by Taylor Lee
Nianzu smiled a slight smile, but his eyes were serious, his expression guarded.
“I think the more interesting observation, Jim, is that you see twenty of your men you didn’t know were coming. That seems strange to me. Is there a chance that any of those men answer to a different law, maybe pick up a little cash on the side working for the mob?”
“Fuck you, Nianzu. You know that’s exactly what it means. I got the list of suspects you sent me and I’ve been watching those sons of bitches, waiting for them to show themselves. It looks like they might just do that tonight. Which doesn’t answer the goddamn question I asked you. What the fuck is going on that you need half of the Sing Leon at a goddamn ball, for Christ’s sake?”
Nianzu looked at him for a thoughtful moment and then made a decision he knew Bai would support.
“Since you asked, as you know Aldo Marcello’s gang was the most powerful in the country. Everyone believed that Marcello was the leader and with his death the gang was decimated. But we know that Marcello wasn’t the head man. We have reason to believe that Aldo Marcello’s puppet master is here in San Francisco and will be at the ball tonight. At this point, we don’t know his identity, but he is as big a fish as you are likely to land in your career, Jim. We’ve done our best to bait him. Get him to reveal himself. We also know that as anxious as we are to get him, his sole purpose in life at this point is to take down the Frenchman.”
The sheriff stood still, looking like he was trying to grasp the enormity of what Nianzu said. Finally, he pinned the serious young Chinese man with a glare
“Any reason why you didn’t bring the law in to this little adventure, if it’s as fucking important as you say it is?”
“It is critically important, Jim. Tonight is Bai’s statement to the mob of what they can expect if they’re foolish enough to take him on. Trust me, Jim, when this operation is over, the mob leadership nationwide, and their political scum, will understand the folly of underestimating the Frenchman. As for the reason Bai chose not to involve you, we need the highest level of security to pull this off. As you just pointed out, there are too many holes in your organization. This is nothing against you personally, Jim. You know Bai and Wyatt hold you in the highest regard. Frankly, we don’t trust the men around you.”
The furrows on the sheriff’s wrinkled face deepened in a harsh frown and he shook his head with a weary sigh.
“It’s painful for me to say it, but you’re right. I have six men with me tonight that I trust the way Bai trusts you. You fuckers know who they are. I will keep them in the shadows covering the Frenchman tighter than the skin on his dick. Not that you need me, but at least I can be here for the formal arrests, right?”
Nianzu grinned.
“As always, Jim, we are pleased to turn that task over to you. You deserve the spotlight after all the shit we put you though with the Madam Torrento uproar.”
The sheriff turned and walked back up the stairs, muttering under his breath. He turned back and glared at Nianzu.
“You’re goddamn right about that! And I want my fucking picture in the paper, this time as a hero—not a Goddamn fuck up! You hear me, Nianzu?”
Nianzu saluted and said with a smile, “Yes, sir. I’ll get right on that, sir.”
~~~
Bai smiled down at Elena and pulled her close to him when they entered the ballroom. Elena was wearing the dress she wore at their wedding, only this time her high heeled slippers were a deep emerald green to match the precious stones on her necklace and earrings. The emeralds were the most prominent stones on the extraordinary necklace, the largest one at the center as big as a dove’s egg. Diamonds and other precious stones wove in an out on an intricate lace-like hammered gold setting that formed a point at the bottom. A teardrop diamond hung at the point and twinkled enticingly between the swell of her lush breasts. Her hair was swept up in a riotous display of curls, showing the matching earrings to excellent advantage.
“You look beautiful, cherie. I am honored to have you at my side. The greatest challenge I face tonight is not the Chameleon. Rather, it is keeping my cock from breaking through my trousers at the sight of you.”
Elena blushed a rosy pink, sweeping across her pale cheeks and spreading to her chest.
Bai leaned down and whispered, “That is what I mean, jolie fille. When your cheeks flush like that, I am reminded of your rosy ass when the wicked warlord enters our chambers and uses his crop on those gorgeous cheeks of yours.”
“Bai, for God’s sake. Be serious, people can hear you!” Elena whispered, her face flushed brighter, but she pressed up against him and looked up at him her eyes dancing, her lips parting slightly in a breathless grin.
“Remember, Bai, if your cock does get loose, it will compete with my necklace for attention.”
Bai threw back his head and laughed.
“Christ, Elena, I’m not sure putting our jewels on tonight was a good idea. I keep thinking about those sapphires on your breasts with that delightful chain connecting them. And those outrageous diamonds peeking out from the top of your pussy makes our mission tonight fade in importance.”
As he pulled her closer, they were interrupted by a hearty voice calling out their names and turned to see Governor Sampson striding toward them.
“Jesus, Elena. I didn’t know it was possible for you to be any more beautiful. I swear you are glowing! I take it marriage agrees with you?”
He leaned down and kissed her cheeks, gazing at her with open admiration.
He turned to Bai with a knowing wink.
“And you—you handsome son of a bitch. Not only are you the luckiest man alive to be married to this vision, but business must be good. I don’t think I have ever seen a more extraordinary necklace or earbobs. Amazing, Elena. Were they a wedding present from your handsome prince?”
Elena smiled and nodded.
The governor continued with a cheerful smile, “Not that I don’t want you to decorate this gorgeous creature in jewels worthy of her beauty, but don’t forget to save a few coins, Bai. My election is coming up and I can always use your support.”
Bai bowed slightly, his voice was pleasant but his eyes were cool.
“I’m aware of that, Governor Sampson. I’m pleased to discuss your election at the appropriate time.”
The governor flushed, apparently aware of his faux pas and quickly added, “Of course, Bai, of course. All in good time. But you are correct, this night is for dancing, drinking, and celebrating with good friends. Promise me, Elena, if this possessive son of a bitch will let you out of his clutches, that you will give me the honor of a dance.”
Bai held her arm more tightly, but Elena looked up at the governor and said in a sweet voice.
“I’m afraid I am the possessive one, Governor Sampson. I can’t bear to see Bai with another woman in his arms. I know it seems silly, but we really are on our honeymoon, but couldn’t miss your ball for anything. Please forgive us if we act like the newlyweds we are.”
“Oh, my dear, of course, of course. Just looking at the two of you so much in love warms my heart. I have known you both since you were youngsters and no one could be happier to see the two of you together.”
Both Bai and Elena were genuinely touched by the governor’s sincere well wishes and thanked him for his kindness. As the governor turned to greet other guests, Wyatt and Lei joined them. Knowing what they wanted to know, Bai used their prearranged code to signal that the governor seemed legitimate.
“The governor was pleased that we came to his ball on our honeymoon, wasn’t he, Bai.”
“I agree, Elena. He seems to have our best interests at heart. And I appreciate your taking the rap for being the possessive one in our partnership.”
His eyes twinkled and a wicked smile tugged at his mouth.
“Although now that I think about how you practice your kung fu skills with the express purpose of damaging the face of any woman who comes near me, perhaps we do share the same affliction.”
“I’m not sure where you got the affliction, Bai, except that you are a man. I can tell you that Elena came by her possessive streak naturally.”
She hugged Wyatt, who lifted her face to his.
“Damn right, sweetheart. I pity the man who thinks he can come within five feet of you and not face the consequences.”
“I think all three of you are a little crazy, but it’s why I love you. You love so fiercely in return,” Lei replied with a bemused smile as she reached up to kiss Wyatt’s cheek.
~~~
Martin’s face was gray. His red-rimmed eyes watered fiercely. He choked out a harsh breath then vomited for the third time in the wastebasket. Beads of sweat glistened on his fat face. His voice was a raspy groan.
“Jesus Christ, Greg, how can you stand there like a fuckin’ sphinx when you just killed a man?”
Greg looked with distaste at the sweaty frightened little man. He checked the chamber on his gun, then tucked it back in his boot holster.
“Please do yourself a favor, Martin, and act like a man. A man who goddamn well knew the plan for tonight.”
“Fuck, Greg. We agreed the Frenchman was going down tonight but, Jesus Christ, Louie Sinclair?”
Martin’s voice skidded to a halt as he leaned over the waste basket, heaving the last remnants of his hearty dinner. He wiped his hand across his mouth, catching particles of vomit on the back of his hand. He looked over to the crumpled body on the floor as if he hoped it had disappeared.
Greg glared at him in disgust.
“I’m going to say this once and, Martin, if you value your life, you will listen to me. You are to do everything I say without question, do you understand?”
Martin’s lips quivered and his eyes filled with watery tears, but he managed to shake his head yes.
“That’s better. Now, we are going to meet with the governor and you will do as I say, get control of yourself, correct?”
Martin looked back down at the body next to Greg’s desk. The pool of blood collecting by its head confirmed what he already knew. He closed his eyes then opened them and nodded to Greg.
“Fine. Let’s go. Everything is proceeding according to plan, Martin. Don’t fuck up.”
~~~
The governor frowned when Peter, Greg’s assistant, grabbed hold of his arm and whispered in his ear.
“It sure as hell better be important. It’s not as though I don’t have several hundred guests to see,” Governor Sampson growled to the emissary beside him.
“I understand, governor, but Greg said it’s urgent. He and the lieutenant governor are in your office.”
The governor shoved down his annoyance, excused himself, and followed Peter down the hallway to his formal office. He muttered under his breath that heads would roll if this was some ridiculous staff issue that Greg couldn’t handle.
He threw open the door to his office and accosted his chief of staff.
“For Christ’s sake, Greg, what could be so fucking important that Peter would drag me away from the most important event in my reelection campaign? Goddamn, I was just getting started with Philip Carpenter. Next to Bai and Wyatt, Phil is my biggest fucking contributor.”
“Governor, we have a serious issue.”
Greg’s voice and one look at Martin’s grey face dripping with sweat brought the governor up short. He looked over his shoulder and was surprised to see Chris and Hank, two of Greg’s staff, join Peter, who closed the door behind them and locked it.
“What the hell’s going on, Greg? Christ, Martin, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Greg couldn’t hide the wry smile that quirked across his face.
“In a sense, he did. There’s no easy way to say this, governor, but Louie Sinclair is dead.”
“What? What the hell? Where? How?”
The governor’s face was white with shock, his voice disbelieving.
“He was shot. His body is in my office.”
“My God, Greg. And we’re just standing here? We need to get the sheriff! Christ, when did it happen, how did it happen?”
“Calm down, Brad.”
Greg used the governor’s first name, something he rarely did, and guided the shaken man to his chair. He went over to the bar and poured a glass of brandy and handed it to the governor.
“Governor, this will come as a shock to you, but we are facing serious issues. Every one of our lives is at stake.”
“What… what the hell… I don’t understand.”
“Of course, you don’t, Brad. You were unwilling to see the evil in our midst. I have been warning you for some time about the Frenchman. In my opinion, the epitome of evil is that fucking Frenchman. He is a curse, a yellow curse on every upstanding American. He intends to take us down, governor. First our women, then us. One at a time. He intends to take over this state and then the country. He is a menace, a fucking Chink menace. “
“What? Jesus, Greg, are you crazy? Bai…” the governor paled and then stammered, “Are you telling me that Bai… Bai killed Louie Sinclair?”
“I didn’t see him do it. But Martin did, didn’t you, Martin?”
Greg turned to Martin, who was shaking, spittle running down his chin. He looked as though he might cry. Puddles of sweat dampened his waistcoat and an acrid stench poured off his body. Greg gave him a terse smile and said in a soft commanding voice, “Tell the governor what you saw, Martin.”
Martin struggled to speak, but strangled on the words.
Greg saw his fear; Christ, he could smell it. He chuckled to himself, thinking this called for a change of plans.
“Actually, Brad, we are surrounded by evil, closer than we want to think. In fact, as difficult as it is for me to say, Martin is involved in Senator Sinclair’s murder.”
Martin flushed and stammered out an incoherent denial, staring at Greg in shock.
Greg’s voice was calm, solicitous.
“Martin, please tell the governor the truth. You were there when Senator Sinclair was murdered, were you not?”
Martin clung to the edge of the desk, looking as though he would vomit again. Bright red splotches covered his otherwise stark white face. He tried to pull himself together and spit out, “What the hell, Greg? What the hell are you doing? What are you saying?”
Greg eyed him with a scornful twist of his lips. He rounded the governor’s desk and pulled open the second drawer. He drew a handkerchief out of his pocket and snapped it open. He removed the pistol from the drawer, being careful to wrap the handkerchief around the handle.
“Hm hmm. I thought you had a gun in here, Brad. That’s good. You should always be prepared to defend yourself. You never know when you might need it, right, Martin?”
He walked over to the lieutenant governor, who was staring at him in disbelief. Looking over his shoulder at the governor, who was as pale as Martin, Greg said in an aggrieved voice, “Much as I hate to tell you this, Brad, Martin is up to his ass in evil. Aren’t you Martin?”
Martin’s eyes were wide with shock and for one second, understanding flashed across his face. Any sound he made was swallowed by the blast of the governor’s gun. The governor fell back in his chair, his face white with shock, staring at Martin’s body sprawled on the floor at his feet. The close up gunshot blew off the top of Martin’s head, spewing blood and grey matter across the carpet.
The governor managed to choke out, “Jesus, fucking, Christ, Greg. Damn you! Tell me what the hell is going on?”
“Hmm. If I had to sum it up, elected officials seem to be dropping like flies, tonight, wouldn’t you agree, Peter?”
Greg grinned at his cohort and moved next to the governor, who was staring at them with a mix of horror and disbelief. Greg placed the gun he was holding on the desk next to the governor.
“I regret to tell you, Brad, but you aren’t going back to the ball. Nope, enough festivities for tonight. No more dancing for the governor. Too bad, Brad. No do
ubt you could have raised half the money you need for reelection. But that seems almost frivolous, doesn’t it? What with two men, a U. S. Senator and your lieutenant governor, no less, lying dead in your mansion? No, for the rest of the night, you will be busy trying not to get killed or arrested. That should keep him busy, don’t you think, Peter?”
The two men laughed as Greg moved to the door, leaving the governor sitting frozen in a horrified stupor.
Chris turned to Greg.
“She is in the ladies’ room. We managed to get her aside when he was talking with Nianzu and told her Lei needed her.”
Greg licked his lips, delighted that each element of their plan was working as intended.
“Peter, I’m going to bring her here. You know what to do. Make sure she understands it is the governor’s gun. And whatever you do, don’t hurt her. That is my prerogative,” Greg said, a wicked gleam brightening his eyes.
Chapter 31
Elena looked up as she left the ladies’ room to see Greg rushing toward her. His face was tight with concern.
“Thank God, I found you, Elena. I need to talk to you now. Please come, I need your help. Something terrible has happened. We need to warn Bai.”
Greg grabbed her arm, but Elena pushed his hand away and pulled back.
“Is Bai… is it Bai…?”
Before she could voice her fears, Greg shook his head and said, “No, no. Bai and your father are in the ballroom. It’s the governor and the lieutenant governor. Oh, my God, Elena, please come quickly. I need your help!”
Elena knew she should find Bai or her father first, but the fear in Greg’s face and voice galvanized her.
“What’s wrong? What’s happened?”
“Quick, down this hallway to the governor’s office. I’ll tell you when we get there.”
