Case 21: Telling the Tale

1

I have a long flight ahead of me. I'll have enough time to sort out everything I want to tell the police... but as for Emma and the others, I think the less she knows the better. There's only one way to stay safe, and that is... to not be involved.

I've never been so happy to leave a case behind, it'll be in the LAPD's hands.

I hope the Los Angeles police will believe my story.

 

Rich Rivera

 

Dao

 

Roman

 

Antonio Luis

2

Connor was supplying Rich with drugs and supposedly Dao was Rich's abductor... or so Connor said.

 

3

He was a recreational drug user but he got his substances from a very dangerous group, the Triad.

 

4

Rich had a group of friends that he was close to at one point in time... Before his disappearance, his only close friend was Tyler. Originally, Rich was friends with Mitch Reese, Jesse Wolf, and Tyler Redman. Connor Oswald was only an acquaintance of his, whom he also happened to get drugs from. Rich was dating Emma, but Mitch also dated Emma... at the same time. This was hidden from Rich.

 

5

Rich had a group of friends that he was close to at one point in time... Before his disappearance, his only close friend was Tyler. Originally, Rich was friends with Mitch Reese, Jesse Wolf, and Tyler Redman. Connor Oswald was only an acquaintance of his, whom he also happened to get drugs from. Rich was dating Emma, but Mitch also dated Emma... at the same time. This was hidden from Rich.

 

6

Rich's father, Mark, worked for border patrol but made a great living on the side with business through the Sinaloa Cartel. April, Rich's mother, unknowingly enjoyed the money that her husband the Sinaloa Cartel were bringing to the Rivera family. April was a beautiful, happy, stay-at-home mother... well, happy until her son mysteriously disappeared in 2007.

 

7

Dao was in charge of Connor and probably many other dealers that sold the Triad's product. I assume he is Rich's killer, but at this time this is only speculation... because my informant couldn't give me exact details.

 

8

Roman is the head boss of the Triad, or at least that's what I was told. I don't know if Roman is the Triad Dragonhead, but he is definitely in charge of the Los Angeles branch.

 

9

I think Dao was the one behind the mysterious final messages sent from Rich to Emma. My informant revealed how violent Dao can be, so I think those texts about Rich leaving the country were actually typed and sent by Dao... as a cover-up to Rich's murder.

 

10

I think Dao has leverage over Connor's mother, who also lives in Los Angeles. Connor is trapped in the Triad life because his mother's life is on the line. I'm guessing she knows none of this, and I also assume that running away must not be an option... because, otherwise, I'm sure Connor and his mother would have fled Los Angeles years ago.

 

11

Roman mentioned his past history with forensics, unless this was a lie. A lot about Roman is mysterious. I also had very limited interaction with him.

 

12

Roman attacked the cartel because I mentioned that they were bad business partners. I said I'd relinquish all evidence on the Triad if he attacked, and I told him that the cartel's assassin, Antonio, was going to attack the Triad. I gave intel on Antonio's location and Roman took this opportunity to strike the cartel first, in doing so, he also saved my life.

 

13

I've been told by various sources that Roman is the boss of the Triad in Los Angeles. Also, I met with him and he commanded men at a Triad headquarters named Lukshon in Chinatown.

 

14

I mentioned I would relinquish all of my evidence against the Triad if the cartel was destroyed. I then gave Roman my local copy of all the evidence... and after, he destroyed my apartment unit which contained my back-up videos, pictures, and notes.

 

15

I'm not sure how he did it, but Roman damaged the cartel severely and faked his death all at once. It's still a big puzzle to me.

 

16

I discovered Antonio Luis when I investigated Mark and his connection to the Sinaloa. Antonio first appeared as just a corrupt border security guard who lets drugs come to the United States from Mexico... but later, I figured out that he was one of the cartel's deadly assassins.

 

17

Mark was killed by Antonio while I was talking with Mark on the phone. It's one of those things that sounds scary when you talk about it, but it's absolutely spine-shivering... when you can hear a gunshot echo through your phone speaker and then hear the killer pick up the phone and tell you that you're next. I'll never be able to describe this accurately, but it was similar to when someone asks you what you would do, if this day was your last day on earth... well, I literally had to consider that possibility.

 

18

I don't know what happened exactly... but what I do know is April never called me after I talked with her on Sunday. I think she's gone. I think Antonio took her, killed her, or something... I'm not sure.

 

19

Roman and the Triad killed Antonio at Los Carnales, he was one of the three men found dead at the scene.

 

Conclude Investigation

1. Which question is still unanswered?

  • Who wanted Rich dead?
  • How Rich is connected to the Triad?
  • Where is Rich's body?
  • When did Rich start to engage with the Triad?

 

2. Which question is still unanswered?

  • Why didn't Connor report the murder in Chinatown?
  • Why didn't Connor report Rich Rivera to be missing?
  • Why couldn't Connor tell me everything about Rich's disappearance?
  • Why did Connor tell Dao about Rich witnessing the murder?
  • Why does Connor still work for the Triad?
  • Why did Connor know specifics about Roman?

 

3. Which question is still unanswered?

  • Why did Roman attack the Sinaloa?
  • Who did Rich see Dao murder in Chinatown?
  • Why did Antonio look concerned at the Lukshon meeting?
  • Where and when did Antonio see me investigating for the second time?

 

4. Which question is still unanswered?

  • Were the attacks at my apartment and Carnales linked?
  • Who triggered the explosive at my apartment?
  • When did the explosion at my apartment occur?

Correct Answers

1. Which question is still unanswered?

  • Where is Rich's body?

 

2. Which question is still unanswered?

  • Why did Connor know specifics about Roman?

 

3. Which question is still unanswered?

  • Who did Rich see Dao murder in Chinatown?

 

4. Which question is still unanswered?

  • Who triggered the explosive at my apartment?

There are still some unanswered questions, but I think I covered most of it.

There are still seven hours left on this flight. I'll just get some rest, it's been a long day...