After killing Cook, Hardy made his way home with ease. As he passed by the Los Angeles River, he skillfully dismantled his gun and discarded the parts into the water, destroying the evidence.
Even if someone accuses him of murder in the future, without the weapon, his chances of being found guilty would be significantly reduced, and he might even be acquitted.
He took out the watch box, put the gold Rolex watch on his wrist, and threw the empty box into the river as well. Everything was perfect.
Back at Bill's house, Hardy turned on the stove and burned all the clothes he had worn, including the new suit and wool coat that cost him over seventy dollars. He washed away any blood in the bathroom and settled into bed, appreciating the comfort of a good rest after the battlefield.
He wondered about Bill's condition and hoped his brother would survive. He planned to visit him at dawn to see how things were and hoped Bill's recovery would bring some sense of justice for what happened.
Hardy quickly fell asleep and woke up past nine in the morning. He washed up, went out for breakfast, and grabbed a newspaper.
The headline on the front page caught his eye: "Gunfight on Brown Street Leaves Six Dead!"
The newspaper included photos of police carrying body bags and loading them into vehicles. The report stated that all six victims were members of the Spanish gang, with speculations about a possible gang feud triggering the incident. It warned the public to be cautious due to potential gang conflicts in Los Angeles.
Hardy recalled an interview with the police chief who had promised to catch the perpetrator and protect the public.
He flipped through several newspapers and found that they all covered the shooting. While most newspapers lacked valuable details, a few mentioned that the FBI had determined the work of a single gunman.
Nearby, a few guests were discussing the news:
"Did you see this morning's news? Six people from the Spanish gang were killed."
"Of course, it's on every headline in Los Angeles."
"I heard Cook was a major player in the Red Dani Gang. It's shocking to see him taken out like this."
"The newspaper says it was done by just one person. That's incredible."
"It must have been another gang. We might see more gang violence soon."
"Will the police do anything?"
"Ha! Do you really think they will protect the public as they claim? They're more focused on collecting money."
---
At Murphy's private clinic, Bill slowly opened his eyes. Sean and Ryder were by his side, and upon seeing him wake up, Ryder jumped with excitement.
"Boss, you're awake! I was so afraid you wouldn't make it."
Sean immediately slapped Ryder. "You need to be more considerate."
Ryder rubbed the back of his head, looking sheepish.
Bill, despite his weakness, managed a weak smile. "Seems like God wasn't too interested in talking to me."
Sean called for Dr. Murphy, who arrived shortly to examine Bill. After a thorough check, Dr. Murphy nodded and said, "You're lucky to be alive. I wasn't sure you'd pull through. With proper rest, you'll recover in three or four months. But be cautious; you won't always be so fortunate."
"Thank you, Doctor Murphy," Bill said.
Once Dr. Murphy left, Bill turned to Sean and whispered, "Now that the doctor's gone, could I have a cigarette?"
"Boss, the doctor said no smoking," Sean replied.
"Forget that. If life isn't worth living happily, it's better to die," Bill said, clearly frustrated.
Sean lit a cigarette and handed it to Bill. Bill took a drag but quickly coughed, wincing at the pain in his wound.
"Damn Cook, he attacked me unexpectedly. I'll make him pay once I'm better," Bill cursed.
"Boss, Cook is dead," Ryder said.
Bill was shocked. "Cook's dead? How did that happen?"
Sean handed Bill a newspaper. It reported that Cook and his five men had been killed at home, with suspicions of a gang feud.
Bill looked at Sean and asked, "Was it one of our guys?"
Sean shook his head. "It doesn't seem like it. The higher-ups checked, and they still don't know who did it. But the person who did it was impressive—taking out six people alone."
Sean's tone was filled with admiration.
---
After breakfast, Hardy visited the private clinic again. He opened the door to Bill's ward and saw Bill chatting with Sean and Ryder. He was relieved to see Bill awake.
"Bill, you're up," Hardy said, walking quickly to the bed.
"Tom, you're here," Bill responded, visibly pleased to see his friend.
Hardy assessed Bill's condition. Although Bill looked pale, he seemed to be in good spirits, indicating he might survive.
"I was really worried about you yesterday," Hardy said, patting Bill on the shoulder and taking out an envelope from his pocket. "Congratulations on pulling through. I brought you a little something."
Bill looked at the envelope with curiosity. "What's this?"
"Money!" Hardy said. "Since this whole mess hurt you, I helped you get it back."
Bill opened the envelope to find it filled with colorful banknotes in various denominations. Understanding dawned on him.
"Tom, did you kill Cook?" Bill asked, astonished.
Hardy nodded. "He wronged my brother, and I had to make him pay."
Bill was deeply touched. Despite his injury, Hardy had taken the initiative to avenge him.
Sean and Ryder looked on in shock, realizing that Hardy had been behind Cook's death. They marveled at his bravery and skill.
Bill smiled at Hardy. "You took action because you thought I might die. That's true brotherhood."
"The doctor gave you only a 30% chance of survival," Hardy replied.
"If I had died, the money would have been useless," Bill said with a faint smile.
"I'd burn it for you," Hardy said.
Bill was puzzled. "Burn it? What do you mean?"
It was clear that Bill didn't understand the traditional Chinese practice of burning paper money for the deceased.
Feeling a twinge of pain, Bill winced and adjusted his position. Sean and Ryder helped him sit up more comfortably.
"You two go outside. Tom and I need to talk. And remember, keep quiet about Cook," Bill instructed.
Sean and Ryder nodded and left the room.
"What do you need to talk about?" Hardy asked.
Bill looked at Hardy with serious eyes. "Tom, I need your help. The doctor said I'll be bedridden for three or four months. The territory I manage needs someone to oversee it. Could you assist me?"
"You want me to join the gang?" Hardy was surprised by the request.
"Just temporarily. You can leave after I recover, but if I don't manage things, I risk losing everything," Bill explained.
"What about Sean and Ryder?" Hardy asked.
Bill shook his head. "Sean can handle the accounts, but he lacks the courage. Ryder is impulsive and lacks leadership. You're the only one suited for the job."
"If I don't manage things, my territory will be taken by others. When I'm back, I might have to start over, and all my efforts would be wasted."
"I've just bought a new house for my family and still owe a lot to the bank. If I lose the territory and income, my family will have to move back to the old house in the countryside."
Bill's eyes showed a clear plea for help. Hardy thought for a moment. Since he hadn't found a suitable job, he decided to assist Bill.
"I'll help you manage it for a while, but will your gang be okay with this?"
Bill smiled. "I'll handle that."
As Bill spoke with Hardy, Fred and his second-in-command Alan Payne arrived at the private clinic.
Sean and Ryder, who were in the corridor, saw the two and quickly put out their cigarettes.
"How's Bill?" Alan asked.
"He's awake. Dr. Murphy says it's not serious, just needs three to four months of recovery," Sean replied.
They entered the ward and saw Hardy in the room. Fred and Alan exchanged curious glances, noting Hardy's presence.
Bill introduced Hardy. "Mr. Fred, Mr. Alan, this is my close friend Tom Hardy."
He then mentioned the envelope of money on the bed. "By the way, Tom helped recover Cook's money."
Fred, understanding the implication, scrutinized Hardy. Given that one person had taken down six others, Fred was impressed.
Fred admired Hardy's decisive action and boldness in avenging a friend.
"Tom Hardy," Fred said, "I see a trait in you that fits well with our world. How about joining the Jewish gang?"
Fred extended an invitation, intrigued by Hardy's potential.
"I see a trait in you that makes you well-suited for the underworld," Fred said to Hardy. Hardy felt a bit confused by this remark, and a particular movie scene flashed in his mind.
In the scene, an old fortune teller says, "Young man, I see from head to toe that there is no part of you that isn't like a beggar."
The young man responds, "So what?"
"It means you're destined to beg for a lifetime!" the fortune teller replies.
"So what?" the young man says, clearly annoyed. "I'm going to sleep now."
"Don't leave just yet; you will be the top pick. If I'm not mistaken, you'll be the overlord of beggars."
"The overlord of beggars? What does that mean?"
"Still a beggar!"
The Jewish gang leader in front of Hardy was suggesting that he had the characteristics of a gang member. Was it because of his name?
Tom Hardy.
Would he become the overlord of the gang?
Fred's offer to recruit Tom delighted Bill, who quickly added, "I want Tom to help me. He's my best brother, and I want him to handle my affairs."
"Yes, I agree," Fred said.
Without further discussion, Hardy officially joined the Jewish Gang as a peripheral member.
Bill picked up the envelope on the bed and said to Fred, "Boss, Tom helped me recover the share. Here it is."
He handed over the money.
Alan Payne, Fred's second-in-command, took the money, counted it, and said, "There's $6,800 here. The split should be $5,000, so there's an extra $1,800."
Fred took $1,000 from the money and handed it to Bill. "This $1,000 is your revenue share."
Bill accepted it with gratitude. This money was not only his but also due to Sean and Ryder according to the rules.
Fred took another $1,000 and handed it to Bill. "This is for your treatment. You were injured while working for the gang."
"Thank you, boss," Bill said, accepting the money gratefully.
Fred then handed $1,800 to Hardy. Hardy looked at the Jewish gangster with some surprise.
Fred smiled. "Cook only owed us $5,000. The extra is yours."
Hardy noted how fair and generous Fred was, dividing the funds reasonably. He accepted the money without hesitation.
Fred then said, "Don't worry about Cook or the Spaniards. I'll handle it. Cook was at fault, and if the Spaniards don't cooperate, we might consider shutting down their operations."
With that, Fred and Alan left, and Bill turned to Hardy. "Brother, I'll take care of you next."
He then addressed Sean and Ryder. "You two need to cooperate with Tom. Remember, he was my superior in the Marine Corps."
Sean and Ryder already respected Hardy. They had witnessed his prowess firsthand when he had disarmed and subdued them. The fact that Hardy had single-handedly taken out Cook and his gang only deepened their admiration.
"Don't worry, boss. We'll handle everything properly," they said in unison.
---
Fred and Alan returned to the villa, and Fred decided to call Dani, the leader of the Spanish gang.
Upon receiving the call, Dani's eyes narrowed. "Fred, did your people kill Cook?"
"Cook was one of my top men. Losing six at once is a significant blow," Dani replied, visibly distressed.
"Dani, you broke the rules first. I don't know if Cook acted on your orders, but if Red Dani is prepared to end our cooperation and become an enemy, we'll handle it accordingly," Fred said sternly.
Dani's posture stiffened. "This was not my instruction," he replied.
"If you want to continue working with us, you need to follow the rules. Those who break them know the consequences. If you want to play games, we have ways to address it," Fred warned.
Dani took a deep breath, trying to control his anger. "Alright, Fred. Cook's dead, the money's been returned. Let's consider this matter closed. How about we continue our cooperation?"
Fred, expecting this outcome, replied with a hint of amusement, "Dani, making money is crucial, but so are the rules. I hope there won't be a next time."
"I understand," Dani said in a low voice.
The call ended with a click as Dani slammed the handset down, his face a mask of fury.
No one had dared to speak to him like that since he became the boss of Red Dani. Today's encounter was a stark lesson.
Dani took a long drag from a cigar and said, "The Jews must be dealt with, no matter what."
He turned to Sergeant Burstein. "Are we meeting the Irish tonight?"
"Yes, at 8 o'clock in the Irish Hoffman Bar," Burstein confirmed.
Dani thought for a moment and instructed Burstein, "Continue contacting the Mexicans, Chinese, and other gangs in Los Angeles. I want no delays."
"Understood. I'll get in touch now."
After Burstein left, Dani walked to the window of his office on the 18th floor, overlooking Beverly Hills.
"I want to control the entire underground world of Los Angeles, just like Al Capone. I want to be the king of this city!"
Ambition, as the saying goes, drives people to extremes. Dani's ambitions were growing, and he was willing to take risks to achieve them.
---
As night fell, a new car pulled up in front of the bar. Dani and Sergeant Burstein, followed by two men, got out and looked up at the sign.
**Hoffman Bar**
As they entered, they were greeted and searched. Dani's men, displeased, tensed up, but Dani waved them down and let the search proceed.
They had no weapons, as their purpose was not to fight.
"Mr. Dani, Mr. Burstein, I'll take you to see the boss," a staff member said, leading the way.
They were taken to a private room where Hemi Weiss of the Irish gang and his deputy, Bougus Moran, were already seated.
Hemi Weiss, with his distinctive British haircut, was a commanding presence despite his young age of twenty-eight. In Los Angeles, he controlled several blocks with his ruthless reputation.
Weiss greeted Dani with a smile and a handshake. "Dani, you mentioned an important matter. Are you looking to sell cocoa powder on my turf? I have that business too."
"Wes, are you interested in taking over the Jewish gang's territory?" Dani asked directly.
Weiss's smile faltered as he assessed Dani. "What are you aiming for, Dani?"
"I want revenge," Dani said.
Weiss frowned. "Are you going to start a war with the Jewish gang just over Cook?"
Dani's smile faded as he said, "It's not just about Cook. My cocoa business is hugely profitable, but we have to share a significant portion with the Jewish gang. They do nothing, while we risk everything."
"It's unfair."
"Cook had a dispute, and they sent someone to kill six of my men. Then Fred called and threatened me, blaming everything on us."
"This enraged me."
"Wes, if we ally, we can eliminate the Jewish gang. Afterward, Red Dani will keep 40% of the territory and assets, with the rest going to the North Shore Gang. How about it?"
Dani looked at Weiss, awaiting his response.
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