Read Online Closure (Jack Randall) by Randall Wood - Free Book Online Page A

business. The gangs all had what were called junior members, mostly the little brothers of the current members. Profit began making alliances with other junior members using his money, brains and hired muscle. He was patient, and by the time the senior members had killed each other off or gone to prison he was ready to unite several rivals into one highly organized gang. With competition no longer a worry, the money grew exponentially, and in just a few years Profit was living up to his name. He now controlled the largest portion of the crack trade in Los Angeles. When he needed more territory, he simply moved in and took over. He adopted the Columbia Cartel’s methods of expansion. Rivals were offered pluña or plañta : lead or silver. Take the money, or get a bullet in the head. Resistance was cut down swiftly, and after a few examples, most learned it was far easier to just take the money. As his kingdom grew, he acquired cops, judges, lawyers, money launderers, and border hoppers. One young D.A. had attempted to take him down, but the response was the car-jacking of his wife and daughter. After a three-hour ordeal, the man had his family back, and had decided on a new target for his political ambitions. Profit was left alone and continued to prosper. He was now twenty-eight years old and head of the largest gang in LA history. He had branched out into investments and real estate. He owned restaurants and liquor stores, gas stations and dry cleaners. All washing his money from the crack trade. He presented himself as an honest businessman. He partied with the young and famous. Prosecutors were afraid to charge him. Most cops were in his pocket. His enemies were all now partners. Profit was the very example that crime indeed does pay.
    Profit was currently instructing his lady friends on what to pack for his trip to Vegas. He had invested in a young English boxer and was looking forward to watching his investment pay off.
    •      •      •
    Sam departed the plane carrying the bag containing his laptop and a few days’ of clothes. He was traveling on a new set of ID papers. Ones he had altered his looks to match. As he exited the concourse, he encountered his first slot machine. He had been off the plane for maybe one minute. There were people waiting for their flights dutifully pumping quarters into the bandits. He just shook his head and proceeded past the crowd waiting for their luggage. Most of what Sam needed was already in Vegas. He headed straight for the Enterprise Rent-A-Car desk. The woman at the counter hardly looked at him. Reserved car, prepaid. Name and address matched the license the man offered. He was soon out in the lot on a shuttle bus, and then in the seat of a one-year-old Dodge with tinted windows and adequate air-conditioning. It would do just fine. He pulled out of the airport and headed toward the strip. It was 1 a.m. and he had a big day tomorrow. He drove toward the light of the Luxor Hotel shining like a beacon into the clear night sky.
    •      •      •
    Profit was in first class with two of his business partners. The row behind him was occupied by two young women in tiny, yet expensive designer dresses. The jewelry that adorned their necks, wrist and fingers was not only real, but in large quantities designed to be seen. They were ornaments for the man in front of them. Behind the girls were two men who stretched the capacity of the first class seats they occupied. They had been with Profit for many years and had kept the man alive through several dangerous encounters with all forms of enemies. They were also currently uncomfortable as they were without their usual hardware. That would change as soon as they met some of the crew picking them up at the airport. Until then, they would continue to squirm in their seats. Profit was in an expansive mood today, cracking jokes and teasing the flight attendants they saw. He enjoyed a trip to Vegas on a regular basis,