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Chapter 51 Underground Boxing Arena?
Leo became interested as he sat up indicating for Ol’ Tom to continue.
“Mr. Erwin, it was the Black Fist Gang’s lair I mentioned before. That place was a six-story mall, so it fits your requirements.”
“Wasn’t their lair an underground boxing arena a few blocks north? How does it become a mall suddenly?” Leo emphasized the word “underground” as he was confused by Ol’ Tom.
“Boss Erwin, the underground I meant was illegal, not an actual underground boxing arena…”
Leo was stunned as he thought the boxing arena was literally built underground.
“Erm… Why did it take you five days to think of it?” Leo was embarrassed and asked a random question to Ol’ Tom.
“Actually… I also thought it was built underground. I just realized it was a six-story mall today. I used to work for Black Bear Gang, how can I wander to Black Fist Gang’s territory.”
“Then why did you suddenly know about it today?”
“I… Actually, Black Fist Gang had a gambling business besides the boxing arena. I was a bit broke recently, so I sneaked in trying to win some money…”
“Did you win?”
“I lost it all!” Ol’ Tom shrugged and let out a hopeless look.
Leo pondered for a moment before asking, “I’m more curious as to how in the world did Black Fist Gang get their lair. What gives them the right to have a place as huge as a six-story mall? Or who would build a mall in Hell’s Kitchen, won’t that be a clear loss?”
Leo was looking for a place to start his company. Now that the Black Fist Gang’s lair fits his requirements, he needed to be clear about its ins and outs to prevent any troubles.
“I heard some information about it.”
Ol’ Tom excitedly said, “This matter started five years ago. During that time, a foreign nouveau riche seemed to make a killing in real estate in his home country. He came to New York and wanted to speculate on New York’s real estate. When he first arrived, he was unfamiliar with this place and hence got fooled into investing in Hell Kitchen’s most northern street to open a mall. As you can imagine, the stores in his mall were unable to rent out, there were even countless hoodlums robbing them every night. He called the cops to no avail, no security was willing to work for his mall and his safety was even threatened. Ultimately, he had no choice but to admit his misfortune and left with his tail between his legs.”
“How did the mall fall into the mob’s hands in the end? Does the New York City government not fancy this huge mall?!”
“The building was ownerless since that wealthy business left. It should be owned by the New York City government. But that building was located in Hell’s Kitchen and officials didn’t wish to attract any trouble so they ignored it. Ultimately, it continued being ownerless and the mobs in Hell’s Kitchen competed for it. After several changes of hands, it belongs to Black Fist Gang and they have occupied it for two years.”
Leo was assured when he listened to Ol’ Tom. Based on Ol’ Tom’s description, that place was indeed suitable for his company.
That place was stolen by Black Fist Gang, so he did not need to feel guilty if he went to borrow it.
Moreover, since that place was ownerless, as long as he got it, he could search for someone with connections and spend some money to get the land deeds. This way, the land will be Leo nominally and legally.
With such thoughts in mind, Leo was itching to borrow Black Fist Gang’s lair. However, everything related to mobs was left for Bucky to settle.
“Ol’ Tom, your job is done, you can leave. Call Bucky while you’re at it, tell him I want to have a talk with him.” Leo said to Ol’ Tom.
But Ol’ Tom did not leave, instead, he was looking at Leo flatteringly.
“Mr. Erwin, you said if I found a suitable building for you, you’ll give me two thousand.” Ol’ Tom said.
“I’m sure I said two hundred, right?”
“Take pity on me! I lost all my money today, I can’t even afford a cigarette. I don’t even know what to do now that Black Bear Gang is gone…”
“Why is it my fault that you lost your money? You’ve helped us make the identification. There’s no reason for me to keep you, you’re free.”
“Mr. Erwin, Boss Erwin, you can’t abandon me! Black Bear Gang is no more and I’m homeless. I’ve helped you and Boss Bucky these past few days. How about you keep me as an errand boy? I’m familiar with Hell’s Kitchen, some matters are easier for a local to deal with. I don’t need money, food and shelter are enough…”
Ol’ Tom as Hell’s Kitchen’s local had numerous enemies. He used to have Black Bear Gang as backing. Since they were gone, it would be hard for him to live alone in Hell’s Kitchen.
Furthermore, although Leo and Bucky were always intimidating him, they never had intentions to kill him. They occasionally would give him some pocket money too.
There was no way for Ol’ Tom to easily let go of such mighty people!
Leo could not endure Ol’ Tom’s pestering before finally giving Ol’ Tom five hundred dollars as a reward and agreed on him following them for now which finally sent him away.
After Ol’ Tom left, Leo began pondering. Ol’ Tom helped him find a fitting place for his company but he needed to figure out some suitable ideas to get this mall.
He could not act as he did with Black Bear Gang. It would attract the attention of cops and others if he caused too much commotion. Then, the mall would be unsuitable for his company.
Several ideas appeared in his mind in a short time, but all of them were rejected.
Bucky suddenly entered Leo’s room and asked, “Ol’ Tom said, you’re looking for me, what’s up?”
Bucky lived right across from Leo’s room and he usually was resting in his room during the day. Ol’ Tom just went back to the room to inform him and he came immediately.
Leo could not think of any bright ideas to silently steal the six-story mall from Black Fist Gang.
Thus, Leo told Bucky about his plan to open a company and Black Fist Gang’s lair and he wanted to ask for Bucky’s suggestions.
“There’s no need to talk, just crush them! Tonight we’ll go to their lair and send them packing. That way the mall will be ours.”
As expected of Bucky’s suggestion, simple and brutal, just like him.
Leo was speechless for a moment. After some time, he reiterated his question for Bucky.
“However, Bucky, even if two of us oust them out, can we just open a company in their lair? Think about the time we wiped Black Bear out, the entire Pure Love Bar was almost destroyed by us and we even used a grenade. Do you know how much uproar we created? If both of us forcefully wrecked someone’s base, eventually everyone will know about it. Do you think our company will survive if we immediately start it? Will anyone be willing to cooperate and do business with us?”
Bucky felt Leo was right and asked, “Then what do you want to do?”
“I think it’s better for us to silently take the mall. For example, Black Fist Gang willingly give their lair to us. Then we don’t have to fight, what a perfect ending.”
“How’s that possible? They’re not your puppets. How can they listen to you and at your fingertips?” Bucky thought Leo was being delusional after listening to him and helplessly complained.
But the word “puppet” suddenly gave Leo an idea. Leo began smiling and said to Bucky, “Bucky, thanks for your reminder. I now have an idea. Do you still remember when you were in H.Y.D.R.A., every time you’d be brainwashed before you entered the sleeping pod? Actually, I know the whole procedure!”