[Chapter 44: Getting People, Causing Trouble, Making Money]
Fox Tower, Fox Television Center.
Hawke had just entered the reception area when he spotted Megan, a tall blonde producer and anchor with her hair in a ponytail, waiting there.
She smiled briefly and asked, "Did you bring the video?"
Without wasting time, Hawke placed his notebook on the table. Claire quickly grabbed the adapter and plugged it in.
Hawke powered up the device and opened the shooting video. With her arms crossed, Megan's attire visibly strained against her sides.
As the video played, the camera focused on the rear of a Cadillac, maintaining focus as the vehicle moved. The car came to a stop, with the image still fixed on its back until the sound of sirens pierced the air, prompting the camera to pan up, revealing two LAPD officers behind the car.
Robert Downey Jr. stepped out, pulling out a handgun and aiming at a female officer. She fired faster, emptying her magazine.
The camera zoomed in on Downey's close-up, showing his bullet-ridden chest, blood-soaked cheek, and the pool of blood forming beneath him.
At this point, Megan's breath quickened, caught up in a strange excitement; every cell in her brain was buzzing.
The explosive news held her rapt; she seized on the public's concern, "This story could tie into other instances of LAPD's violent enforcement, creating a wave of..."
Hawke sensed trouble. "If you report it from that standpoint, I'll take the video away."
Megan intercepted him. "Anything else?"
Hawke clicked on another video, "Finish watching this segment, then decide your reporting angle."
A video of Downey making a drug deal in a parking lot began to play.
With this, Megan quickly overturned her earlier thoughts, adopting a new tone. "Robert Downey Jr. engaged in drug transactions, possessing a large quantity of drugs, and armed during an overdose, attacking the police."
Hawke was all in now, "Let's ensure Downey is utterly disgraced and condemned by the mainstream media."
Megan's mind raced further, "Link it to Downey's prior drug cases, and the other Hollywood drug scandals already out in the open -- highlighting the rampant drug issue in Hollywood and the resultant negative social impacts of celebrity idols."
Hawke took it a step further, "And don't forget the history of drug abuse in the Downey family; we should dig into why Junior fell into drugs and the awful things he did while under their influence."
Megan took notes; the news value of this story was immense. She immediately named her price, "Fifty thousand dollars, for the two videos and one news story."
Hawke had already researched prices before arriving. "Two months ago, a video of LAPD recklessly shooting an unarmed Black man sold for $8,000 on Channel 9. The victim was an unknown civilian, an underwhelming social issue topic."
He adjusted the notebook's raised edge, "Now, this victim was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor and was also a BAFTA winner. He was armed and resisted LAPD during a stop related to drug trafficking -- it's worth exponentially more!"
Hawke stressed, "A female police officer!"
With her mind buzzing, Megan quickly followed Hawke's train of thought, "Exactly, we can use the female perspective for more angles."
The qualities of a media person were evident in her; she had originally been keen on covering the female officer's aggressive enforcement, but now her perspective had turned 180 degrees. "Women are courageous and fearless; what men can do, women can too. We should connect with women's groups in Los Angeles and encourage them to support the brave female officer. We could document the whole thing, turning this into a significant opportunity for promoting women's rights."
At this point, the news segment seemed nearly in the bag.
Megan was decisive, not lacking in vision. She stated a top offer, "One hundred thousand dollars. That's my highest number; if it exceeds that, I'm afraid I'll have to say sorry."
"Okay, one hundred thousand, but the reporting angle you mentioned needs to be included in the transfer agreement," Hawke agreed readily. "With one suggestion attached."
He quickly added, "With Downey's personality and how many people he's angered in Hollywood over the years, why not invite some for comments? People love to kick a man when he's down, and it could be particularly gripping."
"Digging deeper into Downey's past misdeeds and ensuring he's nailed to the shame post?" Megan lowered her hands from her chest, tucking her left hand into her dress pants pocket, taking her first serious look at Hawke.
Aside from his athletic build, he looked rather ordinary in other aspects.
Megan then extended her right hand, "Megan Taylor."
Hawke shook her hand again, "Hawke Osment."
Megan picked up a pen, tore a piece of note paper, and wrote down a string of numbers, handing it to Hawke. "This is my cellphone number. Call me for any news, but only if it's major."
Hawke accepted it, "Will do."
Megan then instructed Claire, "In my name, apply for Hawke an off-the-books reporter card from Channel 11. Right now."
Claire went to make the call.
Hawke politely said, "Thank you."
Megan was curious about how Hawke managed to obtain such news but didn't ask a single question; she just wanted the sensational scoop, regardless of its origins.
An assistant arrived to copy the video; Hawke took matters into his own hands, unwilling to trust others with his notebook.
The standards of media underlings at Fox were shockingly low, even lower than those of a mine.
After about ten minutes and completing the necessary procedures, Hawke received a check for $100,000, along with the off-the-books reporter card from Channel 11.
...
Meanwhile, Megan had already begun an office production meeting for the show.
Once the two videos finished playing, she decisively stated, "The tone of the filmed footage is starkly apparent. The show will adopt this tone. Everyone mobilize resources immediately to dive deeper into Robert Downey Jr.'s past scandals -- he cannot depart this world without a trace. I need Downey's downfall to boost our ratings!"
Megan methodically arranged tasks, sticking to her prior strategy.
...
On the other side, as Hawke left Fox Tower and drove toward his studio, he pondered LAPD's situation when his cellphone rang.
He answered, recognizing the voice on the other end. "Hello, Mr. Osment, this is Officer Julian from the West Los Angeles precinct. We met this afternoon, and you left me your card."
Hawke was prepared. "Yes, we ran into each other on Santa Monica Boulevard."
Julian continued, "We have some matters to discuss regarding this afternoon's incident."
Hawke probed, "You can come to my studio; the address is 13 Fountain Street in East Hollywood."
Julian hesitated but quickly replied, "We'll head over now."
Hawke felt the danger level was minimal. "I'll push back my later engagements and wait for you."
He grabbed his gear bag, locked his car, and entered the studio.
After a brief tidy-up, he retrieved his Glock handgun, hiding it where he could easily access it.
He stored cash and other items in a bag.
After a while, there was a knock at the door.
Hawke first checked the monitor; there were three individuals outside.
The first, dressed in a patrol officer's uniform, was Julian, the one he had seen earlier.
The two men behind him included an older man, identified as a detective, and a female officer who was a sergeant.
Across the street, Frank sat on the roof of an RV, curiously observing the West Coast studio.
Three LAPD officers arriving was not a good sign.
Frank sipped his beer, frowning. "Just opened and already closing? The youth are too reckless these days."
...
Inside the studio, Hawke offered them seats. Julian introduced everyone -- Detective Edmond and Sergeant Suzy.
Edmond inquired, "I heard you're a reporter."
"Yes," Hawke replied, pulling out his freshly obtained press card and placing it before him.
Seeing the Channel 11 Fox insignia, Edmond asked, "So you voluntarily gave Julian your contact information?"
Hawke had anticipated this. "That's right. As a journalist, I'm very attuned to public sentiment. The victim was a celebrity. Julian and another officer might face public scrutiny. As a witness to the entire event, I believe they did nothing wrong. My ethics and sense of justice wouldn't allow me to stand by while the situation worsened."
Suzy chimed in, "That's precisely what we're worried about, which is why we're here."
Edmond asked, "Can we see the video?"
Hawke turned his notebook around to let them watch the footage he had captured.
The trio's demeanor revealed LAPD's stance on the issue, aligning with what Hawke had expected.
Edmond studied it closely. The most troublesome aspect was Downey's celebrity status; if he were an ordinary citizen, the media could only sensationalize it for so long without putting LAPD in the hot seat.
At worst, the female officer would be placed on leave for a time.
Now, Downey Sr. was raising hell with certain individuals, agitating LAPD.
In contrast, Downey's wife Deborah didn't seem to be too bothered.
These figures were not LAPD's benefactors, and there was significant lingering animosity; LAPD had previously locked Downey up three times, resulting in nearly three years in and out of prison.
This time, it seemed, Downey had been summoned by divine intervention.
Headquarters at Parker Center had made its stance clear, hence the need for concrete evidence to nail Downey in place and decisively categorize the case.
*****
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