บท 147: Chapter 147: The Mantis Catches the Cicada, and the Oriole is Behind
A few days earlier, Raymond received an unexpected call from Emilio Basini, head of the Basini Mafia family.
"Raymond, interested in making a deal?" Basini's voice crackled with curiosity.
Raymond's response was brusque. "Emilio Basini, what's this all about?"
Although outsiders believed the Irish and the Mafia were always at odds, there were times when they engaged in negotiations for mutual benefit.
Basini, unfazed by Raymond's tone, replied with a chuckle, "How about Los Angeles? Are you interested?"
Raymond was taken aback. "Los Angeles? Siegel controls that area. What are you planning?"
Basini's voice turned bitter. "That bastard Siegel deceived us. He took our money to invest in a casino in Las Vegas, but after spending millions, it went under in just three months."
"So, you want revenge and to take over the casino?" Raymond asked.
Basini nodded. "Exactly. Siegel's actions cost us a fortune, and we're ready to reclaim our investment and seize his assets."
Raymond was familiar with Siegel's failed casino venture. He understood Basini's frustration. "So you're offering to trade Los Angeles in exchange for our help in Las Vegas?"
Basini's proposal was clear: he wanted the Irish to stay out of Las Vegas, leaving it to the various families, while he would take over Los Angeles and its assets.
Raymond saw the deal's advantages. "What's the catch?"
"We want Las Vegas to be off-limits to the Irish," Basini explained. "In return, we'll let you handle Los Angeles without interference."
Raymond realized this deal required no direct cost for either side. Siegel was the primary loser here, with his assets at risk. Raymond only needed to agree to stay out of Las Vegas.
With the agreement set, Raymond tasked his strategist, David, with traveling to Los Angeles to negotiate with Hymi Weiss, leader of the North Shore Gang.
David arrived in Los Angeles the next day, slightly skeptical about Raymond's plan to intervene in Los Angeles.
"Hymi, do you really think you can unify the entire underground world in Los Angeles with your current strength?" David asked.
Hymi Weiss was momentarily taken aback. Although he aspired to dominate, his North Shore Gang was only third in rank, behind the Jewish and Bill gangs.
David's question touched a nerve. "Do you want to be the underground emperor of Los Angeles?"
The idea was irresistible to Hymi Weiss. The title of underground emperor, akin to Al Capone in Chicago or Raymond in Detroit, was the pinnacle of criminal power.
"Of course," Hymi affirmed.
David smiled. "Chairman Raymond said that with our cooperation, you can achieve this goal. After we take over Los Angeles, you'll retain control. We only need a share of the profits."
"What's the plan?" Hymi Weiss asked, intrigued.
David leaned in and whispered details into Hymi Weiss's ear. As Hymi listened, his eyes lit up with excitement. The plan involved internal Mafia conflicts, Siegel's assassination, and a subsequent takeover. With Raymond's assistance, Hymi would first destroy the Jewish Gang, then other rivals, and finally unite Los Angeles under his control.
Blinded by ambition, Hymi agreed to the deal. The two sides settled on a 16% share of profits for Raymond and a commitment for Raymond to help Hymi become a member of the Irish Joint Commission within three years.
In the following days, a significant force from Detroit arrived in Los Angeles, along with about 200 men from the North Shore Gang.
News came in that the four major families in New York had launched a full-scale attack on the Corleone family, killing Sonny Corleone and attempting to assassinate Mike. That evening, Siegel and Fred were killed at their home in Las Vegas.
Raymond sneered upon hearing this. "The greatest damage to an organization comes from internal strife, not external threats."
Raymond knew that the Mafia's internal conflicts would weaken it significantly, benefiting the Irish. He called David to confirm the readiness for action.
Meanwhile, Hymi Weiss had begun his assault.
"Swipe~!" Hymi drew a revolver and pointed it at Alan Payne, the Jewish Gang's strategist. "Alan, if you don't want to end up floating in the Los Angeles River, you better submit."
Alan Payne, trembling, protested, "Hymi, threatening me won't help. You know I'm just a strategist. The Jewish Gang's leadership won't follow my orders."
Hymi considered this and turned to David. "What should we do?"
David suggested, "Let's seize the Jewish Gang's assets. If they resist, eliminate them."
Soon after, dozens of cars departed from the North Shore Gang's headquarters, heading towards various Jewish Gang properties.
At 11 p.m., the streets were eerily quiet. A convoy arrived at the Jewish Gang's tobacco and liquor warehouse. The iron door was rammed open, and armed Irish men poured in. They encountered resistance from a few Jewish guards but quickly overcame them.
As the Irish took control of the warehouse, one of them exclaimed, "This is a fortune! There must be hundreds of thousands in tobacco and alcohol here."
The Irish teams also targeted other Jewish Gang businesses.
Meanwhile, Hardy received urgent news from Henry. "Boss, the North Shore Gang is attacking the Jewish Gang's operations. They've hit the warehouse, casinos, brothels, and the office. What should we do?"
Hardy was surprised. He hadn't anticipated the Irish's involvement.
He instructed Henry, "Mobilize all patrols to support these locations immediately. Inform Lanster to alert the Los Angeles Police Department about the gang attacks."
Turning to Bill, Hardy said with a grin, "Bill, are you ready to deal with the Irish?"
"Of course," Bill replied. The Bills had a history of clashes with the Irish, and now, with the Irish making a move, Bill was eager to strike back.
"The Irish are overextending themselves. Their lair will be vulnerable. Prepare your men. Once I give the word, we'll strike and potentially wipe out the Irish tonight."
The mantis catches the cicada, and the oriole is behind. Hardy was ready to exploit the chaos and seize the advantage.
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