The Diamond Queen of Singapore

by Ian Hamilton

  As she stared at the sculpture, Ava thought it was a wonderful thing — so simple, but so precise and powerful all the same. She closed her eyes, and a scene from Lau Lau’s script leapt into her mind. It was the first meeting between the mother searching for her son and the female army officer who had witnessed the events in the Square. The officer talked about the tanks rolling forward, never hesitating, never stopping, as if they were being driven by robots programmed to follow a path from which they couldn’t deviate. It didn’t matter what was in their path, she said, the tanks crushed without discrimination.

  Ava’s eyes were full of tears when she opened them. She reached up and touched a handlebar of the twisted bike. Could this actual bike have been in the Square? She doubted it, but she had no doubts that its distorted frame was representative of what might have been left after the tanks had done their work. How was it that she had known so little about the horrors of Tiananmen Square? The Chinese Communists were good at burying history that didn’t buttress their ideology, and most of the rest of the world didn’t care enough to remember it. But thank goodness there were people like Lau Lau, who not only remembered the tragedy but was determined to shine a bright and very public light on it.

  “We have to make that film,” Ava said aloud. She touched the bike again. “We’ll make sure Lau Lau helps the world remember you.”

  She turned away from the wall and began to walk back towards Yorkville. The image of the memorial was fixed in her mind, mingling with thoughts about Lau Lau and the money he’d need to make his film. Whatever uncertainty she’d felt in the car with Derek began to disappear; as she walked, it was replaced by determination. She wasn’t going to wait for Cunningham to respond to Howell. She needed a new plan.

  When she reached her condo, Ava went directly to her laptop and accessed the Jewellery Circle account at the Mercantile Bank. The balance was $3,210,774.56. She hesitated for a second, trying to decide how much to transfer, and then muttered, “To hell with it, I’m taking it all.” When the transfer was completed, she reached for her phone and called Todd Howell.

  “I’m still at the office trying to reach Cunningham,” he answered, his frustration evident. “I’m being stonewalled.”

  “I’ve been rethinking our strategy,” Ava said. “It’s too passive.”

  “It wasn’t passive a few hours ago. Has something happened to change your mind?”

  “Yes. I moved all the money from their Mercantile Bank account into your law firm’s.”

  Howell grunted. Ava didn’t know if it was in disapproval or surprise. “You actually did that?”

  “I told you I might.”

  “I thought that was hyperbole.”

  “I don’t engage in hyperbole,” Ava said.

  “Evidently not. It also appears that you don’t hesitate to change strategies without consulting your partner.”

  “Todd, I don’t mean for this to sound insulting, but I don’t have partners. I have people who I’m working with to resolve a problem. There is a difference.”

  Howell went quiet, and Ava knew he felt insulted. “I understand the distinction,” he said finally.

  “Thank you. And anyway, the deed is done, so let’s talk about the ramifications.”

  “How will taking that money help us get to a positive resolution?”

  “I wanted you to set up a meeting with Cunningham, Rogers, and Muir because I thought we might be able to surprise them. Now I think that’s the wrong approach. This way is more impactful; it shows them that we have some strength and is more certain to get their attention — especially when I show up on Muir’s doorstep to tell him the money is gone and that I took it.”

  “Why would you tell him?”

  “I want them to understand that we’re onto them, that we have a measure of control. And given that they won’t know what else we’re capable of doing, meeting with us becomes a necessity.”

  “Okay, I can see all that, but why do you want to go to Muir’s house?”

  “He’s a ten-minute walk from my apartment. And I want to see his face when I tell him.”

  “What if he reacts badly?”

  “My only worry is that he’ll refuse to speak to me,” Ava said. “But once he knows about the three million, I can’t imagine he’ll be able to resist.”

  (41)

  Now that she had made her decision, Ava was anxious to get on with things. She called Jasmine Yip in Singapore.

  “I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon,” Jasmine said.

  “Has Muir called?”

  “No.”

  “Good. I suggest you turn off your phone and tell your mother and aunt to do the same, in case Muir tries to call them.”

  “What’s happened?”

  “Change of plan. I emptied the bank account at Mercantile.”

  “Muir will find out. When he sees the money is gone, he’ll think I took it. He’ll go crazy.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m on my way to tell him I took the money.”

  “He’ll still think I gave you the password.”

  “I’m going to tell him Su Na gave it to me,” Ava said. “You have nothing to worry about. Just keep your phone off for the next day or two. Everything should be resolved by then.”

  “I guess I’m out of a job now.”

  “Go back to laundering money for the small-timers in Singapore. It may not be as profitable, but it’s definitely safer,” said Ava, ending the conversation.

  Han was her next call. “Who is this?” he answered.

  “This is Ava Lee. I apologize for calling so early.”

  “Are you in Canada?”

  “I am, but the situation in Chengdu is still on my mind.”

  “What’s up?”

  “I’m very close to resolving my problem. I hope to meet with the other parties tomorrow morning and bring it to a close. The thing is, they may need a concrete reason to settle with us. We could threaten to go public with our information or go to the police, but neither action would have an immediate impact — or a predictable outcome. I need to be able to hurt them quickly and decisively.”

  “You have something in mind?”

  “Yes. I think shutting down Su Na’s distribution business would do the trick.”

  “Shutting it down entirely?”

  “Yes, for as long as it takes to get the people I’m dealing with to agree to a settlement.”

  “And you’re calling me because you think this is a job we can do for you?”

  “Yes. In return, I’ll pay you or ask Xu to extend another favour.”

  “How about you do both?” Han said.

  “How much money do you think is adequate?” Ava asked, pleased by Han’s tacit agreement to do the job.

  “Fifty thousand yuan to close it and twenty-five thousand a day to keep it closed.”

  Ava was surprised at how rapidly Han had come up with the numbers. “That’s a deal. How do you want to receive the money?”

  “We’ll work that out when the job is finished, and you can let Xu know about the favour the next time you talk to him. There’s no rush.”

  “Thank you for that level of trust.”

  “We’re like family,” Han said. “Ru Shi was quite taken with you. You’re the only woman she’s ever met who can match the men in her life.”

  “Please tell her it was a real pleasure to meet her.”

  “I’ll do that. Now, when and how do you want the job done?”

  “My meeting should be tomorrow morning at ten — that’s ten in the evening in Chengdu. It will be helpful if SCM is shut down in the late afternoon and if you can hold Su Na in her office, in case I have to put her on the phone to verify what you’ve done.”

  “Lu will make the arrangements this morning.”

  “Can you phone me when you get there? I’d like
to be able to explain to Su why she’s being shut down and what the people here have to do before she can reopen.”

  “I’ll do that,” Han said.

  Ava smiled as she ended the call. She had no doubt that Han and Lu would conduct themselves with the same level of competence she’d seen in Chengdu.

  * * *

  Ten minutes later, Ava made her way over to Elgin Avenue. When she saw Muir’s Mercedes in the driveway, she knew he was at home. As she got closer, though, she saw that he wasn’t in his office. Without a second thought she walked along the pathway and up the steps to the front door and pressed the buzzer. She heard a dog bark, and then the sound of high heels clicking on tile. A slim middle-aged woman with auburn hair, wearing a red silk blouse and jeans, opened the door.

  “Good evening, Mrs. Swift. Is Mr. Muir at home?” Ava said.

  Marla Swift squinted at her. “Do I know you?”

  “No.”

  “Then how do you know me?”

  Ava shrugged, then heard Muir’s voice calling, “Who’s at the door?”

  “Some woman asking for you.”

  “What the hell?” Muir said.

  The woman moved to one side, and now it was Muir who stood in the doorway. He stared down at Ava.

  “Not you again,” he said. “You’re becoming a nuisance.” His hand moved towards the door, and Ava knew he was about to close it in her face.

  “I have a message for you. I have emptied your account at the Mercantile Bank in Chengdu. There was just over three million in it. I took it all.”

  She thought she saw a fleeting look of panic cross his face before the door slammed shut.

  Ava descended the front steps and waited. A moment later she saw Muir walk into his office. She moved onto the front lawn so she could get a better view.

  Without looking out the window, Muir went directly to his desk, sat down at the computer, and began to type. She figured he was accessing the Mercantile account, and watched for a reaction. She could tell he was trying to control himself, but his furrowed brow and tightly set mouth showed that he was worried. Then he stopped typing and stared at the screen. His mouth slackened, and he seemed confused. Then he lifted his head and looked over the top of the screen at Ava. She waved. He glared at her, and she saw him clench his teeth.

  We need to talk about this, she mouthed slowly.

  Muir slapped his hands onto the arms of his chair and propelled himself to his feet. He left the office more quickly than he’d entered it, and seconds later the front door flew open. Ava walked across the grass towards him. As she stepped over a low hedge onto the pathway, he shouted, “I don’t know what kind of fucking game you think you’re playing, but this isn’t going to end well for you!”

  “It isn’t a game. Three million dollars makes this a serious business. And it’s only the beginning of what you and your partners are going to repay,” Ava said.

  “Who the fuck are you? I remember the face, but not the name.”

  “My name is Ava Lee, and I’m working with Todd Howell on behalf of the Harvest Fund investors.”

  Muir stepped out of the house. Ava was standing at the bottom of the steps, and he towered over her. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. What I do know is that you’re going to return that money or you can spend the next few days looking over your shoulder.”

  “The money stays where it is.”

  “You goddamn bitch,” he said, taking a step forward.

  “You don’t seem to be thinking this through,” Ava said. “At the very least I thought you’d be interested in knowing how I managed to get the password to the account.”

  “I don’t have to ask. Jasmine fucking Yip gave it to you,” he said.

  “Who? I’ve never heard of her.”

  “Bullshit.”

  “I’ll make you a promise,” Ava said. “When we have our meeting tomorrow morning, I’ll tell you who provided me with the password.”

  “We’re not having any fucking meeting.”

  “Yes, we are. At ten o’clock in the boardroom of Howell, Barker, and Mason. I want you, Patrick Cunningham, and Pastor Rogers there. You can bring anyone else you want, but for the three of you, this is a command performance,” Ava said. “We’ll outline all the information we’ve gathered about your drug-peddling business, and then the three of you can decide how you’re going to respond.” She had kept her eyes locked on Muir’s face, and she saw him flinch when she said “drug-peddling.”

  “You fucking bitch! Who do you think you are?”

  “Just so it’s clear, I expect to see the three of you at ten o’clock tomorrow in Todd Howell’s boardroom.”

  He shook his head and smirked. “If we aren’t there, start without us.”

  “That wouldn’t be wise. If I were you, I’d talk this over with my partners before making a decision that could prove to be disastrous,” Ava said. “Because if you don’t come, we’ll shut down your business — and we’ll shut down the Simmons family business. And something else you can tell Pastor Rogers is that if we shut down the Simmons business, we’ll lay the blame squarely at your feet. I don’t know how much value for Rogers his relationship with the Simmonses has, but it will go up in smoke. You can choose to believe me or not, but if you aren’t there by ten you’ll be out of business by the end of the day, and the information we have will be turned over to the police.”

  Muir moved down the steps and Ava saw him make a fist with his right hand. He took another step and then lunged awkwardly towards her, his left hand reaching for her arm. It wasn’t a swing, but it was enough for Ava. She moved to one side as she drove the first knuckle of her right hand into his ear. His head shot to one side and then he wobbled and fell into the hedge.

  Ava leaned over him. “Ten o’clock. All three of you. Todd Howell’s boardroom. Be there,” she said. “You know, I wanted to break your nose just now. I could have splattered it across your face. Do you know why I didn’t?”

  He didn’t answer.

  “Because I don’t want you to spend the night in a hospital. I want you to be fit enough to talk to Rogers and Cunningham tonight, and I want you fit enough to be at that meeting.”

  “Fuck off,” he groaned.

  “Ten o’clock,” she said.

  (42)

  There was a spring in Ava’s step as she walked back to the condo. It hadn’t gone entirely smoothly with Muir, but she’d delivered the message, and he had to realize that not showing up carried far more risk than going to the meeting. If nothing else, they would be wanting to learn what Ava and Howell knew about their operation.

  Ava’s appetite was starting to kick in. She weighed her dining options and decided to go to Trattoria Nervosa. As always, the restaurant was busy, but after a short wait she was seated on the patio. She ordered sparkling water, carpaccio with truffled cannellini beans, and a risotto with braised beef short ribs and porcini mushrooms. When the server had left the table, Ava reached for her phone to call Todd Howell.

  “Hey,” he answered instantly.

  “It’s done,” she said.

  “Did you talk to him?”

  “I did. He was abusive and uncooperative, but he certainly got my message. I’m confident that Muir and the others will be at your office tomorrow morning.”

  “How can you be so sure?” Howell asked.

  “These people may be vile, but they aren’t stupid. They must realize that ignoring us would be risky.”

  “I wish I felt as certain . . .” Howell said, then drifted into silence.

  “Is something bothering you?” Ava asked. “If it is, say so. We need to speak with one voice tomorrow morning.”

  “Nothing is bothering me. I would just like to set the game plan.”

  “I agree. Who will be attending from your firm?”

  “Eddie and myself.”

&
nbsp; “I’m bringing Derek. Why don’t we meet at your office around eight-thirty. That should give us ample time to get prepared.”

  “That’s fine.”

  “Good. So we’ll see you then,” she said, ending the conversation.

  The server brought the carpaccio to the table. Ava had been about to call Derek, but the translucent slices of beef looked so appetizing that she couldn’t resist taking a bite. It was melting in her mouth as she phoned him.

  “What’s going on, Ava? Did Todd get hold of Cunningham?” he answered.

  “No, but I spoke to Muir.”

  “How did you reach him?”

  “I went to his house.”

  “Are you kidding?”

  “No, but it was no big deal. I explained the situation and he listened — not well, but well enough that I’m sure they’ll come to Todd’s office tomorrow morning,” Ava said. “You and I should be there by eight-thirty to get organized. Does that work for you?”

  “Do you want me to pick you up?”

  “I’d appreciate it.”

  “Mimi will have to stay home from work, but that won’t be a problem.”

  “Speaking of Mimi, I transferred all the money from the Chengdu account to Howell’s law firm. It was a bit more than three million dollars. You can tell Mimi if you want, but you might want to wait until Todd confirms it’s in the account.”

  “That’s fantastic,” Derek said. “I was hoping you’d do it, but not at the expense of everyone else.”