Bab 21: Chapter 21: Crisis and Opportunity
Fred addressed the assembled bosses.
"Firstly, the recent conflicts with other gangs have impacted our regular operations, leading to some areas being understaffed."
He continued, "I've decided to increase the share ratio from 10% to 15%, allowing you to recruit more staff."
The bosses showed visible relief; that 5% increase represented a significant boost in income.
"Secondly," Fred said, holding up his last finger, "we're changing the split between your private operations and the gang from 46-60 to 37."
The reaction was even more positive. The Jewish gang's daily operations involved underground casinos, loan sharking, smuggling, control of bars and nightclubs, and Spanish gang drug trafficking, among other illicit activities.
The increase in profit share was welcomed news.
Fred explained further, "The gangs are in conflict, and we need to bolster our strength. This increase in profit is meant to enable you to recruit more people. Only by becoming stronger can we effectively deal with these crises."
On the way back, Ryder drove while Hardy sat quietly in the back seat, deep in thought. The current gang crisis was, in Hardy's eyes, a chance for growth—a prime opportunity to expand.
Los Angeles in the 1940s was bustling with activity, its streets vibrant and its skyline filled with high-rise buildings. The city was a key hub with its ports, oil industry, population, and Hollywood fame—truly a gem of the West Coast.
For Hardy, Los Angeles was a treasure chest.
Back at Bill's house, Hardy called the team together in the living room.
"Henry, Matthew, Neal, Leo, have you gathered any useful information from your week of investigations?" Hardy asked.
Henry spoke up first. "Matthew and I went into Irish territory. They're very powerful there. The locals fear them. Their operations include drug trafficking, gambling, smuggling, loan sharking, protection rackets, and more. They have over 300 official members and a significant number of peripheral ones."
Hardy noted, "So, the Irish are deeply involved in all sorts of criminal activities."
Henry continued, "We only had time to investigate their bars, nightclubs, and casinos."
Hardy felt a bit exasperated. "Investigating bars and nightclubs? Is that all you did?"
"Not quite," Henry said. "We did gather information about gang conflicts. A few days ago, Spanish Gang boss Dani personally visited the Irish Hoffman Bar to meet with Irish leader Old Sea Mives."
Hardy's interest was piqued. The timing was shortly after he had dealt with Cook, which had intensified the conflict in the Jewish community.
He turned to Neal and Leo. "What about your investigation into the Spanish gang?"
Neal reported, "The Spanish Gang is heavily involved in drug trafficking, cocoa powder, casinos, underground boxing, loan sharking, and more. They are the largest drug sellers in Los Angeles, surpassing even the Irish and Mexicans."
He added, "Dani, the Spanish boss, has been meeting with the Irish and Mexicans. His faction has also contacted the Russians and Poles. I even reached out to the Tang people, but their boss hasn't been active in Los Angeles for over a month."
Hardy deduced that the Spanish gang likely instigated the current conflict among the gangs, a situation that began intensifying after he eliminated Cook. This escalation seemed driven more by profit than by personal revenge.
Determined, Hardy addressed his team. "We're currently short on cash, and we need a big score. Are you in?"
The team responded with enthusiasm. They were eager for a lucrative opportunity.
Matthew asked, "Are we targeting a bank or a cash truck?"
Hardy shook his head. "No bank or cash truck. The bank security is too tight, and cash trucks only carry small amounts. In 1945, they usually carry just a few thousand dollars. It's not worth the risk."
He continued, "Instead, we'll target the Spanish gang. Their casinos and loan shark operations have far more cash on hand than any bank or cash truck. They're less secure and more profitable."
The plan was clear: target the Spanish gang, exploit their weaknesses, and avoid drawing too much attention.
Hardy instructed, "Richard, Henry, Matthew, Neal, Leo, Kerry—since you're new, go find out where the Spanish gang is storing the most cash. Get precise information. Once we have that, we'll plan our move."
"Got it!" the team responded eagerly. For them, the prospect of a heist was not only exciting but a necessary step to secure their future.
Bab 22: Chapter 22: A Good Opportunity
McKinsey No. 5 Club was an exclusive venue, known publicly as a high-end bar and club but secretly operating as a top-tier underground casino.
During the day, it was quiet, but at night, it came alive.
A Lincoln car pulled into the parking lot, located about two hundred meters from the private club. Several cars were already parked there.
A middle-aged man in a black suit exited the vehicle, freshly from a meeting with his lover and in high spirits.
"I'm going to win tonight," he said as he closed the car door.
Just then, two figures appeared behind him.
"Bang!"
A wooden stick struck the man in the head, causing him to collapse, unconscious.
"Matthew, you're not going to kill him, are you?" Henry asked, concerned.
Matthew chuckled, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
The two swiftly searched the man, tied him up, stuffed a rag in his mouth, and covered his head with a black cloth bag.
Their movements were precise and professional.
They opened the trunk of the car and tossed the unconscious man inside.
After adjusting their own attire, Henry and Matthew walked to the entrance of the club. Under the streetlight, Henry examined the man's wallet.
Inside, he found a membership card for McKinsey No. 5 Club, along with a few business cards for Kevin Madion, Director of the Credit Department at Los Angeles City Bank.
Henry smiled, "Kevin Madion is my cousin now."
Matthew grinned, "Being your cousin must be terrifying."
The wallet also contained over three hundred dollars in cash.
At the club entrance, two large doormen stopped them. "Please show your membership card, gentlemen."
Henry handed over Madion's membership card.
The doorman examined it, then looked at Henry. "This card belongs to Mr. Madion. I know him."
"Kevin's my cousin. He mentioned there's something interesting here and gave me this card to use. Why wouldn't it work?" Henry asked, feigning irritation.
"Oh, I see. Please come in," the doorman said, ushering them through.
Henry and Matthew walked forward, then Henry asked, "How do we get a membership card? If it's as fun as you say, we might want two ourselves."
"A $1,000 deposit and a $500 annual fee will get you membership and access to all services," the doorman explained.
Henry nodded, "That's not too expensive."
He was pretending; he wouldn't part with even a hundred dollars for it.
Inside the club, the décor was elegant, and the place was bustling with customers.
Some were drinking coffee, others socializing at the bar. The women were all dressed to impress, and Henry and Matthew knew exactly what their roles were.
They ordered drinks at the bar and began observing their surroundings.
Most conversations revolved around gambling. Some patrons celebrated their wins, while others masked their losses.
A young woman clung to an older man in his sixties, and they discussed different games—she preferred dice, while he favored Texas Hold'em.
Henry and Matthew exchanged glances, then followed the pair down a side passage.
They descended a few steps to reach an underground gate, where two bodyguards opened the door for them.
The noise was intense—it was the main attraction of McKinsey No. 5 Club: the underground casino.
The old man and the woman went to exchange chips, and Henry and Matthew did the same. They observed as the chips were stacked in a room and cash was stored in a suitcase.
When their turn came, Henry used his cousin's wallet, replacing all the cash with chips, which Matthew split with him.
"Let's split up and keep an eye on things," Henry suggested.
"Got it," Matthew agreed.
Three hours later, both had lost their chips and met up to leave.
Their observations provided valuable insights.
Back at the parking lot, they drove out in Kevin Madion's Lincoln and headed to a recently rented warehouse in the slum area controlled by the Jewish gang.
The warehouse, once a small factory, would serve as a temporary base.
"Boss, we've got a clear picture of things," Henry reported to Hardy.
Henry and Matthew detailed their findings and presented a sketch.
"The chip exchange is here," Matthew pointed to a room on the drawing.
"How much cash do you estimate?" Hardy asked.
Henry estimated, "When we left, the casino was at peak capacity—about a hundred people. Based on the chip turnover, I'd say around $70,000 to $80,000."
Matthew added, "Oh, and I overheard that there's a blackjack game scheduled for tomorrow night. That should draw in even more people and cash."
Hardy saw the opportunity. "Good. You two rest up. When Richard and Neal return, we'll discuss our plan of attack."
As Henry was about to leave, he remembered something.
"Boss, we still have that credit officer tied up in the trunk. What should we do with him?"
Hardy was surprised. "You still have him tied up?"
Henry explained, "The club is members-only. It was the only way to get in."
Matthew suggested, "We could just throw him into the river."
Hardy shook his head. "We may engage in criminal activities, but we don't need to be ruthless. We're here to survive, not to act out of sheer malice."
Henry and Matthew understood but were still puzzled.
"What about the tied-up guy?" Matthew asked.
"Can't just let him go," Hardy replied firmly. "We'll lock him in the cellar, tell him he's been kidnapped, and demand a ransom before we release him after our operation is complete."
Henry and Matthew were taken aback. Was Hardy trying to play the role of a 'good guy'?
Hardy's intention wasn't to extort a small amount of money but to prevent the man from revealing their plans and ensure the heist went smoothly.
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