Chapter 53: Justice Prevails

The sun rose, and as the temperature slowly became hot, anticipation grew among the actors in the makeshift makeup room.

Ward glanced at the studio and asked, "Do you think she can pull it off?"

Adam Smith, unbuttoning his shirt slightly, replied, "She's quite ambitious."

A nearby voice exclaimed, "Ice Coke has arrived!" Big Head, the drink delivery person, wheeled in a cart, placing a fresh can of Coke on the table. The extras rushed to grab their own.

Ward brought two cans, handing one to Adam Smith. After a disappointing sip, he remembered, "Remember not to litter; we need to put the cans back."

The routine of taking away the cans was already familiar to everyone, thanks to Big Head's daily visits.

Robert, wearing gloves, collected the cans in a net bag.

Ward and Adam Smith placed their empty cans down and left. Robert took care of the remaining cans, neatly packing them away.

As he pushed the cart behind a car, Bruce, leaning against it, asked, "Did you get it?"

Robert handed over two cans and inquired, "What's your plan?"

Bruce replied, "Don't worry, I'll handle it properly."

Robert nodded and was cautious, "Just be careful, and don't involve me."

Bruce pointed to a makeup trailer, "Martin is about to enter the studio. Go ahead. I'll cover you from behind. We've got backup outside, ready to rush in if needed."

Robert grabbed new Cokes and followed Martin into the studio, keeping a distance.

...

Filming commenced, and Martin, having his last scene, left the rest area for the set. An empty can remained on the table.

As usual, Rosa helped Martin tidy up and took the can as she left. Meanwhile, Robert, wearing gloves and carrying a net bag, collected garbage in the rest area. He dialled a number, waited, and hung up.

Within minutes, Martin returned to the rest area, and Robert whispered, "She took it."

Martin asked, "Whose was it?"

Robert replied, "An extra."

Martin inquired further, "She didn't do anything else?"

Robert assured him, "No, just the can."

Martin smiled, "You're my lucky Coke charm."

Robert sighed, "I'm your unlucky partner."

Martin reassured him, "Luck changes."

Meanwhile, Rosa met Adam Smith, handing him the can in a paper bag, saying, "Don't forget, I kept my promise."

Adam Smith replied, "We'll wait for good news," and quickly met Ward in private.

Ward put on gloves, carefully opened the can's top, and inserted a plastic bag inside. He mentioned, "All the valuable stuff went to Hi him."

Adam Smith chuckled, "Everyone got their share of the loot. The outer packaging even has a label: 'biological samples.' I can only imagine his fate."

Ward packed up and headed to the parking lot. Adam Smith kept a distance, scanning his surroundings.

In a car in the parking lot, Bruce frowned, "Martin, that guy, how could he stay civilized in this industry?"

Realization dawned, "He's a perfect match for this rotten business!"

Shortly after, the two returned to the set to continue working.

Bruce cautiously patrolled the parking lot, ensuring no onlookers were present. He swiftly entered the lot while dialling Robert and Andrew on his mobile, inquiring about Adam Smith's car.

For him, a former scavenger, the rest of the plan was a breeze.

...

After wrapping up work for the day, Martin exited the makeup trailer and made his way to the parking lot. He dialled Bruce once more, asking, "Bruce, how's the situation?"

Bruce, vigilant in the parking lot to avoid any mishaps, assured him, "All clear."

Martin, adopting a righteous tone, declared, "I'm a civilized person, an upstanding citizen of Atlanta, honoured by the Liberty Association. I won't stand by and let evil happen before my eyes. Bruce, we need to report them; we can't tolerate such wrongdoing!"

Bruce, not in the mood for sentiment, asked, "Why do I have to pose as a reporter?"

Martin replied, "I can't trust those guys."

Bruce questioned, "You don't have a gun, right?"

Martin confirmed, "No."

"Then cooperate. You don't look Black or Mexican. As long as you don't overdo it, they won't use a gun," Bruce advised. Martin got into his Ford car, retorting, "I'd never do this if I were an old Black guy."

Bruce warned, "They're tailing you."

The Ford left the parking lot, trailed by a black Mercedes-Benz SUV.

Inside the car, Ward just finished a phone call. "I called 911. This is a significant find. Patrol cops nearby will respond. They can't protect a hundred powerless people; there are legal consequences."

Adam Smith noted, "One incident will ruin him."

Ward agreed, "The Women's Association won't want any part of this."

Bruce followed the Mercedes-Benz SUV, dialled a number from his address book, and said, "Lynch, the tip I gave you is confirmed."

"I've requested an emergency search warrant, or else heads will roll."

"I won't die even if you do," Bruce assured Lynch. "Remember when we took on the British guys together? I faced all the charges."

Lynch inquired, "Where?"

Bruce disclosed the location and hung up.

Three cars merged into traffic, heading northwest. Soon after, an APD patrol car with flashing lights approached from behind and signalled the Ford to stop.

Martin, cooperative, pulled over to the side.

Simultaneously, Bruce accelerated past the Mercedes-Benz SUV, parked behind the patrol car, turned on his camera, and ran ahead.

Two APDs stepped out of their car. One cautiously approached Ford's rear, hand near the holster, and demanded Martin exit the car for a search, citing dangerous driving.

Martin complied, hands raised. The APD confirmed Martin was unarmed. The other officer spotted Bruce, pointing and questioning his actions. Bruce showed his press badge and asserted, "I have the film right!"

The reporter began capturing the scene. Strangely, the APDs held back somewhat, given that the car owner wasn't Black.

One officer restrained Martin, while the other inspected the car.

The Mercedes-Benz SUV parked behind Bruce's vehicle, and Ward and Adam Smith had a clear view.

Adam Smith, unimpressed, remarked, "This is a straightforward operation."

Ward asked, "Can he afford the hefty bail?"

Adam Smith pointed out, "Did you see that? The reporter arrived so quickly. There will be news soon. Gray Entertainment can't risk keeping him."

Ward, puzzled, wondered, "Who called the reporter?"

At that moment, three black Chevrolet SUVs approached. They synchronized their turns, effectively blocking the Mercedes-Benz SUV from all sides.

The Chevrolet doors opened, and DEA agents, heavily armed, emerged. Shotguns and rifles were pointed at Ward and Adam Smith.

"DEA! Show me your hands!"

Under the watchful barrels of over a dozen guns, Ward and Adam Smith dared not move.

The DEA presented a search warrant, forcibly removing the two from the car.

Adam Smith tried to explain, "You've got it wrong. We're not..." Before he could finish, a DEA agent struck him on the shoulder with the butt of a shotgun.

Adam Smith fell, and before he could react, the agent's knee pressed down on him.

Ward obeyed, burying his head in his hands and squatting.

The agent had no qualms, as the others signalled their approval.

The DEA found what they were looking for.

Justice would prevail, and evil would be punished.