The Wolf of Los Angeles.

Chapter 113 Image Public Relations and Creation Plan

Beverly Hills, Century City.

Mondeo turned off Santa Monica Boulevard and arrived near the Beverly Business Club.

Hawke picked up his briefcase, got out of the car and walked to the door of the club, showed his membership card, and walked into the club.

Not far away, Daniel Richard got out of a Honda Accord, waited for a while, and walked towards the Beverly Business Club.

As soon as he reached the door, he was stopped by someone.

"Sir, please show me your membership card."

Daniel Richard cursed inwardly and turned back.

In a Cadillac parked nearby, Edward held a portable camera and recorded Daniel Richard's every move.

Daniel Richard got in the car and waited here for Hawke.

Edward turned the camera around and watched Daniel.

Inside the club, Hawke met Caroline.

Miss Mee was wearing a newly bought Chanel trench coat, carrying an LV bag with a particularly eye-catching logo, and wearing shiny diamond-studded high heels.

She looks more like a fashion model than a PR manager.

Hawke pointed to her new bangs and said, "There's so much wool hanging down that I can't even see the sheep's face."

Influenced by Hawke's last words, Caroline put only light makeup on her small face. She said, "As long as the face looks small, it will be beautiful no matter how you look at it."

Hawke walked forward: "Where's Steve?"

Before Caroline could answer, the door of the business room in front opened, and Steve Nutt hurried out to greet her and took the initiative to shake her hand: "Long time no see."

Hawke smiled and said, "We are old friends. You don't have to be so polite."

Steve took Hawke into the private room and had coffee brought over.

Caroline closed the door to the booth.

Neither agent Byers nor Steve's wife Daisy came.

"I've been following Josh Hartnett's movements for a while now." Steve was really impressed: "You actually used this unique way to get his collapsed career back on track."

Caroline acted like a salesperson: “I told you, you can always trust Hawke when it comes to unconventional PR and strategic planning.”

"I have something and I need your help." Steve was a little embarrassed, as if he didn't know how to start.

Hawke suddenly remembered what he had said when he was comforting him. Could it be that his black teammate Wilson's wife was pregnant? However, the probability of black and white giving birth to black children is much higher than white.

The problem is not serious.

Steve hesitated for a moment, but still said, "Since you helped me deal with those messes last time, I quickly became one of the opinion leaders of the Los Angeles branch of the NAACP."

Hawke is very good at speaking: "You are on the right path."

"Recently, after experiencing the equal rights climax of the last stage, things in Los Angeles have gradually quieted down." Steve experienced the benefits of the equal rights movement and couldn't stop, nor did he want to stop.

He said: "I have always felt that this is an indispensable movement for America to become a beacon of freedom, democracy and civilization. It should not be quelled, but should be carried out more vigorously."

Hawke understood that this person was not satisfied with the status quo and wanted to continue the equal rights movement.

Steve asked, "You are very knowledgeable in this area. Can you give me some more guidance?"

Hawke didn't say anything, but started thinking. At this stage, buying for free is not suitable for Steve. Kneeling on one knee and all that is missing is a dead black man.

Get a black guy to be killed by the LAPD? Obviously not suitable.

Hawke has a good relationship with the LAPD, so doing this is not cost-effective and may also backfire.

Seeing Hawke was silent, Steve immediately added, "Don't worry about the expenses. I have enough budget."

"Are you in a hurry?" Hawke asked.

Steve said, “Before October.”

Hawke nodded slightly: "Give me some time, I will make a complete plan."

He created such a statue-like figure, which he had used in other plans and would most likely use again in the future, so he could not let the statue fall for the time being.

Judging from the current situation, we can still reap the benefits for a long time.

Hawke thought for a moment and said, "Although I don't have a specific plan yet, there is one thing I need to tell you in advance, Steve. The new round of equal rights movement is better to be peaceful, operate in a non-sharp and non-violent way, and actively move closer to the mainstream of California, rather than becoming a disruptor of social order."

"I'll listen to you." Steve tasted the sweetness of equal rights and regarded it as a long-term career. He might not listen to other people's words, but he could ponder Hawke's words word by word.

He said, “I leave everything to you.”

Hawke stood up, shook his hand, and left.

Caroline said something to Steve and followed.

Hawke listened to the familiar sound of high heels hitting the ground and said, "Your share is indispensable."

"I came here just to ask you, is there anything you need me to do?" Caroline was very aware: "What if I don't participate and you only give me 5%?"

Hawke said, "Wait, I'll call you if I need you."

The two of them arrived at the lobby of the club, Caroline still following them.

Hawke ignored her, took out his cell phone, called Edward and asked, "Is he still outside?"

Edward said, "Still guarding outside, on the south side of the door, under the light pole, is the Honda Accord."

Hawke hung up the phone, found a seat, pointed at the Accord outside, and said to Caroline, "Did you see that car? There's a bastard in it who has been following me all day. Go find some eggs and throw them on his windshield."

Miss Mee was stunned. She pointed at her Chanel windbreaker, swung her LV bag, and said, "You want a fashion elite like me to do something so inelegant?"

Hawke couldn't help but shake his head: "There really is nothing to hope for with the little ewe."

"I'd better help with planning, contacting the media, and writing copy." Caroline was worried that Hawke would abandon her and not help her make money: "I'm better at these."

Hawke responded and prepared to go out.

Caroline asked, "What about that bastard?"

Hawke said, "The man in the car is a paparazzi. He doesn't know he's been exposed yet. There's no rush to get rid of him. Paparazzi following someone like me who has no news value is probably instructed by someone behind the scenes. I'll find a suitable opportunity to give him a hard time. You're responsible for spreading the news so that paparazzi in Los Angeles can learn a lesson."

Caroline quickly said, "I'm good at spreading this kind of thing."

Hawke got out of the house, walked the dog twice, and went to West Los Angeles to practice shooting at the Ater Mountain Shooting Range.

Erica is already waiting here.

Edward then came in to take the course exam for his concealed carry license.

…………

Ackerman Charity Shelter in Hollywood.

The eighty-year-old Urban drove an old Dodge pickup truck and after several hours of travel, he finally arrived in Los Angeles from Chula Vista, a small town adjacent to Tijuana.

He drove past the entrance of the rescue station, turned left at the intersection ahead, and entered the parking lot behind the rescue station.

The noon sun shone on the front windshield. Urban's eyes were a little blurry. He slowed down the car and slowly stopped in an empty parking space.

He turned off the engine and removed the key. Just like last time, he clipped the key behind the sun visor, opened the door, got out of the car, and walked away.

Across the parking lot, a Mexican kid ran into the shade and said to Campos, “Another car is coming.”

Campos, who was eating, put down his food, went to a hidden place in the dilapidated building, took out a telescope to observe the parking lot. He first saw the old Dodge pickup truck, and then saw the old man slowly walking out of the parking lot.

The old man was very old and his legs and feet seemed to be not very agile.

Campos took out the Nokia from his pocket. Dachou had just charged it last night, so it could still be used for a long time.

He took out the car keys from his trouser pocket and told the Mexican boy: "Go back and stay safe. If I am not back by dark, go to the main road ahead and find those three black uncles."

The Mexican boy is in his teens, sensible, and can speak simple English: “I understand.”

While no one was paying attention, Campos quickly walked into the parking lot and got into a car that Dachou had brought.

He folded the seats down so that people outside would not notice that there was someone in the car, but he could observe the situation of the Dodge.

After waiting for a while, a bald Mexican man came into the parking lot and walked towards the old Dodge like a normal driver.

But the bald man looked around as he walked, made sure there was nothing unusual, opened the Dodge's door, dug out the key, started the engine, shifted the gear, and drove out of the parking space.

Campos did not move.

The bald man drove out of the parking lot, turned onto the main road, suddenly stopped the car, and turned to look back the way he came.

After waiting for a few minutes, no car came from the parking lot.

There were no followers in the surrounding cars, so he felt relieved, started the car again, and drove north.

A moment later, Campos drove out slowly, turned onto the main road and looked at the roadside.

A Mexican homeless man pointed in the direction the Dodge left.

Campos gave chase and soon spotted the old Dodge in traffic.

This was the kind of work he did when he was in Mexico. He was always able to use the traffic flow to avoid being discovered by the car in front.

The Dodge circled around North Hollywood, then turned back south, eventually passing through West Los Angeles and entering the seaside town of Venice. He came to a parking lot, changed to a Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and drove into an open-style single-family villa area.

Campos saw the Mercedes-Benz G-Class slow down and stop the car at a distance, watching the G-Class drive into a villa with red tiles and yellow walls.

The car went in and never came out. Campos waited for a while, drove past the door normally, turned around to see the house number, and left the community.

A few minutes later, he pulled into a parking lot on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, pulled out his cellphone and called Hawke.

No one answered the phone yet.

Campos immediately changed his number and called Edward, and this time the call went through.

He quickly recounted the situation here.

…………

At the Ater Mountain Shooting Range, Edward ran out of the indoor venue and came to the outdoor venue No. 3, where he found Hawke and Erica who were practicing with shotguns.

The security guard wouldn't let Edward into the shooting range, so he could only wave his hands.

Hawke noticed it, immediately put away his gun, gestured to Erica who was wearing earphones, and walked out of the field first.

Erica followed with her gun pointed upward.

Hawke asked, "What's up?"

Edward said, "Butterfly."

This was not the place to talk, so Hawke waved to Erica, went back inside, and found an empty rest room.

"Campos called a few minutes ago and found the mule team moving goods," Edward repeated. "He followed them to Venice and is waiting on Abbot Kinney Boulevard."

Hawke said: "It should be a stronghold, and it is a stronghold hidden in a wealthy area."

Erica analyzed, "I know that villa area in Venice. The development company has promoted it. The villas are very expensive and the rent is not cheap either. It is impossible for ordinary gang members to live there. He must be a top figure of the Mule Gang in Los Angeles."

"Now we have them on their tail," Hawke said.

"Let your people wait." Erica's first consideration was not to bring the person to justice, but how to maximize the interests of Hawke and other people on her side: "If it is really as I said, we need to think of a perfect solution for this matter."

She started to argue again: "I'll report it, and the credit won't go away, but how will you benefit from it?"

Hawke's fingers gently clicked on the armrest of the sofa chair, pondered for a moment, and said: "You are right. We must first ensure our interests in this matter, and then consider other things."

He had a preliminary idea: "As far as I know, the LAPD's reputation has been damaged in the past two years, and the amount of donations received each year has not increased significantly, right?"

"Yes, there have been too many scandals in the past two years, from the Parker Center to the local police stations." Most of the scandals have been widely reported. Erica said directly: "The Parker Center is willing to promote me. Of course, it has family factors, but the key is also to change the image of the LAPD."

Hawke continued, "How is the effect? ​​Do you personally adapt to it?"

Erica could guess that he had a plan, and answered seriously: "The effect is very good. I...how should I put it, it feels good actually. The most important thing is that I can get a promotion."

He has achievements and a good background, and is a star police officer promoted by LAPD. As long as nothing serious happens, his future is foreseeable.

Hawke determined that it was highly feasible and said, "I have an idea. We can turn this arrest operation into a public relations and image-building plan for the LAPD. We will mobilize the elite SWAT teams to capture this group of people in one fell swoop. We will use cameras to film the entire process and release it to the public through cooperative media, so that the public, taxpayers and donors can see the power and determination of the LAPD."

There were some things he couldn't say to the LAPD brass, but Erica could.

Hawke added: "Crime has infiltrated the wealthy areas. The LAPD has shown its determination and ability to combat it. Once the incident ferments, holding a fundraising or other gathering will definitely have a good effect."

Erica looked at Hawke and said, "You think more comprehensively than I do, but not only me, but also my immediate superior cannot make the decision on this matter."

Hawke suggested, "How about this, let's go check out the scene first, and then you can contact your supervisor."

"Let's go." Erica packed up and went out.

The two of them had similar thoughts. If they couldn't get enough benefits, they would rather pretend they didn't know and look for opportunities later.

Hawke then said to Edward, "Drive the Cadillac to the side door and we'll get in from there."

Erica heard something: "What's going on?"

"There's a tail following me. I don't know who hired a paparazzi." Hawke said as he walked, "There are quite a few victims of the things I've done recently."

Erica thought for a moment and said, "It won't be a high-end opponent." She was always decisive. "If the LAPD takes action, I will have someone hit him with a car, arrest him for assaulting a police officer and obstructing official duties, and find out who is behind him."

Hawke thought that it was worthy of being the number one armed violent organization in Los Angeles. The LAPD these days was much wilder than it was a decade ago.

Just imagine, two LAPD gangs having a gunfight in the streets.

He still asked, "Don't get you into trouble."

Erica smiled and said, "It's just a little thing."

Hawke was not a rigid person, so he didn't say anything more.

The two men went out the side door, got into Edward's Cadillac, and headed southwest to Venice.

After meeting Campos at Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Edward asked the latter to get into the Cadillac, and with his guidance, he drove into the community and took a tour.

The villa has two doors, one front and one back. The back door has a narrow driveway that leads directly to the coastal highway.

Like many middle- and upper-income suburban villas, the house has no walls, and the courtyard is mostly lawn, with a beautiful wooden fence with flowers around it.

Erica started making phone calls in the car, making several calls in a row, and asked Edward to go to the detective station.

Soon, the car stopped in front of the police station.

Hawke, Campos, and Edward went into a lounge and waited for news from Erica.

Edward couldn't hold his temper and stood up and looked from time to time.

Hawke asked Campos, "Can you use a camera?"

"I know how to use it, and I'm quite skilled at it." Campos said, "I received training in this area during my training. The instructor asked us to take pictures of the goods as soon as we found them to prevent anyone from..."

He couldn't continue talking here. All this was useless in Mexico.

Hawke knew what was going on.

After waiting for more than an hour, the door of the lounge was pushed open from the outside, Erica came in and said to Hawke, "Let's go upstairs."

Hawke followed her out of the lounge and asked, "What do you mean?"

Erica said: "I made a report, and they discussed it. They thought the plan was highly feasible, but they wanted to know more about the details."

The two came to a meeting room on the second floor, and Erica knocked on the door and went in.

There were only three people inside, one of whom was Susie, the media relations director of the LAPD, whom Hawke had dealt with twice.

The other two were Chief Johnson from the Detective Bureau and Deputy Chief Inspector Evans from Parker Center.

This matter concerns the image of the entire LAPD, and everyone seems extremely serious.

Hawke calmly went over the plan in more detail.

Evans raised a point: "You mean we work with your studio and you communicate with the TV stations?"

This felt to him like outsourcing.

Hawke was prepared: "If we allow the TV station to enter directly, it may become an uncontrollable factor. First of all, it is confidentiality. The TV station is a mixed bag. If the action is too big, it will easily alert the criminals. Secondly, if the action does not go smoothly, the TV station will still insist on broadcasting it, which will be very passive. Another point is that I have cooperated with the LAPD during the yacht incident and we have a tacit understanding."

Everyone present here knows very well what kind of people those media reporters are.

If the LAPD's successful operation is headline news, then the LAPD's failure is explosive news.

It will be troublesome to stop it then.

You can't just shoot those reporters and cameramen to death.

Evans looked slightly puzzled and looked at Susie, who gave a brief explanation.

Hawke was asked more specific questions and then asked to leave temporarily.

Susie elaborated on two instances of Hawke's informal collaboration with the LAPD.

Regarding Robert Downey Jr. and the yacht incident, Hawke's handling received unanimous praise from the LAPD.

Erica spoke generally about West Coast Studios’ recent operational case regarding Steve Nutter and Selfiegate.

The results of these two public relations efforts even caught the attention of several senior LAPD officials.

Most people can’t even think of doing it, let alone doing it.

Not only did the black turn white, it even turned the black red to purple.

Ultimately, the LAPD decided to adopt this public relations and image-building plan.

Susie and Hawke are in charge of the media, while the Detective Bureau and SWAT are in charge of the operations.

Afterwards, Susie found Hawke and talked to him alone.

This was the first time the two sides attempted a formal collaboration, and the video shooting and processing was to be supervised by the LAPD's Media and Public Relations Office, which was actually supervised by Susie, and handed over to the West Coast Studio to liaise with the media.

But the outsourcing cost for this incident was only $10.

Hawke doesn't mind, it's good for the long-term strategy.

Erica came over and Susie left on her own initiative to give the two room to talk.

Hawke said: "How can I thank you? You must have played a big role in this."

"The biggest benefit will go to the LAPD, or more precisely, to the people on my line." Erica closed the door and said, "You discovered the clues, and you provided the news informant. I can't let you go home empty-handed."

She looked at her watch and said, "We'll take action soon. Isn't there a tail following you? Take this opportunity to get rid of him."

Hawke has never been a man who sticks to convention: "Okay, it would be best if we could find out who is behind him."

Erica said: "Just use a little trick, don't forget, Los Angeles is the territory of the LAPD."

(End of this chapter)