Chapter 10: Tavern Robbery

As night fell, the bar grew lively. The place was filled with the scents of tobacco, wine, and music, and the air buzzed with the chatter of patrons. Amidst the crowd was Marisa, the center of attention, surrounded by numerous men. These men, dressed in suits and leather shoes, were more interested in what Marisa had to offer than genuine conversation.

Marisa, clearly at ease, seemed to possess an innate ability to manage the attention of those around her. She glanced towards Hardy, who was observing her. When their eyes met, Marisa gave Hardy a charming smile before turning her attention back to her other admirers.

---

In a different part of the city, a Mexican nightclub was in chaos. The music was deafening, and the air was thick with the smell of illicit activities. Dani and Burstein entered the club, taking in the scene with a mixture of disdain and curiosity.

Dani eventually met with Nemesio, the boss of the Mexican gang. Nemesio, in his forties, had a strong build and a dark complexion. Known for his criminal activities from a young age, Nemesio was nicknamed "Squid."

Nemesio snorted as he took a hit of powder from the table, then looked at Dani with a smirk. "Dani, I didn't expect to see you. I still remember when you took a chunk of my cocoa powder business."

Dani smiled faintly. "Nemesio, those were minor deals. I have something bigger to discuss. Are you interested?"

Nemesio's interest piqued. "What is it?"

"The Jews control the most valuable territory. They've recently killed our people. I'm planning revenge and have allied with the Irish to take over their territory. Want to be a part of it?" Dani offered.

Nemesio was intrigued. "The Irish are on board?"

"Of course."

"How much of the share can I get?" Nemesio asked.

"Thirty percent."

Nemesio frowned. "No, I want sixty."

"The Irish are stronger than you. They get forty percent," Dani countered, though he planned to give the Irish sixty percent and was lying to both the Irish and Nemesio.

Nemesio scoffed. "Strength isn't everything. I can mobilize thousands."

Dani considered this and finally agreed. "Alright, but you'll need to do more."

Nemesio agreed, smiling. "No problem. What do you need from me?"

"I'll inform you when the time comes," Dani replied.

Nemesio nodded and awaited further instructions.

---

Early the next morning, after a night of work, Hardy drove himself, leaving Sean and Ryder behind. He had carefully stored the newly purchased guns: two M1911s under the sofa, revolvers on his person, the Johnson rifle in the truck, the Chicago typewriter in the storage room, and the Winchester M1887 in the Ford's mezzanine.

The next day, Hardy joined Sean and Ryder to continue their work, including collecting accounts. Sean was surprised that Hardy knew how to handle accounts, as it wasn't common knowledge in 1945. Hardy, having a business background, handled it efficiently.

With over $20,000 collected, Hardy visited the headquarters, which resembled a large company with many people paying accounts. After calculating the profits, Hardy decided to distribute the money equally among the team, ensuring everyone, including Bill, received a fair share.

Afterward, they resumed their routine of observing the nightclubs. A few days later, news of a tavern robbery broke. The Tuscany Tavern on Melrose Avenue, an Italian pub owned by Dante, had been robbed. The robbers, after taking hundreds of dollars and injuring Dante, had disappeared, leaving the patrons and the owner distressed.

The robbery had tarnished the reputation of the Jewish gang's protection services, leading to rumors of their ineffectiveness. As Hardy and Sean delivered goods, the Tavern owner, Dante, inquired, "Jon, can the Jewish Gang ensure our safety?"