Chapter 35 Entering the Casino

Chapter 35 Entering the Casino

Klein listened to Jennifer and shook his head right away.

"No way, too much trouble. I just want to collect rent and live a quiet life."

Jennifer had expected his refusal and immediately threw out her offer.

"I'll pay you. Think of it as a protection fee. I know you owe a pile of property taxes and utility bills."

Klein waved his hand. He did need money right now, but not if it meant getting involved with the police. Otherwise, he'd have to worry about his own identity being exposed.

Seeing Klein's firm refusal, Jennifer could only shake her head helplessly.

"Looks like I'll have to go find this Mortar guy myself. Hope he doesn't actually have a mortar, or I'll have to call for terrorist attack backup."

Klein had just turned to leave when he heard Jennifer muttering and stopped in his tracks.

The Mortar he'd been searching for all this time - he could actually hear about it from Jennifer?

"Mortar? That would count as a terrorist attack, right? What's that got to do with you as a cop?"

Klein acted curious, but was actually testing her.

Jennifer didn't notice anything unusual about Klein and said, "Remember those punks hiding drugs yesterday? They were getting their supply from that guy. And ninety percent had to go to Mortar - they could only keep the extra ten percent! These idiots raised the prices several times over to make more money. Some street thugs who couldn't afford the drugs got pissed and reported them."

Klein couldn't understand the logic of these street punks, but what mattered now was how to find out Mortar's whereabouts from Jennifer.

"How much are you paying?"

Klein's sudden question caught Jennifer off guard.

Jennifer tentatively held up two fingers.

"I've got 20 grand on me right now. Is that enough?"

Klein hesitated. "For that money, I'll just make sure you don't get hurt. But don't expect me to catch all these people."

Jennifer's eyes lit up. Looks like she guessed right - this guy really needed money.

Without wasting words, they got in the car and headed out.

Jennifer drove toward the old district on the city's edge.

"That bar up ahead looks like a normal drinking spot, but there's actually an underground casino behind it. Mortar hangs around there a lot."

The car stopped in front of the bar. From far away, they could see the neon sign flashing brightly, music so loud it made the car windows shake.

As soon as they got out, they saw the bar door swing open. Two big, muscular guys dragged out a skinny man and threw him out.

The man hit the ground, blood all over his nose and mouth, clothes torn and messy.

He was still clutching an old phone in his hand, kneeling on the ground, and kowtowing repeatedly.

"Give me one more chance, I'll win it back next time, my life's still worth something!"

One of the big guys stepped on his hand, grabbed the phone, and smashed it on the ground. The screen instantly shattered into a spiderweb.

"No money and you still dare to gamble? Get lost, don't make trouble here."

The man tried to lunge forward, but the two guys beat him in the stomach and back. He curled up in pain and finally crawled away.

Jennifer's fist clenched tight, and she started to rush forward.

Klein grabbed her wrist and gently shook his head.

"Don't. Gambling addicts don't deserve your sympathy. Even if you save him, he'll just blame you for offending these people and ruining his chance to get back in the casino."

Jennifer bit her lip but stopped.

Klein straightened his collar, then suddenly put his arm around Jennifer's waist and walked toward the entrance with her.

Jennifer's body went stiff, completely unnatural. She'd never been this close to a man before.

Klein leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Right now, I'm a rich playboy, you're my date. Relax your body, don't be so stiff. Don't just grab people - we're here to investigate."

While saying this, his mind was quietly commenting: This waist is tight and elastic, clearly from years of training. That ass line is pretty intense too - when I put my arm around her waist just now, I almost let my hand slide down. Good thing I held back, or Jennifer would've pulled her gun right there.

The two bouncers at the door immediately blocked them, eyes alert, scanning Klein up and down.

"You two, first time here?"

Klein looked unconcerned, chin slightly raised, tone very cocky.

"Just heard there's a casino here, came to check it out."

The big guy's gaze immediately shifted to Jennifer, eyes lighting up.

Pretty face, hot body, curves really obvious - made you want to get handsy.

One of them grinned and reached toward Jennifer's face. "Pretty girl, looking real fine..."

Before his hand touched her skin, Klein's expression turned cold, voice dropping low.

"If you don't want that hand crippled right now, pull it back."

The guy froze, then sneered, not taking him seriously at all.

"Bro, what are you trying to pull here?"

Just as he raised his foot to act tough, Klein suddenly kicked him in the stomach.

The big guy flew back like a sack, hit the wall, clutched his stomach, unable to breathe, face white as paper.

The other guy's expression changed. Just as he was about to make a move, Klein pulled out two stacks of cash and threw them in his face.

"Take that and see a doctor. Now, take us inside. If the service isn't good today, I'm never coming back. When your boss asks, you explain it yourself."

The two guys exchanged glances, anger building inside, planning to screw this kid over later.

But they didn't dare make a scene now. Swallowing their anger, they led them into the bar.

Past the noisy bar counter, the music got louder. Smoke, alcohol, and sweat smells mixed together, hitting them in the face.

They pushed open an inconspicuous metal door - inside was the real casino.

The space wasn't huge, but packed full.

Dim yellow lights hung from the ceiling, flickering on and off.

Smoke everywhere. Some people are standing and shouting, others are sitting and pounding tables. The noise hurt your ears.

Several gambling tables surrounded by people, chips clattering loudly.

In the corner were gambling machines, lights flashing constantly, occasionally playing winning music mixed with people's curses.

Cigarette butts, tissues, spilled drinks on the floor - sticky when you stepped on them.

The air was full of smoke, sweat, and cheap perfume, mixed together, making you dizzy.

Everyone stared at the tables, eyes bloodshot. Winners laughing loudly, losers smashing cups and cursing.

Dealers in black clothes, expressionless, dealing cards and collecting chips. They only glanced over when Klein and his group approached, especially at Jennifer, since she was pretty.

Several obvious security guys in the crowd, walking back and forth with fierce looks, watching anyone who caused trouble.

Jennifer discreetly scanned the room and whispered to Klein:

"Don't see Mortar. Where is he?"

Klein shrugged, looking relaxed.

"To find this kind of local boss, you don't need to search hard."

He put his arm around Jennifer and walked straight to the liveliest gambling table, then turned back and winked at her.

"Watch closely. Today I'll show you what a real gambling god looks like."