Eric looked at the paperwork and was amazed. “I don’t know, Dad.” Eric was skeptical as to what the papers would reveal upon careful examination.
“Trust me, son,” said Richard, with a rather smug look on his face. “Those papers reveal a great deal. Study them. I think you will find the avenue I wish you to take. I also, would like for you to make some phone calls to the police.”
“Why them? You were the one who always told me to avoid those buggers.”
“To confuse, destroy and open as many avenues of attack as we can. Remember son, it is hardest to fight a war when there are several fronts to contend with simultaneously. I want you to call the police and inform them like any concerned citizen should, of the following.” Richard handed his son another list. “Tell them they will find a cache of drugs, and guns.”
“What?” Eric looked at the list briefly. “But Father, won’t this cause danger for you?”
“The danger is closer than you think and I need to know you have this, just in case. I’m not afraid of the risk. After you have time to review these papers, we’ll meet again to discuss your plan further and to determine the resources you’ll require.”
“Very well Father, but what’s in this for me. And what about Lem?”
“You’ll be heavily rewarded for the little you’ll have to accomplish. As to Lem, he has been disappointing. Twice, he has failed me and I won’t give him a third opportunity.”
“I’ll review this and get back to you next week. But, are you sure you want me to report things to the cops? Isn’t that against the rules or something?”
“It is against the rules, to turn a brother in to the police and to provide the police with information. But, if we look at our history, we’ll also see that during World War II, many societies used the police as a tool in their takeover of rival societies. I’m not betraying my brothers, my son. I’m not revealing their secrets, you are and as you’re part of a rival society, one to which I also belong to in the past, it isn’t wrong. You will not be betraying any oath you have taken. In fact, by helping to destroy the Choi society, you’ll help strengthen your own. I assure you, my son, this is how your uncles will view such affairs.”
“Dad, why do you need me?”
“Because, you are my son and a man needs his son by his side. I have faith in you and your abilities. I know you’ll not fail me, Eric.”
“Who do you want me to go after first?”
“The daughter. She has been given control of the company. We need to begin by discrediting her. Inside that packet,” Richard pointed to the manila folder he had given his son, “is information that will show she was pregnant.”
“Pregnant?”
“Yes, pregnant. We’ll begin the trouble by showing the world what dishonorable whores the Choi women really are!”
“How will it benefit us, Dad?”
“It’ll upset the women, humiliate George, unnerve and embarrass Tang, your strongest opponent. Then our attacks within the financial community begin. With Lauren in her weakened condition and upset over her ruined reputation, she’ll not be able to think clearly enough to handle the problems I’m sure you’ll throw her way. I’ll not help until the time comes for the take-over of Choi Enterprises, to save it for us. Succeed and you’ll be given a portion of the businesses.”
“In principle Father, it sounds good, but in execution? The Choi’s are strong, very strong. What if they find out? What if they suspect you?”
“They are too distracted right now and I’ll see to it that they remain that way.”
“Did you organize the hit?”
“It’s getting late and I must get back, if I’m to continue playing the role that’ll keep their suspicions at bay.”
“How much longer is this game?”
“The game plays until George and all Choi’s are dead. When can I expect to hear from you?”
“Very well, I’ll let you know the strategy by the end of the week.”
Richard got up and looked warmly at his son, memorizing each detail. Their farewell exchange was brief and nothing more than a handshake. Eric waited for his father to leave before gathering his bird and men. As the Fu Shan Chu of a gang in Amsterdam, and as his Shan Chu’s right hand man, he was always looking for opportunities to benefit himself and the gang. He didn’t think an opportunity existed that he could exploit, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to examine the papers. If there was an opening, then he just might strike, but not the way his father thought, or for his father's objective, solely. He had his reasons, and they were purely selfish ones.
As Eric got up to leave, another man sitting behind him took the bill from his hand and paid the cashier. It was one of his gang lieutenants, a friend for many years. Two others sitting at another table also got up, one of whom collected another of Eric’s birdcages from the pole. These were just two, of the many gang enforcers who went with him when he traveled, providing protection.
He had many concerns regarding his own tong and the gangs that worked for them. Too many things and they would take precedence over his father’s request for the rest of the day. His Shan Chu had request several decisions of him, which he had to make before he returned to Amsterdam. He had to decide whether he wanted to accept their tong’s invitation to join their ranks. Should he join the tong, he would once again be required to begin at the bottom. He would be an enforcer, a sai low to the elder brothers of the tong, whom he already called uncles out of respect. His Shan Chu already held the dual position as dai low dai of the gang and sai low of the tong. It was required, given that to become the Shan Chu, he had to take the position as tong enforcer. After all, that was how the tong maintained control over the gangs. You swear your fidelity and loyalty to them. Should a tong elder request something, it must be done, whether it is required of you to do it personally, or for you to instruct the gang to do it for them. You cannot refuse, for if you did, you would be punished or killed and the tong would choose another to replace you, who would offer their services and that of the gang.
Chapter Thirty-Four
John stormed down the hall uncertain where he was going. He stopped only to watch the emergency team run by him, as he flushed himself against the wall, to let them pass. His eyes followed them as they entered his father's room. He pushed his emotions down deep, told himself he didn’t care what was happening, and walked away even faster. At the nurses' station, he found his sister was in room 489 and off he went to the fourth floor. When the elevator failed to come as fast as he wanted, he took the stairs two at a time.
“John?” Mee-Lee said, but he just pushed passed her.
John stopped and turned “Mee-Lee?” She looked at him for one brief moment, but her feelings were hurt. She turned and quickly got on the elevator. As John ran up, the doors closed and he slammed his fist against the steel plate. “Damn.” He walked into his sister’s room, sullen.
“John, I knew you’d return.” Lauren stopped when she saw his face. “What’s wrong?”
“John?” Tang asked.
“I saw Dad and - -”
“And, the two of you fought?” Concern registered on Tang’s face quickly.
“Yes. Err. Tang, can I speak to you.”
“Sure.” Tang moved over to a corner of the room where John explained his fears. “Okay, John, I’ll look into it. Let’s take Lauren home first.”
“No. Please, find out now.”
“Sure, John. Lauren, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“What’s going on? What’s wrong?” Lauren stared at John knowing somehow he had caused trouble, yet again, and he wasn’t back even a week.
“Nothing’s wrong. I have to check something and will be right back.” Tang gave her a kiss on her forehead. “John, behave yourself.” He left quickly.
“All right but come back quick, I want to get out of here. Hey John, you don’t see me for months and all I get is a sad face? How about a hug?” Lauren opened her arms and John gave her the warmest hug she
had ever received.
“You saw Dad and you got him upset?” Lauren watch John’s face sink as he nodded. “Oh John, I’m sure he’ll calm down soon.” They both looked up when Tang re-entered the room.
“Well, the good news is that your father is stable. Your mother will be staying here for a while and now I have to get the both of you home.” Tang propped open the door. “Dr. Leong has signed the release papers and you, my dear, are going home.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Catherine finally had the courage to get up and walked over to her husband’s bed. Looking at him, she saw he was sleeping peacefully. She took his hand and caressed it between her own. For all that had occurred between them, she still loved him with all the foolishness that is love. It was something within her that was beyond reason and explanation. Her mind was in conflict with her emotions. Life was just too difficult at times, she thought, to hang on to vendettas.
“George,” Catherine leaned over and touched his forehead with a tender kiss. “George, I love you. Forgive me. Come back to me,” she said in the softest of whispers as a tear fell.
George heard Catherine, as if through a dense fog. Her face lingering over his as he opened his eyes warmed him. He couldn’t talk. He hadn’t the energy, but was able to squeeze her hand ever so gently, before drifting back to sleep. The squeeze sent a wave of reassurance through Catherine.
“Yes, Mrs. Choi, your husband will recover. We were fortunate this was a very mild attack. I want you to go home and rest. I will discuss his condition with you in the morning, after I’ve seen how he makes it through the next several hours,” said Dr. Leong
“No, doctor, I will not leave. My place is here and here I will remain until he awakens.”
“Mrs. Choi, I think it’s best that you go home and rest. This has been a stressful day- -”
“Thank you, doctor.” Catherine stood to face Doctor Leong, who stood his ground by the chairs on the opposite side of the room, waiting for her onslaught. He indicated for her to sit down, but she stood facing him, defiantly. “Doctor Leong, who donated the funds to build this hospital wing? Who gives you money every year to purchase new equipment? Who doctor?”
“We have many benefactors, Mrs. Choi.”
“You didn’t answer my question, doctor.”
“Very well, Mrs. Choi. It is your husband, who gives us the most.”
“I am surprised that I must be forced to remind you of the long-standing friendship of the Choi family with you, a member of this hospital's board.”
“The friendship your family has extended goes back many years, Mrs. Choi. I and many others, are very much aware of this.”
“As you should be, Dr. Leong. My husband and I have taken a great interest in this hospital. And when we see friends doing certain things, we hold a blind eye, for we understand that, sometimes rules are illogical in the course of people’s lives. Sometimes, it is not even against the rules, but merely a reinterpretation of their meaning. Do you understand, doctor?”
“To an extent, Mrs. Choi, we have already bent the rules to allow for the private guards.”
“Private security for my husband, yes, it is against hospital rules. Yet, you allowed it, because of who my husband is and his donations. Rules, Dr. Leong, there are rules for everything in life. Rules govern how a hospital spends its donations and how hospital supplies should be used. Yet, someone has been diverting money and supplies from this hospital to clinics because they gallantly, wish to help all they can help. This too, is against the rules, but no one has spoken of these things, because of the good that is done. Yet, should someone speak, a great deal of damage would happen, not to mention the embarrassment. It would be such a tremendous loss for all those people, who would lose their only source of medical services. So doctor, I will remain and nothing more will be said; is that understood?”
“Yes, Mrs. Choi.” Dr. Leong didn’t realize Mrs. Choi, of all people, knew he had siphoned a sizable portion of hospital funds to serve the poor through the private clinic he ran in the Wall City. But then again, the Choi’s had a tendency of knowing many things about many people.
“Dr. Leong, the fine services you provide the poor should be supported. The poor have little, if any, real medicine within the boundaries of that thieves den and I’m sure they appreciate your services. I will speak to my husband about this when he awakes. I know he will want to help those, who have helped him.”
“I’ve only done what any good doctor would have- -”
“True, doctor, however, I feel with your work there is even more that you can do, but haven’t as of yet done for my husband. Isn’t that true?”
Dr. Leong was nervous she knew or was alleging to know about one patient in particular. “What is true Mrs. Choi is that I afford all my patients the same privacy and confidentiality that I provide your husband. Confidentiality is every patient’s right. I cannot put the needs of one, above the needs of another.”
“But you do, Doctor. Every time money is diverted from this hospital, to your clinic in the Wall City, you’re putting the needs of one group above the needs of another.”
“What are you saying, Mrs. Choi?”
“I’m simply saying that friends help friends. Don’t you agree?”
“Mrs. Choi, what is it that you want beyond staying by your husband's side?”
“I want information, doctor. I want information that may have unknowingly, crossed your path. I would not expect you to violate the rules of privacy. What I am suggesting, is that perhaps during such dangerous times, Tang should escort you. It’s very well known how dangerous it is for people to enter the Wall City. How there are those who would kill first.”
“He would be seen.”
“Not necessarily. Just advise Tang what day you think you would need his protection. He’ll simply be somewhere nearby watching, guarding, but not necessarily, seen by anyone.”
“Protection is something that everyone needs every now and then. What are my assurances, Mrs. Choi, that beyond the Wall City, I will be protected?”
“Dr. Leong, for old friends who help old friends, protection, money and support is never an issue. Money for good causes such as a clinic can be arranged quickly and quietly.”
Dr. Leong saw in the face of Catherine, a cunning woman offering him a way to escape prosecution as well as offering funding for his private clinic, which he desperately needed. She was offering him a way to rid the earth of a savage excuse of a man, who had killed many times and delivered many victims to his clinic’s doors on orders. She was offering him a way to save face. He weighed the decision he must make.
“Well, Dr. Leong?”
“Well Mrs. Choi, for a humble man such as myself, it would be unthinkable of me to ask for such favors from you. Perhaps Tang might like to visit my clinic to review how an investment by you could be spent. May I suggest tomorrow afternoon, say around three o’clock?”
“Yes, doctor. I think it would be wise to ascertain, how much of a commitment will be needed by your clinic. Are you sure three o’clock is a good time?”
“Yes, Mrs. Choi, I’m very sure.”
“Good. It’ll be arranged.”
“Mrs. Choi?”
“Yes, doctor?”
“If something was to happen, I only hope it would happen very far away from my clinic.”
“Of course, doctor. We wouldn’t want to disturb your other patients.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Choi.” Dr. Leong felt unnerved making a pact with a she-devil.
Catherine pulled her chair closer toward the bed and saw George was awake. “George? Are you all right?” She leaned down to kiss his forehead.
“You still care,” he said in a soft voice.
“Shhhhh. Yes George, I still care. I love you but let’s not talk now. Rest. I’ll be here; right here and I’ll never leave your side again.”
“Richard?”
“I dismissed him. I want you to rest and I must call Tang.”
“Catherine?
”
“George, I love you. I know we have differences and I haven’t understood you very well, but the past is the past and we cannot change what has been. I am here now and for what it’s worth, I’m willing to forget our differences for the sake of the future and our family. I hope what we felt in the beginning was real. I hope it is still somewhere waiting for us to find it again.”
“Cathy, I’ve waited so long to hear- -” George’s voice drifted off.
“Please George, please. Rest and get some sleep. I’m not leaving your side ever again,” Catherine took George’s hands in hers and caressed them. He tugged at her hand and, instinctively, she knew what he wanted. She bent over him and kissed his lips, ever softly, but with a depth of passion, he hadn’t felt in a long time. After George drifted off to sleep, Catherine picked up the phone and called Tang. She told him of her conversation with Dr. Leong. He assured her, the doctor would benefit greatly from his visit and that the matter would be dealt with the utmost discretion and impact.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Tang, having settled Lauren and John at home, passed by his apartment to take a quick shower and change his clothes. He didn’t stay long and as soon as he was dressed in navy trousers with a grey sweater and ready for his night’s work. He grabbed his sport jacket and left. Returning to the garage, he hopped into his own car and headed towards the far side of Hong Kong Island, to the town of Stanley. The drive didn’t take too long, and soon, he was in the middle of the village, walking down Stanley Market Road, before turning on to one of the smaller alleyways. It was about six in the evening and some of the stalls had begun closing. Tang paused by one such stall where he took some tea. For nearly half an hour, he stood watching his father at the far end of the alley. His father was a simple man, poor in earthly wealth, devoid of most family, but with a huge heart. His father had a small stall where he fixed watches, old TVs, radios and the like. It hurt Tang to see his father like this, working hard for so very little. He felt it was so unfair, but he knew that the work was what got his father out of bed in the morning and kept him going each day. As the man closed up his shop and started walking toward him, Tang noticed he looked more bent with age, more fragile.
The Dragon Within His Shadow Page 21
