Chapter 23: Crooked Ways

At the front desk, Downey was standing in line to check in.

Hawk found a seat at the lounge area, sitting by a small round table. As usual, he immediately began assessing the situation, observing the environment and looking for any advantages.

Across from him sat a woman with immaculate makeup, a great figure, and wearing a tight-fitting short dress. She noticed Hawk's business attire and took him for some high-end businessman on a work trip. She raised an eyebrow in his direction, slid her hand along her smooth, stocking-clad leg, and lightly grazed her knee before curling a finger at him.

Hawk saw through it immediately; she was likely a high-end escort. The fact that she could operate within a hotel rather than on the street already placed her in a higher class. Her handler probably had some special arrangement with the hotel.

Hawk came up with a plan and signaled to the escort. The woman quickly got up and took a seat across from him, flashing a professional smile. “Good evening, handsome. I’m Jacqueline. Yes, just like the Jacqueline with the husband who got shot in the head. Same name, same charm. Are you here alone tonight? Need some company?”

Hawk pulled out his phone, lit up the screen, and asked, “Do you have a phone? Give me your number.”

Jacqueline flashed a toothy grin. “What, one night’s not enough? You want to contact me again? In this business, we don’t just give out our numbers...” She trailed off, eyeing the $20 bill Hawk placed on the table.

Her reflexes were faster than her thoughts. She rattled off a string of numbers and reached for the money.

Hawk dialed the number, and her phone buzzed. She hung up and asked, “You in a hurry? Should we head upstairs?”

Over at the front desk, Robert Downey Jr. was finishing up his check-in.

Hawk took out a $50 bill and placed it on the table, pointing toward the front desk. “See that guy in the gray hoodie and baseball cap? When he’s done checking in, follow him to his room. Then call me and tell me the room number.”

Jacqueline, cautious from working in a risky profession, hesitated. “What… what are you planning? I don’t do anything illegal.”

Hawk wasn’t in the mood to explain. He handed her a business card. “I’m a freelance journalist.”

Living in Los Angeles, no further explanation was needed. Jacqueline nodded. “I get it. He’s famous.”

Downey was nearly finished at the front desk, and Hawk didn’t have much time. “Do this for me, and I’ll give you another $50.”

He gave her quick instructions. “Just follow them into the elevator. Act like you’re going to the same floor, then get off after them and see where they go.”

It was an easy task. Jacqueline picked up the $50, glanced at the front desk, and said, “I’m on it.”

Hawk reminded her, “Don’t make it obvious. Aren’t you good at pretending? Just use your usual skills to charm clients and get this done smoothly.”

He saw Robert Downey Jr. heading toward the elevator and said, “Go now.”

Jacqueline grabbed her purse and walked toward the elevator.

Downey entered the elevator, glancing toward the entrance. Sarah Parker casually joined him, standing behind him as if they were strangers. Three others entered the elevator, one of them being Jacqueline. Though a little nervous, Jacqueline, being in her line of work, could put on a good act. Pretending to be calm wasn’t difficult for her.

Downey pressed the button for the fourth floor, and the others followed suit, with two of them choosing the fifth. Jacqueline made a show of almost pressing a button before pulling her hand back when she saw it was already for the fourth floor.

When the elevator reached the fourth floor, Jacqueline walked out slightly ahead, but then stumbled as if her heel had twisted, using the wall for support. Downey walked past her, followed by Sarah Parker, both barely glancing at her as they turned the corner.

Jacqueline waited a moment, listening for the sound of high heels stopping. Then, she slipped out of the elevator and saw the two entering room 407. She checked the door number before heading to the stairwell and called Hawk. “They’re in room 407.”

Hawk replied, “Got it. Come back down.”

Jacqueline reminded him, “Don’t forget the other $50.”

“Wait in the lobby. I’ll be down soon,” Hawk said before hanging up. He went over to the hotel layout map and confirmed the location of room 407. Its bedroom window faced the front of the hotel.

Hawk left the hotel, crossed the narrow street, and stood on the other side, looking up. The light in room 407 was already on. Alone with another woman in a discreet little hotel—it was obvious what they were up to.

Hawk clearly remembered that Sarah Parker was still married to Broderick, and Robert Downey Jr. had a wife and kids. Being a compassionate person, he felt obligated to inform Sarah’s husband and Downey’s wife.

Hawk turned and noticed an old four-story office building behind him. He went back to his car, changed back into his original clothes, grabbed his equipment bag, put on gloves, and prepared to climb the building.

These old American office buildings usually had iron fire escapes on the side. Hawk scoped it out and, using the wall corners and downspouts for leverage, quickly climbed up to the second floor, grabbing hold of the fire escape railing and making his way to the roof.

He set up his camera, attached a telephoto lens, and mounted it on a tripod. Aiming at room 407, he managed to snap a shot of Downey’s profile. Just then, a woman’s hand reached out to pull the curtain closed.

The lens couldn’t see through curtains, and Hawk cursed under his breath, feeling stuck. But giving up wasn’t an option.

“Damn cheaters,” Hawk muttered to himself. This was the first job for his new West Coast Entertainment Studio, and he wasn’t about to fail. Climbing the hotel wall wasn’t possible—too many pedestrians and cars would see him.

Maybe the escort from earlier? No, he couldn’t rely on her too much.

Hawk remembered the convenience store business card and flyer he’d picked up earlier, still in his pocket. The store was just a few minutes away.

He called the number on the card and spoke quickly. “I’m the freelance journalist who was at your store earlier. I need to buy something. Can you deliver it immediately?”

A lazy voice on the other end replied, “It’s too late. We don’t deliver this late.”

Hawk was firm. “I’ll double the price and delivery fee.”

Instantly, the woman’s tone changed. “Sure, tell me what you need, and I’ll get it to you right away.”