Why had the narrators friend suggested he asked wheeler about Leo smiley?

The narrator's friend suggested he ask Wheeler about Leo Smiley because Wheeler had a close connection to the local community and was likely to have information about Smiley's reputation and activities. Additionally, Wheeler's insights could provide context that the narrator might not have been aware of, helping him understand the complexities surrounding Smiley's character. This recommendation indicated that Wheeler’s perspective would be valuable for the narrator's understanding of the situation.