Hong Kong

by Luke Richardson

  “I’ll go,” Isobel interrupted suddenly, as though regaining control. “I’ll go now. You won’t see me again.”

  “No,” Yee said, a hand crashing to the table, stopping Isobel in mid-turn. “We need to talk. You see, I wonder if there is anyone who actually knows you’re here?”

  “I didn’t mean to deceive you,” Isobel said, backing away. “I’m sorry if that’s upset you. You won’t see me again,” she repeated, taking another step.

  No, Yee thought. She was not in control now, he was.

  “You know you are committing fraud,” Yee said, louder as Isobel took a step towards the door. “That’s a major crime here in Hong Kong.”

  “I have nothing to say,” Isobel said dismissively, turning away from Yee to face the door. “I’ll collect my things and go now.”

  “Do you know,” Yee said, noticing Isobel’s hand on the door handle, “what the prisons are like here?”

  She paused.

  “Well I won’t give you too much detail, but they’ll make the prison your friend is in seem like luxury. And for what you’ve done, you could end up spending quite a long time in one.”

  Isobel turned. Her flushed skin shone under the bright lights.

  “I’m just suggesting we have a conversation, that’s all,” Yee said sweetly, taking a sip of the diminishing whiskey. “I’m sure we can sort this out like adults.”

  “No,” Isobel said after a pause. Then she turned, pulled open the door and stepped into the wide arms and barrel-shaped chest of Jiao.

  Chapter 46

  “I bet he’s shitting it now,” Allissa said looking at the picture of Yee she had saved.

  “He looked at this girl?” Leo said. “So what? We don’t know anything.”

  “Yeah but it’s more than that, I’ve seen this look before.” Allissa pointed at the phone. “I bet you something has happened. He’s the sort of guy who gets what he wants. Is he married?”

  Leo reluctantly read Yee’s biography from his phone.

  “Married and lives with his wife and two daughters in the Hong Kong Mid-Levels area.”

  Allissa exhaled slowly.

  “He owns OZ Architecture and a number of restaurants and apartments in Hong Kong,” Leo read. “He has a number of awards including one for the design of The Address, a residential tower in the mid-levels area which was opened to much acclaim last year. Yee is the patron of two charities and was crowned Hong Kong’s businessman of the year three years ago. And ultimately,” Leo continued closing the website, “it’s nothing to do with us. We’ve found Isobel, we’ve done our job. It’s time to have a beer and then go home.”

  Leo lay his phone face down on the desk and sat back in the booth.

  “You’ve got to be joking,” Allissa said, tilting her head forward. “We’re involved now.”

  “No, we’ve done our job. This is their mess, we’re not being paid to sort it out.”

  “Yes, but Isobel could be in danger, or if something has gone on, Yee could be in danger. Either one of them could blackmail the other. We need to see this through.”

  “No, that’s all their doing. If Yee has done something, then that’s up to him. As for Isobel she’s been stupid and now has to live with the consequences. If either of them wants to hire us they can. But at the moment,” Leo paused for a sip of his beer, “we are done.”

  “Yes, but there’s so much more here,” Allissa said. “Don’t you want to know –”

  “No,” Leo snapped. “We can’t get involved in everyone else’s issues. What Yee and Isobel may or may not have done is their problem. Not ours. They don’t need us messing around when we have paying customers wanting our help. And my sister being in a –” Leo stopped, realising he had raised his voice louder than he intended. “Look,” he said softly, “it’s their issue, not ours, we’ve done a good job, let’s celebrate.”

  Allissa brooded across the table at Leo, sipping her pint and scanning through the CCTV video again. Leo sat back and let his eyes close. He knew he was right and wouldn’t be persuaded.

  “We’ve done well,” Leo repeated five minutes later. “We’ve found what we were looking for, now let’s enjoy Hong Kong and have some more of this.” He held the glass up into the light. It was almost finished; 500mls really wasn’t very much.

  “And talk to Yee tomorrow,” Allissa said, getting up, picking up the empty glasses and taking them to the bar.

  Sometimes there was no arguing with her Leo thought, watching Allissa walk away. Letting his eyes close again, Leo’s chest tightened at the echoes of a memory.

  ***

  Mya walks away from him down the jetty towards their cabin in Kao Tao. It’s the single event that has led him here. As her silhouette fades, leaving him sitting on the ocean’s edge, waves splashing his heels, he looks up at a universe of possibilities in the darkening sky.

  “You know the stars,” Mya had said minutes before. “They’re actually visions from the past.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “They’re so far away, the light takes so long to get here that what we see now actually happened years ago.”

  “So they’re like memories?”

  “Yeah, I suppose, just other people’s memories.”

  What Leo didn’t know, what he couldn’t have known, was that she was going to disappear from him under those very stars. He didn’t know that it would be years until he saw her again.

  Chapter 47

  Isobel leapt back after colliding with the man in the doorway. She’d seen him around the office, his thick arms barely contained by his jacket.

  “Excuse me,” she said, looking at him. His face contorted into an unnatural grin.

  He didn’t move. Behind him, Isobel could see the open plan office space was empty. It was lunchtime and her colleagues would be off getting artisan paninis or green smoothies from the café on the tenth floor.

  “Excuse me, I need to get past,” Isobel said again. Fear welled through her. The man shook his head and took a step forward, arms by his sides, pushing her back into Yee’s office.

  “Get out the way,” Isobel yelled, pushing a shoulder into his chest. It felt like a brick wall beneath his shirt.

  The man took another step forward and pulled the door shut behind him.

  Panic rising, Isobel raised a hand towards his face. It was intercepted by a thick fist which closed around her wrist like a vice.

  “No, get off, let me…” Isobel wriggled and screamed as the man, using just his grip on one wrist, forced her across the room to one of the chairs by the window.

  As she was pushed down into it, Isobel looked across at Yee.

  “What are you… you won’t…” she said. Yee held up a hand to silence her.

  “We just need to have a little conversation. There’s no need for all this childish messing about…”

  Isobel, realising the futility of her wriggling, settled down.

  “If you’re going to behave properly…” Yee said, to which Isobel didn’t respond. She looked at the floor, eyebrows bunched.

  Yee said something to the man. Who, hearing the instruction, let go of her wrist. Isobel’s arm dropped into her lap. She rubbed it with the other hand, sore from his grip.

  “Listen,” Yee said, crouching to the floor in her eyeline. “We just need to have a conversation about this. We can sort it out like adults.”

  Isobel looked away, refusing to meet Yee’s eye.

  “I don’t want you to go to prison,” Yee continued, grinning. Isobel glanced at him. “I want us to work this out… like we started to last night.”

  Isobel felt Yee’s hand on her leg just above the knee and shuddered. It felt cold as he moved it up her thigh beneath her skirt.

  Isobel tried to push Yee’s hands away. Jiao got there first, grabbing her wrist again.

  “Look,” Yee whispered, his hand continuing upwards. “I can be very secretive. There’s no reason anything has to change. I’m enjoying your company.”

>   Isobel tried to stand as Yee’s hand reached its destination. Two meaty palms came down across her shoulders and forced her back into the seat.

  “I only want a little more than you’ve already given me,” Yee said. “And you did that all by yourself.”

  Isobel suppressed a sob.

  “I’ll make you a deal,” Yee said leaning forwards, his mouth against her cheek. Isobel could smell whiskey on his breath.

  “You do what you’re told. You keep your job. You get the apartment. The life you want. You just have to come to me when you’re called.”

  Isobel didn’t move. Her chest felt tight. With each inhalation she felt closer to breaking down altogether.

  “We’ll start now,” Yee said, standing and undoing his belt. “Jiao will be waiting just outside. I think you’ll behave.”

  Isobel looked up at the little man, his face reddened by alcohol and excitement. Breathing for what felt like the first time in minutes, she looked around the office. Jiao had gone.

  Through the window the city whispered. Inside Isobel screamed.

  Chapter 48

  There are many ways to get from Kowloon across to Hong Kong Island. There are taxis and buses which round the harbour and take one of the bridges across the water, the metro which takes a direct route beneath the waves, but the most picturesque has to be the Star Ferry. These antique boats shuttle between the Island and Kowloon from long before dawn until after dusk. The Ferries serve as a connection for tourists wanting a different perspective on the city, or locals not wanting to endure the claustrophobia of the peak-time metro.

  One of the most spectacular times, Leo thought as he looked back across the shimmering water at the multicoloured towers of Hong Kong, has got to be after dark. After the crowds have dispersed from the evening light show, and the floating restaurants have started to return to their moorings. When the city is starting to relax itself into a disturbed calm for a few hours.

  Leo and Allissa had spent numerous hours in the Irish bar on Hong Kong Island. After sending the e-mail to Jamie’s lawyer and receiving confirmation that he too thought it would be enough to tip the balance in Jamie’s favour, they had something to celebrate. Or certainly, Leo thought they had something to celebrate. Allissa had been reluctant to start with, but as the drinks flowed, she had seemed to start enjoying herself.

  As darkness veiled the city, they’d moved to a different bar where a band played covers of western pop music.

  For Leo, watching Allissa on the dancefloor, it was a well-needed night of relaxation.

  For Allissa, it was simply a distraction. She knew she would tie up the loose ends with or without Leo’s help.

  Leo felt content with the way the case had gone. They’d come to Hong Kong, found the person they were looking for and would be paid well for it. It was exactly the sort of case he hoped to see more of as the business’s reputation grew.

  Now, watching the lights of the island skip across the inky water, Leo looked down at Allissa at the railing to his right. He knew Allissa found it hard to walk away from loose ends. He knew that Allissa would no doubt call Yee the following day, whether he wanted her to or not.

  “Do you really think we need to check up on Isobel?” Leo said, watching the lights from the shore pattern across Allissa’s face.

  “Yes, we should find out what’s happening and check everyone is alright.”

  “OK,” Leo said, the warmth of alcohol melting his earlier resolve. “We will get Isobel’s number from Yee and just check she’s ok. Would that be enough?”

  Allissa looked up at him and nodded.

  “Good,” Leo said, sliding along the railing until his elbow touched Allissa’s. Ignoring his impulse to put his arm around her – they were just friends – Leo thought about that phone call. Isobel would either be abusive because they had ruined her plans or would already have fled the city. Either way, as he watched the horizon dance, Leo was confident that the job was done.

  Chapter 49

  The apartment was just as Yee had promised. Although when Jiao opened the door and shoved Isobel inside, the view across to the Hong Kong island or the stirring lights of Kowloon below gave her no pleasure. When Jiao closed the door and a key churned in the lock, Isobel felt sick. What had she got herself into now?

  Earlier in Yee’s office, Isobel hadn’t known whether to fight or scream. Half of her thought that she wouldn’t let him anywhere near her, she would fight and tear and scratch with all the strength she had. The other half thought that would only make it last longer and increase his sense of superiority, his feeling of power, when eventually she was overpowered.

  Sitting there, Isobel had tasted the acid burn in her throat as she stifled a sob. She knew she’d made mistakes, acted unfairly, but she didn’t deserve this. She didn’t.

  Isobel had tried not to watch Yee undoing his belt, walking towards her. She had tried to focus on something else. Ignoring him felt like taking away some of his power. As he neared, Isobel had closed her eyes tight and drew a deep breath.

  She wouldn’t open them until it was over.

  All she could hear was her hot breath singing in her lungs.

  Then a phone rang.

  Yee grumbled, belt buckle jangling, over to his desk. Isobel opened her eyes to see him talking into the phone, his back to her.

  Hanging up, he turned and smiled.

  “I’m sorry about that. I’m afraid we’re going to have to delay this,” Yee said. “Such a shame but I have a family commitment I need to attend.”

  Isobel took a deep breath, not realising how long it had been since the last one.

  “Jiao will look after you, I think your apartment is almost ready. He’ll take you there, just to make sure you’re safe. Then tomorrow we can resume the fun.”

  Isobel wasn’t sure what time it was when they’d got to the apartment, but it was still light. Some time since, Jiao had delivered her a bag of clothes and some food. Isobel had eaten hungrily and then pulled the clothes from the bag. They had been bought especially; the tags still attached.

  Again, Isobel tried the door. Locked.

  She returned to the window and looked out across the city. The sun had fallen, and the sky was dark. Below, cars still surged through the streets and the neon burned bright. Across the black expanse of water, only shown by the lack of lights, the towers of Hong Kong Island had started to darken.

  There must be someone in this city who can help me, Isobel thought, tracing the light of a ferry moving across the dark water. She knew she probably didn’t deserve it, but she needed it, now more than ever.

  Chapter 50

  The following morning, Leo woke with the taste of the evening on his tongue. They had drunk a lot. Getting out of bed, the room dancing in front of his eyes, he moved carefully to the bathroom.

  Allissa was still asleep, curled up against the wall, her hair fanned out on the pillow behind.

  Looking at himself in the mirror, Leo remembered – they’d solved the case. Well, Allissa wanted to get involved in a load more things, but they’d done what they set out to do. They were finished.

  As Leo stood in the tiny bathroom his feeling of claustrophobia rose. The walls swayed as they moved in, cutting out the air. He drew a deep breath slowly, steadying himself on the sink. He would need to get out of this small room, get some fresh air. That would help him feel normal again. That had always been his cure for a hangover. To get out and do something, see something, try to forget about all the beer. After using the shower and dressing, he shook Allissa gently by the shoulder until her eyes fluttered open.

  “I’m going out for a walk,” he said. “Think I’ll head up to The Peak if it’s a nice day, do you wanna come?”

  “Are you taking the piss?” Allissa rolled back over towards the wall. “Walk up a giant hill. You mad?”

  Before Leo shut the door, she was asleep again.

  Allissa was not a morning person. For the few months Leo had known her, he didn’t think she�
��d ever been up before ten. He was envious of her skill, he couldn’t sleep beyond seven.

  Outside on the balcony, the vertical village was alive with the sounds and smells of washing, cooking and children playing. Although the padlock and chain still secured the apartment next door, peace had seemed to return. Leo hoped it would stay that way.

  Leo was surprised to see that Nathan Road was as busy as it always was, despite the early hour. Knowing that he couldn’t face social interaction yet, Leo kept his eyes on the ground and shuffled around any bright-eyed hawkers.

  The day so far was misty, the sky a dull congealed grey but Leo was sure it would clear soon.

  Pushing into Tsui Tsam Tui metro station, Leo headed for the platform towards Hong Kong Island. He planned to get the train across the channel and then walk up towards The Peak. He knew it would take a while, but the exercise would do him good. He needed to clear his head after the events of the last few days.

  After an hour of walking, Leo was drenched by the mist and his own efforts. The walk was arduous as the road twisted and wound around residential towers which clung precariously to the increasing slope. The surrounding towers were just phantoms in the haze and the path was just a single-track meandering beneath trees. Leo felt as though he could have been a thousand miles from the city’s busy streets. The sky was still invisible beneath the fog, which hung thick and dirty.

  Ahead, the road straightened out and a bridge cut across it at an unusual incline, heading directly up the mountain. Proceeded by a rumble, Leo saw the peak train slide upwards across the bridge. Inside, the colourful clothes of its passengers smudged against the steamy glass. Looking to the right, up the incline, Leo saw the train fade into the mist. Beyond, he thought he could see the faint outline of the station, only a few hundred metres further.