How a Salaryman Became an Underworld Boss

“The Lucino family?”

The moment Cha Jiham said those words, Director Nevers sensed that something was off. Jiham had spoken as if he already knew exactly who they were. Wanting to confirm his suspicion, Nevers asked carefully,

“Chairman Gomez mentioned before that the Lucino family, which controls Philadelphia, has been eyeing New York. He was just waiting for the right opportunity to bring them to justice.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Please excuse me for a moment.”

After asking Director Nevers for permission, I dialed Chairman Gomez’s number. The phone had barely started ringing before he answered, as if he had been waiting for my call.

[Manager Cha, how are things going?]

“It has been confirmed that the gang receiving drugs from Inspector Michael Hayden was the Lucino family.”

[What?!]

Chairman Gomez sounded utterly shocked. He clearly hadn’t expected that at all. To be fair, I had been just as surprised myself, so his reaction was perfectly understandable. After a brief silence, he spoke again in a bewildered voice.

[Manager Cha, but how were they getting North Korean drugs?]

“Inspector Hayden was personally involved in the supply chain, so I don’t know the details.”

[Then why don’t they arrest Hayden and make him talk?]

“The CIA is already after him, but he’s disappeared without a trace.”

[Hmm... I see.]

“There’s a high probability that Hayden contacted the Lucino family after going on the run. If we delay any longer, their leadership will disappear as well.”

[I want to wipe them out as soon as possible too, but they have more than fifteen hundred men.]

I immediately understood what he meant. According to Lanchester’s Law, an attacking force needs overwhelming numerical superiority to guarantee victory against a defending force. However, the Gomez family had only about twenty-five hundred men. If they launched a direct assault and tried to destroy the Lucino family without outside assistance, they would suffer enormous casualties. That was exactly what concerned him.

After quickly considering how to ease his concerns, I continued,

“Chairman Gomez, what do you think about eliminating the Lucino family together with the military?”

[The military?]

“The Lucino family is distributing North Korean drugs, so the U.S. government is obligated to eliminate them anyway. But since time is running out, I’m asking your family to take the lead.”

[I understand what you’re getting at, but why would the military help us?]

“President Douglas absolutely hates drugs. It’s worth trying.”

[I understand. I’ll contact President Douglas.]

“When you speak to him, emphasize that we have almost no time left. That will help.”

[That’s exactly what I’ll do.]

After ending the call with Chairman Gomez, I put my phone away. Director Nevers, who had listened to the entire conversation, immediately asked,

“What did Chairman Gomez say that made you decide to involve the military?”

“The Lucino family has more than fifteen hundred members.”

“Ah...”

Realizing the situation, Director Nevers simply nodded thoughtfully instead of finishing his sentence.

“Perhaps you should call President Douglas yourself and help Chairman Gomez.”

“I’d like to, but I still haven’t reported Lee Jonghyeok’s recruited spies to him.”

“Then report it now!”

“We still haven’t completely verified that they’re actually working for North Korea.”

“Lee Jonghyeok has already been arrested by the National Intelligence Service. Why would he lie now that he’s cornered?”

“Haa...”

Director Nevers let out a heavy sigh while staring at the ceiling. I knew exactly why. He was terrified of being chewed out by President Douglas. Someone hesitating like this simply needed a little push.

“You’ll have to face the consequences sooner or later anyway.”

“Well... that’s true, but...”

Judging by his hesitant tone, the thought of facing Douglas’s wrath genuinely frightened him.

“Then how about this?”

“Go on.”

“First, explain to President Douglas why you and Director Griffin urgently flew to South Korea.”

“You’re suggesting I improve his mood first?”

Director Nevers was remarkably quick on the uptake.

“Exactly. After that, casually steer the conversation toward the North Korean spies.”

However, Director Nevers never got the chance to call President Douglas.

At the crucial moment, his phone rang. It was Director Griffin. After glancing at the screen, he apologized to us and answered.

“Deputy Director James, what’s the situation?”

[We’ve confirmed that Inspector Hayden fled to Venezuela aboard a private jet under the alias John Spencer.]

Director Griffin looked at Cha Jiham, gave him a thumbs-up, and continued listening.

“Have you identified where the plane landed?”

[Intelligence satellites located the aircraft parked at La Chinita International Airport in Maracaibo.]

“So he’s hiding somewhere around Maracaibo.”

As I listened to Griffin’s conversation with James, a question naturally came to mind.

Why had Hayden fled to Maracaibo instead of Caracas, Venezuela’s capital?

While I was thinking about it, Director Griffin ended the call and turned back to us.

“Manager Cha’s deduction has been completely confirmed.”

“That’s excellent news.”

“You were shaking your head thoughtfully just now. May I ask why?”

Sharp eyes.

“Before I answer, I’d like to ask something. Did Inspector Hayden ever serve in Venezuela?”

“As far as I remember, no.”

“Then I assumed he’d established a safe house near Maracaibo while working there. But if he was never stationed there, that theory doesn’t hold up.”

At that moment, a highly plausible possibility crossed my mind. There was nothing to lose, so I immediately called Chairman Gomez again.

After a few rings, his surprised voice came through.

[Manager Cha, did you forget something?]

“Yes. I have two questions.”

[Go ahead.]

“First, Director Nevers will be contacting President Douglas shortly.”

[I’d be extremely grateful for that. And the second question?]

“Before switching to North Korean drugs, was the Lucino family already involved in narcotics?”

[Of course.]

“Do you know which countries they imported them from?”

[Colombia and Venezuela.]

My suspicion had been exactly right.

“Inspector Hayden fled to Maracaibo, Venezuela.”

[Hmm...]

Chairman Gomez fell silent, deep in thought. All I could do was wait patiently.

After a while, he finally spoke.

[About three hours from Maracaibo there’s a town called Machiques. According to rumors, there’s a poppy plantation belonging to the Lucino family somewhere nearby.]

“Chairman Gomez, thank you very much!”

[Don’t mention it. Tell Director Griffin that Hayden must be captured alive.]

“I certainly will. I won’t keep you any longer.”

Click.

The moment I hung up, Director Griffin leaned forward.

“What did Chairman Gomez say?”

“There’s a Lucino family poppy plantation near a place called Machiques—”

“Just a moment.”

Unable to contain himself, Director Griffin cut me off. He immediately called Deputy Director James, issued a brief order, and hung up.

“My apologies for interrupting you, Manager Cha, but this couldn’t wait. Please forgive me. I sincerely hope we’ll be able to capture Hayden alive.”

“I completely understand, so don’t worry about it.”

“If we know where he’s hiding and still fail to take him alive, it would be a disgrace to our agency.”

“I have nothing to add to that.”

After answering him, I turned toward Director Nevers.

“You heard my conversation with Chairman Gomez, didn’t you?”

“Haa...”

Director Nevers let out a long, whistling sigh before dialing President Douglas.

Following my advice, he carefully explained the reasons why he and Director Griffin had traveled to Korea. Judging by the smile gradually appearing on his face, Douglas was pleased with the report and even praised him.

The pleasant atmosphere lasted barely two minutes.

The moment Nevers reached the main topic, everything changed.

“Mr. President, during the interrogation of Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol, an extremely shocking fact came to light.”

[Spit it out already. What is it now?]

“Former Cuban Embassy Secretary Lee Jonghyeok staged a fake defection to the United States.”

[And why would he fake his defection?!]

“To recruit senior officials from the CIA, the FBI, and the Department of Defense.”

[What did you just say?!]

President Douglas shouted so loudly that everyone in the room could hear him through the phone.

“...I’m sorry.”

[You can shove your apology up your... Arrest every last spy immediately!]

“Yes, Mr. President.”

[That’s enough. I don’t feel like talking to you anymore.]

“Mr. President, please wait a moment!”

Nevers barely managed to stop Douglas before he hung up.

[What now?]

“Yes, there’s one more thing. There’s a mafia organization based in Philadelphia called the Lucino family. We asked Chairman Gomez to wipe them out, but he’s hesitant because of their numbers.”

[And why exactly should we eliminate them?]

“They’ve been confirmed to be importing and distributing North Korean drugs.”

[What?! And what do you need from me?]

The word ”drugs” produced an immediate reaction from President Douglas. Quietly relieved, Director Nevers continued.

“To eliminate them completely, we’ll have to deploy the military.”

[Do it.]

“Thank you for your authorization, Mr. President.”

[What if the military and Gomez’s people get in each other’s way?]

“They’ve already worked together during the operation against the American branch of the Triad.”

[Then there won’t be any problems. That’s all.]

Beep.

President Douglas ended the call unilaterally, still in a foul mood.

Director Nevers slowly lowered his phone and let out a deep breath.

Watching him, Director Griffin apologized.

“Director Nevers, I’m truly sorry.”

“What for?”

“You got scolded by the President because of that bastard Hayden.”

“There’s no point dwelling on the past.”

Although Director Nevers tried to sound upbeat, his expression looked exhausted.

As an awkward silence settled over the room, my phone suddenly vibrated with an incoming call.

I glanced at the screen.

It was Vice Chairman Wei Chen.

After excusing myself, I answered.

“Vice Chairman Wei, I’m listening.”

[Manager Cha, we’ve successfully captured Cho Insu and his men.]

A bad feeling immediately flashed through my mind.

The operation to eliminate the Leech Gang had been scheduled for 5:30 a.m.

But our people and the Triad had begun the operation an hour earlier.

“Vice Chairman Wei, why the rush?”

[Macau is one hour behind Korea. That meant the scheduled starting time here would have been 6:30 a.m. However, sunrise here is at 6:20. To be safe, we decided to move the operation forward.]

The words You should have informed me beforehand! reached the tip of my tongue, but the operation had already been completed.

“Well, there’s nothing to be done now. One moment.”

Putting Wei Chen on hold, I turned to Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong.

“They’ve just eliminated Cho Insu’s group.”

“Oh my God! Seriously?!”

Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong jolted in surprise and hurriedly grabbed his phone.