The Wolf of Los Angeles

[Chapter 275: The Ackerman Feud]

On the fourth floor of the office in a high-rise building, Hawke had just returned when Edward followed him in. "Boss, everything go smoothly?"

"Very smoothly," Hawke replied as he sat at his desk. "This time, we took out Andy Carroll and captured Melissa Ackerman alive."

Edward clapped his hands with enthusiasm. "That's great! Those Ackerman bastards have done so much harm to people; they deserve whatever's coming! Just at the Venice Beach Club alone, there were over a dozen confirmed deaths and missing persons."

According to Jennifer Huey, the actual number could be ten times that. But Hawke was unfazed; this was personal. His feud with the Ackerman family had long spiraled out of control.

Edward asked, "Boss, how do we deal with Melissa?"

Hawke had already made plans and coordinated with Campos. "Let's keep her confined for now and squeeze her for information."

Edward piped up, "That woman must know a lot of secrets about the Ackerman family."

"Not just her secrets -- we're going for everything." Hawke was talking about extracting all the hidden truths and personal information; Melissa had a rare blood type.

He thought, perhaps the Ackerman lineage went beyond Melissa. Maybe there were others with that same blood type.

He wondered if, by confining her, he had turned into a monster himself. But the real monster was still out there. So, he remained the hunter seeking to slay the monster.

He turned to Edward. "Any surprises today?"

"None." Edward flashed his bright white teeth in a smile. "There's been no turbulence; everything is under control."

Hawke nodded. This time, the operation had been executed quickly.

He said, "How's the news collection coming along?"

Edward replied, "We'll have it soon."

Hawke was sure there would be ample rewards for this operation. Payments would eventually flow through the news sold by Butterfly Consulting -- there were already longstanding legitimate business exchanges in place.

Then, he suddenly thought of something. Over in Madrid, the Butterfly Consulting team was searching for a chance to snap photos or gather news regarding David Beckham's extramarital affair.

Such globally impactful gossip could easily fetch over a few million dollars. Soccer combined with Beckham's involvement made for a media sensation unlike any other.

Hawke then asked about another target, "What's the situation with Tiger Woods?"

Edward, who had kept close contact with Butterfly Consulting regarding news, said, "Nothing concrete yet. But Campos' people overheard caddies at the golf course talking about a female caddy from Los Angeles Country Club. It seems Tiger Woods was on the phone, possibly reaching out to a sfemale star from the Valley."

There were so many female workers in the Valley -- stars almost equal in number to those in Hollywood -- that tracking one down wouldn't be easy.

Such events often involved middlemen -- agents. Many incomes for these porn stars stemmed from this side of the business.

Hawke recalled distinctly the relationship between Trump and Stormy Daniels. Their connection had directly entangled them in the election.

...

After work, Hawke stayed at the office. The next morning, he called a management meeting to discuss raising funds and expanding shares.

The newspapers in Los Angeles still hadn't reported anything directly concerning Melissa Ackerman. Online, however, there was chatter about a possible large-scale gang shootout at one of Hollywood's overseas filming locations, Rosario, causing multiple casualties.

Another day passed, and Hawke's new burner phone rang.

He picked up to hear Campos' voice: "It's done." Campos had called from a public phone, speaking briefly, "Your gift has arrived."

Hawke hung up without responding. A significant package had been shipped from Mexico to Los Angeles.

...

In Beverly Hills, North Sunset Boulevard, Buddy Ackerman met with Barak Bernanke, who had just arrived from Rosario. The latter provided detailed insights on the situation in Rosario, including the issues concerning Veronica and Rachel, the mother and daughter.

Upon hearing that his daughter had found a new source for blood and organs but was trying to covertly seize it, Buddy simply sat in his armchair, squinting at Barak and asked, "Is Melissa alive or dead?"

Barak said, "Probably alive, I believe Melissa was taken by her assailants."

"And who did it? Any leads?" Buddy, limited physically, rarely went out anymore.

Barak thought for a moment and replied, "The attackers used automatic rifles, grenades, and RPGs -- typical weapons for large Mexican gang conflicts. It's likely one of the big Mexican gangs is involved, but we haven't received any ransom calls yet."

He paused before adding, "Another possibility is that our enemies disguised themselves as a Mexican gang to raid that villa."

Buddy inquired, "Do Mexican gangs usually carry out kidnappings in an area guarded by an elite security team?"

Barak answered, "In the last decade, especially since Pablo, Colombia's drug lord, died, Mexican cartel power and finances have surged. Many ex-military and police personnel have defected, joining these organized crime groups. There are now channels set specifically for military and police to join drug lords, greatly bolstering their strength."

Buddy nodded slowly and asked again, "Have any leads come through?"

"Not yet." Barak had personally visited the scene and spoke with professionals in Rosario: "There are few residents nearby and no surveillance cameras. After the attack, they cleaned up the villa, taking anything that might leave a clue, including all communication devices and IDs. It seemed like a well-trained group."

According to the local cops, they believed it was likely the work of former associates from a gang.

Barak then expressed his suspicions, "But Melissa was targeted from the first day she arrived in Rosario. I don't think the local gang operations are that efficient. While many Americans get kidnapped, scammed, or killed in Mexico, they rarely attack those from genuine upper society."

He, as Melissa's confidant, mentioned, "Even if it's the Mexican gang's doing, someone in Los Angeles must have colluded."

Buddy had considered this word and even had someone in mind. He waved a hand dismissively, "Mobilize the foundation's resources and connections to find her. Leverage our contacts in Mexico..."

Seeing the incompetent Mexican government and the unreliable cartel, Buddy added, "Using our government connections, pressure Mexico to send elite personnel, and don't hold out hope for the local police."

"Understood," Barak said, moving quickly out of the study.

...

Buddy turned to the butler beside him. "Increase the security measures around the estate. Tell the thugs not to venture out for the time being."

The butler went to make the calls. After a moment, he returned, still standing behind Buddy.

Buddy stated, "There has to be local support for this; in the twenty years since the foundation was established, even with rapid growth, we are surrounded by enemies."

The butler understood exactly what his master meant -- how many people the charity had taken over the years and the unmentionable things done; he likely could not even recall them all himself.

To gain resources, children and women had been taken for those in power.

To succeed in a competitive landscape, they had employed illegal means, such as making people disappear.

This was not something the butler could respond to; he remained silent.

Buddy added, "Now, as the two-party struggle intensifies and the elections draw closer, I sense a storm brewing."

The butler remained quiet.

Buddy didn't expect a reply. "There's also a possibility -- this could be an inside job."

He opened his eyes wide. "Bring Sean to me."

Sean Ackerman, Buddy's son and Melissa's brother, had never enjoyed a warm relationship with his sister.

The butler made a phone call.

...

Buddy felt a crisis approaching; if this threat came from within, it would be even more perilous.

In this increasingly fierce red and blue struggle, internal safety and stability had to be ensured first.

Soon, Sean Ackerman entered the study.

He casually took a seat, saying, "What's up?"

Buddy's gaze bore into him.

Sean felt uncomfortable under that scrutiny. "What's the matter? If there's nothing urgent, I'm heading out; I have plans with friends tonight."

Buddy cut straight to the chase, "Melissa is your sister."

Was his sister really trying to take all the family fortune? Sean couldn't care less, stating, "Yeah, she is. I've never denied it."

Buddy pressed on, "Where is Melissa?"

"How should I know?" Sean feigned nonchalance. "She ran off to Mexico and then vanished. Not my concern."

He sounded indifferent, adding, "As much as I dislike her, I'd never harm family."

Buddy's face turned serious. "Really? In late 2001, Camille, Barton, and Milman -- why did they all contract a contagious disease?"

Sean replied, "How would I know? You're the one with control over them; they vanished."

Buddy coldly stated, "I'm old, but I'm not confused. If not for your mother's dying request for me to look after you..."

"Why did my mother die?" Sean questioned with a mocking grin. "Have you looked into which bitch caused her death?"

Buddy said, "I told you, your mother's crash was an accident."

"An accident." Sean wouldn't argue, saying, "I didn't lay a hand on Melissa, but I'm glad to see this accident happen."

Buddy shook his head. His son was naive and not the sharpest; there was no way he could hand over the Ackerman family empire to him.

If it were to fall into his hands, not only the enemy across the way but also the greed from their side of politics would quickly chew him up.

After Sean left Ackerman Manor, he made a call. "Melissa is missing; she might have been taken. Find out fast; if she's dead, all the better. If not, don't let her come back."

*****

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