Luke were very helpful, and more importantly, Luke provided so case detail suggestions.
Though they were just small suggestions, they increased the authenticity of the case, and the novel's professionalism and readability were enhanced.
These were exactly what Romit Bull was most lacking.
Subsequently, they officially signed a co-creation agreent, tentatively titling the new book 'Detective Chief Luke'.
After signing the contract, they opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate.
Luke was very happy; even though he only had 10% of the new book's royalties, it's a long-term inco, sothing to use as his retirent fund.
Whether it was the end of the month Halloween drawing away the attention of Los Angeles citizens or for so other reason, no major criminal cases erged in Los Angeles recently, giving Luke a rare period of leisure.
On Saturday noon, as Luke was eating in a restaurant, his phone rang.
"Ring ring ring..."
Luke picked up his phone and saw that Negan Thomas's number was displayed on the screen.
Negan Thomas is the head of the FBI New York office. When Luke visited New York for family, his relative ran into so trouble, and it was he who gave Luke a temporary Criminal Investigation Consultant identity at the FBI New York office.
Returning the favor, Luke assisted him in solving a murder case and caught Gambling King Zhou Tiansheng.
The villa Luke currently resides in was actually Zhou Tiansheng's illicit property, which Luke purchased at a low price through Negan Thomas's connection. In a way, Luke owed him thanks.
Luke pressed the answer button and said, "Good afternoon, Chief Thomas."
"Luke, is it convenient to talk now?"
"Yes, I'm on a day off today."
"I need your help. Can you co to New York?"
Luke was a little surprised as Negan Thomas hadn't contacted him since he returned from New York, "What's the matter?"
"Last night, a murder occurred in New York. The FBI found a set of footprints at the scene. You're a footprint analysis expert, and I hope you can join the investigation."
"What kind of case is it that can alarm soone like you, the head of the FBI New York office?"
"Have you heard of Blood Hand Mac?"
Luke thought for a mont, "No, I haven't."
"Blood Hand Mac is a serial killer who has committed multiple cris in New York over several years. More than eight known victims.
He has two distinct characteristics in his cris: first, he cuts off the victims' hands, and second, he leaves a special killing symbol at the cri scene.
His brutal thods have caused significant fear among New York citizens, and the New York police have been investigating him for years but have never captured him.
New York police sought aid from the FBI, and the FBI joined in the investigation of this serial murder case, eventually capturing him five years ago." At this point, Negan Thomas sighed, "Last night, another murder took place in New York, and after the victim was killed, both hands were cut off.
Next to the body was also left the murder symbol belonging to Blood Hand Mike."
Luke said, "Wasn't Blood Hand Mike caught by the FBI?"
"That's right, after learning about the case, we contacted the prison. Blood Hand Mike is still there and hasn't escaped.
We're also not sure if it's an imitation... or if we caught the wrong person five years ago."
"You want to go to New York to investigate this murder case?"
"Yes, this case is very important and could potentially affect the peace of the entire city of New York."
"You know, I'm not only the captain of the Robbery and Murder Departnt, but also a criminal investigation consultant for the FBI LA office.
So, I need to discuss with my superiors to determine if I can participate in this case."
"Before I called you, I already contacted the Los Angeles Police Departnt and the FBI LA office. They all agreed to my request."
Luke was sowhat surprised, "It seems this case is more serious than I imagined."
"I'll take your agreent as a given."
Luke thought about it. His superiors had already agreed, so he had no reason to refuse. Besides, considering this mansion, Luke couldn't really decline Negan Thomas's request, "I'll book the fastest ticket to New York."
"Don't worry about the ticket. Just pack your bags, and I'll send soone to pick you up."
"OK, you should know where my house is." Luke said and hung up the phone.
Although Negan Thomas said he had already inford his superiors, Luke proactively contacted Reid and Aysha Gard to explain the situation.
Both of his superiors agreed for him to go to investigate the case in New York.
After that, Luke quickly packed his bags.
He had just finished packing when the doorbell rang.
So soon?
Luke opened the video phone and saw Romit Bull standing outside with a bottle of red wine in his hand.
Luke shook his head. Lately, whenever he had spare ti, this guy would co over, and Luke was starting to suspect if he was seriously writing his novel.
Luke unlocked the door, allowing him into the yard.
Luke opened the front door as well and dragged his suitcase into the yard.
The two t in the yard, and Romit Bull looked curiously, "Hey, man, where are you going?"
"Business trip, to New York."
Romit Bull knew Luke was a criminal investigation consultant for the FBI New York office and asked, "Is there so big case in New York?"
Luke replied casually, "Murder case.
Sorry, that's all I can tell you."
Romit Bull didn't mind, placing the bottle on a nearby table, and took out his phone, "Since it's a big case, it should be on the news." He searched on his phone but frowned, "No relevant news."
Luke said, "Maybe the police have sealed the information."
Romit Bull shrugged, "Or maybe the case you ntioned isn't that big."
Bzzzz...
At this mont, a helicopter appeared above the sky, slowly landing on the road outside the Luke family, and the loud noise imdiately alerted the surrounding residents.
Romit Bull opened his mouth wide, filled with wind as he mumbled, "What's happening?"
Luke patted Romit Bull on the shoulder, "Romit, I've got to go.
We'll drink the red wine when I get back."
Romit Bull watched as Luke boarded the helicopter, only snapping back to reality when he saw the helicopter fly away, muttering to himself, "No wonder he's the prototype of my novel's main character.
I should write this scene into the novel, super cool."
Romit Bull beca more certain that his new novel would be a big hit.
Luke took the helicopter to the airport, then took a shuttle bus to the tarmac, where airport staff ushered him onto a private jet.
As soon as Luke boarded, the flight attendant closed the cabin door, and the plane was ready to take off.
The arrangent shocked Luke as well.
This was his second ti on a private jet; the first ti was thanks to Lilith.
But this ti was different; he was the only passenger on the entire plane.
Luke called for the flight attendant.
The flight attendant smiled and asked, "Mr. Li, how can I help you?"
"Whose plane is this?"
"Mr. Nasi Bloomberg's."
"Where's the destination?"
"New York City.
Sir, would you like sothing to drink?"
"No, thank you."
Luke found the na familiar, searched online, and raised his eyebrows—Nasi Bloomberg, a financial tycoon, and currently the mayor of New York City.
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