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Chapter 41: This Job is Right Up My Alley!
🕑 Added 2024-11-28 15:23:59 +0000 UTCIn May, after spending over a month in the detention center, Lyndon Schneider walked out through the steel gates, carrying his luggage. As soon as he stepped outside, he spotted Dix across the street, leaning against a car and smoking.
“Welcome back, Doc!” Dix extinguished his cigarette, casually flicking it aside, and strode over to greet him.
“Hey, Dix. How dare you show up here so openly? Aren’t you still wanted?” Lyndon Schneider asked, visibly surprised.
He clearly remembered that night over a month ago when he saw their other accomplice, Goss, being taken into custody along with the broker, Corby. He also knew Corby had sold everyone out. Dix should be on the wanted list, yet here he was, standing boldly outside the detention center.
“Hahaha, wanted? That’s old news. My warrant was rescinded over two weeks ago,” Dix said proudly, taking Schneider’s suitcase.
“What happened?” Schneider asked, thoroughly confused.
“It’s pretty simple. Corby retracted his confession, and Goss took the blame for everything. So, I was off the hook,” Dix explained with a tinge of sadness. Although he was free, the thought of his good friend Goss serving extra years in prison weighed on him.
“Was it Mr. Kahn?” Schneider immediately made the connection. The only person with enough influence to orchestrate such an outcome had to be Josh Kahn, the man who had convinced him to turn himself in.
In truth, Schneider knew his early release and comfortable treatment in the detention center were all thanks to Josh’s intervention.
Initially, he assumed Josh was helping because of his connection to Schneider’s late father. But now, seeing Dix also receiving such care, Schneider realized there must be another reason behind Josh’s generosity.
“Of course! Who else but Mr. Kahn? He even asked me to pick you up today. Come on, hop in—I’ll take you to see your new home!” Dix clapped Schneider on the shoulder and led him to the car.
“New home? What new home?” Schneider asked, puzzled.
“A cozy apartment, obviously. Unless you’d rather sleep on the streets?” Dix joked.
“This is also arranged by Mr. Kahn, isn’t it? And I take it you’re working for him now?” Schneider asked.
“Absolutely. Bosses as generous as Mr. Kahn are hard to come by. Look at this car—a Chrysler! Nice, isn’t it? A gift from him!” Dix proudly patted the steering wheel.
“It’s a fine car,” Schneider acknowledged, running his hand over the leather seats.
“Don’t worry, you’ll get one too!” Dix laughed heartily.
Dix drove swiftly, and in about half an hour, they arrived at an apartment building in the Upper North neighborhood.
The building wasn’t far from Josh’s old place, but the apartment was much more spacious—a comfortable 800-square-foot space, which was more than enough for a single man like Schneider.
“Here are the keys. Take some time to settle in. Later, I’ll come back and take you out for a surprise to celebrate your release. Ever heard of Night Rose? The girls there are fiery hot!” Dix said with a wink.
“Dix, all of this was arranged by Mr. Kahn, wasn’t it? I think I should thank him in person,” Schneider said. He felt uneasy accepting so much without giving anything in return.
“Relax, buddy. Just enjoy yourself today. You’ll meet Mr. Kahn tomorrow,” Dix reassured him.
Despite Dix’s words, Schneider couldn’t fully shake his unease.
However, as Dix had promised, the girls at Night Rose were so intoxicatingly charming that Schneider quickly forgot all his worries. By the time he woke up, it was nearly noon the next day.
Later that afternoon, Dix took Schneider to meet Josh at a small but clean restaurant.
Oddly, although it was lunchtime, the restaurant was empty except for Josh and a single waitress.
“That’s Anna, Louis’ wife. After Louis passed away, it’s just her and their son. I used my share of the money to buy this restaurant for her to run so they’d have some stability,” Dix explained, noticing Schneider’s curiosity. “As for today, the restaurant is closed temporarily because Mr. Kahn is here.”
Schneider nodded in understanding. He also suspected that Dix’s care for Anna and her son went beyond mere kindness.
But that wasn’t his business.
“Mr. Schneider, you’re looking well. I heard from Dix—four ladies last night? Truly impressive!” Josh teased with a smile as Schneider entered.
Schneider’s felt embarrassed at the remark.
Though he was older and somewhat reserved, his Bavarian roots didn’t prevent him from enjoying life’s pleasures. After being cooped up for so long, he had let loose last night, indulging himself to the fullest.
“Mr. Kahn, you jest. I must thank you for your hospitality. I owe you so much, and I don’t know how to repay you. If there’s anything you need me to do, please just let me know,” Schneider said respectfully.
If he had initially seen Josh as a young man deserving respect because of his father, he now regarded him as a truly capable and influential figure.
“Excellent. It seems you understand why I’ve done all this. In that case, I’ll get straight to the point. The work I have for you isn’t difficult. I have a lot of sensitive goods that need to be sold and some materials I need to procure. But given the current situation in the U.S., I need someone sharp to handle these matters for me,” Josh explained bluntly.
Schneider instantly understood.
Sensitive goods? Procurement?
In other words—smuggling.
And, as luck would have it, this was a line of work he was very familiar with.
“Ah, this job—I’m a pro at it!” he said confidently.
