Elizabeth reached across and rested her hand on Gabrielle’s. ‘What he’s actually saying, dear, is that we’re as excited as you are. It’s not every day we get the opportunity for a bit of excitement.’
‘It’s even kinder of you under the circumstances,’ Gabrielle said. The two women exchanged looks. They had spent a lot of time talking during the typhoon. Gabrielle had listened quietly as Elizabeth told her all about their daughter, Jane, and not once did she think of herself as a minister giving one of her flock the opportunity to just talk; the Elliotts had befriended her and being cooped up in the flat had drawn them even closer together.
In many ways the Elliotts reminded Gabrielle of her own mother and father. They were old school and she really enjoyed their company. She had caught Eric looking at her sideways once or twice. She just gave him an understanding smile and made sure her knees were covered. They were clearly devastated by the loss of their daughter but as they had told her earlier, by returning to Hong Kong they were not abrogating what others believed were their responsibilities, they were returning to what they knew so that they could mourn in their own way and also see their days out in their own way.
Coming out of the tunnel and into Kowloon, Eric gave the taxi driver directions in what Gabrielle could only guess was Cantonese.
‘That’s the Peninsula Hotel,’ Elizabeth said pointing towards a rather austere looking building. ‘The Raffles of Hong Kong.’
‘Why’s it called that?’ Gabrielle asked.
‘It’s not,’ Elizabeth told her, ‘it’s just what Eric and I call it. It has the same timeless elegance as Singapore’s famous Raffles Hotel. There was a time when it was the tallest building in this part of Kowloon. Now look at it - dwarfed by everything else. I know there has to be progress but it isn’t always for the best.’
After another ten minutes the driver indicated a block of flats and said something to Eric. He turned to Gabrielle. ‘He says the address is over there in that block. Do we want him to wait or shall we pick up another taxi when we’re finished?’
‘We’ll pick up another taxi,’ Elizabeth said as she peered up at the building in front of them. ‘Come on, Gabrielle, in for a penny in for a pound.’
As they reached the entrance, the door opened and a young Chinese couple stepped onto the pavement. The man saw the Elliotts and Gabrielle, and without asking where they were going he held the door open for them to enter the building.
‘That was a bit of luck,’ Eric commented as they headed for the lift.
They took the lift to the fifth floor and then worked their way along the uncarpeted corridor until they found the right number. After exchanging apprehensive looks it was Elizabeth who rang the bell.
‘Good afternoon,’ a man in his late thirties said politely in English as he opened the door. ‘Can I help you?’ He was darker and taller than most male Hong Kong Chinese and his face was unlined and very handsome. He was dressed in chinos and a long-sleeved pink shirt.
‘Are you Patrick Yong?’
‘I am.’ He smiled.
‘We’re looking for somebody and we think you may be able to help,’ Elizabeth informed him.
He looked at the three expectant faces in front of him, his eyes resting longer on Gabrielle’s. ‘And who are you looking for?’
‘Adam Harrison,’ Gabrielle said.
The change in the man’s expression was almost imperceptible but it was there. The smile stiffened and his eyes became more wary. ‘Adam Harrison,’ he repeated slowly, ‘now there’s a name from the past.’ The smile softened. ‘But please excuse my manners, do come in.’ He stood back and bowed slightly as his unexpected guests accepted his invitation.
He showed them through to a large and opulently decorated living room, full of fine Chinese porcelain, pen paintings, brocade and silk. There were two windows overlooking the apartment block opposite and the street below but there was not a sound.
‘Please sit down and I’ll organise some refreshment.’ His voice was very calm but his eyes were strangely alert.
Elizabeth and Gabrielle sat together on a brocade covered two-seater sofa and Eric sat next to them in an equally decorative chair. ‘I hope we haven’t chosen a bad time ...’ Gabrielle said.
Patrick Yong cocked his head slightly and smiled again. ‘Not at all, madam, but might I enquire after your name.’
‘Yes, I’m sorry, I’m Gabrielle Brooks and these are my friends, Mr and Mrs Elliott.’
‘Elizabeth and Eric,’ Elizabeth added but she wasn’t too sure why.
Patrick shook their hands, the smile never disappearing from his face. ‘As you already know, I am Patrick Yong. Now a drink. Some tea maybe, and then we’ll see if I can be of help.’
‘Tea would be most kind,’ Elizabeth replied for all of them.
Patrick Yong clicked his fingers and a Chinese girl appeared from what must have been the kitchen area. She stood just inside the room, her head bowed and her hands clasped in front of her. Her long black hair hung either side of a pretty but unsmiling young face. She was wearing black cotton trousers and top, but nothing on her small delicate feet. There was no make-up or jewellery.
Patrick Yong spoke rapidly to her in Chinese after which she nodded her head and disappeared. ‘Now,’ he said, turning back to his guests, ‘Adam Harrison. This really is a surprise. But first, tell me, do you all live in Hong Kong?’
‘My husband and I live on the island,’ Elizabeth said, ‘in Repulse Bay actually, we -’
‘Oh,’ Patrick said. ‘I have friends there. Perhaps you are neighbours. Where is your house?’
‘We live in a flat, Plantation Court, just along from the Repulse Bay Hotel.’
‘Yes, I know it. My friends are closer to the golf course. Do you play golf?’
‘My husband used to, but not any more.’
‘Of course,’ Patrick said before turning to Gabrielle. ‘And you, Miss Brooks, you do not live in Hong Kong?’
While the others had been talking Gabrielle had taken a quick look round the room but had not seen any photographs of Joseph and Christina Yong; in fact there were no photographs of people at all. It was nearly a week since Joseph Yong had taken his own life after shooting his wife, and Gabrielle felt sure their son must know. She wondered how Christina was and whether Lolita was coping. Perhaps she should have been in contact. She had not told the Elliotts about what happened so thought it best if she just waited to see if Adam’s brother mentioned it.
Gabrielle realised the others were waiting for her to say something. ‘Er, no, I’ve come from England. I apologise once again for descending on you unannounced, it’s just that with the typhoon and everything -’
‘The typhoon, ah yes,’ Patrick said, ‘but perhaps you didn’t have my phone number.’ He sat on the arm of the other chair. ‘And may I ask how you accessed the building without -?’
‘Er, yes sorry about that. There were people leaving the building when we arrived and they let us in. And, no, no telephone number, just an address.’ Gabrielle closed her eyes as she let the lie slip out. There was a telephone number with the address but she had not thought to ring first.
‘And from where did you get my address?’ Patrick asked, as his eyes seemed to bore into Gabrielle’s.
Oh God, she didn’t want to go there. ‘Your ... your mother, your mother gave it to me.’ Gabrielle felt very nervous under Patrick Yong’s penetrating gaze.
‘My mother? This is becoming most interesting. You know my mother?’
‘Er, well, I wouldn’t say I know her exactly. We met for the first time just over a week ago.’ There was no discernible reaction from Patrick so Gabrielle drew the obvious conclusion: he did not know his father was dead and his mother seriously ill, and she wasn’t going to be the one to tell him.
‘But you know her well enough for her to give you my address in Hong Kong?’
‘Well, yes.’
‘Mr Yong,’ Elizabeth interrupted. ‘Miss Brooks has come to Hong Kong b
ecause she is looking for your brother -’
‘Not really my brother,’ Patrick said. ‘My parents adopted him when he was five. He then married my sister and became my brother-in-law.’
‘I see,’ Elizabeth replied. Gabrielle could see that she had taken an instant dislike to Patrick Yong and his attempt at humour only added to her obvious hostility. ‘Anyway, Miss Brooks is looking for Adam Harrison,’ Elizabeth said, ‘and we thought you might know where he is.’
‘If he is in Hong Kong,’ Patrick said, ‘then I’m afraid I am the last person who might know where he is. You see, Adam and I have hardly spoken for nearly twenty years.’
‘Even though, as you’ve just said, he is married to your sister?’
Elizabeth glanced sideways at Gabrielle, her look asking why she had omitted telling them Adam Harrison was married.
Gabrielle closed her eyes as she heard Patrick Yong say, ‘Not long ago my sister and her two children were murdered, Mrs Elliott, and although nothing has ever been proven or anybody charged …’ He stopped as the young girl brought in a tray containing four small cups and a pot of tea.
Placing the tray on the table she looked up at Gabrielle. In the girl’s eyes Gabrielle saw a lot of pain and a cry for help. She is no more than fifteen, she thought, and yet her eyes suggest she is much older. Her hands were small like her feet and her skin pale.
Patrick Yong barked an order in Chinese and the girl hurried from the room.
‘Murdered?’ Elizabeth asked in a hushed voice. ‘Your sister was murdered?’
‘Yes,’ Patrick replied too matter-of-factly, ‘and her two children were-’
Eric, who had not spoken since they walked into the building, suddenly found his voice. ‘I think we could spare the ladies any gruesome details.’
Switching his attention to Eric, Patrick Yong glared at him for a few seconds. ‘It is not me who is asking the questions, Mr Elliott.’
‘But that -’ Eric started to say but Elizabeth got there first.
‘On what grounds do you say they were murdered?’ she asked.
Patrick frowned. ‘The police for a start and,’ he looked at Eric. ‘The fact that their throats were cut from ear to ear.’
‘But … but why?’
‘If I could provide the answer to that question, Mrs Elliott, then I do believe the murderer would be in prison.’
Gabrielle sat in silence during the short exchange but now she felt the need to leap to Adam’s defence. ‘Mr Yong, you haven’t asked and therefore I presume you don’t know why I am looking for Adam Harrison. Please note that I said I am looking, not we are looking. Mr and Mrs Elliott very kindly invited me to stay with them and I’ve been with them since arriving in Hong Kong.’ She looked at the Elliotts and smiled. ‘They know nothing of the circumstances other than the fact that I am looking for Adam Harrison.’ Gabrielle had no intention of introducing her feelings into the conversation. ‘Mr and Mrs Elliott were not aware of the murders,’ she added, ‘and I saw no need -’
‘Gabrielle, you don’t have to -’ Elizabeth started to say.
‘No, Elizabeth, and I’m sorry you’re discovering things that perhaps I should have told you about.’ She looked at Elizabeth and then at Eric. ‘As I said, I’m sorry.’ They both nodded. ‘I think we must take our leave of Mr Yong shortly but there are a few other things I need to say before we do.’
Patrick Yong allowed a patronising smirk to cross his face. He was thinking that this female gweilo must be very careful how she speaks to him. He was not used to being attracted by European women but there was something about her that he found rather beguiling. She was young and pretty, had a good body and a very attractive if not naïve nature about her. He was willing to listen only because of what her looks were doing to him.
‘I met your brother only a few weeks ago and the circumstances under which we met are irrelevant, but I consider myself to be a good judge of character and all I will say is that he worshipped the ground his wife and children walked on. He was devastated by their deaths. If you are trying to imply that he was in any way responsible for their deaths then I must suggest you are deeply, very deeply mistaken.’ Gabrielle stared at Patrick Yong hoping her words were having some effect. ‘And if you really think you know anything different then I suggest you make yourself acquainted with what is really going on rather than making wild accusations.’
Patrick Yong did not flinch. ‘Miss Brooks, I’m not aware I made any accusations. I merely referred to the murders of my sister and her children. However, what you’ve just said has meant very little to me because you’re quite right. I do not know the circumstances under which you met Adam Harrison, but although I haven’t spoken to him for so long that doesn’t mean I don’t know what’s been going on. I suggest you stop this quest to find him now. You’ve come a long way on what you Europeans call a wild goose chase, and I will tell you, if Adam Harrison is indeed in Hong Kong then I’ll be the first to find him and advise him to return to England, before any harm should befall him.’
Gabrielle did not let her eyes waiver from Patrick Yong’s, but at the edge of her vision she could see Elizabeth cover her mouth with her hand in shock and heard a gasp from Eric.
‘Mr Yong,’ Gabrielle said, ‘your threats are misguided. I don’t know of any reason why Adam should feel in danger. As far as I know he has come to Hong Kong to grieve the loss of his wife and children, and maybe put their ghosts to rest. He needs to move on, Mr Yong, and if coming to Hong Kong helps then I would like to be by his side. It is now time we left.’
Gabrielle stood up.
Her words were spoken with the utmost sincerity but unbeknown to her, her bravery and tenacity were going to bring her and others who had been so kind to her more pain than she would ever have imagined possible.
Chapter Twenty-Five
As he watched the Elliotts and Gabrielle Brooks leave the apartment building and cross the road so that they could wave down a patrolling taxi, Patrick Yong smiled to himself. He smiled because he believed he had everything under control and he also smiled because he could not believe how naïve some people could be. All right, their visit was unexpected, but it alerted him to a possible complication once Number Thirty-Nine carried out her orders.
Patrick Yong reached for his mobile phone.
‘Mt me at loc 23 at 1915,’ he tapped into the phone and sent the text to Number Thirty-Nine.
‘Mt me at loc 21 at 1900,’ he then tapped in, and sent it to Number Seventy-Five.’
* * *
‘I have two targets for you and they will be easy,’ Patrick Yong told Number Seventy-Five, a young Chinese man in his early thirties.
The two men were walking slowly through the still crowded Harbour shopping area. ‘Your targets are an old gweilo couple called Eric and Elizabeth Elliott. They live in Plantation Court, a block of flats to the east of The Repulse Bay Hotel. They are to die within the next twenty-four hours. There is another gweilo with them. Her name is Gabrielle Brooks - in her late twenties I would say, slim and blonde - and she is not to be harmed under any circumstances. Any questions?’
Number Seventy-Five knew better than to ask questions.
* * *
‘Do you feel better for that?’ Leila asked as Adam walked in through the door.
He smiled at her. ‘The air was sweet and cool, just as I remember it after a storm.’
He had used the need for some fresh air as an excuse to test Leila. He wanted to give her the opportunity to get away from him. He appreciated his reasoning was not watertight because what she’d told him might have been part of a plan to carry out her orders to kill him. He was pleased she had not left, but he remained wary.
Leila crossed the room and put her arms round Adam’s neck. After kissing him she said: ‘I had a text message while you were out.’ She was relieved to have been on her own when she received the text message from Number Sixty-six. She had checked her phone often because she knew Number Sixty-six would be impatient.
The typhoon had introduced an unexpected delay.
‘Who from?’ Adam asked.
‘My controller,’ she told him. ‘I must go and meet him at seven fifteen.’
‘And if you don’t go?’
‘He will suspect.’
‘I’ll come with you as far as it’s safe to do so.’
‘No. We must not take any more risks than is necessary. You wait here. I’ll only be half an hour or so.’
‘You’re so sure?’
‘He won’t detect anything. I’ll tell him what we, I mean I have planned.’
‘He’ll go along with it?’
‘You ought to have been an assassin.’
‘It was my death I was planning.’
* * *
The intercontinental Hotel towered behind them.
The harbour lights danced in front of them, but she did not see them.
The Star ferries were once again plying their way across what was now a calm harbour. The junks and Walla Walla boats were going about their business. People were promenading along the waterfront. Everything in Kowloon was returning to normal.
His arm was round her shoulders as they strolled like two lovers enjoying the calm after the storm. Leila could feel his fingers digging into her skin below her shoulder. The pain was excruciating. She wanted to retaliate but knew that would be futile.
‘Why isn’t he dead?’ Number Sixty-six asked in a quiet, controlled voice.
‘The ... the opportunity has not yet arisen,’ Leila replied, screwing up her eyes.
‘You’ve had nearly four days.’
‘The ... the typhoon -’
‘Irrelevant.’
‘He … well, he -’
‘Are you still fucking him?’
There were a few seconds of silence.
‘You know that … that’s the way I … Why are you hurting me?’
In Denial Page 31
