Death in Hong Kong

by Martha Fischer

‘That sounds like a plan. Make it two espressos, please, I need one as well,’ Amanda said.

  ‘Do you think that tea might be drinkable here?’ Susan sounded doubtful.

  ‘Take your chances – probably your tea will be better than any tea ever served in a true Italian restaurant. We here in Hong Kong love English tea.’ Geoffrey waved for the waiter.

  After lunch, and tea that Susan qualified at least as drinkable, they walked through the bustling streets of Kowloon heading for the harbour. The traffic might have been dense, and the diesel fumes of the London-style double-decker buses suffocating, but taking into account that thousands of people were moving along the broad sidewalks Amanda could only admire how well everything was planned and organized. A multitude of pedestrian tunnels made crossing even the busiest of streets easy enough. As Susan and Amanda couldn’t resist the temptation to peek into some of the numerous luxury boutiques that lined the streets their progress was a bit slower than Geoffrey might have hoped for.

  ‘Look, only six thousand quid for the smallest handbag I’ve ever seen. That’s what I’d call a bargain,’ Susan quipped. ‘To be fair, it’s big enough to hold my lipstick and if I fold it well, I might even be able to squeeze in a spare handkerchief.’

  ‘I’ll go for the pearl necklace, the big one of course. If ever I lose a pearl, I should be able to find it easily enough, the pearls are simply too big to go unnoticed. It’s worth the fifty thousand they’re asking for that advantage alone,’ Amanda said cheerfully.

  Finally – using all his skills of persuasion – Geoffrey managed to shepherd the ladies away from the shops to enter the venerated Star Ferry building. The service left from Kowloon for the Island of Hong Kong. The dark green ferry boat, one of a flotilla that had been in continuous use for more than fifty years, was sitting plump and confident on the water. It had been shuttling non-stop between Kowloon and the island for more than two generations.

  Amanda loved sitting next to the railing on the upper deck and feel the fresh breeze on her skin; she filled her lungs – it was a welcome change after the fumes and acrid smells of the narrow Kowloon streets.

  From the Star Ferry pier they walked along high-flying pedestrian bridges, up several steep staircases, then they passed by the Anglican church – a peaceful relic from an era long gone – until they reached the base station of the cable car, a major tourist attraction in itself. Long lines of tourists from all over the world were standing in line in pleasurable anticipation, waiting for their turn to step into one of the sparsely furnished gondolas and be transported up the steep rock that was crowned by the Peak.

  Geoffrey tried to cheer the ladies up. ‘It’s not too bad. Only one hour waiting time – I’ve seen worse.’

  ‘We can’t complain then,’ Amanda replied. ‘Anyhow, we can’t play tourists and expect no to queue somewhere.’

  ‘That’s the spirit! Let me be your guide then.’ Geoffrey cleared his throat and spoke like a tourist guide. ‘A long time ago the English governor of Hong Kong had a fancy idea. He ordered a summer villa to be built on the mountain peak. He wanted to escape the stifling summer heat that can transform Hong Kong into a simmering cauldron. But when everything was finished he never really came to enjoy his new summer residence. He found that the climate was too humid and therefore clouds and mist shrouded the peak far too often for his taste. It might be cooler up there, but sitting in the mist didn’t please him.’

  ‘We’re lucky today then. The weather is simply perfect,’ Susan stated with satisfaction.

  They mounted the cable car and, sitting on a hard wooden bench, they watched idly as first sleek high-rise buildings passed by. The train squeaked and groaned but made its way steadily and slowly up the steep mountain, leaving the modern buildings behind, through lush tropical vegetation on its way up to the Peak. Here and there they passed abandoned stations and spotted villas from the colonial past when the Peak train had been simply a means of public transport like any tram – long before it had become a tourist attraction. What impressed Amanda most was the dizzying view down from the rear of the small train, seeing all those high-rise buildings vanish beneath her until Hong Kong looked minuscule, like a toy city set in a molten blue sea.

  Finally they reached the Peak; like so many other scenic spots of the former empire it had been named after Queen Victoria by her former loyal subjects. They alighted the car and both Susan and Amanda assured Geoffrey that the ride in the cable car alone had been worth the excursion.

  Hong Kong being Hong Kong, no opportunity had been lost to make money. Victoria Peak had been transformed into a major shopping mall complete with a vast choice of restaurants, a branch of Madame Tussaud’s museum, and plenty of souvenir shops – ‘Hong Kong’ labels stuck on the most hideous of gifts. But for the relatively small percentage of tourists motivated enough to dare a brisk walk, the Peak offered a wonderful path with beautiful vistas onto the city that spread below. As the sun started to go down, myriad lights came alive and Hong Kong Central and Wanchai lay at their feet, glistening and twinkling like the crown jewel of the British Empire the colony once had been.

  ‘Let’s walk back – can I invite you for a late tea or coffee?’ Geoffrey gallantly proposed.

  ‘That sounds good. I…’ Susan was interrupted by Geoffrey’s cell phone ringing.

  Geoffrey looked at the screen. ‘It’s David. Let me take his call… Hi, David, how are you? Hmm, curious, are you? Well, it was a sacrifice, the bloody chap made me drink too many shots. I should have stopped him, I know… yes, I have some interesting news indeed… See you, when? In an about one hour’s time?’ Geoffrey looked at Amanda and Susan and whispered, ‘Ok for you, ladies?’

  Both of them nodded in agreement and Geoffrey continued to speak. ‘All right, see you soon, David. It’s a perfect fit, actually, we’re pretty close to your house – I took Susan and Amanda on an excursion to the Peak. You haven’t been there for ages? No wonder, no golf club here and no business opportunities for you either! Cheers, mate, see you soon.

  ‘Well, David’s just told me that Jacky is due to arrive any minute. So we have some time before we drive down to see him. I don’t want to disturb their meeting. What about our idea of having a coffee in the meantime?’

  ‘Well, we’d love to have a closer look at some of the shops. After all, one must bring home some souvenirs and they weren’t all that hideous – some even may merit closer scrutiny. You wouldn’t mind walking back with us to the shopping centre?’

  Geoffrey took the proposal with grace and guided them back to the Peak’s shopping mall. In the end a surprising number of souvenirs ended up in their shopping bags, both ladies agreeing that the sweatshirts and caps embroidered with the script ‘Hong Kong’ would be a perfect gift for their relatives back in Europe. Amanda discovered some nice prints and genuine watercolours featuring panda bears. She was thrilled; they would be an ideal gift for her parents.

  Time passed quickly and they reached David’s house a bit later than they had planned. In front of the house an impressive Bentley coupé was waiting, its chauffeur standing next to his car, smoking a cigarette. He would have been a very attractive man with his fit, toned body if it hadn’t been for a mole on his chin. It wasn’t the mole as such that disturbed Amanda, but a strand of black hair growing out of it. The sight gave Amanda the shivers and she could see from Susan’s face that she was not the only one.

  ‘Did you see the driver of the Bentley?’ Amanda whispered to Geoffrey. ‘Why doesn’t he cut the hair growing out of his mole? It looks… I don’t mean to be rude but it looks disgusting!’

  Geoffrey laughed. ‘Oh, that’s Jacky’s driver and bodyguard. Very smart chap actually. But to answer your question: many men in China would refuse ever to cut hair growing out of a mole – Chinese tradition says those hairs bring you luck.’

  ‘Not in Europe, by any means. But if Jacky’s driver is here, I guess we’re too early rather than too late?’

  ‘We’ll see. Let’s go
inside, there are enough rooms. No need to disturb David until he’s finished with Jacky.’

  David’s butler greeted them but handed them over immediately to the capable Peggy. ‘Mr Li is excepting you and he’ll be free very soon. Can I get you some drinks in the meantime?’

  She led them into the library, home of the famous jade Buddha – a sign of special appreciation from their host – then she took their orders and vanished noiselessly.

  ‘She makes a very capable impression,’ Amanda said as soon as Peggy had left the room.

  ‘Almost to the point that it becomes intimidating,’ Susan cut in. ‘I guess you could ask her the height of the Eiffel tower and she won’t only give you the information correct to the last inch but explain how, when and why it was built at the same time. That species of people tend to scare me, they make me feel so inadequate.’

  Amanda didn’t reply as she had started to examine the Buddha. He still had a curious effect on her and she felt drawn to and repelled by the aloof statue at the same time, a strange feeling that she had encountered rarely before. She felt an acute sense of danger, like a premonition; was she starting to fantasize?

  ‘Anything amiss?’ Geoffrey asked her. He must have sensed her confusion.

  ‘No, sorry, I was dreaming. A strange statue, fascinating, but I don’t find the Buddha very peaceful – he’s radiating power, almost danger.’

  ‘An excellent remark.’ David had entered the study and must have overheard her last sentence.

  ‘Peaceful he is not. Many people have died for him. Family members who feuded over the right to possess this priceless statue, strangers who wanted to steal him. The Li family will never give him up but it’s true that the Buddha has not only brought luck to my family. And yet it would be wrong to put the blame on the Buddha, it’s our own greed in the end that causes the suffering.’

  ‘Talking about greed, we’ll come straight to the subject of this meeting: my friend, the banker,’ Geoffrey said cheerfully.

  He was interrupted by the butler who entered the room carrying their drinks and a glass for David filled with an amber-coloured liquid.

  ‘Cheers!’ David toasted, inhaling the aroma with delight before he enjoyed his drink. ‘Now tell me, what did your friend reveal? Only the usual official blah blah or did he really disclose something useful?’

  Geoffrey waited until the butler had closed the door before he started to speak. ‘Your guest, the one who just left, definitely has his fingers in the pie.’

  David whistled and took a large sip. ‘Good whisky, by the way. You should try it.’ Then he frowned and looked at Geoffrey. ‘You mean my friend Jacky, with Cynthia’s money, I presume?’

  ‘Yep, as far as I can judge.’

  ‘No real surprise as for that. I told her again and again not to trust this guy, but she wouldn’t listen. Well, you know about our relationship. Cynthia was convinced I wanted to ruin her – no idea why.’

  Geoffrey shrugged. ‘Family feuds are the worst. In the end nobody remembers when and how it all started. But I agree, Cynthia was deaf to any kind of good advice, even from me. And Jacky’s smart, he knew how to play her to perfection.’

  David stared at the Buddha as if he was waiting for some kind of divine inspiration.

  ‘Do you think Jacky killed her then?’ He spoke in a low voice after a long spell of silence.

  Geoffrey cleared his throat. ‘He’d have the guts to do it, no doubt about that in my mind. I simply don’t see the motive. She was like a fat cow for him – excuse me if I sound rude – and he milked her to perfection. But what puzzles me: they were going to be married shortly – he could only win if Cynthia was alive. Why kill the goose that lays the golden egg?’

  ‘Unless…’ Amanda said.

  ‘Unless?’ David asked.

  ‘Unless Cynthia was no longer sure she wanted to go ahead with the marriage. I think Geoffrey told me the marriage had been postponed. Maybe she felt something was fishy?’

  ‘That’s a possibility. In any case, if Jacky killed her, he acted too fast. Fact is, he isn’t mentioned in her will. I had to tell him just now that she didn’t bequeath a single dollar to him. He tried to keep a straight face but I could see that he was raging mad. He wants her flat to be searched in the presence of the police. He’s convinced that there must be a second will – they had promised each other to become sole heirs if ever something should happen to one of them. He can’t believe that he’ll receive not a penny. He hinted that I’d better get this sorted out or I might regret my… meddling.’

  ‘Very kind of him. Who’ll benefit from her death then? If I may ask such an impertinent question,’ Amanda asked.

  ‘I guess with two deaths a certain impertinence may be excused,’ Susan said.

  ‘Right you are. She left her money to various members of the family, the bulk going to Lewis. I’m the only one who’ll inherit nothing but her dogs.’

  ‘Her dogs?’ Geoffrey looked incredulous.

  ‘She knows I hate the spoilt brats…’ David answered with a wry smile.

  ‘Well, we can turn this issue any way we want, we seem to come back to Jacky every time,’ Geoffrey continued. ‘It’s pretty straightforward to point the finger at Jacky, but I don’t understand how the yachting incident fits into this.’

  ‘I think we’d better watch him. His warning isn’t to be taken lightly.’ Amanda was worried.

  David smiled warmly at her. ‘Thank you for your concern. Good to know I have some true friends. I’ll take care, don’t worry. But I have a request. I need your help, actually.’

  ‘Of course, what can we do for you?’ Amanda was curious.

  ‘The help of both of you ladies would be nice.’ He smiled. ‘With all the trouble, I have neglected my girlfriend lately and I guess it would be a nice idea to give her a small gift. Could we meet tomorrow around lunchtime and would you mind helping me choose a gift for her? You’ll know better what to choose – to me it all looks the same.’

  ‘I have an idea what kind of “small” gift you’re thinking about…’ Geoffrey laughed and then started humming: ‘Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.’

  ‘You got it. I’d better buy a nice piece of jewellery or I’ll be out of her favour – forever. Let’s meet just before lunchtime at Larry’s.’

  ‘I won’t be able to come,’ Geoffrey said. ‘I have work to do, tomorrow’s an office day for me. But how come it’s not Cartier or Tiffany? I mean, Larry’s is great, but I’d have taken a bet that you’d go to one of the big names.’

  David laughed. ‘Normally you’re not this thick, Geoffrey. What could be the reason?’

  Geoffrey looked at him, flabbergasted. ‘Don’t tell me you own a jewellery shop as well?’

  ‘Well, not all the shares, but enough to patronise it. They give me a great discount, too.’

  ‘I should have known,’ groaned Geoffrey.

  ‘Sure we can help! It will be my pleasure. Where is it?’ Susan said resolutely.

  ‘It’s only five minutes’ walk from Amanda’s hotel,’ Geoffrey replied, ‘located directly on the Nathan Road, you can’t miss the shop. It looks a bit like Ali Baba’s cave. Better leave your wallet and credit cards at home, it’s pure temptation. It will arouse your worst instincts.’

  ‘That’s sounds just like the right shop for me.’ Susan had a dreamy look. ‘I might return later with Neil, though. I might be able to give him some not too subtle hints for my engagement ring. You know how Neil is… We’ll be there, David, don’t you worry.’

  David invited them to stay for dinner and he was a pleasant host; they soon forgot the topic of Jacky and Cynthia.

  Later, in the car, Amanda was still fuming with indignation. ‘Can you imagine? Poor David’s in a terrible state, his business under fire, his sister dead, and he almost got himself killed. He’s the one to be taken care of, but this fancy girlfriend of his, she’s considering dumping him because she isn’t receiving enough attention?’ she ranted. ‘How can David
even consider buying a gift for such a thoughtless bitch? It’s a total waste of money!’

  ‘He’s not that poor, our David. But this is Hong Kong, Amanda.’ Geoffrey tried to soothe her. ‘David is dating the girl because she’s exceptionally beautiful and – by the way – her father is rich as well. No love involved on either side, I’d bet. Unless he keeps showering her with precious gifts, she’ll look elsewhere, those are the rules.’

  ‘It’s a disgrace. I fully agree with Amanda. On the other hand, I really look forward to visiting the jewellery shop tomorrow.’ Susan looked animated. ‘I love jewels. What a treat!’

  ‘He should dump her, best into the South China Sea, and make sure some sharks take care of her!’ Amanda wasn’t relenting.

  ‘Well, maybe you’re right. She’s beautiful, but I’m not sure if she could spell the word love at all. I know her,’ Geoffrey conceded. ‘Let’s hope he finds a nicer girl soon, but for now, I understand that David wants to pretend to the outside world that it’s business as usual. There are already too many rumours flying around since his sister died.’

  Amanda noticed that Geoffrey was steering his car towards the harbour tunnel. ‘No need to drive me back to the hotel, Geoffrey. I mean, it’s very kind of you, but you’ll lose two hours driving to Kowloon and then back to Hong Kong. Let me catch the Star Ferry. I can walk to the hotel. It’s a pleasant walk, after all.’

  ‘Sure?’ Geoffrey was clearly tempted by her suggestion.

  ‘Sure! It’ll be quite pleasant actually to sit on the ferry, much nicer than sitting in the stuffy car below the harbour.’

  ‘Ok, goodnight then!’

  Geoffrey dropped Amanda off at the ferry terminal and drove on with Susan. Five minutes later Amanda took the ferry and walked back to her hotel. She didn’t take much notice of the flocks of people around her taking photos and chatting happily. Amanda’s mind was elsewhere, thinking about the murders, trying hard to find a pattern in this maze. Jacky couldn’t be alone in such a risky venture, she was almost sure of that.

  Back in her room she opened the large window that separated her room from the balcony. Now the Island of Hong Kong lay almost at her feet, a beautiful gem, glittering mysteriously. But this façade of beauty was hiding something evil: somewhere in this city a killer was on the run – probably ready to strike again at any moment.