Chapter 84 – The Arrangement is Plain and Clear

Lanster, flanked by two assistants, arrived at the headquarters of the Bank of America's Los Angeles branch. The receptionist greeted him politely. 

"I need to see Mr. Moriah Johnston," Lanster said.

"Do you have an appointment?" the receptionist inquired.

"No."

The receptionist's expression became slightly embarrassed. "I'm sorry, but without an appointment, I can't connect you to Mr. Johnston."

"Please tell him I have information about the recent bank robbery and the reward he offered," Lanster said calmly.

The receptionist's interest was piqued. After confirming the details, she quickly made the call to Johnston's office. Moments later, Lanster was directed to the conference room.

Johnston greeted Lanster with curiosity. "You have information about the robbers? I should tell you that the reward will only be given once the robbers are caught, so we need to verify the authenticity of your information."

Lanster understood the caution. He handed Johnston a business card. "I'm Lanster, General Manager of Security. We have over 120 personnel at our disposal in Los Angeles."

Johnston's skepticism waned. A company with that many employees was less likely to be a scam.

"I'm eager to hear your information," Johnston said.

"We have located the robbers," Lanster announced bluntly.

Johnston's interest piqued immediately. "Where are they?"

"In Los Angeles," Lanster replied.

Johnston stood up excitedly. "I'll contact the police immediately. If you provide the location, they can arrest them. The reward is yours if you find them."

"Hold on, Johnston. I have more to discuss," Lanster interjected.

Johnston paused, his anticipation slightly dampened.

"We hope to become a partner with Bank of America," Lanster continued. "Our security team consists of experienced veterans, and we aim to minimize robberies and effectively track down criminals. Our goal is to significantly enhance your bank's security."

Johnston hesitated. "But we already have a security partner, and their performance has been acceptable."

Lanster offered a pointed observation. "Bank of America has been robbed four times in five years. Clearly, there's room for improvement. Our team can provide superior protection and ensure such incidents are dealt with effectively."

Johnston considered Lanster's words. Bank of America's reputation was suffering due to repeated robberies, which had led to criticism and a loss of customer confidence.

"Can you guarantee there won't be any more robberies?" Johnston asked.

Lanster shook his head. "No, I can't guarantee that. But we can offer superior protection, proactive tracking of criminals, and a reputation for taking strong action against them. This approach will deter future attempts."

Johnston's expression was thoughtful. The repeated robberies had indeed hurt the bank's image, and his position was precarious. If Lanster's company could restore some of the lost reputation, it could be worth considering.

"Alright," Johnston said after a moment. "If you can resolve this situation and help restore our reputation, I'm open to discussing a partnership."

The two shook hands firmly, sealing the agreement.

"I'm going to contact Director Ed now to arrange for the police to take action," Johnston said.

"I'm heading to the police station as well," Lanster replied.

At the Los Angeles Police Headquarters, Lanster met with Director Ed. Ed was visibly stressed.

"Do you have real information about the robbers?" Ed asked urgently.

"Yes," Lanster confirmed.

"Then tell me quickly," Ed urged.

Lanster, however, had more to discuss. "First, I want to talk about potential cooperation between our security company and the police department."

Ed was intrigued. "What kind of cooperation?"

"Our company has a robust intelligence-gathering capability and highly trained personnel. We can support the police with valuable information and provide additional security and firepower if needed."

Ed knew that Lanster's team, comprised of battle-hardened veterans, would be a valuable asset.

"The problem is funding," Ed said. "The department doesn't have the budget for such support."

"You could propose it to the mayor," Lanster suggested. "Given the current public pressure and his desire to improve security, this might be a good opportunity."

Ed considered this. The mayor had been under pressure and had indicated a willingness to increase funding for security.

"Alright, I'll speak with the mayor about this cooperation," Ed agreed.

The mayor was receptive to the idea. With the pressure mounting from the Bank of America and public scrutiny, he approved the proposed cooperation. Resolving the robbery would not only address the immediate issue but also enhance his chances in the upcoming election.

While Lanster negotiated with the bank and the police, Hardy was busy on another front. He approached MGM boss Meyer.

"I need a documentary director with battlefield experience," Hardy said.

Meyer was puzzled. "Why a documentary director?"

"You're aware of the recent Bank of America robbery, right?" Hardy asked.

"Yes. It's been all over the news. Mayor Ross mentioned the pressure he's under," Meyer said.

"I've arranged for a security company to handle the situation. I want to document the entire process and create a film titled 'Los Angeles Bank Robbery.' It's a chance to showcase the security company's work and potentially turn it into a movie for the box office."

Meyer considered the proposal. "If the case is high-profile, a documentary could be a hit. I'll arrange for a top director and the necessary equipment."

"Great. If you need a theater release in the future, let me know," Hardy said with a smile.

Meyer agreed, and Hardy's plan for a comprehensive media strategy was set into motion.