The Wolf of Los Angeles

[Chapter 285: Hunting Targets]

East Los Angeles, Covina.

In front of an office building on Main Street, dozens of media reporters gathered. The well-known figure of equality Steve Nutt, under the gaze of cameras, hung a bronze plaque on the side of the entrance. The flash of cameras illuminated the inscription -- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

A crowd of white, black, and Latino spectators gathered, numbering over a hundred. Applause erupted in the atmosphere.

Across the street from the office building, a Mercedes-Benz van parked among numerous vehicles.

Hawke watched the excitement unfold and said, "Looks like Steve is doing quite well."

Brian chimed in with honesty, "He's the equality saint you crafted yourself. Before he even retired from the Dodgers, they erected a statue of him at Dodger Stadium."

Hawke had always kept an eye on the saint he had created. "Steve has a strong following; the NAACP sees him as a mere tool and wants to use him as a face of it, but he's also leveraging their resources. Over the past year, he has built a unique network within the NAACP, just like he did as the team captain of the Dodgers."

Brian acknowledged, "Those people formed the basic framework of the Safeguarding Society."

Hawke replied, "I heard Ang Lee took the Brokeback Mountain crew to Wyoming and has already begun filming."

Brian, accustomed to Hawke's operations, inquired, "Isn't that your hometown?"

Hawke understood the undertone in his words and responded, "I left Wyoming at sixteen and drifted around North America for years before settling in Los Angeles. I don't have much influence back home."

Brian looked across the street, focused on the crowd, and said, "I have a feeling I'll soon face the marginalized group program head-on."

Hawke asked, "Do you have a new plan?"

"Yes," Brian stated. "After the elections next year, I plan to run for mayor of Los Angeles." He chuckled, "I've been tested and since my election as Covina's mayor, resources have gradually started to flow my way."

Hawke glanced at Main Street in Covina. Compared to before the campaign, not only was there new asphalt, but it was also much cleaner. Even the rusty lampposts received fresh coats of paint.

Hawke said, "The current mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, is a typical leftist representing the labor class and is of Mexican descent. It's overly politically correct in Los Angeles."

Brian shifted his gaze toward Hawke, with an unspoken meaning lingering in the air. Hawke pretended not to notice and kept looking towards Main Street.

Brian remarked, "If I win, there's sure to be a massive tilt in policies and resources."

Hawke planned to focus on the Ackerman family during election year, temporarily putting Brian on the back burner. He straightforwardly said, "You should prepare for now; when the time is right, I'll definitely get involved."

He also reminded, "Leverage Steve's situation; do more work around the minority communities."

"I understand," Brian added, "According to reliable sources, Antonio is planning to make a fuss about women's rights in addition to the basic base of Mexican workers this time."

Hawke was not surprised. "Catering to female voter support and waging a magic war."

Brian was already familiar with Hawke's expressions and turned to look at the NAACP area. "Women's rights can be tricky; if we want to win, we can only fight magic with magic?"

"Pretty much," Hawke suddenly had an idea and jotted it down in his phone's memo app. "Once you show your campaign intentions, the pressure will come quickly. I don't want you to get taken down before I even step in."

Brian recalled the AIDS testing scandal and felt apprehensive. "If you don't dig my grave, I should be fine."

Hawke couldn't help but laugh and slapped the driver's seat. "Let's head back."

Brian asked, "Aren't you going to see Steve?"

"He's doing great, fully invested in the work," Hawke observed clearly. "I've told him everything he needs to hear; these matters are solely in his hands."

Brian marveled, "The equality saint -- that's something we couldn't accomplish."

Hawke suddenly had a thought. "You're not married; that's a disadvantage. Have you officially started dating Jennifer?"

"No," Brian held firm. "Once I start officially dating her, I'll lose my precious freedom."

Hawke replied, "Without a steady partner, you're destined to lose."

Brian felt he had time. "No rush."

As the car drew closer to City Hall, he asked, "I heard from Erica that you guys were planning a trip to Florida?"

Upon hearing that, Hawke reacted with caution. "Don't say too much, curse-god; don't comment on this matter -- I'm quite afraid of you right now."

"You're scared of me?" Brian said, exasperated. "I haven't said anything, okay?"

Hawke warned, "Everything you said before turned into a horrifying incident."

Brian sighed, feeling genuinely sincere, "I wish you and Erica a smooth and fun trip, does that work?"

Hawke saw that he truly hadn't cast the curse and responded, "Consider that a small kindness."

Brian recalled the bear taxidermy in the Silver Lake villa. "You guys better take down another bear and bring back a taxidermy -- I'd really need that."

He emphasized, "From hunting to taxidermy to shipping, I'll cover all expenses."

For this upcoming trip to Florida, Hawke and Erica's main target was large alligators. Yet he readily agreed, "If there's a chance to encounter a bear, I'll definitely help you get a taxidermy."

The Mercedes-Benz van arrived at Covina City Hall, and Hawke and Brian headed inside together.

...

As the weekend approached, Hawke started preparing for the Florida trip the following week, first arranging his schedule.

This trip might last up to a week.

Then, Hawke booked first-class tickets for Monday morning to Florida.

Due to numerous factors including immigration policies against Cuba, Florida's safety was reportedly no better than Southern California, with rampant crime.

There was a saying online that Florida does not support idlers. The theft and robbery sectors flourished there.

Hawke decided to bring firearms, including his and Erica's hunting rifles, plus weapons for his bodyguards.

Affording these was not difficult.

To him now, money could accomplish anything.

Hawke directly called Jennifer Huey; firearms could be sent through special cargo channels directly to Florida.

Securing legal permits for possession and hunting would also be easy.

Just recently, Hawke had taken action against Melissa Ackerman, so he wouldn't naively show up with just Erica. Raul, Guti, and Morentes, three bodyguards, would arrive in Florida ahead of time.

Additionally, Erica's side would also have four bodyguards accompanying them.

Before the weekend arrived, Hawke had already set up the transport of weapons and ammunition. While it cost a fortune, the cargo would reach its destination by Sunday afternoon.

On Saturday, Raul and the others took off first, heading to Orlando to scout ahead.

...

Hawke searched the internet for information on the three main targets for this hunting trip.

The priority was, of course, alligators.

The southern waters and marshes of Florida hosted numerous American alligators.

Media reports had even highlighted instances of alligators infiltrating golf course ponds.

Fully-grown male alligators could reach lengths of over 20 feet, with recorded weights exceeding 2,000 pounds.

Yet, encountering such a size was a long shot.

Hawke, equipped with modern weaponry, naturally wanted to hunt one of them.

The second target was the invasive green iguana species, rampant in Florida.

In the 1960s, green iguanas had been introduced through the pet trade, and some escaped into the wild. With no natural predators and a resilience akin to cockroaches, they quickly proliferated.

Iguanas could lay fifty to sixty eggs annually, damaging crops and invading homes by burrowing through ventilation systems.

Florida's government and local communities had organized hunting teams; however, firearms were not permitted against iguanas, and only air guns could be used.

Slingshots were not restricted.

Hawke had already sent the slingshots he and Erica crafted to Orlando.

Iguanas were not only huntable but also edible, with local processing services available.

The final hunting target was suggested by Brian -- the bear.

Hawke specifically checked; Florida was not a habitat for brown bears, but it had a subspecies of black bears.

However, the Florida black bears were on the smaller side, with males averaging less than 330 pounds.

...

Just as Hawke was checking information on the prey, Erica returned from work.

She approached Hawke from behind, glanced at his computer screen, and said, "We've got a bear taxidermy."

Hawke turned around and kissed her, saying, "Brian wants a large bear taxidermy; he probably wants to show off his bravery."

He shrugged, "But there are no brown bears in Florida."

Erica thought for a moment and said, "There are large individuals among Florida black bears." She decisively added, "If we're lucky enough to spot one, we can just take it out."

Hawke chuckled, "Well, that depends on this bear's luck!"

...

On Monday morning, the two of them, along with four bodyguards, boarded a flight from Los Angeles International Airport directly to Florida.

In the afternoon, the flight landed at Orlando International Airport.

Hawke didn't check into the booked Le Meridien Hotel; instead, he headed to the Four Seasons Hotel under the name of the company's head of security, Austin.

This hotel offered separate vacation villas, and Hawke rented two adjacent ones.

Once the check-in process was done, it wasn't long before Raul, Guti, and Morentes arrived, bringing along the cargo.

They had also liaised through the hunting company to secure a hunter as a guide in advance.

*****

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