Chapter 144 Really Can Eat
"Hendrix, you're not focusing on the key issue," Ashley said.
Hendrix set down the report and interrupted her, saying, "In my eyes, this is the key issue." He was so angry that he raised his hand as if to point at her nose to scold her, but halfway through, he ended up banging the table hard with his finger.
Then Hendrix continued, "In your analysis report, you write about how men suddenly attack women, about women's reactions and resistance. You portray yourself as the victim, but who is the perpetrator?"
Ashley ran her fingers through her hair and calmly said, "If you didn't have connections in the police department, I would go find Harold."
Hendrix, even more furious, said, "Isn't that Harold?"
If it were Harold, he would feel a bit more at ease. At least he was very clear that Harold didn't have those intentions towards Ashley. With a turn of his mind, he asked loudly, "Is it Damian?"
Sometimes, Ashley felt quite annoyed. Being too smart wasn't always a good thing; it made it hard to play dumb. "Hendrix, we are here to investigate, not to argue or pry into privacy. I want to examine the victim's body. Can you tell me if that's possible or not?" Ashley said.
Hendrix, with a dark expression, said, "Explain clearly what happened yesterday; maybe then I can figure something out. If you can't explain clearly, I can't guarantee anything."
Ashley, in a professional tone, said, "You've handed me such a big case, far beyond the civil litigations I usually handle. You know the intensity and difficulty involved. We're not dealing with parole defense here; it's about proving innocence, which requires detailed and irrefutable evidence. I'm doing my best to gather evidence. You don't have to understand or support me, but please respect my hard work."
Hendrix ran his fingers through his hair, thinking that women who were too eloquent might be hard to control. Ashley's confident and assertive demeanor when arguing with him also hurt his feelings.
To describe it with the current popular term, it was both beautiful and cool!
"Ashley, you are proud of my favor. If I don't like you and indulge you, would you dare to speak to your superior like this?" Hendrix said.
Ashley replied, "Words that benefit people are not always pleasant. Throughout history, emperors who didn't listen to advice ended up losing their countries."
Hendrix was momentarily speechless, smiled wryly, and said, "Alright, well said!"
This time, Hendrix accompanied her personally.
She arrived at the morgue, feeling a rush of cold air enveloping her, creating a more intense and eerie atmosphere than the day before.
Hendrix grabbed her hand and pulled her closer, saying, "They're all dead; don't be afraid."
Ashley's scalp tingled, her back chilled, and she said with a trembling voice, "Let go of me; I'm not afraid."
Hendrix looked at her pale face, sneered, and said, "Still pretending you're not scared. Just be yourself in front of me. No matter what, I like you."
Ashley glared at him and pulled her hand back a step, genuinely afraid. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even see the body. They've been hiding it from me; there must be something fishy." Ashley aid.
Hendrix lifted the white cloth, saying, "Where there's secrecy, there's injustice. Your job is to bring the real culprit to light and clear the innocent."
At the sight of the person lying in the freezer, Ashley felt her breath caught in her chest, almost unable to breathe.
She might need a forensic pathologist.
Seeing her reaction, Hendrix, both annoyed and amused, said, "You, timid yet courageous. Should I praise you or criticize you?"
Ashley put on rubber gloves and was ready to try. She silently prayed in her heart, "Let me find the real culprit for you. I mean, no offense. May you rest in paradise soon or enter heaven."
Finally, Hendrix smiled and said, "Alright. With a forensic pathologist here, you don't need to get involved. Just tell the pathologist what you want to check."
A male forensic pathologist in a white coat and mask entered, politely nodding to Hendrix. "Hi, Hendrix," he said.
Hendrix replied, "Do as Ashley says."
The male pathologist turned to Ashley and said, "Ashley, please proceed."
Ashley let out a sigh of relief, her tense nerves relaxing. She then said, "Let's start from the beginning."
The male forensic doctor made a comprehensive examination for the cadaver's head, face, and body.
Ashley said, "In the nail grooves, women are skilled at scratching actions. There should be fibers or sebum from the perpetrator in her nails."
Hendrix replied, "Comparing traces requires a professional. Let's collect samples first for comparison."
"What about her clothes?" Ashley asked.
Hendrix explained, "The physical evidence isn't here; you'll need to apply separately to see it."
Ashley chuckled, "Hendrix, you can let me see the body, but not the belongings?"
The forensic doctor chuckled from the side.
Hendrix shook his hand helplessly, "Do you think it's that easy? I've been busy all day with your case, and you don't even invite me for a meal?"
Hendrix was indeed cunning.
Leaving the Police Department, Ashley asked, "Thanks for your great help today. What would you like to eat?"
Considering his dietary preferences, it shouldn't be too expensive. If it exceeded the budget by too much, she would have to reconsider.
Hendrix replied, "Let's have a good lunch. There's a Japanese restaurant nearby that's passable."
With the word, "passable," Ashley had a whole new understanding.
The Japanese restaurant Hendrix led her to was a Michelin-one star, the only authentic Japanese restaurant in Rochester City. All ingredients were air-flown, and both chefs and servers were Japanese.
The decor of the restaurant perfectly showcased Japanese craftsmanship, which was delicate and lovely, making one feel physically and mentally pleasant.
Ashley smiled on the surface, but she was reluctant inside. She said, "Hendrix, you have excellent taste."
"Not even one percent of my good qualities have you discovered," Hendrix said.
Hendrix was very familiar with this place.
The waiter recognized him as a VIP and led him directly to the VIP room. Speaking Japanese, he politely introduced the new dishes in the restaurant.
Conversing in Japanese, Hendrix was naturally relaxed, feeling at home, much like entering his living room.
Ashley did not understand Japanese and felt illiterate.
In the elegant private room, with Japanese flower arrangements on the table, ingredients replenished, and music setting the mood, what was supposed to be a simple lunch escalated to a festive level even before they started eating.
Ashley opened the menu and noticed significant changes from a few years ago. The dishes had been updated, and the prices adjusted—more expensive and more luxurious.
She just hoped Hendrix wouldn't order the most expensive fugu sashimi.
"This season, let's have some fugu," Hendrix suggested.
Ashley's smile faded, and she reluctantly said, "Fugu is best in autumn. With the high temperatures in summer, fugu can consume more food. After foraging for a few months, fugu tastes best in autumn. I'm sure you knows this."
Hendrix sat cross-legged, not too concerned about his manners but sitting upright. He said, "Ashley, if it's too expensive, just say so."
"To be honest, it is too expensive," Ashley admitted.
Hendrix mentioned, "Harold said you once won eighty thousand dollars in a lawsuit for KM. Don't tell me you can't afford this."
Ashley was thinking about how to get this big shot out and eat beef hamburger on the street. But he seemed to have investigated her income thoroughly.
"My parents taught me that thrift is a virtue and waste spoils character. Fugu is indeed delicious and luxurious, fitting for your status. But can you bear spending so much money on a meal?" Ashley said.
