Chapter 41: Chapter 41: First Visit to Las Vegas
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Five days later, Dani's subordinate reported that a Colombian wanted to see him. Dani was eager to find out what had happened and instructed, "Call him in quickly."
The visitor entered and, with a stern expression, said, "General Gustavo asked me to convey a message."
"What message?" Dani asked, concerned.
The visitor's tone was harsh. "You've stolen our goods and killed our men. We will not let this go. General Gustavo demands $500,000 in compensation. If you don't comply, he will send someone to exact revenge."
Dani was shocked and replied anxiously, "Why would I steal your goods? It was clearly your people who did it. The soldier I sent for the transaction is dead, and all my subordinates were killed. The $300,000 was stolen, and now I suspect you were behind it."
The visitor shook his head. "I don't know about that. The general only instructed me to inform you of the demand for $500,000. If you refuse, you'll face our revenge."
Dani was furious. "How are you pushing all the blame onto me?"
He wanted to resolve the situation directly with General Gustavo but found that it was 1946 and international calls to Colombia were not feasible.
Ignoring the demand wasn't an option. General Gustavo was a powerful figure in the Colombian military, commanding tens of thousands of troops. If he decided to send someone after Dani, his small team wouldn't stand a chance.
But where could Dani come up with $500,000? He felt deeply aggrieved, especially since he was also a victim in this situation.
Suppressing his anger, Dani said to the Colombian, "Please tell General Gustavo that this is a misunderstanding. I will come to Colombia to explain in person at the appropriate time. Our business will continue, and we can discuss many things further."
The Colombian nodded and left the office.
Dani sank into the sofa, trembling with rage. He lit a cigar, trying to calm himself.
"Damn it!"
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Meanwhile, Hardy was on a plane heading to Las Vegas. He was going to meet Siegel and deliver the proceeds from the recent robbery. He also wanted to discuss future plans with Siegel.
Hardy had been contemplating his future. If he was going to succeed in the underworld, he needed his own territory and reliable income to support more people. Relying solely on robbery wasn't sustainable.
In Los Angeles, the Irish controlled the old town, the Jewish Gang dominated the newer city areas, the Spaniards were centered around Hollywood, and the Chinese operated mainly around Chinatown.
Hardy considered that if he wanted more power, he needed to secure suitable turf. The Irish were too strong to challenge, and taking over the Jewish Gang was complicated due to their connections with the Mafia.
His focus shifted to the Spanish Gang. Although their territory was small, it was strategically located in Hollywood and had potential for growth. By defeating the Spanish Gang and taking their territory, Hardy could significantly increase his influence without unnecessary conflict with the Jewish Gang.
Hardy was keen to hear Siegel's thoughts on this.
"Folks, we're about to land. Make sure your seatbelts are fastened. If not, you might get thrown around during the landing," the pilot announced.
Hardy appreciated the good service, despite the small plane's discomfort. With only eighteen seats, the flight was bumpy and noisy, but it was the fastest option.
Driving from Los Angeles to Las Vegas took about half a day via Interstate 15, or about a day by train. Given the choices, Hardy had opted for the plane.
After a rough landing, Hardy disembarked with his suitcase. A young man in a suit approached him. "Mr. Jon Hardy?"
"Yes, that's me."
"I'm here to pick you up. Mr. Siegel sent me," the young man said.
Hardy recognized the young man from his previous visit to Siegel's residence. They got into the car and drove toward downtown Las Vegas.
As they traveled, Hardy saw the stark contrast between the desolate landscape and the bustling city he remembered from his previous life. The current Las Vegas was a small town with sparse buildings and open land.
In 1829, Mexican merchants discovered the Las Vegas Basin and named it "Las Vegas," meaning "The Meadows" in Spanish. With the discovery of gold mines in Nevada, the town grew, and in 1905, it was connected by rail, becoming a city with a population of over 3,000.
During the Great Depression, Nevada legalized gambling, and the construction of the Hoover Dam brought electricity, spurring rapid development. Despite the lack of gold, Las Vegas was seen as a goldmine of potential, with its real estate set to appreciate significantly.
Hardy noted that the land around Las Vegas had great potential. Although it was still in the early stages of development, Siegel aimed to build the most luxurious casino in the United States, attracting a significant number of tourists each year.
The car stopped at a large construction site. The driver said, "Mr. Hardy, Mr. Siegel is at the construction site. I'll take you to him."
Hardy followed the driver and found Siegel in a clearing, standing under a large umbrella with a round table and chairs nearby. Siegel was looking out over the site.
"Mr. Siegel," Hardy called out.
Siegel turned and greeted Hardy with a smile. "Hardy, look at this! It's hot out here, but this will soon be the most magnificent casino in the United States, perhaps even the world."
Hardy surveyed the scene: a vast area covered with construction materials and several bulldozers working on the site, kicking up dust.
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