“How could you, my own brother? How could you betray me?” James shouted.
“What? Betray you? How?” John stared at James’ audacity.
“By going out with that that girl. What did you do? Pass along all the details you were telling me? Huh? What did you tell her in all those phone calls home, John?”
“My phone calls with Michiko are none of your business. How can you question my loyalty? Why? Because I dated some girl, you think I’m going to roll over and tell her all sorts of stuff about your precious operation. Maybe you tell your girlfriend everything, but I know better than to trust a woman I hardly know with my private business affairs! You know James; you really should give me some credit. I know you told me to stay clear of Japantown and I did. I didn’t know her brother was a member of- - Who did you say? The Red Cranes?”
“Well I’m sure she knew. How do you know she hasn’t been working you over to supply her brother with information?”
“You’re pathetic! Do you trust anyone outside yourself? It’s no wonder no one respects you anymore.” John spoke, snidely. “Besides James, it’s not like you didn’t know. Remember before I left, I told you about her.”
“Yeah? Okay, so you said you met a girl, but you left out the part about the Cranes.”
“And I suppose you know everything. Look, I’ve had a lot to deal with but one thing I’ve never done and will never do is betray my family! The sooner you get that through your brain, the easier things will be for everyone. I might not be perfect, but I’m a true man. If you’re so worried about people betraying you, then you should open your eyes and take a look around. Perhaps, you should look to yourself.”
“What do you mean?”
“Hmm. Let’s see, what was it Aunt Rose mentioned about your girlfriend Susan and her brother being in a gang? What about Kai and Charlie? Remember, we talked about what Frank said. Everyone else seems to see things except you.” John’s face was flushed.
“Yeah, well- -” James stopped when he heard the door to his apartment open. James and John both prepared themselves and only relaxed when they saw Rose walk in, cautiously.
Rose couldn’t wait any longer. Her need for fresh news won out, so she decided to visit as Richard hadn’t called her in over a week, and she didn’t dare risk calling Hong Kong. Her love for George was true and she needed to know how her husband was doing.
James saw the look on his mother’s face and tried to calm down as he watched her exchange pleasantries with John.
“How is my husband?”
“He’s getting better, stronger each day. It will be a few months before he’s as good as he was before, but things are looking hopeful.”
“Than things are okay in Hong Kong?”
“Things are okay. Aunt Catherine is taking very good care of Uncle George. Each day, she works with the physical therapist to help him regain his strength.”
Rose tried to remain calm, but she didn’t like hearing her rival was by her husband’s side. “I read in the paper that Lauren has assumed control of the board.”
“Yes that’s true.” John saw the look on Rose’s face and recalled how happy his own mother was now that things between her and his father were resolved.
“I’m sure she’s capable, but I’d expected Richard would have looked after my husband’s affairs until his sons returned to Hong Kong.”
“Lauren is more than capable, Aunt Rose. She has run companies and turned them in successful ventures in the past.”
“Perhaps she has, but I wonder if she can garner the same respect, as perhaps Richard. I fear she may be undermined by those who are not as loyal to George.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry Aunt Rose. A move was made by Richard to undermine Lauren, but she was too canny for him. She turned the tables and saved Uncle George more than a few million in the process. Besides, now that Richard’s been disgraced and since James is here, she was the only one able to take care of things until Uncle George can resume. Not to mention that she has Tang who’ll help her when needed.”
“Ah yes, Tang. He’s pleasant enough, but he isn’t family. After the disgrace he brought Lauren, well, I mean I sincerely doubt George will allow him to remain by her side, especially after his failure in protecting the family.”
“Aunt Rose, not only is Tang secure within my uncle’s business, my uncle has allowed him to propose to Lauren and she has accepted. They are to be married in a few months.”
“I see.” Rose, trembling, looked down as her worse fears were confirmed.
“I’m sure you do. Look, I’m tired from my trip. If you don’t mind, I’m going to go and crash for a while, but before I forget.” John went into his bags by the door and took out two presents and some letters for Rose and James. “These are for you Aunt Rose, James. They are from Uncle George.” He was disgusted and wanted to get away from both. He had more than enough on his mind concerning his own situation. He had no desire to deal with their personal problems and pushed his bags into his room. Before he closed his door, he looked at them sitting quietly on the sofa and caught Rose’s eye.
“Thank you, John. I hope you’ll come up later for dinner.”
“I’ve plans for later. Tomorrow maybe?”
“Tomorrow then.”
“Fine, tomorrow.” John closed the door, not giving James a chance to say anything.
Rose was upset and more than a bit distressed at the news, as was James.
“Why don’t you open the present?” James finally, asked.
Carefully, Rose removed the red wrapping and opened the small box to uncover another chop for her collection. This one had a particularly exquisite carved dragon and phoenix on top. The dragon had eyes of rubies and the phoenix’s eyes were emeralds. A traditional theme symbolizing the male/female union, but what disturbed Rose, was the real pearl set between the two figures. The pearl had a slight hairline crack running down the center. She took it as an omen, transposed the significance onto her life and felt tears welling inside.
Rose looked at James. Any remaining hope she had seemed to drain away all at once. “Do you know what this means?”
“Mother, you look for the stupidest things in the weirdest places.”
“This means Catherine has won, and it’ll be her son John, who succeeds George.”
“You got all that from a simple chop?”
“This is more than a chop, this is a bribe to keep me content and it's not from your father. It’s from Richard.”
“How do you know?”
“I know, as a woman knows.”
“Why don’t you read your letter?”
“I don’t have to read the letter to know what it says. There are meanings behind the words and actions, James. It would do you good to open your eyes and see before you get tossed along the wayside. What does your letter say?”
James obediently opened and read his short one and a half page letter. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to bolster his spirits. “Dad says he believes I have what it takes to handle the problems I am facing now. . . . He received John’s reports and thinks Kai is the source of my troubles. What? Why did he tell him that? . . . He says he’s impressed with the changes occurring in John, and is grateful for the strong influence I’m having. . . . He says between what I’ve said, and John said, Charlie shouldn’t be trusted. He writes that I should look at Charlie with more objectivity. He says again, he has faith in me and that when things quiet down, he wants me to return with you to Hong Kong, for the Mid-Autumn festival. . . . He says, don’t worry.” His voice trailed off as he finished reading the letter and put it back in its envelope before tucking it into his shirt pocket. There were other things there, but he had no desire to bring them to light in front of his mother and was angry John had discussed his business, with his father.
“You should have gone back, James.”
“Don’t start that again, Mother.” James gave his mother a warning glance.
“Fine James. If you don’t care that
Lauren and Tang are in Hong Kong taking over the business that you should have a voice in, I’ll not mind. However, don’t come crying later when you have nothing and ask me why! It’s your inheritance that has me concerned. You’ve a right to share all your father owns, including what’s in Hong Kong.”
“Again Mom? Again, I have to go through this bullshit. Dad assured me that my share was here in America! Stop harping on me to be concerned about Hong Kong. My interests are here, in San Francisco and the States only. I don’t care what happens in Hong Kong and I don’t want to discuss it again. Do you understand?” James spoke in his most intimidating voice.
“Yes, James. I understand all too well.” Rose’s voice went cold as ice. She got up slowly and walked to the door, carrying her chop and precious letter.
“Anyway, it looks as if we’re going back in September,” said James.
“Very well, don’t see the shadows. But sooner or later, they’ll overshadow your life.”
“See you later Mom.” James chose to ignore his mother’s vague warning. She was depressed and her depression was starting to encroach on his life, something he didn’t like.
Rose took the elevator to her apartment, carefully cradling the chop in her hands. Another bribe, she thought. She had sold her soul for a chance at happiness and love with a man she thought loved her. The price for her was those expensive chops that filled her case. Where they symbols of love, or symbols of slavery to an illusionary emotion that was empty and fleeting? Her life was like one of the chops. They were safely enclosed, taken out on occasion to be admired, or dusted off, but always locked away safely in the cabinet. Rose looked at her collection and felt deep emptiness as a wave of insecurity swept through her. She leaned on the cabinet door and wept soft tears. As she moved to clutch her stomach, her elbow knocked into one chop that was larger than the rest. It fell over and onto the lower glass shelf which, like her heart, broke in two before shattering into pieces. Chops fell out and she collapsed herself onto the nearby sofa. She cried as she realized her greatest fear, her rival had won. She had lost.
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Tang’s arrival at San Francisco’s International Airport was uneventful. He rarely, if ever, was stopped or questioned as he always appeared as a businessman. Passing through customs, he moved through the airport with the ease that familiarity brought. Grabbing a cab, he tossed his bags in and told the guy to take him to Telegraph Hill where he had an apartment.
He went quickly up the steps and unlocked the door to his place. He loved this apartment more than the others he maintained. He felt at home in San Francisco probably because it was so far away from business that he could actually relax and forget his troubles. He dropped his bags in the bedroom and walked through the spacious living room to open the curtains, revealing a magnificent view of San Francisco Bay. It was a beautiful day and the warm breeze floating in as he pushed back the sliding door to the terrace, entranced him. Taking a deep breath, he walked through the rooms. He opened windows, letting light and air into the apartment. It was hard for him to believe it had been two months since he was last here. Time passes quickly, he thought. He dialed the private Choi number and asked for Lauren.
Tang reached into his bag, retrieved a framed photo and stared into Lauren’s eyes. It was a photo he had taken when they went to visit one of the temples on Hong Kong Island. She had sat on a red wooden railing and her hair was caught floating in a breeze. Gently outlining her face with his fingertips, he caressed her image, while in his mind, he caressed her.
“Hello, Tang,” said Lauren.
“Hello sweetheart, I’ve arrived in San Francisco.”
“How was the trip?”
“It was okay. How are you?”
“I’m fine Tang. I hate it when you have to go away on business.”
“Well, there is the other option you know, you could have come with me.”
“I suppose so, but right now with Dad’s condition, I’m afraid I can’t go anywhere.”
“Don’t worry. Things will be back to normal soon and we’ll travel together. I’ve some special places I want to share with you.”
“You do?”
“Yes, I do.” Tang walked to the window to stare at the harbor.
“I like those three words. Don’t forget them.”
“Uhhh, you have a one track mind. Ever since we made our announcement that is all you can think about and you know what?”
“What?” Lauren twisted the phone cord around her finger.
“I can’t wait either. Listen, the sooner I finish business, the sooner I’ll be home.”
“Just what business do you have to do Tang? You didn’t tell me who it was you had to see so desperately.”
“Lauren. You of all people should know there will be things we cannot discuss.” Tang walked to a closet, pulled a suitcase down off a hidden shelf in the bedroom and put the bag on the bed. He opened it and examined the assorted weapons.
“You would say that. Listen. Ummm, Tang?”
“Yes?”
“I love you,” she said with tenderness.
“Lauren, I love you too, very much. I’ve got to go. I’ll call you again in a few days.”
His moment of sentimentality was all he would allow. He had an assignment and although he didn’t like it, he had to fulfill his obligation. He was George’s ambassador on this trip and as his list of responsibilities grew; his faith and loyalty to George grew as well. Quickly, he shoved things aside and selected a deadly switchblade with a black steel blade and his favorite gun, a black automatic with a matt finish.
Chapter Fifty-Eight
John and James spent most of the next afternoon and early evening at a quiet neighborhood bar talking. It was hard at first to get past the anger, but after a few drinks, the volume calmed down and the two brothers talked at a level neither had experienced before. It was hard to make peace, but they did as they opened up. They realized that in order to survive they needed to trust each other and be the best friend the other needed. They talked, revealing to each other details rarely shared, while finding they had more in common than they thought.
As they left the bar, each felt like they had someone to count on for the first time in their lives. James had to meet up with his lieutenants and headed off to Chinatown, while John decided to head back to the apartment to relax a bit. He felt stressed from his trip, especially with the change in time zones and given their long discussion, he just felt like crashing. When he walked up to the apartment door, however, he thought he heard a noise inside and was surprised to find the door unlocked.
John walked in and saw Charlie near the closet. “Charlie?”
“Huh?” Charlie looked up, saw John and said to himself, shit.
John immediately thought Charlie was trying to quell a guilty expression. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. “How- - What are you doing?” John watched Charlie try to shove the closet door shut, but it stuck on something and he hovered around the door suspiciously.
“Huh? Oh. Ha, ha, ha. Uh, nothing really. You startled me that’s all. I didn’t expect to see you for a while.” Charlie pushed whatever it was out of the way and quickly slammed the door. He reached out to shake John’s hand, but looked nervous.
“Yeah, well things got done and I’m back.” John knew something wasn’t right.
“Oh yeah? Ahhh. You had to go visit your uncle. How is he?”
“He’s fine. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Sure. Why?” Charlie felt anxious. No one was supposed to be home for hours.
“Because you look nervous Charlie. What’s wrong?” John took off his jacket and moved toward the closet door.
“Nothing’s wrong, John. Uh John? What’re you doing?”
“I’m putting my jacket in the closet. Do you mind?” John was curious to know why Charlie was nervous and why the guy kept staring at the closet door.
“The closet?” Charlie was furious John had returned home so soon as it messed up hi
s plans.
“Why not the closet? What’s wrong, Charlie? You have something in there you don’t want me to see? What is it, Charlie? Why are you nervous?” John ripped open the closet door. “What the fuck?” John stated flatly, as the bag of white powder nearly hit him in falling to the floor. There were two stacks of white powder on the top shelf and more in the bag on the floor.
“Hey man, it’s not my shit.” Charlie tried to play dumb, but he was too dumb himself.
“Where did this shit come from?” John moved toward Charlie, who backed away.
“Hey John, now wait just a minute. I don’t know about that shit. Honest, I was just- -”
“Just what? Just planting it?”
“You think me? No, John, no. You’ve got it wrong. You got it all wrong, man.” Charlie backed into the living room window as John advanced toward him menacingly. He feared almost everyone except Kai, because he was the only one who had helped him. He had trusted James in the past, but felt like James pitied him and did things out of pity, which he resented. He knew he was caught.
“If it's not your shit, why are you backing away? Huh, Charlie? What is it? Charlie?”
As Charlie was forced back against the glass pane, he reached behind him and pulled out one of the two guns he carried. He held it in his shaky hand, as straight and level as he could. There was terror in his eyes. He didn’t expect confrontation. He was supposed to get the shit, get in the apartment, drop it off and leave. “I don’t have to say shit!”
“What gives, Charlie? Why are you doing this? Why are you against James?”
“Shut up.” Charlie was nervous and didn’t know what to do.
John was not upset, nor frightened, just startled. He never had to confront an assumption before. However much he didn’t like Charlie, he had accepted his trustworthiness at face value, because James trusted the man. Now, he felt he should have trusted his own judgments. Right now, he had to take control of the situation and Charlie, until James returned.
“You were sent to entrap James. Why, Charlie? Why betray James?” John asked in the familiar Cantonese while surreptitiously, sliding into a side stance.
The Dragon Within His Shadow Page 32
