Tying her dark hair high on her head, she pushes her earphones in to drown out the city and attempts a frown. People always say she seems approachable. In this case that’s a problem. The smile that’s currency all over the world is not good when you need to be quick, get home, get changed and get over to the Island.
Chapter 35
“How far is it?” Allissa asked as they pushed from the metro station and onto the wide pavement of Nathan Road. Despite the darkening evening the street still thronged with people.
“Nathan Mansions, 200 Nathan Road,” Leo said, looking from the map on his phone to the surrounding buildings. People jostled past as they spoke.
“This is 150, so just a bit up here. It’s not far.”
It seemed to Allissa that everything had moved very quickly since Leo had visited Jamie in the prison just ten days ago. Leo had only booked the hotel the day before they left. He’d said it was reasonable considering the location and timescale. Allissa didn’t expect much with that introduction, but as long as it had a bed, shower and toilet she’d make do.
As usual, Allissa had dealt with negotiating the money for the job. Leo always seemed to find the process difficult and embarrassing. That meant he would be more likely to settle on a low price just to get the negotiation over with. Allissa didn’t care, she was happy to demand whatever they thought was reasonable. If the client didn’t accept then that was their loss.
Because this job was going to require travel, she had demanded ten percent to be paid upfront to cover their costs. The rest would be transferred when they got evidence that led to Jamie’s release. Allissa had been comfortable making the demands as she’d seen Jamie’s bank accounts and knew he could afford it. His brother didn’t argue and transferred what they wanted straight away. The deposit was enough to pay basic expenses but wouldn’t put them in a five-star hotel. If they got the evidence though, they would be comfortable for a while. They may even be able to have some time off – if they wanted it.
Walking up the wide pavements, past gleaming displays of jewellery, designer handbags and shoes, Allissa felt slightly dazed by the scale of the city. Maybe it was the broken sleep on the long flight, the time difference or just the different air, but everything seemed loud, colourful and vibrant.
On the side of the building opposite a giant screen showed a video of a supermodel blowing kisses. Distracted by the lights, Allissa felt someone knock her shoulder.
“Sorry, I…” Allissa shouted after the girl. But the girl, with her face down, didn’t stop.
Muttering to herself, Allissa rushed to catch up with Leo, who had stopped ahead to look at his phone.
On the opposite side, dwarfed by structures of glass and chrome, stood a discoloured concrete building. The frontage looked green in the humid city and signs in the grimy windows advertised rooms for rent.
“Found it,” Leo said, grinning.
As long as it has a bed, toilet and a shower, Allissa thought again, forcing a smile.
The building looked even more decrepit as they crossed the road. Parts of it were covered in mould so thick it looked as though the concrete was bubbling. In places water dripped, discolouring the street where it landed. Signs around the entrance advertised a dozen or so hostels which occupied the building. None seemed to be in any logical order.
“Looks great,” Allissa said, stepping past a group of men who smoked and bickered by the door. Inside, Allissa realised the ground floor was used as a small shopping mall. Seeing Leo and Allissa pass, the men at the door stopped their chatter and followed them, shouting the prices of the goods at their stalls.
“You need suit – best suit in Hong Kong.”
“Dresses for the lady.”
“Shoes and belts, come look, come see, just look.”
Allissa waved the men away and followed the signs to the back of the mall where a small crowd gathered around the elevators. Two young Chinese men with greased hair and leather studded jackets joked. A European couple whispered to each other. A Chinese woman carried a basket of yellowed washing under one arm and in the other clasped the hands of two small children as though they were in imminent danger of running away. The children watched Leo and Allissa suspiciously with unblinking stares.
Allissa looked at the children and smiled, their eyes connected with hers. They straightened nervously and pushed themselves behind the wide protective body of their mother. Through the gap beneath her arm they continued to peer at Leo and Allissa.
Allissa waved and one of the children edged forward to get a better view. Then Allissa stuck her tongue out. A smile broke across the face of the larger child. Then Allissa screwed her face up and blew out her cheeks. The children erupted into high pitched laughter. Ignoring the children’s noise, their mother pulled them towards the opening doors of the elevator which had just arrived. As the doors started to slide closed, Allissa made the face again. Again, the children giggled, a giggle that faded as the elevator started its ascent.
Stepping into the next available elevator, Leo pressed the button for the 8th floor and they began to rattle upwards.
Allissa caught Leo’s eye with an expression in which she intended to say, what sort of dingy place is this? Clearly failing to understand, Leo beamed in reply.
The lift slowed to a stop. Then, with an age of incremental adjustments in height, the doors slid open.
Expecting a corridor that was as dark and decaying as the outside, Allissa was surprised when they stepped from the lift into daylight. Looking left and right she realised they were on a balcony which ran around an open space in the centre of the building. The gap was forty feet or so across and open to the deep blue sky above.
Stepping out onto the balcony, Allissa noticed women washing crockery or clothes in buckets, old men smoking and barefooted children chasing each other from the open door of one apartment to the next. Across the gap, colourful washing strung like bunting shimmered in the still air. Below, across a concrete wall at the edge of the balcony, Allissa saw the glass roof of the shopping mall and the balconies of the floors below. It was like a village hidden above the shopping centre in the middle of the city.
“This way,” Leo said, setting off along the balcony. At first, Allissa felt intrusive; people’s doors were open and inside they ate, cooked or snoozed. Passing four old men smiling through the yellow haze of their cigarette smoke, Allissa raised a hand in a wave of greeting and the men did the same.
In the small room used as a reception by their hotel, the receptionist took details, scanned passports, issued their key and sent them one floor up to another apartment which was part of the same hotel. Leo let them in then counted out the third door on the right. Unlocking the door, he pushed it open. The room was tiny. Just big enough for two single beds and a thin gap between them. Dropping her bag on one of the beds, Allissa headed straight for the bathroom.
“You have the first shower then,” Leo said, sitting on the other creaking bed. They’d made it to Hong Kong. Now all they had to do was track down someone who didn’t want to be found.
Chapter 36
Looking at herself in the office’s washroom mirror, Isobel realised how hard the last few days had been. Beneath her eyes dark patches had started to appear and her pale skin had begun to blotch. Rummaging in her handbag, she pulled out a small make-up bag, unzipped it and began to re-apply. Isobel knew there was be a lot to learn, a lot to work out, but she hadn’t realised it would be this much. Every night she stayed late in the office. Then, returning to her dingy hotel room, she continued working until long past midnight.
The problem was, Isobel couldn’t tell anyone how much she needed to learn. She knew if she did, if she asked the wrong thing, questions would be asked. And if that happened, the dream would be over.
She was getting used to her vision swimming with tiredness. The haze that fatigue brought. It would get easier, she told herself. It would get easier. It she could just finish this one project then…
Tonight, Isob
el was staying late for a different reason. Tonight she had a plan to guarantee her success. Although inexperienced at the job, Isobel wasn’t helpless. She’d gotten this far and had what it took to succeed.
Finalising her lipstick and looking at herself in the mirror, she smiled. It was a shallow smile, one that didn’t fool the woman who looked back at her. She’d wanted to get there through hard work alone but that was starting to feel impossible. There was just too much to learn.
Feeling her eyes prickle, Isobel’s smile dropped. She wanted to be a great architect because of her eye for design, her skill with structure and invention, her flair for creativity and beauty. But all she saw looking back at her was a body, a body with all the curves in the right places. A body that people, particularly men, saw before all else. She had cursed it many times, but now, watching herself in the mirror, she was going to put it to good use.
She could get there through hard work alone, but why not use the other tools at her disposal?
Packing her make up away, Isobel pulled a blister pack of caffeine tablets from the bag, popped out two and swallowed. Then she rubbed moisturiser onto her hands, sprayed perfume on her chest and pulled her face into a compliant smile. There’s always more than one route to success, she thought, pushing open the door and walking back into the open plan office.
The office was empty. The rest of the team had left hours ago.
Psyching herself up, Isobel sat back at her desk. Touching the mouse, the project sprung onto the screen.
She didn’t have to wait long.
“You’re working late,” came a sibilant voice from behind her.
Isobel smiled to herself before turning, acting startled.
“I’m sorry, did I scare you?” Yee said softly, approaching her desk.
“Yes, I, I, I didn’t realise there was anyone here,” Isobel said, acting flustered.
“That’s fine, it’s normal for people to work late,” Yee said, perching on the desk next to hers. “You’re not expected to, though. If the work is too much or you’re struggling, say something.”
“It’s, I’m, just trying to get my head around this project,” Isobel said. “There’s a lot to learn.”
“I bet. Starting at a new place must be difficult. Is there anything I can help you with?” Yee leaned towards the screen.
“I think I’ve made a mess of the figures here,” Isobel said, pointing. “Can’t quite work the…”
Yee leaned in further.
“Yes, I see what you’ve done.” Yee reached across and took the mouse. Isobel delayed moving her hand. Their skin brushed. Yee’s touch felt cold.
Yee flicked through a couple of menus, changed some settings and then returned to the design screen.
“There you go, you just had it in the wrong view, easy mistake.”
Isobel looked up towards him, her face reddening.
“I’m sorry,” she said, fanning her face with slender fingers. “It’s all just so much – I’m doing my best.”
“It’s fine, you’re doing great. There is so much to learn at a new place. You’re doing great, don’t worry about it.”
“It’s just…” Isobel felt a tear streak her newly applied make up.
“Tell you what,” Yee said. “Leave this now. It’s a new system to you. I’ll get one of the guys to give you a walk-through in the morning. Let’s have a drink. I have something a little stronger than coffee in my office.”
Isobel looked up at him, smiled weakly and nodded.
Chapter 37
Outside on the balconies people were readying themselves for the evening as the sky started to darken. The building quietened as running children were called in from their games and the washing was collected. As Leo and Allissa left their hotel room, the smell of sweet soy sauce and the sounds of Chinese bedtime stories carried from open doors in the still night air. There was a trust in the building that was unlike many of the cities the pair had visited before.
By the lifts, the old men continued to smoke. As Leo and Allissa approached they paused their conversation and smiled.
Leo wondered what it would feel like having new people always walking through your home like this. Would it be intrusive or intriguing? The residents here seemed used to it, as though the comings and goings of tourists was just part of their community. Just part of the life in the building.
Walking out onto Nathan Road, Leo was suddenly aware of the noises of the city. Traffic snarled on the wide road and the persistent hawkers continued to shout and jostle. The contrast to the peace of moments ago was startling.
“I love cities like this,” Allissa said as they pushed through the crowds.
Despite the coming darkness, people bustled past. Cocktail traffic, dinner and drinks. The nocturnal carnival of the city.
Leo didn’t share her excitement. There was too much mystery, too much unknown. Although Leo had been forced to face some of these fears in Kathmandu, he still found the people, the darkening streets and mysterious neon clad restaurants uncomfortable. Following Allissa, Leo reminded himself that they were here to do a job. They would get that done as quickly as possible and then go home.
Five minutes later, the pair walked into a dimly-lit bar. While Leo ordered two bottles of Tsingtau, Allissa found them a high table looking out into the street.
“Tomorrow then,” Leo said after a long sip of the beer. “We will get to the building early, get a picture of Isobel going in, then it’s job done. That’s all we need. Easy stuff.” He swigged again and saw Allissa smile.
“You don’t think we should tell them she’s a fraud?” Allissa said.
“Nope, we don’t need to get involved.”
“I’m not sure a picture is enough though. The court could argue that it’s someone who looks similar. What if she’s changed her appearance?”
“All we need is enough to get Jamie out. A picture should be enough.”
“It could be enough,” Allissa said, pausing as a motorbike thumped past the open front of the bar, filling the room with two-stroke fumes. “But I think we need to get a statement from the company too. We don’t get paid if we don’t get the proof that gets Jamie off remember. Do you really want to be coming back a second time?”
Leo tensed his face in thought. This was getting further involved; they needed to keep it as simple as possible.
“We need them to say, ‘Jamie Price started work here on this date and here’s a CCTV image,’ then it’s job done. No getting out of that.” Allissa said. She was right and Leo knew it.
“Sure, alright,” he conceded, thinking for a moment. “Let’s contact the director first thing in the morning, send him the article of Isobel in the newspaper so he can see what we’re dealing with.”
“Good idea. If he knows it’s part of a murder investigation, he’ll definitely pay attention.”
“Then we can get it over to Jamie’s lawyer tomorrow, and then we’re done. We go home and we get paid.” Leo said. Allissa took a thoughtful sip, a smile glinting in her eyes. Leo noticed it. He was learning that as much as he wanted them to, things rarely worked out like that. Life had a habit of interconnecting itself, twisting things around, muddling things up. If one thing changed, everything changed.
“If you say so,” Allissa said, “but peoples’ lives are complicated and once you get involved –”
“Nope,” Leo said. “This one’s simple. We get the confirmation, we get the photo, we send that off and then we’re done. We don’t even need to talk to Isobel – she can do what she likes.”
Leo watched as Allissa sunk a third of the bottle. Although the things she found exciting scared him, Leo knew that when it mattered, she would be there. They’d both learned that the hard way.
“Have you learned from your mistakes with me then? About getting involved?” Allissa asked as though reading his mind.
“Yeah, live and learn,” Leo said, a wry smile forming. “I suppose you’re my greatest success.” Finishing his beer, Leo began t
o blush. “Professionally. My greatest professional success,” he added.
Chapter 38
Two minutes later, Isobel let their hands brush past each other again as Yee handed her a glass.
“It’s a good one this, single malt. Contractors donate it by the container load,” Yee said, pouring himself one.
Yee’s office was in near-darkness, low side lights illuminated the furniture.
“What do you normally drink?” he asked, lifting his own.
Isobel thought back to nights out at home; it all seemed like such a long time ago.
“Wine or cocktails,” she said softly.
Through the window, the skyline of Hong Kong Island throbbed. Although most of the buildings were in darkness, the lights of the cars below reflected into a myriad of sparkles across their glass and chrome.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Yee said, noticing Isobel looking through the window. “First thing in the morning is my favourite time, before sunrise. But evening is great too.”
“Yes, it’s very beautiful. I can see why you have your office here.”
Yee turned and smiled. They were both leaning against his desk now.
“It must be hard moving to a new city,” he said. “I moved here when I was eighteen, to start this firm.”
“You’ve done well with it,” Isobel moved her glass to indicate the office.
“Thanks, it’s been a passion.”
Isobel slid to the left. Their shoulders were almost touching now. Light from the traffic moving in swathes down the boulevards below danced across the ceiling. Behind them, a cruise ship begun to slide across the gap in the towers. Its celebratory lights skipped across the water.
Hong Kong Page 8
