The Amazing Son in Law The Charismatic Charlie Wade

As tension etched Jordan’s features.

Charlie, who had maintained a quiet vigil, instantly discerned the growing rumble of a motorcycle engine drawing nearer. It was heading their way.

In that charged moment, Hogan grasped the gravity of Jordan’s potential entanglement.

His voice turned stern as he demanded, “Jordan, lay it bare. Who have you crossed?”

Conceding that the truth could no longer be masked, Jordan, resigned, began, “Uncle Hogan, these folks here belong to a fresh gang making waves in New York…”

Hogan interjected, “Debt collectors, are they?”

Jordan hastened to clarify, “No, Uncle Hogan! They’ve just laid claim to Chinatown two days past. Now they’re squeezing folks for protection money, three grand a month. If you don’t pay up, they rough you up and threaten to ransack your store.”

Furrowing his brows, Hogan inquired, “Hasn’t Chinatown always been run by Chinese syndicates? The fee’s been a mere three hundred a month for the past few years. Why this sudden usurpation?”

ceded it to them last week after a fierce showdown and heavy losses.

caught Hogan

this new gang? It’s only been a month since

dusk in these stores, paying rent and working under the table since we lack legal status to foot the bills.

and done, you’re only scraping together a few grand a month. They want three

behind this new

African-Americans with a sprinkling of Latinos from Brooklyn and downtown. Word is, they’re backed by Italians. The Italians

they inflict those wounds on your face?” Hogan

came to collect their ‘protection’ money. I couldn’t cough up the sum, so they beat me down. They’ve given me until

police?” Hogan’s tone carried a mix of

no use. You know the deal in New York. The police focus on the affluent areas. They came,

in Hogan’s eyes. “It’s

of hopelessness. “I called them, told them they’d be back. The police said there aren’t enough officers to keep tabs here. They told me to call as soon as I spotted them. Dial 911 for the police, but what good does it do? If they roll in with