Chapter 79: The High-Speed Interview (Part 1)

[Chapter 79: The High-Speed Interview (Part 1)]

Los Angeles Herald Office.

Ian was busy at his desk when the phone rang suddenly.

It was Crips.

Ian picked up, "What's up?"

On the other end, Crips spoke in a low voice, "A couple of guys bought some guns from me yesterday, along with grenades and bulletproof vests."

Hearing the mention of bulletproof vests, Ian raised an eyebrow.

This was serious business.

Leaning back in his chair, he thought for a moment before replying, "Do you know where they are from?"

"Not sure, they seem to be outsiders. Locals wouldn't operate this way -- we have our own business."

Yeah, that made sense. His guys were into protection rackets, drug dealing, and other shady dealings, so they wouldn't usually risk a big operation like this, unless it was a turf war.

"Do you have any specific intel on them?" Ian asked.

"They want us to find them a courier. They said they'd meet him at three this afternoon in front of the Palos Bank on Billy Street."

"Wow." Ian whistled, "Nice job, Crips. I'm very pleased with your work. Who did you find for them?"

"Brydon, a retired racecar driver."

Ian was shocked.

Wasn't this just straight out of a crime thriller?

Hiring a pro driver for a bank job?

Interesting!

Ian quickly said, "Get me one too, someone of equal skill. Have them wait for me at my office by two o'clock."

"Sure thing."

...

After hanging up, Ian dialed another number quickly. "Phil, be ready at two in front of the office. Something big is coming down today."

"You got it, boss." Phil Leyso hung up the phone expressionless from his apartment.

He picked up his camera and wiped it clean as if he were polishing a prized weapon.

...

At two o'clock, Leyso arrived at the office, spotting a convertible SUV parked there.

A man in his thirties was behind the wheel, while Ian sat in the passenger seat.

Looking at Leyso, Ian pointed to the back seat, "You'll be filming. It's live coverage this time."

Leyso climbed in and took out his camera, casually asking, "What are we expecting?"

Ian replied, "Gunfight, high-speed chase, and a road pursuit."

Leyso was surprised, "That big? Are you going too?"

Ian nodded, "Of course. We're going to be the best team."

Leyso quietly acknowledged this.

Best team, Butterfly!

That once-desperate life finally burst into a new glow at this moment.

...

Billy Street, Palos Bank.

Once the SUV parked nearby, the people inside fell silent.

The driver, Balster, was also a retired racecar driver but hadn't made much of a name for himself, which was why after retiring he joined the gang, specializing in delivering goods under the radar.

He was a Black man with a bit of a knack for chatter, and he sat there rambling, "I know Brydon; that guy is the worst. If you want, boss, I can definitely catch up to him and run him off the road."

Ian replied, "That's not your job, and it's not what I need."

Balster sighed, "What a shame. By the way, boss, they won't show up until three; we've got half an hour. Want to hear some music?"

"No need."

"How about something to eat?"

"No, thanks."

While speaking, Ian took out the monitoring device, placing it on his lap, and began manipulating the remote control for the camera he had planted in the bank earlier.

As long as the line held, the loss was minimal.

...

Balster leaned over, curious, "Hey? Is this internal bank footage? The camera's moving? How are you doing that? Did you set up a slider?"

Ian glanced up at him, his eyes filled with annoyance.

Balster laughed, "Just trying to provide you with a service."

Ian coolly snapped, "Your best service would be to shut up right now and turn your head around!"

With a resigned sigh, Balster turned away, "Okay, Crips said to follow your orders... I'm not scared of Crips, but..."

"Shut it!" Ian yelled.

Damn, next time he'd make sure Crips sent someone less chatty.

Balster just couldn't keep quiet!

...

The micro camera quietly adjusted its angle, focusing on various spots in the lobby.

Once the positions were set, Ian sat quietly waiting.

Time flew by quickly, and soon it was 2:55 PM.

Not far away, a vehicle stopped in front of the Palos Bank, and three masked figures got out.

They were armed and carried bags, rushing straight into the bank.

Seeing this, experienced staff and customers instinctively turned their backs to the wall, crouching down to protect themselves.

They didn't even need to be told!

Annoyed by such unspoken agreement, one of the robbers shot at a security guard immediately upon entering, shouting, "Everyone down! Hands on your heads! The money's the state's; your lives are yours!"

Nonsense!

This was a private bank!

With that shout, the three robbers surged forward, grabbing a bank manager and yelling, "Open the vault!"

The manager trembled, "Okay, sir, but there's not a lot in there."

"Shut up, just open the vault now!" The leader of the robbers shoved the bank manager forward while one robber held the hostages, and another dashed to the counter to start collecting cash.

The robber in charge of guarding the hostages kept glancing at the clock, shouting, "Three minutes left... two minutes! Lyle, you better hurry up!"

"Shut up, don't say my name, you damn fool!" came back the shout from the vault.

The timing robber showed some quick thinking: "It's just a fake name, anyway!"

Everyone in the room, "..."

The bank robbers continued frantically stripping the bank of cash.

...

Outside, Ian, Balster, and Leyso watched the monitor.

Ian shook his head lightly, "A bunch of idiots. There's hardly anything of value in that vault. Instead of robbing the vault, they'd be better off hitting the clients' safety deposit boxes; breaking into some could yield a fortune."

Balster looked surprised, "You mean there's more value there?"

Ian nodded, "Of course. It's not just money; important documents, bearer bonds, and if they're lucky, they might score some diamonds and jewelry -- all high-end stuff."

Balster clicked his tongue, "Not too bright; they can't even rob right."

Then he brightened, "Look, there's Brydon; he's here!"

In the distance, a black car parked at the bank entrance, the driver was a bald white man wearing a mask that he hadn't pulled down yet.

His face was stoic, with an icy gaze, and he looked quite serious.

Ian said, "Not much of a talker, is he?"

Balster nodded repeatedly, "Yeah, that guy is a real mute."

"I should get him to work for me while you sit over there," Ian sighed.

Balster took the hint and fell silent.

...

At that moment, someone inside shouted, "The car's here; ten seconds, let's go!"

Two robbers rushed out, bags slung over their shoulders.

The three of them bolted toward the black car, and in the next moment, it shot off like a bullet.

...

Meanwhile, Balster had already started the car and closely followed, while Leyso aimed his camera forward.

"Give me that lens," Ian stashed the monitor and pulled out a microphone, addressing the camera, "This is WND News Network live reporting. Just moments ago, a robbery transpired at Palos Bank, where three robbers absconded in a black sedan, the very one in front of us right now. The lens..."

Leyso, still a bit inexperienced, managed to point the camera at the fleeing vehicle just as Ian prompted him.

Ian continued, "That's the black Benz up ahead."

Balster chimed in excitedly, "It's modified, has nitrous in the back, and it's incredibly fast!"

Ian shot him a look, annoyed at his chatter!

Balster quickly fell silent again.

*****

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