The Dragon Within His Shadow

by Phyllis M. Rumore

  Throughout the hours the silence was broken by the ringing phone as news of San Francisco events spread and it became known that Tang had been vigilant, his revenge swift. Ng’s death sent more than a few shock waves through their community, with Chow the first to call to verify it was indeed George’s orders that he would take over the tong now that the leadership was decimated. There were many things he could order, but he was happy that Tang was capable of making on the spot decisions required of a good leader. His overwhelming grief had kept him from thinking straight. Still, he held out hope and when one of Tang’s men mentioned he had a call from his son in San Francisco, his heart skipped a beat.

  It was James and as fast as he got anxious, George was crestfallen, again. The call was brief and it wasn’t the news James offered, which annoyed him, but the desperateness and uncertainty in his son’s voice. James had foolishly asked whether he should follow Tang’s suggestions. George bit into him much too harshly, but was it really for James good, or to release his own frustration and anger, he wondered. Barely a few minutes later Rose had called to offer her condolences and to ask if she should still visit, or did he want to get away from things and visit her in San Francisco. He told her honestly that he couldn’t even think of such things, at a time like this, as his grief was overwhelming. He ended the phone call with the usual reassurance that he loved her. After he hung up, he realized the words he spoke were empty, and spoken out of routine, not emotion. This was an important realization for him.

  Chapter Seventy-Six

  The sky outside had darkened and the only light in the living room came from the goldfish tank. James had sat for pretty much the entire day organizing his thoughts, trying to come to terms with what he felt for his father, for John and the direction his life had taken. He had come to the conclusion that Tang’s visit was another test. He didn’t know how else to view the brief appearance. He too had heard about Ng and the others. Most of the men that he had called uncles were simply gone. Others were now looking toward him for reassurance. Kai, however, was suspiciously quiet and hadn’t phoned or dropped by for a visit.

  James pulled the paper Tang gave him out of his pocket and looked at the name. Of course it was Beard. He was the best gang Red Pole on the west coast and everyone knew his reputation. That’s why he wasn’t too surprised when Beard’s Shan Chu called a few minutes ago to explain, it was a lone job and not authorized by him or their gang. Sure, now he was fearful that what happened to the tong in San Francisco might also happen in L.A. His head was spinning with the pressure. He didn’t have to speak, or venture into Chinatown, to feel people’s expectations were upon him, waiting for his next action. He felt stupid for feeling so lost, but given all those to whom he would have sought out advice from were dead; could anyone blame him for feeling this way? Without anyone to guide him, he would have to make a decision. Should Beard live or die? The man was only doing the job he was hired to perform. Should he kill Kai? And if he did kill Kai, how many in the gang, how many of his friends would he also have to kill?

  He walked into the bedroom, turned on the light, opened the closet door and pushed aside the clothing hanging neatly. He pressed on the lower left hand corner of the rear wall and the upper panel released and unfolded like a shelf. He looked at the weapon assortment and decided on his favorite automatic before selecting his darkest black pants and long sleeved shirt.

  Chapter Seventy-Seven

  John woke up early, got dressed and went into the kitchen to have breakfast with Robert.

  “I received word from Portland.” Robert looked at the hungry man before him.

  “What did Portland want, or have to say?”

  “Richard’s dead. So is a man name Ng and most of the tong leadership. Charlie and about a half dozen members of the gang are dead. Oh and someone named Kai survived an assassination attempt.” Robert looked at John for some sort of a reaction, but he masked his feelings well.

  “James?”

  “No. At the time of the murders, James was having lunch with Kai. James received a minor flesh wound and will be all right. Apparently, it was someone from L.A., who failed to do the job he was supposed to do in the first place.”

  “I see. But, James is okay?”

  “No one suspects him, but everyone wonders if he ordered the hits. One thing,” Robert sat, so he could look at John, directly. “James might be feared, but he’ll never be trusted.”

  “Is there a difference?”

  “Think about it, John. Your father is trusted, respected and honored. Why? . . . Because he doesn’t act rashly. He tries to find the peaceful solution that would offer face to all concerned. Americans call it win-win. He uses force only as a last resort, when no other option is left open to him and only because his life, or the life of your family is in danger. While it was true Kai was the ringmaster behind the scenes, the community saw him as innocent. Kai was careful in his actions to look clean to everyone. James looks like a rash brat lashing out. When the hit man struck, James didn’t defend, but pointed his gun at Kai and everyone saw him.”

  John sat absorbing his new lesson appreciatively, hearing wisdom within each word.

  Chapter Seventy-Eight

  Tang sat with James and Rose in one of San Francisco’s typical seafood restaurants. The mood was somber as each course was served. Rose clearly was not pleased to be sitting with Tang, but with James severe loss of face three days ago, all she could do was sit demurely and pray all hope for his future wasn’t lost. James stabbed at his fish as he ate. He recognized Tang’s silent treatment as being close in nature to that of his father’s. Their earlier confrontation on his failure was a dressing down he would remember for a long time.

  “Rose, I spoke to George earlier today.”

  “Yes?” Rose’s eyes lit up.

  “He’s upset with James’ failure. He’s also sorry he couldn’t take your phone calls and wants you to know he’s appreciative of your concern.”

  “I’ve so wanted to speak to him, Tang. Does he know how much I’ve missed him and that I wanted to be by his side and- -”

  Tang put down his fork and raised his hand silencing Rose. “Let me put you at ease, Rose. Your husband knows you love him, understands your concern for his health and your desire to be by his side during his recovery. But you must understand as you have in the past that while he’s in Hong Kong, he cannot be as attentive to you, as he is when he’s here. This doesn’t mean he doesn’t care about you and you should know that. You should know, however, that he is not pleased with recent events.” Tang shot James a glance. Of all people, he didn’t imagine James would be the one to lose face so badly.

  “We’ve explained to you what happened and - -”

  “Mother! Keep out of my business!” James spoke louder than he should have and a temporary hush spread through the restaurant before conversation resumed normal levels.

  Tang smiled, but said nothing. If nothing else, George will like this one change he just saw. Rose’s overly controlling behavior, however, will not please George.

  “James, keep your voice down,” said Rose.

  James shot his mother a glance that scared her. Tang saw it but chose to focus on his fish instead.

  “Look Tang, I know I messed up. Keep quiet, mother. But what was I supposed to do?”

  “You were supposed to take care of things and do whatever needed to be done, discretely. Now everyone thinks you’re wild and out of control and Kai, Richard’s son, is in even a stronger position. You cannot strike at him again and will have to manage things here with him alive.”

  “There is another way.”

  “Oh?” Tang looked at James, skeptically. “Well? What is it?”

  James looked at Tang and immediately regretted even thinking the idea. “When John was here he dated the sister of the Red Cranes, a Japanese gang here. Their leader- -”

  “James, how stupid can you be?” Tang’s look changed to disappointment.

  “Listen, under the pretext
that he’s avenging her guy’s death. No? Huh?”

  “No. We don’t bring in outsiders and even if we must, never the Japanese. Don’t you remember the history of what they did during World War II? Not to mention if anything is done now, everyone will think you did it, whether it is direct or not. So no James, you failed and now you must live with your failure. And God help you, because from what I’ve seen, Kai is not only as devious as his father was, but ten times more determined. What makes him even more dangerous is that he will appear like your best friend, while he stabs you in the back and destroys your business. And here is a case in point. George got this letter last week from one of the guys, who purchase your products. Read it.” Tang watched the expression on James’ face drop.

  “He’s undercutting me and - - wait a second, I’m the only distributor for- - How is he?”

  “More importantly, James, why are your customers bypassing you and going straight to your father? He’s not alone and that James is for you to sort out. Your father wants you to stand on your own two feet. Kai should be simple. You have had difficult situations like this in the past and your father guided you through them. You should know how to clean up your mess.”

  Rose watched her son face truths he wasn’t prepared to face. She sat silently, wearily looking between James and Tang. She was unsure why Tang was allowing her to witness her sons dressing down. When Tang looked at her, she feared staring into his eyes and looked aside.

  “Rose, George promised you a trip for the Mid-Autumn festival which is next month.”

  “Yes Tang, but given events, I didn’t think he remembered.” Rose took the thick envelope Tang offered.

  “Here are your tickets and some currency. He has secured a suite for you and James at the Mandarin. Your itinerary is in the envelope as well. The hotel will provide you a car while you’re in Hong Kong and as usual, all your expenses will be paid. A similar hotel and car service will be provided when you go to Kunming.”

  James saw the look in Rose’s eyes. He took the itinerary and read the outline. One week in Kunming so they could visit Rose’s family, a long weekend in Shanghai, because he had a business meeting with his suppliers. There would be four days in Hong Kong, but “only two days with my father?”

  “James, you have until then to straighten things out. I must get going. My flight leaves in a few hours and I have some things to attend to before I get to the airport.” Tang stood up, bid farewell to both Rose and James. On his way out he handed the waiter cash to pay for the meal.

  Rose looked over the paper with James. “This gives us barely five weeks to- -”

  “Wrong again, mother! I’ve got my instructions. I’ve got to find the solutions by myself.” James grabbed Rose’s elbow and helped her to walk out.

  Chapter Seventy-Nine

  “John! John!” Robert shouted up the staircase.

  “Yeah, I know. It’s time. I’ll be down in two minutes,” John shouted down the stairs.

  “What are you doing? I thought you were packed already,” Robert went upstairs.

  “I can’t find something,” John went back into the bedroom he had been using and looked through each drawer of the pine wood dresser and checked under the black wrought iron bed with the blue coverlet. His small carry-on suitcase was neatly packed and propped open on a chair. He searched it again, along with his wallet, passport and each pocket.

  Robert stood in the doorway, watching the frantic youth. “What are you looking for?”

  “It’s nothing much really but I didn’t want to lose it.”

  “What is it that has you in a tizzy, as my wife used to say?” Robert took hold of John by the shoulders as the boy made his way for the nightstand. He made John look at him directly. “John, what is so important to you?” He felt John’s shoulders relax.

  “I had four pictures that meant something- -” He felt foolish for wanting them.

  “Ahhh. Yes, your family pictures. They are downstairs in my workroom. Remember when I was working on your documents, you took them out to show me.”

  “Huh?” John thought back. “Oh the night we talked about everything I’ve been through. I left them down there? I thought I had brought them back up.”

  “Well, that is where they are. I thought you- - I thought that with you wanting to start a new life, you had wanted to leave them behind.”

  John sat on the edge of his bed. “Well, uhmmm.”

  “Close that bag and come downstairs, I’ll get them for you.”

  “You don’t think it’s wrong for me to want them?”

  “John, memories are our history. They are the foundation of who we are, and what means something. Don’t toss them aside rashly. Keep them, but keep them safe inside. Just remember to be judicious with whom you share them. Not everyone who presents themselves as a friend, is a true friend, worthy of trust.” Robert looked at John, who nodded in agreement. He was amazed with his eagerness to learn and felt very close to him. In a way, John replaced the son he had lost. He thought of his own son and his tragic death some four years earlier, because a drunken fool decided to drive home from a party on the wrong side of the road. He went into his workshop and found John’s pictures. Turning, he looked at his son’s picture, and submerged his feelings for the moment. He went back to the foyer to find John waiting patiently.

  “Here they are, John. Put them somewhere safe.”

  John opened the small cardboard folder and looked at the four pictures. One was of his parents, Tang and Lauren with himself at his birthday party. One was of James and Rose. One was a picture of Tang, Robert and himself. The last one was a picture of Richard.”

  “I was surprised to see that one. I thought you would have wanted to discard it.”

  “No that is the very reason I want to keep it, so I don’t forget the trouble.”

  “Well, okay. Let’s get you to the airport. You remember who’ll be meeting you at LaGuardia. You remember the name of the business, and my friend, who will help you with a job.”

  “Yes, yes, Uncle Robert. I have it all written down. Uncle Robert?”

  “What is it, John?”

  John grabbed Robert in a hug filled with emotion. He quickly remembered himself and let go. “Thank you.”

  “It’s okay, John,” Robert fought back his own emotion. “Just remember to write and call.” John promised and together they went to the airport. Robert watched John board the plane. On his return home, he sat in his backyard thinking of Tang’s father, his brother and choices made.

  Chapter Eighty

  As Tang landed in Hong Kong, John landed in New York. Both men walked off the planes they were on and were greeted at the lobby doorways.

  Tang saw Lauren immediately. She was standing there with the limo driver, two of his men and to his great surprise, George. He couldn’t ever recall a time in the past when George met anyone at the airport. He accepted the honor, knew what it was George wanted to know, but with the men around, he had to keep up the pretense of John’s death. They still didn’t know who all of Richard’s plants were within the organization. He dropped his bags and grabbed Lauren, who had run into his arms. He closed his eyes as he hugged her, kissed her forehead, and breathed in deep, the scent of her hair. He didn’t want to let her go. He wished he was alone with her and that life was different. He sensed, rather then saw, George indicate for one of the men to pick up the bags at his side. When he did reopen his eyes, it was to see George indicate the other man deal with a reporter and photographer from the South China Morning Post. Still clutching Lauren, he reached for George’s hand. To his further surprise, George gave him a quick hug. With his arm still around Lauren, they left the airport to find the limo driver had brought up the car to the doorway. Lauren started to ask what had happened, but all Tang would say was, “not here.”

  John walked through LaGuardia and the first thing he noticed was that people walked faster and with purposeful strides. He walked the length of the terminal and down the steps to the baggage are
a where he was to meet Robert’s friend, Tom Fan. It was hard at first, with all the people rushing around, but there he was, stuck behind the various and much taller, car service drivers, who were holding up name cards looking for their passengers. Tom Fan also carried a sign and it was that that John saw. At first, he didn’t recognize his new name John Hsui, but then he remembered that was indeed his name.

  John looked at the man in his late forties, extended and shook his hand. After a brief exchange they started walking for the car, which was in the parking garage across from the terminal. Tom seemed nice enough and was dressed modestly with his navy pants and long sleeve pull over.

  Once in the car things improved and Tom started to chat with him more, peppering him with questions about Robert and stories of their youth. The drive to his apartment in Brooklyn wouldn’t be long, just about half an hour he said. John said he thought they would be going to New York City. Tom laughed as he explained to John that they were already in New York City and that Brooklyn was one of its five boroughs. As they drove over the Kosciusko Bridge, he pointed out that everyone thinks Manhattan is the only part of New York, but there was more, much, much more and good money to be made in the outer boroughs.

  On and on Tom talked as he drove and John listened to the job Tom had arranged for him. Immediately John knew he would have to strike out on his own sooner rather than later. Between Tom’s chattiness and the menial job waiting, he knew he wouldn’t be satisfied. When they drove up in front of a weather beaten brick apartment building, he was even surer. It was seeing what was to become his tiny room that had barely enough room for the single bed, nightstand and closet door that convinced him. Finding out he had two roommates on the other side of the partition made him feel he would have to plan his future, immediately.