Myra laughed. “Actually, it was Annie’s idea, and it is such a good idea, I immediately agreed. We want to have a party at the farm for all the people we’ve helped these past years. To see how they’re doing, to see if they need our special brand of help. Basically, to show them all we’re still here should they ever require our services in the future.”
“That’s a great idea, Annie. Count me in,” Jack said enthusiastically. “Are you sure you can fit everyone at the farm? It’s a very long list.”
“It may be a little crowded, but I don’t think anyone will mind. I’m going to bring it up after breakfast to see if everyone approves. If so, then Annie and I will get on it when we get back to the farm,” Myra said, glee ringing in her voice.
Further conversation came to a halt when the hostess appeared with the food trays.
Cooper bounded down the aisle and took up his position next to Jack as he waited for his plate. Jack leaned toward the dog just long enough for a thought to work its way through his head. “I think the dog wants six slices of bacon, three sausage links, and one scrambled egg.”
The hostess blinked. “The food came already prepared. I don’t think anyone requested that kind of meal.”
“Maybe you should check again,” Jack said. Cooper barked to show he was in agreement with Jack’s suggestion.
The hostess served the plates from the cart, then scurried back to the galley to return, carrying a dish with a cover on top. Even from where he was sitting, Jack could read the note on the cover: SPECIAL FOOD. He didn’t need to lift the cover to know the plate held six slices of bacon, three sausage links, and one scrambled egg. He looked down at Cooper and grinned. The dog barked twice, sharp and shrill.
“I don’t want to know how that happened, do you, Annie?”
“I absolutely do not. Eat your eggs, Myra.” Annie giggled.
Myra dug into her eggs Benedict with gusto.
How the hell does he do that? Jack wondered as he watched Cooper devour his breakfast. Realizing he wasn’t going to get an answer, he attacked his breakfast like a starving man.
An hour later, when all the breakfast trays had been gathered, the group settled down to review the materials they’d carried with them. One eye on the written pages and the other on Harry, Jack did his best to absorb what he was reading. He’d always wanted to visit Hong Kong with Nikki but not under the current circumstances. He wondered after this mission if he would still feel that way. Probably not, he decided.
Satisfied that Harry was dozing or pretending to, Jack forced himself to concentrate on the papers in front of him. They would be staying at the Peninsula Hotel, the flagship property of the Peninsula Hotels group. It was known for its fleet of Rolls-Royces painted the distinctive Peninsula green. He wondered what it would be like to ride in one.
Visitors were encouraged to have high tea at four in the afternoon. Because . . . he read on, Prince Charles always made a point of having high tea there when he visited. Jack knew that Charles would be over the moon at the thought.
The hotel had a helipad. Great in case they needed a quick getaway. He hoped Charles knew about it. He hoped they had time to dine in one of the famous restaurants. Even though he’d just finished his breakfast, he drooled at the thought of dining at Gaddi’s or Felix. Maybe lunch at Spring Moon or Imasa because they specialized in Cantonese, Japanese, and Swiss cuisine. He did love good food.
He knew that the girls would be thrilled with the oldest arcade in Hong Kong, which housed the shops of Chanel, Dior, Hermès, Gucci, Prada, Shiatzy Chen, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier.
Jack set his folder aside and closed his eyes. He hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in over a week. A little nap might be just the thing. His eyes snapped open to take one last look around the cabin. Everyone was doing their thing. Cooper was sleeping peacefully at his feet. He sighed, closed his eyes, and was asleep within minutes, his dreams invaded by a little girl with big dark eyes and shining black hair. “We’re coming, Lily, we’re coming,” he mumbled in his sleep. The only one who heard his mumblings was Cooper, who cracked one eye, then closed it
The path Yuke Lok and Lily were following spread out to make for easier walking. It was cold, and both young girls were shivering despite their quilted outerwear. “I know you’re tired, Lily—so am I—but it is not much farther. I can see smoke straight ahead. That means the little temple where I will be leaving you is near. Can you make it, little one, or do you want me to carry you?”
“I am not a baby, Yuke Lok, I can walk.” Always truthful, the little girl added, “But I am getting tired. And hungry.”
“There will be food at the temple and a nice warm bed. And, best of all, a nice hot bath.”
“Will whoever is there tell us why I have to stay there? I want to know.”
“I don’t know, Lily. I hope so. Look, Lily, there it is! We have arrived safely,” Yuke Lok said, relief ringing in her voice. “They are coming to greet us.” She pointed to four monks swaddled in bright yellow robes who were advancing, their arms outstretched.
“Welcome! Welcome, my children,” a giant said, scooping Lily up in his arms. She laughed.
“Come, come, we have food for you and a warm bed. We can talk later. Now it is a time to relax from your journey.”
Yuke Lok fell into line. She looked up at the giant carrying Lily and boldly asked in English, “Then, when we talk, will you tell us why we are here and what is going on in this child’s life that she is to be kept safe?”
“We will converse when it is time,” the giant said in Mandarin Chinese.
Yuke Lok’s facial features hardened. “Brother Hung said we were to speak English only. Lily’s Chinese is not as fluent as ours is. Do you not speak English, Brother?”
“I do, of course. We all speak English. We will, of course, obey Brother Hung’s orders.
“It is only natural that I speak my native language. My apologies. We must hurry, the temperature is dropping, and it will snow this night. Not much, but it will turn very, very cold here where we are situated.”
Both girls almost swooned when the parade of brothers led them through a heavy wooden door, down a long hallway, and into a toasty kitchen full of fragrant scents. A long table with benches took up the center of the floor. The room sparkled with cleanliness.
The girls were shown into a small bathroom, where they could wash the weariness away and brush their teeth.
“That felt good, didn’t it, Yuke Lok? I was starting to itch. I can’t wait to take a nice warm bath. Did you ever take a bubble bath?”
“No. What is a bubble bath?” Lily explained. Yuke Lok giggled. Lily went on to describe that one time she had dumped the entire bottle of Mr. Bubble into the tub and the bubbles filled up the room, and she couldn’t see Cooper. Yuke Lok giggled again. She loved hearing her little sister tell her tales of her other life in America.
“Come, I am starving. Did you smell the fresh bread? I hope they have jam. I wish for something sweet. Do you?” Lily nodded. She went on to explain about Hershey’s Kisses. Both girls were still giggling when they sat down on one of the benches and waited to be served. But first there was a prayer of thanks for their safe arrival, then a prayer of thanks for the food they were about to eat. Then there was another prayer of thanks for the hot bath that awaited them. Under her breath, Lily prayed for an end of the prayers so she could eat.
Mindful of her manners, Lily tried not to gobble her food, but gobble she did, to the amusement of the monks standing by. When her bowl of stew was finished, she sighed, then smiled when she saw a wedge of pie with clotted cream placed in front of her. “Brother Sune made this pie from apples in our orchard. It is very good,” the giant, Brother Lok, said.
Lily took a bite and closed her eyes. “You are right, Brother Lok, this pie is splendiferous.”
“I do not know that word.”
“It just means ‘very good.’ We use that word sometimes in America to say something is very special. Do you want me to s
pell it for you?”
“Later, little one. Finish up so you can bathe and go to sleep. We will speak again in the morning, and at that time you can give me a spelling lesson.”
“That sounds like a good plan. I am finished, Brother Lok. Can we save the rest of this splendiferous pie for when I wake up?”
“But of course,” Brother Lok replied, smiling with pleasure at the little girl’s obvious delight.
The bathroom was warm and scented with incense, a pleasant smell. Fresh clothing, many sizes too big, rested on a small stool. Yuke Lok stood watch while Lily bathed, because she was afraid the little girl would nod off in the water. When she finally had her tucked into the bed, she bent over to kiss the top of her head. “Go to sleep now, Lily. You had a very busy few days.”
“I have to say good night to Cooper. We talk every night. I need him to know that I am all right. He worries about me.”
Yuke Lok watched, fascinated as Lily stared off into space, oblivious to everything around her. Finally, she focused again on her surroundings, smiled, and snuggled deeper into the covers.
“What . . . what . . . did you talk about to Cooper, Lily?”
“He told me he’s on the way with my family. They are coming to get me. He said he knows the way. He told me not to worry. I love Cooper,” she said sleepily.
Yuke Lok stared at the little girl for a long time, wondering if what she was saying was true or just a fantasy on Lily’s part. In the end, she decided it was easier to believe than disbelieve. She hoped to meet Cooper someday. The thought brought a smile to her face as she filled the tub a second time.
As she lowered herself into the steaming water, she couldn’t help but wonder what life had in store for Lily and her.
Surely it would be something wonderful.
Chapter 9
The moment that Annie’s pilot’s voice came over the intercom, announcing they were starting their descent to Hong Kong International Airport, the occupants became busier than beavers as they prepared for their landing.
Maggie took center stage as she started to bellow what would happen the minute they set foot on Chinese soil. “You follow my and Ted’s lead in all things. We are, as you know, Crescent China Tours tour guides. Remember that there will be eyes and ears everywhere. Also remember that the Chinese do not like Americans. They tolerate us. Never forget that. The one thing we have going for us is all the demonstrations going on with the students. The authorities are going to be concentrating on that and not so much on new arrivals from America. Still, two private planes with American travelers will not go unnoticed. Stay alert. Any questions?”
No one had a question, not even Dennis West, who was Mr. Question himself when it came to a mission.
Maggie looked around and marveled as she always did at what Alexis had done with her red magic bag of tricks. Annie now looked like an aging Shirley Temple. Snowden had warned that even the Chinese knew who Countess Anna de Silva was. As far as Maggie was concerned no one, not even Fergus, would have recognized his ladylove had he met her on the street. Her new passport said her name was Alice Sylvester, a retired schoolteacher from Fargo, North Dakota. Myra, just as recognizable, according to Snowden, now looked like a watered-down version of Cher. The name on her passport said she was Elsa Miller, a librarian from New York.
Harry was the biggest challenge, Snowden warned. Alexis had stewed and fretted until she came up with what she thought was the perfect disguise. Latex to fill out his cheeks, a little filler to his lips, and a fat pigtail secured with a special hair glue along with a second hairpiece of unruly curls that sat smack on the middle of his head. Huge window-glass eyeglasses completed his facial features. A little spare padding around his middle took away his lanky, sinewy frame. His passport said his name was Chi Chung, the owner of six Oriental markets that sold all things Chinese from clothing to food in Omaha, Nebraska.
Yoko was now an awkward twelve-year-old student dressed in a plaid skirt, matching blazer, white knee socks, and lace-tied shoes. She sported a Buster Brown haircut, full bangs, and a short bob. Artificial braces adorned her teeth. Wire-rim glasses perched on her nose. Her passport said her name was Lee Ann Sylvester, the granddaughter of Alice Sylvester, a.k.a. Annie.
The others, including herself and Ted, had only minimal alterations to their appearance. As Snowden put it, just enough that you couldn’t be sure who was who.
“We’re good to go, people,” Alexis said as she packed up her red bag of magic tricks and stowed it in a cavity at the back of the plane.
Charles stepped forward to open the overhead bin to remove his duffel bag and Myra’s. Everyone had one duffel bag, and that was it. All were red and gold, China’s favorite colors, emblazoned with CRESCENT CHINA TOURS on both sides. The name tags also bore the name of Crescent China Tours.
The attire they would be wearing when they disembarked was khaki slacks and lightweight matching Windbreakers, again with the name Crescent China Tours spread across the backs of each jacket. Baseball caps for the men with the same logo on the brim, and floppy fishing caps for the ladies also, as Maggie said, logoed out the kazoo.
The red light overhead turned on. The hostess’s voice could be heard ordering all passengers to take their seats and buckle up. Everyone obeyed immediately.
In just minutes, they would be standing on Chinese soil.
Jack looked around. Everyone seemed calm, even he and Cooper. Harry, however, looked to Jack like a ticking time bomb. And as far as he could tell, there was no way to defuse Harry. He childishly crossed his fingers and hoped for the best. Harry was not stupid—he knew what was at stake. Mentally, Jack ordered Harry to take deep breaths and relax. Much to his surprise, he saw his best friend in the whole world do just that. And then he winked at Jack. Son of a bitch! Harry did have it going on. Cooper barked to show he got it, too.
Jack leaned back in the luxurious seat and closed his eyes. He didn’t open them again until he felt the wheels of the Gulfstream hit the runway. He steeled himself for the pullback, then let loose with a long sigh. On land again. Jack really did hate flying.
As planned, the moment the cabin door opened, Maggie and Ted were the first two people off the plane. They skipped down the steps, duffels on their shoulders, and took up their positions at the base of the steps. When everyone was gathered in a circle, Maggie, with Ted’s help, went into her spiel. “All right, people, we are here! Here meaning Hong Kong, China. Also known as the Pearl of the Orient. We have some time before our host hotel’s, the Peninsula’s, fleet of Rolls-Royces arrives to take us there, where we will spend the next two days. I’m told the vehicles are Peninsula green. Keep your eyes peeled for them.
“Does everyone have their gear? Are you sure you didn’t leave anything on the planes? Raise your hand if you’re good to go.” Every hand shot in the air, even Snowden and his people, who had somehow arrived ten minutes before the rest of them did.
“All right, then, a short lesson on Hong Kong, but first, see the hats my partner and I are wearing? Notice the huge plumed feather. That’s so you can spot us easily as we make our way around. If you lag behind or get lost, just look for the feather. Raise your hand if you understand,” Maggie said in what she hoped was tour-guide dialogue. Hands shot in the air. The feather, they got it.
“Is this a warm cookie moment?” Isabelle grinned.
“Not yet,” Ted snapped.
“Some facts, people. Pay attention. For starters, Hong Kong is located on China’s south coast. It is a mere thirty-seven miles from Macau, which we will be visiting while we’re here. As you know, Macau is the gambling Mecca of the Orient. You might possibly win, but the odds are you will lose, so gamble accordingly. Do not lose more than you can afford to lose. Please. Crescent China Tours wants you to have enough left after this trip to come again.
“While we’re here, we’ll be visiting, if time permits, the Kowloon Peninsula and New Territories, with over two hundred offshore islands, the largest being Lantau Island. But
only if time permits.
“Another fact is that Hong Kong averages 1,948 hours of sunshine per year. That’s if you can see it with all the smog. The air in Hong Kong is very polluted. We’ve issued paper-filtered masks to you, and I urge you all to use them. I can guarantee that you will not like the diesel-scented air.”
Maggie looked around to see if the Peninsula Rolls-Royces were anywhere near, so she could cut short her spiel, which was boring everyone to tears.
Ted decided to take over. “For those of you who don’t know this, Hong Kong has the seventh largest stock exchange in the world, with a capitalization of US $2.3 trillion. That was back in 2009, so we can assume it is much more by now.
“Hong Kong is the eighth most expensive city for expatriates. Hong Kong is also rated fourth in terms of the highest percentage of millionaire households, behind Switzerland, Qatar, and Singapore, with 8.5 percent of all households owning at least one million US dollars.”
“Like we really care about this,” Kathryn grumbled. “Someone should be paying attention to those four guys over by the gate. They haven’t taken their eyes off us since we got off the plane.”
“Thank God, here come our rides!” Nikki shouted.
Maggie blew her whistle for silence. “Orderly fashion, everyone, and yes, I have been watching those four guys myself. Pile in. We need to go through customs. And then we’re on our own. Don’t look obvious, people. Some pictures of our observers would be nice if someone can manage that little feat without drawing attention to ourselves. If successful, we can upload them and send them on to Abner to check out for us.”
Dennis was happily snapping away, his phone pointing everywhere but at the four men standing at the gate. In his haste, he pretended to stumble, giving him just enough time to aim and click before righting himself. “Done and so done,” he chortled as he quickly pressed more buttons. “Abner will have it in five seconds.”
“Good work, kid,” Ted said.
Finally, the tour group was settled in the luxurious limousines and headed to customs, where they were whizzed in and out in under thirty minutes.
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