[Chapter 136: Secret Weapon: Add Money]
In downtown Los Angeles, at the Parker Center, the LAPD held a comndation ceremony in the plaza in front of its headquarters. Hawke sat dressed formally in a makeshift viewing area.
At that mont, Suzy walked over and sat next to him. Hawke greeted her and asked, "Have they wiped out the Mule Gang?"
"No, in the latest operation, we caught a lot of old mules," Suzy replied simply. "There are still so mule handlers; so returned to xico, while others hid deeper."
Hawke didn't need to guess; he knew it was impossible to wipe them out completely. Just a few days ago, Erica ntioned to him that without the threat of criminals, there was no reason for LAPD to exist.
Now, LAPD was constantly demanding increased funding, further expanding their personnel to purchase new vehicles and weaponry. If Los Angeles remained peaceful, there would be no donations, and they wouldn't pass governnt scrutiny.
At that mont, Brian Ferguson accompanied a middle-aged woman over to their side. The woman had light brown hair, a face vaguely resembling Erica's, and wore a ladies' suit. Brian gave Hawke a nudge.
Hawke guessed this must be Erica's mother.
Suzy stood up to greet her. "Mrs. Ferguson."
"Hello, Suzy, it's been a while," Mary Ferguson replied warmly, shaking Suzy's hand.
Brian leaned in next to Mary and whispered sothing. Mary looked up, her gaze falling on Hawke.
"Hawke, let introduce you to soone," Brian beckoned Hawke over and said, "This is Mary, my aunt. Mary, this is Hawke Osnt, founder of West Coast dia Entertainnt Studio."
Mary remained warm and reached out her hand to shake Hawke's. "I've heard Erica talk about you."
"Hello, ma'am," Hawke replied politely. "The honor is mine."
Mary curiously sized up Hawke. "You've stirred up public opinion across Los Angeles over the past six months."
Hawke replied, "It's a necessity for my job. I have to face various challenges, and so require guiding public opinion to resolve."
Mary nodded slightly. "I've seen a few of your projects, and you've done an excellent job in managing your image."
"Thank you," Hawke said.
After their initial eting and brief chat, they each took their seats again. Mary Ferguson was called to sit in the front row.
Brian remained by Hawke's side and said, "Buddy, you owe a big favor."
Hawke guessed what this goofball was getting at and stayed silent for the mont.
"Do you know how many good things I said about you in front of Mary?" Brian boasted shalessly. "Do you know who brought those newspaper articles about your work to Mary?"
Hawke smirked, "Wasn't it Erica?"
Brian replied, "I did, okay!" He brushed it off. "You have to return this favor."
Hawke shrugged, "Alright, what do you want to do? If it's about practicing shooting, I can teach you for free..."
"Practicing shooting? Not interested." Brian briefly explained, "I've taken on a new case that's a bit complicated, and I'll reach out later for us to discuss details. You have plenty of wild ideas; I could use your help." ⱤＡ𝐍ȏΒËŜ
Hawke stopped joking and said seriously, "In terms of law and lawsuits, you're a hundred tis better than ."
Brian added, "It isn't just a legal issue."
"Sure," Hawke said. He had asked Brian for help before. "Whenever you need , just call."
The comndation ceremony began, and they fell silent.
...
Every year, the LAPD honored a group of officers, and many of them were awarded today. Erica wore her dress uniform and was among the last to go up for comndations. She was awarded the dal of Valor.
A twenty-three-year-old sheriff, plus a recipient of the dal of Valor.
Once the ceremony concluded smoothly, those who received dals ca down to celebrate with their families.
...
Erica first found her mother and then called Hawke, intending to introduce them to one another.
But Brian chid in, "I've already introduced them."
Erica shot him a glare laced with anger as she scanned her cousin.
Brian thought to himself, why did he have to put himself in such trouble?
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Mary Ferguson glanced at her watch and prepared to take her leave.
Before she left, she shook Hawke's hand and said, "Co over to visit us soti."
Hawke responded politely, "I will."
After sending her off, Erica linked her arm with Hawke's and said, "My mom thinks well of you."
Hawke quipped, "I'm very nervous; my heart is racing."
Erica pulled him closer, pressing her ear to his chest. "No, your heartbeat is quite normal."
Hawke felt defeated and said, "Aren't you going to introduce to your colleagues?"
"Let's go." Erica tugged Hawke toward the gathering area for the LAPD.
Throughout the morning, Hawke beca acquainted with many influential mid-level figures from the detective bureau and the West Division.
These people were often frontline command personnel.
...
At noon, after attending the LAPD's reception, Hawke drove back to Fountain Street alone.
Edward was at the studio, saying, "Boss, the Butterfly told that the information on the xican nanny is complete and has also interacted with her."
This nanny was Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's nanny, a married woman nad Lucia Sodi.
"Let him know to go to the safe house," Hawke said while changing clothes.
Then, the two of them left the studio, switched vehicles midway, and headed to the safe house.
Edward drove, confirming that they weren't being followed. He said, "That Sarah Parker is gaining quite a bit of influence; she's beco a representative against dostic violence. Should we figure sothing out for the Golden Globes?"
The botched shooting incident only enhanced Sarah's reputation.
Hawke replied, "Jennifer Aniston is the top sweetheart in North Arica and has not won any major performance awards for years. She is determined to put in her best effort this ti, but it's hard to predict how the judges will decide."
Edward ntioned, "There's an 800,000-dollar reward."
Hawke had signed a contract: once he got paid, he would do the job.
...
They arrived at the safe house where Campos was already waiting.
Hawke sat down and said, "Let's discuss the specifics."
"Lucia's family consists of three; their daughter is in elentary school. The husband doesn't have a formal job and does odd jobs, making their inco very unstable," Campos relayed, having interacted with them directly due to his background: "Currently, they are renting in a heavily populated xican area on Oliviera Street, but their long-term lease on an old apartnt is set to expire at the end of the year."
Edward interjected, "It's a pity she didn't get a divorce; otherwise, I could've easily taken care of her."
Campos's words got caught in his throat; he couldn't grasp the situation.
Hawke gestured to Campos. "Forget him; continue."
Campos stated, "The best approach is to throw money at them; they really need cash. I had a local xican informant tentatively check, and Lucia had worked in Tijuana's red-light district before coming to Los Angeles."
Hawke asked, "How much do they need?"
"At least $100,000, maybe more," Campos noted. "Once this job is done, they need to leave Los Angeles for another state."
Hawke already had $200,000 allocated for operational funds from Sarah Parker and said, "You handle Lucia."
He waved his hand and Edward placed a recently modified bag on the table.
This wasn't a branded item; it had so wear. Its appearance was similar to the one seen in Lucia's photos.
Hawke asked, "You've dealt with Lucia before and followed her for a while; how similar is this to her work bag?"
Campos examined it closely and replied, "No problem."
Hawke continued, "Get her on board, teach her how to use it, collect the video first before paying the remaining amount. Make several copies, store them separately, and wait for my call."
Campos took the bag and began studying the built-in cara's functions.
Edward stepped in to instruct him.
It was straightforward, no complicated operations involved.
After a few minutes, Campos packed everything back in his backpack and left.
Hawke and Edward followed suit.
...
After switching cars again, Edward curiously asked, "Boss, Hollywood stars love to ss around, and Pitt has a notorious reputation. Can one video really disrupt his relationship with Aniston?"
"Hollywood couples or partners might have cheated on each other countless tis privately, probably more than God knows," Hawke explained simply. "But if it's exposed by the dia, especially confird with evidence, it changes the nature of things. Many stars still care about their image; if the dia doesn't expose it, it's as if it doesn't exist. But once it's known, they usually have only one choice..."
Edward considered this and stated, "Is it that thing you ntioned about maintaining a public persona and image?"
Hawke nodded slightly. "Pretty much; this is extrely important to celebrities."
He glanced out the window at the road and said, "Go to Sherman Oaks, let's talk to Sarah about the money."
...
By mid-December, Broderick had been sentenced to prison, receiving a cumulative sentence of six and a half years for various offenses.
Though the divorce case wasn't fully resolved, Sarah pocketing most of their assets was not an issue.
She had also moved back into her luxurious ho in Sherman Oaks.
Once inside Sarah's mansion, Hawke entered the living room and saw Sarah slightly showing a baby bump. Under the guidance of the experienced Sofia, she practiced how to highlight a pregnant woman's posture and aura.
Seeing Hawke enter, Sarah paused her practice, removed the cushion from her waist, and smiled, "You finally made ti to see ."
Hawke smiled back, silently.
Sofia, being perceptive, gathered her things and announced, "I'll take my leave now."
Hawke nodded at her. Once she left, he said to Sarah, "Things have started on the other side."
Sarah inquired, "Can we handle it?"
Hawke replied directly, "It may require more than $100,000."
"As long as we take out the strongest competitor, that's nothing," Sarah, soon to acquire a large chunk of wealth, appeared quite generous. "Tell the person in charge, $200,000."
Hawke nodded slightly. "That will give us a greater advantage."
At that mont, Stephen Parker walked in, tapping Edward on the shoulder as he sat on the couch and said to Hawke, "There's sothing I'd like to consult you about."
Hawke asked, "What's the issue?"
"During Broderick's hospital treatnt, I had him try black market milk," Stephen said without reservation, even with Sarah nearby. "Now that he's going to prison, I want to take it a step further."
Hawke had planned to do this and hadn't gotten around to it, answering, "Arrange the milk and soap deal together."
Stephen wasn't satisfied: "That's too easy on him."
Sarah chid in, "Broderick is a pervert; he'll adapt quickly to it, maybe even co to enjoy it, in the end, rewarding himself..."
Hawke thought about all the terrible things Broderick had done and realized that might be true. Sarah would certainly know him best in that regard.
Stephen frowned, "Getting a horse into prison isn't realistic."
Hawke suddenly rembered what Edward had said earlier and remarked, "Savior, do you still have that happy water with you?"
Since obtaining the happy water, Edward had truly co into his own at Deborah's place; he now kept it on him at all tis and quickly produced a bottle. "Boss, I just bought this and haven't opened it yet."
Hawke pointed, "Hand it to Stephen."
Stephen accepted it, opened the box to find a small glass vial filled with green liquid.
Having been around during his youth, he quickly understood the purpose. "For the soap picking special?"
Hawke gave him a thumbs-up and then asked Sarah, "Do you have any pepper spray, like high-concentration cayenne pepper?"
"Sure!" Sarah dashed to the closet and returned with a bottle.
Stephen took it and praised Hawke, "You really know how to handle various complex problems."
Hawke was montarily at a loss for words.
But inside, he felt satisfied.
Those who wanted to ss with him were about to enjoy the luxury of soothing linint and pepper spray.
Once the serious matters were discussed, Hawke took his leave.
...
Just as Hawke and Edward walked out, Stephen gathered the linint and pepper spray, preparing to go out shopping and letting his old partners find soone to take orders.
But Sarah stopped Stephen. "Wait a minute."
During this ti, father-daughter relations were warming up, and Stephen felt gratified, smiling as he asked, "I'm heading out to shop; do you need anything?"
Sarah pointed to the green glass vial. "You'll leave that one for ."
Stephen frowned but, upon consideration, decided it wasn't a big deal. He handed the linint to Sarah and turned to grab the packaging as he went out.
"Happy water for won?" Sarah curiously examined the linint, pouring a bit onto her finger.
That unique sensation seed to unlock a floodgate, instantly reminding her of its intended use.
With the linint in hand, Sarah headed to the bathroom where she confird this was indeed happy water.
...
Edward was driving the Audi eastward along Ventura Boulevard.
Nearing Sherman Oaks, Hawke noticed several 12- or 13-year-old girls with backpacks flagging down cars.
One girl even gave a thumbs-up toward the Audi.
Edward glanced at Hawke.
Hawke remarked, "Ignore them."
The Audi passed by the kids.
But a following minivan ca to a stop, and the driver gestured for the girls to hop in.
Hawke turned around and saw the driver was Stephen Parker.
He had Edward slow down.
Stephen quickly caught up from behind, lowering the passenger window to wave at them as he passed.
Edward waved back.
Hawke noticed the girl in the front passenger seat was making faces at him.
Edward didn't indulge these kids and responded with a middle finger.
The minivan's passenger window rolled up.
Edward said, "Kids from the wealthy area, aside from their clothes, are about the sa as those from Compton."
Hawke shook his head, "The social resources they enjoy and the elite education they receive are things ordinary folks will never have."
"True," Edward said. "Many of my childhood friends joined gangs in middle school, or even elentary school, and ended up as low-level mules, dealing inside the schools."
He sounded disgruntled, "I'm definitely going to take out so frustration on that Indio Downey, the rich kid!"
...
On a typical December weekend, after Lucia Sodi helped Jennifer Aniston set up the Christmas tree, she drove her small car away from the Beverly Hills mansion and headed back to the old neighborhood.
On Oliviera Street, despite the proximity to Christmas, the atmosphere was lacking.
Lucia parked her car in an old lot ahead, got out, and grabbed a paper bag from the back seat.
A nearby car door opened, and a man stepped out, waving at her. "Hey, Lucia!"
"It's you," Lucia recognized him -- he had helped her recently.
Campos walked over. "Do you have a mont to chat?"
Lucia pointed to a small shop at the parking lot entrance. "There's a small shop over there; I'll buy you a drink."
"Thanks," Campos replied as they both headed to the coffee shop.
In the afternoon, there weren't many people around.
As they casually chatted, Campos suddenly asked, "I heard you were working for Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston as their nanny?"
Not many people knew about it, but Lucia acknowledged, "That's right; it's been a few months now."
As Campos probed further, he continued, "I've t several of Pitt's previous nannies; they all said they were harassed by him during their ti."
Lucia imdiately beca alert. "What are you getting at?"
Campos queried, "Did Pitt harass you, and did he offer you any money on top of that?"
This question struck a key point, and Lucia paused before saying, "No, never."
Campos found his opening. "If he's asking for extra services but refuses to pay, Lucia, what are your thoughts on that?"
Lucia replied, "But he's a big star."
"Correct, he's a star," Campos pressed. "What real benefits did you gain? How has your family's situation improved?"
Being not the sharpest tool in the shed, Lucia admitted, "None, there hasn't been any change. I haven't benefited at all, aside from having to eat disgusting things!"
Campos stated, "You've been ripped off by a Hollywood star; he has countless millions but refuses to pay you a di for your services."
Lucia fell silent.
Reflecting on her experience working in a red-light district, Campos pointed out one annoying fact, "You've been freeloaded!"
Lucia thought it over and realized it was indeed true.
Pitt enjoyed her services but never so much as bought her a gift. In contrast, the mistress Aniston occasionally gifted her small items.
"I'll help you get what you're owed," Campos promised.
Successfully stirring Lucia's emotions, the secret weapon proved to be the most effective -- add money!
*****
/Sayonara816.
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