3. Vendetta

by Fern Michaels

  He almost jumped out of his skin when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

  “Quick Draw McGraw, you ain’t, Jack. I could have plugged you and you never would have known what hit you,” Garrity said.

  It was true and Jack knew it. “Close the damn door and get in here. We have work to do.”

  “You have work to do, Jack. I’m outta here. Your guy is up in the tree and has a bead on what’s going on. He’s got you covered. Call me, but not for twenty-four hours. Good luck, Jack.”

  Jack nodded. His gut told him he was going to need more than a little good luck. He waited for Garrity to leave before he turned on his high-beam flashlight. He looked around, daunted at what he was seeing. Every inch of floor space was covered with something. It would take him days to move things, even if there was room to move the things to.

  “Shit!” he muttered.

  Five

  Li explained that the evening’s festivities were being held at a center named Half Moon, Hong Kong’s knock-off version of the Taihedian, otherwise known as the Hall of Supreme Harmony, in Beijing. Any event of any importance was held at Half Moon.

  “I am very familiar with the entire building, having been there many times. I am also aware of the security measures that go into effect for each and every event, depending of course on the importance of the event and the people involved.”

  The picture Charles held up was of John Chai at his Harvard graduation. The picture was on the grainy side, and Chai looked extremely young. Li had supplied an updated picture taken a year ago on May Day. Chai was not a tall man and Li commented that he suffered from a Napoleon complex. Rumors abounded that Chai liked long-legged, blond American women. It was also rumored that he was not a kind, gentle lover.

  “He has a mean streak in him and no one ever says no to John Chai. Especially women. As you all know, women are second-class citizens in China.”

  “Does he work?” Alexis asked.

  Li cleared his throat. “I believe he makes an appearance from time to time at his family’s export business. He is what you Americans call a playboy. It is said he is heavy-handed with everyone he comes in contact with, especially women. He works very hard at perfecting his image. He wants to be a tough guy like the American gangsters in your films.”

  “He likes to play, does he? So do we. How exciting,” Nikki said flatly.

  Li raised his white head to look into Nikki’s eyes. He turned away quickly to stare at his old friend Charles. Charles gave an elaborate shrug as if to say What did you expect?

  Charles looked down at the Rolex on his wrist. “We should be going, Li. I don’t think it wise to arrive fashionably late so as to draw attention to ourselves.” He looked around at the three women and nodded. “You look stunning, all three of you. One last word of caution: sip your drinks. You’re going to need your wits about you.”

  The women watched as the two old friends walked away. They followed at a discreet distance so as not to hear their conversation.

  “Anyone nervous?” Nikki asked.

  “I feel like a cat on a hot griddle,” Alexis said.

  “I am worried. Stay close to me so I can interpret for you. Watch what I do and do the same thing. I am not experienced in this culture even though I speak the language. I have never set foot in this country before. I was born in the United States. But I will do my best,” Yoko muttered.

  “That’s good enough for us,” Nikki said. “We all agreed that the three of us will give Chai the come-on and then back off. We’re going to make him chase us. He’s not used to that, so we’re going to make him work for the privilege of our company. Is it true, Yoko, that Chinese men have little…?”

  Yoko flushed a rosy pink. “The aunts who raised me say it is so.”

  “Uh-huh,” Alexis said with a straight face. “A Napoleon complex and a shortage where it counts the most.”

  Nikki laughed, an evil sound.

  “Ladies, our car is here. Careful now,” Charles said as he held the door open for them to slide into the back. He then took his seat next to Li in the second section of the limousine. Jay was their chauffeur for the evening.

  “What will we do if the weasel doesn’t fall for our assorted charms?” Alexis asked.

  “I’m not sure, but I think the possibility of a ménage…whatever will pique his interest. Practice your come-hither looks, ladies, and be prepared to beat Mr. Chai off with a stick.”

  Nikki laughed again. “Take a good look at us, Alexis. How could Chai not be attracted to us? We’re stunning. We sizzle and we look sensual. It’s all in the eyes. Remember that. I am not worried about him being attracted to us at all. We all rehearsed our Washington and Boston small talk and we have it down pat. He’s going to want to show off for us. All we have to do is act like he isn’t impressing us and then home in on someone less attractive than him — and someone who is taller. That alone will make him nuts. Little guys hate big guys.”

  “I have a question,” Yoko said. “What if…what if Chai’s people go after Mr. Li once we are gone? He is a frail old man and should be able to live out his years in peace and harmony.”

  Nikki nodded as she stared out the limo window into the surrounding darkness. “I worry about that, too. I can’t be sure about this, but I think Charles will offer to take him with us. Charles told me earlier that Mr. Li’s office is one of those rooms covert operatives use that can be vaporized when the room is no longer functional. Super-spy stuff. I sensed that Mr. Li is a man at peace with everything in his life. He’s helping us willingly. I don’t know what will happen to him. I would hate to take away the thought that he might be sent to the Su-Chou prison for helping us. I personally would feel better if he leaves with us. But in the end, it will be up to Mr. Li.”

  “Perhaps it is a mistake to invite Mr. Chai back here to Mr. Li’s house,” Alexis said.

  “I don’t think we have any other choice, Alexis. Besides, Mr. Li’s airstrip is close by. We’ll get out of here as quickly as possible. Oh, we’re slowing down. Wow! The young lady who’s getting engaged must be very popular. Look at all those people going into the building.”

  “Never mind the people, Nikki. Look at the building!” Alexis said, awe ringing in her voice.

  The women stopped to admire the Half Moon building. Never having seen the real Hall of Supreme Harmony, they could only marvel at the thousands of tiny lights that lit up the three-tier marble terrace leading to the main building.

  Charles turned around and hissed. “Later you can admire it on the Internet. Look alive, ladies.”

  “Oh, poop,” Alexis muttered. “We should be admiring it now, in person. Would you look at those bronze dings. Bet neither of you know they’re a kind of Chinese vessel representing the eighteen national provinces of the times. Look up there at that luxurious balustraded terrace and you can see a bronze crane and a bronze tortoise, both symbols of everlasting rule and longevity.”

  “And you know all this…how?” Nikki asked, craning her neckto see the crane and the tortoise.

  “I read the papers Charles gave us. For a knockoff, it’s rather grand. Can you picture yourself getting married in a place like this? Think of how many people you could invite and how many presents you’d get from those people.”

  “No more chatter, ladies. We’re about to enter the great hall. Be demure. Do not overstate your Americanism. And remember, sip your drinks.”

  Alexis looked from Nikki to Yoko and then down at her shimmering gown. “I can’t believe he dressed us like this and now he wants demure. OK, demure it is.”

  “Come, ladies, it’s time to meet the groom’s family,” Li said quietly. “They are kind people. Unassuming and incredibly rich.”

  Ninety minutes into the party Nikki realized she was bored. She hated flute music. As far as she could see there wasn’t one unattached handsome man to be seen. All the women appeared to have escorts except for Alexis, Yoko, and herself. And no man was paying any attention to them.

  “Let’s
check out the dining table. I don’t see him anywhere, do you?”

  Nikki moved off in the direction of the buffet table, Alexis and Yoko in her wake. Eyes turned to follow the three unattached women. They heard whispers as they passed by.

  “They must be American…Their posture screams America…The gowns are exquisite, must be American designers. Beautiful,” followed them.

  Nikki looked at the array of food. “This is…?”

  “Octopus,” Yoko volunteered. “And eel, and a few other things you won’t care for. We can pretend we’re dieting and eat the snow peas and some rice. Or we can go straight to the dessert table and choose a rice cake.”

  Nikki turned around to respond to Yoko, but her gaze was everywhere. “He should be here by now. If he’s a no-show, we’re in trouble.”

  “He will be here, Nikki. His father would insist. Possibly later. As you can see, these affairs are on the boring side. Being here, displaying one’s family as a unit, is what is important. For Mr. Chai not to appear would be to dishonor his own family. Please, people are watching us. Choose some food and move to the end of the table. And keep smiling,” Yoko said.

  Nikki did as instructed and moved off. Suddenly she felt a hand on her arm. She turned to see Li escorting the prospective bride and groom to her side. He made the introductions. Everyone smiled. Everyone bowed.

  To Nikki’s unpracticed eye, the young couple looked like a couple of kids playing grown-up, but Li had said they were both twenty-three.

  Yet Kwai, the bride, suddenly grinned and said, “So, how do you like this shindig? On a scale of one to ten I’d personally give it a one. However, one must do what family wants in my country. When Jin and I return to California our friends plan to throw a real party for us. Dancing, beer, wine, chips and salsa and some real rock music.” She giggled and the others smiled. Suddenly remembering her manners, Yet Kwai — who said her name meant beautiful rose — said, “I love your gowns. I love everything American, but don’t tell that to my parents.”

  She was an imp, and Nikki warmed to the young woman right away. “I understand you attend Stanford and Jin attends Berkeley. Do you plan on staying in America or will you return to your homeland?”

  “We’ll stay for a few years but then we will return. It is expected. Over the Christmas holidays we’re going to a dude ranch in Nevada.” Peals of laughter from Yet Kwai. “Jin wants to see what it’s like to be a cowboy. During spring break we’re both doing Outward Bound. It’s a test of endurance and survival. I am honored to have met you, but now I must circulate. Enjoy yourselves as much as you can at this stuffy party,” she giggled before she moved off.

  The three women moved off with their gold-encrusted plates that held nothing more than a tablespoon of rice and snow peas.

  “I think I’d kill for a Big Mac right now,” Alexis mumbled.

  “Yet Kwai is right, this is the stuffiest party I’ve ever been to,” Nikki said. “All those fire-eating dragons attached to the wall are so…boring. Have you ever seen so many urns and five-foot-tall vases in your life? I wonder what time it is.”

  “I think this stuffy party is about due to liven up. Charles and Mr. Li are bringing John Chai to us. He looks slick. I say we show some bad American manners and cut him down to size immediately,” Alexis said.

  Nikki’s lips barely moved when she responded. “I can do that with no problem. Back me up and follow my lead. Pretend we don’t see them and move off to the left.”

  “Miss Quinn, one moment,” Li said as he realized their intent and quickened his stride.

  Nikki stopped, turned and looked up at the tall Chinese man. “Yes, Mr. Li?”

  “I would like to introduce you three lovely ladies to Mr. John Chai. John lived in America for quite a few years. I thought you might like to chat about your country.”

  Nikki looked at the man standing in front of her. Barbara’s killer. She had to fight with herself to remain calm. What she wanted to do was rip out his tongue, gouge out his eyes, disembowel him and then slice off his ugly head. If she did all those things she wondered how long it would take for him to bleed out. A minute, she decided.

  “Not really,” she drawled.

  John Chai raised one eyebrow and stared into Nikki’s eyes.

  He was a predator, pure and simple. Well, she’d had dealings with predators before. Nikki shrugged and took a step to the left. “It was nice meeting you, Mr. Chai. Come along, girls, there must be some tall men around here somewhere. Otherwise, we’re outta here.”

  John Chai looked stunned. Mr. Li smirked and moved off quickly.

  “Wait, please,” Chai managed to say as he reached for Nikki’s arm.

  Nikki looked pointedly at the man’s hand on her arm. She shook it off. “Don’t ever touch my person, Mr. Chai, or you’ll find yourself in one of those dragon’s mouths. You’re insulting me. Imagine what a commotion that would cause at this stuffy little get-together.”

  “My apologies, Miss Quinn. Can we please start over? I take responsibility for my bad manners. It won’t happen again.” He turned to Alexis. “Has anyone ever told you that you look like Halle Berry?”

  Alexis smirked. “No. But people have told me Halle Berry looks like me. The truth is, I’m better-looking and I have longer legs.”

  Taken aback, Chai was at a loss for words. He tried again and looked at Yoko who stared at him with revulsion. “Where were you born?”

  “Why do you want to know? Are you writing a book?”

  Chai threw his hands in the air as if as to say, You Americans! “I was trying to make party conversation. These affairs are incredibly boring, as you can see. I thought since you came un-escorted, as I did, that perhaps we could hang out together to get through the evening.”

  “I find you as boring as this party, Mr. Chai. You people don’t know what a party is. What do you suppose would happen if I climbed up on one of those tables and started to sing and dance?” Nikki looked him up and down, stopping at his waist. She gave him a twisted grin before she stepped away. John Chai was left standing alone, his mouth wide open.

  Alexis said, just loud enough for Chai to hear, “I sure hope Mr. Li can find some interesting men to join us at his home after the party. I’d hate to think I wasted two thousand dollars on a dress just for this affair.”

  “I think I need some air,” Nikki said.

  Outside on one of the wide marble terraces, Nikki leaned over and pretended to retch. “Do you have any idea how hard that was? I’m sorry, of course you do. The man is a pus ball. He’s greasy, oily, unctuous and his eyes are dead. Did you see the way he undressed us all with those eyes? I wanted to kill him. Did he hear what you said, Alexis?”

  “I think I said it loud enough. Mr. Li will make the arrangements if he doesn’t ask to be invited back to his house. Don’t look now, but here comes the little shit again.”

  Nikki whirled around.

  “I hope I’m not intruding, ladies. I came to apologize for what I’m assuming is bad behavior on my part. Please, let me make it up to you.”

  Nikki rolled her eyes as though nothing he could say or do would interest her.

  “And how would you go about doing that, Mr. Chai?” Yoko queried.

  “By showing you the nightlife in Hong Kong. It’s very interesting and exciting.”

  “Some other time,” Nikki said. “I doubt your nightlife can compare to nightlife in America. Now, should you ever find yourself in our neck of the woods, we could really show you what a party is.”

  “Do you ever go to the States, Mr. Chai?” Yoko asked.

  “Call me John. No, I don’t go to the States. My home is here. However, I was educated at Harvard.”

  “Big deal. Half the world went to Harvard. Now, if you told me you were some high-ranking government official or a diplomat, that would impress me. I graduated from Yale. We Yalies have no respect for you Harvard guys. Wimps. Wusses,” Nikki said. “Lace on your underwear.”

  John Chai’s voice took on a
n edge that hadn’t been there previously. “Is there a reason you’re being so rude to me when I’m trying to be nice to you?”

  Nikki looked him up and down again. “You don’t interest me.”

  Chai laughed but it was an embarrassed sound. “What would make me interesting to you, Miss Quinn?”

  Nikki hoped what she was feeling didn’t show on her face. “Perhaps knowing you had a sense of adventure. That you liked to skirt danger. I’m not interested in fly-fishing, smoking pot and drinking myself silly so that I don’t remember what happened the next day. I like a man who is devilishly clever, experimental and who thinks for himself. Again, it was nice meeting you, Mr. Chai.” Then she said to the others, “We must be off, girls. I’m sure Mr. Li is ready to leave and we certainly don’t want to keep him waiting, now do we?”

  There was nothing for John Chai to do but move aside and allow the three women to walk past him. Alexis winked and pinched his cheek. “I bet we could have had a swell time. Ah, well, if you ever come to the States, look us up. We’re in the phone book.”

  Nikki looked toward the carved double doors that stood open. The families of Yet Kwai and Jin stood at the entrance. More bowing was going on. The line was endless as far as one could see. Where was Li? More important, where was Charles? She’d barely seen him all evening.

  “There must be another exit, girls. I’m not up to standing in that line in these shoes. We’ll be here till midnight.”

  “Allow me to escort you ladies to your car,” Chai said gallantly. “There is an exit off the terrace. I must warn you that you will be accused of having bad American manners if you choose to use that particular exit. By the way, Mr. Li has kindly extended an invitation to my family to attend the little two-day gathering at his home. Unfortunately, my father has other pressing matters to take care of, so I will be attending in his place. I look forward to getting to know you ladies better.”

  “Ask me if I care,” Alexis snapped. “Lead the way, Mr. Chai.”

  “How nice,” Nikki mumbled. Where was Charles? “Won’t that interfere with all the security you people have surrounding you? There’s nothing worse than security spying on your every move.”