The Wolf of Los Angeles

[Chapter 229: Find a Relative for Hawke]

In the office, Hawke took the flash drive Edward handed him and connected it to his laptop to review the photos and videos taken by Carlos and Juan the previous day. Most of the footage came from outside the Beverly Hilton Hotel, featuring a middle-aged white man. Emma Batson personally opened the car door for this man, indicating his significance.

At that moment, Edward said, "Carlos and the others followed him discreetly for a day. This man left the Hilton and went to Universal Pictures, visiting the newly formed Focus Features. After that, he headed to Burbank to meet with Disney and Warner Bros. He is currently staying at the Burbank Hotel."

"Clearly, he is an important figure," Hawke responded. "Have you figured out who he is?"

Edward shook his head. "Carlos and his crew couldn't reach the higher-ups. They didn't dare inquire at the hotel for fear of alarming him, so they still don't know."

...

Hawke needed to determine who the man was. He picked up the phone and directly called Pacific Investment Group. When his future mother-in-law, Mary Ferguson, answered, he said, "I have a person here who might be connected to Emma Batson, the female intermediary I mentioned, who is possibly from San Francisco. Could you help confirm his identity?"

Regarding work matters, Mary Ferguson didn't offer any unnecessary commentary. She simply said, "Send me the photos and videos."

Hawke edited the photos slightly and sent them to Mary via encrypted email on Twitter. It wasn't long before Mary called back, stating, "I know this person. His name is Douglas Coster, head of the BlackRock Investment Group's San Francisco office. He's in Los Angeles, likely related to Twitter."

Hawke inquired, "Is there anything more specific?"

Mary thought for a moment and replied, "I'll gather more detailed information on him. I'll be at Twitter in an hour. We can discuss it in person."

...

After hanging up, Hawke noticed Edward grinning happily. This guy had been acting like he was on cloud nine for the last few days.

Curious, Hawke asked, "Did you meet someone special? Tell me about it."

Edward, sitting across from him, beamed as he said, "I started dating Miller Collins' ex-wife."

Hawke recalled, "Maria Collins, right?"

"Exactly," Edward elaborated. "A few days ago, I saved her daughter, Dorothy, at Manhattan Beach. It was a formal introduction. She invited me to dinner that night, and I invited her back yesterday. Everything's been going smoothly."

Hawke teased, "You saved someone? It isn't some cliche hero story, is it?"

Edward quickly denied it. "No, not at all! Though I was watching them, I didn't cause the incident."

His dark face wore a knowing smile. "Miller Collins was once our adversary. I thought if I could win over his ex-wife, it might bring some emotional value to you, boss."

Hawke couldn't help but chuckle. The guy might not be a hero, but his loyalty was undeniable.

Edward continued earnestly, "Sadly, while Miller Collins has become a homeless man, he's still very much alive. No dancing on his grave."

Hawke thought of Robert Downey Jr. and observed a moment of silence for him, then said to Edward, "Miller Collins has become a homeless man?"

"I heard it from Maria during dinner," Edward summarized. "She mentioned that Miller's assets were mostly awarded to herself, and he had to pay her and their daughter significant alimony every month. With no sufficient income, he chose homelessness instead."

He remembered the location. "Like Frank, Miller has an RV parked at the Ackerman Charity Foundation's back lot."

Hawke nodded slightly and casually mentioned, "Let's invite Eric and check it out together."

Director Eric Emerson was Miller Collins's victim.

...

As the time approached, Hawke went downstairs and waited a moment in the lobby before Mary Ferguson walked in with her assistant.

They went upstairs to the conference room to discuss. Mary handed the materials she had to Hawke, saying, "Douglas studied at Stanford Business School. After graduating, he was recommended to join the Blackstone Group by former Governor Gray Davis. Later, when BlackRock split from Blackstone, he left Blackstone to join BlackRock. He became the president of the BlackRock Los Angeles office over six months ago, overseeing all of BlackRock's business dealings in California."

Hawke's focus wasn't on the public records. He asked, "Have there been any incidents of casualties or criminal charges related to the acquisition deals he handled?"

"More than once," Mary replied, eager to convey her findings. "Last winter, BlackRock faced resistance from the founders of a company in Silicon Valley they were investing in, resulting in an immediate IRS investigation, which led to BlackRock completing the investment below market estimates."

She had evidently used her resources to investigate further. "BlackRock invested in a mining company in Wyoming, which is now under FBI investigation and has shut down."

At that, Hawke couldn't help but inquire, "Could it be related to the attack Erica and I encountered?"

Mary affirmed, "Yes, Douglas was responsible for BlackRock's dealings in Wyoming at that time."

"An old acquaintance," Hawke recalled, remembering that group of gunmen.

Mary then added, "There's been a development. Remember I mentioned the future development pathway designed by BlackRock and Vanguard International for the blue camp? It has been approved by the Donkey side."

She sounded especially serious. "While we don't know the specifics yet, this plan reportedly involves media, entertainment, and finance, aiming to ignite society's enthusiasm for marginalized communities and equality movements, linking them to financial investments."

Hawke grasped the implication immediately. "Douglas came to Los Angeles and visited the heads of different production companies at Universal and Burbank. Their plan might leverage Hollywood to spotlight issues concerning marginalized groups and the black and women's rights movement via Hollywood films."

Mary added, "And the media; they have always held a strong position there."

As she spoke, she became increasingly aware of Twitter's importance. "Twitter holds substantial influence among young people. His goals on this trip also pertain to you and Twitter."

Hawke nodded, emphasizing, "This plan is formidable as it aligns with current social trends. Once the marginalized movement gains traction, it could flip the script on the downturn of the last few years and spark a new social wave."

Mary stated, "I'm planning to head to Woodland Hills."

Hawke understood the significance of Woodland Hills; it was the home of Erica's grandparents. He escorted Mary downstairs and, upon returning, instructed Edward, "We're staying at the office for the next few days. Notify security chief Austin that the security level of the company is being raised to the highest."

Edward immediately called Austin and then returned to the office, retrieving a handgun to carry with him.

...

At the Burbank Hotel, Tim drove a Cadillac, turning into the underground parking lot, taking the elevator straight to the top floor's business suite.

Two bodyguards stood at the elevator exit. Upon seeing Tim, one of the black men said, "Hold on, the boss is on the phone."

Tim patiently waited outside the door.

After about ten minutes, the suite door opened, and someone waved him in. Douglas pointed to the sofa opposite him. "Sit down, let's talk."

Once Tim settled, Douglas asked, "How are things looking on your end?"

"I moved in diagonally across from Hawke Osment's villa, making it easy to monitor his comings and goings," Tim detailed the recent activities, emphasizing, "I found Miller Collins. He hasn't been mentally stable since his release; any slight provocation can turn him into a ticking time bomb."

His hired help, Coulson, had been preparing for this. "The private detective we're working with has been posing as Miller Collins' fan during this time, frequently assisting him and has earned his trust."

Douglas was somewhat pleased with Tim's groundwork. "Get ready to activate this pawn."

Tim, being his confidant, questioned, "Didn't the negotiation work out?"

Douglas slowly shook his head. "No reason to continue negotiations. I've made preparations on other fronts; someone will be coming from Wyoming soon."

Tim did not fully understand.

Many tasks still needed Tim's execution, so Douglas briefly explained, "During our previous dealings in Wyoming, we had some indirect communications with Hawke Osment and Erica Ferguson. I've looked into Hawke Osment's family and couldn't find anyone with a direct blood relation, but that can be manufactured."

They were experienced in such fabrications. "A distant relative of Hawke Osment from Wyoming will arrive in Los Angeles soon, and several people will testify to his familial connection to Hawke Osment."

Tim chuckled, "With that paired with legal proceedings, we can't lose."

Douglas stated flatly, "Even though the governor of California has changed, the blue team remains unchanged."

In the plan to acquire Twitter, BlackRock had already gained support from former Speaker Willie Brown among others, and their people would be positioned from prosecutors to judges to inspectors.

Tim still had some doubts and spoke up, "Sir, there's something that must be taken seriously. I've learned that Hawke Osment trains three times a week, possesses strong combat skills, and has teamed up with his girlfriend Erica Ferguson, taking down 21 armed criminals. While there were advantages to their location, they should not be underestimated."

With a company like BlackRock, their methods and personnel were much more extensive than what was openly displayed.

Douglas took a moment to consider. "Deploy a specialized team just in case."

Tim now felt more confident. "What time are we initiating the plan?"

"Your work can get underway now," Douglas decided decisively, "Wait for the specialized team to arrive, look for an opportunity, and deliver a decisive blow."

He glanced at another assistant, "Prompt Wyoming to hurry along and ensure they bring evidence and witnesses."

The assistant swiftly made the call.

Tim didn't linger much longer, exchanged a few more words, and quietly left the Burbank Hotel.

*****

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