Chapter 198: The Breakthrough
On the return drive to Los Angeles, Brian reminded, "The guns I arranged to procure will be delivered soon. Have you found a good place to store them?"
Hawke thought for a mont and replied, "I'll split them into two parts. One stash will go in the Silver Lake villa owned by Erica, and the other will be in my rental villa in Santa Monica."
"Sounds good," Brian said. He pulled out his phone to send a text and added, "The number of weapons coming in will be enough for you to engage in a street fight."
Hawke, feeling uneasy about Brian's ominous prediction, quickly interjected, "Stop! I don't want a street fight in Los Angeles!"
He shot Brian a serious look, "Take back that nonsense!"
Brian raised his hands defensively, "No street fights. Absolutely no street fights!"
Hawke shifted the topic, asking, "Is Owen's wife, Helen, really planning to divorce him?"
Brian confird, "She's already filed for divorce."
"I can't shake the feeling that Helen is overreacting," Hawke said. "I asked Sandra to look into it. Has she found out anything?"
Brian replied, "I rember her reporting in. She seems to have bought off one of Helen's friends."
Hawke felt the need to clarify things, especially when it involved Owen.
...
Covina, Main Street.
A car pulled up slowly. Sitting in the passenger seat, Sandra turned to the woman driving and said, "If you can sort this out, there's another paynt waiting for you."
Emily counted the cash in her hand, "I know what to do. Just wait for my good news."
Sandra got out and transferred to her own vehicle.
...
As night fell, Emily stepped out of the car and headed towards a nearby bar.
The two had been classmates from elentary through high school. Despite the vast difference in their family wealth, they maintained a friendship.
A girl like Helen, from a small-town wealthy family, needed a few peers to reflect her privileged status.
Emily and Helen had a reasonably good relationship. If the money were ant to harm Helen in any way, Emily would certainly refuse.
But asking why she was getting divorced was a different story.
Emily was curious too -- was Helen really divorcing Owen over his infidelity? This seed unlike the Helen she knew.
Inside the bar, Emily found a booth and ordered Helen's favorite orange drink.
After a short wait, Helen walked into the bar and sat across from her.
Emily opened the drink and poured a glass for Helen, pointing at her dark circles, "Haven't been sleeping well lately?"
Helen raised her glass and took a large gulp, "With everything that's happened, how could I sleep well?"
"Do you really want a divorce?" Emily probed, "Infidelity happens all the ti; n everywhere are unfaithful. Owen will be back soon. He could win the next election..."
Helen signaled for more wine, "You wouldn't understand. This situation is too complicated."
Emily poured another glass, "What about Pratt? Have you given up on him?"
Helen shook her head, "He's beco a star across the country, a star for cri and bullying. What can I do? If I expose the whole situation, I might not even be able to protect myself."
She clinked her glass with Emily's, "There have been many tis I've had to suppress things."
Emily took a sip.
Helen continued, "I even had Fowler threaten those who wanted to report it, as well as their parents."
Emily was speechless. It was the continuous indulgence from both Owen and Helen that enabled Pratt's increasingly domineering behavior.
Helen drank down another orange drink, taking the bottle for herself, "I'm sick of this kind of family! I want my freedom!"
The two began talking about romantic ideals, yearning for poetry and a life of freedom.
After consuming most of the bottle, Helen felt the alcohol taking effect.
Emily, not the brightest, struggled to find a way in.
Fortunately, Helen changed the subject back to marriage, "Once I finalize the divorce and get all the assets, let's take a trip to Europe together."
Emily seized the opportunity, "You can get everything?"
Helen hiccuped from the alcohol, "Owen wouldn't dare not give everything!"
As usual, Emily listened, adopting the role of the adoring friend.
Helen leaned closer, speaking softly, "Do you rember that ti Owen ca back from a gathering while you were at my place? You pointed out that you slled so blood when he went upstairs."
Emily nodded, "You know I've always been queasy around blood; I'm particularly sensitive to that sll."
"After you left, he changed his clothes, and I could sll the blood on them," Helen continued, taking another drink. "Later, I also picked up the scent of another woman's perfu and saw so minor blood stains. It's hard to hide things from your partner. I've seen videos on his computer of won being abused..."
Emily gasped, eyes wide, "No way."
Helen smirked, "With your level of understanding, you wouldn't even comprehend. This country and society are darker than your worst imaginings. That scumbag Owen must be involved with so dark, cruel organization. As his wife -- no, his ex-wife -- I absolutely cannot be mistaken about that."
Emily called for another drink, pouring it for Helen.
Helen added, "Owen thinks he's concealing everything well, but he forgot about his not-so-smart younger brother. I tricked Fowler into spilling so details without him realizing."
Emily chid in, "Fowler isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, that's for sure."
Having finished her last drink, Helen waved her hand dismissively, "I don't want to be dragged down with them."
The two downed over a bottle of wine, and Emily helped Helen outside, driving her ho.
For now, Helen was living alone in a small villa, away from the closest town's chaos.
Emily waited until she knew Helen was asleep before getting back in her car and returning to Main Street.
...
In the sa spot, she found Sandra and pulled out the voice recorder from her pocket.
Sandra produced the agreed paynt.
Emily handed over the voice recorder.
Sandra listened carefully and said, "You're free to go."
She added as a serious reminder, "If you don't want to suddenly die, forget this ever happened. You've never heard of ."
Thinking of how Helen was going to divorce Owen, Emily, despite not being very clever, understood the gravity of the situation and quickly replied, "I know nothing. I've never seen you."
Sandra waved her hand.
Emily hurriedly exited the scene.
...
In the morning, before the sun rose high, Hawke received a call from Brian and imdiately instructed Edward to drive him to Covina.
In the campaign office, Brian had been waiting.
As soon as he saw Hawke co in, he closed the office door, leaving Sandra to guard outside, and sat in front of his laptop to play the audio he had extracted the night before.
The sounds of two won engaged in conversation filled the room.
Brian stated, "That's Helen Nester and her friend Emily."
Hawke remained silent, attentive as he listened.
Most of their conversation held little significance; it was largely filled with the two won's fantasies.
However, as soon as blood was ntioned, Hawke perked up.
The subsequent details, while sowhat unexpected, were not shocking considering Owen Nester was a mber of the Blue Party.
In terms of tenure within the Blue Party, Owen was indeed a senior mber.
Of course, when discussing political parties worldwide, tenure was not the most crucial aspect regarding status and importance.
Once the audio finished, Hawke asked, "Is there anything else?"
"None," Brian replied, figuring that the juvenile offenses against minors connected to the Blue Party offered no surprises. "Helen is speculating, but her suspicions seem likely true."
Hawke remarked, "If they don't spare those child stars, then they won't hesitate with adult won either."
Brian looked at Hawke. "Do you have any good suggestions?"
After contemplating for a while, Hawke said, "Is there a lot of insider knowledge? Let's keep it under wraps for now."
Brian added, "Sandra warned the person who recorded it. I've instructed Sandra to keep a tight lid on this."
"Perfect." Hawke stood up, pacing around the room. He thought about his nesis, the Ackerman family, and tentatively asked, "Do you know if the police departnt has investigated the disappearance of young attractive girls?"
Brian replied, "I've heard about it. The latest was the case of Kristen Johnson, but after the person who reported her disappeared, the police shelved the case."
Upon realizing Hawke's train of thought, he continued, "Pretty girls go missing, and blue party mber Owen attends gatherings that might be associated with so abusive activities, there might be a connection?"
Hawke shrugged. "We don't have proof, but if those perverts are targeting children, you can bet they won't hold back with adults. Erica ntioned that the missing individuals share certain commonalities: they co from outside, have fractured families leading to neglect, live alone in Los Angeles, and lack friends."
Brian deduced, "If that's the case, even if soone disappears, no one will file a report. Even if they do file a report, without a victim, LAPD wouldn't expend substantial resources on it. Missing persons cases aren't treated as seriously as homicides."
He elaborated, "I know about this case because both sides -- red and blue -- have put effort into it, and perhaps this could fully cent the Blue Party's victory in California."
Hawke cautioned, "Don't stick your neck out on this. Be careful of others' mudslides."
Thinking of those four who had 't their maker,' Brian felt a bit vulnerable. Most importantly, if he stepped out, he would face the greatest risks, while the biggest beneficiary would be Arnold Schwarzenegger.
That was not a worthwhile risk to take.
Finally understanding the critical point, Brian said, "This situation is unclear; it hinges on Owen -- he is the best breakthrough."
"Exactly. This is the opportunity to take Owen down once and for all," Hawke stated decisively. "Owen is already in his second term; he might cause trouble once he gathers himself."
Compared to Brian, Hawke's thoughts were much more complex. These matters tied back to the Superstar Acting School and the Ackerman Films.
Hawke, the bastard, grabbed the string holding Brian, "Take care of that bastard Owen, and no one in Covina can threaten us."
Brian considered. He didn't need to risk himself. Plus, he could sweeten his standing with the higher-ups while clearing political adversaries in Covina. The benefits far outweighed the negatives.
Soon, he made his decision, "I'm heading back to Los Angeles today. I'm sure soone up top will be interested in this news. Since Owen is a suspect, targeting him as the breakthrough won't draw too much attention."
*****
/Sayonara816.
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