Chapter 368: Chapter 234 Are You Done Playing Around? If So, I’m Going to Shoot (Two in One)_1
Those who operate illegal clinics in the United States typically fall into three main groups:
1. Individuals whose medical licenses have been revoked for various reasons.
2. Doctors from other countries practicing without a legal U.S. medical license, or those with green cards who are unable to practice medicine legally. Currently, the majority of individuals in this category are from China.
3. Those who failed within the fiercely competitive medical student system, or individuals like some veterinarians seeking to earn more money—so-called half-baked practitioners.
Considering the murderer used the Type 56 ’Poison Spike,’ a weapon that had long been banned, Dean guessed he must have taken Annie to an illegal clinic run by someone from China. Such clinics are usually located in areas where illegal Chinese laborers congregate. They often use storefronts claiming to offer ’wellness’ as a cover, conducting business only with acquaintances. They’re hard for the uninitiated to find. But for someone like Harry, who mingled with people from all walks of life, it was remarkably simple.
After Dean shared the information with Harry, it only took about fifteen or sixteen minutes for Dean to mark eleven potential illegal clinics on a map of Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, Hawk, a bald patrol officer, arrived at the Quiet Bar with two junior officers in tow. The crime scene had already been cleaned up. Because a murder had occurred, the Quiet Bar, which should have been at its busiest, now only had a few staff members cleaning up the mess and the fat bartender.
The fat bartender was clearly not in a good mood. Head down, he mechanically wiped already spotless glasses, lost in his own thoughts.
Hawk stepped forward, knocked on the bar, and said, "Hey, buddy, LAPD. I’d like to ask you a few questions."
Upon hearing it was the police, the fat bartender looked up. He forced a polite smile and, while expertly placing several glasses on the bar and starting to pour, said warmly, "Welcome! Ask me anything. I assure you of my cooperation!"
Smelling the aroma of the alcohol, Hawk cleared his throat, his demeanor softening considerably. "This drink looks good."
"Yes, genuine Captain Morgan," the fat bartender said, extending his hand to invite them to try it. "After drinking it, you’ll feel the exhilaration of being adrift at sea."
Hawk was no saint himself. He grinned at his two junior officers. "Fellas, to better communicate with our good citizens, it seems we can’t refuse this generous gentleman’s kind offer."
The two junior officers chuckled.
After the three of them finished their rum, Hawk let out a satisfied, alcohol-tinged breath. His cheeks were slightly flushed. He said to the fat bartender, "It’s indeed authentic. But now, we need to get down to business. Do you recall a young man with a slight limp, about 1.75 meters tall, who likes wearing baseball caps?"
"A limp?" The fat bartender muttered. Then, as if remembering something, he gulped and said hesitantly, "Um... Officer, this man with the limp... is he connected to the death of Blood Ox Anbu?"
Hawk’s eyes flashed. He stood up abruptly and turned on the bartender. "Buddy, I was just starting to like you, but that’s not for you to ask!"
The fat bartender raised his hands in a gesture of innocence. "Sorry, I didn’t mean any offense.
"There is a customer like that. He often comes here with Annie to drink and chat. They get along very well. The young man has a good temper too.
"Annie was taken away by Anbu’s men today, and then Anbu was killed. Now you’re asking me about him, Officer. So, I was a bit curious.
"After all, he’s just a skinny guy with a limp, and he doesn’t look very brave. He shouldn’t be capable of killing anyone."
However, Hawk shrewdly sensed from the bartender’s words that he was unconsciously trying to protect the man with the limp! The bartender definitely knew the man Dean was searching for!
His gaze hardened. He stared intently at the fat bartender until the man uncomfortably clasped his hands together. Then, Hawk said in a grave tone, "For the sake of that drink, tell me about the guy with the limp. If you do, I won’t cause you any trouble."
The fat bartender raised his hands in surrender. "Alright! We all call him Golden. He’s of Chinese descent and seems to work in a Chinese grocery store in Chinatown. But this is all stuff Annie mentioned in passing when we chatted. I don’t know if it’s true."
"You sure?"
"Positive!" The fat bartender was emphatic.
"Alright. I hope you’re not lying to me, or the outcome won’t be what you want!" With that, Hawk led his two junior officers out of the Quiet Bar. He immediately took out his mobile phone and conveyed the information to Dean.
Hawk didn’t notice that after they left, the fat bartender took a mobile phone from under the counter. He dialed a string of unlogged numbers and, once connected, spoke rapidly, "Old Gold, the police are onto your grandson! If you don’t want trouble, get him out of Los Angeles immediately!"
Silence hung for a moment on the other end. Then, a faint cough was heard, followed by a voice: "Thank you, Barto. I’ll handle this!"
...
「Forensic Unit.」
"Old Gold’s Grocery Store?" Upon receiving Hawk’s feedback, Dean immediately called Daisy. Using the system records, they located the precise address of the grocery store. When Dean saw the location, he was stunned.
Old Gold’s Grocery Store was located right next to a traditional Chinese acupuncture clinic. This clinic was also one of the eleven suspected locations Dean had previously identified.
No need for any hesitation now. The limping master, most likely with that prostitute Annie, was in this illegal clinic!