Chapter 51 Analysis
Stark didn't answer the phone, but looked at Luke.
Luke looked at the people from the intelligence team.
The person in charge made an OK gesture to Luke, and after Luke and Frank picked up the headphones and put them on, they motioned for Stark to answer the phone.
"I'm Stark."
The voice on the other end of the phone was low and hoarse.
"Haha, of course we know who you are. Now this woman is in our hands. Prepare 6 million in cash within two hours. Non-consecutive numbers, old banknotes, bundled in rolls."
Before Stark could answer, the other party hung up the phone.
The intelligence team members shook their heads at Luke.
Luke and Frank also sighed.
The other party was too alert and did not give the intelligence team time to track the signal.
Luke said to Stark:
"Contact the bank, Tony. Who else knows your schedule for today?"
Stark thought for a while, shook his head and said:
"I don't know, but I was supposed to go look at a purchase order today and need to inspect the goods on site, but Pepper asked me to continue with my research work. She can handle these things."
"Luke, she was kidnapped for me. She is a girl...Oh my God, I can't imagine..."
Luke hastily stopped Stark's declaration of remorse.
"Hey...hey...Tony, now is not the time to think about this. We have to find a way to find the robber."
Stark has nothing to do now and can only wait for the robber to call again.
But Luke said:
"The robbers have given the information."
Frank and Stark both looked at Luke in confusion.
Luke continued:
"I estimate there are only 2-3 of them."
"They know your value, or the value of Stark Group, but they only want six million."
"This shows that they are not many people. Six million in cash weighs about 70 kilograms."
"I think they are three people, because it is too heavy for two people to carry. 3 million is just 2 million per person, which is easy to divide and carry."
"They want old banknotes with non-consecutive numbers, which means they are veterans, not rookies, and they must have criminal experience."
"The fact that they are bundled into rolls shows that they are from the mafia. Only mafia members would bundle money into rolls."
"Besides, you are very famous in Los Angeles, so the local gangs won't target you. Only outsiders passing by will want to make a fortune from you."
"So, the information given now is very clear. There are 2-3 outsiders with criminal backgrounds. We can start from this aspect."
Luke's analysis shocked Stark.
He originally thought that Luke was just playing around in the FBI with his wealth, but he didn't expect that Luke's actions really showed his real ability.
Frank also gave Luke a thumbs up and said to his assistant:
"Mobilize your informants in the mafia to see if there are any criminals who have come to Los Angeles recently or have stopped by here temporarily."
The assistant immediately took out his phone to make arrangements.
Luke said to Stark:
"I was just assigned here not long ago. I don't have any informants. I have to rely on Inspector Frank for this. Don't worry."
Stark couldn't help at all now and could only nod mechanically.
So he hurriedly called Stark Bank and asked them to prepare cash.
Time passed by minute by minute.
The person from Stark Bank delivered the cash 10 minutes before the agreed time.
There were 2 large bags in total.
When the time came, the gangster called on time.
Stark hurriedly spoke first.
"Let me hear Pepper's voice, or I'll never pay."
This was what Luke had asked Stark to do in advance, to ensure that Pepper was still alive.
A voice came from the gangsters.
"Okay, Mr. Stark, we're not afraid of you calling the police, but don't play tricks, we're only after money."
After that, Pepper's voice came from the other end of the phone:
"Tony, I'm not hurt, how's Happy?"
"Happy was just knocked unconscious, he's fine. Pepper, they did that to you..."
At this time, there was no more Pepper's voice in the microphone.
"Mr. Stark, we have met your request. Now please take the cash and drive out. I don't want to see any police officers."
"Go to Hollywood Boulevard first, and don't forget to grab your phone."
After saying that, he hung up the phone.
Stark was temporarily relieved when he heard Pepper's voice, and then looked at Luke.
The intelligence team still hasn't tracked down the other party.
Luke sighed and said:
"The other party is a veteran and not easy to deal with. You drive my car, it is bulletproof."
Mike (Intelligence Team Leader), get me two communicators.
Then Luke put the communicator on himself and Stark.
"Test, test..."
"Call clear, over."
After everything was ready, Luke said to Stark:
"Don't worry, we will arrange people to follow you non-stop. We have also prepared helicopters. Trust me."
Stark nodded, took a deep breath and got in the car.
Luke has arranged Frank's men to take turns following Stark for a while to ensure that they will not be discovered.
Stark followed the gangster's instructions and came to the vicinity of Hollywood Boulevard, and received another call from the gangster.
In this way, we drove around most of Los Angeles. At around 5 o'clock in the afternoon, there were more and more vehicles on the road.
The gangsters demanded that Stark drive to the airport immediately.
But Luke cursed in the communicator.
"Fuck, these guys are so cunning. There is air traffic control at the airport, and the helicopter can't get through."
Stark could only drive to the airport according to the instructions of the gangsters.
Luke also followed with his men at a distance.
Finally, Stark followed the gangsters' instructions and drove to a remote hangar near the airport.
Luke couldn't follow here because it was an endless plain and it would be too obvious if he followed Stark.
Luke cursed in the communicator and said to Stark:
"Tony, try to delay the time as much as possible. Don't act rashly or provoke the other party. I will be there immediately."
Frank said:
"I called in the SWAT team."
Luke shook his head and said:
"No, too many people would be too obvious. I can handle it alone."
Stark slowed down the car and stopped at the door of the hangar.
Then he saw a robber wearing a hood pointing a gun at Stark and saying:
"Wow, Mr. Stark, you're so thoughtful to send us a bulletproof car."
Stark said to the robber with a gloomy face:
"Where's Pepper?"
The gangster turned around and waved to the back.
Stark's expression became more serious when he saw the person.
Luke's analysis was correct, there were three people.
Because he saw another gangster coming down from the roof with a telescope.
At this time, a plane flew over and the bandits immediately hid themselves alertly.
But it was just a small propeller plane and it soon passed by their hangar.
The gangsters stood up again after the plane left.
When Stark saw Pepper with her hands and mouth tied, he suddenly became nervous and distressed.
They did not let Pepper go. The leading gangster said nothing, walked forward, opened the car door and checked the cash in the bag.
