Perfect Match, page 28
For the next several minutes, Madison’s red-polished fingers caressed the beads back and forth on their vertical rods, taking time to explain and state the resultant amounts. She waited for the two of them to digest and input the figures into their electronic ware.
Her fingers were a blur as the colored beads lightly clicked through the arithmetic functions, including the use of decimals and percentages. After each calculation, Madison waited for them to catch up with the process.
After her last computation she rested her hands on the table. “Even on an American-made abacus, the figures don’t lie. We’ve spent millions with your company; we’ve had a true loss of 2.5 million from this trash on the table. I’m willing to leave 500,000 dollars on the table as a good will gesture to you, but I intend to recoup two million dollars today before I leave Hong Kong.” There was a biting edge in her voice.
Zhi shook his head as if to scold a child that had taken too many cookies from the cookie jar. “We not return money. When you buy something there is always risk.” He shrugged. “That’s business. Surely you not so…so…” he looked at Jia.
She said, “Naïve.”
“Yes, yes, naïve to believe we return money because you couldn’t keep customers happy.” He chuckled.
Madison said, “Glad you brought up the happy factor. A recent study completed by a group of college students found that one hundred and sixty percent of the customers that received your products were unhappy.”
“No, no, that figure not correct. You can’t have number greater than one hundred percent.”
“Yes you can. Here’s how that study worked. Parents and children, with happy faces, drove into fast-food parking lots. The study found that eighty percent of the children were unhappy with their junky plastic toy or action hero, as they were leaving. They were squalling their heads off because they didn’t like the color choice, or it broke, or the restaurant was out of their particular action hero, or whatever.
“Therefore eighty percent of the parents were also unhappy. When kids are unhappy, parents are too. That’s like doubling the impact.” Madison smiled. “Parents are discovering that a contaminated piece of plastic in a bag with a greasy burger does not make for a happy meal experience.”
Silence reigned.
Zhi nodded quickly. “Clever story, but fact remains Americans love our products. They keep buying, and buying. Most of clothes you wear today are made in China, even your sexy underwear.” A lecherous grin exposed his crooked teeth.
“I’m not wearing any underwear.”
Jia dipped her head, trying to conceal her smile with her small hand.
Madison continued, “You will not find any clothes on this side of the table made in China.”
Zhi wasn’t sure what to say after Madison’s brazen remark about not wearing underwear. He was beginning to feel dogged and hunted by Madison, regardless of his approach. His anger was roiling. His stress spiked each time he realized the predicament he was in between an unhappy, unpredictable American woman, and the authorities he must report to.
“If you don’t buy from the great nation of China, where you going to buy? Surely you can figure out the flow of trade is in our favor.” His face grew smug, as he shrugged, and then crossed his arms, and glared at her.
She leaned forward in her seat, her Mexican eyes riveted on him. “If you walk away from any of these demands, all business with your company stops. We’ve already found replacement manufacturers for ninety percent of the products we’ve been purchasing from you. The other ten percent we will discontinue or find different replacements or a different market. Those plans are ready to go. That’s just the first step. I’ll let you guess about the rest of it.” She held his stare, unflinching.
He blinked. “Suppose I give you some time to think. I understand you eager to return home to very sick daughter. Perhaps on another trip to Hong Kong we can talk again?”
Madison’s right hand smacked the table. Zhi’s side of the tabled jumped in unison. “My daughter doesn’t have any more to do with these negotiations than your wife. Today, Zhi! Today you will decide. Two million dollars. Today!”
Caught off guard again by the loose cannon, he cleared his throat. “I think our team will spend some time in our friendly room.” He thumbed back at their caucus room. His team got up to leave.
“Take your time. Sundown isn’t for another nine hours.”
Once through the door, screaming, shrill voices could be heard. Madison smiled and nodded at Zhong. He pulled out his phone, hit a speed dial, and waited. When there was a pickup he hit one digit, and then clicked off.
A few blocks from the hotel, on a back street, a dirty, nondescript van pulled away from the curb. The fading Chinese markings on the truck stated Premier Carpet Cleaning.
When the van arrived at the Backbranch Hotel, six sweaty, brawny men got out to unload at the back entrance.
The shrill screaming continued in the ‘friendly room’ for several minutes. Jia said, “Zhi you’ve got to calm down. We need to make a decision.”
Their two thugs were crowded near the door, while Zhi and Jia talked in the far corner. Zhi’s voice was hoarse.
“I’m going to tell this loose woman—”
“Cannon,” interrupted Jia.
“No, no, you listen to me. Any woman not wearing underwear is a loose woman.”
Jia smiled, “I don’t wear underwear, when I’m with you.”
Zhi snapped, “That different.” He continued, “I can’t do what she wants. The authorities will end everything for me. I’m going to tell her ‘no’ to all of her demands. What she going to do? Huh, what she do? She nothing but loudmouth nagging woman, but no power to back up her threats.”
Jia paced as she thought, finally turning, and saying, “Her figures are correct. Her reasoning is in order.”
Disbelief flashed from his face. “You’re agreeing with her? Are you betraying me?” Shrillness crept back into his voice.
She gave him a sharp look. “You know me better than that. I’m trying to think ahead of the authorities. How will they see all of this?” She paced again. “I believe I can sell them on the idea that two million dollars is a lot less costly than the trouble she is capable of stirring up. I think I can present a report to the authorities that will make you the hero…make it look like you saved the day from another crazy American…chalk it up to the cost of doing business in the international markets.”
“I don’t like it. She’s inexperienced woman.”
Jia snapped, “Yes, but she’s got a powerful voice, and one that’s believable. Our intelligence picked up that she’s quickly become popular with the business community. She’s a much-in-demand speaker, and well read. She could be very persuasive. Even you were impressed with videos of her TV performances.”
There was a knock at the side door of their room that led into the hotel hallway. One of their guards answered. A sweaty Chinese guy shoved a clip board under his nose, and said, “Delivery from authorities for Zhi Wang. Sign.” The guard signed, before thinking. The sweaty guys brought three wooden crates, with rope handles on each end into the room, and quickly disappeared.
Zhi, concerned that something had arrived from the authorities, walked closer to the boxes labeled CARPETS, that were about six feet long and two feet square. The guard handed him a small package that the delivery man had given him upon signing.
Zhi, dumbfounded, opened the large bubble pack envelope. A note surrounded a DVD. The note read: “This is what I would have encountered in the original hotel reserved for me and my assistants. Is this typical of Chinese hospitality? Watch the DVD. I think it will help with your decisions. Be aware that copies are ready to be released at the slightest threat or retaliation.” It was signed with a large “M” in blazing red ink.
Growling curse words spewed from his dry mouth, as Jia powered up her computer. The video played, showing three hooded persons picking the hotel door to the original hotel suite reserved for Madison. The video showed them in the room being subdued by three other hooded persons. Later the three break-in men appeared on camera without hoods, and with some “encouragement” had confessed fully to their assignment, and named Zhi Wang as being behind everything.
Jia inhaled short breaths. Zhi’s shoulders slumped. Finally she said, “These must be our missing operators.” She pointed to the three crates on the floor.
Zhi cautiously said, “Are they dead?” Then he snapped his fingers at the two guards. “Open the latch.”
As they opened the boxes, they found three terrified Chinese men, bound, with mouths sealed, but with small oxygen tanks and tubing for breathing. Two of them had soiled their pants. Zhi and Jia stepped back from the odor.
He snapped at the guards. “Leave them in the boxes. Latch the lids, and get them out of the hotel, and the two of you don’t come back either.” The bound men struggled, trying to get free, as the lids were being closed. The two guards muscled the first box down the hall.
He shook his head, then looking at the door that led back to the negotiating room, he said quietly, “This lunatic woman will stop at nothing.” He looked at Jia. His voice weak. “Maybe we’d better go with your idea. Will we be able to get access to the money she wants?” He pulled out a small handkerchief and wiped his brow.
She nodded, “I can handle it.”
As Zhi opened the door and re-entered the negotiating room, Madison was draining the last couple of swallows from an amber bottle labeled root beer. Zhi stopped in his tracks.
Madison, as she lowered the bottle, placing it on the table in front of her, said, “Sorry, didn’t expect you back so soon.” Madison and her team had grabbed the drinks from the in-room hotel convenience bar. The amber bottles stood like statues on the table. She had been briefed by Cold Steel Security that the Chinese company had probably gathered all kinds of intelligence on her, including any police reports. She and Cold Steel had gone through dozens of scenarios that could be used during her trip. Zhong had come up with the idea of using the bottles as a last minute idea to drive home the validity of any police report Zhi and Jia might have seen.
Zhi and Jia were still standing, staring at the bottles, with mouths open.
Madison gestured. “Sit. Let’s wrap up our business.”
They took their seats, cautiously eyeing the bottles. Jia opened her computer.
Madison asked, “Were your carpets cleaned to your satisfaction?”
Zhi said, “I have explanation for everything.”
“I believe the DVD explained it better.”
Madison moved a piece of paper toward Jia. “This is a special non-reversible secure bank account setup especially for your transfer. This is a secure code number. It is not the real number of our bank account. This secure code number will allow one transmission, and then it will automatically shut down. Make sure you get it right the first time.” She paused. “This is the agreement we discussed. I expect both of you to sign it before you setup your transmission.”
They both signed without hesitation. Zhi knowing he’d signed his death warrant, and Jia already thinking how she would separate herself from him.
Jia signed on to their company website, and Madison’s right hand came to rest around the bottle. Zhi’s heart was having a hard time beating, as he watched her fingers lift and flex around the bottle.
“If your transmission is correctly received, Mee will get a confirmation on her device.”
Jia tapped away on her computer. Zhi sat frozen watching the amber bottle.
Finally Mee gave a nod to Madison, and closed her device. Money mission accomplished.
“Before the two of you leave, I have something for you.” Madison got up, and walked around to their side of the table. She carried two small white boxes. Zhi and Jia stood side by side not knowing what to expect.
“I came to your country with an open heart, but I was met with disappointment.” She paused a moment. “I can’t imagine what it would be like growing up in China, and you might wonder the same thing about my country, the United States. Each of us comes from great countries. Our governments struggle to build a relationship, but I think we can do it quicker as individuals, if we are honest with each other.
“During my meeting with you, I wore the respect I have for the great people of China around my neck and draped across my heart.” Madison unfurled her bright red scarf and held it up to show that it was a scale of the China flag with five embroidered gold stars. “The gifts I have for you were hand-made by Natalie Washington, who runs a successful quilt shop in Eagle Mountain, NC. The fabric came from a small struggling business in South Carolina.
“Jia, this is for you.” Madison positioned the scarf around her neck, and then gave her a hug. “Red looks good on you. Good luck to you in your career.” Jia’s eyes began to water.
Madison turned to Zhi, handing him one of the white boxes. “I learned you have a lovely wife.” Her eyes cut to Jia, and back. “I brought her a scarf also. Give her my regards. And for you, Zhi, I have a hand-made pocket handkerchief of the same fabric and that rich revolutionary red with gold stars along the edging. This is not designed as the China flag, since I had “Zhi” embroidered on the corners.” She placed it in his handkerchief pocket. “You look ready to lead the next revolution.”
He smiled.
She gave him a hug, but he stood rigid. She said, “Zhi, I’m not leaving until I get a real hug from you.”
Cautiously he hugged her, and whispered, “Thank you, Madison.”
When she stepped back a small tear rolled down his cheek.
She said, “Well, thank you again. I have a few things to cover with my team, so the two of you may be on your way.”
Zhi said, “Yes, we leave, but one question. Why you be such a tough lady, and then you become a different person?”
Madison smiled. “I’m not really sure, but don’t you think we’re all capable of becoming the kind of person that we need to become or ought to become? I’ll think about that question until we meet again.”
With that Zhi and Jia collected their things and left.
Zhong said, “We have our sources positioned until they leave the building, and they’ll be followed as needed, until we leave the country.”
“Any information on my daughter?” She glanced at her watch. “It’s a little before midnight, Asheville time.”
“There’s a line of strong thunderstorms passing through the North Carolina Mountains. Connections have been terrible, not so much on our end, but theirs. A call earlier reported stable for Selena, but the second call which got dropped indicated Selena being prepared for surgery. That’s all we got. We don’t know the nature of the surgery. We’re still trying to also get through to your sister-in-law. Our sources in Asheville will continue until they get through.”
Her jaw clinched. “If anything happens to my daughter, while I’m cleaning up after D.R. Fallington, I’ll kill him with my bare hands, and all of you can be my witnesses!”
Mee put her hand on Madison’s shoulder. “You’re a very tough woman. We’re going to be with you and we’re going to be positive for Selena.”
Madison’s shoulder’s slumped a little for the first time. “I know. I know. You all have been wonderful. I’ve never seen such well-coordinated and disciplined professionalism.”
Woo said, “Cold Steel will love to hear that.”
Mee said, “I checked flights earlier. Nothing direct out of Hong Kong for several hours, but there is a flight coming up going to Tokyo, from there we can get a non-stop into Atlanta, and then Asheville. It would get you home sooner than if we wait on the other flight out of Hong Kong. Do you feel up to it or do you need to rest a day?”
“Let’s do it. I want to be with my daughter.” Her voice cracked.
Chapter Thirty-Six
12:15 a.m., Wednesday, Asheville
12:15 p.m., Wednesday, Hong Kong
Squalls of rain shoved across the city already partially darkened by power outages. The U. S. Weather Service had issued another weather alert…severe thunderstorms with excessive lightning and winds peaking between 2:30 and 3:40 a.m. Flash flood warnings were issued for certain areas of the mountains.
Once back inside Cobalt Medical Center, Roscoe half-toweled his hair again, got in the wheelchair, pulled a hospital blanket over his wet clothes, and said, “Let’s go.”
The hospital staff person wheeled him to the elevator that would take him to Selena, already in a surgical waiting room on the third floor. Other surgeries had been completed or rescheduled in an effort to dodge the unpredictable weather. Three attending nurses were nearby watching various monitors, as they glanced at Selena.
She was resting on the bed that would take her to operating room 13. She’d been given a low dose sedative to take the edge off of any anxiety that was stressing her system. Her eyes were partially closed, when Roscoe wheeled next to her bed.
He reached out and held her limp hand. “Hi Selena. It’s me, Roscoe.”
Her eyes opened slowly, as she turned her head toward him. Her speech was a little slow. “What are you doing here?”
“Came to check on you. Heard the good news about a kidney being available.”
Her head shook slightly. “Probably another false alarm. I’ve gone through this twice before only to find out at the last minute there was some kind of glitch, and the transplant wouldn’t work.” There was a pause. “Roscoe, I’m probably not going to make it. I’ve never felt this bad before.” She took a breath. “Remember, I want you to see if you can get my novel published.”
Roscoe was feeling edgy. He tried to calm himself. “Listen to me, Selena. You’re going to publish your novel. You’re going to be okay.” He took a pause, not knowing whether he should broach the next question, but thought he’d better ask it anyway. “I read more of your novel. I like the name you’ve given to the female character, Catalina. I like that, but I’m haunted by some of the additional descriptions of her. Is Catalina a real person?”
