The Dragon Within His Shadow

by Phyllis M. Rumore

  “Hello Tang.” Spider walked over to the table.

  “Hello,” said Tang.

  Neither of them introduced their support, for as support, they were just expected to be there. They bullshited and talked for a short time on subjects as varied as the day. When it was time to get down to business, Tang indicated for Xie-Li to wait outside and Spider indicated the same for his men. It was done as much to save face as it was for privacy.

  “So Tang, what brings you into Kowloon?”

  “Business.”

  “Good business I hope that’ll bring profit to old friends,” said Spider.

  “The profit potential for this venture is great, if the results are as expected,” said Tang.

  “I see. What is the object?”

  “A black eagle statue, but this isn’t an average statue. This statue has a wounded right leg and a marked left claw. I’ll purchase the statue broken, but still breathing.”

  “What you want is known, but in foreign territory and difficult- -”

  “But not impossible and the money I’m offering will make it even more possible.”

  “Are you certain Tang?” Spider questioned, but he didn’t need a verbal response as it was plain on Tang’s face that this was revenge. “When?”

  “I’ll expect delivery by Saturday. No later.”

  “I’ll need more than a few days Tang, to locate the statue.”

  “I heard a rumor. He visits the Wall City clinic around three tomorrow. By Saturday or the price drops. Besides, you’ve already had nearly a month.”

  Tang stood; shook hands and after a brief exchange, they each went their own way. He looked at his watch, saw it was getting late and knew they still had to get to the racetrack. Getting in the car Xie-Li took the driver’s side and without asking started heading up Nathan Road.

  “Sha Tin?” Xie-Li saw Tang nodded approval.

  Tang’s mind replayed every piece of information in the puzzle, but he still couldn’t figure out who was directing the Eagles. Someone had to be behind pushing them. They weren’t known to have any lone birds who struck out on their own. When they attacked, they attacked in force as shown on the night of John’s party. Those thoughts would have to wait thought Tang, as they pulled into the parking lot of the Sha Tin Race Track.

  Xie-Li and Tang entered and made their way to the grandstand where Tang instinctively, knew he’d find Thourson standing by the railing. Tang indicated for Xie-Li to wait at the top of the stairs and to keep his eyes open as he walked down. “Hello, Thourson.”

  “Good Afternoon, Tang,” said Thourson. “I see you received my message.”

  “After such a wonderful invitation, how could I resist,” Tang said sarcastically.

  “Sorry about that. Do you have the ticket with you?”

  “Yes.” Tang handed the ticket to the Inspector.

  “I’ll have this dealt with on your behalf. Let’s get down to business. Forensics couldn’t find any readable print off anything. Not even yours. The bullets that struck the Choi’s were nine millimeter but you of course already knew that.”

  “Have you forgotten Thourson that my men were there when you removed them?”

  “No of course not, Tang. Don’t take me for a naive fool, I won’t stand for it.” Thourson was slightly perturbed by Tang’s brewing stance. “We’re at a dead end with no leads. We’ve asked every informer who this guy was, but no one seems to know anything.”

  “That surprises you Thourson?” Tang questioned. They both paused as the horses were led onto the track. “Who do you have your money on?”

  “Number Five, Red Star. What about you Tang?”

  “I didn’t bet.”

  “Who do you like?” Thourson showed him the race papers.

  Tang viewed the list of horses' names that were running. “Number Nine, Golden Dawn.” Tang indicated for Xie-Li to come down. He handed him two thousand Hong Kong dollars and told him to place it on Golden Dawn to win. With odds thirty-to-one, it would be a nice return if the horse won. Xie-Li looked at Tang before moving off to place the bet. Inspector Thourson had placed his bet on the favorite.

  Xie-Li returned quickly with Tang’s tickets and remained standing close by to watch as the horses settled into their respective gate. Red Star allowed herself to be lead in without a problem as did most of the other horses. Number seven was in a bitchy mood and didn’t want to go in at all. They had to take her for a walk before she would enter. Golden Dawn pranced about, showing a bit of reluctance, but it was more a display of spirit than objection really.

  Suddenly the bell sounded, gates thrusted open and horses dashed forward with great speed. The crowd roared with excitement at the display of grace, cheering wildly for their horse. As expected, the favorite Red Star, moved quickly to the rail, claiming the early lead.

  Tang stood emotionless, while he observed Thourson getting excited by the speed and beauty of his choice. As the horses neared the third turn, the pecking order changed. Suddenly Red Star dropped to third, as Golden Dawn, which had been holding steady in the center, started moving along the rail. Her presence ticked off one horse after another as her jockey moved her up through the pack. Golden Dawn kept pace with Red Star, who had moved back into second place. Thundering around the last turn, they watched Red Star and Golden Dawn catch up to the leader, Lady Blue. As they neared the finish, all three were neck and neck. The race was too close to call. As the horses slowed down to a trot, it was announced in both Cantonese and English that it was a photo finish and people should hold onto their tickets.

  “Marvelous! I’ve never seen horses run like that. Have you Tang?”

  “No never. I’m curious Thourson, why did you select Red Star?”

  “I’m not much of a gambler Tang and like to go with sure things. At least that’s the way I like to look at it. Why the long shot?”

  “She’s a relatively new horse, with a new jockey. They both got a lot to prove and will try that much harder. They’re posting the results now.” They both watched along with the crowd as the photo of the finish was displayed and it became clear Golden Dawn won by inches.

  “Congratulations Tang, it seems you’ve won,” said Thourson.

  “Thank you,” said Tang.

  “Yes. You also won in another matter as well, I might add.”

  “Have I?” Tang didn’t know what Thourson meant.

  “Yes, you have. It seems one of our informants who was apprehended this week, has decided to trade some information in exchange for leniency. But- -”

  “You didn’t ask me all the way out here just for the races, what is it Thourson?”

  “Tang, I’ll be straight with you. I owe you. I owe both you and Mr. Choi. I owe you because of what you did for me. When you solved the problem my daughter was having- -”

  “That’s something we never considered as a debt nor wished to discuss.”

  “But it’s a debt and I’m here to repay you in kind. I can’t eliminate your problem, as easily as you eliminated mine. Both my conscience and weakness of mind prevent me. It’s my character fault I suppose. Nevertheless, this informant had some interesting revelations.”

  “Did he?” Tang saw the familiar conflict that always existed in Thourson’s demeanor.

  “Yes,” said Thourson.

  Tang knew he had to wait out Thourson, but that once the man gave him what he had; it would be something to justify the trip to the outer reaches of Kowloon.

  “Our informant told us he was ordered by a man named Eric, to supply us this.” Thourson handed Tang a paper listing two months of their scheduled shipments. “I suggest you make other arrangements. That’s just a photocopy. I’m afraid the other division has the original.”

  Tang looked over the list. Third down was the date and location of the largest drug shipment. The bastard also listed the names of the seven couriers, the dates of their expected arrival in Hong Kong and the dates of their departure back to their country of origin. These couriers would come in
from Europe and the States, and carry small amounts back to their respective cities. For the most part the couriers worked either directly, or indirectly, for the local gangs. Usually they were kids, teenagers gone astray. But, what made the paper really interesting was a faint note handwritten. Tang stared hard. It looked like it was in Richard’s hand.

  “In the case of the Americans, their government has already been informed, I’m afraid.”

  Tang reread the list. It was a list indicating what the police knew. It was a list that could only have been provided by Richard Cheng. The storm inside Tang was back up to monsoon strength. He knew inspector Thourson risked a great deal telling him about the leak and would be required to make a few busts in order to look good.

  “Do you know what this represents,” Tang asked.

  “About eighteen-million U.S., if our lads calculated correctly.” Thourson looked at Tang before saying what he truly felt. “Richard Cheng’s setting you up for the blame, isn’t he?”

  “What have you said regarding this?”

  “That it’s bogus and without foundation. That the man was a low-level punk who’d sell his own mother, if he could. To get them off this, I’d need something a lot bigger.”

  “See if you can stall the raids until next Wednesday. Then, let them go as planned at the first three places on the list. I’ll allow them to make their intended arrests, but it’ll uncover very little, maybe a few ounces of something. I think this is where you want to direct your efforts, Thourson.” Tang wrote an address on the race paper for the man. “Thursday next week, would be a good day to visit this location. Now, who gave this to you?”

  “You know Tang, I cannot- - Look. Supposedly, the informer received it from a member of the Choi organization as he had to escort some of the couriers. I must be going. Cheers Tang.” Thourson reached out to shake Tang’s hand.

  “Cheers. Oh and Thourson, there’s one last thing.”

  “Yes, Tang. What is it?”

  “Don’t forget to collect your winnings.”

  Thourson looked at his hand and saw the winning tickets. He exchanged looks of gratitude before watching Tang turn and walk back up the stairs.

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Tang replaced the receiver, looked out of his living room window, and thought it was going to be a clear night. Having finished with the arrangements for George’s return to the apartment tomorrow, he felt he could allow himself a few minutes to relax. George seemed happy with the direction he had chosen, yet he remained concerned. There were too many loose strings. Still, with permission granted to execute the game plan, he hoped those loose strings would get cleared up. He thought over his life and actions that had lead him to this point. He tried to think if he should have done things somewhat differently. Given his situation, the answer he told himself was a resounding, no. If he took any other path, there wouldn’t have been Lauren and that was the most important thing in his life.

  Tonight was going to be busy he thought, as he changed into all black clothing. True, there was no way to avoid either the war, or the tension that tonight’s events would cause, but that would be George’s Cho Hai, messenger, Hoi Lien’s chance to prove his loyalty. He took a partial version of the list he received from Thourson and placed it in a sealed envelope before having one of his men deliver it to Richard’s cousin, James Yi, the Society’s Sin Fung. How well he dealt with his portion would clarify his position.

  The last issue to deal with was Richard’s agent, Harvey. When Tang saw the banknote that Candy held, he knew it came from Fong. Well, tonight Fong gets to prove his worth, thought Tang. He had called him earlier and told him to be ready in ten minutes. Fong will have to kill George Choi’s adversary.

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Richard had little choice. He returned to the Choi complex on the Peak only to find he had been evicted from his apartment and was now situated with the men. He was furious someone else had gone through his belongings and was sure things were missing. At least he had his own room, which offered some semblance of privacy and was thankful he never kept any papers in the apartment. They were keeping him alive for the moment and that was all that mattered as he was certain he’d find a way out of the entrapment. He looked down at the desk he was forced to sit at and felt the cold, hard stare of the guards who stood just outside the doorway. He needed a phone. True, he had used Fong to get a few messages out, but he was slow in returning with any information.

  He had tried to reach Catherine but couldn’t. He figured her passion for him was a way to gain control over his present situation. Surely if her love held, George wouldn’t dare destroy his position totally and if left that opening, he would yet conquer. What really bothered him was the thought that after all these years, George might win Catherine fully. That was the one thought he wasn’t prepared to deal with for that thought meant his death. Her reluctance to see him, made him feel uneasy. Hence, he desired, needed to see her more than ever. He needed a phone, access to a phone so he could call in his markers and Catherine was his only hope of access. What game was she playing? She should have called for him by now.

  At the moment, however, he had to focus on how to move as little funds as possible out of his private holdings back to Choi. Results were expected and something had to be shown at the end of each day. Yi, his own second cousin, he felt had failed him, when he mentioned his dilly-dallying was not appreciated. He was further annoyed that common accountants were permitted to question the validity of his words.

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Catherine observed Richard over the monitor; saw the distinctive posture and knew the way close acquaintances knew that he was plotting. I can confuse and control you just as easily as you have manipulated me, Richard, she thought to herself. My daughter has shown me the truth. My daughter has shown me that a woman can be her own person. I don’t need you, to deal with my competition. I’ve thought long and hard while George was in the hospital, and now I know. Inside my heart, I always loved George and you played on that love. You hurt my family and I’ll not be your fool anymore. She turned off the monitor, put on her jacket and left her bedroom. Walking briskly through the various rooms, she checked and made sure everything was in perfect order. She had strategically placed items with deep sentimental value around the newly decorated apartment. The chair from their wedding night that George had carried her off in was now by the doorway to George’s new home office.

  In the living room hung a painting in the most prominent location that George had allowed her to overbid and buy, because she loved it very much. The vase on the mantel was a present for no reason, other than she had fancied it in the store window and George said she should have her desire. That one was from their fifth year together. She opened the door to George’s new home office. With the excuse of remodeling, she kicked Richard out of his apartment and used that space to make George’s office into a mini suite. Where there was once a doorway to the servant passageway, now there was a new paneled wall lined with bookcases.

  Catherine by altering the room changed its character, giving it a new perspective. It was important to her to know that when George walked into the room, there would be nothing to remind him of that fateful night. He didn’t ask for the change. It was her duty to realize the necessity and fulfill the task. The new furniture was in place and although a few of the new shelves were bare, they would eventually be filled. She had been meaning to visit some art galleries to get some new sculptures but hadn’t had the time. Most of her time had been spent devoted to supporting Lauren. Between Lauren and the various officers of the corporation, whose nerves and egos had to be constantly reassured, she barely had time for herself. In a way, she couldn’t remember feeling more alive then over these past few weeks. Influencing those stubborn men to accept her daughter was more than capable to run a corporation, used up a considerable sum of her energy.

  The men waiting in front of the apartment complex saw Catherine approach, and opened the car door. She got in gracefully.
If they noticed anything, it was her renewed sense of vigor that they passed off as anxiety. The drive to the hospital was short and soon Catherine was walking down the now familiar hallway. Outside of George’s door, she paused to take a deep breath. She had made her decision.

  George was getting dressed with the help of Lily when he felt Catherine’s familiar touch as she helped him with his shirt. Catherine opened her arms. George saw a spark in her eyes and pulled her to him. Their hug and embraced cleared the room quickly. Catherine’s emotion overtook her. Their words were soft and private, but from the depth of their souls. They kissed and it was the kiss of their youth, tender and soft, yielding yet, hesitant.

  “I’ve missed you, Cathy.”

  “George, I’m sor- -” but her voice choked, the words failed to come.

  “No, enough words. Words confuse and right now, I feel all I need to feel. I feel the truth.”

  The emotion got them and together in an embrace, they made their peace, spoke truths from the heart as they hadn’t spoken since their first year.

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Spider and his men had been notified the night of the hit as were all gangs, and tongs associated with the Society, to find the hit man. It wasn’t until Tang gave him three additional pieces of information that he even knew where to look. True enough, they found the eaglet by staking out the clinic in the Wall City. Apparently, this eaglet wasn’t held in high regard by his brothers either. While they waited for Tang to show up, his men ate as did Ming, the eaglet’s name, in the same small restaurant on one of the lesser than savory side streets. He could have killed the bastard himself, except Tang had specifically requested the man be kept alive.

  The place was considered neutral as it was near the border of three different gang territories and natural for other gang members to frequent the place. Therefore, Ming and his friends shouldn’t be suspicious if they ate here, thought Spider. He saw Ming had finished and was about to leave, but Tang hadn’t arrived. He had just decided to follow them discretely, when he saw Tang, Xie-Li, Fong and others he didn’t know, open the door. As they entered, they walked right up to Ming, who was trying to leave.