by Clive Hindle
Emerging on Conduit road he noticed a black Mercedes. Its darkened windscreen gave it a sinister appearance as it moved slowly towards him. Two men jumped out and they were similar in dress to the men from the Lantao motor launch. They advanced from each side of the vehicle and one of them pointed a gun and said, "Diu lei lo mo!" He was forced into a kneeling position, handcuffed in front, then manhandled towards the Merc. The back door opened and he was thrown inside. Picking himself up off the floor, he found himself looking at Johnny Kwok. "Well, Mr. Jack," he said, "we meet in the strangest circumstance."
"What the hell is going on?" he blustered. "Have you got Diana? Where is she?"
"Oh, Mr. Jack, cut the crap. You know what we want. You want know where something of yours is, you give us what's ours."
"Do you think I'm stupid enough to fall for that one?" he sneered. "I’ve brought nothing, nor am I going to hand anything over until Diana's okay. What you want's in a safe place and there are clear instructions for it to go to a guy called Philip Chan if anything happens to us.”
Johnny was momentarily angry. His eyes flashed like dark lightning, then he recovered his composure and shook his head in pity. "What your price? We be very generous, you know. A nice fat little dowry for that pretty thing?"
"There isn't a price," Jack replied, "that's the bottom line. Release Diana immediately or some very heavy people get the goods." It was bluff but it must have struck a chord because Johnny didn't dismiss the notion.
The Merc was back down in Central now, negotiating the heavy traffic. They soon reached the Cross Harbour tunnel, heading for Tsimsi. Johnny said, "Volvo," to the driver, a curt command which he acknowledged with a nod of his head. He turned back to the passenger. "You know, Mr. Jack, I think your young lady know score. She no shrinking violet, eh? She seen world. We share little secret, she and me. I was one who take her."
It was Jack‘s turn to be angry, "You? What have you done with her?"
"Oh Mr. Jack, you know Hong Kong. You no keep secret. It a village, a 5000 year old global village. We think of feed her to snakeheads!" He laughed at the look on Jack’s face. The snakeheads was the nickname given to the Hong Kong and Macao fishermen who smuggled in the opium from the Golden Triangle. They were primitive men, and could behave like animals. He shuddered at the thought of Diana in their clutches. "It would be terrible shame," Johnny went on airily as if he was discussing lunch at the club, "she such beauty. I congratulate you on good taste. Let stop beating about bush, it so much easy if you hand me disks."
Jack began to get the drift. There was that mention of computer disks again. Johnny must have thought he knew what was on them. Did he detect also a shifting of the personnel? "You mean you rather than K.K. Chow? Tell me, is it remotely possible that some of this computer software could go missing before it reaches him?"
He laughed, "We all have take care of ourself, Mr. Jack, particularly if not from wealthy background. You wrong about me before and if you think K.K. Chow call shots here, you wrong again." He snapped his fingers, "I get him dealt with like that. Come on, we understand each other. Let two of us have deal, I cut you in fifty-fifty. I even get your glamour puss out of captivity if you play cards right."
"Oh, will you indeed?" There was a little more vigour in his voice now he perceived a divided enemy. "It helps, doesn't it, to have the merchandise?"
He laughed, "I got you and your woman and why you think I order driver here go twice round block? Because when K.K. Chow have you, safety not guaranteed. It much easy to deal with me. You tell us where go collect and I turn car round."
The proposition seemed attractive on the surface but Jack knew that without the Montrose box he had no chips. "No deal," he said, "I'll take my chance."
"Ha!" Johhny laughed. The brittleness of the tone betrayed his annoyance. "You think he just ask nice? Oh there wonderful torture my employer favour, special for those who fail deliver. Those ancient emperor real expert at pain. You lock up in wire suit, it pull tight so your flesh push through wire. Just little bobbles of it like fat goose pimples, and then everyone take turn with razor sharp knife, little slash here, sharp cut there. You can do thousand times and victim still alive. You heard of it, hai? Death of ten thousand cuts?" He was eyeing Jack maliciously, a thin smile playing across his lips, "Still time to deal."
Even though a part of him wanted to take the line of least resistance he knew he had one shot, last chance saloon.
"Mr. Jack," Johnny picked up the thread, "you are stubborn bastard. I hope you not think anyone pay slightest bit notice if Mr. Ma suddenly arrive on white horse. He not help you now. His days numbered. K.K. Chow do his bidding at moment, but Ma upset the people who count because of way he support cause of Philip Chan."
The only place Ma's influence probably didn't extend was across the border. If it had he wouldn't have been seeking the right of abode in England. K.K. Chow's motivation was the oldest known to man, greed, the lust for wealth and power, and Johnny Kwok was quite prepared to double-cross his boss for the same reasons. But his kind of power was a mere trifle to that of his real employers. With yet another twist of its Machiavellian politics the Peoples’ Republic was playing its own diabolical game with Jack and Diana, just as it was with Hong Kong. A large curious cat with a very frightened mouse.
With some trepidation he crossed the threshold of the Club Volvo. Instead of the cavernous interior, he was met with a rabbit warren of passages, the working part of the pleasure dome. Propelled down the corridors by two bodyguards he came eventually to a large chamber, opulently furnished. He was pushed roughly down on to a sofa. Johnny paced up and down moodily but the two heavies stood flexing their muscles. A few moments later, the door opened and in walked K.K. Chow followed by another Chinese man. The newcomer was younger, a sharp dresser. "Ah, Lauder sin saang," K.K. Chow said, smiling the shark smile which was now so familiar, "we meet again. You met General Sze's son?" He indicated the younger man. Jack knew the name from the newspapers. General Sze was the senior commander of the southern regiments of the Peoples' Liberation Army, the man in de facto control of Hong Kong. K.K. Chow went across to a table on which stood a row of decanters. "Your tipple?" he continued. "I have fine ancient Macallan, Glenfiddich, or perhaps you cognac man?"
Jack played along. "The Macallan's fine."
“Good choice!”
In the meantime General Sze's son sat down on the long sofa. Something about his demeanour suggested he was in control. He didn't have a name other than his father's and yet he held even the Tung Chu of the 14K in thrall. The young Turks of Red China had usurped the beautiful people of Hong Kong. This young man had a cold presence, which struck a chill into Jack’s heart. Chow stood gazing at Jack while he warmed his glass. "What resourceful man you are," he said as if in admiration, "no wonder my colleague Mr. Ma choose you as English agent. Some would choose large company in London but Mr. Ma, he know what is right." He laughed cynically, showing his gold fillings. "Now it you who need way to walk! Mr. Ma, he not find out if we conclude business proper now.”
Sze had obviously been educated abroad as well because he, too, spoke in English, probably for Jack’s benefit but it was equally possible that he didn‘t speak Cantonese in addition to his Mandarin mother tongue. "It is important for you too, K.K. Chow saang," he said quietly, examining his fingernails, "this embarrassing leak of information is your responsibility. It requires cleaning up." He smiled almost shyly but Jack perceived the hidden menace. Chow looked flustered. He tried not to show it as he turned back to Jack, affecting an urbaneness not quite matched by the timbre of his voice. "Your friend Mr. Montro, shame what happened him eh? How you think that happen?" He smiled. "Don't you think we know plenty friend in Russia? Mr. Montro's friend, she belong us. We own her, what you say, lock stock eh?"
"You fingered Gerry Montrose to the Dolguruki?" Jack said, a savage edge to his voice.
"Well, he very clever, he escape us, no one know where he go. We all looking for him, Lauder saang,
even look in your backyard. We want what he steal but he hide well. Till one day we get call from friends in Russia about madman from Hong Kong who want to buy bar girl. She put two and two together eh?"
“Who?”
“Your lady. Miss Lundy. She woman of great intelligence, Lauder saang, she know which side bread buttered eh? Yes, those fools there take money and let whore go. If the Gwai lo want her, why not? It more than she earn for them in ten year."
"But that wasn't good enough for you, eh? You had to finish him off?"
"Oh no, no, Mr. Jack, you not understand, we want him delivered back. Oh, shoot whore, yes, what one more or less in world, eh? But not Mr. Montro. We want to know what he done with important paper, important computer information. Unfortunate this man not like other, he get upset they shoot whore and he attack like tiger. They shoot him too. We worry because all secrets go grave with him and we expect big problem if he make arrangement to give someone. We already try you even when he missing before he turn up in Russia. Pity really, we want give him Tall Man Hung. You not met Tall Man Hung eh? Or maybe you meet him in UK? Tall Man Hung now, he like your lady very much." He must have seen the horrified look on Jack’s face because he wagged a finger and said, "Not yet Lauder Saang. She okay. We keep safe, eh? Me and Missy Lundy. You grateful, eh?"
Jack returned his stare with utter contempt. "Grateful to you?" he said. "It's no use trying to do deals with me, Chow. I've already told your foki here that anything happens to us and those papers go straight to Philip Chan."
"What?" he exclaimed, and he looked at Johnny.
He shrugged. "He said he hasn't brought them," he replied uncomfortably. General's Sze's son was craning forward now. "That's what he told me, they'd go to Philip Chan if we didn't let the girl go."
“You been in contact with that traitor Chan?” Sze screamed, his voice an octave higher than previously and his peculiarly long, painted fingernail pointed at Jack.
Jack nodded, “Yes. The Governor too. I saw him at his home last night.”
Sze cursed. He turned on Chow. “I told you to make contact immediately,” he said. “You bungle this by leaving it too late, waiting for him to get in touch with your man!”
Chow stomped off round the room, the veins standing out on his forehead. He looked as if he was about to burst. Sze looked at him calculatingly. With a great effort of will he pulled himself together. He bowed his head respectfully. "Our honourable Governor, yes, he pay good price for some of those name. But you misunderstand, Lauder saang, we not hurt you, we let you go.”
"Really? So the little story he spun me before about the wire suit was intended merely to make me feel sick, was it?"
Chow chuckled, "No, not quite. Little story let you know that even if you free it best you cooperate. You go from here, do what we want and everything okay. Just little demonstration of intent."
"Okay, let me give you a demonstration of my intent. You let me and Diana go and I'll cooperate."
He laughed, "Oh you cunning monkey, Lauder saang! You not cooperate at all if you get away. No, not that simple. Follow me.” He crossed to the desk, flicked a switch and stood in expectation facing the back wall which was lined with fish tanks. To Jack’s astonishment the wall began to open and a cavern appeared. K.K. Chow stepped through and Johnny stepped up behind Jack and made him follow. He passed the statues of two Chinese warriors with fearsome visages, which stood at the archway as if on guard. Sze, with a smirk on his face, followed at a short distance.
Inside the cavern another arch was guarded by fierce looking statues. Over the arch Chinese characters glowed lividly in the light cast by a single flaming torch. The scent of incense pervaded the atmosphere. A third entrance was similarly guarded by the celestial chaperones. The characters above this arch portrayed heaven and earth. This was the Heaven and Earth Circle. Jack knew now he had entered a Triad lodge. No westerner was ever allowed across these portals. He had no choice but to move on as the other two prodded him from behind.
They came to a hall lined with red paper and stopped before an altar furnished with tablets on which white writing appeared against a black background. At the front a large, red-painted, wooden tub, filled with rice, stood on a sheet of red paper. The tub was flanked by two brass lamps with seven stems. An incense jar gave out an acrid smell. Five small flags, red-coloured with black borders, adorned the altar with the symbols of the Order: the Red Pole, the symbol of punishment; the Sword of Kwan Kung, the symbol of loyalty to the order; the Grass Sandal of Siu Lam monastery, the symbol of the messengers of the society; and the White Paper Fan, the symbol of great wisdom.
Chow emerged. He had changed into a long flowing white robe with red stripes. He looked at Sze who nodded without speaking. Chow clapped his hands twice in the air and two fokis came in with a wire contraption. It was like a thin, wire suit of body armour. Then through the same door came a man, stripped to the waist, his muscles glistening as if they had been waxed. He dragged behind him by a cord tied to a ring round her neck a gagged Diana. Jack started towards them but the two heavies grabbed his arms and restrained him. Diana was dishevelled but looked none the worse for wear. Her captor had a black band round his head with a red dragon motif. He leered at Jack. Sze was enjoying the drama immensely. Chow turned to the altar. He held out his arms as if embracing his god and bowed, making the offering. "Take off the gag," he shouted in Cantonese. The gag was torn from Diana's mouth. Chow clapped his hands again and Tall Man Hung grinned savagely. He ripped off Diana’s gown in one swift movement and then heaving her up bodily he flung her on the floor at the foot of the altar. She tried to stand up but he stood with one foot on her belly, a cruel smile on his face. "Look, isn't she beautiful?" Chow exclaimed. The savage faces of the guardians grinned down. Tall Man Hung reached down and heaved Diana to her feet by the cord tied round her neck. "Put her in cage," Chow cried.
"Hey," Jack said, "it's all right, I'll cooperate, you don't have to do anything like that." He turned to Diana and said, "I thought I told you to stay in the room!"
"Jack, don't be a moron," she said, "now's not the time!"
Chow seemed to like the interchange, "I know you cooperate but it necessary you see what will happen if not."
"No need, no need!" Jack said frantically as Tall Man Hung, a cruel look on his snarling face, began to turn Diana round as if showing her off in a cattle market.
"Oh there is need," Chow said. He picked up a large knife from the altar. Jack noticed with horror that under a red cloth lay a number of similar instruments. Sze moved forward with a smirk and chose a weapon too. One of the heavies picked up the wire cage; the other chose a short-handled knife. The blood lust was on all of them now, they shouted and screamed in a frenzied fashion, building themselves up. Diana looked terrified but she was trying to stay focussed.
“Where are you guys?” Jack shouted angrily.
The temperature was hotting up but everyone froze as, in those mediaeval surroundings, one of the heavy’s mobile phone rang, "Hai!" he shouted into it, obviously angry at being interrupted when the fun was about to begin. His brow creased and he shouted something to the person on the other end of the line. He started gabbling, trying to attract the Tung Chu's attention, but Chow had been abducted by aliens, he just wasn't on the same planet, the thought of what he was going to do to Diana had addled his senses.
“Come in number nine!" Jack said.
Sze looked at him suspiciously. "Stop!" he told the two fokis in Mandarin. "Siu Chi, did you test him out for a wire?"
Siu chi leaned over and grabbed the lapel of Jack’s Jacket. He recoiled in horror as he saw the tiny microphone. Philip Chan had been concerned enough about Jack’s change of demeanour on the telephone to turn up on his doorstep and not take no for an answer.
“Close the passage,” Chow shouted and Tall Man Hung rushed off. Sze lost his cool. Suddenly like a dervish, he clawed at the microphone and ripped it away. "Do you mind?" Jack said, as the jacket ripped, "I only got this ma
de a couple of weeks ago." One look at Sze’s snarling face as he jumped on the tiny mike made him add, "oh bollocks!" with which he put his boot straight up the Chinaman’s backside. Sze went sprawling across the floor and smacked his head against a pillar.
The two fokis were across in no time and Jack was about to be shredded as Siu Chi grabbed his arm and swung him round, his weapon raised. His eyes glazed over in shock as Diana nutted him. The head butt would have done a street fighter proud. Chow looked baffled. It had all been so ordered and now it was chaos. He was inching towards the door, uncertain whether this was a temporary change of circumstance or whether discretion was the better part of valour. Sze was still flat out, blood slowly congealing on his head. Jack looked round desperately. Where were the Police? "No you don't!" he shouted as Chow retreated through the third entrance. He swung the Triad boss back into the room where he fell clumsily to the floor. Siu Chi was out cold. The other foki ran from wall to wall looking for the stage left sign. He was screaming that the RHKP was swarming all over the building.
Tall Man Hung returned from the outer passage. Jack had no doubt that this was the man who could have killed him in seconds at Dunstanburgh. Tall Man Hung looked at the last two standing and roared his anger. From the pocket of his baggy trousers he pulled the favourite weapon of the Hong Kong Triads, a huge meat cleaver
