Chapter 37:
Isabella
Benjamin hailed a taxi in front of the hospital and went straight to the bar.
As soon as he entered, the bartender immediately arranged a quiet corner for him.
Almost at the same time as the drink arrived, the bar owner Isabella, swaying her graceful figure, stood in front of Benjamin.
'What's the matter, can't crack the case and came to me for a drink to drown your sorrows?' Isabella flashed a charming smile, her jade-like arm naturally resting on Benjamin's shoulder.
Benjamin was already used to Isabella's gesture, so he didn't pay any attention to it.
He just picked up the glass and looked at the dazzling liquor inside.
What a tempting drink.
It would be great if Emma could understand people like Isabella does.
Unfortunately, he never drank while working on a case.
He put the drink back down."
"When did you become a detective? How did you know I was working on a case and that I was in trouble?" Isabella moved her tempting red lips close to Benjamin's ear and whispered softly, "Don't forget that this is a bar, where people from all walks of life come and go every day.
Therefore, the information here is the most up-to-date."
"Of course, I know that," Benjamin replied.
"In that case, you shouldn't be surprised how I found out about your situation.
Today, there were two journalists who came from different provinces and were drinking here.
They told me that you caused a scene during a press conference and had a falling out with the police, which is how I found out about it before it was published in the newspapers."
"That's right, I did encounter some trouble," Benjamin admitted openly to Isabella.
"Since you came to me, it means that I can somehow help you solve some of your troubles," Isabella said, placing her hand on Benjamin's chest and gently caressing it, feeling his strong muscles.
"Yes," Benjamin said, removing Isabella's hand.
He was a normal man and couldn't withstand the teasing of a beautiful woman in public.
The only thing he could do was to avoid her.
"If that's the case, go ahead and tell me, there's no need to be polite," Isabella said, lightly pinching Benjamin's shoulder to help him relax.
"Since you heard about the incident at the press conference, you should know that there are many suspicious points in this case, one of which is that the jewelry on the victim's body is missing."
"Do you think the killer took it?"
"Yes.
Someone saw him asking the victim for money before.
Taking away the jewelry is just a normal thing to do.
I have basically figured out who the killer is, and now all I need is confirmation."
"The killer is a man?"
"Yes."
"A man actually asked a woman for money.
It seems that he is indeed very short of money, otherwise, he wouldn't have taken the jewelry from the victim's body."
"That's what I think too.
Since he needs money, he will definitely find a way to sell those jewelry."
"Do you want me to help you find out how he sold them?"
"You must have a way.
After all, this place is the most well-informed when it comes to news.
There is nothing you don't know."
Upon hearing Benjamin's words, Isabella smiled like a blooming flower.
She lightly hugged his neck and pressed her upper body against his back, whispering softly, "I will definitely help you find out, but how do you plan to thank me?"
"How do you want me to thank you?" Benjamin turned around and looked at Isabella, who was so enchanting.
Isabella stared at the drink on the table and said, "I know you never drink while working on a case, but this glass of wine shouldn't go to waste."
"Do you want me to drink it now?"
"No, I don't want to compromise your principles.
A man with principles is worthy of a woman's lifetime trust."
"Then what do you want me to do?"
"I'll keep it for you.
After you finish your case, you can come back here and drink it."
"Okay."
"Just wait here for a moment."
"After Isabella finished speaking, she got up and left.
Ten minutes later, she returned to Benjamin's side and said, 'I've already inquired for you, and no one in the black market has dealt with jewelry these past two days.' Benjamin frowned, finding it unlikely that the jewelry was still in that person's hands.
If he wasn't desperate for money, he wouldn't risk killing someone.
After obtaining those pieces of jewelry, it would be impossible for him not to sell them.
Isabella continued, 'I also found out another piece of information for you.' 'What information?' 'Someone recently had bad luck and lost a lot of money.
Additionally, they borrowed from loan sharks.
If they don't repay, their hand will be chopped off.' 'Their hand has been chopped off?' 'No.
A couple days ago, that person went to the casino again, and this time, luck was on their side.
They won a lot of money, not only repaying the loan but also have some left in their pocket.' 'What does this have to do with me?' 'It doesn't have anything to do with you, but it is related to the jewelry.' 'Oh?' 'They gambled with the jewelry.' 'Since they had good luck this time and won money, it means they still have the jewelry.' 'They have some of it.' 'Some?' 'Initially, their luck was still bad, and they lost a necklace.
Even though they made a comeback later on, the other person kept that necklace.' 'Who did they lose the necklace to?' 'Noah, a well-known cheater in the city,' Isabella said.
'That person managed to turn the tables against Noah?' Benjamin was somewhat astonished.
Noah was infamous for never losing on the casino floor.
If that person managed to turn the tables against Noah, then their deception must be even more skillful than Noah's.
But if they were so skilled, how did they end up in debt due to bad luck and resort to killing in the end?' 'This time, it was Noah who let them off lightly,' Isabella said.
'Noah showing mercy?' Benjamin was surprised because Noah was someone who never showed mercy.
'Noah just found a mistress.
He loves her deeply, and she took a liking to the necklace.
That's why he won it and later intentionally lost some money to make her happy.' 'I assume you know where Noah is right now?' 'He's currently participating in a gambling session.' 'How much are they betting?' 'The minimum is a hundred thousand.' 'I imagine you have a hundred thousand.' 'Do you want to join the gambling session?' 'In order to obtain the necklace, I have to meet Noah, and to meet Noah, I must participate in this gambling session,' Benjamin said.
After he finished speaking, Benjamin noticed Isabella suddenly laughing and asked, 'What are you laughing about?' Isabella looked at Benjamin and said, 'Noah has always believed that he is the most skilled cheater in the city, but I know someone who is even better.
However, this person rarely participates in any gambling activities, so few people know about them.
But tonight, Noah is about to meet this person who is even more skilled than him.' 'So, you're willing to lend me a hundred thousand?' 'Of course, I'm willing to do anything for you.'"
"Thank you." "You're welcome." Isabella made a phone call and then said, "The money will be sent over shortly, but if you want to participate in this gambling game, there's one condition." "What condition?" "You have to take me with you.
Without my introduction, even if you have a million dollars, they won't let you join the gambling game." Benjamin knew Isabella just wanted a reason to go out with him.
He didn't reject this proposal, but the key was that he didn't know where the casino was either.
He also needed an introduction.
A few minutes later, a bar staff member delivered a hundred thousand yuan in cash.
The two of them called a taxi and arrived at the largest hotel in the city.
Although it was already late, the restaurant inside the hotel was still packed with customers.
After entering the hotel, Isabella led Benjamin directly to the back kitchen.
It seemed like all the staff in the restaurant knew Isabella, as there were people constantly nodding to her along the way.
There was a locked door in the back kitchen, and a worker with odd jobs stood next to it.
When he saw the two approaching, he pulled out the key and opened the door.
Benjamin and Isabella didn't say a word along the way.
They continued until they reached a small courtyard hidden behind the hotel.
Two Tibetan mastiffs were tied up in the yard.
When they heard the movement, they immediately made terrifying barks, but were quickly silenced by a shout.
Benjamin then noticed a fat man sitting in the darkness not far behind the Tibetan mastiffs.
The two Tibetan mastiffs were extremely obedient to his commands and immediately stopped barking, but still stared at Benjamin with intimidating eyes.
Isabella approached the fat man and exchanged a few words with him.
The fat man nodded and sized up Benjamin before gesturing for the two of them to go up a narrow staircase behind him.
Who would have thought that a casino would use a hotel as a cover? Normally, people come and go in hotels, so no one would suspect that there is a casino hidden behind it.
Even if someone knew the location of the casino, they would have to go through the back kitchen to reach it, and the door there is locked.
After passing through the back kitchen, they would have to face two Tibetan mastiffs the size of lions.
Without the fat man's command, no one should even think about passing by the Tibetan mastiffs.
It's already quite impressive for an ordinary person to reach this point, and there are definitely more guards waiting behind.
To enter the casino, one must go through multiple checkpoints.
Sure enough, after reaching the top of the stairs, Benjamin and Isabella were blocked by a security door.
After ringing the doorbell, a small lamp above their heads turned on, shining directly on their faces, while sounds came from behind the door, indicating that someone was looking at them through the peephole.
After a moment, the light above their heads went out, and a young man with a crew cut and full of alertness opened the door.
The young man was chewing on gum and after reevaluating the two of them, he asked, "Who are you looking for?" Isabella looked at the young man and felt that he was unfamiliar.
He must have just arrived, otherwise, he wouldn't have not known her.
"I'm looking for Noah." "Do you have an appointment?" "No, you just need to say that Isabella is looking for him."