by Pete Lister
“I am grateful. I am sorry for what happened. I was only doing my duty.”
“Don’t worry about it. It was war. We were all doing our duty. I’m Paul Choaté.”
“Le Duan Trahn. I was just telling Mr. Sherry that I, too, was wounded in this fight.”
“Well,” Paul told him. “I’m glad to see you didn’t die, either.”
“It was close.”
“Amen.”
§ § §
Shiv and Chris were in Shiv’s office, drinking coffee and talking when Scott and di Stasio walked in.
“Any news?” di Stasio asked.
“Nope, nothin’ yet. I don’t expect to hear nothin’ ‘till they’re done or they get home.” Shiv told him.
“We’d sure like to put this thing to bed so Sonny and I can get back to our other job,” di Stasio laughed.
“I’ll let you know I hear anything.” Shiv told them.
§ § §
The Sherrys had treated the Choatés and Mr. Trahn’s family to dinner in Pleiku that evening after the tour. While Mrs. Trahn spoke no English, their daughter, a teacher, spoke it fluently, and acted as her mother’s interpreter.
Trahn, John, and Paul talked about the battle at some length, Trahn telling John what had been happening during the entire battle, while they had been pinned down, seeing only their little corner of the big picture.
John and Trahn exchanged addresses, and John told him that the Sherrys would be honored to host him and his family in their home, if the Trahns ever decided to visit the states.
“I would like that,” Trahn told them, “but a tour guide does not make enough money to travel across the sea.” A look passed between John and Drew.
“Perhaps we could offer some assistance.” John replied. Trahn only smiled and nodded, not believing he would ever see America.
Drew looked at his father. “I’m sure Shiv wouldn’t mind,” and they both laughed.
§ § §
It was almost dusk when the buses carrying the 1st of the 7th returned to Da Nang. It had been an emotional two days, including a visit to a nursing home, where they had brought gifts, meeting and talking with the few surviving Vietnamese veterans who were still disabled by wounds received more than forty years earlier during the war.
Lincoln and Child had been sitting in the lobby of the hotel when the travelers returned. An hour later, they watched as the four Sherrys walked out of the hotel, following them toward the restaurant where they had eaten on their first night in Da Nang.
“Are we going back to that first restaurant?” Ashley asked.
“Nope. The concierge told me about a place next door to that one.” John told her. “It’s called Gia Lang and he tells me it’s pretty good. It means ‘Lang Family’, so I’m guessing it’s a family restaurant.”
They had been seated quickly, and their waiter spoke broken, but understandable English. Their food had just been ordered when John lowered his head and spoke very softly. “Don’t look around or react, but I think we’re being followed.”
Dianne smiled as she said, “What makes you think so?”
“When we were eating with the Choatés that first night in Da Nang, there were two American men that came in shortly after we did. They just came in and sat down at a table near the door. You know how I feel about coincidences.”
“I guess we’ll just have to keep an eye on them.” Drew said. “Even if he knew we were coming, do you think Thompson would send someone all the way to Vietnam after us?”
“Fourteen and a half million dollars and a hundred sixty pounds of heroin. Would you?”
“Yeah, I guess I would. How do you suppose he knew we’d be here?”
“I can’t imagine,” his father replied, “but I’d bet it’s something to do with his dirty cops.”
“I’ll bet he cringes when he thinks about how much of his money we’re spending.” Drew said. Now they were all laughing. They tried to keep the conversation light, bantering easily with only the occasional glance toward the table by the door.
“Jeez,” Dianne said. “They’re even wearing the same suits they wore the first night.”
“Excuse me.” The Sherrys looked up to see a Vietnamese man in his late fifties, wearing black slacks and an open-collared white shirt. His fairly short salt-and pepper hair stood straight up, in a style so many here wore. “I am Lt. Phan Xuan Trahn. The concierge at your hotel told me I could find you here. May I join you?”
John and Drew stood and shook hands, introducing themselves and their wives. A waiter appeared with a chair and placed Lt. Trahn between John and Dianne
“Lt. Trahn, may I ask what kind of lieutenant you are?” Drew asked.
“I am a policeman here in Da Nang.”
“Well, it’s a pleasure for us to meet you, but may I ask if there’s any particular reason for it?” Both Drew and Lt. Trahn were smiling.
“Yes, there is.” The Vietnamese turned to John. “Mr. Sherry, I understand you were at Ia Drang with the 1st of the 7th, is that correct?”
“Yes, it is. In fact, we were just there yesterday. It was the first time I’d seen it since 1965.”
“That was my understanding as well, sir. My brother tells me you shot him there.”
“Le is your brother?”
“Yes sir, he is.”
“I thought you looked familiar, but I have to tell you, that battle was a long time ago. I can’t actually be certain it was my shot that wounded him.”
“I understand that, sir. Le tells me that he would prefer to think it was you. He feels it saved his life. Also, while he is ten years older than I, there is a family resemblance. He called me this afternoon and told me about meeting you. I wanted to thank you for the gracious way you treated him and his family. I also wanted to offer you my assistance if there is anything you need while in Da Nang.”
“Thank you, lieutenant, but I really can’t think of anything. We would be honored, however, if you would join us for dinner. I’m sure they could bring you something before we begin.”
“I would be honored, as well. Thank you.”
“Tell me, lieutenant,” Dianne asked him, “Where did you and your brother learn to speak English so fluently?”
“Our parents were both teachers.”
“Of English?” she asked.
“No, of mathematics and science. My father was originally from Lang Va, that’s about two hundred kilometers north of Da Nang. My mother was from Quang Trị, about ninety kilometers north of here.”
“And they learned to speak English there?” Ashley asked.
“Yes, what you would call a crash course.” He smiled. “They didn’t actually meet in Vietnam. They first met when they were both going to UCLA. That was shortly before the French left, and before the Americans moved in to take their place.”
“Lieutenant,” John said, “you won. We’ve no desire to refight our war here.”
“Nor I, Mr. Sherry. I meant no malice with that statement. I was too young to have participated in it, anyway. Quite frankly, I didn’t understand it while it was happening. But, we grew up in a small city in the north, and to be honest, there was little of tactical value there and both sides seemed to have bypassed it.
“I only knew that my brother went away, and when he returned, he was no longer strong. He had trouble breathing. But, he seemed to bear no bitterness about his condition, and I didn’t understand what had caused it until after I was grown. But, surely, there must be more pleasant conversation for a dinner like this. What do you do in America, Mr. Sherry?”
“I’m a retired police officer.”
“My goodness, that would make you a, what is the American expression? A ‘visiting fireman’, I believe. Perhaps you would come to my office while you are here, and I could show you how Vietnamese law enforcement compares with yours.”
“That would be interesting, lieutenant. Thank you, I’d like that. Tomorrow, our tour group is going up to Hue. I’ve seen Hue, and I don’t need to go ba
ck there. If tomorrow is good for you, that would be great.”
“Here is my card. Tomorrow would be splendid. And Drew, you would certainly be welcome to join us.”
“I’d love to.” Drew told him.
“Now, the ladies. When I told my wife about my plans for you, she told me that there is nothing in my office that could possibly interest your wives. She asked if the two Mrs. Sherrys would like a personally guided tour of Da Nang’s shopping district, a local place the tourists don’t see.”
Dianne and Ashley smiled at each other. “I believe that your wife is prescient.”
“I’m sorry?”
“Prescient. She can tell the future. She read our minds. Everyone in this country has been so gracious, I was trying to figure out how to decline your kind invitation to tour a police facility without giving offense. But shopping, now you’re talking our language.”
While they all laughed, Lt. Trahn said, “My wife has been to Ha Noi, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Singapore. I believe that if French is the universal language of diplomacy, and English is the universal language of aviation, shopping must be the universal language of women.”
§ § §
“Doug, who is this guy, and where did he come from?” Child asked.
“I don’t know. Is that a uniform, or is he just wearing black slacks and a white shirt?”
“I can’t tell. It looks like they’re wrapping it up, though. Let’s pay the bill and wait for them outside. Maybe we can take them on their way back to the hotel.” Leaving enough Vietnamese dongs on the table to cover their bill three or four times over, the two men quietly walked out of the restaurant.
§ § §
“Lieutenant,” John said. “Do you see those two men just walking out?”
Without turning his head, Lt. Trahn answered. “Yes, the Americans. I saw them when I came in. Americans don’t often come to this restaurant. I found it curious that these two were here, but you weren’t together. Why do you ask?”
“The first night we were here, we ate next door, at Truc Lam Vien. That night, we were the only Americans there, too. And shortly after we arrived, they walked in. Then, tonight, they walked in here, shortly after we did. I’m an old cop…”
“Yes, I know. I don’t believe in trùng hợp ngẫu nhin, coincidence, either.”
“Bingo. I wonder if they could be following us.”
“Mr. Sherry, let me ask you something. It is certainly none of my business, but is there any reason why these men might be following you?”
“As a matter of fact, lieutenant, there is. I’m afraid we’ve made an enemy of a very powerful criminal back in the states.”
“Could this man be so angry that he would have you followed, all the way to Vietnam?”
“I wouldn’t have thought so, but now, I’m not sure.”
“Well, let me see what I can do for you. This has truly been a pleasure. Gentlemen, I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Ladies, tomorrow my wife will show you Da Nang shopping as only the natives see it. We will be at your hotel tomorrow morning at nine o’clock, if that would be satisfactory.”
“Thank you, lieutenant. Nine would be fine. Meanwhile, please let us take care of the dinner check.”
“I accept, thank you, and if you have no other plans, my wife and I would like you to join us for dinner in our home tomorrow night.”
“We would love that. Thank you.”
“And now, if you’ll excuse me, I will say good night. I must say hello to a friend of mine in the kitchen.”
“Oh, he works here?” asked Ashley.
“You could say that,” Trahn responded, smiling. “He owns the restaurant. Good night now.” Shaking hands around the table, the lieutenant rose and walked away from the table, toward the kitchen.
“Well, that was nice.” John said. “Now I’m really glad I didn’t kill his brother on that damned hill. Everybody ready?”
§ § §
“There they are.” Lincoln and Child were at the end of the block, watching the front door of the restaurant. Earlier, they had checked out the route back to the hotel, and identified a dead-end alley they could use. Lincoln started that way while Child waited for the Sherrys to pass.
John and Dianne were walking in front, talking and laughing, holding hands, while Drew and Ashley walked behind them. They had enjoyed the evening, and were looking forward to the next day. They were anticipating having both Trahn families come visit them in the states, if they ever found a safe place to settle. They were strolling along the sidewalk when one of the Americans they had noticed in the restaurants appeared in front of them, holding a large automatic in his hand.
“If I’m not mistaken,” John said. “That’s an old Army Colt .45.”
“You got it, Sherry. Now, step into the alley without making any quick moves.”
John looked behind them, and saw that the other stranger had come up behind them, also holding a .45. Putting protective arms around their wives’ shoulders, they moved into the alley and against the brick wall.
“I don’t suppose I have to tell you why we’re here. Mr. Thompson would like to know where his heroin is. As an afterthought, he’d like whatever is left of his money. The only way you’re walking out of this alley is if he gets the answers he’s looking for.”
“Well,” said John, “since there’s no way Shiv can recover either his drugs or his money if we’re dead, then I’m guessing you’re not going to kill us.”
“Oh, we’re not going to kill you. Not all of you, anyway. But, I’m assuming that both you and your son know where Shiv’s stuff is. That makes your wives excess baggage here, doesn’t it? We’re not so concerned with what they might have to say, just what you have to offer. Now, all four of you, turn around and plant your hands on the wall.”
The Sherrys turned and, raising their hands, leaned forward onto the wall. It was quiet in the alley, as they waited to hear what the gunmen had to say next. Then they heard the sound of feet, shuffling on the pavement behind them. They still waited, trying to figure out if the two thugs had reinforcements, or if they were setting up something to cover their tracks.
“Well, if it isn’t the Sherrys.” Turning around, they could see Lt. Trahn’s smiling face, a .45 in each hand. Behind him, half a dozen of Da Nang’s finest had Shiv’s two world travelers by the arms and were in the process of cuffing them. “How nice to see you, again. My men and I were just out for an evening stroll, checking out our fair city, when we happened to pass this alley. If I didn’t know better, I would guess that we stumbled across a couple of expatriates attempting to sell tourists war souvenirs.”
“Something like that.” John smiled back at him. “You’re like Superman, arriving just in the nick of time.”
“Superman? I’m afraid I’m not familiar with that one.” Trahn replied, still smiling.
Ashley wasn’t interested in the banter. She walked right up to the lieutenant and kissed him on the cheek. “Well, you may not be up on your American superheroes, lieutenant, but you’re most certainly my hero.”
“Why thank you,” Trahn told her, laughing. “I may never wash that cheek, again. And now, if you’ll excuse me, again, I’ll see you tomorrow.” With that, and handshakes all around, again, Trahn and his cops marched the two gunmen out of the alley, leaving the Sherrys alone, at night, in an alley, halfway around the world from where Shiv sat as his desk, waiting for the phone to ring.
§ § §
The day was waning, as the Sherrys relaxed in first class. They were enroute to Seattle, and somewhere off the left wing, over the horizon, Japan was preparing for nightfall, while they discussed the events of their memorable visit to Da Nang.
They had made several friends they planned to stay in contact with, both American and Vietnamese. In the cargo hold beneath them lay several bolts of beautiful silk fabric they had gotten cheap, thanks to Mrs. Trahn’s bargaining skills. Both John and Drew had been presented with badges from their new friends in Da Nang police depar
tment. But, in all the excitement of their trip, and the dinner-dance that capped off the reunion, they had neglected to discuss the two thugs in the alley.
“So let’s hear it.” Dianne told John. “What happened?”
“Well, those two boys are being charged with trying to sell government property without a license, possession of stolen property, and attempted strong-arm robbery. It turns out that all weapons left by American forces are the property of the government. Whoever sold those guns to those two neglected to mention that. Trahn says he estimates they’ll get seven to ten years, and that by the next time they see the states, they’ll speak fluent Vietnamese.”
“I wonder if Shiv knows.” Ashley said.
“I doubt it.” Drew told her. “According to Trahn, after you’re arrested in Vietnam, you don’t rate a phone call. He says they could write Shiv a letter, but they’ll have to earn the money to buy the paper, stamps and envelopes, and it’ll be awhile before they’re even in a position to do that. They did give up Shiv’s phone number in Chicago, though.”
“I guess it’s up to us to let Shiv know. What do you think, Pop?”
“I think we owe him that much, don’t you? Maybe we should have Ashley call him from the airport in Seattle.” They were all laughing now.
“I think that’s a great idea.” Drew said. “Ash, you can use your sultriest voice.”
§ § §
“Yeah, this is Shiv. Who’s this?”
“Mr. Thompson, this is Ashley Sherry. We haven’t actually met, but I feel like I know you. My family and I were walking down Le Dinh Duong, in Da Nang, a couple of nights ago, and we watched Da Nang police duck-walking a couple of your boys down the street in cuffs. The police tell us they won’t be able to contact anyone for a decade or so unless they write letters, so I thought I’d do you a favor and call, so you wouldn’t be left hanging. Listen, my flight’s leaving, I have to run. Bye now.”
“GODDAM that bitch! Chris! Get me Jack, and di Stasio!”
§ § §
15
