Saigon Red

by Gregory C. Randall

  She told her dad again about the DNA match to Lin and her meeting with the Ho Chi Minh City police detective.

  “He’s a detective? Like you and your uncles and grandfather.”

  “Yes, it seems to run in the family. He’s married and has three children. You have three more grandchildren, Dad: a girl and two boys. He’s married to another Amerasian, Jessica. Their children are in college and high school. They sound wonderful.” She could hear her father sniffling. “Are you all right?”

  “Better than I’ve been in years. Your mother was so pleased that I found out. Good Lord, it was so long ago. I wish I could have helped, been there to—”

  “Dad, they’re fine. Tran is heading the investigation about the men in my company who were killed. It’s complicated. I’ll talk to my boss later today. I don’t know what will happen. Hell, he may even fire me.”

  The pause seemed endless. She heard her father breathing. “All this, and my son finds out that his son is a murderer? Good God.”

  “It hasn’t been confirmed,” Alex said.

  “You’re a detective, and he’s a detective—what else could it be?”

  “We’re trying to find out.”

  “You had nothing to do with all this,” he said. “It must be tearing at my son.”

  “He is shattered—nothing is fair in this world. You know that more than anyone. The two dead men were close to my boss.”

  “What’s his name?”

  “Christopher Campbell. He formed Teton Security and Defense. I’ll tell you more about them later. He’s the one who learned about the man and matched the DNA to me. It’s all such confusion, but he’s fair—or I hope he is.”

  Alex heard a voice in the background. “Is that Mom?”

  “Yes, I’ll tell her everything.” Her father paused a moment. “She wants to talk to you.”

  “Alex?” her mother said. She sounded strong. “Are you okay, sweetie?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. Dad will tell you the news.”

  “Good, I need some good news. Did you get an email from Annie? She said she was going to send you one.”

  “Mom, I haven’t had a minute to look at my email. What happened?”

  “She thinks the real estate company has found a few potential buyers for your house. When did you put in a security system?”

  “About the time Ralph was arrested. I wanted to make sure that nobody broke in to sneak around. There was nothing of value other than my Harley. I put everything else in storage. Why?”

  “Did you install the smoke detectors?”

  “No, those were done a few years ago. We did them when we had work done on the house. Mom, why are you asking?”

  “You didn’t install security cameras in the smoke detectors?”

  “Cameras? What cameras?”

  “The home inspector found three: one in the garage, one in the hallway, and one in the kitchen. They were hidden inside the smoke detectors. The inspector says he also found a server, whatever that is, behind the fuse box. It was connected to the phone lines. He guesses that the images from the cameras were sent via something called Bluetooth to the server and stored there. Someone could then remotely access the server and download anything the camera saw. I’m not sure what all this means.”

  “It wasn’t me, Mom. Someone else put those cameras there. Does the inspector have any idea when they were installed?”

  “No, but the dust on the server says it was a while ago. Maybe more than a year.”

  She thought for a long moment. “The smoke detectors were installed by the contractor when we replaced the porch. They were required for final approval of the building permit. The old ones were the battery types. We took them out, and they wired the new ones through the house power. They’re smoke and heat detectors. When I put in the security system, the installer said the smoke alarms were good to go, one more layer of safety and security. Who the hell would have installed the cameras?” She stopped. She flashed on what Javier had said about surveillance on her family.

  “You said there was dust on the server?”

  “That’s what the inspector said. He guessed maybe a couple of years’ worth . . . Alex, you still there?”

  “It had to be Ralph. He installed those cameras before he was arrested. I can’t believe the gall of that asshole.”

  “You mean—”

  “Yes, Mom. Ralph’s been spying on me.”

  “Why is Javier talking to Detective Phan?” Alex asked on her next phone call. “Did you send him?”

  “I did not,” Chris said. “He’s doing this under orders from the government. They’re panicked that this whole operation may be compromised due to your connections with the police and the Chinese agent.”

  “Did he tell you about our conversation, and about Detective Phan?” Alex asked.

  “Yes, I know about that.”

  “What are you going to do? Am I out on the street? Honest to God, Chris, I had no idea about any of this.”

  “I believe you. It’s all too coincidental to be a setup,” Chris admitted.

  “Thanks, I think. But the target right now is the Ghost, this Lin Van Phan. He must be found.”

  “We’ll get him. You will get him. I’ve no other assets that I can rely on. Jake had to go back to Hong Kong this morning. I’ve only got you.”

  “Are you still in Saigon?” Alex said.

  “Yes, same hotel. I’ll be here until this is resolved. My company is hanging in the balance. Are you doing all right?”

  “Why is everyone asking if I’m all right? I’m great. Peachy. All I want to do is shoot a few people, and it will all get better.”

  “Who else is asking?”

  “Let’s see, the Luccheses are pissed that I’m not watching the kids. My nephew is an international assassin and spy. And my mother just told me that my ex-husband has been spying on me.”

  “What do you mean Ralph is spying on you?” Chris asked.

  She told him everything her mother said.

  “This is not good. He may have seen me at your house.”

  “You think! I don’t know what he knows about TSD, and where I am. But the man was a good detective. He can follow a trail, especially if he has an idea where to look. I have no idea what this means.”

  “It means we play this very close now. Just you, me, and Javier can know what’s happening. Nothing more gets to Detective Phan or anyone else. Nothing is more important.”

  “Yes, there is,” Alex said. “Ilaria is a big girl and can take care of herself. But the kids must not be caught up in this. They must be protected. That is my contract, and I intend to make sure nothing happens to them when all this goes to hell.”

  CHAPTER 38

  “School starts soon,” Ilaria said as she placed a bundle of documents on the kitchen table. “The headmaster gave me a list of things we need.”

  “I had to follow up on something to do with Teton Security,” Alex said. “That’s why I was meeting with the police.”

  “Nevio said you would fix it,” Ilaria said, “and I know you will. The headmaster called and had an earlier opening available, and I took it. He also told me there’s a shopping mall across town that carries Western-style clothes and school supplies. One shop also carries uniforms for the school. Gianna has done the investigating, and Paolo has discovered that there’s a video arcade. The mall is called Vivo City. I called Nevio, and he suggested the car service. He said Mr. Karns will contact them.”

  Ilaria’s phone pinged. She read the text to Alex. “The car will be there at one. Driver’s name is Bobo. He’s the cousin of Tommy Quan.”

  An hour later the young driver smiled and reintroduced himself. He was driving a new Honda minivan, which Ilaria, Maria, Alex, and the kids climbed into. Thirty minutes later they were crossing through Ho Chi Minh City.

  The mall was in District 7, a neighborhood mixed with new high-rises and older homes. The shopping center was modern and bright, and not what Alex had expected. The driver
asked, in English, if they wanted him to wait. Alex said yes, they would be finished at four.

  For the next hour, the five of them wandered through the modern shopping complex. Alex thought she could be in any mall in the United States—many of the shops were the same. Gianna found jeans and tops, and Paolo a few T-shirts. They also found the shop that carried the school uniforms. Paolo bought notebooks and other supplies.

  “Lucky for us they will wear uniforms,” Ilaria said. “Polo shirts and shorts and skirts. Makes it a lot easier.”

  They passed a video game arcade near the Starbucks. Weeks had passed since Alex had even thought about an iced coffee. “Can I buy anyone a tea or coffee?” she asked.

  “If you don’t mind, there’s a Topshop that direction,” Maria said. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  “Be back by three forty-five,” Alex said, looking at her phone.

  After asking permission, the kids crossed the hall and entered the video arcade. After Alex ordered two iced coffees, the two women found a nearby table and placed their bags next to a chair.

  “Are you okay?” Ilaria asked. “Nevio told me that you were dealing with some TSD issues. He also mentioned an ex-husband and a divorce. Then I saw you talking to that policeman in the park this morning. Should I worry?”

  “No, or at least I hope not. But there has been quite a change in my life.” Alex told her about her father having a child in Saigon and about Javier, an American helping her find the child. She avoided telling Ilaria about Phan and Lin in any great detail. Hers were unresolved issues, and to mention the police again was unnecessary. She didn’t want to alarm the woman; her job was to keep Ilaria and the children safe.

  “I’ve known Javier awhile. He works for the American government. My father told me there was a chance that his child might be here in Ho Chi Minh City. That’s what I’ve been doing during the hours I’ve been away. I’m sorry if I’ve made you worry and not told you the entire truth.”

  “A half sibling, here?” She looked away a moment, as if calculating something. “He or she would have to be in their late forties.”

  “Yes, but we’re not certain about the ancestry yet. I didn’t want Mr. Lucchese to be worried. We hope to find out soon. Some Vietnamese agencies are investigating.”

  “How is your father taking this?”

  “It’s difficult. I just told him. It was through some DNA profiles that I’ve been shown. That’s why my friend is helping. He tells me that there have been scams, especially here in Vietnam.”

  “I can imagine,” Ilaria said.

  “I apologize for this,” Alex said. “My company knows about it, and they’re keeping it quiet. No need to worry you or the family. It’s just one of those things—life gets in the way.”

  Gianna came running out of the arcade, crying. Both women jumped to their feet. Gianna ran to her mother.

  “What’s the matter?” Ilaria asked as she went to the child.

  “It’s Paolo—I can’t find him.” She took short breaths, and tears ran down her face. “I looked and looked, but I couldn’t—”

  “What do you mean you can’t find him?” Alex asked gently.

  “I was playing a game. Paolo was across the arcade playing a game with explosions and shooting. I didn’t like it, so I went to play this horse game. When I finished, I went to look for him. I couldn’t find him. I looked everywhere. I got scared. Is Paolo here?”

  “No, he’s not,” Alex said, trying to control her voice. “Can you show me where you last saw him? Maybe he went to get a Coke or something.”

  The three walked quickly across the hallway into the dark arcade, where the sounds of guns and bells filled the air. There were more than a hundred kids—teenage boys mostly—playing video games.

  “Where was he?”

  “There,” she said, pointing at an empty console halfway down the wall. Alex looked around and walked to the back, then through the aisles of other machines. Nothing. She went to the concession stand.

  “English, anyone speak English?”

  A young woman turned when Alex asked. “Yes, can I help?”

  “Did a boy—he wasn’t Vietnamese—come and get a drink or a candy bar here in the last ten minutes?”

  “European? Spoke English with an accent. Yes, he was here. Asked for a large Coca-Cola.”

  “Did you see him leave?”

  “Yes. He went that way with the older man.”

  “Older man?” Ilaria yelled. “What older man?”

  The counter girl turned to Ilaria. “An American, I’m sure by the accent. He was standing behind the kid. After the boy got his Coke, the man said something to him. The boy looked surprised, said something back, and then they left through the rear door.”

  “What did this man look like?” Alex asked.

  “White guy, tall, black hair, and had gray here, had a mustache and a . . .” She stroked her chin.

  “A goatee?”

  “Yes.”

  “Where’s the door?”

  She pointed. “That way. I’d take you there, but I can’t leave the counter.”

  “You go out into the mall and wait for Maria,” Alex said to Ilaria. “I’ll be right back.”

  Alex ran to the rear door and pushed it open. A long service corridor ran to the left and right, and a sign in both Vietnamese and English read “EXIT.” It pointed right. She followed the signs until one last pair of double doors was left. She pushed the panic bars and opened them. Outside was a broad concrete plaza that faced what looked like a service dock. She shielded her eyes from the intense sun. The air was thick. A few cars passed by on an adjacent ring road. Beyond that was a sea of motorbikes parked row after row in a massive parking lot. A brown panel van with “UPS” on its side was parked in the loading zone. Three men were pushing carts filled with boxes toward another pair of doors.

  She ran up to them. “Did you see a man and a teenager come out that door?” She pointed.

  The man shrugged his shoulders and raised his hands, the universal “I don’t understand.”

  “English, do any of you speak English?”

  “Không nói tiê´ng Anh!”

  “What?”

  “No English, sorry!”

  Behind her a man in a uniform burst through the same doors she’d used. He looked like mall security.

  “You speak English?” Alex asked.

  “Some,” he answered.

  “Ask them if they saw a man and boy come out that door.”

  For the next few minutes, a furious discussion took place. Fingers pointed, arms were swung in great arcs. Then the three UPS men said what Alex understood to mean, “We have to get back to work.”

  “What did they say?”

  “Two people came out that door, an older man and a boy. Both were American or European. The boy was asking questions in a language they didn’t understand. One thought some of it was English. Waiting for them at the curb was a man and a van—a Vietnamese man. He talked with the white man. Then two more men came out of the van and pulled the boy in. Then they all climbed into the van and drove away in that direction.”

  “Why didn’t they stop them?”

  “Stop them for what?” the guard said.

  “They were kidnapping the boy.”

  He turned back to the men and said more in Vietnamese. The men responded in a furious chatter.

  “They didn’t know. To them, it was two Americans having a disagreement, a father and son. Then they were gone.”

  She looked at the three men, then turned to the guard. “Please get their names and phone numbers. I may want to talk with them again.”

  The double doors opened again, and out came Ilaria, Gianna, and Maria, her arms full with their bags. They ran to Alex.

  “Did you find him?” Ilaria asked. “Did you find Paolo?”

  “No, they took him.”

  CHAPTER 39

  Alex made two phone calls, and within minutes four HCMC police cruisers pulled up to t
he plaza. Chris Campbell arrived in his rented blue Hyundai, and Javier Castillo in a nondescript Toyota. Soon Detective Tran Phan and another detective showed up too.

  Ilaria was a wreck. She was crying and holding on to Gianna. Gianna asked questions, but Alex told her to be patient. Maria stood next to the Luccheses, trying to help, to calm them. Then Ilaria phoned Nevio and left a message. She turned to Alex once she was through.

  “I told him to meet us at the apartment,” she said. “I need to go to him. The kidnappers will try and contact us.” Ilaria pointed at Javier and the detective. “Who are those men?”

  “The American is Javier Castillo,” Alex said. “He’s the man helping me with my father’s issues, and he’s a friend of Mr. Campbell. The other is Detective Tran Phan, the policeman I was talking with this morning.”

  Ilaria gave Alex a strange and troubled look.

  Javier must have seen Ilaria pointing.

  “Alex told me about you,” Ilaria said as Javier reached them. “Can you help?”

  “I’ll do what I can,” Javier said, now quizzically looking at Alex.

  “Mrs. Lucchese, do you need a ride home?” a voice asked.

  Alex turned back to the road. Their driver, Bobo, stood next to his minivan, intently watching them.

  “No, we have other transportation, but thanks,” Campbell answered for her, and slipped the man a twenty-dollar bill.

  Bobo shrugged and returned to his van. He pulled a hundred feet up the road.

  No one was pleased to be in the heat and humidity, least of all Alex. They moved inside the mall to a corner of the air-conditioned entry. The UPS guys gave their statements to the police and then went back to work.

  She reintroduced Chris to Phan; she knew she didn’t have to introduce Javier. She told the three men everything she knew up to that point. They asked Ilaria if they could ask Gianna a few questions.

  “Only if Alex asks them,” Ilaria answered. “Gianna is afraid, very afraid.”

  “Did you see who talked to Paolo?” Alex said, making sure she didn’t frighten the child into thinking it was her fault.

  “No. The place was full, all Vietnamese boys. I didn’t see anything. Where is he, Alex? Why did he leave?”