by OMJ Ryan
‘Nothing Guv, I’m fine,’ he said, but his tone lacked conviction.
‘You don’t look fine.’
‘Well, I am! Ok?’ he challenged her, which was not like him at all.
Phillips raised her hands. ‘All right mate, don’t bite my head off.’
Jones’s shoulders softened. ‘I’m sorry, Guv. It’s just been a long couple of days, that’s all.’
Phillips nodded. ‘Well, it’s not going to get any easier, I’m afraid. Have you ever flown long-haul?’
‘Does five hours to Egypt count?’
Phillips chortled. ‘No.’
As they reached the desk, Phillips produced her passport and ticket, and Jones followed suit.
The smiling assistant made small talk whilst she processed their boarding cards. ‘Business or pleasure?’
‘Business, I’m afraid,’ said Phillips.
‘And what line of work are you in?’
‘We’re police, detectives.’
The assistant looked up from her computer screen, her interest evidently piqued. ‘Really?’
Phillips produced her warrant card and showed it to the assistant, who inspected it with eyes wide. ‘Wow, I’ve never met a real detective before. It must be a really exciting job.’
‘It has its moments,’ said Phillips with a wry smile.
For the next few minutes, the assistant tapped away into her computer, Phillips and Jones waiting in silence until it was time to place their bags on the belt. After what felt like an age, the assistant handed back their passports and then purposefully placed their boarding cards in front of them on the counter and drew a circle in pen across each. ‘It’s a quiet flight, so I’ve upgraded you to business class,’ she said, with a twinkle in her eye. ‘Can’t have you stuck in coach for twelve hours now, can we?’
‘Oh? Thank you very much,’ said Phillips, feeling a rush of excitement as she picked up the boarding cards and passed one to Jones.
Suddenly he appeared full of life. ‘I’ve never flown business before.’ A huge grin spread across his face. ‘That’s amazing, thank you.’
‘You’re so very welcome,’ said the assistant. ‘I hope you have an enjoyable flight.’
‘We will,’ said Jones, as he stood, holding his boarding card like a Willy Wonka Golden Ticket.
Phillips smiled at his childlike grin, then nodded towards the departure gates. They set off towards them.
The short internal flight from Manchester to London Heathrow took less than an hour, which gave them plenty of time to enjoy the British Airways business lounge at Heathrow before their departure to Hong Kong. As a seasoned long-haul traveller, Phillips was keen to minimise the effects of jet lag, so stuck to soft drinks. Jones, on the other hand, took the ‘kid in a sweetshop’ approach and sampled as much of the free food and alcohol as he could manage during their hour-long stay in the lounge.
Finally, with their flight called, they made their way onto the A380 and into the opulent surroundings of business class.
As Phillips took her single seat next to the window, she marvelled at the large TV screen angled to her right and the vast amount of leg room. Jones was in the seat next to her but facing in the opposite direction. With the screen between them retracted, she watched as he made himself comfortable, a huge grin on his face.
At that moment, a stewardess approached and presented him with a glass of champagne. He appeared reluctant to accept it.
‘It’s free,’ said Phillips.
Jones’s eyes sparkled as he grabbed at the glass and took a long, greedy swig, then announced, ‘This is the life, hey Guv?’
Phillips smiled and nodded.
The stewardess then offered a glass to Phillips.
‘Not for me, thank you. I’ll have orange juice.’
‘Of course, madam,’ said the stewardess, and set off in search of her drink.
A few moments later, with an orange juice in hand as the plane taxied to the runway, Phillips stared out of the window and wondered what awaited them in her old stomping ground of Hong Kong. She hoped to God she could find Wong and bring him to justice, but she had a gnawing feeling in her gut that it would be anything but easy.
Just then, the engines revved, and Phillips was pushed back into her seat as the plane began to pick up speed.
There was no going back now.
18
Just after 2 p.m. local time, Phillips and Jones checked into the Empire Hotel located in the Wan Chai district of Hong Kong Island. They both needed to freshen up after the long flight, so agreed to meet back in the lobby at 3 p.m.
Phillips took a quick shower, and was soon dressed and ready for work. As the time approached 2.45 p.m., she pulled out her phone and dialled Daniel Lawry’s number.
He answered promptly. ‘Janey, how are you?’
‘I’m good, Dan. A little groggy from the flight.’
‘That’s long haul for you.’
‘Indeed. So, are you still free to meet up tonight?’
‘Yep. I should be done at work by about 7. How does 7.30 sound?’
‘Perfect,’ said Phillips. ‘Where were you thinking?’
‘We can go to my club. It’s The Foreign Correspondent Club on Lower Albert Road.’
‘Sounds very colonial.’
‘It does the job for us hard-working journalists,’ Lawry said playfully. ‘Somewhere to rest our weary souls and enjoy the odd refreshment after a hard day at the office.’
‘Hard work? That doesn’t sound like the Dan I used to know.’
‘Like a dagger to my heart,’ said Lawry, feigning upset. ‘A man can change you know, Janey.’
Phillips chortled. ‘I don’t believe a word of it. So anyway, this club of yours, can I walk to it?’
‘Where are you staying?’
‘The Empire in Wan Chai,’ said Phillips.
‘Oh God. They’ve hardly pushed the boat out with that place, have they?’
Phillips cast her eyes around the uninspiring room. ‘I’ll grant you it’s a little basic, but at least it’s clean. Anyway, back to your club. Is it walkable from here?’
‘Good heavens no. It’s well over thirty minutes from there, and all up hill. The humidity will kill you and you’ll look like a drowned rat by the time you get here. No, jump in a taxi. It’ll only be a few dollars. I’ll text you the address in Cantonese, as most of the taxi drivers don’t speak English. You can just show him the message.’
‘Whatever you say. I’m bringing my number two with me, is that ok?’
‘More the merrier. In fact, I’ve invited a colleague mine along too – Jonny Wu. He’s somewhat better versed on Gold Star Trading than I am. He’ll be able to give you far more information than I can.’
‘Sounds great.’
‘Excellent. Look, I’ve got to go. My editor wants a word and it doesn’t pay to keep her waiting.’
‘I know the feeling,’ said Phillips as Fox sprang to mind. ‘Ok, in that case, I’ll see you later, then.’
‘Looking forward to it, Janey,’ said Lawry, and ended the call.
Next up, Phillips called Li.
‘Wai,’ he said, using the traditional Chinese greeting as he answered a moment later.
‘Billy, it’s Jane. How are you?’
‘Chief Inspector Phillips,’ said Li. His tone sounded very formal in comparison to their last conversation. ‘What can I do for you?’
‘Any news on Wong?’
‘Nothing concrete as yet. We traced his passport to the airport, and we have a visual on him leaving the terminal building, but he got into a taxi and disappeared. We’re trying to locate him as we speak, but as I said last night, there are a lot of Wongs on the Island.’
Phillips couldn’t put her finger on what it was, but something about Li’s tone suggested he really wasn’t happy having this conversation. ‘Ok, well, can you tell me anything about Lui Genji?’
‘Why do you want to know about Ms Genji?’ asked Li, sharply.
‘Well, like I say, the Gold Star Trading Corporation came up in my investigation as a potential connection to Wong, and I was wondering if you knew anything about her and the organisation that might help me?’
Li’s tone was stern now. ‘Like I said last night, the Gold Star Trading Corporation is a very respectable business. Their Vice President, Lui Genji is very well respected and incredibly well connected within the Hong Kong business community. I can assure you, she will have no connection to Wong.’
‘Maybe not, but it can’t hurt to ask her, can it?’ said Phillips.
‘Look, Jane,’ said Li. ‘There is nothing to be gained from asking Lui Genji about a man wanted for murder. Do yourself a favour and leave the likes of the Luis alone. I’m happy to help you find Wong, but my bosses won’t like a guest of the RHKP harassing prominent business leaders on the Island.’
‘I have no intention of harassing anyone, Billy,’ said Phillips. ‘I just want to ask her a few questions, that’s all.’
‘Well don’t. She’s off limits. Ok?’
Phillips said nothing for a moment as she tried to understand the obvious change in Li’s behaviour.
‘Did you hear me, Jane?’
‘I heard you, Billy,’ said Phillips. ‘Look, I’d better go. I said I’d meet my colleague in the hotel foyer in a couple of minutes.’
‘Going anywhere nice?’ asked Li, his tone softer now.
‘No, not really. Just for a walk. We could do with stretching our legs.’
‘Well, enjoy the rest of your afternoon and I’ll see you tomorrow. Why don’t you come to the office when you’re ready? We can share what we have on Wong.’
‘I’ll do that,’ said Phillips, and ended the call.
With Li’s words ringing in her ears, she considered her next move. Phone in hand, she typed ‘Gold Star Trading’ into Google Maps and soon located the head office. It was less than fifteen minutes’ walk from the hotel.
‘Why don’t you want me to speak to Lui Genji?’ she murmured as she stared at the screen. ‘And what would be so bad about me asking her a few questions?’
Phillips walked over to the window and stared out at the bustling street below as she wrestled with the growing feeling that Li was deliberately keeping her in the dark. Then she looked back at the map on her phone.
‘Fuck it,’ she said out loud. ‘One conversation can’t hurt,’ she added as she turned away from the window and headed for the door.
19
On the walk across town, Phillips brought Jones up to speed on her conversations with Lawry and Li.
‘I think you’re right, Guv,’ said Jones. ‘It does sound like Li was warning you off. But why?’
‘I don’t know, but he couldn’t have been more different just now compared to when I spoke to him last night. He was all smiles then,’ said Phillips, as they reached the lavish main entrance to the Gold Star Trading Tower, a fifty-storey skyscraper located next to the iconic Bank of China building, a staple of the Hong Kong skyline. ‘Lawry was right about this humidity,’ she added as she pulled the damp collar of her shirt away from her soaking neck.
‘It’s unreal, isn’t it?’ said Jones, pulling his own polo shirt, which was already dark and wet with sweat, away from his chest.
‘Right. Let’s see if we can get some answers, shall we?’ said Phillips, as she stepped towards the revolving door.
Jones’s hand locked onto her arm, stopping her in her tracks. ‘Are you sure this is the right thing to do, Guv? If Li’s dead against it, shouldn’t we listen to him?’
‘Something’s not right with this picture, Jonesy, and I want to know what.’
‘I know you do, Guv, and back home I wouldn’t have a problem going after someone like Genji. But here? It’s not our jurisdiction, and we have no idea what kind of shit might come back on us.’
Phillips stared Jones in the eye for a long moment as she considered his words. He was right, of course. They had no idea what they were getting themselves into. But at the same time, she couldn’t sit back and do nothing. Li was keeping her from Genji for a reason, and she wanted to know why. ‘I hear you, Jonesy, but it’s not as if I’m gonna arrest her, is it? I just want to ask her a couple of questions, that’s all.’
‘I know, Guv. I’ve got a bad feeling about it, that’s all,’ said Jones, his expression grave.
‘Like I said, it’s just a few questions. Nothing more, I promise,’ said Phillips. ‘Look. If you really feel that strongly about it, you can stay out here. I’ll go in on my own.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ said Jones. ‘I’m here to watch your back. I’m not letting you go in there on your own.’
Phillips grinned. ‘Come on, then. It won’t take long. I can take you for a drink and some dinner afterwards.’
Jones offered a reluctant nod before Phillips stepped into the revolving door.
Inside, the lobby was mercifully air-conditioned, but the dampness of their clothes made them shiver.
‘You can’t bloody win, can you?’ said Jones as he rubbed his bare arms, trying to generate some heat.
Phillips shook her head, then strode with purpose across the polished marble floor to a large reception desk manned by two smart-looking receptionists. The one to the right looked up and made eye contact.
Phillips presented her police ID. ‘I’m Detective Chief Inspector Phillips from the Greater Manchester Police, and this is Detective Sergeant Jones.’ She attempted to sound as officious as possible.
The receptionist flashed a smile and her perfect white teeth seemed to glisten in the light. ‘And how can I direct you today?’
‘We’d like to see Lui Genji please.’
‘And do you have an appointment?’ asked the receptionist.
‘No. It’s a police matter. I don’t need an appointment,’ said Phillips firmly.
The receptionist smiled again. ‘I’m afraid Ms Lui does not meet with people without an appointment.’
‘Well, if you could ask her to make an exception, I’d be very grateful.’
‘I’m sorry, that is not possible.’
‘Please call her and let her know we’re here. It’s very important that we speak with her,’ Phillips said.
The receptionist shook her head. ‘I’m afraid that won’t be possible.’
‘Well, we’re not going anywhere until you do, so why not save us all a lot of time and trouble and make the call.’
Jones glanced at Phillips. His body, half turned back towards the exit, betrayed his uncertainty.
At that moment, the receptionist spoke in Cantonese to a man sitting behind a smaller desk to the rear of the lobby. He was dressed in a security uniform and made his way over to the desk.
‘What seems to be the problem, madam?’ he asked, his English almost perfect.
‘There’s no problem,’ said Phillips as she flashed her ID in front of his face. ‘I’m a police officer and wish to speak to Lui Genji regarding the whereabouts of a murder suspect.’
The guard inspected her credentials for a long moment. ‘You are not Hong Kong police?’
‘No, British,’ said Phillips.
‘Well, in that case you have no authority here,’ said the guard.
‘We are on attachment with the Royal Hong Kong Police,’ Phillips lied, drawing yet another nervous look from Jones, ‘and it is a matter of great urgency that we speak with Ms Lui.’
‘That is not possible,’ said the guard. ‘Ms Lui is not available,’ he added before speaking Cantonese into the radio attached to his chest.
Phillips pressed, ‘Look, I’m sure she’s very busy—’
At that moment, a door behind reception opened and three more uniformed men appeared and walked round to where Phillips and Jones stood.
‘I’m going to have to ask you to leave, please,’ said the guard, gesturing towards the exit.
Phillips looked at Jones, who stared back at her, unflinching. She could tell he was in favour of an exit. Placing her ID back in the pocke
t of her trousers, she raised her arms in mock defeat. ‘Very well, if that’s the way you want it. But this isn’t over.’
The guard remained silent, his open hand still pointing towards the way out.
Phillips cleared her throat. ‘Come on, Jones. Looks like it’s time for us to go,’ she said as she headed for the exit.
Jones followed, and a moment later they were back out in the oppressive humidity; their senses further assaulted by the bustle of late afternoon traffic all around them.
‘Well, that went well,’ said Phillips.
‘Didn’t it?’ said Jones, blowing his lips with relief.
Phillips took a step away from the building and craned her neck as she took it in the scale of the glass structure.
‘So what now?’ said Jones.
Phillips returning her gaze to Jones. ‘Let’s get out of this heat and have that drink I promised you. According to Google, there’s a place in the building opposite called Sevva,’ she added as she set off across the road.
On the twenty-fifth floor of the Prince’s building, Phillips and Jones came across the bar they were looking for. As they stepped out of the lift, a small neon sign promised ice-cold beer and ice-cold air. It didn’t disappoint on either score.
Taking a seat alongside each other on a large sofa in a quiet, darkened corner next to a designer bookcase, Phillips offered her frosted glass to Jones. ‘Cheers, then.’
Jones clinked his glass against hers and took a long swig before wiping the beer from his top lip. Phillips allowed herself to relax back into the comfortable seat.
‘Without Li in tow, we’re powerless over here aren’t we, Jonesy?’ said Phillips.
Jones nodded. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever truly appreciated the power of a warrant card until just now.’
‘Me neither. So we’d better hope Li’s in a better mood tomorrow and will actually help us, otherwise this trip will be a bloody expensive waste of everybody’s time. Fox was clear we needed a result on this one. If we go back empty-handed, she’ll go ballistic.’
‘And that’s all we need.’