206-210

Chapter 206: Eagle County

As they watched Miller Collins line up for a meal at the relief kitchen, the two men couldn’t help but feel some pity.

Coulson remarked, “Once a high-income homeowner living in a mansion, now all he has left is a broken-down RV.”

Tim, however, had another thought. “If he loses even that RV, do you think he’ll snap?”

Coulson nodded. “It’s highly possible. I quietly reached out to one of Miller’s former friends, who said Miller is teetering on the edge of insanity and breakdown.”

Tim’s mission in Los Angeles was to intervene using special measures if Emma Bettson’s team encountered obstacles.

After confirming Miller Collins’ current situation, the two left the parking lot.

Tim drove back to Highland Center and dropped off Coulson.

As Coulson disappeared from view, Tim pulled out his phone and made a call. “How’s that investigation I asked for going?”

The person on the other end replied, “I went to Jeffrey City, Wyoming, and visited the Osmond family’s small ranch. Hawk Osmond’s parents have long since passed away, and he has no siblings or other relatives.”

Tim pressed further. “Did he leave a will?”

“Not that I’m aware of,” came the reply.

Tim hung up, satisfied.

This opened up vast opportunities for manipulation.

BlackRock had a history of successful precedents in such cases.

Tim then made a call to San Francisco.

His superior, Douglas, said, “Emma Bettson has made initial contact with him. Based on her assessment, he isn’t opposed to working with us. Hold off for now; don’t make any moves yet.”

Tim replied, “Understood.”

This development aligned with typical human behavior. Faced with the potential for hundreds of millions—or even billions—of dollars in profit, what kind of position could a bankrupt farmer’s son possibly take?

Tim then headed to Santa Monica to scout Hawk Osmond’s confirmed residence. Located on the southwest side of 20th Street, it wasn’t far from the Twitter offices.

After driving around the area, Tim visited a nearby real estate agency to rent a house on the southwest side of 20th Street.

He planned to become Hawk Osmond’s neighbor and observe his daily activities.

Everything was in preparation for the ultimate success.

---

*West Los Angeles, Artel Mountain Shooting Range*

Today, Hawk and Erika weren’t here to practice shooting.

Erika wanted to spar in close-quarters combat with Hawk.

Though they trained often, they had never directly faced off before.

Erika donned protective gear, while Hawk only put on fingerless gloves.

“Let’s start,” she said, tapping her helmet. She teased, “Better protect your vital areas—I specialize in groin kicks.”

Hawk smirked. “What you specialize in happens to be my specialty too.”

Erika didn’t waste words and lunged at him, intending to use her extensive training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo to take him down.

Hawk let her make her move but reversed her momentum when she exerted force, lifting her off the ground and slamming her onto the thick mat. He immediately followed up by locking her neck.

Erika tapped the ground, signaling her surrender.

Hawk released her and advised, “If you ever face a male assailant, your best weapon is a gun.”

Erika nodded. “Women are at too great a disadvantage in terms of strength and endurance.”

At that moment, Edward burst into the training room. Seeing the two lying on the ground, he asked, “Am I interrupting something? Wait, never mind—carry on...”

Erika replied casually, “We’re done.”

Edward shot Hawk a mocking glance. “That was quick.”

Hawk flipped him the finger. “What do you want?”

Edward said, “Campos just called. Kobe chartered a private jet and is already on his way to Colorado.”

---

*Eagle County, Colorado*

Outside the airport fence in Aspen, Garcia stood by his car, chewing gum and watching the tarmac.

A young man, Juan, ran over, took a piece of gum from Garcia’s hand, unwrapped it, and popped it into his mouth. Chewing, he reported, “I checked with the tower. They confirmed Kobe’s chartered jet will land soon.”

Garcia glanced at the sky. “What about Fiona? Still watching that hotel waitress?”

“Fiona thinks it’s very likely Kobe came back for her,” Juan replied. “The waitress, Catherine Fibel, was trying hard to get close to Kobe the last time he was here. Kobe seemed warm toward her, but with a girlfriend and his agent present, they had no chance...”

Garcia frowned. “If anything does happen between them, it’ll probably be in his hotel room. Which room did he stay in last time?”

Juan caught on immediately. “You think he’ll stay in the same room?”

Garcia explained, “When people are in unfamiliar places, they instinctively gravitate toward familiar environments.”

After a moment of thought, Garcia decided, “Betty infiltrated the hotel staff, right? Have her check if Kobe’s previous room is available. If it is, plant the modified doll camera I brought inside the bedroom.”

Juan pulled out his phone. “I’ll call her.”

Aspen isn’t a large town, but as a tourist destination, it boasts several luxury resorts.

The Cordillera Hotel and Spa is among the most lavish.

Betty, working as a cleaner, confirmed through Juan’s call that Kobe’s previous room had remained unoccupied.

Since Kobe hadn’t officially checked out, he was expected to use the same room on his return.

Betty approached Fiona in the lobby and borrowed a regional-style doll typically placed in hotel rooms.

The doll had been modified, its interior hollowed out to house a miniature camera.

Betty returned to the service area, grabbed a cleaning cart, and took the service elevator to the second floor, cleaning rooms as she went. Eventually, she reached Kobe’s suite.

Using a key card, she entered the suite, walked through the living area, and into the master bedroom. She replaced the doll on the plasma TV stand with the modified one and connected it to a power source, concealed by the TV.

After completing the task, she continued cleaning the suite.

Later, while taking a restroom break, Betty subtly signaled Fiona.

At Aspen Airport, a private jet landed and taxied to the tarmac.

A luxury car from the Cordillera Hotel pulled up nearby.

Kobe disembarked with a companion and boarded the car, heading straight for the hotel.

Since he hadn’t checked out of his room during his previous visit, they were set to stay on the second floor again.

On the drive, Kobe chatted and joked with his African-American companion, who had enjoyed the hotel’s spa during their last trip.

At the hotel, Catherine Fibel, the 19-year-old blonde receptionist, immediately spotted Kobe. Youthful energy radiated from her.

Kobe didn’t reject her offer to help carry his bags.

After delivering the luggage, Kobe arranged with the hotel staff for Catherine to accompany him on a tour of the spa.

In quieter areas, the two grew unusually close—but they were unaware that shadows lurking nearby were capturing every moment through hidden surveillance.

---

*Juan, a regular tourist; Fiona, a vacationing businesswoman; Betty, a hotel cleaner; and Garcia, a business mogul, took turns executing their plan.*

Juan had even captured photos of the two kissing in the spa center.

The couple strolled around briefly before returning to their accommodation area.

Catherine was a calculating woman. She turned down Kobe’s invitation, claiming she was working, and returned to the front desk.

Shortly after, Kobe called again, reporting an issue with the whirlpool in his suite’s bathroom.

Catherine made another trip. She knew the NBA star was taking the bait.

But Catherine was a skilled strategist. After promptly fixing the issue, she returned to work, maintaining her professionalism.

When sports stars get certain thoughts in their heads, they can act irrationally—whether it’s Giannis flying to meet flings, Rooney chasing women old enough to be his mother, or scandals like Wang’s in-laws…

Kobe called several more times, persistently inviting Catherine.

After several polite refusals, Catherine accepted his invitation and, once her shift ended, entered Kobe’s suite.

Her entry was recorded.

Once inside, Catherine took the lead. She wasn’t about to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure her future.

She even refused Kobe’s suggestion to use protection.

Meanwhile, across the hall in a newly-booked suite, Garcia and Juan were observing. Through the peephole, Juan watched the activity across the hall.

The wireless camera they had set up was already transmitting and recording all the sounds from the suite.

Garcia, a former Mexican anti-drug officer with sharp analytical skills, listened to the conversation between the man and woman. He concluded, “That woman has ulterior motives.”

Juan nodded. “I sense it too. That NBA star is in trouble.”

Garcia added, “For a moment of pleasure, he’s setting himself up for a lot of pain.”

Juan, also a former Mexican cop, agreed. “It’s like those addicts chasing a high.”

Listening to the sounds from the recording, Garcia remarked, “They’re probably wrapping up soon. The woman won’t stay long—put the package outside.”

Juan took out a bag, quietly opened his door, placed it by the hallway, and adjusted the camera to aim directly at Kobe’s suite door. He quickly retreated and shut his door.

Garcia’s prediction was spot-on. Soon, the suite door opened, and Catherine exited.

She declined Kobe’s invitation to stay the night, saying, “I need to go home and rest. My next shift starts soon.”

Kobe walked her to the door.

Catherine looked around to ensure no one was nearby, then threw herself into Kobe’s arms for a passionate kiss.

After they separated, Kobe was clearly smitten with the fiery woman. He offered her a gift, which she declined.

Waving goodbye, Catherine left quickly.

She headed downstairs towards the women’s locker room.

Fiona, sitting in a nearby break area, made a call. “She’s heading to the locker room.”

“I’m on it,” Betty replied, moving in that direction.

Inside the locker room, Catherine ensured she was alone. She locked the door and stood before the mirror, stripping down. Her pale skin bore almost no marks.

She slammed her forehead into the wall and created additional bruises on her face, neck, and body.

She packed her underwear into a bag, took her phone, and snapped photos of herself in the mirror, showcasing her injuries.

Ever since Kobe had approached her during his previous stay, Catherine had devised this plan.

She had researched similar cases extensively. In nearly all instances, the athletes involved had chosen to settle financially rather than fight.

After finishing her preparations, Catherine grabbed her bag and hurriedly left the locker room.

Unbeknownst to her, Betty was recording everything from a discreet distance.

Catherine, elated by her progress, left the hotel without caution. She drove to a crowded area, working herself into a tearful state and smudging her makeup to create black streaks down her face.

Finally, she called 911.

On the other side, Kobe, feeling refreshed, called up his friends waiting in the hallway, and they left for dinner.

Meanwhile, Garcia notified Betty, who quickly swapped the recording devices and handed the evidence to Fiona in a secure location.

Fiona regrouped with Garcia and the others to review the recordings and photos. Garcia made several copies—one for personal safekeeping, one sent via FedEx to Los Angeles, and another handed to Juan.

“Take the earliest flight to Los Angeles and deliver this to Campos in person,” Garcia instructed.

Without hesitation, Juan booked a flight and left for the airport.

Garcia turned to Fiona. “Catherine entered the locker room uninjured but came out with bruises. This woman has big plans. Fiona, you and I will keep an eye on Kobe. Betty, monitor Catherine.”

After making a call, Garcia and Fiona grabbed their bags and headed to find Kobe.

They located him in the hotel restaurant with his friends. Acting like a couple, they sat at a nearby table, with Fiona discreetly adjusting her bag to aim a concealed camera at Kobe.

Through the restaurant’s glass wall, Garcia spotted several officers approaching quickly. He readied his camera phone.

Sure enough, the officers, led by a sheriff, approached Kobe’s table.

The sheriff presented his warrant and explained the situation, mentioning Catherine’s name and the alleged assault.

Kobe, stunned and confused, was escorted out by four officers. His friend immediately began making calls.

Garcia snapped multiple photos while Fiona followed, pretending to be just another curious onlooker.

They trailed Kobe to the police car, capturing everything.

Garcia handed his phone to Fiona. “Email these to Campos right away. This needs to hit the headlines immediately.”

Fiona returned to her room, uploaded the recordings and photos, and drafted a detailed report before emailing it to Campos.

She followed up with a call. “Boss, I just sent you urgent news. Check your inbox.”

In Los Angeles, at the Butterfly Consulting Agency, Campos downloaded the files, reviewed them carefully, and transferred them to a USB drive.

He summoned Carlos. “Take this to Twitter and sell it. Move fast!”

Carlos left immediately, reaching Twitter’s Santa Monica office within 20 minutes.

A supervisor reviewed the materials and quickly escalated them to Caroline, who rushed into Hawk’s office.

“What’s chasing you?” Hawk joked.

Caroline handed him the USB. “This makes a wolf chase look tame.”

Hawk, already informed by Campos, quickly reviewed the content and instructed, “Turn this into a news feature. Publish it immediately, but don’t embellish.”

Caroline returned to her office and, with editor Sasha, finalized the explosive story, pairing it with key videos and photos. They uploaded it to Twitter’s news platform and pushed it to North American users as breaking news.

Kobe’s agent, Rob Pelinka, had just learned of the situation when his assistant rushed in. “Boss, check Twitter. It’s everywhere!”

Pelinka opened the platform and saw the headline:

“Lakers Star Kobe Bryant Detained by Eagle County Police Over Assault Allegations.”

Accompanying photos and videos captured the entire sequence, leaving little room for defense.

Realizing the gravity, Pelinka attempted to contact Twitter to remove the news but was flatly rejected.

---

*Chapter 207: Twitter Is Not a Charity*

As soon as the news about Kobe broke, it quickly climbed to the top of Twitter’s trending list, garnering over 300,000 retweets.

Most notably, there were photos and videos to support the story.

The internet across North America erupted. A massive wave of people flocked to Twitter to watch the unfolding news.

By the afternoon, the “Kobe incident” had topped trending lists on Twitter, Yahoo, and Google.

Countless reporters scrambled to Eagle County, Colorado, eager to uncover more explosive details.

At the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, Katherine Faber submitted evidence, including underwear, and requested medical examinations.

The tests were to analyze her body and the materials on the underwear.

If events proceeded as expected, Kobe Bryant would find himself ensnared in a whirlwind of controversy and public scrutiny.

As night fell, hundreds of reporters had gathered outside the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office.

The region’s most resourceful and prominent lawyers approached Katherine, offering to represent her pro bono.

Of course, the "pro bono" offer wasn’t entirely free—fees would be taken from future compensation.

Following the lawyer’s advice, Katherine underwent medical examinations that day and then participated in a group media interview.

When she appeared before reporters, with bruises on her face and neck, the cameras erupted into a frenzy.

A battered female victim fit the narrative of sensational news—and matched societal stereotypes about Black athletes.

Katherine publicly declared, “I’ve provided law enforcement with underwear containing the perpetrator’s genetic material. I’ve undergone medical examinations, and the police will soon release the results.”

For her to make such a statement so openly, it was assumed she had solid evidence.

The reporters were convinced this marked the beginning of a media feeding frenzy.

Amidst the reporters, Garcia filmed the entire scene.

The contrast between the current Katherine and the one who had entered the locker room earlier was striking.

Garcia returned to his hotel, compiled the footage and photos, and emailed them back to Los Angeles.

In Los Angeles, Juan exited the international airport and immediately called Campos.

Campos told him, “Carlos is waiting for you in the parking lot. Head directly to the media company to sell the story.”

“Understood.” Juan descended the steps and spotted a Chevrolet. He opened the door and got in.

As Carlos started the car, he remarked, “You’ve got a huge scoop this time.”

Juan replied, “Before we met the boss, we lived like drifters. After following him, we realized that with our skills, even staying within the law, making money isn’t hard.”

“You’re right,” Carlos agreed. Knowing more than Juan, he added, “What made this so smooth is that someone’s backing us up.”

The Chevrolet sped to Twitter’s headquarters.

An assistant awaited them in the lobby. Once they arrived, the assistant escorted them to a reception room to meet Carolyn.

Twitter bought exclusive rights to all past and future content related to the Kobe story for $800,000.

Hawk, Edward, Carolyn, and Sasha then moved to a small conference room for a meeting.

The content was categorized into five parts: photos of Kobe and Katherine at the hotel, audio of Kobe persistently inviting Katherine, photos and videos of their interaction in the hotel room, a video of Katherine passionately kissing Kobe as she left, and recordings from a hidden microphone.

In the photos, the two appeared very intimate—like a couple.

The audio and video showed Katherine being proactive and passionate, even insisting that Kobe forego safety measures.

Edward, having worked with Hawk on similar cases before, shook his head and said, “Kobe walked right into a trap. This is a setup.”

Sasha had a different perspective. “Athletes like him can’t control themselves. If it wasn’t this time, it would’ve been another.”

Carolyn glanced at Hawk, recalling the Bella Thorne incident, and grew even more convinced her boss was no ordinary wolf—he was a predator among predators.

Edward asked, “Should we release this immediately?”

“Releasing it all now would bring in traffic but would also immediately resolve the case,” Carolyn, as the operations director, prioritized Twitter’s interests. “We have no ties to Kobe. He’s not our client. If we release this now to clear his name, the controversy will die down quickly, and that’s not in our favor.”

Sasha agreed wholeheartedly. “We spent $800,000 on this. Using it to exonerate someone would waste the opportunity for sustained coverage and let the story cool off prematurely. Twitter isn’t a charity.”

Hawk nodded slowly, picked up the remote, and continued playing the videos and photos.

Carolyn and Sasha scrutinized them carefully.

After a while, Hawk paused the playback and said, “I have an idea.”

All eyes, including Edward’s, turned toward him.

Clearing his throat, Hawk said, “This content is exclusive. No other outlet knows about it. That gives us the leverage to control the narrative.”

Using Edward’s mouse, Hawk selected specific photos and videos. “We can create a series showing Kobe approaching Katherine, inviting her to his room, and their interaction at the hotel. Pairing this with the current developments in Eagle County will spark another wave of public interest.”

Carolyn immediately understood. “It aligns with the public’s appetite for drama and their biases against Black athletes, keeping the gossip alive rather than concluding it.”

Hawk copied the selected materials into a folder, then chose additional photos and videos. “When public opinion peaks and everyone’s targeting Kobe, we’ll release a twist—pictures and footage of Katherine being the initiator. It’ll flip the narrative and make us stand out.”

---

Edward immediately understood Hawk’s intention: “Let’s release more information, making Kobe’s side aware that we have crucial evidence proving he isn’t innocent.”

Caroline flashed a sly grin, revealing two small pointed teeth. “We spent $800,000 on this news material; no way we’re paying only for others to enjoy it.”

For the first time, Edward thought Miss Baa was quite clever. “You’re absolutely right,” he agreed.

Sasha nodded in approval. “We’re already tight on funds; every single dollar needs to be spent where it matters most.”

Hawk glanced at his watch and instructed Caroline and Sasha, “You two handle the news editing and operations. Release the next piece tomorrow and adjust according to the event’s and public opinion’s developments.”

Caroline quickly gathered all the materials, grabbed Sasha, and headed to her office.

Seeing that it was late, Hawk decided to stay in the office suite to rest.

Edward’s phone had been buzzing during the meeting.

When he finally answered, it seemed like he was arguing with someone.

Hawk patted him on the shoulder and went back to the office to sleep.

The next day, the Kobe scandal continued to escalate. Traditional print media quickly caught up.

On Twitter, the news stirred even greater attention.

The headline was simple:

*“A Photo of Kobe and Katherine.”*

The post included several photos and a few videos, most of them taken during Kobe’s first trip to Eagle County when he checked into the hotel.

The videos were highly explicit: Kobe deliberately striking up conversations and repeatedly seeking Katherine out.

The last video showed Kobe inviting Katherine to his room.

This matched the public’s and media’s expectations. Countless users flocked to Twitter to watch.

The number of retweets surpassed a million that very day.

Even in places outside North America, where basketball wasn’t a major interest, people eagerly came to Twitter for the juicy gossip.

Scandals involving superstars? Irresistibly intriguing.

Even many folks from Canada joined the fray.

Riding this wave of attention, Twitter’s global registered users exceeded 30 million in one go.

Media outlets have always thrived on drama—not on squeaky-clean basketball superstars. How else would they get stories to write or attract the public to pay attention?

So, public opinion was overwhelmingly one-sided.

“I’m honestly not surprised by any of this. Celebrities, right? Image crashes are just so common.”

“They’re all the same. Whether it’s sooner or later, their images will collapse eventually.”

“Poor Vanessa, she just had a baby daughter with Kobe.”

In a luxury mansion in Beverly Hills, Vanessa stared at the news on Twitter, especially the photos and videos, and almost began to doubt her husband’s actions.

But for the sake of her family, she temporarily swallowed her grievances and told her agent, Pelinka, “Hire the best lawyer. Offer a reward for any evidence in his favor and get him out as soon as possible.”

Pelinka, already cynical about celebrity behavior, said, “Their goal is definitely money.”

Vanessa seemed to have considered this. “If it’s under $200,000, pay her.”

Looking at her computer screen, she added, “And about this Twitter thing—find someone to deal with them. Shut those disgusting people up.”

“I’ve already tried contacting Twitter,” Pelinka replied helplessly. “But they refuse to communicate with me.”

Vanessa continued, “How about hiring a PR firm?”

Pelinka sighed. “I’ll give it a shot.”

Vanessa asked, “What’s the team’s stance on this?”

“They’ve been silent the whole time.” Pelinka could easily guess the businessmen’s thoughts. “In recent years, many sports stars have faced scandals. The team won’t risk damaging its own commercial brand to support a player.”

Vanessa had limited options for now.

After leaving Beverly Hills, Pelinka first contacted a lawyer and then had his assistant book a flight to Eagle County.

He also needed to find a PR firm and recalled a company his colleague Biles once mentioned.

Biles’s client, Steve Nutt from the Los Angeles Dodgers, had gone through a severe PR crisis. That firm not only solved the problem but also successfully rebranded him as “Saint Steve.”

Pelinka called Biles to get details.

Biles responded, “The firm is called West Coast Media Entertainment Studio, and its head is Hawk Osmond.”

Pelinka jotted down the name and asked, “Can he deal with Twitter?”

“Twitter? Are you talking about Twitter?” Biles was stunned after getting confirmation. “Rob, Twitter’s founder is Hawk Osmond!”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 208: Not a Penny Spent

The Kobe scandal in Eagle County once again demonstrated that the shocking gossip and scandals of celebrities have far greater influence than social or political news.

As Twitter gained more international users, the internet witnessed a global spectacle of collective gossip consumption.

Twitter entered another phase of rapid user growth.

“Boss, the livestream is about to start,” Edward reminded Hawk as he entered the office. He grabbed the remote, turned on the TV, and switched to CNN. “That woman—she’s not likely to be mistaken, right?”

Earlier that day, Hawk and Erica had fired hundreds of rounds at the range. Now, as Hawk quickly reassembled his well-maintained handgun, he replied, “Whether it’s true or not doesn’t really matter to us.”

At the scheduled time, CNN transitioned to a live press conference from Eagle County.

The broadcast showed a police spokesperson revealing the investigation results of the Kobe case.

Catherine Faber's injuries were confirmed, and genetic material belonging to Kobe was detected. DNA evidence was also found on the underwear Catherine provided.

Additionally, the injury examination revealed fresh bruises on Catherine's face, neck, and torso.

Although there was no other conclusive evidence, these findings put Kobe in an extremely vulnerable position.

Following this, the Eagle County police formally issued an arrest warrant for Kobe.

Kobe posted a $25,000 bail. His agent, Rob Pelinka, responded on Kobe’s behalf, denying the assault allegations and claiming that everything was consensual.

But no one believed him—or rather, no one wanted to believe him.

Especially the media.

In the absence of evidence clearing Kobe’s name, the media’s greatest wish was to see a superstar fall from grace as an alleged assailant.

Even a superstar’s infidelity wasn’t sensational enough.

While the media narrative was overwhelmingly crucifying Kobe, Hawk decided the timing was perfect to release more news on Twitter.

“New evidence in the Kobe case: Twitter receives photos and videos from another anonymous source.”

This news shifted the narrative, showcasing photos of Catherine actively flirting with Kobe and the two of them intimately together.

The video featured Catherine giving Kobe a tour of the spa center, where they walked hand in hand like a couple deeply in love. At one point, Catherine even initiated a kiss.

This revelation left many media outlets stunned. “Twitter, don’t you have a stance? The entire internet is condemning Kobe as a criminal, and now you’re throwing neutrality out the window?”

“Wasn’t it Twitter that first exposed the scandal?”

The leading voice of the scandal had suddenly switched sides.

While this wasn’t enough to shift public opinion entirely, it once again brought massive traffic to Twitter.

Hawk received updated statistics: since the Kobe scandal erupted, Twitter had been gaining over 400,000 new users daily.

The platform’s daily active users had reached nearly 20 million.

Although these were global figures, Twitter had already established itself as an unrivaled leader in North American social media.

Meanwhile, the Eagle County police contacted Twitter, requesting related materials to assist in their investigation.

Hawk instructed Caroline to reject them outright.

“Are you kidding me? Police in Eagle County, Colorado, think they can boss around someone in Los Angeles?”

After posting bail, Kobe returned to Los Angeles.

Vanessa, his wife, refrained from arguing or turning against him, providing him with at least some semblance of stability at home.

Through Rob Pelinka, Kobe’s agent, and Jeff Bynes, who worked for the same agency, they reached out to Hawk, expressing a desire to sit down for talks.

Hawk responded decisively, inviting them to come directly to Twitter.

That afternoon, Pelinka arrived at Twitter headquarters with Kobe and Vanessa.

Hawk, Edward, and Caroline received them together.

Pelinka, determined not to start on the defensive, opened with a direct question: “Mr. Osman, where did you obtain the information about Kobe?”

Hawk maintained a neutral expression as he replied, “Twitter collects news globally, and we pay better than other media outlets. Freelance journalists are eager to work with us. In the case of the Eagle County incident, nine individuals sold their photos and videos to Twitter.”

Upon hearing this, Vanessa's gaze turned sharp, cutting into her husband like a knife. “So many paparazzi were following you—didn’t you notice?”

Meeting Hawk for the first time, Pelinka tried to exert pressure. “These materials are critical evidence in an ongoing criminal investigation. The Eagle County police must have contacted you, and they—”

“If this is the topic you want to discuss,” Hawk interrupted, “you can leave now.”

Kobe grew anxious. “Do you have any photos or videos that could prove my innocence?”

Edward responded, “That’s Twitter’s business secret. Thank you for understanding.”

“Do you know how much he’s struggling right now?” Vanessa, under immense pressure, finally broke down. The scandal had been overwhelming for her as a wife and mother.

“He’s the father of a child—a baby who’s not even six months old!”

---

“So, are you saying that everything your husband is going through, and everything your child is enduring, is all Twitter’s fault?” Miss Mei’s lamb-like demeanor was something only Hawk ever got to see.

When faced with these overbearing jerks, the "little lamb" stepped forward and bared her sharp little teeth: “Your husband can’t keep his pants zipped, and he’s getting his thrills with other women—how is that Twitter’s fault?”

Sensing the conversation was about to break down, Pelinka quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Apologies, we didn’t mean it like that.”

Caroline immediately entered her battle-ready "little lamb" mode, charging headlong into the fray.

Her goal was to shatter all of their delusions.

Caroline turned to Pelinka and said, “First, you tried to use the law to pressure us. Evidence? What evidence? According to media law, news materials purchased under copyright by media companies are considered company property. Without a judge’s approval, no one has the right to view them. Where’s your paperwork?”

Then she looked at Vanessa. “And you? Standing on your moral high ground, pointing fingers at us. Shall we discuss the morality of this situation?”

Kobe raised his hands and gestured for calm, speaking to the three before him. “I apologize. They’re overly concerned about my situation and might have come across too strongly.”

Caroline responded coldly, “I don’t think you’re ready for this conversation. Come back when you are.”

At this point, Pelinka realized that their strategy was completely wrong.

But he was an agent, not a PR expert.

Hawk also glanced at the agent. If this guy had been more level-headed in public relations, perhaps Kobe Bryant wouldn’t have been bogged down by this case for over two years.

The longer this dragged on, the greater the damage to Kobe’s reputation and business interests.

From Twitter to the Butterfly Company, so much effort and resources had gone into obtaining the news. Why should they just give it away for free?

Since the other side refused to budge, Hawk gave the three of them a slight nod, got up, and left the meeting room.

Caroline’s posture screamed, show yourselves out.

With no other options, Pelinka left with Kobe and Vanessa.

Downstairs, they got into the business car, with a Black friend driving.

Vanessa asked, “Do they really have evidence that can prove Kobe’s innocence?”

Pelinka reminded her, “That Black guy named Edward practically said they did.”

Kobe asked, “What should we do?”

“Ask for help,” Pelinka said as he pulled out his phone and made a call to Byers, speaking for quite some time.

The two had a decent working relationship in the company, and Byers agreed to try and arrange a meeting with Steve Natt.

Soon, Byers called back, and they arranged to meet at the Beverly Business Club.

As the car drove toward the venue, Pelinka pulled out a recording pen from his pocket and pressed play—only to hear static.

Shaking his head, he tossed it back into his bag.

Those people had been far too cautious; the meeting room had interference devices installed.

At the Beverly Club, the group met Steve Natt, known as “The Saint.”

Nowadays, Steve didn’t look like a professional athlete. His graceful demeanor and piercing eyes gave off an air of wisdom and insight.

After more than a year of involvement in social activism, Steve had transformed. He now had a deeper understanding of the media, public opinion, and business.

Although he no longer played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team had renewed his contract regardless.

Pelinka briefly explained Kobe’s situation and what had just transpired with Twitter.

“I see,” Steve immediately grasped the crux of the matter and asked Kobe directly, “You’re unwilling to pay a large sum of money, whether it’s to that girl named Katherine or to Twitter, right?”

Kobe stayed silent.

Pelinka said, “Kobe is being framed.”

Steve shook his head slightly. “What you’re saying is meaningless. If Twitter really has evidence proving Kobe’s innocence, they hold the upper hand. They can paint you as a predator, or just as someone who cheated.”

At this point, he chuckled. “I’ve worked with Hawk a few times, and every time, he’s gone above and beyond to achieve the best outcome for me.”

Kobe and his group didn’t understand what Steve meant by that.

Steve, used to being the center of attention, continued calmly. “It’s actually quite simple: get Hawk on your side.”

Kobe replied, “But he doesn’t want to take our side.”

Steve suddenly found these sports stars endearing. “If he won’t come over to your side, can’t you take the initiative to go to him?”

His words left the three momentarily stunned.

Seeing Kobe’s dark skin, Steve added, “Hawk is the founder of Twitter and the West Coast Media Entertainment Studio. From what I know, he still handles crisis PR and business strategy consulting.”

He made it clear: “Go to Hawk, sign a PR agreement, and make him the public relations manager for this incident. Then pay up—buy the rights to the evidence proving your innocence from Twitter. Use the massive influence of Twitter to spread the truth. Problem solved, isn’t it?”

Pelinka’s mind cleared immediately, and he turned to Kobe and Vanessa.

Kobe, however, remained silent.

Steve glanced at the basketball superstar and sighed internally.

If his Black son had been born under similar circumstances, he’d have been utterly ruined by now.

Steve slowly left the meeting room.

Byers patted Pelinka on the shoulder and called him aside for a private chat that lasted a long time.

With Steve’s example laid out, Pelinka returned and discussed the plan with Kobe at length.

After five minutes of silence, Kobe finally made a decision. “Let’s go back to Twitter.”

---

 (End of Chapter)

Chapter 209: Public Opinion Can Kill

When Kobe and his team returned to Twitter, they had already reached a consensus.

Before getting out of the car, Vanessa pointed to the office building outside and asked, “Are we really going to pay them such a huge fee?”

Steve’s words had shifted Pelinka’s mindset significantly. He took responsibility and said, “This is my fault. I should’ve dealt with this right away by using money to solve the problem.”

Kobe shook his head. “This has nothing to do with you. I was the one who oversimplified things. I thought as long as I didn’t do anything, the facts and justice would naturally be on my side, and both public opinion and the law would give me the fairness I deserve.”

His expression turned bitter. “Turns out, I’m only good at playing basketball. In other areas... Steve Nutt is way better than me.”

In the same meeting room as before, the two sides met again.

Pelinka asked, “Can you really turn the situation around?”

The spokesperson, still leading the conversation, replied, “This involves Twitter’s business secrets, so I can only tell you this much: Twitter spent a fortune to acquire key news materials from Eagle County.”

Kobe had already made up his mind. This time, without wasting words, he looked at Hawke and said directly, “Mr. Osman, I want to hire you as my crisis PR manager and entrust your West Coast studio with full responsibility for handling the media and public relations regarding the Eagle County incident.”

Edward, a bit curious about Kobe’s abrupt change in attitude, found it surprising.

Kobe, once stingy and impulsive, had now figured things out. He said decisively, “I’m willing to pay $3 million for this.”

Pelinka glanced at Kobe, who nodded in agreement, and said, “For all the materials related to the Eagle County incident that Twitter purchased—regardless of their specific content—we’re willing to buy out the copyright for $5 million and authorize Twitter to release it in full.”

Hawke responded straightforwardly, “Call your lawyer. Let’s sign the contract.”

Even with prior mental preparation, the massive sum of $8 million still made Kobe and Vanessa feel a sharp pang of pain.

For Kobe, it was easier to handle emotionally—he had the mental toughness of a champion.

Vanessa, however, couldn’t help but think: the amount Katherine Faber demanded wasn’t much higher than this.

She asked, “If you turn the situation around, how far can you go?”

Facing clients paying a hefty fee, Hawke maintained his professional integrity. Guessing her concerns, he replied bluntly, “If you compensate Katherine Faber and reach a settlement, what will the result be? On the surface, the matter may be resolved, but Kobe will carry the label of a rapist for the rest of his life. In the eyes of fans, the league, and sponsors, his value will be greatly diminished.”

This was easy to understand, and Kobe and Pelinka nodded slightly.

Hawke continued, “If Katherine Faber is proven to have falsely accused Kobe, and Kobe is merely guilty of infidelity”—he glanced at Vanessa—“then that’s a private matter between you two. You can deal with it behind closed doors. Moreover, from Hollywood to the sports world, there are countless celebrities who’ve had affairs. Commercial value won’t be affected significantly.”

Edward suddenly quipped, “Buddy, good thing it wasn’t a man you were involved with—that would’ve been real trouble.”

Kobe and Vanessa’s faces instantly turned darker than Edward’s joke.

Before long, the lawyers arrived, and both sides officially signed the agreement.

Kobe paid the first installment to both Twitter and the West Coast studio: $3 million and $2 million, respectively.

Edward then presented the video evidence. With Kobe’s approval, it was played on-site.

After watching, Kobe’s face darkened with a mix of emotions. On the one hand, it proved his innocence; on the other, it unsettled him that someone had filmed him.

Kobe asked, “Where did this come from?”

“Purchased at a high price,” Caroline said seriously. “As for the source, I can’t disclose it. Journalism laws protect the confidentiality of news sources. It’s a basic principle of press freedom.”

Over the past six months, Twitter had been buying news material extensively.

Although Pelinka was skeptical, the priority was to get Kobe out of trouble. He asked, “Should we hand this over to the Eagle County police?”

“No, just handing it to the police won’t calm public opinion. It might even spark a new wave of media frenzy,” Hawke explained earnestly. “Compared to Katherine Faber, a hotel clerk, Kobe is a multimillionaire and a powerful figure. Even if the Eagle County police announce that they have critical evidence proving Kobe’s innocence, the public and the media won’t let him off so easily.”

Pelinka seemed to understand the underlying issue.

Hawke continued, “Think about it: if Kobe is declared innocent, will public scrutiny die down? Newspaper sales would drop, TV ratings would decline, website traffic would decrease… To keep the audience hooked, the media will continue to question the verdict. The public is naturally skeptical of celebrities and official statements. They’ll keep assuming Kobe is guilty, and public opinion will still be against him.”

He emphasized, “Public opinion can kill. It can socially destroy a person!”

Kobe, as a sports star, and Pelinka, as his agent, weren’t entirely unfamiliar with media dynamics.

Kobe suddenly said, “Michael Jackson…”

Hawke asked Kobe, “Do you want to spend the rest of your life under the cloud of public suspicion, constantly labeled as a rapist?”

“No, absolutely not!” Kobe shook his head vehemently. “That would be terrifying!”

Pelinka also realized the severe consequences. The potential losses in sponsorship deals alone were staggering.

Kobe asked, “What’s your plan?”

Hawke, having already thought it through, said, “Katherine is blinded by greed. She’ll only make one choice: stick to her claims. On our side, we’ll first release two videos of you and Katherine kissing. In these videos, Katherine appears fully engaged and willing. While this won’t immediately shift public opinion, it will compel her to respond and fabricate new lies.”

He gestured toward Caroline, who handed him a bottle of water. After taking a sip, he continued, “The more lies she fabricates, the harsher the backlash when we release the footage from inside the room.”

Vanessa asked, “Does the video have to go public?”

“There are two purposes for releasing the video,” Hawke explained. “First, it dismantles Katherine’s lies and proves Kobe’s innocence. Second, it shifts public attention. The focus of discussion will move to the content of the video itself.”

He added, “Twitter is a reputable media platform. The video will be censored and blurred where necessary.”

Kobe and Pelinka exchanged a glance and said, “Let’s do it.”

---

Hawk said to Caroline, "Get ready to execute the plan."

Caroline transformed from an idle observer to an elite operator. She left the reception room, called Sasha, and began the next phase.

The plan had been carefully prepared in advance. Now that the client had paid, it had to be carried out to the letter.

That afternoon, Twitter once again broke the news about the Kobe case.

"We’ve received new videos from a Kobe fan, hinting at a possible untold story behind the allegations."

Beneath the headline were two videos.

Both videos showed Katherine Faber initiating a kiss with Kobe.

Twitter once again became the focal point of the internet.

Back in Eagle County, chaos erupted.

Paparazzi and reporters gathered in droves—hundreds of them frantically digging for news. While some managed to uncover tidbits, they were merely verbal accounts without photos or videos.

Far away in Los Angeles, Twitter was basking in the glory of exclusive headlines and their bold reporting, continuously releasing one exclusive story after another.

The frenzy intensified as reporters scrambled to unearth exclusive scoops while also swarming Katherine Faber, one of the parties involved.

Among these sharp-eyed reporters, some sensed that Katherine was nearing her breaking point.

When Katherine stepped out to visit the Eagle County police station for routine questioning about the videos, she was besieged by dozens of reporters.

One reporter asked, “The latest videos released on Twitter show you initiating a kiss with Kobe. How do you explain this?”

Juan, blending into the crowd, loudly shouted, “Did you voluntarily engage with Kobe and then try to use this incident to extort money afterward?”

This provoked a flurry of questions from other reporters, each one piercing deeper.

Unprepared for such an overwhelming scene, Katherine was visibly shaken and blurted out, “I did like Kobe and had feelings for him—that’s why I kissed him. But I never expected him to use violence against me.”

The following morning, Katherine’s remarks to the reporters were published by countless newspapers and online media outlets.

On Twitter, doubts about Katherine began to emerge.

Due to Twitter’s massive user base, these doubts quickly spilled over to other platforms, affecting public opinion online.

Seizing the moment, Twitter released another video.

This time, the headline was more aggressive:

“Katherine Faber’s Alleged Injuries: Fabricated?”

The video, recorded outside a hotel’s women’s locker room, clearly showed Katherine’s face and neck without any injuries before entering the room. However, when she came out, her face was bruised and swollen.

Additionally, the video was accompanied by a third-party verification of its authenticity.

The internet exploded, and public opinion began to shift.

“She’s obviously lying. Her claims can’t be trusted.”

“If the so-called evidence of assault is fake, what about the rest of the evidence?”

“She’s definitely after money!”

Other media outlets, such as the Los Angeles Times’ Twitter account, tagged Twitter’s official account, demanding to know the source of the information.

Twitter responded with a post stating that the video came from another fan of Kobe, who claimed to possess even more crucial evidence and was en route to Los Angeles from Eagle County.

These revelations directed the attention of everyone following the Kobe case—including media reporters—squarely onto Twitter.

Within just two days, over 50 media outlets contacted Twitter to request official accounts.

Announcing the imminent arrival of “critical evidence” served as a kind of “see you Monday” teaser.

Meanwhile, Katherine in Eagle County had gone completely silent.

After two days of brewing anticipation, as the media and public reached a fever pitch, Twitter dropped another bombshell.

This time, there was no headline—just a censored video.

The video showed Katherine being actively and enthusiastically intimate, not only undressing herself but also preventing the male party from using protective measures, claiming that such items diminished her enjoyment.

Subsequently, accompanied by his lawyer, Kobe walked into the FBI’s Los Angeles branch to report the matter, providing the video as evidence and alleging defamation and false accusations.

The FBI announced that it had officially opened an investigation into the case.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 210: Apologies and Resolution

When it came to taking money for a job, Hawk never cut corners.

As the video revealing the truth went viral, the narrative on Twitter completely flipped.

The video Garcia shot in Eagle County of Katherine’s accusations also came into play.

Sasha edited these clips together, juxtaposing them with footage of Katherine in the suite—where she voluntarily undressed and passionately seduced Kobe—under the same news headline. The stark contrast between the two painted a clear picture.

After thorough pre-release buildup, this news clip garnered over a million shares in just one day.

With Twitter leading the charge, the online discussion became overwhelmingly one-sided:

- "False accusers should face the same punishment as real offenders!"

- "Just because she's a woman, she can ruin someone's life at will?"

- "This woman has zero morality!"

- "She opens her mouth, and others have to run themselves ragged to prove their innocence!"

Even traditional media outlets shifted their stance.

While some women’s publications questioned, "Does Kobe Bryant bear no responsibility?" Katherine was now widely branded as a "pathological liar."

At this stage, the previously silent Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe's sponsors finally stepped forward.

They asserted that Kobe’s actions were morally wrong but not illegal.

Meanwhile, Eagle County police received the original video submitted by Kobe's legal team.

Once the FBI took over the case, their Colorado office summoned Katherine for questioning.

Kobe's fans didn’t hold back either.

Beyond the media and internet, certain groups of fans—funded by a sponsorship—flocked to Eagle County, holding a sit-in outside Katherine's home. However, the offensive slogans and posters turned her residence into a public spectacle.

The tide of public opinion had completely turned against her.

For a 19-year-old like Katherine, the overwhelming pressure was unbearable.

Per Hawk’s instructions, Pelinka and the legal team initiated private negotiations with Katherine.

It didn’t take much effort for both sides to reach a settlement.

The agreement didn’t involve any monetary compensation.

Its sole condition was that Katherine publicly apologize, admitting to defamation and false accusations, while Kobe withdrew the criminal charges.

On the second weekend of July, Katherine’s public apology press conference was live-streamed on Twitter through text and images, milking the last wave of traffic from the incident.

And with that, the Eagle County Kobe Bryant case was brought to an end.

---

On the private jet leaving Eagle County, the heavy expression Kobe had worn for days finally softened.

Pelinka let out a long sigh of relief as he read the news reports in the paper.

While many sports media outlets continued to criticize Kobe's lack of social responsibility and discuss the leaked videos, these were trivial issues compared to the threat of criminal charges.

Vanessa sat tight-lipped, her face tense, refusing to speak a word.

Kobe glanced over at her.

Vanessa finally broke her silence: "Eight million dollars!"

The thought of that expense made Kobe wince.

Worried the two might overthink things, Pelinka quickly reassured them: "Before we came, I had a long talk with Biles. Consider that money gone—it doesn’t exist anymore. The situation is resolved now, and nothing else matters."

Kobe said slowly, "But I suspect Twitter had a hand in this."

"I suspect it too," Pelinka admitted with a wry smile. "But what can we do? Twitter is the hottest media company on the internet right now. Hawk Osmond is a bona fide power player, and Twitter’s second-largest shareholder, Pacific Investment Group, has massive assets and influence."

He added with a self-deprecating laugh, "And us? I’m just a manager, and you’re a sports star."

Kobe’s thoughts turned to Michael Jackson.

The disparity between his influence and MJ’s was vast.

But even MJ, despite his legendary status, had been powerless against media companies and the capital-controlled narratives.

Public opinion had almost destroyed MJ.

Behind the media storm were entities like Sony Music and other corporations…

Realizing this, Kobe made a prudent decision: "Tell the finance manager to finalize the remaining payment to Hawk and Twitter today."

Pelinka nodded in agreement. "That’s wise. We don’t have the means to play their games. Staying out of their way is the best move."

Kobe slowly nodded in agreement.

---

*Los Angeles, Ocean Park Boulevard*

After receiving a call from Bryant, Hawk welcomed an unexpected visitor.

Justin Blatt, from the San Fernando Valley-based Private Films Company, came to pay him a visit.

This company, partially owned by Pacific Investment Group under the Ferguson family, had previously collaborated with Hawk during the handling of the Alison Faith and Josh Hartnett "Selfie Scandal."

The Private Films Company was also the distributor of the leaked tapes from that incident.

As a result, Hawk warmly welcomed Justin and his team.

After some brief pleasantries, Justin got straight to the point: "Old friend, does Twitter have the rights to the Kobe and Katherine Feber tape? Would you be willing to transfer the copyright to me?"

He was afraid Hawk might refuse, so he directly named an astronomical price: “The private film company is willing to pay $10 million for full rights.”

Hawk replied honestly, “The copyright currently belongs to Kobe. He only authorized Twitter to publish it. This offer is very tempting, but it’s out of my hands.”

Jaster, who handled business in Silicon Valley and had backing from big capitalists with plenty of underhanded tactics, lowered his voice and said, “I have an idea. Suppose the storage drive containing the video gets ‘stolen,’ and then you file a police report…”

Although Hawk was ruthless in his own way, he had some lines he wouldn’t cross. “Sorry, I can’t help you with that.”

Shortly after, Jaster took his leave.

Leaving the Twitter office, he got into his car and told the driver to head back. Taking out his phone, he made a call to San Francisco. “Hawk turned me down. I can’t help you with this anymore. Consider the favor I owed you repaid.”

The person on the other end replied, “That guy’s cautious. Let’s just leave it at that.”

As the company grew and the pie got bigger, pitfalls appeared everywhere.

The following morning, Twitter’s three major shareholders held an internal meeting.

Edward observed the proceedings silently, saying nothing.

Mary Ferguson directly asked Hawk, “Twitter is already a superstar company on the internet. Recent data shows rapid growth, right?”

Hawk replied straightforwardly, “As of yesterday’s statistics, we’ve reached 33 million global registered users, with over 20 million active users.”

Mary couldn’t help but marvel, “Using celebrity gossip to drive discussions and traffic really does work wonders.”

Hawk smiled. “It’s easy to make enemies, though. I’ve heard Dwayne Johnson mention that while many celebrities love using Twitter, they also hate it. Hollywood has even put me on its unofficial blacklist.”

“No need to worry about them,” Mary said seriously. “If any of those celebrities dare retaliate, we’ll crush them with an iron fist.”

Hawk nodded. “A lot of users have already developed a habit of using the platform. Among social media sites, Twitter is undoubtedly the leader.”

Mary was very satisfied with her investment and said, “If you face any difficulties, call me directly.”

“I will,” Hawk replied.

After seeing Mary off, Hawk found Caroline and asked her to prepare for a trip to Sacramento.

According to the agreement reached during negotiations between the Democrats and Republicans, the new governor, Schwarzenegger, had successfully pushed his economic development plan through the state legislature.

Twitter was set to receive a series of benefits, including financial subsidies, tax breaks, and interest-free loans.

While the subsidies would be distributed gradually, the $20 million interest-free loan would be available within half a month.

Before the workday ended, Hawk received a call from the bank’s client manager, informing him that the $1 million final payment for Kobe’s public relations expenses had been settled.

Twitter’s finance department also confirmed that the remaining copyright fee had been received.

Driving home, Hawk turned into 20th Street and noticed that the house diagonally across the street had a new occupant.

After parking in the garage, Hawk stepped out and ran into his neighbor, headhunter manager Jett Brown, and Jett’s model girlfriend, Diana.

Diana was significantly taller than Jett, with a pair of stunningly long, slender legs.

A perfect example of “legs for days.”

Jett waved at Hawk. “Just got off work?”

Hawk nodded and greeted Diana before gesturing across the street. “New neighbor?”

Jett pointed to a man standing by the moving truck. “Probably him. Never seen him before.”

The man looked to be in his thirties, with an average appearance and nothing particularly notable about him.

Diana, her elbow conveniently resting on Jett’s shoulder, remarked, “Looks like a single guy. Didn’t see a female homeowner.”

She asked Hawk, “Where’s Erica? Haven’t seen her for a few days.”

Hawk responded vaguely, “She’s been busy with cases at the detective bureau. Sometimes she comes over pretty late.”

Jett commented, “Crime rates in Los Angeles keep rising. Just three nights ago, there was a robbery on the next street. Two Black guys tried to rob a convenience store, but the owner had a temper and pulled a gun. One of them got his carotid artery shot, spraying blood everywhere as he ran out. The other guy was shot in the chest, and I heard his intestines were—”

“Good grief, shut up,” Diana interrupted, disgusted. “Why are you saying all this?”

Jett shrugged helplessly. “My point is, the community’s safety is getting worse.”

Hawk agreed. “The security situation in Los Angeles really is deteriorating step by step. News reports aren’t exaggerating—crime is spreading into wealthier neighborhoods.”

Jett, being short and lacking a sense of security, said, “Looks like I need to follow your example and keep some guns at home.”

While they were talking, the moving truck across the street finished unloading and drove off.

The new neighbor noticed them, crossed the relatively narrow 20th Street, and walked over.

He introduced himself with a smile, “Hi there. I’m Tim Wilson, just moved in.”

Hawk and Jett shook hands with him and exchanged pleasantries.

Tim spoke politely, “I just moved in, so if there’s anything I overlook, I hope you’ll bear with me.”

Seeing his politeness, Hawk replied, “We’re neighbors; no need to be so formal.”

Tim asked, “I heard about the robbery on the next street. Does our community have a neighborhood watch group?”

In response to rising crime, communities sometimes form defense alliances within legal limits.

Hawk wasn’t sure and looked at Jett.

Jett nodded. “There is one. If you want to join, just go to the community committee.”

“I’m not very good with guns,” Tim explained. “But communities with watch groups are generally safer.”

Jett joked, “Don’t worry. Hawk here is a sharpshooter.”

Hawk modestly replied, “It’s not that impressive.”

Tim, knowing when to stop, said, “I’ll head back to unpack. Otherwise, I won’t have a place to sleep tonight.”

Hawk said, “Go ahead.”

After Tim left, Jett glanced at the house across the street and commented, “The new neighbor seems easy to get along with.”

(End of chapter.)