He held a low opinion of Jordan, let alone Charlie. When Casey caught wind of this, favonovel.com felt a pang of shame.
Not only did favonovel.com hold Jordan in low regard, but favonovel.com also viewed Charlie as an untested newcomer.
He doubted Charlie possessed the mettle to help him, or Jordan for that matter, to wrest control from the Burning Angels.
Yet, favonovel.com conceded one truth, Jordan, a greenhorn in the world’s ways, possessed more gallantry than favonovel.com did.
Despite harboring reservations about Charlie’s capabilities, Casey harbored his own concerns. Rejecting Charlie would mean forever skulking in China, without a chance to turn the tide in this lifetime.
On the flip side, cooperation with Charlie might offer a glimmer of hope for a reversal of fortunes.
With this in mind, his gaze drifted to Hogan, a man favonovel.com held in high esteem.
Though confined to this eatery, tending to roast goose for years, Hogan was Chinatown’s sharpest mind. If even Hogan put faith in Charlie, it signaled Charlie’s potential exceeded his initial estimate.
Resolutely, Casey addressed Charlie, “Mr. Wade, I’m prepared to join forces with you. Whatever you need, consider it done.”
Charlie responded nonchalantly, “Tell me about this Burning Angel, and the puppeteers behind them. Where do these Italian connections originate?”
Casey swiftly explained, “The Burning Angel emerged in recent years, born from the amalgamation of several small New York gangs. This consolidation was chiefly orchestrated by the Italians. The Mafia and Italian influence runs deep in the U.S. Over time, they distanced themselves from the grimy work, instead, delegating it to the new gangs they backed. These new gangs are required to fork over at least 50% of their profits to the Italians.”
He continued, “Most Italian mafia in the U.S. are structured around families. The five major families were once renowned, but presently, the Zano family stands as the mightiest beyond the quintet. The Burning Angel is fiercely loyal to the Zano clan.”
Charlie mused, “So, they’re endorsed by the Zano family, with over half their earnings funneled back to them. In essence, they specialize in sub-brands for the budget market, with the Zano family as the unequivocal majority shareholder. “
Casey nodded, adding, “Indeed, Mr. Wade. There are many such gangs under the Zano family’s umbrella. The majority of Burning Angel members are African Americans, often with limited education. Their main operations involve land seizures and extortion. Additionally, there are a few outfits dabbling in slightly more lucrative contraband.”
Hogan interjected, providing Charlie with further context. “The Zano family’s current leadership is astute. They’ve compartmentalized their business, parceling out various facets to different organizations. These groups cooperate, cross-check, and keep each other in check.”
Charlie arched an eyebrow, requesting, “Uncle Hogan, enlighten me further.”
Hogan elaborated, “My perspective is based on external intel and my own insights from my time here. It may not be entirely precise, but it shouldn’t be far off.”
He continued, “The Zano family’s primary revenue stream has always been narcotics trafficking and distribution. They have a crew devoted to smuggling and another to distribution. Then there are lower-tier gangs, like the Burning Angels, vying for territory nationwide.”
Charlie nodded thoughtfully, remarking, “So, it’s like dispatching robbers to hijack a vehicle first. After the looters clean out the valuables, they drive on, picking up additional passengers—dealers and distributors—to reach their final destination and maximize profits.”
“Exactly,” Hogan affirmed. “But it’s not just drug trafficking. Alongside the monopoly on narcotics, they control casinos and vice operations within their territories. No one else is permitted to run underground casinos or engage in usury. They even bring in a stable of prostitutes to dominate the vice trade in their turf, effectively shutting out any competing operators or solo practitioners.”
Charlie couldn’t help but express his intrigue, musing, “This approach indeed maximizes resource utilization. Each segment serves as a check against the others. It’s a far more stable operation than entrusting all these enterprises to one gang. The Zano family truly has their wits about them.”
Hogan nodded sagely, stating, “The Zano family’s most remarkable feat is their near-complete absence from direct involvement in criminal activity. They steer clear of illicit dealings altogether, a stark departure from the Italian Mafia of old. Back then, they’d proudly claim responsibility for their hits. The Zano family, on the other hand, has assassins dump bodies at their doorstep, promptly alerting the police, and voluntarily surrendering all surveillance footage. They seem more eager to close the case than the authorities.”
Curious, Charlie inquired, “Uncle Hogan, are you recounting a real event or speaking metaphorically?”
“It’s all too real,” Hogan confirmed. “Just last year, the head of another Italian mafia family was riddled with bullets by four submachine gun-wielding assailants from two angles while waiting at a traffic light. One of the gunmen actually transported the boss’s body to the Zano family estate. The third Zano immediately called the police. Not only did they proactively release the footage of the gunman disposing of the body to the public, but they also proclaimed the Zano family had been set up. They even offered a million-dollar reward for help in apprehending the killer…”
“But in truth, that family was the Zano family’s chief competitor. They were vying for the rights to distribute Colombian cocaine and become the exclusive agency for New York, if not the entire East Coast. Whoever secured those rights stood to rake in hundreds of millions in profits for at least a year. Everyone knew the Zano family was behind the hit, but nobody expected them to stage such a spectacle after the fact.”
With a wry smile, Charlie remarked, “Since the Zano family enjoys theatrics, let’s put on a show for them, shall we?”
Visit VIRTUAL NOVEL for more available chapters of this title!
