Chapter 6: On-Site Interview (Part 2)

[Chapter 6: On-Site Interview (Part 2)]

In the room, Ian coldly looked at the other man, adopting a standard reporter's tone. "What brings you here?"

Jansen Walworth clutched his chest, crying, "Charlie Mills from the Crips gang kidnapped two people, claiming he was going to sell them to us. One's Kate Beckinsale, the other I don't know. I was sent to pick them up!"

"Is there any other business?"

"There's a producer. He has some information that's not good for us. Charlie Mills was hired to deal with him."

Ian frowned. "What information?"

"I don't know, it was arranged by the boss."

Ian sighed. This might have potential, but it involved a gang leader, and he currently had no resources to dig deeper.

He examined Jansen. "Who hurt you?"

Jansen looked at him in shock.

Wasn't that your doing?

He mumbled, "You..."

BANG!

Another shot hit the floor. Ian said, "Wrong answer. Who hurt you?"

Jansen finally responded, "I don't know... Oh, it might be Charlie Mills. That guy is into some dirty dealings!"

Great!

Ian smiled. "What do you think about Charlie Mills' actions?"

Damn it! What can I say?

The African American man looked at him blankly. "Can you call an ambulance?"

Ian smiled. "I'm a journalist; I only conduct interviews, not anything else."

You even shot at me! Is this what a reporter does?

Jansen answered despairingly, "We hate that kind of thing. It doesn't follow the rules."

Ian then smiled brightly. "I understand how you feel, Mr. Walworth. By the way, is it possible that Miss Kate Beckinsale actually did this?"

"What?" Jansen stared at him in shock.

Seeing Ian's eyes, he nodded repeatedly. "It's possible. Maybe Miss Beckinsale retaliated against him and then came here..."

Ian smiled. "So, you see, the story goes like this: Charlie Mills killed that producer, then kidnapped Miss Beckinsale. For whatever reason, he might have come here with her and killed you guys, since only they knew you were here, right?... Well, maybe it was the power of love?"

Jansen stood there dumbfounded, trying to grasp the ridiculous story.

What kind of nonsense is this?

Ian flashed a wide smile. "Now let's redo the interview based on what we just talked about. Remember, you didn't see Miss Beckinsale shoot at you; you just knew she was coming. You believe she conspired with Charlie Mills to attack you. This is all your assumption!"

Jansen helplessly nodded.

...

Ian asked the questions again, and Jansen answered them according to Ian's story. After finishing the interview, Ian looked at the footage in the camera and nodded in satisfaction.

Jansen urged, "Can we call an ambulance now? My injury won't hold for long."

Ian sighed lightly. "What's the point in calling an ambulance for the dead?"

He stepped out of the shot and fired a shot at the ceiling.

The house plunged into darkness.

Then came a sharp, piercing scream: "I'm Ian Carr, a reporter from L.A. Herald... I can't see anything right now... There's a shooter opening fire, a gunfight is happening... I need to get out of here..."

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Gunshots rang out repeatedly. The report was finished.

...

After dealing with everything, Ian began cleaning up the scene, including disposing of Charlie Mills' gun. He framed it as a mysterious shooter assassination, which could help him avoid Bloods' wrath, but he couldn't escape the police.

Aside from the fact that both Mills and the two gunmen in the house were shot by the same gun, that could be a clue for them -- unless Ian didn't release the video of himself killing Mills, which was impossible.

One, he needed the news; two, Kate was a witness.

After all, he wasn't a professional hitman; he could easily overlook other clues.

But on the flip side, legally, this was a minor issue -- he was kidnapped by Charlie Mills for trafficking; his counterattack was definitely legal. As for the incident at the villa, even if they found out it was him, Ian could explain it as "an attempt to save other potential kidnapping victims that led to a shootout."

Don't movies do that?

Plus, money and public opinion spoke volumes; he could solve it with backdoor deals.

So, legally, this wasn't serious.

The serious issue was that Bloods couldn't find out about this.

That meant: Bloods didn't have the ability to uncover the truth, the police did, but the police wouldn't kill him -- Bloods would.

So the focus was on making the police stay quiet... and making sure Kate's side was consistent.

Deep in thought, he walked out of the room.

...

Confirming that his plan had no issues, Ian left the area, hailed a cab, and headed back home.

Ian first went to the dead producer's house. The poor couple was still lying dead -- police hadn't discovered them yet.

So Ian went back in to take another round of photos before heading to his parked used Porsche nearby.

Originally, it was a major dump, nearly bankrupting the company, but at least he left himself a good car.

A second-hand red Porsche 911, which he bought for a hundred thousand dollars, was generally well-maintained.

He got in the car and drove home.

...

Under the night sky, the lights of Los Angeles flickered in and out.

Half was a bustling paradise of humanity, while half belonged to chaotic gang territories -- a hellish underworld.

This journey was like driving from hell to heaven.

...

Ian Carr lived on 11 Elk Avenue, a typical middle-class residence, a two-story house with a private front lawn, and the neighborhood was relatively safe.

Upon returning to Elk Ave, he parked in front and entered his home.

It was late; his mother had already gone to bed.

Ian tiptoed up the staircase, the wooden stairs creaking underfoot.

Mrs. Carr's voice echoed from the upstairs room, "Ian, is that you?"

Ian paused, "Yes, Mom, I'm back."

"What were you doing?"

"Work, Mom!"

"I hope that's true," Mrs. Carr sighed, not saying anything more.

Having already been discovered, Ian decided to stride upstairs instead.

*****

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