The Wolf of Los Angeles

Chapter 30: The Test

Night fell as a black Mondeo roared down the streets, its 3.6L V6 engine humming powerfully.

Hawk hung up the phone and instructed Edward Conner, who was driving, “Head to Linton Café.”

Edward turned the wheel and asked, “Another celebrity scandal?”

“We’re going to help a wounded beauty in distress,” Hawk replied.

Earlier, he had received a call from Jacqueline, who claimed to have an important news lead that required a face-to-face meeting.

“A lover of yours?” Edward quipped, his mouth seemingly incapable of staying shut. “Wait, you? An old-school stiff like you? No way a girl likes you! Tell me, boss—are you the kind who can only do it in the dark with two awkward positions…”

Hawk, recognizing the mockery, barked, “Shut up, or I’ll dock your pay!”

Edward instantly zipped his mouth, not daring to further tease his boss.

Edward was puzzled. “Why not just go directly?”

Hawk, wary of someone using Jacqueline as bait, deflected with a professional excuse: “The News Act mandates that journalists protect their sources. Safeguarding the anonymity of informants is a cornerstone of press freedom.”

In a serious tone, he added, “You’re a fresh face. Anyone seeing you two together won’t suspect anything.”

Edward, recalling the horror stories of informants in Compton gangs, nodded solemnly. “I get it.”

Hawk couldn’t shake the thought of Downey’s unpredictable behavior, especially if he was high, and how that might endanger Jacqueline.

Edward entered the café while Hawk followed at a safe distance, observing.

A few minutes later, Edward emerged with Jacqueline, no incidents occurring.

When she got into the car, Hawk greeted her.

Jacqueline remarked, “You look even more inconspicuous than last time.”

Hawk inwardly groaned. You sure know how to compliment someone.

Meanwhile, Edward, noticing her heavy makeup and sultry appearance, asked, “Beautiful lady, have you ever been divorced? With kids, maybe?”

Jacqueline shook her head. “No, I’m only 22.”

Edward shrugged, losing interest.

Hawk got straight to business. “You’ve got a big news lead?”

Jacqueline, visibly furious, vented, “Some b***h stole my most important client and even called to rub it in!”

Hawk asked the crucial question, “Who’s the client?”

“Eddie Murphy!” Jacqueline spat out the name.

The name sounded familiar to Hawk, who glanced at Edward for confirmation.

Edward smirked at his boss’s ignorance but explained patiently, “Black comedy star. He’s in Beverly Hills Cop and The Nutty Professor. Last year, he was in Shrek—he voiced the donkey.”

“Eddie always contacted me through his agent,” Jacqueline elaborated. “But this time, he left with that little b***h. And that b***h even called to gloat, mocking me for being old…”

Relationships between women were always complicated. Gritting her teeth, Jacqueline growled, “I took care of that b***h when she first arrived in L.A., helped her settle in. And this is how she repays me!”

Edward chimed in, “Isn’t it possible Eddie just got bored and wanted a change?”

Hawk shot him a glare. The possibility wasn’t the point; the lead was valuable. He immediately asked, “Where are they most likely to be?”

Finally taking the hint, Edward shut up.

Jacqueline replied, “Hobert Hill Park. There’s a palm grove there. Eddie never takes me to hotels or apartments. He likes setting up tents in that spot. If no one’s around, he’ll even fool around outside the tent.”

“What kind of tent does he use?” Hawk pressed.

Jacqueline thought for a moment. “Lately, he’s been using an orange-red tent with a Brooklyn Bridge design. Says it represents his hometown.”

“Does he have bodyguards?” Hawk asked.

“I’ve never seen any,” she replied after thinking it over.

Hawk nodded. “Give me your phone.”

“What for?” Jacqueline asked warily.

“To delete all call records and my number. Memorize it instead.” Hawk emphasized, “From now on, remember this—we never spoke today. Go back to work, call his agent, and vent about that b***h’s ungratefulness to blow off steam…”

Following his instructions, Jacqueline deleted the information but still asked, “Why all the precautions?”

Hawk answered cryptically, “There’s an old saying where I come from: barking dogs don’t bite.”

Jacqueline caught on, her anger fueling her actions. She didn’t even ask for money before rushing off, driven by the desire for revenge.

Hawk signaled Edward to get in the car, and they headed straight for Hobert Hill Park.

Hobert Hill Park was a popular camping spot in Los Angeles, though the March nights were cold, so there weren’t many campers.

Entering the park, Edward drove along the designated path.

At a fork, Hawk got out to check the map, then directed Edward to take the left path.

Before long, they spotted lights in the distance. Hawk had Edward stop the car. He handed him black clothes, a balaclava, and gloves, while also attaching a flash to the camera.

Edward donned the gear and joked, “I look like a robber! This is exactly why I left Compton—I didn’t want to be a thief anymore!”

Ignoring the chatter, Hawk said, “This is your first test. Night is your element—use your natural advantage!”

“Boss, can I file a discrimination complaint?” Edward muttered.

“Feel free to quit,” Hawk retorted, handing him a knife for emergencies. “Time’s ticking.”

Edward licked his lips nervously but got out of the car.

“Keep your mouth shut. No one will notice you,” Hawk instructed as he also put on his dark gear.

Together, they moved toward the lights, creeping closer until they spotted a tent under the glow. The design—Brooklyn Bridge in fluorescent print—matched Jacqueline’s description.

“All clear,” Hawk whispered from their cover behind some bushes.

Edward seized the moment. “We just wait? What if it takes all night?”

“Wait? Feed the mosquitoes while we’re at it?” Hawk scoffed. “News doesn’t fall into your lap—you dig it up. Go!”

Edward pointed to himself in disbelief. “Me? I’m a rookie!”

“Heroes rise from the trash heap. Didn’t you escape Compton? Every success story starts somewhere,” Hawk said, pumping him up. Then he handed Edward the knife and camera. “Sneak up from the back. Avoid the lights—don’t let your shadow hit the tent. If the zipper doesn’t open, cut it and take the shots.”

Edward felt like he’d boarded a pirate ship but couldn’t back out now. He took the equipment and crept forward.

“Boss, what about you?” Edward asked at the last second.

“I’ll cover you,” Hawk assured him. “Don’t worry—if you screw up, I’ll save you.”

Feeling slightly reassured, Edward advanced. His dark figure blended seamlessly into the night.

Approaching the tent from the back, he heard muffled sounds—familiar noises that confirmed his suspicions. Perfect timing.

Drawing the knife, Edward cut a slit in the tent and slipped the camera lens inside, snapping away with the flash.

Inside, Eddie Murphy roared, “Who the hell? Stop that!”

At that moment, car headlights suddenly flooded the area.

Nearby, two men—one large and one slim—emerged groggily from a black Cherokee, startled by Eddie’s shouts.

Edward bolted, clutching the camera tightly. Eddie tumbled out of the tent, screaming, “Stop him! Get the camera!”

The two men charged toward Edward, but Hawk was ready.

Springing from his hiding spot, Hawk rammed into the larger man, sending him sprawling against a palm tree with a loud thud.

The man crumpled, groaning in pain.

Not giving him a chance to recover, Hawk kicked him in the stomach, leaving him doubled over.

He then tackled the slim man, disarming him of a stun gun and pinning him to the ground.

“Is this worth risking your life for?” Hawk growled in an East Coast accent, applying pressure to the man’s neck.@@novelbin@@

The second man stopped struggling.

Hawk melted into the shadows, his mission a success.