Timeline: June 23, 1951
The city of Chicago was buzzing with energy after World War II. Tall buildings stretched across the skyline, and the streets were busy with traffic. The Chicago Outfit, a powerful and feared organization that had roots in Alphonse Capone's criminal empire, was at the center of their plan. Today, Mark, Loe, and Mindy were determined to take it down.
Inside a sleek black car that cruised down Michigan Avenue, the trio sat silently, each lost in their thoughts. Mindy, now disguised as "Miley," shifted uncomfortably in her seat. The Disguise Box had worked perfectly, altering her appearance to that of a poised and elegant woman, but she could still feel the weight of her true identity beneath the surface. Her eyes, though now a different color, scanned the towering buildings as they neared their destination.
Mark adjusted his cufflinks, his expression calm but focused. The plan was set in motion, and they had Lenore Van Ryn—the executive of the Chicago Outfit—as their unwitting key to infiltrating the criminal empire. Lenore had no idea what was about to unfold.
The conversation they had earlier played in his mind. Mark had suggested the tour of the Outfit's headquarters, knowing full well that Lenore wouldn't refuse. After all, they had connections to Chris Hilton, the young heir to the Hilton family. A recommendation from Mark and Loe to the Hiltons could bolster the Chicago Outfit's standing even further, something Lenore was all too eager to secure.
Lenore had agreed, excited by the opportunity to impress her guests. To her, this tour was a way to showcase the grandeur and power of the Chicago Outfit, a well-oiled machine that appeared legitimate on the surface. What she didn't know was that Mark, Loe, and Mindy were there to dismantle it from the inside. They were determined to expose the Outfit's darkest secrets—the human trafficking, the murders, the ruthless methods they used to grow their business.
"Remember," Mark whispered, his voice barely audible only Loe and Mindy could hear over the car's engine, "Our plan"
Loe, sitting beside him, smirked. "Relax, Mark. We've got this." His eyes glinted with the thrill of the challenge.
Mindy, sitting across from them, remained quiet. Despite her calm exterior, she was nervous. The stakes were higher than ever, and one wrong move could expose their true intentions. But she trusted Mark and Loe—they had gotten this far together, and they wouldn't fail now.
The car pulled up to the imposing Chicago Outfit building, an elegant structure that looked more like a prestigious corporate headquarters than the hub of a criminal empire. Lenore Van Ryn awaited them at the entrance, dressed in a sleek black dress that exuded power and professionalism. Her dark hair was pinned back, and her sharp eyes scanned the trio as they exited the car.
"Welcome," Lenore greeted them, her voice smooth and authoritative. "I'm glad you are interested about our company"
Mark offered her a charming smile, masking the tension that simmered beneath the surface. "We appreciate the opportunity, Ma'am. I've heard nothing but impressive things about the Chicago Outfit."
Lenore's smile widened, satisfied with the praise. "Come, let's begin the tour."
As they followed Lenore into the building, the mood shifted dramatically. The outside of the Chicago Outfit headquarters looked sleek and modern, but inside, it felt cold and impersonal. The hallways were spotless and sterile, almost unnaturally perfect. It was as if the building was putting on a show, hiding its true nature behind a polished facade. Employees moved about with precision, but their eyes barely met the guests', adding to the feeling of detachment and secrecy.
Mindy, or rather "Miley," stayed close to Mark and Loe, her sharp mind cataloging every detail. Each step they took brought them deeper into the heart of the Outfit's operation, and every door they passed seemed to hide something sinister.
"This is our main operations floor," Lenore said, her voice echoing slightly as they walked through a large, glass-walled room. Inside, men in suits typed away at typewriters, while others spoke in low voices over the telephone. "We handle all our financials here—everything from real estate to our shipping ventures."
Mark nodded, feigning interest. He knew the true purpose of this floor. It was the nerve center of their illegal activities, the place where numbers were manipulated to hide their dirty dealings.
Lenore continued with an air of pride. "And here we have one of our top-quality designs.." she said, leading them into another room. The space was adorned with elegant furniture and luxurious fabrics. There were beautifully crafted clothes on display, each piece meticulously arranged. The quality of the items was immediately apparent, with rich textures and intricate details.
Mark, Loe, and Mindy admired the design with genuine awe. The room was a testament to the Outfit's ability to present a facade of sophistication and refinement.
Lenore chuckled, noticing their reactions. "Beautiful, isn't it?"
Loe, always practical, asked, "How much is this?"
Lenore, with a hint of pride, replied, "It's only $20."
Loe raised an eyebrow. "$20? That's pretty costly."
[ Author note: In 1950, $20 was indeed a significant amount for a mere piece of clothing, reflecting the high-end nature of their products.]
Lenore shrugged, her smile unwavering. "Well, it's top-notch quality after all. We spare no expense when it comes to presenting the best."
As they moved through the building, Mark kept his attention sharp, looking for anything that might reveal the Outfit's hidden activities. Loe's eyes were equally alert, scanning for any clues or inconsistencies. Mindy, despite her nerves, focused on maintaining her disguise and absorbing every detail that might be useful later.
The tour continued through various departments, each showcasing the Outfit's commitment to appearing respectable and successful. From high-end offices to luxurious lounges, the building was designed to impress and distract.
But beneath the surface, Mark, Loe, and Mindy knew that they had to remain vigilant. The true nature of the Chicago Outfit lay hidden behind this polished veneer, and their mission was to uncover the dark secrets that lurked within.
After a few more hours of walking, the tour came to an end. Lenore led Mark, Loe, and Miley back to the lobby, her posture exuding satisfaction and professionalism. "I hope you enjoyed the tour," she said with a broad smile. "I trust you'll speak highly of us to the Hiltons."
Mark returned the smile, his expression carefully neutral. "Of course, Ma'am. Everything was... impressive."
Lenore's grin widened, clearly pleased with his response. "I'm glad you liked it."
Loe, ever the schemer, seized the moment with a sassy flair. "Uh, if only we could stay here a bit longer. It would be great to get a sense of what the employees do on a daily basis. Maybe even work here for, say, five days? That would be quite the experience."
Lenore's eyebrows raised slightly at the unexpected suggestion. She paused, contemplating the potential benefits and drawbacks. If these esteemed guests were impressed by the inner workings of the Chicago Outfit, their positive words could sway the Hilton family favorably. It might be an opportunity too valuable to dismiss, but there were also risks involved.
Loe's suggestion hung in the air, his gaze meeting Mark's with a mischievous wink. Mark's face remained impassive, though a flicker of amusement danced in his eyes. He knew Loe's antics well and was not surprised by his audacious request.
Mindy, in her role as "Miley," looked at Loe with a mix of admiration and disbelief. The ease with which Loe navigated the situation and his ability to play the part so convincingly seemed almost godlike to her. She was both impressed and slightly in awe of his audacity.
Lenore, after a moment of consideration, responded with a thoughtful nod. "That's an interesting idea. I suppose I could make arrangements for you to have a more in-depth look at our operations. It would certainly help us build a better connections"
Loe tilted his head, a hint of skepticism in his voice. "Really? But wouldn't it be a bit suspicious if a bunch of 18-year-olds suddenly wanted to work here for five days just to learn more about the company?"
Lenore glanced at Loe, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips. "Of course, I considered that possibility. But even if you three are not what you seem to be... what can you actually do? Do you think you can bring down this company?" Her eyes locked onto theirs, serious and unwavering. "Our company is not as easy to infiltrate or dismantle as you might think."
The gravity of her words settled heavily on Mark, Loe, and Mindy. They exchanged nervous glances, feeling the weight of Lenore's challenge.
But then Lenore's demeanor softened, her smile returning. "That's why you don't need to worry. Besides, you're friends of Chris Hilton, and I trust you three. Anyway don't worry I make the necessary arrangements and ensure everything goes smoothly."
Mark, Loe, and Mindy breathed a collective sigh of relief, their apprehensions momentarily eased by Lenore's apparent trust. The prospect of an extended stay at the Chicago Outfit's headquarters now seemed more attainable, though the underlying tension of their mission remained palpable.
.......
Meanwhile, in the messy alleys of Chicago, Victor Creed, also known as Sabretooth, moved silently through the shadows. His tall, muscular body was full of tension, his yellow eyes searching the streets with growing anger. His sharp claws twitched as he hunted for the man who had wronged him—James Howlett, also known as Logan.
Victor growled under his breath, "Where the hell is Logan? That bastard's been hiding from me long enough."
The memory of his brother Saul, lying dead because of Logan, burned in his mind. Even though Victor had bullied Saul all his life, there was an unspoken bond between them, a twisted loyalty that made Logan's actions unforgivable in Victor's eyes.
"Saul might've been weak, but he was my brother," Victor muttered to himself, his voice low and dangerous. "That clawed freak's gonna pay for takin' him from me."
His sharp senses picked up the chatter of nearby people. The name "Logan" was tossed around, whispered among those who had heard tales of a clawed man making his mark in Chicago. A man with a healing factor and adamantium claws—someone who could be none other than Logan.
Victor's lips curled into a cruel grin, baring his fangs. "So, he's been makin' a name for himself here, huh?"
As he walked, Victor's senses were keenly attuned to the scent of fear, sweat, and the tang of adrenaline. The people around him felt the dark presence approaching and tried to flee, but Victor was swift and merciless. He didn't care for innocent bystanders; in his mind, anyone who crossed his path was a potential source of information or a mere obstacle to be removed.
In a fit of rage, Victor grabbed a random man stumbling out of a speakeasy, still drunk from the morning before. Before the man could react, Victor's claws slashed through the air with terrifying speed. He drove his claws into the man's chest, puncturing his heart with a sickening squelch. The man's eyes widened in shock and terror before going blank, his body collapsing lifelessly to the ground.
Victor's eyes, cold and unfeeling, scanned the fleeing crowd with a cruel satisfaction. His feral grin grew wider as he continued his rampage, his claws slicing through the air with deadly accuracy. Each scream from his victims was like music to his ears, and every splash of blood was a reminder of his power and his single-minded goal.
A young couple, terrified and holding each other tightly, saw Victor's dark figure emerge from the shadows. They didn't have time to scream before Victor's claws slashed through the air, cutting them down instantly. Their lifeless bodies hit the ground, a stark and bloody testament to Victor's deadly rage.
As the chaos unfolded, Victor's mind remained focused on his ultimate goal. The more blood he spilled, the more his rage seemed to fuel him. He was relentless, a storm of ferocity and violence, driven by the need to find Logan and make him pay.
Victor roared into the night, his voice a chilling blend of fury and madness. "Logan! You can't hide from me forever! I'll find you, and when I do, you'll wish you were dead!"
To be continue