After a round of golf, Sean took Diane straight to Jersey City. He had just contacted the police chief of Lower Jersey City, Klaus Lanier, through Wells, and arranged to meet him for drinks that evening. Bringing a lady along would create a more welcoming atmosphere.
Though Sean had Klaus Lanier's phone number and could reach him directly, it was more politically advantageous to have someone of similar stature make the introduction.
Sean had known Klaus for a long time. Their first conflict with Sierramanca had occurred in Jersey City, and to ensure a smooth operation, Sean had Bill coordinate with the Jersey City police to avoid any interference. The exchange of gunfire between the two sides had been intense, but they had worked together seamlessly.
Sean's main base had always been Newark, so he had never had the chance to meet Klaus formally. Now, as the owner of the Sean Fitness Group, he was visiting openly, and Klaus would surely welcome him.
The atmosphere was bound to be cordial. Both men understood the unspoken realities of their worlds. Klaus had his connections with local gangs, and compared to Sierramanga, he preferred working with Sean. Sean maintained a clean reputation, free from any publicly known stains, which made him an attractive ally.
During the banquet, the two communicated well. Besides catching up with Klaus, Sean intended to discuss the possibility of X Security expanding into Jersey City. He envisioned building an entertainment complex there.
X Security couldn't be limited to Newark; Sean aimed to cover all five cities surrounding Newark, and eventually the entirety of New Jersey. As for New York, he wouldn't chase that dream just yet obtaining a legal gun license there was a daunting task.
While they were eating, Sean's former comrade-in-arms, Thomson Justin, approached him. Thomson had been helping Sean as a driver and aide, much like Jonas and Bill.
"Boss, there's a phone call for you," Thomson said quietly, handing Sean his mobile.
Sean excused himself, wiping his mouth with a napkin before stepping aside to take the call.
"What? Tony is in Passaic?" Sean was taken aback by the news. "I thought you knew I had nothing to do with it."
"No, the man was killed by Acomo. What does that have to do with me, Sean?"
"So, you're saying he's worried and came to me for refuge?"
"Boss, are you listening?"
"Yeah, go tell Tony that he's not welcome here. We don't want Dimio's internal strife affecting us. I'll give him 24 hours to recuperate, but he must leave our territory within that time."
"Got it."
"Make sure to protect him. Don't let Tony and his crew get into any trouble. They can't afford to die right now."
"Okay."
After hanging up, Sean smiled to himself. What did Dimio's crime group have to do with him, Sean? He was a serious businessman!
Tony, meanwhile, was startled when he saw someone approaching the door. He relaxed when he realized that Sean only wanted to avoid misunderstandings with Dimio, allowing him to stay for 24 hours.
That was enough time for Tony to reach out to his contacts. He was determined to confront Acomo head-on. A wounded beast shows its teeth and claws more fiercely, desperate to survive and protect its family.
This was the nature of gangs—this was the arena.
The Apple family had been in power for years, but they had their enemies. Many had been suppressed by Acomo's might, but now that Tony was stepping up, those discontented voices would rally behind him.
The strongest fortresses are breached from within.
After dinner with Klaus, Sean returned to Newark with Diane. When they arrived at the hotel where the crew was staying, Old Mike was already in Sean's car, waiting for him.
"I've found the channel for Dimio's drug transport. Here's the information," Sean said, handing over a document.
Old Mike studied it intently, not saying a word.
Once he finished reading, Sean added, "You know the police procedures best. Find a way for them to intercept the drugs being delivered. The DEA can also handle it; the key is to cut off their supply lines."
"Those in the know are likely already involved in this," Old Mike replied after a moment of thought.
"I know. Even the CIA has its hand in the game, making money without shame. But we need to keep it under wraps. Once they're exposed, it's all over."
"Right. The authorities will check things out, but they need to be nudged in the right direction."
"Exactly. And if you need anything, I have a batch of goods available."
Old Mike nodded and took the documents, stepping out into the night to work his magic. He had a wealth of experience from his thirty years in the police force, and though he had navigated the murky waters of corruption, he still held a sense of justice deep within him. This task didn't violate his principles; in fact, he found it intriguing.
Sean wasn't expecting a complete eradication of drugs—that would be as unrealistic as expecting divine intervention. However, he aimed to disrupt Dimio's operations significantly. He believed that with Dimio in turmoil, someone would inevitably rise to take advantage of the chaos.
"Should I give Gustavo a heads-up?" Sean pondered but ultimately decided against it. Gustavo was a different breed of drug criminal and alerting him might lead to complications. It was better to keep things simple and minimize potential messes.
After contemplating his strategy, Sean instructed Thomson to drive back to their base.
He needed to review the information they had gathered and, upon arriving, sought out Armstrong, who was in charge of intelligence. Sean was determined to uncover the full extent of Dimio's political connections, both confirmed and speculative.
"Find out everything you can about Dimio's ties," Sean directed Armstrong. "I want to know who's in his pocket."
Armstrong immediately got to work, clearly understanding that Sean was gearing up for another offensive.
As the evening wound down, Sean reflected on the unfolding situation. Dimio's group was vulnerable, and now was the perfect time to capitalize on their weaknesses. He had the resources, the connections, and the drive to make a significant impact.
With the information from Old Mike and the insights Armstrong would gather, Sean felt confident. He was not just a businessman; he was a player in a high-stakes game, and he intended to emerge victorious.
In the days that followed, Sean kept a close eye on developments. He knew that the criminal underworld was unpredictable, and alliances could shift in an instant. But he was prepared to navigate those waters, leveraging his relationships and keen instincts to outmaneuver his rivals.
As the sun set on Newark, Sean smiled to himself. The pieces were falling into place, and soon, he would make his move against Dimio and anyone else who dared to threaten his burgeoning empire.
With this clear vision in mind, Sean set his plans into motion, ready to confront whatever challenges lay ahead. He was determined to protect his interests and secure his position in the ever-evolving landscape of organized crime and business.
The stakes were high, but for Sean, this was just another day in the arena.