by Sewell, Ron
“PK, we need to start thinking like the Lady in question. How close did they go with their wagons? Did the soldiers carry the gold and how far?”
“Good questions. Time for a shower, phone the girls and, after that, dinner.”
“Now that’s the best idea you’ve had today.”
Chapter Twenty
Sunlight surged through the windows as Petros wiped the remnants of shaving foam from his face. He picked up the telephone. “Good morning. Is it possible for my friend and I to have breakfast in my room?”
“Chinese or continental.”
“Continental, but add half a dozen extra croissants and lashings of marmalade and butter. And a large pot of percolated coffee. Charge my account.”
“Ten minutes. I bring your photos which were delivered late last night?”
“Yes, please - and thank you.” Petros ended the call and walked to the chair, where he hung his shirt. With gusto he called Bear from the balcony. “Breakfast, my room, ten minutes.”
“Don’t start without me.”
A rap on the door signalled Bear’s arrival. On opening, Petros smiled. Bear stood there holding a large tray with both hands and a blue folder under his right arm.
He strolled in and placed the tray on the table. “Poor girl nearly collapsed carrying it. Glad you ordered extra, I’m starving.”
Petros pulled out a chair, sat and filled two cups with coffee. “Can I have the photos?”
Bear pushed them towards Petros. “I’ll eat. What are you hoping to find?”
“Haven’t a clue. Something happened here a hundred years ago.” He let his eyes wander over the sheaf of pictures one by one.
“Interesting?”
“David Bailey you’re not, but you covered every angle, watchtower and mountain ridge and there’s nothing odd in any picture.” He sipped his coffee and became aware of a thin line that wound its way toward tower thirty-four. Petros sat back in his chair, grinning.
“Okay, smart arse, tell me?”
“A chance in a million.” He handed over one photograph. “I believe that’s the outline of a staircase for workers.”
Bear studied the picture. “We’re not searching for hod carriers.”
Petros hesitated, frowning. “One way to find out.”
“It’s in the no-go zone.”
“Can you read Chinese? No, you can’t. We will plead ignorance and smile.”
“That won’t be difficult.”
Petros ignored the jibe. “We make up a story. There’s a good chance we’ll get away with it, once.”
“When do we start this epic journey?”
“Five minutes.
* * *
Bear stood and peered over Petros’ right shoulder as he scanned the photograph of the Wall and its surroundings. “Let’s go.”
With their mood one of anticipation, they marched at a brisk pace, covering the distance to the base of the photographed hill in less than two hours. For a few moments they rested and drank tepid water from plastic bottles.
Without speaking, Bear circled the rock next to Petros. With his right hand, he waved and pounced. A snake wrapped itself around his arm.
Petros froze. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Bear grinned. “You’d have jumped a mile or at worst trod on it. They get grumpy with a size nine on their head.” He held the writhing reptile and placed it behind other rocks. “There you are, Hissing Sid, out of harm’s way. I forgot Beijing had a snake problem. We’d better mind where we walk.”
“Was it poisonous?”
“Might have been. I treat them with respect unless I’m eating them. Right, where’s that staircase?”
“Or what’s left of one.”
They entered a section of thick scrub and weathered limestone ridges. A few hundred metres away a fenced compound barred any further progress.
“It must be around here,” said Petros. “We’re below the watchtower in the picture and where the steps should be.”
Bear scrutinized the cliff face and rubbed away the loose debris. “They were here but a long time ago. You can see the change of colour.”
Petros stared up to the tower and studied the surface for foot and hand holds. To overcome his fear of heights, rock climbing had been a means to an end. The risk he loved, but hated the drop. As a result he kept his eyes level. With no equipment, and soft rock beneath his feet, this would not be easy.
“PK, don’t be fucking stupid. Sandstone is treacherous and breaks without warning. Do you want to bust your other arm?”
“I’ll give it ten metres and make my decision as I go. Get ready to catch me.”
He clambered up the gentle incline and faced the vertical. Good solid holds made the first thirty metres straightforward. With skilful use of his toes and the fingers of his left hand, he started to ascend. Without pausing, he progressed the next twenty metres. In places, the weathered rock crumbled at the slightest touch. Sweat ran into his eyes and blurred his vision. He appreciated the fact that, without the proper equipment, this was stupid, and descended.
At the base of the rock face, he brushed the dust from his clothes. “We need to descend from the top.”
Bear shook his head in disapproval. “The top. Forget it.”
Petros held up his hand. “We’d better draw up a detailed list of equipment. I want to find out if there’s a cave hidden up there.”
“For a man with a busted arm who hates heights, when did you last do any serious climbing? This face is a mixture of sandstone, limestone and rubbish. You have two choices: abseil and hope you discover decent anchorages on the way, or we go home. The first choice requires specialist equipment.”
“I said we need to make a list.”
Bear clamped his hand on Petros’ shoulder. “So you’re telling me we hire climbing gear and abseil.”
“Got it in one. What’s the problem?”
“Daylight. We can make out this face from our bedroom windows. Someone might ask awkward questions if they notice two men climbing in a prohibited zone.”
Petros massaged the back of his neck. “No problem, we do it at night.”
“You are fucking joking?”
“No, but if you can come up with a better suggestion, I’ll do it your way.”
“Go and tell Chinese George to get his fat arse out here and then we go home.”
Petros’ eyes narrowed. “Don’t you want to find the missing treasure?”
Bear paused. “I’ll help you, but if the cave’s not there, we fuck off home.”
“I’ll go with that proposition for the moment.”
“Let’s get back.”
“Okay.”
Disappointed and frustrated, they trudged along the base of the escarpment to the rough road and their hotel.
* * *
Sheng Su stopped Petros and Bear as they entered. “A visitor waits for you in dining room,” he said in flawless English. “Why are the police taking an interest in you?”
Commander Ding Lang pushed opened the door to reception. “Mr Kyliades, I told you to leave China and I find you here. You will tell me why.”
“My friend and I wanted to visit and explore the Great Wall. You know the thing made of stone and earth that stretches across your magnificent country. I am told it can be observed from space.” He felt the jab of a fist in his back.
Sheng Su retreated before Ding Lang’s glare.
Petros regarded this obnoxious little man as a cretin of the lowest order.
Ding Lang stood with his hands behind his back, his voice soft but his tone unmistakable. “Why you leave hotel in Kunming but not vacate rooms? This I find interesting. You will be returning?”
“Commander,” said Petros, “your men followed me everywhere I went. I come here to visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World and you arrive. For the life of me, why?”
“Money opens doors in China. You are known in your country as collectors. Peasants have found many valuable treasures. You are here
to steal Chinese artefacts. I will have you under constant surveillance until you leave. Your belongings will be searched at airport. One stone from ground in your baggage and you will be arrested.”
Petros listened without comment.
“I have ordered Sheng Su to make detailed notes on your activities. You will leave my country empty-handed.”
Petros shook his head. “Commander, you came to Beijing to tell me this. I will give you the information you need. For the next four to five days, my friend and I will be visiting the Great Wall. We will be taking photographs and enjoying your country. Place your man in reception and he or she can come with us.” An uncertain smile flickered around his mouth. “And, believe me, we will return to Kunming. I will visit the hospital and have my arm checked before we fly to England. You may examine my suitcases as many times as you wish. We are here on holiday, nothing else.”
Ding Lang laughed. “My men will follow you everywhere.” He marched out of the hotel.
Bear turned to Petros. “Well, that puts the kybosh on this little escapade.”
“No way. Just makes it more exciting. The best form of defence.”
Uneasy, Bear said, “You’re not going through with this?”
Petros’ eyes sparkled with mischief. “More than ever. We’re being hounded by a jumped-up obnoxious bastard who gets right up my nose.”
“I don’t think you’re fond of the short-arsed creep. That means trouble.”
“Mr Kyriades,” said Sheng Su returning from his tiny office. “The commander is not a good man. He dominates by fear. Long ago the authorities placed him under investigation. He has influence at the highest level.”
“Sheng Su, why was he sent to Kunming?”
“I’m not sure. It is rumoured he controlled the prostitution in Beijing but the charge was, as expected, forgotten. Many say he supplied women to those with absolute power. His duties in Kunming, I assume, were to place him out of the way until the storm subsided.”
Petros closed his eyes. “Can we eat in my room tonight?”
“Of course. Please order now and give me a time.”
With their meals chosen, both men went to their rooms. “I’ll give you a call when the food arrives, Bear. We need a plan.”
Bear forced a laugh. “That might be a good start.”
Petros lay on his bed and slept. Night enveloped the hotel when he stirred. He showered, shaved, dressed in clean clothes and watched the television until their meal arrived.
The girl entered and placed a laden tray on the table. Petros smiled. “Thank you. Tell my friend, dinner’s served.”
On leaving, she turned, winked and said, “Police in lobby.”
Bear rubbed sleep from his eyes. “Do I detect food? PK, we’ll talk after eating, I don’t want to spoil my appetite.”
“Fair enough. Sheng Su has given us plenty.”
“Good, I’m famished,” said Bear as he emptied a bowl of noodles and spicy vegetables onto his plate.
* * *
Commander Ding Lang drove into the district of Beijing filled with bright lights, bars, drunks and dropouts. Turning left he entered an underground car park and stopped in his allocated spot. With confidence he marched to the lift and pushed the button for floor thirty-six. Security cameras monitored the short distance from exiting the lift to a solitary door.
The entrance swung open to allow him to enter. Ding Lang nodded to the man and strolled into the luxurious surroundings. The staff bowed as he passed, acknowledging his power. A slim girl, no more than thirteen, dressed in a dark green, thigh-length cheongsam, entered his private suite.
With his left hand on her waist, he eased her into the room and closed the door. The girl slid with little effort from her clothes and stood naked, waiting for his next command.
He pointed to the bed. His eyes inspected her unblemished body as she lay back among the silk-covered cushions. “You are virgin?”
She nodded.
Ding Lang pressed a button on the wall and waited. The door opened and a heavily-built, tall, athletic young man entered. Ding motioned for him to undress. “You are large.” He pointed to the girl. “Make her scream and I will double your money.”
She shook with fear.
Ding Lang sat in a chair at the foot of the bed. He bellowed at the man as the girl backed away, wide-eyed and terrified. “Pin her to the bed and destroy her.” Screams filled the room. “Hurt her. Hurt her!” he shouted.
He gave an evil smile as he handed the young man a roll of large denomination notes. “You may go.”
His eyes sparkled as they traversed the girl’s quivering body. “You were indeed a virgin. Now, on your hands and knees. I will give you pleasure and you will lose your other virginity. Please scream, no one will hear. And try to get away - it makes it so much better.”
* * *
Bear placed his hand on Petros’ shoulder. “Now we go home. With the police tailing us, this trip’s fucked.”
“Don’t agree.”
“Come on, we’re up shit creek and the alligators are eating the canoe. Sink or swim, we’re dog meat.”
“Bear, I want to beat that horrid little runt and I’d hate to walk away, but I admit you’re half right. Tomorrow, we are going to hire an infrared camera and take pictures of the rock face. Hot surfaces give off more energy than cold ones. If there’s an opening, albeit concealed, something will show.”
“And then we go home.”
“No, Bear, it depends on what we discover. No cave, we go back to Kunming, collect our gear, and pay the hotel bill. Then we contact Chinese George before returning to Beijing. I want him here to get Ding bloody Dong off our backs. Do I trust George? No fucking way. But I’ll use him.”
“And if there’s nothing?”
“We go home.”
“Fancy a beer or two? For the time-being we have little to do and nowhere to go.”
“I’ll give Jocelyn a ring and suggest you talk to Maria.”
“No worries, Bear, I text her every day and phone every other. Knock on my door in an hour and I’ll be ready for a drinking session.”
Petros asked Sheng Su directions to a quiet but acceptable bar. Both men setting a fast pace, they reached the bar in less than fifteen minutes. The place was empty, apart from another man who followed them in. They lodged themselves into a corner booth. The barman came across and took their order. Petros pointed to the lone man by the bar. “Police. Give him a drink from us and I’ll pay.”
The police officer accepted the drink, raised his glass, smiled, and downed the spirit in one movement.
“He’s bored out of his skull.”
“Plan B. It will be interesting to note how many drinks he’ll accept.”
With each round, their laughter increased in volume. Influenced by copious amounts of rice wine, both men fell into their beds. In reception, the officer tried to stay awake but sleep overtook him.
Chapter Twenty-One
Petros banged on Bear’s bedroom door. “Fancy a run? Sweat that jungle juice out.”
“Fuck off,” came an offhand reply.
Petros allowed himself a satisfied smile. “Ok. I’ll join you for breakfast.”
Outside, he commenced a stretching exercise. He jogged past the closed bar and increased the pace. In less than twenty minutes he crossed a canal and turned left until the next bridge. Sweat ran from his pores as he completed the circuit. On entering the hotel, he glanced around reception; the police officer was missing.
Showered and dressed, he caught up with Bear in the dining room.
He sipped a glass of chilled fresh orange juice while waiting for his home-baked wholemeal rolls to arrive, and let his thoughts wander.
Bear wiped the remains of an egg off his plate with a slice of bread and stuffed it into his mouth. “Old Sheng Su does a mean breakfast. Ok, what’s first on the agenda? Try to remember we’re professionals. I’ll go along with the camera bit but we might have overstayed our welcome.”
&n
bsp; “The plan is not to get caught. Let’s progress this one day at a time. If we hit a brick wall, we go home.”
“You forget I know you better than you know yourself.”
Petros smiled as he buttered his bread roll. “You do.”
* * *
Petros waited in the dining room and drained the dregs of his coffee.
“Your taxi here,” said Sheng. “Show him the address and pay him one hundred Yuan for the journey. I told him you are a friend so he will not ask for more.”
Bear, followed by Petros, stepped out into a cool breeze. The morning sun didn’t warm the air but the overpowering heat inside the car made them gasp. Petros handed over a slip of paper. The driver read it, screwed it into a ball and dropped it on the floor.
The vehicle drew to a halt at the side of a drab, unpainted concrete building. With a lit cigarette in his hand, the man pointed at a door.
Petros ripped a two hundred Yuan note in half and handed over one piece. “Wait.” The man shrugged and puffed on his cigarette.
They opened the door and walked towards the counter. “Have you noticed the surveillance equipment, Bear?”
“Yes, in every corner. Nowhere to hide. This must be the right place.”
A short, rotund man with dark eyes appeared. Grey-white stubble covered his chin. “American?”
“British,” said Petros.
“Same, same,” said the man, smiling.
“Infra-red cameras. You rent them,” said Petros.
“Day, week, or month?”
“Two days at most. The film developed and foolscap prints.”
“Not two. Three. Fifteen hundred Yuan. Three thousand deposit.”
“How much to buy?” said Bear.
The man chuckled. “Same. You not come back. I make profit, good business.”
“Whatever happens you win.”
The man peered above his black-rimmed glasses. “Who sells to lose?”
“Will you show my friend and me how to work the camera,” said Petros.
