The Wolf of Los Angeles

Chapter 65: Finding the Breakthrough

Santa Monica Mountains, Palisades Community

Hawk adjusted the lens of his camera, snapping a series of photos of the luxurious mansion across the street.

The white house, partially hidden by trees and high black walls, was designed to ward off prying eyes.

A patrol car drove by in the distance.

Hawk lowered the camera and said to Edward, “Let’s head back.”

Edward accelerated, steering the car forward. “Miller Collins definitely has something to hide. Renting a place like this while owning another house? He’s up to no good.”

Hawk agreed. He knew from experience: keeping a secondary residence often signaled covert activities.

As they navigated through mild traffic, a bucket lift repairing a streetlamp caught their attention. Workers in reflective vests moved about in the elevated platform.

Edward glanced at the lift and joked, “Boss, if we’d had that last time, you wouldn’t have had to climb the pole yourself.”

Hawk put the camera away. “No problem. Next time, you can climb it.”

Edward laughed nervously, then flattered, “You must have serious skills to pull it off so easily. Bet you’ve done it countless times, huh? Probably got calluses from it!”

Hawk smirked, owning the moment. “Only lucky women will find out.”

Back at the Studio

Eric arrived with a backpack shortly after Hawk and Edward returned.

Edward unpacked piles of newspapers and magazines onto the table, while Hawk organized the day’s photos and videos into folders.

The three got to work, each sorting through materials they believed to be valuable.

By evening, Hawk turned on the lights, signaling a pause. Edward brought back takeout, and the group ate quickly before diving into another meeting.

Hawk opened the session, organizing his notes. “Let’s review the background research on Miller Collins. Share what you’ve found.”

Eric started. “Miller Collins entered the NFL seven years ago through the draft, joining the San Diego Chargers. He’s been traded once and re-signed, and for the past three years, he’s been considered one of the best wide receivers in the league.

“Currently, he’s in a contract year and negotiating for a new deal. He’s aiming for a massive payday before retiring, with a potential annual salary exceeding $10 million.”

Eric pinned photos to the whiteboard. “This is Maria Collins, his wife, and Dolores Collins, their daughter. The family has a pristine public image. Miller is hailed as one of the NFL’s model husbands.”

Eric’s disgust was palpable as he finished, nearly gagging.

Hawk handed him a water bottle. “Does he have any endorsements?”

Eric gulped the water and continued, “He’s got five deals—four for men’s products and one co-branded with his wife for family-related items.”

Hawk examined the materials. “The first four rely on his ‘rugged and wholesome’ image as a real man, while the last requires a picture-perfect family dynamic.”

Eric asked, “Should we expose him directly?”

Hawk shook his head. “Without concrete evidence, we’d face defamation suits, not just from Miller but also from his team and sponsors.”

Edward, confused, asked, “What are you guys even talking about?”

Eric answered bluntly, “Miller Collins is a closeted gay man.”

Edward’s jaw dropped. “He’s gay? And married with kids? That’s messed up!”

Making a crude gesture, Edward asked, “So, is it this kind of gay or that kind?”

Eric mimicked a circle with his fingers. “Definitely the first kind.”

“No wonder,” Edward exclaimed. He rummaged through his stack of clippings and pulled out several photos. Pinning them to another board, he said, “I went through all his news and magazine features from the past three years. He’s always photographed with male companions. I thought they were just friends.”

Hawk scrutinized the images. “Did you identify any of them?”

Edward removed three photos. “I found these guys.”

Plugging a USB drive into his laptop, Edward displayed additional photos. “This one’s Sean Howard, an ad model who worked with Miller. This is Smith Wood, an artist. And this is Quinn Dennis, a ballet dancer.”

Eric was surprised. “You even took pictures?”

Hawk explained, “Companions are often closer to celebrities than spouses. Many of my past scoops came from companions.”

Eric nodded. “That makes sense. Letting the professionals handle things always pays off.”

Hawk continued, “Through media contacts—especially Channel 11—I learned that Miller is from Southern California. He grew up in a middle-class white family and used sports to climb the social ladder. However, he still maintains connections with childhood friends, some of whom are involved in white gangs.”

Edward frowned. “So we might face gang retaliation?”

Hawk cautioned, “Be prepared for that possibility.”

Eric, still fuming from his earlier humiliation, showed no fear. “Bring it on. Let’s have a high-stakes showdown!”

Hawk nodded and added, “Two months ago, Miller bought a mansion on Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica for his family. Shortly after, he rented a smaller house in Palisades. He uses a different car when going there, suggesting he’s keeping something secret.”

Eric speculated, “A place for secret rendezvous?”

“Most likely,” Hawk agreed. “Miller is also close to several celebrities, including David Beckham and Tom Cruise.”

“Wow, that’s huge!” Even Edward, who wasn’t a football fan, recognized Beckham and Cruise. “If we get footage of Miller with either of them, that’d be a seven-figure payday!”

Hawk cautioned, “Beckham doesn’t matter much since he’s not American, but Cruise is different. Messing with him could get you silenced by Scientology. They’ve done it before.”

Edward quickly backtracked. “I’d rather stay alive to spend my money. There are too many single moms out there waiting for me to rescue them.”

Eric laughed. “No wonder they call you the Savior.”

Edward grinned proudly.

Hawk steered the conversation back. “Forget Beckham and Cruise for now. Even if there’s something there, it’d be nearly impossible to capture. Waiting passively isn’t the West Coast Studio way.”

Eric asked, “Then what’s the breakthrough?”

Hawk turned to Edward. “The Savior didn’t earn his nickname for nothing. He’s already found it for us.”

“Miller has a wife and daughter—” Edward began.

Hawk interrupted. “No, focus on this.” He brought up the photos of Miller’s three male companions. “What do they have in common?”

Eric observed, “Brown hair, slim build, and a bit of stubble.”

Edward added, “They look about thirty, have slightly long faces, and carry a melancholic air.”

“And,” Hawk pointed out, “they’re all involved in the arts.”

Eric rubbed his stubbled chin. “That description sounds oddly familiar.”

Hawk and Edward both turned to him, and Edward handed him a mirror. “See for yourself.”

Eric stared at his reflection: brown hair, stubble, a melancholic gaze, and a weathered long face.

“F***,” he muttered, realization dawning. “No wonder…”

Edward still looked puzzled, so Eric briefly recounted his locker room ordeal.

“I hate creeps like that!” Edward declared. “Anyone messing with my friends deserves payback. Let’s take him down!”

Eric clarified, “He didn’t succeed, though.”

Hawk redirected. “We always take the initiative and create opportunities where none exist. The simpler the plan, the fewer the risks. I have an idea.”

He gestured to the photos. “We find someone with this look who’s willing to work with us.”

Eric hesitated. “But Miller has more money. That could cause problems.”

Hawk reassured him, “We’ll offer something Miller can’t: opportunity. Eric, you’re a director with backing from Castle Rock Entertainment. Finding an actor with this look shouldn’t be hard.”

Edward added, “Hollywood is full of guys like that.”

Eric thought it over. “I could hold auditions under the guise of casting for my next project.”

“Exactly,” Hawk said. “Someone willing to take a chance will show up.”

Eric nodded. “For the right role, many will jump at the chance.”

Edward asked, “What about his sponsors and team? Will they shield him like last time?”

Hawk shook his head. “Possibly, but less likely. My research shows that when major scandals break, sponsors are usually the first to cut ties.”

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