The Wolf of Los Angeles

Chapter 63: Ackman Charity Foundation

 

Pasture Park, RV Area

Under the shade near the RV in the parking lot, a grill sizzled with oil and smoke as Frank skillfully flipped the meat with tongs in one hand and brushed on sauce with the other.

Nearby, folding tables and chairs were set up. Hawk, sitting in one of the creaky canvas chairs, opened a cooler to pull out chilled drinks and beer. Turning to Erica Ferguson, he asked, “Beer or juice?”

“I’ll help you,” Erica offered, striding over with her long legs, her golden-brown ponytail swinging behind her. She began grabbing bottles and cans.

The weather had warmed considerably, and condensation quickly fogged the icy drinks as they were laid out. Erica popped open a beer and handed it to Hawk. “The savior isn’t back yet?”

“Thanks.” Hawk glanced toward Fountain Street, pointing at a secondhand van pulling into the parking lot. “There they are.”

The van parked near the RV, and Edward got out first, sliding the side door open. A woman in her early thirties stepped down, holding the hand of a girl who looked under ten years old.

Edward introduced everyone. The woman was Nicole, who worked at a local rescue center, and the girl was her daughter, Michaela.

Michaela wasn’t very lively, often appearing preoccupied. Erica tried chatting with her but was quickly rebuffed. Turning to Hawk, she whispered, “I’m terrible with kids.”

“Then just keep your distance,” Hawk said, setting down a plate of freshly grilled meat. “Try Frank’s cooking. He’s always bragging about how he used to host top-tier BBQ parties back in Malibu when he lived in a mansion.”

Erica cut a small piece of meat and tasted it. “It’s amazing! Compared to him, my dad’s BBQ skills wouldn’t even be fit for dogs.”

Hawk tried a bite himself and admitted, “Frank wasn’t exaggerating for once.”

Curious, Erica asked, “Frank seems decent. What’s his story? Why is he living in an RV?”

Hawk only knew bits and pieces. “He claims he used to be a Hollywood producer but went bankrupt after divorcing multiple wives and refusing to pay alimony. Some old friends chipped in to buy him the RV and promised to keep him safe.”

As Erica wiped sauce from the corner of her mouth with a napkin Hawk handed her, he added, “I’m not even sure Frank is his real name.”

“Everyone has secrets,” Erica said, leaving it at that.

Not wanting the conversation to stall, Hawk changed the subject. “I’ve been thinking about applying for a concealed carry permit. How hard is it to get one in California?”

He sounded sincere. “Most of my work is at night, and with LA’s crime rates, it’s risky without a gun for protection.”

Erica, familiar with the dangers of certain LA neighborhoods, asked directly, “Do you know how to handle a gun?”

“I grew up on a bankrupt ranch in Wyoming,” Hawk replied. “Out there, if you didn’t know how to shoot, the coyotes would eat all your sheep.”

Erica explained, “You’ll need to pass a background check and take some classes.” Thinking it over, she added, “I’m free tomorrow afternoon. I’ll go with you.”

Hawk didn’t hesitate. “I’d appreciate that.”

They clinked their cans together. “No problem,” Erica said.

Meanwhile, Michaela had taken an interest in Frank’s BBQ skills, while Edward brought Nicole over to their table.

The four of them chatted amiably until Erica asked Nicole, “I occasionally work with rescue centers. Which one are you with?”

“The Ackman Charity Rescue Center in Hollywood,” Nicole replied.

Hearing the name Ackman made Hawk perk up. “Edward’s mentioned you before. I thought you worked near Skid Row.”

Nicole turned to Edward, planting a kiss on his cheek. “We met while he was handing out flyers in Hollywood. It was a romantic encounter.”

Edward returned the kiss. “It was destiny, and I thank God for it.”

Hawk, unable to stand their public display, steered the conversation. “Seems like there are more homeless people around the Walk of Fame lately.”

“If the government doesn’t take stronger action, Hollywood will become another Skid Row,” Erica said, raising the stakes of the discussion. “Shelters alone can’t solve the problem, especially as charity becomes more commercialized—”

Realizing Nicole and Edward weren’t following her, she stopped mid-sentence, sensing the mismatch in tone.

Hawk quickly filled the gap, asking Nicole, “Is the rescue center part of the Ackman Charity Foundation?”

“It is,” Nicole confirmed. “I’m just a low-level employee, though.”

Erica smiled at Hawk, grateful for the save, and added, “I read recently that the Ackman Charity Foundation donated millions to help leukemia patients find bone marrow matches.”

Nicole nodded. “I’m not involved in that. My work focuses on helping the homeless. Occasionally, the foundation offers free health screenings for them, and I assist with those.”

Edward chimed in, praising Nicole. “I heard many people were diagnosed and saved thanks to those efforts.”

Hawk was beginning to understand how Edward charmed these lonely, divorced women—he excelled at offering emotional support.

Nicole, encouraged by Edward’s words, smiled sweetly. “Some people got treated and came back to thank us. Others recovered and reintegrated into society without returning.”

As she spoke, Frank glanced over at them from the grill, his expression unreadable.

Noticing, Hawk called out, tossing him a beer. “Come on over, Frank. Enough work—join the conversation.”

“After I finish grilling this,” Frank replied, giving Hawk a knowing look.

Once the ribs and skewers were ready, they pushed the tables together and sat down to eat, drink, and share stories.

Some of Frank’s acquaintances from the park joined in, turning it into a lively gathering.

---

The Next Day

Hawk met Erica in the afternoon, and they headed to Atal Mountain Shooting Range, a facility partnered with the West LAPD. Hawk submitted the required documents, registered for classes, and began the background check process.

Thanks to a call Erica made, his application was expedited, and his training and testing were scheduled promptly.

For Hawk, live-fire training was a breeze.

Once his background check cleared, he was eligible to purchase a firearm. Erica recommended the Glock 17 and Glock 19, popular choices among LAPD officers.

Hawk opted for the compact and portable Glock 19.

Afterward, Hawk drove Erica to the West LAPD station for her night shift, making sure to park conspicuously near the entrance to establish a presence.

The gossip mill in LA was always buzzing, and Hawk intended to use it to his advantage. A visible connection to the police could prove useful in West LA.

---

That Evening

As night fell, Hawk prepared to relax when his phone buzzed. The call was from Claire, Megan Taylor’s assistant at Midnight Entertainment.

Claire’s tone was cautious. “We haven’t seen any news from you lately. Are you upset about the last story being shelved?”

“I’ve just been taking a break,” Hawk replied.

Recent episodes of Midnight Entertainment had lacked explosive headlines, and ratings were slipping. Megan had asked Claire to call him.

Claire tried to motivate him. “You’re young. Shouldn’t you be hustling harder? How else will your studio grow?”

“Headline-worthy news doesn’t come every day,” Hawk said. Unlike some, his scoops were always authentic, though many were self-created. “I’m searching for the next big story. Don’t worry—if it’s good and your price is right, you’ll have first dibs.”

Driving back to the studio, Hawk pondered his next move. Relying on naturally occurring events for exclusives was unrealistic, with thousands of competitors in LA alone.

When he arrived, his phone pinged with a multimedia message.

It was a selfie from Erica in her police uniform, standing before a full-length mirror.

Hawk replied, “A beautiful, valiant angel of justice has descended on LA.”

Before he could put his phone down, it rang again. This time, it was a man’s voice—Eric.

“Heading to Tracy Gym tomorrow?” Eric asked.

“I’ve got firearm training and a live-fire test scheduled,” Hawk replied.

Eric was stunned. “Wow, has business competition gotten that intense?”

Hawk chuckled. “Once you reach a certain level, you’ll find it’s normal.”

Eric sighed, then said, “Johnson’s off overseas for promotions. Since you’re busy, I’ll head to the gym alone.”

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!