unfortunately; sorry, but ...
simply put; putting it simply; in short
link; connection; filler; stopgap (job, budget, etc.); thickener (e.g. in cooking); thickening; hedging
but then; although; though; reasonable; natural; just
intelligence agency; secret service
to suddenly understand (esp. on basis of experience or memory); to come to mind; to recall (in a flash); to be reminded of; to call to mind; to think of
to partition; to divide; to direct; to manage; to settle accounts; to assume a crouching posture (at the start of a bout)
to control; to take the lead in; to have under one's thumb
crime syndicate; criminal syndicate
split; division; break up
to send; to direct; to dispatch (person, car, etc.); to direct (attention); to turn (spotlight, etc. on)
killing a would-be avenger; having the tables turned on someone (e.g. by a challenger); being beaten at one's own game
fury; frenzy; madness; wildness
nonsensical; unreasonable; awfully; extremely; disorder; confusion
outward appearance; ostensible; public; official
management; administration; operation; running (a business); conducting
intelligence gathering; information gathering
manipulation of public opinion
estrangement; alienation; sowing discord; driving a wedge
handicraft; work; construction; maneuvering; manoeuvring
actual and hidden; inside out (e.g. socks); face down (e.g. cards)
facility; facilities; institution; home (for the elderly, orphans, etc.)
illegal; illicit; unlawful
trade; buying and selling; trafficking (e.g. of humans, arms, drugs); dealing
to be in charge of; to manage; to direct; to rule; to govern; to control
head-on; to one's face; squarely; directly; flatly (e.g. refuse)
confrontation; opposition; antagonism
critical (touch and go) situation; explosive situation
slaughter (of animals for meat); butchery
headship of a family; family property
claim; insistence; assertion; advocacy; emphasis; contention
to be compatible (with); to be in harmony; to coexist
bogging down; dragging on; turning into a quagmire; becoming mired in a mess