Chapter 529: Toni and Affleck

In the tense aftermath of the shooting incident, despite no fatalities, the Los Angeles Police Department arrived swiftly at the scene. The situation's gravity, given its connection to a major Hollywood production, demanded immediate attention. Detective McClain, who previously interacted with Martin during the Burbank Middle School incident, was among the first to arrive.

McClain, recognizing Martin, approached him for insights. "Can you walk me through what happened?" he inquired, his tone reflecting both concern and professionalism.

Martin, still processing the chaos, responded, "I was in the rest area, waiting for my scene. There was a shootout sequence on set, and during the fourth round of firing, the blanks unexpectedly turned into live rounds." He tapped his ear, adding, "I'm familiar with firearms. I can distinguish the sounds."

McClain's expression turned grave. "Could this be related to espionage? Russian spies, perhaps?"

Martin pondered for a moment before replying, "Unlikely, I believe."

He then gestured towards the props area. "You might want to talk to Bruce, my manager. He's over there, taking notes. He's got some insights."

"Let's check it out," McClain suggested, leading the way.

Bruce was already in conversation with a detective from the Police Detective Bureau when Martin and McClain arrived. Bruce explained his role on set with earnest clarity. "As part of the negotiation terms for Martin's roles, I'm always listed as the deputy director of the props team for safety reasons."

He recounted the day's events. "This afternoon, before filming, I checked all firearms as usual, including Tom Hardy's. However, he refused a thorough inspection, only showing me the first three rounds in his magazine to confirm they were blanks."

A policewoman, jotting down notes, whispered to her colleague, "His account matches what the prop master said."

The detectives then approached another prop master, one known for his sunglasses and serious demeanor. He declared, "I've been here since morning, never left. Nobody tampered with the bullets. I swear it! I, along with two others, loaded the blanks. It's a rule here - mutual supervision for safety."

His expression conveyed a deep sense of professional responsibility. "My ethics wouldn't allow me to act irresponsibly."

The detectives had already questioned two other prop masters. Turning back to the sunglasses-clad one, they asked, "Do you believe there was no mistake on your end? Where was Bruce during this?"

He replied, firmly, "Bruce checked everything thoroughly. I was there with another colleague. No foul play on our part. But Tom Hardy, he didn't let Bruce check his gun properly and left with it. The problem might have occurred after he walked away with the weapon."

Internally, the prop master knew revealing his nap during lunch would shift the blame onto him, potentially ruining his career in the industry.

The detective, pondering this new angle, asked, "You're referring to British actor Tom Hardy?"

The prop master, seizing an opportunity, speculated, "Yes, Tom Hardy. He left alone with the gun. That's when things might have gone wrong."

After gathering all the information, the detectives convened a brief meeting at the scene. The consensus was that the prop masters and Bruce had followed their usual protocols, with no apparent negligence. The situation seemed under control, but the mystery of the live round remained unsolved, leaving a palpable tension in the air.

Tom Hardy's refusal to have his firearm inspected struck everyone as odd, especially since such behavior was rare among professional actors, let alone one of his star caliber. The set was abuzz with speculation and concern, with Clayson and his colleagues playing the role of curious onlookers amidst the unfolding drama.

Clayson, keeping his composure, mimicked the actions of his peers, blending into the background. Internally, he felt a pang of disappointment that Martin Davis hadn't been the one involved in the mishap. Martin's known penchant for intense gunplay scenes could have sparked a media frenzy. But Clayson had achieved his objective; he had repaid his debt to Brad Pitt and had no intention of stirring the pot again.

Outside the set, Martin waited with a sense of unease until Bruce returned with news. "Tom Hardy is being taken in for questioning," Bruce whispered.

Martin's response was laced with concern. "That's not good. If the lead actor's in trouble, it could halt the entire production. Nolan won't be pleased."

With representatives from various guilds and insurance companies swarming the set, a temporary shutdown seemed inevitable.

Bruce, trying to lighten the mood, said, "You just got a break. Weren't you scheduled to meet with a studio executive? We don't have much time."

Martin, in a more secluded spot, voiced his real worry in a hushed tone. "Do you think this could be a setup against us?"

Bruce pondered before replying, "Hard to say. I checked all firearms and ammunition, except Tom Hardy's. He inserted the bullet into his magazine, not yours."

Reflecting on the situation, Bruce added, "I've spoken with McClain. So far, it's either a case of someone lying, or something happened after Hardy took the gun."

Martin, still uneasy, pressed, "Any unusual findings from the props team?"

"No, not yet," Bruce replied. "Even during lunch, they have someone on watch. He claims he never left after the morning's work, which others have corroborated."

Martin's anxiety didn't subside. "Stay vigilant. I have a feeling something's not right. It's not just paranoia."

Bruce's response was tinged with dark humor. "That's the aftermath of our past actions. We can't just dispose of our problems in the Pacific."

Martin knew there was truth in Bruce's words. Ever since his arrival in Hollywood, he had been stepping over others to climb the ladder of success. His past was filled with manipulation and confrontations.

Feeling a momentary wave of exhaustion, Martin quickly reignited his ambition with thoughts of fame, wealth, and power. "Keep an eye on the crew's private dealings," he instructed Bruce.

Aware that they couldn't match the LAPD's resources, Martin knew their strength lay elsewhere.

"I will," Bruce assured him.

As life on set resumed, Martin suggested, "Let's go see how Nolan's holding up."

Approaching Nolan's team, they were surprised to find the director energetic and undeterred. Nolan, having just finished a conversation with the Directors Guild representatives, instructed his assistant Anderson, "Document everything. This incident, the accidental shooting during filming, and the photographer's bravery in completing the shot despite his injury – it's all part of our story."

Anderson's pen glided across the page, capturing the unfolding drama with a journalist's fervor for authenticity. Nolan, deep in thought, was acutely aware of the negative impact the shooting incident would have on the production. Yet, he also recognized an opportunity to spin the situation into a compelling narrative for the movie's publicity.

Having honed his skills in marketing through various crises, Nolan directed Anderson, "Keep recording everything. We need to show how I maintained composure and prevented further chaos on set."

Once Anderson had noted down Nolan's instructions, Nolan pondered their next steps. Spotting Martin, he beckoned him over. "Chris," Martin began as he approached.

Nolan, valuing Martin's insight in marketing matters, posed a question, "Do you think we could edit some of today's footage and release it to entertainment media like TMZ? It could generate buzz for the film."

Martin, typically more cautious, advised, "We must be careful in how we shape public perception."

Nolan agreed, recalling the crew's previous encounters in Morocco, including a kidnapping and an incident involving a Jewish man. The challenges they faced had been numerous, with external forces often attempting to sway or suppress the truth.

He considered how Warner Bros. professionals might manage this situation. Martin, having worked with Barry Meyer's Warner Brothers, trusted their capabilities.

Nolan, however, harbored a suspicion that the shooting might be linked to their troubles in Morocco but chose to keep these thoughts to himself, mindful of the influential Jewish community in Hollywood.

He caught a glance from Bruce and followed his gaze to where Tom Hardy was being escorted by the LAPD for questioning. Nolan's mind was already racing with the implications of this development for their project.

As the day wound down, Emma Thomas approached Martin with instructions to await further updates. Martin and Bruce headed home, mulling over the day's events.

The LAPD's findings were not looking favorable for Tom Hardy. Witnesses, including Bruce and the prop masters, had seen him unload three blank rounds, but the fourth shot had caused the accident. Some detectives even suspected Hardy of intentional harm.

After lengthy discussions, Hardy was released late at night, but the cloud of suspicion lingered.

Meanwhile, in Burbank, Cassie, sitting in her car, observed Toni returning from the supermarket. She quickly called her brother Ben. "She's back," she reported.

Ben, just arriving himself, watched as Toni parked and got out of her car. He approached her, offering help with her groceries. "We're friends, right?" he said, picking up two shopping bags.

Together, they entered Toni's building and took the elevator to her apartment. Once inside, Toni invited Ben to stay for a while. "We're friends," she reminded him with a smile.

Ben entered Toni's apartment, immediately noticing the abundance of Martin Davis memorabilia. It was like stepping into a shrine dedicated to the actor, a stark reminder of the intricate connections that wove through their lives.