The Wolf of Los Angeles

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 moment 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 confirmed, "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 remember 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 payment 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 elementary 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 meant 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 seemed 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 time; men 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 become a star across the country, a star for crime 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 times 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 me everything!"

As usual, Emily listened, adopting the role of the adoring friend.

Helen leaned closer, speaking softly, "Do you remember that time Owen came back from a gathering while you were at my place? You pointed out that you smelled some blood when he went upstairs."

Emily nodded, "You know I've always been queasy around blood; I'm particularly sensitive to that smell."

"After you left, he changed his clothes, and I could smell the blood on them," Helen continued, taking another drink. "Later, I also picked up the scent of another woman's perfume and saw some minor blood stains. It's hard to hide things from your partner. I've seen videos on his computer of women 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 some 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 some details without him realizing."

Emily chimed 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 home.

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 same spot, she found Sandra and pulled out the voice recorder from her pocket.

Sandra produced the agreed payment.

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 me."

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 immediately instructed Edward to drive him to Covina.

In the campaign office, Brian had been waiting.

As soon as he saw Hawke come 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 women 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 women's fantasies.

However, as soon as blood was mentioned, Hawke perked up.

The subsequent details, while somewhat unexpected, were not shocking considering Owen Nester was a member of the Blue Party.

In terms of tenure within the Blue Party, Owen was indeed a senior member.

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 women 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 nemesis, the Ackerman family, and tentatively asked, "Do you know if the police department 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 member Owen attends gatherings that might be associated with some 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 mentioned that the missing individuals share certain commonalities: they come 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 someone 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 cement 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 'met 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 someone up top will be interested in this news. Since Owen is a suspect, targeting him as the breakthrough won't draw too much attention."

*****

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