The Dragon Within His Shadow

by Phyllis M. Rumore

  Tang felt Fong tense up, saw Spider’s signal, but the real moment was when he looked into Ming’s eyes and saw the shock of disbelief register. Tang stood firm as silence fell over the restaurant’s crowd. Slowly, some stood up to get ready, while some others remained seated and others slithered out behind Tang and his men.

  The restaurant manager was in the kitchen giving the cooks orders when he heard his restaurant go silent. One of the cooks by the kitchen door looked out and told him trouble was brewing and naturally, all the cooks and waiters wanted to look by the door. The manager started panicking. “No! No! No! This neutral ground!”

  Tang thought the man a brave fool. “We only want him. There’ll be no trouble if he comes with us.” Tang pointed at Ming, who stood frozen in his spot. This wasn’t the way he wanted to do it, but damn it if this was the way it had to go down. Everyone in the room was connected in one way or another. If they didn’t know who was who and what the score was that needed to be settled, than they were fools.

  There was some noise to be heard coming from the kitchen as the restaurant manager pushed his staff out of his way causing things to crash. All in the dining room heard him shouting, “go away with trouble! Not here! Neutral, here neutral! Away, away! No! No! No!”

  The two men with Ming moved in front of him, while a guy sitting at a table in the far corner stood up. “You don’t expect us to just let you have our brother, Tang, do you?”

  “Our problem is with Ming and only Ming. If you want you can join in, but we just want him.”

  “No! No! No! Go out! Out, outside. Go away…” The restaurant manager shoved Ming from behind and tried to push the offenders out his door. Instead, he started the fight.

  Who leaped from where, or how, was unimportant. Tang, Fong, Xie-Li along with Spider and his four men faced off against Ming and some ten men of the Black Eagles along with a few others. Fists flew in a violent rage. The restaurant manager waved around a small wok, in a vain attempt to quell the ruckus, but he was soon knocked unconscious. The chefs hovered in the kitchen, but some of the wait staff joined in as well. Ming tried to slip out, but Tang was focused on his prey. Within minutes, the restaurant was devastated and Ming was beaten, but still alive. Tang and Spider with Ming between them, left. Their men were the only ones to follow them out into the street. The restaurant was as still as a cemetery with bodies of men stretched out on the floor, and more than a few lying across tables and through doors. There was no movement in the dining room. Maybe some were dead but most were just unconscious.

  Tang shoved Ming unceremoniously into the back seat of his car, as Xie-Li and Spider got in, one on each side of him. Fong sat in the driver seat at Tang’s direction. Two of Spider’s men followed in the second car. The rest made sure the Black Eagles and others got the message not to interfere. Before Ming was to die, Tang was determined to uncover who paid him and asked for the hit. He didn’t relish doing interrogations. The drive was short and their arrival at a garment warehouse in the Sham Shui Po area, a mix area of both residential and small industries in the New Territories just north of Mong Kok, was unmarked. They drove up to the front of the grayish, non descript building. There was a guy sitting on an overturned bucket next to flapping papers listing job offerings in Chinese for modest wages. In seeing Tang emerge from the car that pulled up, he obediently opened the factory door.

  The guy didn’t question why Tang was visiting and he didn’t need to know, he just held the door open as the group of men walked in. One of Spiders men remained outside with him as the rest walked to the back of the narrow, pale yellow hallway to a door. Tang opened the door quickly with his keys and they entered the deserted factory. There were boxes stacked high against one wall, racks of finished garments along the back wall behind the rows of sewing machines and large carts of material about. He selected a chair and pushed it toward Ming.

  Xie-Li and Spider dropped Ming into the chair before tying him to it, firmly. Returning to consciousness, Ming soon realized the predicament he was in, tried to judge his chances of escape and saw they were slim, but not impossible if Fong took action and broke cover.

  Fong hung out by the doorway with one of Tang’s other men. He knew what was coming and didn’t want to be involved. If asked he would have no choice, he would have to do whatever Tang requested. Ming looked at him with pleading eyes, a silent plea from one brother to another. He had taken the same oath as Ming. He was sworn to provide aid and assistance to his sworn brother wherever and whenever asked. He could feel Ming asking and Tang staring, waiting to see what he was going to do. Spider and his men were off to his right. Xie-Li stood behind him. Tang was to his left and the closest. To better the odds, he would have to free Ming. He couldn’t handle five on one. One at a time, yes, but five attacking at once, no.

  Tang as well as Spider saw the dilemma in Fong’s eyes. Discreetly, Spider motioned to his man to cover Fong. It was picked up by Tang but no one else.

  “Who paid you?” Tang questioned harshly.

  “For what?” Ming said.

  “Don’t be stupid. Who paid you for the Choi hit?”

  “I didn’t do it.”

  “Yes, you did. I saw you,” said Xie-Li.

  Tang indicated for Xie-Li to take over. He came around and stood in front of the man before he punched him severely. On and on the questions and fists were pumped at Ming. He professed his innocence, but they kept at him and soon he was a sore mess.

  “Wait . . . I’ll tell.” Ming felt he couldn’t take much more, especially if Fong was just going to stand there and watch.

  “Try again,” said Tang. “Who paid?”

  “Don’t know. A cour- - A courier paid.” Ming spat up blood, as he spoke in a barely audible whisper.

  Xie-Li was going to deliver another strike but Tang held up his hand.

  “Who was the courier?” Tang waited and when Ming wouldn’t talk gave him a backhanded fist across his cheek.

  “Fuck you!”

  Tang indicated Fong should take over and when Fong pretended he didn’t hear Spider tapped him on the shoulder.

  “What’s the problem?” Spider questioned.

  “No problem,” said Fong

  “Then do it.” Tang massaged his sore fist.

  Fong walked reluctantly toward Ming, looked into his sworn brother’s face, saw the pain and felt the anguish. They were both dead tonight, he thought. There was no way out.

  “Fong!” Tang commanded. “Do it!”

  Fong looked into Ming’s eyes and saw death. He followed Tang’s commands.

  “No one,” said Ming.

  “WHO?” Tang demanded

  Fong broke the man’s ankles. Ming cried out as his bones poked through the skin, but Fong couldn’t take it. He whipped out a knife and killed Ming to end his suffering quickly, by plunging it into the man’s chest.

  Tang reached Fong swiftly, and they fought viciously, as the others watched. Tang released weeks of pent up anger into Fong. His martial arts skill was far superior and could kill with one punch if he wanted. Fong was skilled, but not as polished. It showed as he lashed out at Tang with a second knife he had hidden up his sleeve. Tang had his own supply of weapons within easy reach, but this was personal. He would take care of Fong, personally. He made Fong stab himself in the leg before pinning him against a wall.

  “Why, Fong? Why did you pay him?”

  “I didn’t pay anyone.”

  Tang shoved him back hard against the cold cement wall, while twisting the knife in Fong’s thigh without mercy. “Why? I know it was you. Why? Who?”

  “It wasn’t me who hired him Tang,” said Fong.

  “Then how did he get this? It has your mark on it, in the corner.” Tang shoved the triad banknote with the picture of a red lion in Fong’s face. Tang smashed the guy’s head against the wall but he didn’t answer. Instead, Fong countered the attack and from somewhere deep inside, summoned energy to thrust Tang off. The fight resumed full force quickly, and the deadl
y dance moved between the rows of sewing machines.

  “Who paid? Who ordered the hit?”

  “Richard. Richard Cheng!” Fong pushed Tang backwards over the sewing machines before jumping over the tables in attempt to land forcibly on the man, but his wounded leg wouldn’t react quick enough. Tang moved too quickly and was not there. He lost sight of Tang and was twisting, turning around looking for him. It was then that he noticed Spider had decided to join in the fun.

  Spider jumped upon the table and balanced himself with the utmost of ease, on the tops of the sewing machines, as he made his way over toward Fong. His men also joined in, as did Xie-Li, who had moved toward the back of the room and was coming in from the rear. Tang, having recovered his footing in the next row, also jumped up. Leaping from his perch, Spider sent a forceful snap kick into Fong’s chest, followed by Xie-Li and his man. But it was Tang, who broke Fong’s neck. The man dead, collapsed in a heap upon the floor at Tang’s feet.

  Killing a man made Tang feel empty. True, the death of Fong was the death of a double agent, as attested by the Black Eagle tattoo they found on his arm. Tang didn’t like the discovery, but it all lead straight back to Richard. George would have to make that decision. He couldn’t strike against Richard, but he could send a message.

  “The harbor?” Xie-Li asked as if he understood what was on Tang’s mind.

  “No. Pack them in some boxes and deliver them to this address.” Tang wrote out the address of Richard’s warehouse. The same warehouse he had requested Thourson to raid on Thursday. “Place the box in a corner. I want Richard to get a slow message.”

  “Sure.” Xie-Li understood the statement that Tang was making.

  “Leave the knife where it is,” said Tang. “It has Fong’s prints on it. And stick these where you want.” Tang handed them a plastic bag with two knives. “They’ve got Richard’s prints.” With their business done for the evening, Tang gave Spider and the others stuffed envelopes, which they pocketed. He watched them roll the bodies away in garment carts and felt satisfied.

  “Something else?” Spider asked as he watched Tang reach into his inside pocket and pull out a cloth bag that held something heavy and a folder full of documents.

  “Yeah. This is the code to Richard’s office safe at the factory. I want you to put this in the safe. You can take whatever money, or whatever else you find in the safe but this necklace and this folder better be there Spider.”

  Spider reached out and took the things from Tang. “No worries, Tang. Consider it done.” He watched Tang leave as the others started to move the bodies. Looking inside the bag, he understood why Tang didn’t show off the necklace. Even in the dark bag, the emeralds, jade and diamonds shimmered.

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  James sat lost in thought, trying to sort through his various problems when he heard his mother enter his apartment and go into the kitchen. He heard her put something in the microwave, and then its steady hum as she started it. He could feel his stress level rising. He didn’t need to deal with her tonight. When she walked into the living room, he looked up and saw the tension on her face and a newspaper under her arm.

  Rose saw James sitting on the edge of the coffee table. “Staring at those stupid fish will not strengthen your position.”

  “Mom, for the last time, please stay out of my business. You don’t know a thing about what’s happening. Did it ever occur to you that I might be upset over Dad’s condition?”

  “I suppose regarding your father, only you have a right to be upset. Have you ever thought about how I feel? I have to wait until Richard calls before I can get any information regarding my husband. Bad enough he hasn’t called for nearly a week! And while we’re at it, you weren’t so smart to send John back. This was the time you should have kept him here minding the store and you should have gone back to claim what is yours. Instead, he’s there. And did you see this? Did you see today’s South China Morning Post?”

  “No, I didn’t.”

  Rose took the paper from under her arm and shoved it at James. “Look at this article in the business section. It’s small, only two paragraphs, but you should read it. See here. It states; ‘In an effort to reassure stockholders that with the chairman in hospital business will continue, a board of directors meeting had been held. Rumors concerning who would assume control during Mr. Choi’s recovery were eliminated, when it was revealed that Ms. Choi would assume her father’s duties.’ You should have been calling the meeting and you should be in Hong Kong making sure your rights were protected!”

  “Mother, I’ve had it and don’t want to hear anymore. I just can’t go to Hong Kong every time something goes wrong. I have to deal with things here. Besides, what makes you think there is a place for me in Hong Kong?” James stood and began heading for the front door.

  “Just you wait one minute, James. I want to talk to you and I’ll not have you raising your voice to me!” Rose watched James stop near the doorway and look back over his shoulder at her. “Was there any word from Tang?”

  “Tang said Dad was being released from the hospital and taken home.” James reached for the apartment doorknob.

  “James, please don’t turn your back on me when we’re talking. What happened between you and Tang? And why haven’t you said anything before?”

  “It’s nothing and I don’t want to discuss- -” James knew he couldn’t escape. He hesitated before he turned around and returned to the living room to stand by the window. He looked out and wished he could jump down the six floors to his car below.

  “Oh? I’m tired of hearing that stupid nonsense. Whenever you don’t want to face the problem with me, you hide like a boy behind a curtain of words.” Just then, a breeze broke the stillness of the room and as if on command, the curtains fluttered around James.

  “I’m not hiding!” James pushed back the curtains.

  “Then tell me. What occurred between you and Tang?”

  “Something stupid and it happened a long time ago when I went to Europe. Dad needed me to take care of something. Tang told me where and how to get there, but I had a better idea.”

  “Why didn’t you go the way Tang wanted?”

  “I thought it was stupid and too long. It doesn’t matter why.” James’ voice trailed off as he ran his hands through his hair. It was as if by smoothing the hair, he would smooth away the pain of the memory. “I got in some trouble and Tang had to get me out of Greece.”

  “There’s something else. Isn’t there?”

  “I’m not talking about this now. How do you do it? How do you get me to- -”

  “I see.”

  “No Mom, I don’t think so. I don’t think you understand anything.”

  “I understand James, more than you think I understand. What else did Tang say?”

  “He never says much, just what he has to say and then that’s it. He hangs up.”

  “James, you’ll have to resolve your differences with him. It won’t be easy, but until you do, he’ll not support you. You will need him, if you are to have a future in Hong Kong.”

  “Hong Kong! Again, Hong Kong! Why is it you always tell me Hong Kong? I don’t have a chance at Hong Kong. Stop telling me about Hong Kong. It’s here, in San Francisco, not Hong Kong, where I’ll run things. I’m not going to try for Hong Kong, so stop pushing!!!”

  “James, you’re upset.”

  “No Mother, I’m not upset. I’m disgusted. I’m angry that you still don’t understand me. You of all people should know I’m nothing in the Choi family.” James stared hard at his mother with eyes burning with anger. He couldn’t think of anything to say and for a short period of time, there was awkward dead silence in the room. “If John calls, tell him to call me at ten. I’m going out.”

  “James - -” It was no use; he stormed out the door too fast for her to catch him. Rose watched from the window as he got in his car and drove off.

  James was unnerved by his earlier conversation with Tang. It was very rare for the man to
call him and when he did speak, it was strictly for the purpose of delivering a message. Then, there was John. They had been speaking daily and he was grateful for the communication, but he still wondered who had prevented his calls from reaching his father. For however much there was a difference between Tang and himself, he didn’t think Tang would purposely get between him and his father.

  James knew he had to build trust and a strong friendship with John. He wasn’t blind and knew his father wasn’t going to give him the Hong Kong territory. Everything in the future was dependent on how well he got on with John. This was an awakening experience. Should his father have really died, he would have been totally excluded from everything. He wanted to go back, but he knew the rules. His father had made things crystal clear to him. Never return to Hong Kong unless he was summoned, or had been requested. Instead, he sent John. So back he went and ever since John had been providing him with regular status reports concerning their father’s health. What’s more, he was learning things about the Choi Empire he never knew. In a way, the reports were reassuring, but troubling. Uncle Richard’s were scarce and suddenly very thin.

  His father’s condition brought into focus the status of his relationship with the man. He had always taken it for granted that he would be able to talk to him. The thing that gnawed at him was his isolation. True, he had his brothers from the gang, and the uncles, but with the uncertainty of his father’s condition, he realized how distant they were toward him. He never thought he put the distance between himself and them. He was happy the other day when his father did manage to call and even though it was brief, it felt comforting to hear his father say he had faith in his abilities. His trouble was that he wasn’t so sure he had faith in himself. For the first time, his father had spent more time questioning him about his brother than about his mom. He drove pass the lush Presidio Park along Lincoln Boulevard and looked out over the Pacific Ocean. His mind was racing. It was risky to send John back, but he felt the need to be kept informed.