The Wolf of Los Angeles

Chapter 49: Every Resource and Connection Has Its Use

Leaving the William Morris Agency, Edward yanked off his tie, gasping for air like a drowning man who had just reached shore.

Hawk held out his hand for the car keys, slid into the driver’s seat, and waited for Edward to climb into the passenger side before saying, "You’re in charge of finding the professionals we need."

Edward nodded instinctively, then asked, "We’re talking Black guys, right? Plenty of them around. What’s the criteria?"

Hawk outlined, "Discreet, cooperative, and with menacing looks."

"The last one’s easy—there aren’t many friendly-looking Black guys out there," Edward joked, mentally reviewing the homeless buddies he’d rounded up recently. "If we need three, I can pick them out."

He added an important caveat, "But boss, money needs to be right."

Hawk got straight to the point. "What’s the going rate?"

Edward considered. "Two hundred bucks each. I guarantee they’ll be more obedient than kittens. If anyone steps out of line, I’ll personally kick their ***."

Hawk raised an eyebrow. "Didn’t you say you’re not in a gang? Where’s all this confidence coming from?"

Edward grinned. "Remember that woman I told you about? Nicole, from the shelter where I handed out business cards. I’ve been staying at her place. Turns out she has the power to make those homeless guys’ lives miserable. I can use that leverage to keep them in line."

Hawk chuckled. "You’re a true savior."

Edward leaned back, showing off. "I’ve got a notebook full of divorced women with kids from those business card runs. Ready to strike anytime."

Hawk gave him a thumbs-up. "If I ever go broke, I’ll follow you."

Edward laughed. "You’re the boss, remember."

Hawk nodded, then pulled out his phone to make a call.

Edward was curious. "Calling a woman?"

"Jacqueline," Hawk said, dialing. When the line connected, he greeted her. "Hey, it’s Hawk. Not your shift yet, is it? Let’s talk."

On the other end, Jacqueline stretched lazily. "Don’t tell me you’re hiring me for work. If we skip the agency cut, I’ll give you a discount—we’re friends, after all."

Hawk ignored her teasing. "I’ve got a new job for you. Won’t take more than an afternoon. Five hundred bucks."

The generous offer was irresistible. "Meet me at the usual spot in an hour."

---

Less than an hour later, Hawk met Jacqueline, who showed up sans makeup. Her youthful complexion was marred by dark circles from working nights.

After Hawk explained the task, she agreed readily. "Why wouldn’t I? But no sketchy neighborhoods. I’m not going to some slum and risking a gang pile-on. You’ll need to guarantee my safety."

"I’ll be nearby, filming the whole time," Hawk assured her.

Jacqueline smirked. "That’s all it takes? Five hundred bucks makes you one generous boss."

"You’re a pro," Hawk said sincerely.

Jacqueline looked genuinely flattered. "No one’s ever called me that before."

Hawk casually asked, "Ever thought about switching jobs?"

She shook her head. "Not interested."

Edward chimed in, "Starting a business with us has more potential. I’ve seen too many people in your line of work struggle once they’re older and less attractive."

Jacqueline shrugged. "I work nights, so I can freelance for you during the day. Why change when I can earn from both? I’ll deal with getting old when it happens."

Hawk let the topic drop. "Keep your phone on after noon. I might call anytime."

Yawning, Jacqueline agreed. "Got it, got it."

Leaving a $200 deposit, Hawk moved on. He stopped by a coffee shop to pick up four iced Americanos, then headed to West Los Angeles.

Edward frowned. "Why four coffees? You treating Nicole to one? Her shelter isn’t far from here."

Hawk clarified, "We’re heading to West L.A. to see Officer Erica Ferguson. The coffees are for her and her partner."

"Boss, you’re finally making a move! Want me to play wingman? Need some tips? Take her for a ride in the patrol car, and she’ll never forget you—"

"Shut it," Hawk interrupted. "I need her for work. Her patrol area includes several key streets."

Edward grumbled, "Wasting a resource is a crime!"

Hawk smirked. "Once we’re rich, we’ll have no shortage of women. We can invite twenty at a time."

"But you’ll never know true love," Edward countered.

Ignoring him, Hawk drove into West Los Angeles.

He had already scouted Erica’s patrol routes and decided that 14th Street was ideal: sparsely populated during the day, slightly off the beaten path, but not overly dangerous.

Turning onto 14th, Hawk spotted a patrol car parked by the curb. Erica and Julian, in dark uniforms, were handling a street dispute.

Hawk parked five meters behind their vehicle, grabbed the coffees, and waited for them to finish before approaching. "Julian. Erica."

Erica adjusted her hat, looking up. "Hawk. What a coincidence."

"Passing through and remembered this is your beat, so I brought you coffee." Hawk handed each of them a cup. "Just plain iced Americano. Hope it’s to your taste."

Erica accepted hers first. "I like iced Americano."

Hawk asked, "The media hasn’t been bothering you lately, have they?"

"My fifteen minutes of fame are over." Erica shrugged playfully. "Reporters are like sharks—always chasing fresh blood."

Realizing her phrasing, she amended, "But if more journalists were as responsible as you, L.A. would have fewer problems."

"Agreed," Julian, quieter by nature, added.

Hawk seized the moment. "In a few days, I’ll be working on something in your area. A director friend and I are shooting a short street scene. I scouted earlier, and 14th Street looks perfect."

"Need us to clear the area? We don’t have that authority. You’d need City Hall for that," Erica said.

"No need to clear it," Hawk explained. "We’ll be quick—ten minutes tops. There’s a robbery scene, though, so patrol cars would disrupt the vibe."

Erica joked, "You’re not planning a real robbery, are you?"

Hawk gestured to himself. "Do I look broke?"

"Just kidding." For Erica, this was a minor issue. After a moment’s thought, she said, "Call me when you’re ready. If Julian and I are nearby, we’ll reroute our patrol."

"Thanks," Hawk said.

"No problem. Just buy me dinner afterward," Erica replied.

"Done," Hawk agreed. "Once this job’s wrapped, I’ll set a date."

Julian and Erica returned to their patrol car after a bit more small talk.

On the way, Julian asked, "Interested in him?"

Erica mused, "Don’t you think he’s responsible?"

Julian, older and more cautious, considered before replying, "He’s very purposeful."

"Which shows he has ambition," Erica countered.

---

With the location secured, Hawk dropped Edward off at the shelter to recruit the temporary "actors." For their roles, actual acting wasn’t necessary.

The next morning, Edward arrived with three recruits at Ranch Park, where Hawk began their training. He also rented a prop knife, unwilling to risk them getting overly enthusiastic and accidentally stabbing Dwayne for real.

In Los Angeles, with its thriving film industry, renting realistic props was as easy as pie.

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