Manhattan Reborn 1978

new York.

Early morning~

Manhattan.

42nd Street, above Wildfire Bar.

The sunlight passed through the curtains and shone on the carpet by the window.

David woke up from his sleep in a daze, tilted his head and squinted at the time, took another breath, and prepared to sleep a little longer.

Polly, who was curled up in his arms, seemed to be awake~

She closed her eyes and raised her head, kissed David, and whispered with a smile on her lips: "I can't let you sleep in anymore today!"

"Hehe~"

"It's still early! What's the rush?"

"It's late!"

"Lilith and the others should be almost ready!"

"You can't make your guests wait for you, can you?"

"...Yeah! You're right!"

David rubbed his forehead with his hand, patted Polly's exposed arm and said with a smile: "At this time tomorrow, I will already be in London!"

"Remember to tell dad that I..."

"Got it~"

"No one in your family will blame you!"

"...ok~" David smiled, climbed up, and ran to the bathroom in large strides.

Polly leaned sideways, holding her chin with one hand, looking at the sunlight coming in from the window, her rosy face full of expectant smiles.

----

Manhattan.

51st Street, in front of Barclays Bank.

Harold Stone, head of the FBI's New York branch, got out of the car in high spirits and strode towards the people standing at the door.

Torres Blackman, who was specially left to wait for him by the "old fritter" Lekosha, couldn't help but shook his head slightly and smiled bitterly when he saw his immediate boss finally arriving.

"Boss! You...are late~"

"Hehe~"

Harold Stone asked with a meaningful smile, pointing at a group of heavily armed guys at the door of the bank.

"What's the situation now?"

Torres, with a pair of big dark circles under his eyes, came to his side and explained: "I went to talk to the robbers three times, and finally reached a... deal!"

"We provided them with two bulletproof cash transport trucks, and they released most of the hostages and promised to leave the city with all the C4 explosives."

"Oh?"

"They... already have a plan to escape safely?" Harold Stone asked the key point very keenly.

"Yes~"

Torres sighed helplessly and whispered: "When the ATF bomb expert rushed over, the robbers specifically asked him to go in and take a look at the C4 explosives."

"After he came back, he told us that there was a piece of C5 explosive of about 4 kilograms in the backpacks of those people..."

"The total of five people adds up to more than 5 kilograms..."

Torres sighed and smiled bitterly: "Each of them actually came here to rob a bank carrying a C4 that can blow up the entire street..."

"They're either crazy, they're just..."

"Humph~"

Harold Stone patted Torres on the shoulder, leaned into his ear and whispered: "Do you remember... what happened during the Thanksgiving Day Parade last month?"

"...His~" Torres, who had drank several cups of coffee in the past two hours, quickly thought of the report submitted by the police.

He hesitated and asked: "You mean... that the batch of C4 explosives seized by the police during martial law last time is related to this incident?"

"Ha~ I didn't say anything!"

"These are just guesses!"

"..."

"Then you didn't receive the call on purpose...?"

"That's not~"

Harold Stone sighed and said with a smile: "I slept in the bedroom last night... and I didn't hear the call at all..."

"Ah~oh~" Torres suppressed a smile, cleared his throat, and wisely changed the topic.

"Um...the robbers have already driven the cash truck and walked north for about a quarter of an hour~"

"In the bank, there is only an order splitting team left by ATF and a few of our guys, who went in to check whether there is any valuable evidence left at the crime scene."

"Are you... staying here? Or chasing them?"

"Why should I chase them?"

"Watch them and tens of millions of dollars turn into ashes together? Or watch them successfully escape capture?"

A big exclamation point appeared in Torres's heart, he pursed his lips, looked at the people busy at the entrance of the bank, and whispered.

"Lekosha also followed. Do you want to inform him?"

"That old guy will be fine... You were involved in almost the whole process of this case~"

"How about it?"

"If you are asked to handle a similar case again, are you sure...to take control of the overall situation and catch the robbers?"

"...No!" Torres shook his head honestly.

"Yes!"

"Even if I didn't come to the scene, wouldn't there be a smart person here?"

"So...what's the difference if I come or not?"

"Faced with this group of robbers who have premeditated plans + careful planning + want money rather than life, no one has a good idea!"

"Are we going to storm in and force them to detonate explosives here?"

"Hehe~"

Harold Stone looked around and said in a lower voice: "Insurance companies will compensate the banks for their losses!"

"But if the NYPD or we make a wrong decision, causing irreparable personal and property losses... who will be responsible?"

"That's why Lekosha, who is extremely experienced, was very smart to call me and only rang once before hanging up."

"After that, after he learned more about the specific situation at the scene, he never called me again."

Torres blinked his big eyes and recalled the previous two hours. Lekosha really didn't seem to leave to make a phone call. .

He slowly took a breath of cold air and asked as if talking to himself: "Does Matthews, the director of the NYPD, think so too...?"

"Tsk~"

Harold Stone chirped a few times and said with a smile: "Last month, Lynch Colson was successfully elected as the governor of New York State~"

"Frant Hardman, successfully elected as the new mayor of New York from the position of nypd administrative commissioner!"

"Matthews Denipero, because he is too young, can only temporarily take over the position of the old director. He must first accumulate two years of work experience and qualifications before he can be promoted to the position of administrative commissioner!"

"Also last month, crime rates across New York were compared to the first ten months of this year."

"No!"

"Compared with the same period last year, the overall crime rate in New York has dropped by more than 50%!"

"why is that!?"

"Can you figure it out?"

"..." Torres lowered his head and fell into thinking.

Harold Stone put his arm around Torres' shoulders and whispered in a tone of instruction for his own children.

"This month after the three of them took office, Sang has had two major robberies that can be recorded in history."

"If we say that the group of robbers in the Hansa Robbery used tricky methods to quietly steal what they thought was a huge amount of wealth~"

"What about this time?"

"The style and meticulous thinking of this group of robbers can definitely be compared with John Herbert Dillinger decades ago!"

"But the ferocity with which this group of robbers dared to risk their lives has greatly surpassed all bank robbers in history!"

. . .

(John Herbert Dillinger was born on June 1903, 6 in the small town of Oak Hill, Indianapolis, Indiana. He was a legendary bank robber active during the Great Depression of the 22s. He was once listed by the FBI. As the most wanted criminal, the excitement of his life has exceeded the imagination of most Hollywood screenwriters. It can be called twists and turns + fantasy!)

. . .

Torres opened his mouth in shock, but couldn't think of what to say for a moment~

As a qualified agent, he had learned this during the training at the FBI headquarters and it was widely spread that it was already overcrowded. .Ridiculously wonderful history~

In 1934, FBI agents were able to find and kill John Herbert Dillinger in Chicago. This was a huge news that people in the 30s would definitely never forget!

Edgar Hoover, who was the director of the BoI at the time, was reused by the new president, Franklin Roosevelt, because of this incident!

Therefore, the year after the legendary robber Dillinger was shot to death, the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), an upgraded version of Boi, was officially established!

Edgar Hoover was also officially crowned the "Emperor" of the FBI!He began his legendary life of controlling "the power of life and death in the United States"~

(Mention! It was previously written in this book that Edgar Hoover led the FBI for 48 years, which is not correct.)

(The correct thing is that he was appointed director of the FBI by President Coolidge in the 20s + appointed director of the FBI by President Roosevelt in the 30s. The combined terms of the two directors totaled 48 years.)

(The power of Director Boi and the power of Director FBI are so different that they can only be described as worlds apart~)

. . .

Harold Stone took out two cigarettes from his pocket, lit them, put one of them into Torres' mouth, and asked with a smile.

"Before Matthews left, did he explain to you...the media gag order?"

Torres took a puff of cigarette awkwardly and nodded: "Yeah!"

"Didn't you find it?"

"There was such a big case... Neither the newly appointed NYPD administrative commissioner nor Mayor Hardman showed up!"

"We don't even have any plans to send someone over to have a look and show off in front of the media..."

"Why do you think it is?"

"..."

"Hehe~"

“They all understand that crises are also opportunities!”

"It's the same thing~ When you encounter a bank robber who is so desperate for his life, it's useless to ask anyone to come!"

"Instead of coming to the scene, taking risks and humiliating yourself in front of the media, it is better to find ways to gain more benefits and bargaining chips for yourself in this public safety crisis!"

"So, no matter how the NYPD performs this time, it will not be written too poorly in media reports."

"Because they are... almost ready~"

Harold Stone raised his head and blew out a cloud of smoke into the sky, and continued with a self-deprecating smile: "Similarly, we at the FBI are already... almost there!"

"My previous chief, Bog Beru, used despicable methods of fishing to enforce the law, so that many state legislators and congressmen faced charges... and offended half of the upper class wealthy circles in New York, and most of the gangs..."

"He felt that he had been resented by many people, so he decisively walked away, leaving a mess for those who came after him."

"and I?"

"He's the one that everyone avoids... the unlucky guy!"

"So, I came to New York to be in charge of all things, and fighting crime was just one aspect of my job!"

"The other side of it is if I can't fix people's perception of the FBI's dirty tricks quickly..."

"I can only become the unlucky scapegoat and get out of here in despair!"

"Even... there won't be a place for me in the headquarters~"

"I can only find another way out by myself!"

. . .

Torres threw away the cigarette with a complicated expression, looked at Harold's self-deprecating smile, and asked in a low voice: "Then... what are you going to do now?"

"Hehe~"

Harold smiled and shook his head, pointed in the direction of the bank entrance and said, "Of course... Let's work!"

"Although I can't figure out the escape plan of those robbers~"

"But the current situation is the best that all of us can accept... It's the result!"

"The robbers fled New York City with the huge sum of money they robbed and explosives capable of blowing up several streets."

"What about the media? They can follow up and report on some of the details and follow-up of this matter, so as to gain widespread public attention!"

"Where's nypd?"

"There's not much that can be criticized about their performance in this case..."

"People will only mock the nypd for its incompetence, but they are not willing to let the nypd desperately keep robbers who may detonate bombs in the city... endangering their own personal safety!"

"And what about us?"

"We just need to wait until the group of robbers successfully take out New York City and New York State, and then they can report it to the headquarters and push this case out~"

Harold also threw away the cigarette butt in his hand, spread his hands to Torres and said, "They have escaped from my jurisdiction. Do I still need to chase them?"

"I also have many important cases on hand that I haven't finished yet!"

"Who's going to stand up and say anything?"

Harold looked at Torres' very ugly face, patted him on the shoulder, and asked in a low voice.

"I guess...you might be calling me cold-blooded in your heart!"

"Scold me... for not caring about the safety of those hostages~"

"Or do you think...I have lost my courage and responsibility as a law enforcer?"

"Hehe~"

"You're right!"

"But have you thought about it?"

"Last month, there was news that Jones murdered more than 900 believers. How many people are still talking about it now?"

"Last month, multiple serial murders occurred in New York, which have not yet been solved. How many people still remember?!"

"Similarly, after the media reported the death of several suspects involved in the case of a girl in Queens who was imprisoned and kept in captivity...how many people will still remember that it happened?"

Harold Stone put his hands behind his back, glanced around, and said with a sneer on his lips: "You will find out if you live in this city for a long time!"

"This city, even the air is filled with... indifference and selfishness!"

"People living here only care about their own lives, their own families, and their own interests and gains~"

"They don't care about other people's lives or the misery of others."

"You can say: they are cold, selfish, heartless and insensitive!"

"But they will still shout to you: No matter what I do, this is my freedom!"

"Hehe~"

"so!"

"When a very small number of alternative people suddenly appear in this indifferent city, they will be like a huge bonfire on a summer night, attracting people who are still not completely indifferent and numb in their hearts and spontaneously gather around them!"

"And these very few alternative people will also make many behaviors and decisions that make us feel...confused because of these people who are struggling to live for warmth, hope, and..."

A figure seemed to flash before Torres' eyes, and he said: "Lawrence!?"

"Haha~ That's right!"

Harold nodded happily, gestured to the distance with his eyes and said, "This morning's engagement ceremony held at the Plaza Hotel is actually a large-scale social gathering of the super rich!"

"There is no comparison with the Barclays Bank Robbery~"

"In the eyes of ordinary people, robbery is the focus of everyone and the media!"

"Its suddenness diverted people's attention and also provided us with an opportunity!"

"So... we have to finish the work here quickly and seize this opportunity!"

"Understand?"

"...Okay!" Torres nodded with some understanding, turned around and trotted towards the bank door.

Harold Stone, looking at his retreating back, couldn't help but sigh.

This kid is still too young!

----

Manhattan.

42nd Street, Wildfire Bar.

White Mike, Black Mike, second brother Ravis, and third brother Giovanni, wearing brand new tailor-made suits and coats, stood on the street in front of the bar, talking to the little Zach and the steel-toothed dog Mengo. The three of them and the jackal were discussing something in low voices.

"Hey~ guys!"

"Morning!"

"What are you talking about?"

not far away.

David took Polly's little hand, both of them were dressed in costumes, and asked the seven people with a smile.

"Um..." The seven people looked at each other quickly, and they all saw a tacit understanding in each other's eyes.

Mike Bai, one of the four bodyguards, was the first to praise David and David with a smile: "Wow~ You guys, you look great today!"

"Hahaha~"

David raised his eyebrows in a "shit" manner, tilted his head to admire Polly's dress, and said with a smile: "You should say that Polly is particularly charming today, right?"

"Hahaha~"

Mike Bai strode up to Polly, pretended to "appreciate" it up and down, nodded and praised: "I will find a camera later, take a photo of you, and hang it on my bedside."

"...Get out!" Polly raised her finger and pointed in one direction, laughing and scolding.

"Hahahaha~"

With Mike Bai's few jokes, the expressions of the six people behind him became much more natural~

The second brother, Ravis, laughed and walked up behind Mike Bai, kicked him hard on the butt, and cursed: "Get away! You bastard!"

"Hahahaha~" David gave his second brother Lavis a thumbs up with great satisfaction.

He turned to Black Mike and asked: "Where are my father and mother..."

"Everything has been arranged ~ they will go directly to the Plaza Hotel!"

"Ok!"

"Then let's go too!"

"Okay~ Let's go!"

. . .

In front of the bar.

Mengo, the steel-toothed dog, and Zach, the little man, stood beside the jackal, watching David and his three cars disappear around the corner~

The little Zach frowned and asked the jackal beside him: "How do I feel... When the boss saw you, did you seem to have guessed something?"

"Hehe~"

The jackal grinned twice, waved to the soldiers hiding in the dark, and said, "That boy...!"

"Since you realized that he might have guessed something in his mind, but he didn't ask...that's what you can't figure out, right?"

The little Zach turned his head and looked at the jackal, waiting for the answer behind him.

Jackal patted the body armor with his right hand and said with a smile: "Isn't it the answer?"

"Forehead.."

The little Zach nodded as if he was enlightened, and sighed with a wry smile: "No wonder...my brother would tell me that the boss is the smartest person he has ever seen, bar none!"

"Cut~"

The jackal curled his lips and sneered: "He is just a smart boy with good luck, and he is not God..."

"God?"

"Hehe~"

The little Zach straightened his back, looked up and stared at the jackal's profile, and said excitedly: "If God really existed, would my brother and I still be living on the streets at a young age and allowed to be bullied?"

"My brother has had a big appetite since he was a child..."

“Until we met the boss, he had never had enough!”

"God, where is he!"

"Damn it...I haven't worn a new pair of leather shoes since I was a kid!"

"God, where is he?!"

"The two of us were beaten so hard that we couldn't get up because we stole some bread on the street."

"God, where is he!?"

"If the boss allows us to continue like this... a life we ​​have never enjoyed before~"

"Let me kill God immediately!"

"God, where is he?!!"

"..." Jackal looked down at the little Zach and was speechless~

Menge, the steel-toothed dog, grinned and revealed two big steel teeth. He smiled at the jackal and said, "Won't you come with me?"

"..go!"

"fxxx!"

"Why am I still here... talking nonsense to you two..."

. . .

On the street in front of the bar.

Mengo, the steel-toothed dog, and Zach, the little man, watched the jeep convoy disappear around the corner.

Not far away from the two people.

The housekeeper Aclade, who happened to come downstairs just now and heard the two of them talking to the jackal, led the maid Chasida to the side and asked with a smile.

"What happened this morning?"

"..." The little Zach blinked, tilted his head and glanced at the steel-toothed dog Menge, but said nothing.

Butler Acklade's gaze.Falling on Menge's face, he explained: "Sorry!"

"We just didn't mean to hear your conversation..."

"So, I need... you know what?"

"unnecessary!"

Menge, the steel-toothed dog, smiled and exhaled: "You have your job, and I also have mine!"

"...Okay!" Butler Acklade stared at Menge's eyes for a few seconds, then nodded.

The little Zach glanced at the cold-faced maid Chasida, and suddenly felt very interesting and smiled.

"Are you going...to rush to the hotel?"

"No!"

"Mr. Coleman told me to hold a party at the bar tonight!"

"Oh~"

"That's it!"

"Then... should I go upstairs and call someone?"

"Being not!"

Butler Acklade looked at the two of them, pondered for a moment, and said with a smile: "Sir, everyone at the party tonight must prepare a performance!"

"So, Chasida and I would like to ask you first, what do you want to prepare for the performance?"

"Uh... program?!" The little Zach and Menge were both a little dumbfounded~

Menge scratched his head and asked in distress, "What show are you two going to perform?"

Ackleide replied with a smile: "Some of the skills I have learned over the years!"

"...What about you? Chasida?"

"...Dance!" Chasida replied in a cold voice.

Menge smacked his lips and stopped talking.

The little Zach "thought hard" for a while, then helplessly showed his hands to Ackleide: "I can... steal things! Does it count as a show?"

"I think... it should be counted?!"

"Hahahaha~" Both of them laughed.