Chapter 13
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka Scorpio
Julian Cheung - Doug Chung aka Virgo
Moses Chan – Ah Gam
Gigi Lai – Chan Yan Kiu
The next morning as planned, Erin gave the city jail a little visit. The guards nodded politely when she showed the badge. The head guard walked her to a special room where she would have more peace and quiet to talk to Ah Gam “How is he doing?” she asked.
The guy was tall and built “Hmph, I think he wants to stay in jail longer. He was caught beating up a guy the other day. Although he got a nice shiner in the eye.” Erin nodded without comment. When they reached the room, the guard turned to her “We’ll be watching from the next room. If he tries anything, don’t hold back.”
“Thank you.” She smiled gratefully as he unlocked the door and let her in. She was faced with the long seen foe. His eyes still cold as ice but he appeared to be calm. His arms chained as he placed them on the table across from her “How have you been?” she began the small talk.
Ah Gam snickered “Cut to the chase.”
“Can’t I ask how you are doing?” Erin smiled shortly.
“You want to see if I’m dead right? Well, guess what, I’m not going anywhere honey. When I get out, you guys will have a little more to worry about.” He threatened with a pointed finger.
Erin’s eyes hardened “Forty years later, I’d be retired and living on an exclusive island.” She laughed, “Who are you fooling? You know better than to get tangled with that lifestyle again. I know if you had another chance, you wouldn’t walk the same road.”
“What makes you so sure?” Ah Gam chuckled.
“Instincts.” She smiled again “I have a question for you.”
“Go ahead.” He leaned back on the chair with an easy aura.
“You met Hung Gor’s sister?” her question brought him into an instant state of crazed as he lunged at the table suddenly.
She made no movement as he pointed at her angrily “Don’t you guys dare hurt her! She’s innocent! She knows nothing of Hung Gor’s business!”
Erin turned to the corner camera and shook her head so the guards would not come to her rescue “I suggest you calm yourself before they shoot your body with a 200 volt shocker.” Slowly he began to back down into his seat “I didn’t say we were going to hurt her. I just want to know what her life was like before.”
“What’s it to you?” he huffed with a pointed chin in the air.
Sighing, she softened her voice and face “Look, I’m here as Brad’s girlfriend not a P.R.A. agent. I only want to know so we can protect her from the underground triads raising terror. Since Hung Gor died, we realized a few gangs are trying to take over his work.”
“Stupid greedy idiots!” Ah Gam snarled “They can’t touch any of Hung Gor’s assets, its all left for his sister.” Suddenly he turned to Erin strangely “You’ve met her?”
“No.” she answered honestly “But we are looking for her. If anything happens to her, the underground world will erupt. Which means more work for us.”
He shrugged carelessly “And your point?”
“I want to know about her so we can find her whereabouts.” Erin said sincerely “We have no intention of hurting her. You have my word.”
Ah Gam was debating but it didn’t take long for him to give in “To be honest, I’m not sure where she is right now. It’s been years since I’ve first heard about her through Hung Gor. I’ve only remember Hung Gor talking about her twice. About six years ago. Hung Gor told me of his little sister that he called Siu Kiu.” He sighed, “They had a horrible life in Beijing. Their parents were in denial when Hung Gor joined a triad. They kicked him out and told Siu Kiu that she could not see him ever again. It was heart wrenching for both because they were so close. But she obeyed her parents and ignored him when she saw him. But it took them ten years later to reunite. He flew back to Beijing just to find her. She had become a teacher and had a good job. He was proud but she tried to persuade him to leave the triad. He didn’t want to and told her she didn’t need to worry about him.”
“She didn’t take it too well?” Erin guessed.
Ah Gam nodded “No. But she respected his decision. She said to him she would not see him again as long as he was a Dai Lou.”
“Ouch.” Erin winced “How did they see each other again?”
“How did you know?” Ah Gam was amazed how they knew even the tiniest details.
“Hung Gor used his sister’s name to cover the legal use of the sewing manufacturing. That was three years ago, obviously they had to have met again.” Erin said wisely.
He smiled crookedly “Yeah…but it was in bad terms. She refused to help him, something about her needing money at that time. She couldn’t afford to take a chance on her credit. Knowing her brother, she guessed it was something illegal. Hung Gor was angry and he slowly used his power to force her. Going to her school and making trouble, he had a few guys beat up the other teachers. Everyone was in fear for their lives.” Ah Gam laughed at the thought “It was great how he could make anyone do anything for him. Eventhough he would never do anything to hurt Siu Kiu. She eventually agreed and signed for him…but she wasn’t happy about it.”
“What happened then?” Erin was intrigued.
Ah Gam shrugged “I don’t know. He tried to look for her a year later but they said she no longer worked at the school. Truthfully, I think they fired her. Afraid that Hung Gor would bring back his guys to cause trouble.”
“So that was the last she ever saw of him?” Erin asked.
He smiled “I’m not with Hung Gor 24/7.”
She understood his meaning “I never thanked you.”
“No need.” He brushed it off.
“No, for saving my life…twice.” Erin smiled “I know you had your chance but you didn’t. You may not want to admit it, but somewhere in that cold heart is a warm blood flowing through. I know if Brad were alive today, he would be sad to see you like this.”
“Or relieved.” Ah Gam snickered.
“He’s not that kind of guy.” Erin insisted.
His face fell and he nodded “I know. He’s always been righteous. Damn bastard wouldn’t even cut class.” He laughed, “He’s lucky you know…”
“How so?” Erin found it ironic to say someone that died a horrible death to be lucky.
“He’s got two great girls pining over him.” Ah Gam shook his head “And I can’t even find a decent person that will like me. Carmen only had eyes for Brad and I had a crush on a girl I’ve never met.”
“You have a crush on Siu Kiu?” Erin asked and he nodded “No wonder you freaked out at the mention of her name.”
He turned to her earnestly “Erin. I beg you, don’t let anyone harm her. She really is innocent.”
“I’m sure she can take care of herself.” Erin assured him “But I promise, if she is in danger, I will not stand there and watch. How will I know it's her?”
"She wears a necklace that Hung Gor gave to her. His Dai Lou bought it for him when he first joined the triad. It never left his side but he gave it to her years before and told her it would protect her if any gangs decided to pick on her. He guessed they would trace her down. It's a silver chain with an intricate dragon on the charm." He sighed with relief “Hung Gor told me when he was still alive that if he died, he only worried for Siu Kiu because the other Dai Lou would go after her.”
***************
When she left the jail, she called Doug, who was on the plane back to Hong Kong “What do you want?” he cried angrily while getting up from his seat “I told you not to call me if it’s not important.” He rolled his eyes when Ah Kiu turned to him strangely “Women.”
Erin waited for him until she heard a door closed “Clear?”
“Yeah, what did you find out?” he sat on the edge of the toilet.
She repeated most of what she learned from Ah Gam “But one thing he insisted was that she is innocent and sounds like she’s a nice girl.”
“Well apparently she’s changed. Yesterday, she had the guys beat up this old man that treated her bad while she was living on the streets. She didn’t even flicker when his head bled.” Doug whispered.
“How long did she live on the streets?” Erin asked.
Doug wasn’t too sure “I think she said one year or something. Maybe living out there made her tougher? Hell I would be too if I was trying to survive day by day.”
She agreed “True. Anyways, be careful. And try not to get caught.” She warned in a motherly tone.
“I’m not THAT stupid.” Doug assured her.
Erin giggled “I can find one person that will disagree.”
“Mia doesn’t count!” Doug cried and quickly hung up before they noticed he was gone for too long.
When he returned to his seat, Ah Kiu raised her eyes at him “Girlfriend?”
“No, just some girl that wants to be.” Doug brushed it off lightly “I guess it’s my mom’s fault for having such a handsome son.”
She laughed, “I guess we should go beat her up then.”
“Nah, she’s dead. I mean, how hard would it be to send some guys to hell?” Doug laughed at his own pathetic joke.
Ah Kiu smiled “If she’s bothering you, I can—”
“No, she’s just a nuisance but I can take care of her myself.” He quickly added.
“I was going to offer to act as your girlfriend and scare her off.” Ah Kiu grinned strangely.
Doug laughed embarrassingly “Oh…yeah, that would work. But it’s okay. I can handle her.”
“Suit yourself.” She shrugged and looked outside the window.
“Hey.” He patted her on the arm as she turned to him “How did you end up on the street? I don’t recall Hung Gor telling me what happened. To be honest, the last time I heard about you was three years ago.”
Ah Kiu turned away as if the pain was too much “He actually mentioned me?”
“He never stopped looking for you.” Doug assured her “What happened to you?”
“I…I lost my job and no one wanted to hire me.” She explained shortly.
“What job?” he pried.
“Teacher.” She answered “Because they knew who my brother was, no one wanted to hire me. I didn’t have enough to pay rent and my parents disowned me after they found out I talked to Ah Gor. I ended up on the streets and had nowhere to turn. The rest, you know.” She smiled weakly.
Doug nodded “I see.”
“What’s wrong? You don’t believe me?” She asked.
He shook his head vigorously “No, it’s not that. I guess I’m just nosy. Sorry.”
“I was just teasing.” Ah Kiu grinned “I couldn’t be mad at my life saver.” She covered a yawn with her hand and leaned onto his arm “Can I borrow?” he nodded hesitantly as she closed her eyes and took a short nap.
Chapter 14
Ruby Lin – Mia Lam-Chiu aka Pisces
Nick Cheung – Darren Chiu aka Taurus
Amy Kwok – Janine Wu
Mia got home from brunch with Reina while Darren offered to babysit Bonnie. She looked around the empty house “Bonnie! Time for your bath!”
Darren appeared at the staircase “Hey, you’re home. I already took a bath for Bonnie.”
“Oh…well, I brought home some sandwiches.” She showed him the togo bag.
“No, we made our own peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. It was good.” He smiled while walking down the steps to greet her.
“Why do you get to do all of it?!” she whined.
Darren raised his brows “I thought you’d be happy? You always complain about how you don’t have enough time for yourself?”
“Yeah but now I’m missing out on the meaningful stuff. Like taking Bonnie to go shopping or taking a bath. She’d rather hang out with Devin!” Mia hissed.
He laughed “That’s cute, you miss your daughter.”
“Where is she now?” Mia nodded with puppy eyes. Darren hesitated to tell her “Bonnie!” she called.
“She’s napping.” Darren chased her up the stairs.
“Bullshit! It’s 12pm, she doesn’t nap for another two hours.” She searched the rooms “Where is she?”
“Honey, I think we should go do some research on those underground triad gangs. I mean Matt said they might be getting out of control due to—” he froze when she eventually found Bonnie in her own room.
Mia looked saddened as she watched Bonnie on the home phone “…and I want a new pony for my birthday and a bike because mommy says that she use to bike everywhere. Um…no.” she paused and laughed “You can’t fit on my bike, Uncle Devin. You’re too big.”
Darren sighed as he patted her on the shoulder “Get use to it. When she has a boyfriend, she’ll be on the phone all day long.”
“Bonnie?” Mia disturbed her conversation with Devin.
“Mommy!” Bonnie exclaimed happily “I will call you later Uncle Devin. Mommy’s home.” She giggled “Okay, I will. Bye!” she tossed the phone on her bed and ran to Mia’s arms “Uncle Devin says I can have anything I want for my birthday. He’s going to buy me a pony!”
“Over my dea—”
“Mia! Hey, I think we should have a family day today!” Darren exclaimed. Mia gave him a stern look but he continued to smile “Wouldn’t that be fun? Bonbon want to go to the amusement park?”
“Yippee!” the little toddler agreed with a clap of the hands.
Mia gave in when seeing her daughter so excited “I guess it does sound like fun.”
“I want ice cream! Oh…and cotton candy…and snow cones.” The list went on as the parents turned to each other.
“You created a monster.” Darren sighed. She took over Mia’s love for snacks and sweets.
The first place they headed off to was the carnival area where rows of food carts stood and little games called out to Darren. Bonnie was between her parents hands when she looked up at the tall ferris wheel “Wow…” She gushed.
“Bonbon want to go on?” Darren bent down as he asked his daughter. She nodded vigorously while Mia looked sick to her stomach. He stood up to his wife “It’s not that high.”
“You know anything over two stories makes my stomach turn.” She whispered.
Darren sighed “You’re not going to fall off. All those years of sky diving and you are still scared?”
“I have no choice.” Mia emphasized “I have a choice now.”
“Mommy?” Bonnie yanked on her arm to get her attention.
“Yes?” Mia put on a quick smile for her.
“Are you scared?” she asked openly, when Mia shook her head, Bonnie replied “But Uncle Devin says you don’t like to be in high places. He says it makes you puke like there’s no tomorrow.”
Mia plastered the smile wider as Darren coughed away the laugh “Mommy’s not afraid.” She clenched her teeth and looked at her husband “I’m gonna kill him.” She said between growls.
“So can we go?!” Bonnie pointed to the ferris wheel.
“Sure.” Mia agreed while glaring at Darren, who looked ready to explode with laughter “Shut up…I’m throwing up on you after we get off.” She vowed. They bought tickets and stood in line. Mia couldn’t help the nauseous feeling growing at the pit of her stomach “I shouldn’t have eaten that sandwich.” She whispered to Darren.
“It’s okay honey. I’ll protect you.” Darren patted her on the shoulder.
When they finally reached the ride, Mia’s hand was sweaty as she climbed onto the wide seat. Bonnie happily moved in the center while Darren took the other side seat. They pulled the bar down and Mia quickly stopped the control guy “Don’t you guys have seat belts?”
The guy looked at her strangely “No. But we have that bar.” He pointed to the one she was gripping on.”
“This? I can slip right out!” Mia exclaimed “Don’t you have better safety precautions? I can sue you for this—AHH!!” she cried and closed her eyes when the ride began to move. They stopped midway up while the controller switched the old customers with the new ones.
Darren leaned his head towards Mia while Bonnie giggled excitedly “Open your eyes Mia.”
“Yeah!” She snuffed “I’m not falling for that again.”
“This isn’t sex Mia. You can watch.” He teased.
She snapped her eyes open “What did I tell you about saying the S-E-X word in front of B-O-N-N-I-E?”
Bonnie turned to her mother with innocent eyes “Mommy what is sex?”
Darren laughed “Honey, she’s five years old not fifteen years old. She doesn’t know what that word is yet. Bonbon, daddy will tell you about sex when you get older. But now you are too young to ask about it okay?”
“Yes daddy.” Bonnie was fine with the answer. When the ride moved up again, she began to squeal with enjoyment.
Mia sucked in the breath as she looked around fearfully, they made their way on the top of the ride. She was turning red when Darren scolded “Mia!” she let out a lung full of air while he shook his head “Just relax. You’re not going to fall off.” He sighed “And I was prepared to give the speech to Bonnie.”
“Ah Ming!” Bonnie pointed below, the seat under them was rocking back and forth.
Mia frowned “Honey, who is Ah Ming. Did you change Felix’s name?”
“No, it’s Ah Ming. A little boy!” she climbed from the sitting position and pointed below them “Someone’s hurting him!”
Darren peeked over his shoulder and sure enough, he found a man gripping a kid in his arms as he fearlessly climbed down the tall ride. A few onlookers saw as they yelped and cried for help. The ride began to move but quickly stopped when the guy pointed a gun at the controller, who backed away “I’m going down.” Darren turned to Mia “Watch Bonnie.”
“Don’t leave me here…” Mia groaned as she watched Darren climb down the bars with ease.
“Its okay Mommy, Bonnie is here.” Her daughter comforted her with a hug. Mia gripped onto the girl as she said silent prayers.
Darren quickened his pace when he noticed the guy running away. He hopped down from ten feet up and rolled onto the ground. Getting up, he chased after the guy holding onto the kid. He was not as quick with a five year old in his arms as Darren caught up. Stopping him with a hand on the shoulder, he forced him to turn as he whisked the kid from his arms and placed him on the ground behind him “You’ve got balls kidnapping a kid in broad daylight.” He warned.
The kidnapper looked dangerously at him “Mind your own business!” he charged at Darren while reaching for the kid. But Darren was trained for quick attacks. He blocked the hand and pushed him aside. Spinning around, he kicked him over the face roughly. The guy landed on his back but quickly pushed himself up.
“Ah Ming!” a female voice cried desperately as she rushed to her child. Darren turned for a brief second but remembered the kidnapper. Unfortunately when he looked back, the guy had disappeared.
Darren was disappointed but he remembered the mother and child “Are you okay?” he asked the kid.
“Thank you.” Janine said graciously “He’s not hurt.” She assured Darren.
“Maybe you should call the police.” he suggested.
She hastily shook her head “No, it’s okay. No one was hurt and my son was not kidnapped. It’s not necessary.”
“Darren!” Mia ran over with Bonnie in her arms. Her legs still shaky “Did you catch him?”
Shaking his head he answered “No. But the kid is safe.” He pointed his chin to Ah Ming.
Bonnie slivered down from Mia’s arms “Ah Ming!” she greeted with a smile. The kid smiled “I’m Bonnie…remember?”
“Yes.” He replied shortly and turned to his mother for further instructions.
“Hi Bonnie.” Janine smiled.
“You know my daughter?” Mia asked with surprise.
“I’ve met her once.” She confessed “I would love to pay you back for helping my child but I think it’s safer if we left.”
Darren agreed “Yes. Would you like us to walk you out?”
Janine shook her head “No. I’ll call my friend.” She pulled out a cell phone and dialed “Hey Dan, can you pick us up? We’re at the amusement park.”
“Dan?” Mia raised her brows at her husband.
“Shh…” he quieted her until Janine turned to them and said goodbye.
“Bye Bonnie!” Ah Ming waved.
Darren turned to Bonnie as he asked carefully “Where did you meet your friend, sweetie?”
“Um…” Bonnie recalled Devin making her promise not to mention about their encounter “I don’t remember.”
Mia bent down and took a hold of her daughter’s arms “Bonnie, it’s not good to lie to mommy and daddy.”
“But…I don’t remember.” She assured her mother with wide eyes.
Darren looked down at Mia and shook his head “Maybe she doesn’t remember?”
“We should take her to Jessie. Maybe she can hypnotize her to remember.” Mia offered.
“Who do you think that Dan guy is? That was peculiar. She didn’t even care about the kidnapper, like she didn’t want him to get caught.” He analyzed.
“Dan…Daniel…smells fishy to me.” Mia nodded “She had an accent and Daniel knew Devin from Beijing. They must be from the same place.”
Darren smiled “Why can’t you put on your thinking hat during missions?”
“Come on.” She grabbed Bonnie and headed for the exit.
Chapter 15
Ruby Lin – Mia Lam-Chiu aka Pisces
Nick Cheung – Darren Chiu aka Taurus
Julian Cheung - Doug Chung aka Virgo
Annie Man – Jessica Lai
Gigi Lai – Chan Yan Kiu
Michael Tong – Ah Chung
They wasted no time to see Jessie while the news was hot. Darren stopped his wife outside of Jessie’s office “Wait, she has a patient.” He could see through the window “We should wait.”
“This is important!” Mia claimed. Her expression quickly molded slyly “I’ve got an idea.” She pushed him aside and entered the room without knocking “Dr. Lai! You’ve got to help me.” She gushed while waving wildly behind her “They’re following me again.” She whispered crazily, eyes wild.
Jessie tried to hide the smile but it was hard for Mia was a good actress “Are they?” she asked calmly.
The patient that was rambling on about his pathetic life looked up fearfully from the couch. Suddenly he sat up, Mia’s eyes met with his and she wailed at the top of her lungs “Why?!!! Why are you following me?! Stop it…I told you, I didn’t do it. I didn’t kill her. Please…I beg you.” She knelt down and began bowing uncontrollably “Please…I don’t want to die.” She sobbed.
The guy looked more frightened as he got up “Eh…Dr. Lai…looks like you’ve got a more important patient.” Mia cried louder causing him to jump back “I’ll schedule another appointment.”
“Okay, thanks for understanding Paul.” Jessie said graciously.
He began walking backwards, while stumbling over a chair “Bye…” he said hastily and turned for the door. He practically ran out of the hospital.
Mia continued to wail while Jessie shook her head with a laugh, tapping her on the head “You can stop now. You scared him away.”
Her cries abruptly stopped and was replaced by laughter. She stood up and brushed her shirt straight “That was fun.”
Darren appeared at the door with Bonnie in his arms “And scary.” He pointed at his daughter “You made her close her eyes.”
“Mommy, why did you cry?” Bonnie asked innocently when she was let down on the ground.
Mia grinned, “Mommy was just scaring away that crazy man so Aunt Jessie can talk to you.” She explained nonchalantly.
Jessie laughed but Darren was not surprised “Sorry Jessie, I forgot to bring her leash out and allowed her to run loose.”
“Oh please, you know you enjoyed it.” Mia rolled her eyes playfully.
“Yes, my dream is to see my wife go mad.” Darren chuckled “Hmm, doesn’t sound bad.”
“Shut up.” Mia quipped “We’re here for more important things.” She quickly explained to Jessie the situation they encountered earlier that morning “Bonnie says she doesn’t remember where she met the little boy. I was wondering if you can help hypnotize her so we can solve this little mystery.”
Jessie nodded as she lowered herself to Bonnie’s level “How old are you, Bonnie?”
“Almost five.” She answered.
Her eyes looked thoughtful as she looked up to the parents “A child’s mind is too innocent, I’m afraid she might not take hypnotism well. I don’t usually perform it on a child younger than six years old.”
“It’s okay, she’s very mature for her age.” Mia nodded vigorously.
Darren was confident it would work “Would you at least try? It’s important.”
Jessie sighed, “I will, but I don’t think it will work.” Leaning down, she smiled at Bonnie “Can you lie on that couch for me? Pretend like you’re sleeping.” She turned to Mia and Darren who made themselves comfortable on her other chairs “No parents allowed.” She smiled when Mia dropped her jaw.
“But why? We won’t make a sound. I want to watch.” Mia pleaded.
“Add some popcorn and a soda, you guys will look like you’re watching a movie.” Jessie teased “Now, out before I change my mind.” Darren reluctantly got up and had to pull Mia out of the room “Lock the door, Darren.” Jessie added making Mia widened her eyes “I’ve been warned by Doug.”
Darren hushed his wife when she began muttering words he knew too well “Thanks Jessie.” He locked the door from the inside for her.
Grinning, she turned to Bonnie “Okay, they’re gone. You don’t have to pretend now.”
“Pretend?” Bonnie asked, wondering how Jessie knew.
Jessie nodded “I know everything.” She winked “So why did you lie to your parents?” she asked bluntly.
“Uh…I…” Bonnie wasn’t sure if she could trust her secret with Jessie.
“Did you promise someone you wouldn’t tell?” Jessie guessed.
Bonnie nodded “Daddy says we cannot break our promises.”
“Your dad’s right.” Jessie agreed “Okay, I won’t make you tell me the secret but can you draw me a picture?” she handed Bonnie a paper pad and pen. Minutes later, she finished and gave it back to Jessie. It was childlike with stick figures as people and she quickly noticed a structure in the background “What is this?” she pointed.
“A temple.” Bonnie answered.
Jessie smiled with a nod as she returned to the drawn picture. She noted the two bigger stick figures and a little girl in a scribbly dress “Is this you?” she asked. Bonnie nodded in response. She found another large figure holding onto a small figure “Is this man bad?”
Bonnie widened her eyes “Very bad. He picks on children and take them away.”
She stared at the picture for a bit before asking “Is this the mommy?” Bonnie reluctantly nodded “And this is the daddy?” this time she halted and instinctively shook her head “I see.” Jessie figured out the big picture but wasn’t sure who the person was that was standing next to the mother.
“Can we come in yet?!!” Mia asked loudly. Her face glued to the glass, Darren trying unsuccessfully to pry her away.
Jessie crumbled up the picture and turned to Bonnie “This is our little secret okay?”
“Okay, Aunt Jessie.” She agreed.
She eventually opened the door for Darren and Mia “Bad news. It didn’t work. Her mindset is too young and fragile for something so psychological.”
Disappointed, Mia sighed “That’s okay. I wouldn’t want my child to go mental after that anyways.”
Jessie and Darren exchanged glances “What?” They asked in unison.
Mia raised her brows at Jessie “Yeah, after a shrink hypnotizes a patient, they go crazy.”
“Who told you that?” Jessie asked curiously.
“Doug.” She replied casually.
Darren laughed, “Because Doug is a shrink?”
She figured out he had once again pulled her into a trick “Oh! That little…I’m gonna get him.” Mia vowed.
Jessie smiled sadly “If he makes it back.”
“What?” Mia’s face wrinkled “Why wouldn’t he be back?”
She looked surprise “You guys don’t know? He’s on a mission. Apparently Devin sent him on it. I thought you guys would know.”
“No! We didn’t know that!” Mia claimed “What is going on with all these lies?!!” she demanded “We’re calling a meeting tonight.” She pointed to Darren “I’m getting to the bottom of all this.” She walked over and collected Bonnie in her arms “Come on!” she rushed.
Darren rolled her eyes “Nancy Drew is at it again.” He laughed “Thanks again, Jess.” He waved goodbye before leaving her to work.
*************
“Wow…this is amazing.” Ah Kiu gushed as she twirled around the mansion living room.
“You want to see the pool?” Ah Chung asked, happy to see her ecstatic about her new home.
Ah Kiu brightened from the news “There’s a pool?!”
“I think so.” He laughed, “I’ve been here once. But Doug Gor should know. He’s stayed here often.”
Doug traced his mind as he recalled looking through a blue print of Hung Gor’s property after the guy passed away. P.R.A. were awarded the file and it was kept at headquarters ever since. He remembered Mia pointing out the house was as big as Darren’s and had a pool “Yeah, there is.” He answered finally.
“I want to see.” Ah Kiu grinned “Can you show me, Doug?”
He nodded warily, picturing the blue print in mind, he led her through the halls that took them to the kitchen and finally the backyard. His steps were slow and cautious, afraid that he would take a wrong step. Trying the lock on the glass patio door, he opened it wide. Suddenly, he saw a flash to his left “Who’s there?!”
Ah Chung reacted quickly as he chased after the guy trying to climb the wall and get away. Smooth as a tiger, he whipped the guy back down by his legs. He landed on the grass with a thud “Who told you to come here?” he demanded with a foot at the nape of the intruder’s neck.
The guy refused to answer with his head turned to the side. Doug knew it was his time to shine as he walked over in long strides and pulled the guy on his feet by the collar “Hard mouth huh?” throwing a punch into his stomach, he didn’t allow him to fall to the ground “Who sent you?!”
“Lung Gor.” He managed to sputter out in pain.
Doug tossed him on the floor and returned to Ah Kiu “It’s starting.”
“What do we do?” she asked fearfully.
He calmed her with a smile “Don’t worry, they can’t hurt you.” Turning to Ah Chung, he nodded “Let him go.”
“But—” Ah Chung began to disagree.
“We don’t kill the messengers.” Doug replied firmly.
“Yes.” Turning to the guy, he kicked him on the rear “Fuck off!” he threatened. The guy was grateful as he crawled to his feet and headed out the back exit he knew well. He had scoped out the place for months waiting for anyone to return.
“Doug Gor, I think we need to call a meeting here. Combine all the guys.” Ah Chung suggested.
“Didn’t you say the gang was disbursed? Most of them are probably in jail from the last bust where Hung Gor lost his life. This might be it.” Doug pointed out the large handful of guys standing in the back. But in truth, he was feared that someone would recognize that he’s not Ah Gam.
Ah Chung nodded “That’s true.”
“I’m sure there are still a lot that stayed hidden. If we pass out the word on the street that it’s a reunion. I’m sure they will reappear.” One guy offered.
“That makes sense too.” Ah Chung nodded “Keung, I’ll leave it for you to handle. Pass the word carefully.” He warned.
“Yes, Chung Gor!” they bowed together and dispersed to do their work.
“Is it safe here?” Ah Kiu asked.
Doug turned to her with confidence “Don’t worry. I won’t let you lose a strand of hair.”
She was relieved to hear him say that “Okay…I’m gonna nap. Can you guys watch out?”
Ah Chung smiled “We won’t leave the house.”
“Thanks.” Ah Kiu felt safer with the two of them there. Walking into the house, she was again at awe with the high ceilings and crystal chandeliers. He sure knows how to live it up, she thought to herself. She walked up the circular stairwell and looked through each room. She found one room that was especially girly, the colors were beautiful and very childlike. Smiling, she decided to rest in that very room.
SIUBINGLIBRARY 2004
