by Taylor Lee
“Jim, Bai will be with us in a moment. In the meantime, he asked that I show you and the others to his office. We will meet there.”
Looking at the fifteen or so deputies with the sheriff and other dignitaries, Nianzu turned to Quitin, who was standing off to the side with a group of cold-eyed Sing Leon members.
“Quitin, will you and the men please take the deputies to the center court dining room. We’ve arranged for refreshments to be served while they wait to return to San Francisco with the sheriff and our other distinguished guests. We wouldn’t want them to come all this way for nothing and then turn around without experiencing our particular brand of hospitality,” Nianzu said with a slightly mocking smile.
Nianzu was Bai’s right hand man and constant companion. As Bai rose through the ranks of the Sing Leon, he brought Nianzu with him. Nianzu was the same age as Bai, a kung fu master with handsome Chinese features. Like Bai, he was taller than most Chinese men. But in most other ways, he was Bai’s alter ego. Where Bai was hard, Nianzu was thoughtful. Where Bai commanded, Nianzu preferred to lead behind the scenes. Where Bai was arrogant, Nianzu was unpretentious. But he was smart with a sly sense of humor. And while Bai was sophisticated and had lived a privileged youth, Nianzu had grown up as a Poo Tow Choy, or hatchet boy, in the hard streets of San Francisco’s Chinatown. He would have died there, but Wan plucked him out of that cesspool when he was nine years old and made him Bai’s apprentice. Nianzu idolized Bai and would kill his mother, if he had one, if she threatened Bai.
Turning to the sheriff and the others, Nianzu motioned for them to follow him. He led them across the courtyard to Bai’s business center. None of the dignitaries had been to the center and their eyes widened in amazement at the magnitude of the enterprise inside. Thirty to forty Chinese men were busy at work at desks or clustered in small groups around large work tables. The whir of telegraphs spoke to the international scope of the business ventures and a hum of activity filled the room. The walls were crammed with maps, all marking the worldwide locations of Bai’s operations and large clocks surrounded the work space indicating the current time in major cities around the globe. Telephones, a luxury that were just beginning to be seen in the large business centers in the East, sat on every desk and most of the staff members sitting at the desks were talking on the telephone. A careful ear would reveal that as many as eight different languages were being spoken by various members of Bai’s business team.
The staff members looked up from their work with mild interest at the troupe of outsiders who were staring wide-eyed at the activity in the busy center.
Nianzu nodded to the staff, then pointed to several large suites on one side of the center and said to the guests, “This is Wan Chang’s private suite and this is Governor McManus’s. Wyatt and Bai have a number of projects in common and Wyatt has found it convenient to have rooms for his personal staff here at the complex. Bai and Wan also have offices at Wyatt’s Wyoming ranch. Bai’s office is straight ahead, but we will meet in the conference room in the back of the center. Please follow me.”
He ushered the group to a large room with walls of windows on three sides. Each wall had French doors that opened to the surrounding gardens. The sounds of birds chirping and the smell of flowers and fresh turned earth wafted through the wide open windows, creating the sense of meeting in the heart of an exotic botanical garden. A sixteen foot mahogany table anchored the center of the room. For the convenience of the guests, humidors and trays of cigar and cigarette accessories were stationed every three feet along the table top. A service buffet with urns of coffee and tea, along with platters of delicacies, took up most of the space on the entrance wall. Three Chinese servants stood discreetly to the side of the buffet and waited until the dignitaries had been seated around the massive table, then offered them refreshments.
~~~
Bai stopped for a moment to answer a question from one of his associates in the business center. He indicated to Wyatt, Wan, and Alex to go ahead to the conference room. He smiled to himself, knowing that the interruption allowed him to enter the meeting after everyone was seated, underscoring that he controlled the agenda.
He chose not to put a jacket or waistcoat over his silver and dark grey striped silk shirt. The open collared shirt and fitted black trousers conveyed the impression that this was a casual meeting--one of many that he would convene today.
His guests started to rise when he entered, but he put up his hand to stop them.
“Non, non, please be seated. I trust you all have something to drink and I urge you to try some of Wenco Ming’s pastries. She begins baking at three o’clock each morning and by nine o’clock we are lucky if there are any left.”
He walked around the table and shook hands with each of the guests, then moved to the head of the table and sat down. Taking a cigar from the humidor in front of him, he pointed to the humidors spaced along the table.
“I prefer Bolivian cigars, but there are Cuban and Columbian cigars, as well, in the humidors. Please help yourselves.”
He assumed a casual, pleasant demeanor and looked around the table with a slight smile.
“You all know my father, the honorable Wan Chang, and my soon to be father-in- law, Governor McManus. Of course, you know Nianzu, my lieutenant. For those of you who have not met him, Alex McManus, is my fiancée’s twin brother and in two days will be my brother-in-law. Alex arrived from China yesterday in time for the wedding.”
“Alex, I don’t know if you had the opportunity for introductions, but allow me. Greg Forester, the governor’s chief of staff is to your right. Next to Greg is Mayor Alono’s chief, Tom Creighton. I believe you know Lt. Governor Martin Quince. Those two formidable looking lawmen at the end of the table are U.S. Marshal Peter York and our good friend, Sheriff Jim Thompson.”
He nodded to each of the guests as he introduced them and then singled out the U.S. Marshal.
“It’s damn good to see you, Peter. I haven’t seen you since that Department of Justice event in Washington last fall. I’m sorry you didn’t make it to our party last night. I’m pleased you can join us today.”
Before anyone else spoke, Bai leaned back in his chair and allowed a wry smile to cross his lips. He nodded to the sheriff. “And, now, Jim, please don’t keep us in suspense. To what do we owe this honor?”
The sheriff didn’t try to hide his discomfort. His ruddy face was more flushed than usual and he had a pained look on his face.
“Goddamnit, Bai, you know I hate like hell to be here. But, damnit, I didn’t have a choice.”
Bai nodded, as if in sympathy for the sheriff’s plight. Before the sheriff could continue, Greg Forester interrupted in his pompous, supercilious manner.
“Bai, I’m here on behalf of the governor, his emissary, and, of course, as your friend. The governor wanted you to know of his concern. Asked me to see if we can help in any way.”
Bai looked at the man who had been the most ardent of Elena’s many suitors and Bai’s least favorite. He couldn’t resist a jab.
“Always a pleasure to see you, Greg. Sorry Elena can’t join us. She has a few things to do in the next two days, preparing for our wedding. However, we should let Jim proceed so I will have some idea of the nature of the governor’s concern.”
With a dismissive nod at Greg, Bai said, “Please continue, Jim.”
“Look, Bai, you know we had a hell of a mess in San Francisco last night. Madam Torrento’s brothel burned to the ground. Fifty prostitutes were kidnapped.”
Bai quirked an eyebrow. “Hmm, kidnapped? How dramatic.”
The sheriff frowned. “A lot of people saw you and your men in the city last night, Bai. And, hell, you arrived late to your own goddamn engagement party. I didn’t see you before I had to leave and I was here until nearly ten o’clock.”
“Ah, yes, I was somewhat tardy. I had business to take care of.”
“Bai, this is a fuckin’ big deal. The city is in shock.”
Bai nodded i
n thoughtful agreement.
“I would expect so. I heard about the incident. I trust all of us were shocked to learn that a supposedly upstanding establishment like Madam Torrento’s had girls as young as ten and eleven working as prostitutes--a clear violation of the law. I’m not surprised the city is shocked. It is inconceivable that something as dastardly could be going on and nothing was done about it by any of our law enforcement or political entities.”
“Fuck it, Bai. I’m just gonna come right out and say it. We got fifteen deputies with us. We need to go out on your property and take a look. If there are any Chinese girls here, they will need to come with us.”
“Hmm, would that include my sister Lei, who is Wan’s daughter, Wyatt’s wife, and Alex’s stepmother? My servants? Wenco Ming, perhaps, who made these lovely pastries?”
The sheriff shook his head with a disgruntled sigh.
“You know who I am talking about, Bai.”
“Actually, Jim, I’m sorry, I don’t. As you know, we will have a wedding here in two days. We’ve had to import additional help. You might indeed see Chinese girls and women on my property. I should add, none of whom will be leaving with you or your deputies.”
Lt. Governor Quince drew himself up to his full five and a half feet. He scowled at Bai, as if he was a schoolmaster chastising a recalcitrant child.
“God damnit, Bai. You could have burned down the whole damn city. There’s gonna be more than criminal penalties involved in this. Someone is gonna pay through his ass for Madam Torrento’s loss.”
Bai looked at the fat little man who had always reminded him of a bloated toad. He didn’t try to hide his distaste.
He warned, “Be careful, Martin. I believe you meant to say whoever was responsible for the attack could have burned down the whole city. I’m confident a politician of your ilk, like so many others we’ve been blessed with in this challenging decade, will want to be particularly careful not to slip in to slander.”
Ignoring Martin’s angry snort, Bai continued.
“Indeed, I do know the damage fire could do to the city. For that reason, I’m pleased that a large contingent of our Sing Leon members happened to be in the city last night to aid the fire chief. A true stroke of luck to have fifty volunteer firemen show up precisely when they were needed, don’t you agree?”
Bai paused for a moment and looked at each of his guests, his sardonic grin hardening to match his cold, mirthless eyes.
“I would like to return to the issue of the underage prostitutes who were working in Madam Torrento’s establishment prior to last night’s incident. I am curious, Jim. Were the crimes against those girls overlooked by the fine legal and political organizations you respectable men represent because the children involved were Chinese?”
“Jesus, Bai. God, no! You know me better than that. You know that isn’t true. Hell, we can’t just go on private property without permission and confiscate someone’s property. You know that!”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. I’m well aware of that legal nicety, Jim. By the same token, you cannot come on my property without my permission. To be clear. As much, or as little, as I enjoy your company, this is as far as any of you will be going today.”
“Bai, please understand. We are trying to help you. Christ, the Marcello gang is the most vicious gang in the Costa Nostra. They’re gonna tear you apart if we don’t get those girls back. They think their property has been stolen.”
The sheriff shook his head in distress and looked around the table at his colleagues for support. When no one else spoke, he took a deep breath and let out a long sigh.
“Hell, I never thought I would suggest this. In fact I can’t believe I’m saying it. Except that I know you are an honorable man, as is your father. And Christ, Wyatt and I have been friends for twenty years. I want to protect you, Son. Have you thought of trying to share some of your territory with those assholes? It might work.”
Seeing Bai’s impassive expression, he implored, “These guys are serious, Bai. They’re backed up, tighter than a swarm of bees crawling up the queen bee’s ass. Ask Peter here. Our counterparts in New York and Boston tell us there’s barely a police force in any Eastern city that isn’t owned two thirds or more by one of the gangs.”
Bai took out his wolf’s head clipper and began clipping the end of his cigar. He took his time lighting it. With a broad smile, he leaned back in his chair and puffed on the cigar, looking at the sheriff through half closed eyes.
“You’ve known me for how long, Jim? About twelve years now? In that time, have you ever known me to share anything?”
Jim groaned and put his head in his hands in despair.
“Look, gentlemen. Just as Martin, our esteemed lieutenant governor, has a well earned reputation for… well, perhaps it is better left unsaid what Martin has a reputation for,” Bai said with an ironic grin at the openly corrupt politician who was seething with rage, “I also have a reputation of which all of you are aware. It is a reputation I have earned with blood and treasure. It is one that I cherish.”
He paused for emphasis and turned back to the sheriff.
“No, Jim, I don’t share. And no one comes into my territory or my enterprises and takes anything human or otherwise that belongs to me or that I am responsible for. As the leading Chinese entrepreneur in this country, you can be damn sure that includes Chinese children who are being raped by depraved animals.”
He sat up straight in his chair, all semblance of good humor gone. He looked from the sheriff to the U.S. marshal.
“And, parenthetically, Jim, and you, too, Peter, while the police and marshal service in the East is fifty percent or more mob controlled, yours is at least that. Hell, they’ve been here less than two years.”
Peter said, “That’s not possible, Bai. We’d know it if it was.”
Bai raised an eyebrow and put up his hands, making it clear that he could back up his statements.
“I’m not sure what happened last night. My sense of it is that Mr. Marcello doesn’t do a particularly good job of protecting his men. It is my understanding that every goddamned one of them died last night.
“In contrast, Jim and Peter can confirm that we protect our own. And we protect our friends. Given last night, I think we protect ours a hell of a lot better than the mob does. Allowing twenty of my men to be burned alive is not something that will ever happen on my watch.”
Bai sat quietly for several minutes smoking his cigar. No one spoke. He could tell by the look on his face that Alex was horrified. Bai realized that, unlike everyone else at the table, Alex had no knowledge of what had happened. He thought with a grimace that it was probably a good thing that his soon to be brother-in-law didn’t have any misconceptions about the severity of the issues confronting them.
He turned to Greg. “Greg, and you, too, Tim. Keep your eyes open. It’s not just law enforcement that these guys are infiltrating. There’s nothing they like better than squeezing the balls of a corrupt politician.”
He grinned at the lieutenant governor. “Careful, Martin. Nothing is sweeter to the mobs than blackmail. You better pray to God they don’t get anything on you. If they do, those fuckers will make you pay through your ass for the rest of your life.
“But I tell you what. If you or anyone you know wants or needs protection, you can pass the word they might want to think about us. No one is more protective of our friends than we are. I might add, no one--including the mob--is more ruthless with our enemies. Nianzu or Quitin are your best contacts.”
Bai ground his cigar out and sat up straight in his chair. He put both hands on the table in front of him.
“One final note. We have no intention of letting the Italians or the Irish take over this city, or frankly this country. That is something Mr. Marcello, Mr. Calhoun, Mr. Regen, and all the rest of them will soon understand. They may be backed by countries in Europe, but we have a whole fucking continent backing us. The mobs will always have recruits from Ireland and Italy, but t
he boats also run between China and America. As the gangs can tell you, you’d be amazed how many human beings you can cram in the bottom of cargo ships. Even though there is a prohibition against Chinese immigration, given the way I train my men, they blend nicely in any environment. And, I might add, can do extensive damage.”
He stood up and looked at each of them.
“Not to be rude, gentlemen, but I have a wedding to prepare for. I am told my role is somewhat central. Although I expect to be outshone by the most beautiful woman in the world, who to my everlasting joy has agreed to be my wife.
“Your deputies are saddled up and waiting for you at the turnoff to my property. My men will escort you to them.”
He nodded to Wan and Wyatt and Alex and said, “Father, Wyatt, Alex, shall we?
He turned to the other men, who were all staring at him with various levels of disbelief.
“Thank you all for coming. Nianzu will show you out.
“Good Day.”
Without looking back, he left the room, followed by Wan, Wyatt, and Alex.
~~~
Silence filled the room.
Greg’s face was red. His eyes flashed with anger.
“Am I crazy or did I just hear that insufferable, arrogant son of a bitch say that he thinks he can take on the whole fucking mafia?”
Peter York responded coolly, “I believe that is precisely what you heard, Greg. However, I believe he doesn’t think he can do it, he intends to do it.”
~~
Chapter 10
Alex stumbled out of the room behind his father and grandfather. He was stunned, overwhelmed by what he had seen and heard. Good God, was he the only one who didn’t know that his soon to be brother-in-law had burned down a San Francisco brothel last night AND killed twenty men? Damn, not only killed them, but burned them alive? Jesus Christ, he thought with a start, his father and grandfather and Elena and Lei, for Christ’s sake, had sat calmly at the breakfast table with a mass murderer, joking about Elena’s risqué dancing! He thought with a hard shudder, Christ, this was the man he had challenged to a fucking kung fu match? And his grandfather and father had let him?
