Leslie sat there not saying a word until finally, she blurted out, “Well?”
“I’m not a birthday kind of guy.”
“Not a birthday kind of guy,” she repeated slowly. “What kind of person doesn’t like birthdays?”
“Me. I’m serious. Ask Tav.”
“Ask me what?” Tav returned with three lychee-flavored bubble teas.
“Me not being a birthday kind of guy.”
“Yeah, Darb is a freak when it comes to his birthday. Strange.”
“You knew it was his birthday today?”
“Sure.”
Leslie rolled her eyes. “Well, I like birthdays––remember that, Darby. Now open your gift.”
I fumbled with the wrapper and finally managed to get it off. Inside was a little black box. I opened it to reveal a tiny Buddha statue.
“It’s made out of jade. It’s for good luck.”
“Thank you.” I leaned over and gave Leslie a hug and a kiss. “This is great.”
“Keep it with you when you travel and you won’t have any trouble.”
Chapter 124
The two men and the woman were having a great time laughing and joking with each other, completely oblivious to the five men watching them from the noodle hawker four stalls down.
The Wo Shing Wo had been observing them for some time now. The two Americans were the prized subjects of interest. Having Chief Inspector Leslie Choi show up was unexpected. The gang knew her all too well. What business did the phone salesman and his friend have with her?
Neither Jo nor Sing mentioned the salesman was friendly with the inspector. This was a challenge, but Chan was determined to take out the salesman tonight. He wanted to take Darby to a place where he would make the last hours of his life unbearably painful. The skinny one they didn’t care about.
Chan was anxious. He was chain smoking and drinking cup after cup of tea. He wanted to move in. Waiting and watching this Darby person laugh and have a good time angered him greatly. But Chan remained calm. He sat there, keeping his eyes on Darby. He wanted the salesman to suffer immensely. Li Li was his property, and Chan didn’t like losing his property. He couldn’t wait to carve Darby up slowly––to see the fear, the pain, even regret pour out of his eyes as Chan used his favorite knife.
The inspector stretched and yawned.
Chan looked at his watch. “Finally, she’s leaving.” He motioned for his crew to get into position while he watched her gather her things and say her goodbyes. Too bad she doesn’t realize she’s saying goodbye for good. Run along, Inspector.
Chapter 125
Tav and I were finishing our bubble teas in the cool night air when something hit me. I didn’t know how we’d missed that the crowd around us had dissipated, but we had. It wasn’t until I thought of ordering another bowl of noodles that I realized the stand was empty. We were the only ones there. “Hey, Tav, you noticing what I’m noticing?”
“You mean how everybody around us has backed away like we have bubonic plague?”
Four men stepped out from the outer edges of the crowd. They didn’t look like tourists and they didn’t look like locals out for a bite to eat. Their eyes were fixed on Tav and me.
The last man to appear from the crowd was a hulking goliath amongst the night market crowd.
I didn’t like what was happening. I knew right off the bat that these men had to be Wo Shing Wo. I vaguely remember seeing a picture of the big man when I was researching Triads.
“Tav, I need you to do exactly what I say and not question it. Okay?”
“Okay…”
I reached for a cup of hot tea one of the workers at the stand had been drinking and threw it in the face of the man closest to Tav’s left side. “Run, Tav! Now!”
The two us sprang from our chairs and headed left, around the man who was holding his face and screaming in pain. The leader was quicker than expected for a man of his size. Within seconds he drew his blade and prepared to strike.
“He’s got a knife!” Tav yelled.
And then he did what I thought was impossible. He tucked his shoulder down and rammed right into the side of the big guy sending him flying into the crowd.
“Come on, Darb! Move!” Tav grabbed me by my coat and pulled. The two of us now had a head start. It wasn’t much, but it was better than being filleted back there.
“Who are those men? Why are they after us?” Tav gasped as we pushed our way through the crowd.
“I don’t know,” I panted, looking back over my shoulder. “Just keep running.”
The crowd started to thin as we reached the edges of the market.
“That way.” I pointed to a clearing.
One of the men chasing us appeared in the opening, blocking our exit. We changed direction and ran by a hawker who was steaming a large pot of clams. I managed to tip the pot as we passed. It toppled over, releasing what must have been a blistering waterfall full of clams. It slowed the thug down enough for the two of us to make our way out of the market area.
“Where to now?” Tav yelled as we ran down the street. “The hotel?”
“No, we won’t be safe there. And anyway the hotel is in the opposite direction.”
We were heading west, toward the embankment. That was a problem. Why? Dead end.
The Wo Shing men were gaining on us.
A few hundred yards away, the road split into two. The larger street had a crowd watching a dancing dragon. “There, up ahead. We’ll lose them in the crowd.”
I didn’t know how much longer I could keep running––my lungs burned with each breath and my shirt was wet with perspiration. My messenger bag was long lost back at the market. God, if you get me out of this alive, I swear I’ll never do this again.
The red, white, and gold dragon danced in the middle of the street. At least eighteen men brought the beast to life. The thundering of drums and clanging of cymbals was deafening. The air was thick with smoke. Multiple strands of fireworks lit up the street. Tiny explosions went off all around me like cluster bombs. Charred red paper rained down around us. I kept moving because I was too afraid to stop. I let go of any politeness and pushed people to the side as I forced my way through.
We were fast approaching the embankment. It was either left or right, and I had to make a decision––fast. And then I saw my answer. Straight ahead was a junk boat. It was just leaving the dock for a tour of the harbor. If we could make the boat, we’d have a good chance at escaping.
“Over there––the boat. Jump!” I shouted.
I led the way down the dock, ignoring my body’s repeated requests to stop. At the end, I bounded up a stack of boxes with all my might, praying to God I would clear the necessary three to four feet needed.
I crashed onto the deck, rolling head over heels until I slammed into the wooden wall of the junk boat. Tav should have landed right behind me. But when I regained my footing, he was nowhere to be seen.
I looked up and down the dock but he wasn’t there. I quickly scanned the crowd along embankment and still I couldn’t see him. How could that be? Tav was right behind me the entire time––I was sure of that. I heard his footsteps every step of the way––didn’t I?
They caught him. They must have or else he would have been standing right next to me. I felt defeated. Tears welled up in my eyes. This was serious and I was out of my league with these guys. I was no match to go up against them. I needed help if I ever wanted to see Tav alive. And I only had two options: Leslie or Chu?
The junk boat docked on the other side of the bay and I moved with the crowd off the boat. I quickly made my way over to a nearby cab and slipped inside, hoping I made the right decision.
Chapter 126
Tavish was on Darby’s heels the entire way, never losing a step. He even heard Darby’s instructions to head for the boat. It sounded like a great idea. If they could get on the boat, they’d get away or at least, discourage the thugs from giving them a beat down in front of so many witnesses. But then
again, that didn’t seem to stop them back at the market. Who were these guys?
Tav cleared the last of the crowd watching the dancing dragon and was able to move his legs into overdrive. He was gaining on Darby. If it were not for that measly pothole, he would be on that boat. Instead his right heel gave way, his leg buckled, and he crashed down on the sidewalk.
He was able to roll with the fall and right himself but it was enough of a delay for a hand to reach out and grab his collar. The powerful hand yanked back on his coat, sending his feet flying out from under him. He landed square on his back and the impact forced the air out of his lungs.
As he lay there, trying to breathe, it felt like his lungs had collapsed into a yearlong coma. Surrounding him were the five men. Chan smiled at Tavish as his men lifted him off the ground. Tavish gaped at this large muscular man. Who are these guys? He had never seen him before nor could he recall Darby mentioning him. Then without notice, Chan struck Tavish on the side of his face. The force knocked him unconscious before he hit the ground.
Chapter 127
The cab screeched to a halt and I handed the cabbie a wad of money. “This should cover it,” I said as I exited the vehicle. I turned around and paused for a moment, trying to slow my breath. I had to restore order and stop panicking. My best friend was in trouble and I needed to act fast. I opened the door to the House of Chow.
The restaurant was empty––even the staff was gone. I sat down heavily in one of the chairs. What am I going to do? None of my ideas were panning out. But I couldn’t give up so easily. Tav would never give up on me. I was jolted out of my pity party by the front door crashing open. It was Chu and four other brothers. They looked like they had been to hell and back in economy class. They were packing, too. Chu had the biggest weapon, some sort of machine gun that special ops guys carry.
“Chu!”
“Darby, what are you doing here?”
“I’m looking for you.”
“Have you seen Sing?” he asked.
“No, why?”
Chu sat down near me. His suit was disheveled and ripped near the collar. His hair matted against the side of his face in sweat. Blood splatter stained his white shirt––I don’t think it was his.
“Are you hurt?”
“No. We can’t stay here long. They will come here.”
“Who? What’s going on?”
“Wo Shing Wo attacked us. But we were prepared.” Chu brandished his piece proudly.
He filled me in on the murders and Sing’s refusal to do anything about it––the reason Chu armed himself and his crew with some serious firepower, all against Sing’s explicit orders.
“Do you think Sing wants the gang to continue getting attacked?”
“Not think––know. Tonight was proof. I told him we have big deal going down, lots of money. But there’s no deal. We wait to see if anybody show up. Wo Shing show up. This time they the ones who suffer.”
“You mean Sing is plotting against the gang? Christ! How long have you known?”
“I suspect for long time, but need proof.”
“That explains why Sing never showed any interest Get Organized––he never wanted the gang to be successful! But to let your own men perish at the hands of your sworn enemy, on purpose? That’s messed up.”
“You telling me.”
This was a lot to take in. “Chu, they attacked me tonight.”
“Wo Shing?”
“Yes. They were chasing us. I was able to get away but they caught my friend Tav. I don’t know why.” I shook my head. “Maybe Sing also sent them after me because of the success of the program?”
“What these men look like?”
“The leader––at least I think he was the leader––was a very muscular man, very big, with a thin mustache.”
Chu nodded. “This man is dangerous. He is Chan. He is Red Pole, enforcer for gang. He is known for committing Ling Chi, death by one thousands cuts. Not good way to die.”
Jesus, what have I done? My best friend was in the hands of the enforcer for the Wo Shing Wo, whose preferred beatdown is by way of one thousand cuts. “Chu, you have to help me. Please.”
Chu spoke to his crew and in seconds they were all filing out the door.
“Where are they going?”
“There few places where your friend can be. My men will look and report back.”
“Shouldn’t we go? What if they kill him?”
“Not a good plan. Once we know location, then we head out.”
“How can you be sure they won’t kill him?”
“They after you, not him.”
“Me? Why me?”
“Li Li. She was very important person to leader of Wo Shing. She’s dead now. Someone must pay.”
Li Li’s dead? “But I didn’t kill her. I didn’t even know she was dead. Did Sing tell you this?”
“Everybody knows you last person to be seen leaving parlor. There is video of you at the parlor that day. Wo Shing know you associate with us. So…”
“So they think I’m responsible?”
“Why you kill Li Li?”
“Chu, I didn’t. You’ve got to believe me. And the real killer is dead. He was Wo Shing a long time ago. It’s a long story.”
Before I could explain, the door to the restaurant opened and in walked Sing. His hair was wet and dripped against his head, his suit jacket torn near the collar. He was breathing hard.
When Chu turned to face him, I heard a deafening sound. Chu went flying backwards. At first I didn’t understand what was happening. How could Chu move through the air like that? Then I saw what Sing was holding: a double-barreled shotgun. His face was emotionless when he turned the weapon toward me and pulled the trigger.
Chapter 128
When Tavish woke, he found himself tied up, blindfolded, and lying on a cold concrete floor. Every muscle in his body screamed bloody murder when he moved. The metallic taste of blood ran thick in his mouth as he started piecing together the events that had brought him to this place: Dinner at the Temple Night Market. Surrounded and chased by strange men. Falling and being caught. Beaten and thrown into a dark room.
Well, that’s pretty much how it all went down. But the details didn’t matter. Where was Darby? Did they catch him too, or did he escape? Tavish hoped it was the latter and Darby was working on a plan to rescue him. He was willing to accept any Darbytastic idea right now.
He could hear men talking nearby. There was scuffling as the voices got louder. They were coming to get him.
A pair of hands grabbed each arm and dragged him out of the room until they sat him on a metal chair. Finally, they removed the blindfold.
Tavish was dizzy and his eyes stung from the bright lamps surrounding him. A large figure moved out from the darkness and stood in front, a shadowed outline in the light.
The leader, he thought, guessing by his size.
“Wake up!” the voice shouted. Tavish’s face absorbed a stinging slap, throwing it to the side. The room erupted in laughter.
“Where is your friend?” the voice demanded. A hand grabbed his face and lifted it up. “Where is your friend?”
“I––I don’t know,” he stammered.
Tavish felt another stinging slap, this time on the other side of his face. He cried out in pain.
“Wrong answer.”
“I don’t know!” Tavish shouted.
This time the blow was straight on. A sharp pain shot up his nose and into his head. A warm river of blood snaked its way out of his left nostril.
These men were toying with him, possibly beating him to a slow death. Sensing that another blow was on its way, he threw out what he thought was his best card. “He probably went to the police. He’s friends with Chief Inspector Leslie Choi.”
More laughter erupted from the men and another fist slammed into Tavish’s nose. This time he was certain it was broken.
“I’m having fun,” said the silhouette. “We can do this all night, my friend. It is
not I who will soon be slowly bleeding to death.”
If Darby wasn’t with Leslie, the only other place he could be was the restaurant. But it would surely risk Darby’s life: The Wo Shing Wo would storm the place and overcome the Fan Gang in seconds. Tavish couldn’t do it. He just couldn’t.
Chapter 129
Click.
I braced for the impact and the pain that was sure to burn through my chest like a wildfire. I only hoped I wouldn’t have to endure it for long. But the pain didn’t come.
I heard a second click and this time I opened my eyes. Sing was shaking the shotgun. It jammed! I couldn’t believe it. I had a second chance.
What was my move? Attack him? Run? No, he was blocking the door. Dive behind a table?
Sing pumped the gun a couple of times then took aim again. Click.
Why I continued to stand frozen on the spot I couldn’t answer. My legs wouldn’t move. Again the hammer clicked and tortured me for a split second. The gun was still jammed. If I didn’t want to look like jam, I needed to jam out of there.
By now Sing had lost all patience with the gun, he grabbed the barrel with both hands. He shook it again and then struck the floor with the butt of the gun.
Then again––this time the gun went off. So did Sing’s head. His body stood upright, headless for a brief moment, before it crumpled to the floor like a marionette.
A moan from behind a table shook me out of stunned silence. Chu!
Chu was on his back, slowly moving side to side as both hands gripped his chest. The front of his shirt and jacket were shredded from the shotgun pellets. I knelt next to him, steeling myself for the damage I knew I would see.
When I moved his hands, there wasn’t very much blood. I expected to see a lot of it––and torn-up flesh, too. And then I noticed the gray material. “Chu, you’re wearing a bullet proof vest?”
“Yes,” he groaned.
I was ecstatic: Something went right tonight. “Chu, I thought you were dead.”
Darby Stansfield Thriller Series (Books 1-3 & Bonus Novella) Page 27