[Chapter 483: Investigating Epstein]
"John, any news from the organization?"
In a motel in South Los Angeles, Johnson put down a Playboy magazine and looked toward John, who had just entered through the door.
John wore a grave expression. "There's some trouble."
After seeing the news in the morning paper, he'd been uneasy, worried the events might catch up with him and Johnson. To dig deeper for information, he went to a phone booth outside and contacted his agent to inquire about internal developments.
Their agent, Kate, told him that last Friday, the two assassins assigned to take out Link were both caught, including the sniper hiding upstairs. Since then, the organization had lost contact with the two killers.
Besides, Link's side had mounted a fierce counterattack. First, they offered a $1 million reward for any information on the employer. Then, they upped the stakes by offering $100,000 to $1 million to obtain details on the assassin group, while beefing up security.
Both the FBI and CIA had set up task forces to investigate the attempt on Link's life.
Because of this incident, many underground groups became more cautious, trying not to get tangled in the so-called 'Link assassination case.'
Kate urged them to be extra careful. If they abandoned the mission now, the organization wouldn't penalize them.
"But here's some good news," Kate added, "since Link's proving too hard to kill, the organization has increased the mission's level, raising the payout to $1 million with no percentage taken by the group."
"One million dollars?" Johnson exclaimed excitedly.
Learning two assassins had been caught and Link was offering a hefty reward for information weighed heavily on his mind. Yet hearing the mission's bounty jumped to a million instantly made him forget the risks. In his mind, all he could see was stacks of cash.
If he earned that million, he could buy a mansion in prime Chicago real estate, the latest Ferrari, lifesaving medication for years, and more advanced gear.
With a million bucks, he could finally do all the things he once dreamed of but couldn't afford.
"We're taking the job. This mission must be ours."
Johnson cheered.
"Calm down, Johnson," John said. "You know how tough the bodyguards around Link are. Previously, 'Ladybug' tried to use local gangs against Link, but they got wiped out. Then the Ryan brothers attempted the hit on the red carpet last Friday and were both caught -- their fate unknown. This operation carries huge risks; if we fail, we'll suffer big losses too."
"But the payout is huge. A million dollars is more than what we'd make doing ten missions. Opportunities like this don't come often; it would be a shame to pass it up," Johnson countered.
Seeing his unusual determination, John stopped trying to dissuade him.
"Since we've decided to take it, we need to plan carefully, considering every detail. Otherwise, completing the mission will be nearly impossible."
"Agreed!"
In the cramped motel room, they laid out plans for the next assassination attempt based on the intelligence collected over recent days.
Since Link was vacationing on the island of Lanai recently, far from the city and difficult to access due to limited transportation options, they opted to remain in Los Angeles and strike once he returned.
---
Whirr whirr whirr--
At Lanai Airport, a civilian OH-6 helicopter gently descended from the sky, its giant rotors kicking up a dust storm on the runway.
The chopper hovered low for over ten seconds before smoothly landing on the large 'H' marking at the helipad.
"Link, you did great!"
Once landed, flight instructor Gene Bolett gave a thumbs-up from the co-pilot seat.
On his first hands-on flight, Link had piloted the helicopter up to 5,000 meters and landed precisely on the helipad. That was quite an achievement.
His courage and flying talent surpassed any pilot Gene had encountered in over twenty years. Even ace military pilots didn't perform as well on their first test flight.
"Haha, Gene, you taught me well," Link said, removing his noise-cancelling headset with a smile.
After deciding to learn flying, he'd hired Gene Bolett's team for training.
Gene had served twelve years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. Later, he founded a flying club in Los Angeles and was renowned as a gold-level instructor.
Under Gene's guidance, Link studied theory and practiced flight simulations at the club.
In just three weeks, he passed the theory exams and scored high on ground simulator tests.
Today's flight at Lanai Airport covered 100 kilometers, and he did well.
Following the course, after two more flights with an instructor and three solo flights, he'd qualify for a pilot's license.
After getting his helicopter license, Link planned to try flying jets and F-15 fighters.
Those craft could fly higher and farther, making training even more thrilling.
When filming Pearl Harbor in two years, he hoped to add air combat scenes to make the movie more exciting.
...
"Link, be careful. Flying a helicopter is dangerous. Watching from below makes us nervous," Lily and Monica said anxiously as he got off the plane.
"Don't worry. Helicopters are safer than cars statistically. Plus, with Mr. Bolett, a gold-level instructor, in the co-pilot seat, nothing will go wrong," Link said as he wrapped his arms around his girlfriends.
Though he initially wanted to keep his flying lessons a secret to avoid worrying them, he found lying complicated and decided to confess, saying it was to aid his filmmaking.
Lily, Monica, and the others pleaded with him several times but gave up, instead constantly reminding him to stay safe.
"Link, you're a big shot now, father to dozens of kids. You have serious responsibilities. You should cut down on reckless stunts; we all need you," Lily said softly, snuggling close.
"Yeah, flying is risky. Every year, there are awful accidents. You made Final Destination, didn't flying cause you some trauma?" Monica grabbed his finger tightly.
"A little. So before flying, I memorized all the materials and practiced thousands of times on the simulator. Mr. Bolett is onboard as co-pilot. I'm doing everything to avoid accidents. Trust me, I love life and refuse to lose you and the kids. I'm flying just for the movie," Link assured them.
"Link, you look so cool flying a helicopter! When's your next practice? I want to ride along and see the view," Sophia asked with a smile.
Monica shot her a glare. "You should be telling him not to fly, not encouraging him to do dangerous stuff."
"Monica, Lily, Link is awesome, like Superman. We should trust him," Sophia said.
"I trust him with many things, but flying is different. Airborne hazards are much higher," Sandra Bullock disagreed.
"Link said he'll be cautious. He's so skilled," Angelina Jolie said.
"Jolie, don't encourage this. It's not right," the girlfriends argued in two camps.
Lily, Monica, and the older, more sensible group opposed his flying, while Sophia, Jolie, and the younger, more adventurous ones supported him.
In the end, since he was determined, they decided to back his choice.
---
Back at the Moon Bay Villa, assistant Aishwarya reported many people had called or messaged after hearing the news of assassination, sending their regards and urging him to stay safe.
She showed a list with over sixty phone calls and more than three hundred texts and emails.
Link returned a few calls to familiar contacts and left the rest to Aishwarya and the other assistants.
...
"Link, is that news true? Someone tried to snipe you, missing by inches?" Quentin asked on the phone.
"I didn't notice on the red carpet. Later, I saw pictures and realized it," Link replied.
"You got lucky. The bullet passed less than four inches from your head. It's too dangerous. I always told you to focus on directing and not take risks. But look now -- someone envies your success, hiring killers to take you out."
"It's part of the climb to success. You can't reach the top without setbacks. I can handle this."
"I hope so. I want you alive to watch my movies beat yours at the box office."
"Haha, that's a funny thought."
...
After chatting with his persistent friend Quentin for a while, Link returned more calls, including to Michael Ovitz and Harvey.
He straightforwardly asked if the incident had anything to do with them.
Both swore to God it didn't.
"If that's true, great. The FBI has some leads now. Next step is catching the culprit. Hopefully, none of you are involved."
...
After finishing calls, Link paused to think before calling Joseph Schuertz, head of intelligence at Blackwater, asking him to monitor a man named Jeffrey Epstein.
He suspected Epstein for two reasons.
First, Epstein was a bad guy with a complicated background and access to hired killers.
Second, the timing fit -- assassins appeared after Link repeatedly refused Epstein's invitations; Epstein might have been humiliated and hired someone in anger.
So Epstein was a prime suspect.
Other suspects included the six major studio shareholders and stakeholders.
Without Link, imagine the massive upheaval at MGM. The film industry's balance would shift, benefiting the Big Seven Studios.
There were many other suspects: movie industry insiders, fanatical admirers of his girlfriends, rivals of the Glimmer Capital firm, and even financiers like Soros and other international speculators who'd taken hits early in the year during the later part of Asian financial crisis.
Who did it exactly? They had to wait for company and FBI investigations to find out.
*****
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