Hiding for a while

Chapter 59 Hiding for a while

At 10 a.m., Martin, Elena, Wood, and others came out of the West Side Police Station and gathered at the entrance.

"We didn't make things difficult for you, did we?" Wood asked.

Martin said calmly, "We acted in self-defense, and we were registered members of the neighborhood watch patrol." He looked around and lowered his voice, "Black police officers are a minority, after all."

Nani said, "Martin, that shot of yours was spot on. That black...that idiot, he won't be able to poop normally for the next few months."

Martin knew how to get along with these people, and he started bragging: "If I hadn't been so young in '96, I would have definitely won an Olympic shooting gold medal."

Elena said, "Unless the targets are all butt-shaped!"

The people from the community burst into laughter.

"Guys, none of you slept well last night because of me," Martin said loudly, knowing how to handle things. "Lunch at Clayton Bar, it's on me, all-you-can-eat beer."

He saw the bar owner: "Rice, big business has arrived, hurry up and open the door."

Nani gave Martin a thumbs up: "You're a real slacker!"

Martin said to Wood, "Call the guys who haven't come to the station yet. Don't forget any of them."

Wood took out his phone to make a call.

The group headed to a bar near the neighborhood. Martin had Elena drive while he called Old Brooks and asked him to come out for drinks.

Elena asked, "What exactly happened?"

Martin thought for a moment and said, "That bastard came after me. How should I put it? It's the aftermath of making money. When I was at Beast House, I received two large bonuses, which caused a surge in the club's customer traffic. This affected the Black Bar across the street. He's the owner of the Black Bar and also a dealer from the South City."

Elena said, "You promised me you wouldn't touch those things."

"I haven't touched it. I'm sworn to die with drugs! I just found out that I reported one of his henchmen." Martin briefly recounted what had happened in the past two days: "There's an important role in Gray Company, and I'm one of the candidates. That guy is worried I'll threaten him and wants to frame me. According to Boyette's account, that idiot has connections with the Black Bar..."

Elena only said one sentence: "The entertainment industry is fucking rotten."

Martin held up three fingers: "Someone once told me that there are three worst, darkest, and most filthy circles in the United States: Hollywood, the New York financial circle, and the Washington political circle. Compared to the latter two, Hollywood can barely rank third."

When they arrived at the bar, Ries had already opened the door, and twenty or thirty people were gathered inside drinking.

A regular dark beer, along with some snacks, doesn't actually cost much.

Martin's actions, however, won unanimous praise.

Several men sat together bragging, throwing around dirty jokes, and some even made fun of Martin and Elena.

Elena drank two glasses and prepared to go back.

Martin ordered a few snacks and asked Elena to take them back: "Give Hall an extra one. That idiot has dug a great trap; he can trick his own people as well as bad guys."

Not long after Elena left, Bruce entered the bar looking tired.

Martin beckoned him over, ordered him a beer, and asked, "Are you tired?"

Bruce picked up his beer, took a big gulp, and ate a piece of chocolate: "I went to Savannah and just got back this morning."

Martin casually asked, "Go do something that causes rotten ass?"

Bruce simply said, "There's been a problem with a shipment of avocados from Mexico, so I'm going to help."

"Something happened last night. The owner of the black bar across from the club, Boyette, suddenly brought a few black men to the neighborhood and attacked me..." Martin recounted the story.

"I haven't been at the club for the past two days. Wait a minute, I'll make a call and ask." Bruce took out his phone, found a quiet place, and made several calls in a row. The last one was to Lynch. After getting the information, he hung up.

He returned and told Martin, "Adam Smith got his goods from Boyette. The DEA raided the Black Bar the night before last and arrested everyone except Boyette. Adam Smith may have mentioned you to Boyette, and Boyette wants revenge."

Martin nodded: "I shot Boyette in the buttocks and he was ripped open."

Bruce clinked glasses with him: "You're a civilized man." He still complimented, "Nice shot."

Martin told the truth: "It was a dark night, the target was a black man, and it had nothing to do with marksmanship."

Bruce laughed: "Good luck."

Martin took a sip of his drink: "Three more black men escaped."

Bruce just asked specifically: "My friend in the DEA said they are all members of the South Side Black gang. These guys are not informants for the DEA, CIA, or FBI. They've been acting very aggressively lately, and the DEA will wipe them out soon."

Martin pondered, "Eliminate all the uncontrolled cargo and personnel?"

Bruce said vaguely, "They sell a lot of goods, so naturally it affects other people's interests."

Martin had seen rumors that behind those big traffickers, there was always the shadow of the DEA or CIA, especially the latter.

Bruce added, "Black people generally have problems with their heads. When they get impulsive, they act recklessly and can do things that are hard for normal people to understand. The DEA will be cracking down on the South City gangs, but that will take time."

He advised, "Martin, you and Elena would be better off leaving the community and staying somewhere else for a while. Once the DEA gets rid of the key personnel, things will be over."

Martin had just finished a night of fun in America, firing more than ten shotgun shells, and heeded Old Brooks' advice: "I'll go back and talk to Elena, find an excuse to go on a trip, move out of Clayton tonight, and stay in a hotel for a few days."

Lily and Hall are about to start summer vacation, so leaving school a few days early is no problem.

Bruce said, "Those black guys have taken a bite out of the DEA's business. It'll be over in a week at most."

"Old Brooks, given our relationship, I won't say thank you." Martin changed the subject: "If possible, I'd like to thank your DEA friend in person."

Bruce ordered another beer: "You piece of shit, you're a master at networking. You don't need to worry about him, and there's no need for thanks. He served in the UK with me."

Martin immediately suspected something: "A relationship where they went against the British?"

Bruce nodded slightly.

Martin gave a thumbs up: "That's a great relationship!"

The beer party went on until after 1 a.m., and everyone gradually left. Martin paid the bill, said goodbye to Old Brooks, and returned to the community.

Elena is looking at job postings in the newspaper, hoping to find a job as a bartender.

On the notebook next to him were some contact information.

Martin came in, sat on the sofa, and gestured for her to sit next to him: "I may have gotten you into some trouble. The men who came at me last night were from a black gang in the south of town."

He explained the situation: "Here's what I'm thinking: Lily and Hall are going on summer vacation soon, so I'll find a fun resort hotel for you to stay at and relax for a week. You can also go on a trip if you want..."

Lily ran out of the room: "Let's go to a resort hotel! I've wanted to go to a resort for ages!"

Martin glared at him angrily.

Elena was itching to make a move.

"I've said my piece, you don't need to lay a hand on me." Lily raised her fist and slammed it into her own face.

Elena, concerned for Lily and Hall's safety, suggested, "Let's go to the resort hotel."

Martin called Hall and Harris out and told them to pack their things. He found the contact information for a hotel and booked a room at a resort near the Great Smoky Mountains.

He then called Mr. Wood and others, saying he wanted to take advantage of Lily and Hall's summer vacation to go on a road trip.

(End of this chapter)