L.A. Noire/Nicholson Electroplating

As you're talking to your partner about Kelso and how you're going to finally wrap up the case with the Suburban Redevelopment Fund, there will be a huge explosion somewhere in the city with a large cloud of smoke billowing up. Jump in your car and start driving toward the smoke, which is just a left and right away from you. Be careful on the way, as the citizens are scared and will be driving like maniacs. When you show up, you'll see some looters and they have guns, so you'll need to take them out. They'll start out running away from you, and if you want to cut the chase short, just shoot them both in the back as they flee. Otherwise you'll have to chase them down and have a proper shootout with them behind cover. When they're down, head into the wreckage left behind by the blast.

Nicholson Electroplating
When you get inside, Ray Pinker and Carruthers will talk to you about the explosion. You'll need to inspect the blast site and look for clues.

When you go leave after looking around, you'll run into Mr. Nicholson himself, the owner of the company. Since you have him there, go ahead and ask him some questions about how this tragedy could have happened.

You'll get some interesting information about what was going on at the plating company, and when you're finished talking with him, take the car to the nearest gamewell to check up on the airplane part you found and see if you can get an address for the laundry.

Superior Laundry Services
This is a quick stop, just go in and check the customer book for the number you found on the laundry tag. You'll find it belongs to an Oscar Hangstrom, so use the phone in the shop to check for his address. Unfotunately there is no listing for him, so you'll need to move on to your next lead.

Deciphered Address
On the mailbox you'll see Okamoto's apartment is number one, and at the top of the stairs you'll find the door is open and the apartment has been ransacked. Take a look around and see what you can find.

Use the phone after checking the scene to check your messages. The operator will put you through to Ray Pinker, who found someone to identify the airplane part at the bomb site. The part is used on one of Howard Hughes' aircraft, and Nicholson told you he was one of the major companies interested in the new aluminum cleaning process.

Hughes Aircraft
Hughes deals in military contracts, so there are MPs at the gate who won't let you in without authorization. Luckily the chief of security for Mr. Hughes, Vernon Mapes, shows up and lets you in. Follow him to the hangar and he'll show you inside, where the Spruce Goose is being worked on. Before looking around, Mapes will answer some questions.

Of course Mapes denies everything, but look around the hangar and see what you can find out for yourself.

When you're done looking over the place, head back to the station and see what Pinker's come up with.

Wilshire Police Station
Head downstairs to the technical services office and Pinker will show you the photographs he got off the spy camera in Okamoto's case. Look at each photo under the magnifying glass and zoom in to look for clues.

When you're done examining the photos, use the dropper to put a drop of each compound into the petri dish and watch the explosion, then head out to the address you gleaned from Okamoto's photos.

House in Photograph
The door is wide open to the house, so you'll enter carefully with guns drawn. After noting the fuel all over the floor, make a quick search of the place for any clues. You'll find a TWA ticket and a passport on the stand by the bed. Just as you finish piecing together that Hangstrom and McLellan are the same person, a molotov cocktail will fly through the door, lighting the place up. You'll need to shoot the tank by the stove to blast a hole in the wall you can escape through. When you do, climb out the window and you'll see it was Mapes trying to burn the place down. He'll jump in his car and you'll need to follow him.

This is by far the hardest chase sequence in the game, as Mapes drives perfectly through a bunch of narrow passages between houses and buildings. Along with his great driving, you'll also be assaulted by Army cars trying to protect him as makes his way back to the Hughes Aircraft hangars. Stick with him and spin out the Army cars when they get close if you have to, but above all else, be careful taking your turns and don't be scared to slow down a bit, since you won't catch Mapes no matter how fast you drive.

When you get to the Hughes lot, the MPs will open fire and you'll need to take them out. Be aware that reinforcements arrive in the middle of the gunfight. Use cover like normal and take out the guys outside the hangar, then do yourself a favor and pick up an M1-Garand on your way inside. If you don't, you'll have to keep moving up to take out the guys at the end of the hangar. The Garand will let you pick everyone off from a safe distance. Mapes is the final guy on top of the offices in the back, shooting with a rifle. When everyone's down, the captain will come down to congratulate and end the case.