The local police were investigating the robberies and were trying to stop this. They knew guns were being distributed to the crime element all over the big city. They were not having much luck stopping this. Ellis knew about all of this. He heard the rumors, gossip, and street talk about what was up and coming down. He knew that Howie was a gun dealer kingpin. He was well aware that Bud Hobson and his Skull gang were involved in a similar way. There was a lot of money available in this activity. The Skulls were making large profits doing this. The local crime lords had on hand an abundance of firearms. This was getting to be a threat to law and order.
Ellis arranged to meet Howie at the Happy Hour Bar. Ellis fed him a large steak dinner with much whiskey drinks to get him drunk. Ellis pumped Howie with numerous questions about his stolen gun trading business. Howie talked his head off. Ellis learned encyclopedias about the stealing and selling guns to outlaws.
Howie gave info on various other criminals. He told when crimes are going on and who stole the guns he bought. Howie kept an off color look on his face. Ellis learned more about local crime gangs, their members, hideouts, their operations, leadership, and the jobs that were being planned in the future.