He nodded and the waiter disappeared to the bar.
“Okay, where was I?” Mei asked. Before Brian could open his mouth to answer, she raised her hand. “Oh yes, the lowest bidder problem.” She stopped as she collected her thoughts. “I forgot to mention to you that I have promoted Jason Ballard to be President of Soltech. He will be in charge of all of my North American operations, assuming he takes the position.” She made a sly smile. “I know he’ll accept the position.”
“You’re very sure of yourself,” Brian said, “but Jason’s an excellent choice. He knows his stuff and will be a great asset for you.” Their waiter showed up at their table with two steaming entrees: Brian’s linguini with clams, hers the baked salmon with lemon butter and dill. He leaned over and took a deep breath. “As always, it smells incredible. Let’s talk business after we eat.”
Between bites, they chatted about the politics in Washington, the stimulus bill, Mei’s daughter, Brian’s new Harley, everything but Copper Mountain. The restaurant never seemed to empty; as one group left, another was immediately seated. Laughter and voices filled the air, along with glasses tinkling and forks hitting plates.
Grabbing both hands over his belly, Brian leaned back. “I’ve got to stop. I don’t want to but I’ve got to stop or I’m going to have to roll out of here.”
Mei laughed as she dabbed the corners of her mouth with her napkin. “I know what you mean. My eyes are always bigger than my stomach when I come here.”
Brian felt his phone vibrate in his front pocket so he leaned to his left to retrieve it. A text from his senior vice president read, Call me, urgent. He looked up at Mei. “Uh, would you excuse me? I need to make a call.”
“Yes, go right ahead. I’ll still be here when you return.” She watched him go around the bar area and slip out the front door, standing on the outside of the window where she was sitting. She hummed a tune to herself and kept the beat with one of her feet crossed over the other one. She looked around at the faces of the people at the other tables. The group of six to her left looked like they were celebrating a birthday. A young couple directly in front of her seemed lost in some deep conversation. She glanced out the window at Brian standing on the sidewalk talking on the phone. His face had a pained expression on it and he put his hand to his forehead.
Hmmm, she thought. Must be some important news. I wonder if he’ll share it with me.
Brian closed his phone and hung his head for a minute before turning and coming back into the restaurant. He came up to the table, an ashen look on his face, and sat down.
“Is there something wrong, Brian?” she asked in a concerned voice.
He stared at her before speaking in a soft voice. “That was Pete from my office. Andrew Dillon was attacked just outside his office a few hours ago. Someone slit his throat and he bled to death.”
Mei put her hand across her mouth. “Oh, my gosh! That’s awful! Who would do such a thing?” Mei fluttered her hand to her face as though it had grown very hot in the room all of a sudden. “What is wrong with this country? Everywhere there is violence—guns, knives, beatings. It’s terrible.”
Brian looked stunned. “The police don’t think it was a random act since he still had his wallet and an expensive watch on his wrist. It doesn’t make sense.”
“In this country it does. There’s too much violence everywhere. ” Mei bided her time feigning concern. “This is terrible news. Andrew was making great strides with his company.” She paused a few seconds as Brian ran his hands through his hair. “Now what will happen to their bid for Copper Mountain.? They don’t have the personnel to run a job like that without Andrew around. I hope they have a back-up plan. This is very unfortunate for them and sad news.”
Brian blinked in astonishment. “You’re kidding right? I hadn’t even thought about Copper Mountain and probably won’t for a few days until this sinks in. Get your coat, I need to get to the office.”
Mei stood up and held her hands out defensively. “I didn’t mean to be disrespectful. I was only thinking out loud. I know this is tragic, but life will go on.”
“Yes, Mei, life does go on.” He followed her out of the restaurant. He hailed a cab and opened the door for her. Once she was in the cab, he leaned through the window. “I’ll be in touch.”
Mei put her hands over his and looked up into his eyes. “I’m sorry this happened, Brian. If there’s anything I or any of my staff at Soltech can do, please let me know.”
He smiled faintly and backed away. “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.”
The cab pulled away as she gave the driver directions. Leaning back in the seat, she smiled. Looks like Brian will have no choice but to use Soltech. Things are starting to fall into place. Americans, they are such sentimental fools. They can’t get past the fact that everyone is replaceable, especially dreamers like Andrew Dillon. If they thought like I do, they might be more formidable opponents. It’s time for Soltech to become a major player in the solar panel industry, and whoever isn’t with me is against me.
SIXTEEN
The long arm of the construction crane moved across the top of the twelfth floor of the newest hotel in David Wilson’s portfolio, located in the high-rent district of Hong Kong. It carried a steel beam almost sixteen feet in length, dangling it high in the air as it moved along its journey to its final destination somewhere in the middle of the building.
David stood at the base of the hotel next to his construction foreman, who had a rolled set of plans under his arm. Both men wore hardhats, and even though they both wore sunglasses, they had to shield their eyes from the bright sunlight as they watched the work being done. Dust flew everywhere as concrete trucks and flatbeds drove in and out of the ten-acre site. Alarms sounded periodically as forklifts or other machinery started backing up, warning anyone nearby to be aware. Men shouted over the top of the noise created by the machines, and it seemed like the site was in a constant state of organized chaos.
David took the plans from his foreman and unrolled them across the hood of the shiny new pickup parked in front of the construction trailer. He studied the drawings for a second, then looked up at the work going on at the top of the building. He rolled them up and handed them to his foreman. Slapping him playfully on the back, he said, “Well, Rusty, you’ve only got forty more floors to go. I think if you keep making the same progress you’ve made the last three months, we might finish this thing a few months ahead of schedule.”
Rusty, a forty-five-year-old former Texan, gave an approving nod and turned to look at the activity all around him. “I hope so, Mr. Wilson. If I can keep the Chinese government happy and out of our hair, we can keep up the pace.” He grimaced and looked over at the crane, which was picking up a new beam off the bed of a flatbed truck. “I never know what curve ball they’re going to throw at me day to day. Last week, one of the building inspectors had to be promised a remodel of his daughter’s home before he would pass a crucial inspection.”
David kicked the dirt with his Bostonian shoes, sending dirt flying and leaving dust on his pressed slacks. “Yeah, you told me about that. What a crock of crap. Did you figure out how much it’s going to cost me?”
“It will be close to twenty-five thousand.” He put his hands out defensively. “I’m sorry about that, Mr. Wilson, but this guy put us in a tough position. We were almost dead in the water without that inspection and he knew it.”
“Don’t fret about it, Rusty,” he said. “I realize it’s the cost of doing business in Hong Kong. It’s happened before on other projects I’ve built and I’m sure it will happen again before we finish. It’s part of the culture here and there’s no way to fight it.”
“I know it’s the culture here,” Rusty said. “But I don’t have to like it.”
David’s phone vibrated in his pocket and he pulled it out. He instantly recognized the number. I wonder what Mei Chen wants, he thought as he hit a button and answered.
“What a sweet voice you have, David,” Mei s
aid in quiet voice. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you. I miss you. I’ll be in Hong Kong later tonight. Could we go to lunch tomorrow and catch up with each other?”
Starting up the stairs to the construction trailer, David paused on the landing and reached out for the door handle. He sensed something in her tone but wasn’t sure what it was. I have to be careful with this woman, he thought. She has way too much power, and I’m not sure what she wants from me. She’s definitely a sensuous woman, and entertaining, but she always has a purpose to everything she does. “That would be great Mei. I’ll be in Hong Kong all week and I can make myself free tomorrow. Let’s meet at the Royal Plantation and Polo Club around noon?”
“I love that place. I’ll see you tomorrow at noon.” She lowered her voice. “Maybe we can find something fun to do after lunch.”
David smiled. “Maybe we can.” He hung up and stared at the phone a second. Why do I have this feeling she’s after something from me?
♦
A light, fresh breeze from the sea flowed through the large open windows of the Royal Plantation and Polo Club. The white linen-covered tables each had a colorful arrangement of flowers on them, with crystal glasses and Waterford plates. Every table buzzed with light conversation as servers in crisp, white tuxedos flitted from table to table. Champagne appeared to be the beverage of choice, as silver trays of it sat on the large hand-carved oak bar in the corner of the room.
David, in dark slacks and a white pressed dress shirt with three buttons opened, sat at a square table by one of the windows, nursing a Johnnie Walker and soda. He checked out the patrons in the room, noting that there was not one who didn’t look like they were going to a formal dinner or a wedding ceremony. I think this is the British tradition of Hong Kong, he mused. Everyone dressed so formal for a simple lunch. Jolly good!
Looking toward the entrance, he caught sight of Mei Chen as she swept past the maître d’ and headed toward his table, her long flowery dress flowing behind her.
He stood up and gave her a hug, then held her chair while she sat down. A server was at her side immediately. “A glass of champagne, please,” she said to him without looking. “You look great, David. You always seem so fit. What do you do to stay in shape?”
“I try to get to the gym a couple times a week, and I have a regular weekly tennis game,” he answered nonchalantly. “Thank you for the compliment. You look very pretty yourself. If I didn’t know better, I would think you had an appearance at the opera later.”
She threw her hand out dismissively and laughed. “Flattery will get you everywhere.” Her champagne showed up and she raised her glass. “Here’s to old friends.”
Raising his glass, he clinked hers. “So, what brings you to Hong Kong? I thought you were busy with your solar panel company. Did you say there was a large solar project in Nevada you were about to start?”
She sipped her glass and looked at him over its rim. She smiled as she set the glass down. “Yes, you have a great memory. I’m close to getting the bid on the Copper Mountain project. It will be a huge feather in my hat and one giant step up for Soltech!”
“Congratulations.” He raised his glass in a salute.
“Thank you.” Her face grew serious. “The reason I’m here in Hong Kong is official business for my husband.” She lowered her voice as she scanned the room. “A lot of members of the Communist Party look at Hong Kong with disgust. They think it’s a capitalistic cesspool that should be nationalized, taken over, and run by the Chinese government.”
David stiffened. Mei Chen reached over and grabbed his hand, patting it soothingly. “Oh, you have nothing to worry about, dear. This is just tough talk among some hotheads in the Party. They’re jealous of the wealth that’s created here. Unfortunately, they are too stupid to figure how to take advantage of what’s available to them.”
David stared at her keenly. There’s more to this than what she’s letting on, he thought. Is she warning me of something coming down the pike or is there something else in play here? “Why are these people concerned about the business of Hong Kong all of a sudden?” he asked. “The Chinese government knew what type of society they were getting when it was handed over from the British. They knew they weren’t going to be able to change it or take over businesses without rioting in the streets.”
“You are absolutely correct about that, David, and the smarter people in the government, like myself, know that.” She shrugged and pulled a slice of bread out of a covered basket. “But they still want me to check out a few operations here that might be possible candidates for nationalization that wouldn’t cause a fuss. So I’ll spend a few days in your posh resort and pass on some suggestions to them.”
David put the white napkin folded in front of him on his lap. If they can take one company, they can take any company. A company like mine with all my hotels would be a great prize for someone. Maybe I should sell out and move on to someplace that’s a little different. I can build hotels anywhere in the world, so maybe it’s time to move on. “Do you think there’s any possibility that your government would go after landowners or business owners? What exactly are they looking for?”
Mei raised her eyebrows. “I’m not really sure what they’re after. But I bet they would want something that’s successful.”
“Like a hotelier with a dozen luxury hotels? Would that type of business fall into their sights?”
“You mean someone like yourself?” she asked innocently.
“Precisely,” he answered. “I don’t like the thought of your government taking what I’ve built. Do you think something like that is possible?”
Mei put her elbows on the table and rested her chin in her hands. “I guess anything is possible.” She paused while the server set an overflowing crab Louie covered in Thousand Island dressing in front of her.
David leaned back while the server set a plate of steaming sautéed trout with garlic-lemon butter and rice pilaf in front of him. “This looks really good, but I’m suddenly not that hungry.” He picked up a fork and pushed some of the food around on the plate.
Mei picked up a fork and took a dainty bite. “If you’re worried about your hotels being taken over, I might have a solution for you.”
She leaned forward while glancing around the room and almost whispered, “If you were to make me a partner in your empire, the Chinese government would leave you alone and look elsewhere.” She continued looking around while speaking softly. “I can also help you get control of many other sites throughout China for you to build many more hotels.” Her eyes narrowed on his. “I can get you some of the best sites in Hong Kong or any other city in China you would wish to build in.”
David studied her face as she ate. I was afraid of this, he thought as he set his fork down. I thought that sooner or later the government was going to step in, and now it’s sooner. I didn’t want a partner, particularly Mei Chen, but I may not have a choice. I need to buy some time and figure out what my next step.
He brought his napkin to his mouth and coughed nervously. “Well, I hadn’t thought about a partner, Mei, so you’ll have to excuse me if I’m surprised,” he said, trying to keep his cool. “I will need some time to figure out if this is the best thing for me to do. I have spent a lot of energy and money on my hotels, and it won’t be easy for me to bring someone else into what I have created.”
“Of course, I understand,” she said never taking her eyes off his. “But think of it in a positive way.” Reaching across the table, she put her hand over his. “We will make such good partners and we can have a lot of fun doing it.” Her eyes sparkled. “Maybe we could start having fun this afternoon. I’ve rented the president’s suite at your Grand Palace Hotel for the next two months. Maybe we should go there and celebrate a new beginning for the two of us. But let me tell you how I think it could work.”
He listened to her proposal, nodding his head periodically. This is going to take some delicate handling. I can’t blow off her advances and irri
tate her or she could make my life miserable. On the other hand, getting intimate could open up a whole other set of problems, starting with the fact that she’s married to one of the highest officials in the government. How would he react if he found out? Would he have me shot?
Taking her hand, he brought it to his lips. “Mei, your offer of an afternoon together is very enticing and generous, but I must beg for another time. As much as I’d like to spend the afternoon with you, I’ve got to attend a couple of meetings in regard to the ongoing construction of my hotel. I promise I’ll make it up to you at another time.”
He signaled to the waiter to bring him the bill and put two one-hundred-dollar bills in the leather-covered folder.
He stood and bowed to Mei, carefully setting his napkin on the table. “It was a pleasure having lunch with you. I’ll think about your proposal.” He smiled and added, “Both of your proposals, and we’ll discuss them at a later date. I hope you have a wonderful afternoon.”
His mind raced as he headed out of the restaurant. Maybe I should put all my hotels on the market and get out of Hong Kong. I could start over again somewhere else in the world where the government is more business-friendly. When he got to the outside, he handed a young valet his ticket and waited at the curb under the porte-cochere for him to retrieve his dark blue Mercedes 300 coupe.
What if I bring Mei in as a partner? Could she actually open more doors and help expand the business? She definitely knows people in high places and would make introductions I could never get.
The Money Is Green Page 10