The meeting ultimately ended with Gianni Moretti II storming out. The three men hiding in cars outside the club watched the luxury cars drive away, their expressions dazed.
It was like hitting cotton with a full-strength punch, or battling wits and nerves with the air after all the effort.
Is this the level of the Mafia these days? Then what were they all worried about for so-called gang wars?
Leviathan had already dished out at least $12 million in bribes, buying off not only "HR" but even the next mayor, and yet LCN remained completely oblivious. Did
these old guys really mistake New York City's recent calm as the NYPD cracking down on law and order in preparation for the mayoral election a week later?
"Either these old guys have been living comfortably for too long, becoming bloated and insensitive, or maybe we're mistaken, and perhaps Leah really just wants to collaborate with the other families to take over Moretti's power and territory,"
Reese said as he started the car and followed the black Mercedes-Benz that had driven last, Caparelli.
Jack doubted the latter theory. "Remember that corrupt cop, Simmons Patrick? He met with Detective Fusco last night."
"Did Detective Fusco say anything?" Finch fiddled with his new glasses in the back seat.
Highly myopic people often have this problem: even if the new lenses have the same power as their originals, it still takes at least a day or two to adjust to them due to issues like focal length.
Poorly made lenses can also cause dizziness and other issues.
"He's been ordered to monitor Detective Danny Reagan's every move and report back at all times. Simmons bluntly told Detective Fusco that the Major Crimes Unit is expected to be very busy during this period."
The NYPD's Major Crimes Unit is also known as the Homicide Division, so the significance of Simmons's "reminder" is self-evident.
Reese rubbed his brow with a headache. "Perhaps we could stop Mr. Capparelli up ahead and give him a friendly reminder that Leah isn't planning on coexisting peacefully with them.
Instead of aimlessly following his car like a useless bodyguard, as he is now."
Finch's voice was grave. "Let's not even talk about whether these arrogant gang leaders will believe you, Mr. Reese. If you do that, it could lead to an all-out gang war, which is exactly what we don't want.
The best approach is to find the kidnapped Moretti. That way, the FBI can at least charge Leah with kidnapping."
Before he could finish his words, Jack felt a sudden sense of crisis.
The feeling was vague, not directed at him, but rather at the front.
"Reese, stop!"
Jack yelled, and Reese instinctively slammed on the brakes, turning his head to look around.
Finch, in the back seat, was caught off guard and nearly slammed headfirst into the seat in front of him. Unlike a well-trained former CIA agent, his reflexes were even worse than those of an average person.
"What happened?" Finch's complaint was barely finished when a loud bang erupted from the front. The black Mercedes-Benz, in which Capparelli, one of the five leading LCN families, was riding, suddenly exploded. Almost instantly, the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames.
Capparelli, his bodyguard, and the driver didn't even have time to struggle before being reduced to four charred corpses.
Although there was another car between Reese's vehicle and the exploding Mercedes-Benz, debris from the explosion continued to fall, crackling the roof and windshield.
Two unfortunate pedestrians crossing the street were knocked to the ground by the blast, their heads bruised and bloodied, their lives uncertain.
"You're right about the collateral damage, Finch,"
Reese said, about to unbuckle his seatbelt and get out to check on the injured pedestrians when Jack nudged his arm.
"I remember you mentioned seeing two of Leah's men during the Brighton Beach incident. One of them had a scar running from his left eyelid to his cheek."
Reese looked where Jack pointed and saw a silver-gray Dolan Tahoe SUV parked on the side of the road just starting up. The driver in the driver's seat bore the very same appearance he'd described.
Almost immediately after the explosion, Jack had been scanning the area for any suspicious activity.
A timed bomb in this type of car-mounted attack is unlikely, unless Leah's men can predict the end time of the LCN leaders' meeting. The risk is too great.
A safer option is remote detonation, which can be accomplished in many ways, but the most reliable is to trigger the detonator within visual range, ensuring the target is inside the vehicle.
Jack immediately searched the scene for any suspicious individuals. The most suspicious individual was the one hiding in a roadside car, remaining calm and even smirking despite the sudden explosion.
"Yes, that bastard! He beat up Fusco!" Reese stepped on the accelerator and turned the steering wheel to the ground.
The second-hand Ford Taurus, a car he'd acquired from who knows where, swerved with tires squealing against the road. Finch, in the backseat, had to grab the window handle to keep his face from pressing against the glass.
"There's a weapon in the trunk, Finch!"
Reese warned. Finch frantically lifted the hatch leading to the trunk and, with difficulty, pulled out a travel bag.
Inside, he revealed two bullpup AUG assault rifles, a pile of magazines, and several grenades.
Finch tried to load the magazines, but failed twice.
When Jack took the gun and magazine from him, he did not forget to complain about Reese, "When did you start playing with this kind of old gun?"
"I use whatever the black market arms dealers have. These stolen guns are not easy to track and do not require extra money." Reese seemed to be quite proud of this kind of thing where the gangs rob each other.
Jack quickly checked the condition of the AUG in his hand and found that it was well maintained. He pulled the bolt to load the gun directly, and did not forget to remind, "Follow closely, and do it when there are fewer people."
Finch, who was holding the other AUG and was at a loss, seemed to wake up from a dream at this moment. The small eyes behind the high myopia lenses were wide open, "Are you planning to have a gunfight directly in the city?"
"Don't worry, no innocent people will be hurt by mistake. Please trust the professionals in this matter." Jack said as he unbuckled his seat belt, stepped on the seat and leaned half of his body out of the car window.
(End of this chapter)