Continental Op Stories · Character

Red O'Leary

Red O'Leary has a big fist, a short fuse, and a girl he wants out of the room before the trouble he keeps inviting finally arrives.

supporting

Also known as Red, O'Leary

First appearance: bodies piled up

As a supporting figure in Continental Op Stories, Red O'Leary is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Found at the ranch with a bandaged head and arm in a sling, reports that the ranch hands drove off Big Nacio's men.

In the storyXIIOpen this moment free

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In XII: Found at the ranch with a bandaged head and arm in a sling, reports that the ranch hands drove off Big Nacio's men. Later, in The Big Knock-Over: Large red-haired gunman at Larrouy's dive; with Bluepoint Vance…

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Character Web

35 connections

A slice of how Red O'Leary sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Central suspects and victims
Victims and love triangle figures
Corrupt officials and lawyers
Wealthy victims and romantic figures
Comic relief and assistants
Chinatown and young suspects

+30 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it presents the ultimate test of the Op's will and control: he mus…

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In the story

Red O'Leary appears across 15 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XII
Found at the ranch with a bandaged head and arm in a sling, reports that the ranch hands drove off Big Nacio's men.
The Big Knock-Over
Large red-haired gunman at Larrouy's dive; with Bluepoint Vance and Nancy Regan.
II
Mentioned as one of the individuals the agency has no records on.
V
Subject of the investigation; Sylvia Yount leaves a note for him at a hotel.
VII
Arrested but released due to alibis.
VIII
Target of the stakeout; meets Nancy Regan at Larrouy's and is surrounded by men who believe he cheated them in a bank robbery.
IX
Confronts Bluepoint Vance, punches him, rescues Nancy Regan.
Chapter X
Clears a path during the escape, fires shots through the door, becomes jealous of Jack's flirtation with the girl, punches Jack, and then challenges the Op to a fight.
XI
Shot by the Op, wounded but still mobile; initially insists on returning to his hotel but is persuaded to hide at a Holly Park address.
XII
Wounded in the back during a gang attack; brought to Big Flora's house for emergency bullet removal.
XIII
Enters the kitchen half-naked and armed; recalls dreaming the Op shot him; eager for a fight.
XIV
Brought into the cellar naked except for pants and bandage; knocked unconscious by the Op.
Chapter XV
Captured and turned over to police.
I
Referenced as one of Papadopoulos's lieutenants who betrayed him.
IX
Mentioned as the red-haired giant who escorted Ann Newhall and is tied to the Seamen's National and Golden Gate Trust jobs.

Chapter companion notes

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See Red O'Leary in bodies piled up

See Red O'Leary in XII