Chương 59: Chapter 59: Laying Low for a While
At 10 A.M., Martin, Elena, and Wood, along with a few others, walked out of the Westside Police Station and gathered at the entrance.
"Did they give you a hard time?" Wood asked.
Martin remained calm, "We acted in self-defense. Besides, we're registered members of the Neighborhood Watch patrol." He lowered his voice and added, "Black officers are still a minority, after all."
Nani commented, "Martin, that shot you took was dead on. That idiot won't be sitting right for months."
Martin knew how to blend in with these people, so he boasted, "If I wasn't too young back in '96, I'd have brought home an Olympic shooting gold medal."
Elena chimed in, "Only if all the targets were shaped like butts!"
The group from the community burst into laughter.
"Guys, you all didn't get much sleep because of me last night," Martin addressed them loudly, "Lunch is on me at Clayton's Bar. Beers on the house!"
He spotted the bar owner and said, "Reese, big business is headed your way. Better open up quickly."
Nani gave Martin a thumbs up, "You're alright, man!"
Martin then told Wood, "Call those who didn't make it to the station. Don't leave anyone out."
Wood took out his phone and started dialing.
The group made their way to the bar near the community. Martin asked Elena to drive while he called Old Bruce to join them for drinks.
Elena asked, "What exactly happened?"
Martin thought for a bit and said, "That idiot came after me. To put it simply, it's the side effect of making money. When I was at 'The Beast House', I won two big bonuses, causing a surge in customers, which affected the Black Bar across the street. The guy is the owner of the Black Bar and also a dealer from the Southside."
Elena said, "You promised me you wouldn't touch that stuff."
"I never have. I'm firmly against drugs! I just found out that I reported one of his stooges." Martin briefly recapped the recent events, "Gray Films had an important role up for grabs, and I was a candidate. That guy felt threatened and tried to frame me. According to Boyett, that idiot had connections with the Black Bar..."
Elena simply remarked, "The entertainment industry is a cesspool."
Martin held up three fingers, "Someone once told me, there are three most rotten circles in America: Hollywood, Wall Street, and Washington, D.C.. Compared to the latter two, Hollywood's barely third."
When they arrived at the bar, Reese had already opened up, and twenty or thirty people were drinking inside.
Ordinary beer and a few snacks didn't cost much.
Yet Martin's gesture earned unanimous praise.
A few men sat around, blowing hot air, with dirty jokes filling the air. Some even joked about Martin and Elena.
After two drinks, Elena was ready to leave.
Martin ordered some snacks for her to take back, "Give an extra one to Hall. That fool can dig a good trap, one that can get the bad guys and himself."
Not long after Elena left, Bruce walked into the bar looking tired.
Martin called him over, got him a beer, and asked, "You look exhausted?"
Bruce took a big gulp of beer and ate a piece of chocolate, "I went to Savannah. Just got back this morning."
Martin casually asked, "Doing someone's dirty work?"
Bruce simply said, "A batch of avocados from Mexico had issues, so I went to help out."
"Something happened last night. The owner of the Black Bar, Boyett, came with a few Black guys to attack me in the community..." Martin briefly explained.
"I wasn't at the club for the past two days. Hold on, let me make some calls." Bruce took out his phone, found a quiet spot, and made several calls. The last one was to Lynch. After understanding the situation, he hung up.
He came back and told Martin, "Adam Smith got his stuff from Boyett. The DEA raided the Black Bar the night before last and arrested everyone except Boyett. Adam Smith might have mentioned you to Boyett, so Boyett wanted revenge."
Martin nodded, "I shot Boyett right in the butt."
Bruce clinked glasses with him, "You're quite the civilized gentleman." Then he added, "Nice shooting."
Martin admitted, "It was a dark night. My target was Black. It had nothing to do with my aim."
Bruce laughed, "Lucky shot."
Martin took a sip of his drink, "Three other Black guys got away."
Bruce had specifically asked about this, "My friend at the DEA said they are Southside gang members. These guys aren't informants for the DEA, CIA, or FBI. They've been causing a lot of trouble lately, and the DEA will take them down soon."
Martin pondered, "Eliminate all uncontrollable goods and personnel?"
Bruce vaguely replied, "They're selling too much. It naturally affects others' interests."
Martin had seen rumors that big traffickers often had the DEA or CIA backing them, especially the latter.
Bruce added, "Black gangsters generally have a screw loose. When they get impulsive, they do incomprehensible things. The DEA will target the Southside gangs, but it will take time."
He advised, "Martin, you and Elena should get out of the community for a while. When the DEA takes down the key players, this will blow over."
Martin had just enjoyed a "Happy American Night," firing over ten buckshots, and took Bruce's words seriously, "I'll talk to Elena, find an excuse for a trip, and move out of Clayton tonight. We'll stay at a hotel for a few days."
Lily and Hall were about to start their summer break, so leaving school a few days early wasn't a problem.
Bruce said, "That group messed with the DEA's territory. This will be over in a week at most."
"Bruce, given our friendship, no need to say thanks," Martin changed the topic, "But if possible, I'd like to thank your DEA friend in person."
Bruce ordered another beer, "You dirty dog. You're the best at making connections. No need for thanks. He and I served together in Britain."
Martin immediately guessed, "A bond forged in hardship?"
Bruce nodded slightly.
Martin gave a thumbs up, "That's a solid connection!"
The beer party continued until after 1 p.m. People gradually left. Martin paid the bill, bid farewell to Bruce, and returned to the community.
Elena was looking at job listings in the newspaper, hoping to find a bartending job.
She had written down some contact numbers in a notebook.
Martin came in, sat on the couch, and beckoned her to sit next to him, "I might have caused some trouble for us. The people who came after me last night were from a Southside Black gang."
He explained the situation, "Here's what I'm thinking: Lily and Hall are about to start their summer break. I'll find a fun resort hotel and let you all relax for a week. You guys can travel if you want..."
Lily ran out of her room, "Let's stay at the resort hotel! I've been wanting to go on vacation."
Martin glowered at her.
Elena seemed interested.
"I finished speaking, no need for you to act." Lily punched herself in the face.
Elena, considering Lily and Hall's safety, said, "Let's go to the resort hotel."
Martin called out to Hall and Harris to pack up. He found a hotel's contact information and booked rooms at a resort next to Fog Mountain Lake.
He then called Mr. Wood and others, saying they were going on a summer break trip with Lily and Hall.
*****
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