"Just as I expected."
Sean Archer finished reading David Abbott's file, confident smile spreading across his face.
Beside him, Jane Banner looked curious.
"Sir, is intel bought from this bar reliable?"
"Absolutely! In California, there's no better information broker than Sangiovese!"
Sean handed file to Jane so she could take look.
Jane skimmed through David Abbott's recent activities, then looked up at Sean.
"Sir, what's our next move?"
"David Abbott's file gives him massive motive to be involved in this case. I even suspect he orchestrated it. Let's go. We need to have little chat with him."
David Abbott lived with his wife and kids in wealthy San Gabriel neighborhood. Past few days, he sent his family to his in-laws' place to avoid slipping up.
Got to admit, David Abbott was highly cautious. Since heist went down, he kept incredibly low profile.
If LAPD hadn't ordered him to stay in town for questioning, he probably would've fled to some remote vacation spot to lay low.
But with nearly week passing since job and nothing happening, David finally started to relax.
However, tonight, unexpected guests rang doorbell.
"Coming!"
Filipino maid looked through peephole and saw two vicious-looking, heavily built men standing outside. Both wore black suits.
Their appearance terrified maid. She didn't dare open door directly, using intercom instead.
"Who are you looking for?"
Lead dark-haired middle-aged man spoke up.
"We're here for Mr. Abbott. Tell him Sonny has business with him."
"Hold on. I'll be right back."
Two minutes later, maid returned, opening door and inviting them inside.
In living room, David acted incredibly polite, bringing out brandy and offering Sonny and his muscle a seat.
"Mr. Sonny, what brings you to my home today?"
David was visibly nervous. After all, Mafia wasn't police. They didn't need evidence. Suspicion was enough to hand down sentence.
Facing LAPD or even FBI, David could use his status to stall. But Mafia? Not so much.
Sonny noticed David's panic. He casually picked up brandy and took sip.
"Mr. Abbott, I think you know exactly why we're here."
"Is it about gold?"
Playing dumb was pointless. David knew mob wouldn't reason with him, so he cooperated fully.
"Exactly! You know that's Mr. Bonanno's gold. Nobody steals from Bonanno family!"
What if it was IRS?
David mocked him internally. He knew Mafia just bullied weak and feared strong. Mostly true for all gangs.
When former Chicago underground emperor Al Capone got taken down by IRS, didn't mob roll over?
Sent to prison for tax evasion. Absolute joke of American justice system.
"Mr. Sonny, this was completely unexpected. I never thought they'd be that bold! I specifically warned them certain things in vault were off-limits!"
Sonny was highly satisfied with David's attitude. If everyone was this cooperative, his job would be breeze.
"Tell me. Who stole from vault?"
"I don't know their names, and they wore disguises. I only know one was white guy with heavy beard, another was bald white guy covered in tattoos, and there was young Asian kid!"
"That's it?"
Sonny looked displeased. That wasn't nearly enough intel to track down four guys. It's not like Mafia had sketch artists on payroll.
Seeing Sonny's mood shift, David quickly pulled out something he prepared beforehand.
"When they approached me, I was in my car. This is dashcam footage. It should help!"
Sonny grabbed hard drive David handed over, smile finally appearing on his face.
Downing rest of his brandy in one gulp, Sonny stood up.
"David Abbott, Mr. Bonanno hates people who play smart. There won't be next time!"
Saying that, Sonny shot look at his muscle, who immediately stepped up and pinned David down.
Realizing what was coming, David struggled violently. But how could pampered bank executive overpower massive mob enforcer?
"No! I gave you everything! Let me go!"
"Can't do that! Mr. Bonanno is highly pissed about missing gold. Somebody has to be punished!"
Sonny obviously wasn't going to kill David. Pacific Standard heist just happened week ago. If David turned up dead, LAPD would absolutely trace it back to Mafia.
That would just be inviting massive shitstorm.
Maybe during mob's golden era they could pull that off, but now they had to keep low profile.
Still, Mafia couldn't just do nothing. Otherwise, syndicate that relied on violence and fear to control underworld would lose its foundation.
So, Sonny snapped one of David's fingers as punishment.
"Ahhhhh—!"
Agonizing scream made maid in next room violently tremble in terror.
"Goodbye, Mr. Abbott. Sweet dreams."
Only after Sonny and his guy left did maid dare step out to check on her boss.
"Mr. Abbott, are you alright?"
Dripping with sweat and clutching his broken finger, David glared at her, completely furious.
"Fuck! Do I look alright to you? Hurry up and call clinic!"
In America, rich people usually went to private clinics so they didn't have to wait in line at hospitals like poor people.
Maid hurried off to make call, but halfway there, she turned back.
"Mr. Abbott, someone else is here!"
"Fuck! Whoever it is, tell them to piss off! I'm in no mood for visitors!"
"But..."
"No buts!"
"They're already inside."
David snapped his head up just in time to see rugged middle-aged man and beautiful young blonde woman walk into living room.
"Who are you? This is private property. You aren't welcome here!"
Blonde woman pulled badge from her pocket and flashed it.
"We're FBI!"
David's eyes flickered, but he kept his tough act up.
"Even FBI can't just barge into someone's house! Get out right now!"
Middle-aged man completely ignored David. Instead, he glanced at empty glasses on table, then at David's hand wrapped tightly in handkerchief.
"Mr. David Abbott, looks like you just hosted couple unwelcome guests! Care to chat about them?"