King Pirate
Page 10
Tsung got inside Kelley’s guard. Wracked a stick across Kelley’s left bicep. Brought the other one smacking against Kelley’s steel abs. Kelley flexed his six pack at the last moment. Absorbing the blunt force trauma away from his organs. It still hurt like a bitch. A lesser man would’ve been floored.
But he was Ryan-fucking-Kelley. He fell to one knee, whooping for air. Tsung brought up his sticks for a double-hand smash on Kelley’s head.
He never made it. Kelley thrust a stick into Tsung’s exposed solar plexus. Tsung staggered. Kelley pounced on him with a punishing combination of strikes. They came from every direction. There was no defense. Kelley beat the living shit out of the guy.
Tsung fell backwards. Kelley was in the grip of a berserker rage. He flew at his opponent. Bloody sticks poised to smash the life out of Tsung. Gangsters leapt from their seats. Six of them getting arms around Kelley, pulling him back. As fast as the rage had come, it vanished. Kelley shook the men off. Feeling an intense shame in his lack of control. Yet again.
A doctor came out of the crowd. He was likely into the gangsters for a debt, working it off by making sure the fighters in these illegal bouts didn’t die. The doctor checked out Tsung. Gave the signal: he’ll live.
The gong sounded for the last time. Kelley won the fight. Handfuls of crumpled ringgit changed hands.
Kelley helped Tsung to his feet. The Asian man spat out blood. Took his dentures out of his pocket. Put them back into his mouth. Sat down, accepted a water bottle from a kid. For a long time just caught his breath. Recovering.
In a California drawl, Tsung said, “Jesus, Kelley. You gotta get a handle on yourself.”
“Sorry, man. I really am. I get caught up in it sometimes.”
Tsung examined Kelley. Dropped a hand on his shoulder, accepting the apology.
Kelley said, “Why’d you keep fighting? The sticks, I mean?”
Tsung shrugged. Swished water in his mouth, spat it out bloody. “Pushing my limits. Seeing what I could take.”
Kelley understood that.
Tsung said, “Haven’t seen you around in a bit.”
“I’ve been into some interesting business,” Kelley replied. Was about to go on when one of the gangsters approached. Handed them both a take of the money. The gangster said to Kelley in Malay, “You’ll get double that if you stay around for the next fight. Python Marco, from the Philippians. It would be a great match.”
Kelley waved him off. “I have to talk to my friend. Maybe another night.” Turned back to Tsung. “Let’s walk.”
They did. Out of earshot from the gangsters, Kelley said, “I’m putting together a crew.”
“You got your own ship.” Impressed.
“The deal’s pulling together right now.”
“What’re you gonna haul?”
“Nothing like that.”
“You’re not draggin’ freight, so what? It’s like a charter boat or something?”
Kelley stopped walking. Looked into Tsung’s eyes. Measuring him, man-to-man. “I can trust you.” A flat statement, not a question. Tsung nodded anyway.
Kelley said, “The ship’ll be flying the jolly roger.”
Tsung did a double-take. “Pirates?”
“Nope. Privateers.”
“What’s the difference?”
“Good and evil, right and wrong. I’m getting private financing to take on the pirates outside the boundary of the law.”
Tsung didn’t say anything.
“Make no mistake, this’ll be red work. We’ll be killers and thieves, one step ahead of the law. Taking on the worst the Malacca Strait has to offer.”
“Why’re you telling me this?”
“You know why.”
Tsung looked away. “I’m not sure what the biology degree I got from UCLA has to do with being a pirate.”
“What’s it got to do with brawling in a fucking warehouse? It’s been years since you came back here. Are you any closer to wearing a lab coat? No. You don’t have the money or the grades to compete in the Asian scientific community. So, instead of trying harder, you’re sinking lower.”
“What they fuck, Kelley? I don’t see you for months, you show up and beat my ass and then you lay this goddamn trip on me. See you around.”
Kelley got a hand on his arm before Tsung got far. “They killed Brody.”
“Who did?”
“The guys I’m going after,” Kelley said. He took a deep breath, knowing this next part would be the only thing that would ultimately scare off a hard case like Tsung. “King Pirate’s men. I’m taking him down.”
Tsung laughed. “You’re insane.”
“I’m asking you to be my first mate.”
Tsung stared at him for a long time.
“Why me?”
Kelley pulled out an envelope. Handed it over. Tsung opened it. Flipped a thumb across the ringgit inside. It was a thick stack. The envelope crinkled in his hands.
“Tsung, you can’t keep doing what you’re doing. This direction you’re heading, I don’t know. In five years you’ll be throwing fights for the gangs just to stay off the street. That envelope is just a taste. With the money we pull down, you’ll be able to do anything you want. Open a restaurant, go back to America, go back to school, buy a house, whatever you fucking desire.”
“You didn’t answer the question. Why me?”
“I already told you. I trust you. I need a guy to watch my back.”
Tsung counted the money in the envelope. He said, “Did Dao Jia put you up to this?”
“No. She didn’t have to.”
Tsung blew air. Thinking hard. Wondering if he was insane for even considering. “How many men’ll you need?”
“Thirty. Including us.”
“You got a plan?”
“Of course.”
“Will it work?”
“Maybe. Or maybe we’ll get killed. Won’t know until we find out in the real world.”
Tsung weighed the money in his hand. Eyes drifting between Kelley and the warehouse. At last, Tsung handled the envelope back to Kelley. He turned and walked into the warehouse.
Kelley watched him go. He wouldn’t try to stop Tsung. He needed men who were committed. He couldn’t talk anyone into following him down this deadly road. Kelley was disappointed, but he understood. He started walking away.
And that’s when he heard from inside the warehouse, Tsung shouting to the crowd in Malay: “I’m looking for a crew of tough mother fuckers who like money and blood!”
Kelley smiled. He had a first mate.
…
The next morning. Kelley stood across the street from the IPC building. He sipped hot tea from a Styrofoam cup. Trying to wake himself up with caffeine.
The previous night had been late, and busy. Between Tsung, Dao Jia and Kelley’s own network of friends and connections, the crew was swiftly coming together. Kelley was trying to keep it on the DL as much as possible. But he knew word would get out. Men of the sea talked, especially in bars. Kelley traveled in both worlds. Add in the criminal element, and Kelley might as well have put an ad on Craigslist. It didn’t matter. Kelley wanted King Pirate to know what was coming for him. But it made every moment tense. King Pirate had sent killers once. When he heard of Kelley’s plans, it was a certainly that more assassins were in his future. Fuck ‘em, let them come.
Kelley spotted Anastasia on the other side of the street. She stuck out, tall and strong. Her stride determined, even when she was just heading into work. She didn’t see Kelley. He wistfully watched her from afar. She made it to the doors. Kelley thought for a second he saw Min the guard hold it open for her.
She disappeared inside. Gone, again.
…
Later that day. Kelley leaned on the bar. “You gonna throw beer at whalers and thugs the rest of your life?”
Dao Jia laughed at him. “Safer than being a fucking pirate, Kelley! What are you thinking?”
“Safe? I’ve seen the fights in this place. Yo
u can handle yourself now. But what about when you’re older and slower? One day, the knife will find your back. And it’ll be over something stupid. You’ll die over a bar tab.”
“At least I’ll have a chance of growing old. You’re an idiot for even thinking about this. I never took you for a pirate, Kelley. I thought you were kidding the other day. I thought you were a good man.”
“Not a pirate, a privateer.”
“What’s the difference?”
Kelley felt frustration grow. “You’re dead inside, already. I can see it. I’m giving you a chance to come out to sea and just… fucking… live! Prove that you’re alive while you’re still young!”
“You’re a real asshole.”
“I know, but I’m not throwing away one more second of my life on meaningless bullshit. Bartending? C’mon. You’re made of steel, inside and out. Let’s give you something to do with it besides slap the hands that grab your ass every night. You know me. It’ll be dangerous, and I won’t talk you into it if you don’t want to go. Just think about it, all right?”
Dao Jia was already thinking about it. She pretended to restock the beer.
She said: “I won’t go with you. But I know some guys who might be good for your crew. Guys who come in here. I keep my eyes and ears open. They’re the right kind of men, not scared of anything.”
“Can I trust ‘em?”
“More than most. You want me to give them your number?”
“Yeah. Make sure you mention the money. By the time we’re done, everybody will be able to retire.”
Dao Jia refilled his glass. “I know you. I never took you as a greedy man. What’s this really about?”
“It’s about taking down King Pirate. Fighting fire with fire. Making the seas safe again. And if I have to go outside the law to do it, so what? It’s gonna happen, and I don’t care if I die trying.”
Dao Jia reached over and put a finger under Kelley’s chin. “Are you telling the truth? It’s only about King Pirate?”
“Yes,” Kelley lied.
“Then I’m in.”
Kelley caught her wrist. Eyes locked on each other. “Why?”
“King Pirate killed my husband and baby,” she told him. “His crews stole them off a ship. I couldn’t afford the ransom. He sent me pictures of what they did. I want him dead.”
“You’re not the only one,” Kelley said. “Welcome aboard.”
Kelley knocked back the Scotch. “By the way, Tsung’s the first mate. Hope you don’t mind.”
Dao Jia blinked. “When were you going to tell me you’ve gotten my brother involved in this business?”
“When we came back alive.”
“And if you didn’t?” Getting mad.
“We will,” Kelley hoped out loud.
…
Kelley was back in the bar where all this bullshit started in the first place.
“Gar, I’m crewing up a ship.”
The Australian nodded, knew what Kelley meant. It was a common question. Sure, there were staffing services for ships. But when a man like Kelley came into the kind of bar where Gar worked, it was because he needed qualities that you couldn’t list with a service. Qualities like criminal background. Amorality. Experience with firearms and violence.
“How many you need?”
“Thirty total. Got about half so far.”
“I know five brothers’ll do the trick, mate. An’ they’re lookin’ for a situation.”
“Perfect. Give ‘em my number.”
Kelley paid for his drinks and headed for the door.
Gar said, “This ‘ave anything to do with that envelope you got last time you were in here?”
“This had everything to do with it. And a woman.”
“Bless ya, lad.”
…
The Yurei sat at her moorings.
Kelley owned it. He’d finished the paper work the day before. The Yurei was a solid enough ship. But the family owning it had fallen on financial hard times. They needed to unload it. Kelley stepped in. He offered a fair price. He negotiated only so much as he knew was necessary not to arouse suspicion. The family was happy to see the Yurei go. It was a win-win situation.
And now Kelley owned a freighter. For the first time since coming out to Asia, he was a ship’s captain. For the first time in his life, he held a position of respect and power. If only he weren’t a pirate, he might almost be able to call his parents.
Tsung was arranging the speed boats. Kelley didn’t want anyone at the port to see the boats with the Yurei. It wouldn’t take much to put two and two together. He didn’t want to have to make excuses to the law too quickly.
Kelley stood on the deck. He’d already gone through the due diligence of checking all of its systems. The ship was solid and seaworthy. It also had the advantage of extra, smaller cargo areas in the holds. Perfect for hiding weapons.
All there remained to do was to assemble the crew and be underway. But no, not quite yet. He ran a hand across the steel railing. Taking in the ship. Getting used to the idea. Feeling it, reaching out with his spirit and bringing it in contact with the ship. He entered the no-mind state. Letting the void calm him, extending his senses to the ship, the sea and the world beyond. Fitting this new situation into his grander destiny.
The human mind needs time to fully assimilate itself to new things. Few people had the wisdom to stop before doing, to dwell for a time on each new step in their lives. The mind still needed to go through the steps, but it usually found itself playing catch-up. Not letting the mind and spirit take a breath before walking through the door to the next stage was an easy way to make unnecessary mistakes. On the other hand, the human spirit needs constant new experience. Otherwise, it falls into a rut and stagnates. The spirit lessens, the mind is not present in actions. Time flies past, wasted. Years vanish in the flash. The key is to find a balance. Constantly grow and find new experiences, but taking the time to fully enter each new stage as the spirit moves forward.
Kelley was a man of immediate action, frequently to his sorrow. He maintained the no-mind as his grip on the civilized part of himself. Finding the peace between man and beast that resides in all human souls was the struggle of his daily life.
Kelley looked out to the sea. Contemplating the currents, and the coming storm. He had one more thing to do before they left.
…
Kelley surprised Anastasia before she could get into the cab. He said, “I’m leaving Kuala Lumpur.”
“Good.”
Anastasia angled for the cab’s door. Kelley grabbed her arm. “Stop. Talk to me. I know about Cuchulain.”
She hesitated. Kelley had seconds to find the right thing to say before she disappeared forever. “I can’t spend my life not knowing what could have been between us. Please, for me. For you. Just a few minutes.”
He had her. Anastasia apologized to the cab driver. He sped off. She glanced down. “You have your ruck sack.”
Kelley hefted it from the ground. “Everything I own.”
“I know, you told me. What’s it doing here?”
“I checked out of the Yin-Yang. Hated it, anyway. Too many spiders.”
They walked.
“Where are you going?”
“Back out to sea.”
Anastasia was quiet for a long moment.
“Let’s get a drink.”
“I don’t think they like me at the Ocean.”
“I wasn’t talking about a bar.”
…
She closed the door behind him and flicked on the light. It was a swank apartment twelve blocks from IPC.
“This new?”
“It’s perfect, close to work. I can clear the rent.”
“What about the boyfriend?” Kelley asked. “I’m sure he could find you here.”
“I’ve come to an understanding with the man I used to live with,” Anastasia said. “Of course, he can find me. But that’s no longer a concern.”
“Everything settled down?”
“I don’t want to talk about him anymore.”
Fine with Kelley. He was in the habit of letting people live their lives. Besides, he had other things on his mind besides Anastasia’s ex-chump.
She was wearing a black, knee-length skirt. Black leather boots. A silk top, in a color Kelley guessed was close to silver. It perfectly accentuated her curves.
Anastasia moved toward the kitchen, pulling off her earrings. “Is wine too tame for you?”
“I like wine.”
She paused near a small table. Ostensibly to put down her earrings. But it was really so she could surreptitiously look him over. Her eyes dropped, thoughtful. Kelley pretended not to notice. He checked out the apartment. It was apparent she’d just moved in. The furnishings were sparse, if tasteful. Among her other traits, Anastasia had an eye for style and fashion. The only incongruous element was a punching bag in the corner, hanging from a ceiling chain. Some people might find it a mar on the setting. Kelley thought it made the place perfect. The bag was worn, covered with duct tape to patch the tears. This was obviously a bag earning its hazardous duty bonus.
She returned with two glasses and an open bottle of red. “It’s a shiraz from a vineyard in New South Wales. My favorite.”
“Don’t break out the good stuff on my account.”
“I have a case. It’s a weakness.”
They stared at each other without saying anything.
“What do you know about Cuchulain?” she finally asked him.
“About as much as anybody, which is hardly anything,” Kelley said. “He told me you owe him a debt. That he ordered you to push me away. Is that true?”
Anastasia had taken a seat. She stood up again, pacing. Drinking. Didn’t answer.
Kelley said, “I won’t pry. If you owe the man a debt, that’s between you.”
“Thank you. But if there’s anything you want to know, all you have to do is ask. You gave me a place to stay when I needed it, and I repaid you with cruelty. I suppose I owe you a debt, as well.”
Kelley smirked. “You seem like someone who’s so used to dragging around guilt that you don’t mind a bit more.”
“What would you know of guilt?”