by Sewell, Ron
“Can’t say it does much for me.” said Petros. “The army barracks doesn’t help and, from what Nathan said, two – maybe three – families live in the house.”
“The chances of removing the girl and her child from the house are zero. There must be a better location.”
“I agree.”
Two hours later Nathan woke both men from their sleep in the long grass. Petros yawned and gazed around while Bear stood and scratched his backside.
“Any news?” said Petros.
“Good news. Ling is more than willing to go and she has the beads. She will not leave without her son, Fei. From what she told me, the farmer’s not a civilized man. His wife kicked him out and he now sleeps in the barn with the animals. He takes his anger out on Ling and demands sex. She says it’s not rape because she agrees and he doesn’t hurt her.”
“So that’s where her son came from,” said Petros.
“It’s her third child by him, the first two being girls who, alas, are prone to disappear in China.”
Bear strolled around and mulled over the alternatives. “This will not be easy. Three of you on a raft at night, or a trek across snow-covered mountains, is verging on suicidal.”
“We can’t take the child – too dangerous.”
“Yes, you can,” said Nathan. “But it will take time and money. The time is not a problem, but the money ...”
“What’s your idea?” asked Petros.
“It’s simple. I take them out using my wife’s and son’s passports. We can travel anywhere; they’re British citizens. The Chinese are so busy building homes and roads for the people, they’re having many administration difficulties. The authorities, although strict, waste little time or resources on foreign nationals coming and going. ”
Petros looked at Nathan strangely. “It’s too risky. You’ll be in deep shit if you’re discovered. Why ruin a good life?”
“I want to change China.”
“How?” said Bear.
“At the moment, how doesn’t matter. Whatever you’re being paid for this job, I want half.”
PK sat and considered Nathan’s demand. “An average plan is a cut above a lousy plan. Let’s do it.”
Bear nodded. “I like it. The river and mountains are bloody dangerous. On our return to Kunming, a quarter of a million pounds will be wired into HSBC Beijing.”
“Cash and in American dollars or Sterling. You can do more with foreign currency in China these days than you can with Chinese. Bear can collect it and deliver it to me.”
“Will do,” said Bear. “But why should you believe us?”
“You trust me and the money’s up front or I walk.”
“Well, the formalities are over,” said Petros. “Our two fellow travellers – what are the arrangements?”
“Every day Ling starts work at five in the morning. She milks the cows and cleans out the shed. Afterwards, she works in the fields with her son until midday. We’ll be waiting for her to arrive and collect her and the boy. I’ll park my truck in a clump of trees four kilometres away. She’s agreed to meet us. Now she trusts me, so let me do the introductions. She’s a bright women but uneducated and speaks no other language.”
“Tell you what,” said Bear, “shall we return to the village and eat? I’m starving and it’s going to be a long night.”
Nathan and Petros glanced at each other and burst out laughing. “What else do you think of other than your stomach?” said Nathan.
Bear shrugged. “At the moment she’s a million miles away.”
The three men strolled back, found a passable eating-house and waited for twilight.
Chapter Seventeen
The moon rose from behind distant hills. Three figures relaxed in a wooded spot filled with lofty deciduous trees. Nathan called them Chinaberries. A concealed dirt trail wound through tall grass to the base of the hill. Bear slept on the ground. Nathan sat in the rear of the pick-up and Petros, restless, walked in one direction and then another. He explored every scenario, finding solutions. The unexpected always turned up and he wanted to be ready. So far, apart from a broken arm, it had been too easy.
The thin sliver of light signalling the beginning of a new day glowed above the horizon. It appeared to gather momentum as the sky changed from grey to white to pale blue. Birds began their morning song and animals stirred.
At six-thirty they spotted Ling walking along the road. She held her son with her right hand. She had no baggage, but carried a large hoe over her left shoulder. She came closer and from a distance Petros scrutinized her. A loose cotton blouse with a flowery pattern covered her flat breasts. Black trousers flapped around her thin ankles. Fei wore a blue Mao suit. Both were barefoot. At the edge of the wood, she sat. A smile filled her face when Nathan appeared and the three of them retreated into the copse. They stopped, spoke, and she handed over a worn leather pouch.
Ling grabbed her son and held him close when Petros and Bear emerged from the shade. Fear flashed in her eyes. Nathan explained these were friends helping her escape. Bear dwarfed this woman and picked Fei up saying, “Lai Lai”.
Fei turned to seek reassurance from his mother. She nodded and followed.
“Beads for a new life,” said Nathan. “Hope we get them out.”
“Two things are guaranteed in this life, death and taxes. We’ll do our best to make sure she and the boy are safe,” said Petros.
* * *
The pick-up on the far side of the trees started first time. Nathan drove fast on the well-made roads towards Kunming. Dark clouds threatened but no rain fell.
“We’ll take the high route,” said Nathan. “I doubt if the farmer is aware she’s missing but can’t be too careful.” He swung the truck off the main road, taking a dirt track through dense forest. Nathan curved left and right, in parts he doubled back as they traversed the mountainous but centuries-old trails. The drive lasted over seven hours.
Ling and Fei lay covered by a blanket on the rear seat. Nathan returned to his own house and parked in a position to make sure his charges exited unseen.
Petros and Bear left Nathan with his guests, allowing him the opportunity and time to explain to his wife, Yun.
On the way back to the hotel, Bear asked, “Can Nathan pull this off?”
“His plan’s so simple it must work. China has catapulted itself into the twenty-first century. Its old ways still exist in the villages. Those in power can’t possibly check every individual. What’s that saying? See one and you’ve seen them all.”
On entering the hotel, the receptionist made a gesture. “Manager in big trouble when you not come back. Commander Ding Lang want talk now.” She pointed. “Him wait in chair.”
Petros and Bear turned and in a dark leather armchair sat Ding Lang. He summoned them across but remained seated. “You left yesterday morning. You spend night out.”
Petros stood and looked intently into Ding Lang’s eyes. “We went for a long walk, didn’t we, Bear? Yes, we stayed out. I’m sure in China tourists are allowed a night out, or is it forbidden?”
Ding Lang leapt to his feet. “Do not make fun of me,” he screamed with hate and self-importance. “This is my country and I will put you in plison for long time. A long stay changes a man. You will not enjoy. I intellogate and you play to your god for me to stop.”
Bear came up behind Ding Lang but Petros shook his head and he retreated.
“Be careful, Mr Kyriades, my men will be observing every move you make.”
Petros glared at him and saw the coldness in his eyes. “I am a British citizen and if staying out is a crime you’d better arrest the world.”
Ding Lang’s face glowed red. He paced back and forth. “It better you stay in hotel till time you leave.”
“But if I wish to go for a walk?”
Ding Lang’s hands shook. He turned on his right heel and marched away like a stiff-legged puppet.
“You pushed your luck, PK. Time to wind your neck in. Napoleon could lock you up fo
r the fun of it.”
“I know, but the little weasel got to me.”
“So, what do we do now?”
“A good meal and a few hours sleep. Tomorrow we talk to George.”
* * *
Nathan introduced Ling and Fei to his wife Yun. In Mandarin, he explained his intentions.
Yun smiled and spoke in her own language to Ling. “You’re tired. I’ll prepare a warm bath and find you suitable clothes. Come.”
The two women and Fei wandered off towards Yun’s bedroom.
Nathan fell asleep in a chair. Yun woke him. “Tell me you approve.”
Nathan stared at the woman and boy who at a distance might be mistaken for his wife and son. Ling and Fei, now washed and clothed, appeared as any other middle class Chinese.
Nathan kissed Yun and thanked her. “We must keep our guests safe until their flights are arranged. Don’t let them go out and they ought to practice their new names.”
Later, Nathan returned to the hospital.
* * *
A dour smile creased Ding Lang’s face as he strode into his office. “Li,” he shouted.
A tall, thin officer entered. “Sir.”
“I need this Petros Kyliades to be taught a lesson. I want him hurt, not killed.” said Ding Lang. “I leave the arrangements to you. Can your men be trusted?”
“As any man can be, sir.”
Ding Lang thought for a moment. “Excellent. On this occasion, double their payment. Mr Kyliades will not forget his visit to China. Let me know date and time.”
* * *
Petros contacted George and arranged delivery of Nathan’s money to the HSBC in Beijing. The plain-clothes police officer following him made no pretence at hiding. On the return journey, Petros motioned for him to come and walk by his side. For over an hour they strolled around the city, Petros increasing his stride with every dozen or so steps. The man, small in stature, began to wheeze, whereupon Petros said, “Too many cigarettes.”
The man, recognising the word cigarette, stopped and fumbled in his pockets. Petros, a non-smoker, didn’t stop. Three hours later they returned to the hotel. Petros asked reception to give the man a drink and for it to be put on his bill.
The next day Petros repeated the run around with another member of the police force. This one, far fitter, took five hours to exhaust. Again, Petros told the porter to meet any need the man might have. Ding Lang’s men continued to follow him. None, it appeared, noticed Bear’s absence. Ding Lang, incensed by Petros, had taken the bait.
Bear returned with the money late in the evening. “What now, PK?”
“Tomorrow we’ll invite Doctor Nathan Davenport over. I’m knackered and need my bed. Goodnight.”
Bear went to his room.
* * *
Petros arranged to have dinner in their suite. For the duration of the morning he walked the city boundary. The air was stifling as though a storm were brewing. He observed a mass of dark cumulus clouds low over the region. An athletic young man in standard police uniform followed at a distance. Petros, after an hour’s brisk walk, grinned at his shadow and started to jog. At first he kept the pace steady, building up a rhythm. Petros lengthened his stride and glanced back at the man. Not wanting to lose him, he slowed. He stopped at a street bar, ordered a coffee and remained there, his eyes observing the locals.
Chapter Eighteen
The black Mercedes-Benz braked and slowed to a halt alongside Petros. The passenger’s window opened. “Mr. Kyriades,” said Ding Lang. “You will come with me.”
Petros gave Ding Lang a severe look. “No chance.”
Ding Lang’s eyes narrowed, his face harsh. “You come or I shoot you where you stand. Believe me, I will tell the world you ran away when I ordered you to stop.”
Petros shook his head. “Okay, why not? Are we going anywhere in particular?”
“I take you to cock fight.”
Petros laughed. “A barbaric pastime.”
“If you end up in my prison you will be a cock and be made to fight. Chinese men good fighters. They will beat you each day.”
“Why the guided tour?”
“So you will see the excitement on my people’s faces. We bet on many things. Life is one.”
Petros said little more, realising Ding Lang was in control and enjoying the moment.
Kunming’s traffic thinned but Ding Lang’s driver used his horn at every opportunity.
A few kilometres away from the city, the car turned onto an unmade and narrow trail bordered by hedges and trees. Petros peered through the windscreen as the vehicle wound and bumped its way. At the crest of a hill, the driver braked and stopped outside a huge metal barn.
“Get out, Mr Kyriades, and stay next to me. Foreigners are unwelcome.”
Petros’ voice sharpened. “Why?”
Ding Lang forced a smile. “Cock fighting is legal but gambling is forbidden. Peasants, executives and many politicians wager large amounts on each bout. It’s a popular distraction from their drab lives.”
Inside the shed, a few hundred poorly dressed men sat on tiered seats, surrounding two fighting cocks. Shouts and cheers echoed from the metal walls until one bird mutilated or killed the other.
Ding Lang handed over a wad of notes to a small hard-faced man and turned to Petros. “I’ve placed my money on black.”
“They appear to accept you in this place.”
Ding Lang ignored the comment. “Study, Mr Kyliades, you may learn.”
The contest lasted five minutes. “You like?” said Ding Lang, his eyes fired with excitement. He walked outside, with Petros following, collected his winnings, and turned. “Mr Kyliades, motivating bird to fight is easy. Their instinct is to ward off rivals. You goaded me into having you followed and, in turn, you made fools of my men. I will now say good bye.”
Petros stared straight into his eyes and laughed. “Does that mean I’m walking back to Kunming?”
Ding Lang shut the door of his car moments before it accelerated away.
Petros wandered along the lane, whistling. From behind, bushes rustled. He turned. Four men, armed with clubs, walked out onto the road. The alarm bells inside his head rung loud. These men, with features battered into hard leather by a life of work, were not out for a walk. One of them shouted at Petros. They followed and laughed while swinging their weapons. He spotted that the road divided and started to run, taking the right fork. The rustle of leaves kicked aside to his right made him stop. Out of the corner of his eye he detected a slight movement. A man with wide shoulders charged. Petros’ survival instincts functioned at full power. He ran straight at the man, caught the ruffian wrong-footed, dodged left and sank his plaster cast into the man’s stomach. The man doubled over and received a knee in his face. His bloodied mouth opened wide as he dropped. Petros didn’t waste time but lowered his head and ran. To falter meant a beating or worse. He increased his stride with every step. The men followed but as their lungs gasped for breath, slowed. They gave up after a few hundred metres. Petros continued at a steady jog back into Kunming.
* * *
Bear travelled the town’s backstreets to the hospital with the money. In Nathan’s office, with the door closed, they discussed Ling and Fei’s journey to England.
Nathan had obtained the necessary paperwork and booked three business class tickets from Kunming via Beijing to London Heathrow. To complete the deception, he asked Bear to obtain two single tickets from Kunming to Beijing for his wife and son.
“Nathan, what are you going to do with the money? One thing’s for sure, you can live in reasonable comfort.”
“I’ll buy a few things, a new pick-up and, of course, a month-long trip to Disneyland for Da. Do you know millions of Chinese live on a dollar a day or less? The ethnic minorities suffer in utter poverty. With inflation so high, many chase the mighty dollar in the cities. No one wants to be left behind but city life has more losers than winners. You can’t begin to imagine what I can achieve with this money.
Most will go to subsidise my clinic for the poor. Those are the people I’m here to serve. I love this country, and when on the odd occasion I read an old English newspaper, I’m glad to be here. My wife is everything to me and you never know, my son may well follow in my footsteps.”
“Love your style.”
“And I yours. Without you, my dream might never have happened.”
“Tomorrow night, then. Meet you in the foyer at seven-thirty.”
Nathan walked with Bear from his office to the main entrance.
* * *
Bear, with his feet up, dozed until Petros returned. “Where have you been? Enjoy your walk?”
“Most invigorating. Ding Lang took me to a cockfight and left me to walk back. I don’t believe he wanted me to reach the hotel in one piece but that’s another story. I enjoyed the run. Any news on our delivery?”
“Nathan’s reserved the flights to London and booked them into the Savoy. Oh, by the way, he expects us to meet expenses.”
“Of course. Without him we’d have gone home, my memory of China being a busted arm. Don’t forget we’ve made a quarter of a million pounds.”
“I’m still worried something might go wrong.”
“Bear, I’m glad you worry. Let’s have something to eat, and afterwards go and buy crap souvenirs for people we’re not keen on.”
* * *
Petros and Bear stood in the foyer and waited for their guests to arrive. On time, Nathan, Yun, and Da climbed the entrance steps.
“Good evening,” said Petros. “Are you ok, Da? You’re quiet.”
Bear roared with laughter. “Ling and Fei passed their first test. You didn’t notice Yun has more of a figure but Da is taller.”
