The Profit Motive, page 18
part #2 of Sterling and Mason Series
“Please, Mr Adam, if you interfere I will have to arrest you,” Tang said.
Despite her reluctance, Adam didn’t doubt she’d do it. “Where are you taking her?”
“The station.” Tang explained.
“Can’t this wait until tomorrow?” Kate said, red spots on her cheeks. “I’ve not slept in two days.”
“You come now!” Rong said in accented English.
“We’ll come with you.” Adam stood and Byron joined him.
Rong took a step back and shouted an order. Half a dozen armed policemen spilled into the dining room. Adrenaline surged through Adam.
Kate stepped between him and the policemen. “Don’t worry, Adam, I’m sure Sergeant Tang will look after me. Can Harry come with me as an interpreter?”
Tang asked and Rong hesitated before agreeing. He led Kate out of the dining room.
Adam exchanged a look with Byron. What the hell had happened to Jie?
CHAPTER 28
Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China
The smell of stale cigarettes filled the small room and the buzzing of the overhead light wormed its way into Kate’s ear, growing louder. She felt she’d been there hours by the time the door opened and Rong strode in, a buff folder in his left hand. He sat opposite her, his gaze straying to her breasts. She glared but he seemed unfazed.
Tang followed, closed the door behind her and joined her superior before saying, “How did you organise it?”
“What are you talking about?” Kate asked.
“We know you have your father taken from hospital. The insurance company contact them.”
“But they said he’s too ill to move.”
“We spoke to”, Tang read from a page Rong passed to her, “Zoe Leeson. She said you were very… disrespectful.” Tang kept her gaze on the sheet.
“So?”
Rong laughed but Tang looked like she wished she wasn’t there. “You had him removed.”
“No way, it was too dangerous.”
Rong banged the table, making Kate jump. “Do not lie!” He said in English.
“I am not lying,” Kate said, determined not to be intimidated.
Rong glowered at her and Tang said, “Who do you know in Wenzhou?”
“What do you mean?”
“We want names of every person you know in Wenzhou.”
“Why?”
“Please!” Tang said. “Do not make it more difficult.”
Kate reminded herself she wasn’t in England now, and recited the names of her local contacts. “That’s everyone I can remember,” she said, glancing at Harry.
Harry nodded.
Rong studied the list then spoke to Tang who said, “Which one did you pay?”
“You’re being ridiculous!”
“Please, Miss Hetherington.”
Rong shouted at her in Wu dialect.
Tang cleared her throat. “Four policemen have been murdered. If you obstruct us, we will arrest you.”
“You are asking about my father’s disappearance.”
“The inspector thinks the cases are linked. Be warned this is very serious matter.”
Harry banged the desk before uttering a string of rapid Mandarin, most of which Kate didn’t catch. Rong leaned forward and shouted a reply, spraying spit and wagging a forefinger at the young man. Harry, red-faced, yelled back and Rong jumped to his feet. Kate expected the two men to come to blows and hoped Tang would intervene. Although younger, Harry didn’t look a match for the aggressive policeman. But Rong strode to the door and shouted down the corridor.
“What’s happening?” Kate asked.
“The inspector wants to arrest your assistant,” Tang said.
“What did you say to him?”
Harry looked sheepish. “I said he’s being disrespectful to a guest in our country.”
Tang snorted, but seemed amused.
“Inspector,” Kate called to Rong, who ducked back. “My colleague would like to apologise.” She glared at Harry when he tried to object.
Boots clattered on tiles and uniformed officers crowded the doorway behind Rong.
“Please forgive him, he is young.”
Rong didn’t respond for many seconds then snapped, “Zou!” out of the side of his mouth. The officers in the doorway hesitated but disappeared when he repeated himself. He directed a stream of Mandarin at Harry who clenched his fists but bowed in acquiescence.
Rong resumed his questioning through Tang.
The interview dragged on and Kate fantasised about driving her fist through Rong’s sneering face. But she emulated Harry, who kept silent with his arms wrapped tightly round his body and teeth gritted. Tang spoke in a mechanical voice, devoid of inflection, and eventually even Rong grew bored. He spoke to Tang.
“You can go.” Tang said, seeming ready to add something. Rong snapped at her. Tang retorted, but not in Mandarin. The two officers glared at each other, then Tang looked away. “He says you can collect the body after we finish.”
“What body?” Kate’s insides dissolved.
“The body recovered from the burning—”
“That’s not Dad. Jie said.”
Rong shook his head. “Jie make mistake.”
Saturday 9 June 2001
The group of Dutch guests celebrating a business deal wove their unsteady way out of the bar, uttering loud goodbyes to the smiling staff, leaving Adam and Byron as the last two customers. Byron yawned, covering his mouth and glancing at his watch.
“You get to bed,” Adam said, “I’ll wait for them.”
“I’ll be fine.” Byron stifled another yawn.
“Yeah, I can see. No point both of us being shattered tomorrow.”
Byron closed his eyes, stretched and stood. “Let me know if anything happens.”
“You know I will.” Adam finished his drink, now grown warm and watched Byron leave. A waiter hurried over and as Adam contemplated ordering a coffee, voices drifted from the entrance.
Kate appeared in the doorway and, after bidding goodnight to Harry, made her way to the table. She hesitated, looking as if she was deciding something, but before she could speak, the waiter glided up to them.
“Laphroaig, a large one please,” she said.
Adam couldn’t read her expression. “Make that two, please.”
The waiter bowed, cleared the empties and hurried away.
“I was beginning to worry about you,” Adam said.
“No need, the inspector was just asserting his authority. Probably making up for deficiencies in other areas.”
“What did he say?”
Kate gestured towards the returning waiter, who placed their drinks and a bowl of nuts on the table. Once he’d gone Kate picked up her glass and stared into the golden liquid before sipping it. “He’s convinced I had something to do with taking Dad from the hospital.”
“That’s ridiculous, why?”
“The inspector is a ridiculous man.”
“What else did he say?”
She swallowed and her eyes filled with tears. The waiting staff hovered.
“Shall we let them finish for the night?” Adam said.
Kate picked up her glass. Adam followed and a grateful-looking waiter cleared their table. In the lift, Kate punched the number for her floor, fighting to keep herself under control as they ascended. There must be news of her father. Had the police found him? Adam didn’t want to ask.
They arrived at her floor. “Do you want to come in?” Her expression implored him.
Adam nodded.
“Take a seat.” She indicated a sofa in front of the panoramic windows.
Adam waited while she disappeared into the bathroom. Blinds descended inside the transparent walls and a tap ran. Adam sipped his whisky, enjoying the smoky warmth. He shouldn’t be here, but he couldn’t leave her. She appeared a few minutes later, eyes red, and emptied her glass.
She headed to a bar in the corner of the room. “Top up? It’s not as good but…”
“I’m fine.” Adam held up his glass, a film of liquid coated the bottom.
Kate refilled her glass, added ice and joined him on the sofa, taking a sip and grimacing when she swallowed. “Inspector Rong told me I could collect the body.”
“What body?”
“The one you found. Apparently Jie made a mistake.”
Adam replayed the scene. Could he have done more to get through the flames to the casualty? And if he had, would Oliver have survived? “I’m so sorry, Kate.”
She fluttered her fingers. “It wasn’t your fault.”
“I should have got him—”
“The chances are he was dead before they set fire to the van. Rong took great pleasure in telling me - getting Tang to tell me - his theory. Dad didn’t survive being moved so, not wanting to be caught with the evidence…” Kate gripped the glass, her knuckles whitening.
Adam swallowed, wishing to ease her suffering and comfort her but, although she seemed so self-possessed, he recognised her brittle armour would shatter at any show of sympathy. “Did he say who—?”
“I’m sorry Adam, I need to get some sleep.” Kate emptied her glass. “Let’s think about it tomorrow.”
“Sure.” He resisted the urge to touch her, and strode to the door.
As he unlocked it a sob burst from Kate. A surge of sympathy overtook him and he rushed back. Head bowed, she ignored him for a moment, then reached out a hand. He took it and she pulled herself up.
“Hold me, Adam,” she whispered, her body shaking.
He held her and she surrendered, letting heart-rending sobs wrack her and tears soak into his shirt.
CHAPTER 29
Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China
Grey dawn light leaked through the curtains in Jie’s bedroom. Mei lay sleeping, her soft snores comforting and reassuring, unlike the stentorian racket coming from the spare room. At least Peng Nong would leave today, and they could have the apartment to themselves.
It had taken Mei moments to recognise something serious had happened at work, her glances interrogating him as he picked at his meal. Her father, oblivious, held forth on how much more comfortable he would be at Mei’s brother’s when he went there in two weeks and how much he preferred Xiamen to Wenzhou. Jie would have normally responded to the curmudgeon, but let it wash over him. One thought ran round his mind. His decisions had led to the deaths of four young men. It was bad enough he’d probably lose his job, but to be responsible for such pain was more than he could bear.
Sleep had eluded him as he relived his actions, wishing he’d made different choices. Such thoughts were futile, but he couldn’t stop going over it. Sleep wouldn’t come now, so he got up, sliding out of the covers without disturbing Mei. Once she discovered what had happened, he doubted if she’d sleep either. Maybe she’d grow to agree with her father when they found themselves out on the streets. Him a disgraced policeman, unable to get work except as a shambling security guard tugging his forelock to people like Quan Liang and his poisonous wife.
Stop it! Self-pity solved nothing. He wandered into the kitchen, opened the window and lit a cigarette. Had Zhang been expecting them? He went over the incident. No, he seemed surprised, but had reacted quicker than them. Men like him live on their wits. The policemen were ready to break into an apartment. They expected to instigate the action, not have the suspect come out.
So was it simply bad timing? Even so, he’d made the decision.
Mei walked in and wrinkled her nose.
“Good morning,” Jie said, stubbing out the cigarette.
“You look dreadful. Are you going to tell me what happened yesterday?” Mei ran the cold tap for a few seconds then filled the kettle.
“There was a shooting—”
“Tang?”
“No, she’s fine.”
She held her hand to her chest. “I still think it’s not a job for a woman.”
“Four of my men died.”
Her mouth formed an ‘O’ then she held him. “My poor darling.”
A surge of tenderness made Jie’s eyes sting and he couldn’t speak.
“What happened?” she said.
Jie told her and she listened, shock taking over her features. The urge to confess, to tell her he’d instigated their ruin by his precipitous decision, overwhelmed him. “It was my fault—”
“This man Zhang killed them.”
“Yes, but I—”
“No.” She placed fingers on his lips. “You are a good man. A good policeman. This Zhang is evil. You must catch him.”
“Of course, but I have to tell you—”
The door to the spare bedroom opened and Peng Nong shuffled into the corridor, hawking to clear the phlegm that afflicted him every morning. The couple broke apart, Mei to play the dutiful daughter and Jie to return to his musings. Mei was right, he had to catch Zhang, with or without the police force behind him.
Adam walked into the dining room of the Imperial Hotel, last night’s events going round his head. The aroma of fried bacon mixed with more exotic odours and, despite the late hour, the room buzzed. Byron waited for his turn at the juice urn, clutching a plate piled high with Chinese food.
“Just a snack this morning?” Adam joined him.
“Get a plate and help yourself.” Byron looked well rested, despite having stayed up until two in the morning.
“I’ll just get a coffee and toast.”
“Hmm. You do look rough. What time did you get to bed?”
“Not much after you.” Adam squirmed under Byron’s scrutiny.
“You’d better eat - we might have a long day. Harry and I are over there.”
Adam couldn’t face much but, recognising the wisdom of his friend’s words, placed a few items on a plate and, spotting Harry, joined him. Harry looked like Adam felt and seemed distracted. Kate had mentioned his closeness to Oliver and Adam wondered if he should say anything.
“How did Kate get on last night?” Byron asked.
Adam and Harry spoke together, then stopped.
“You tell him, you were there,” Adam said.
Harry hesitated and said, “You can ask Miss Kate.”
She strode toward their table, looking breath-taking in a cream linen suit. The predominately male fellow diners paid attention. Adam couldn’t detect any signs of last night’s distress.
“I don’t need to ask if you slept well,” Byron said.
Avoiding Adam’s gaze, she smiled. “The sleep of the just.”
The waitress brought coffees and Byron waited until she left. “I was just asking how you got on.”
Kate told him of Rong’s theory, her tone light. “He’s convinced I arranged for someone to move Dad, to embarrass the Chinese authorities.”
“I told him how ludicrous he was,” Harry said, his cheeks turning red.
“And almost got arrested,” Kate added.
“These people are so backward. This would never happen in Guangzhou.”
Byron placed an arm across Harry’s shoulders. “We have a saying, ‘when in Rome …’. He’s the boss here so just go along with him.”
Harry looked doubtful, but nodded.
“Did he say how you’d managed it?” Byron said.
“That’s why he kept me so long,” Kate said.
Adam waited for Kate to tell Byron Oliver was dead, but she took a sip of coffee. What are you playing at?
“Did he mention Eggen?” Byron spoke between mouthfuls. “He’d be prime suspect.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Personal antipathy,” Adam said. Kate didn’t need to know Eggen had raped two women in Belize and, despite Byron’s attempt to get him prosecuted, he’d got away with it. They would make sure Kate was never alone with him.
Kate studied Byron. “Rong seemed to think I’d used someone local and asked for a list of everyone I know.”
“That makes sense,” Byron said.
Kate looked puzzled.
“Whoever took Oliver must be involved in—” Byron glanced at Harry.
“It’s okay, he knows.”
“So we need to concentrate on the people with links to the dodgy factory,” Byron said. “Do we know where it is?”
“It’s in Dad’s…” Kate’s mask almost slipped. “His itinerary.”
Byron didn’t appear to notice. “What did the old guy, Jie, say?”
“Rong is not a fan of Jie or his methods.”
“Did he say anything about Jie?”
“Suspended,” Kate said. “It sounds, from what he said, that Jie’s career’s as good as finished.”
“I wasn’t over-impressed by him, but at least he was helpful. This Rong seems a hardnose. It might help if we got a request from the police back home. You reckon Siobhan would do it?”
Adam started at the mention of his girlfriend. He looked at Kate. With Oliver dead, he imagined they’d be heading home with the body, and leaving the investigation to the police.
“We’ll manage without the police,” Kate said, keeping her attention on her hands.
“What do you want to do?” Byron said.
“You won’t like this, but I’ve told Eggen to be here for twelve.”
“Why do we need him?”
“Local knowledge.” Kate’s expression brooked no argument.
Why the hell did she behave as if Oliver was still alive?
Jie threw the cigarette into the gutter and wound his window up. This area always depressed him. Ugly and decrepit buildings surrounded by potholed roads little better than open sewers. He stepped out of the car, avoiding the puddle of greenish liquid. Out in the open, the chemical stench intensified. He glanced along the narrow lane, uncomfortable to be here visiting such a well-known criminal, but with his career already so compromised, it wouldn’t make much difference.
A group of youths studied him and one of them spat noisily. Round here they learned to spot police at an early age. Jie ignored them and headed toward a pair of metal gates set in a high brick wall topped with broken bottles. Jie doubted any of the local thieves were brave, or stupid, enough to scale it.
The left-hand gate swung open before Jie reached it and a big man with a scar across his right cheek stood in the gap. He signalled to Jie to raise his arms. Had he been here on official business Jie would have refused and barged in, but he wanted a favour, so complied, aware of the scrutiny of the now smirking youths. The scarred man finished his expert frisking and invited Jie to enter, bolting the gate behind him.
