Chapter 83 Opportunities for Security Companies

Hardy had shielded Taylor from the chaos outside, providing a rare sense of security amid the turmoil. As the gunfire and explosions subsided, Taylor marveled at how calm Hardy seemed, his presence a comforting constant.

Emerging cautiously from their hiding spot, they found the street in disarray. The scene was grim—several people lay dead or wounded, and the bank itself was in shambles. Hardy noted the bank's sign: "Bank of America Los Angeles Branch, Merriman Avenue Sales Department."

Hardy knew of the Bank of America—its prominence in the U.S. banking sector was undeniable, and it would later become renowned for its pioneering credit card innovations. The brazen nature of this robbery was shocking. Hardy speculated that the Bill Gang was unlikely to be involved, given his strict orders against such violent crimes. The Jewish Gang seemed an improbable suspect as well, considering their more calculated approach.

"Who could be behind this?" Hardy wondered aloud, noting the extreme measures the robbers had taken—bombs, grenades, and indiscriminate shooting.

He and Taylor left the chaos behind, and Hardy escorted her home on his motorcycle. As they arrived, Taylor looked up at him with a hopeful expression. "Mr. Hardy, will you continue to train me?"

"I'll be here when I can. The crew will send you the script soon. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call," Hardy replied.

After dropping Taylor off, Hardy returned to his security company and briefed Lanster on the day's events. "There was a bank robbery on Merriman Street. The robbers used grenades and machine guns, killing several guards and civilians. They made off with over a hundred thousand dollars."

Lanster grimaced. "Catching those robbers? Not a chance. The police rarely solve such cases. Last year alone, Los Angeles had twelve bank robberies, and only one was solved."

Hardy nodded, a plan already forming. "What if we found those robbers and returned the money to the bank? It could be a major publicity boost for them."

Lanster's eyes widened. "The bank would love that. It would highlight their strength and commitment to protecting their customers' property."

"Exactly," Hardy said with a grin. "I'll start by mobilizing our resources."

Hardy made several calls: Bill was instructed to use all his gang's resources to track down the robbers, and Vlad, the Jewish gang leader, was briefed on the situation. Hardy also tasked Lanster with deploying their security company to search for clues.

The following day, the robbery dominated the headlines. The Los Angeles Times reported the carnage in detail and criticized the police's inability to address the rising crime rate. The mayor, frustrated by the repeated failures of the police, demanded swift action.

Ed, the police chief, was under immense pressure. The mayor had threatened his job if the case was not solved within fifteen days. Despite his frustration, Ed knew that catching the robbers would be challenging.

Meanwhile, Hardy and Lanster were hard at work. They identified the robbers' probable hideout based on various clues, including a second-hand car dealership and a waste station where a car similar to the robbers' had been sold.

As Hardy and Lanster reviewed the findings, Hardy planned his next moves. "Let's wait for the right moment to act. We'll keep an eye on the robbers and explore opportunities with the bank."

Lanster nodded in agreement. "I'll prepare our team and keep our eyes on the recyclers."

Hardy continued, "I'll talk to the Bank of America about potentially becoming our first client. And I'll also meet with Director Ed to explore how we might assist the police."

With their strategy set, Hardy and Lanster worked on refining their approach, ensuring they made the most of the opportunities presented by the chaos.