Chapter 19
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka Scorpio
Louis Koo – Luke Yam
Gallen Lo – Matt Tong aka M.T.
Joyce Tang – Reina Ng aka Gemini
Charlene Choi – Jenna Cheung aka Aries
Aaron Kwok – Ted Kwong aka Libra
Jordan Chan - Ah Bat
Michael Tong – Ah Chung
Matt and Reina sat in Ted’s car as he circled the block “Do you see it?” Ted asked.
“No.” Reina replied “Are you sure it’s a deli?”
Ted nodded “My contact said he saw him in there eating by himself.”
“Speak of the devil.” Matt sat upright as he pointed to Ah Bat, who had grown his hair out and walking with his head lowered.
“Let’s give him a little welcome shall we?” Reina smirked as Ted pulled the car to the side and parked illegally. He flashed his badge to the patrolling officer as they followed Ah Bat across the street.
“Hey.” Matt stopped them “Let’s split up.” They nodded in unison and separated to circle the alley so he would not get away. Matt followed his back as he stayed far behind. Turning a corner to the alley, he found Ah Bat knocking on a old shack. He looked around and curled his fingers into his jacket. The weather was turning cold from the early Fall season. He showed his face when no one in the home answered “Ah Bat!”
As guessed, the guy turned his tail and began running the opposite way. Matt smiled with a shaking head as he easily followed him at a jogging pace. Before he could catch up to the guy, Reina had blocked his way “In a rush to go somewhere?” she asked mockingly.
Ah Bat stepped back as he turned to the wall and began climbing it. He made it to the other side with Reina and Matt watching with curiosity “Isn’t that a hen house?”
“Yeah.” Reina answered.
They walked around and ran into Ted as they pointed inside the wooden gate. Pushing through, he found him cornered by lose chickens. Ah Bat widened his eyes as he turned and began climbing the wall again. Crossing her arm, she turned to the guys and nodded outside to the alley. They walked around and found him stumbling over the wall and getting on his feet. It didn’t take them long to catch him as they pushed him back into the alley again “Sir, Madam, what do you want from me? Hung Gor is dead. Can’t you people just leave me alone?” he begged with frustration.
Matt shook his head “No. We don’t want to leave you alone.” He patted his face roughly “Gotten into trouble lately, Ah Bat?”
“Its Bob, my name is Bob!” he insisted. Eyes darting around for other figures.
Reina frowned “What’s with the stupid name?”
“After Hung Gor’s case, the triad’s went crazy. Everyone wanted a piece of his property. They chased after me like hounds. They wouldn’t leave me alone and forced me to go into hiding. I changed my name hoping that no one will find me.” He explained sadly.
Ted didn’t buy it as he snickered “I could hear the violins playing in the background.”
“It’s true!” Ah Bat insisted.
Matt raised a hand to silence him “Even if it is. You should know better that you can’t go into hiding forever. Someone will recognize you.”
“Maybe, but I want to hide as long as I can.” He sighed. Looking up at their cold faces, he begged again “Please, you have to help me. I don’t to be chased anymore, I saw flyers with my pictures on them. Hung Hing won’t leave me alone.”
“Maybe Hung Gor’s boys want to find you to give you a prize?” Reina mocked “Anyways, it doesn’t matter what they do to you. But as long as you help us, we’ll guarantee your safety.”
“Yeah, like you did with Tay Keung?” he reminded them “I’m not stupid.” He began to walk away when Reina blocked him.
“But you have no choice.” She threatened.
Matt shook his head “You’re just wasting your time with this sleeze.” He grabbed him by the collar and pushed him away.
Ted laughed while Reina grinned “What a man!”
They brought him back to the police station and locked him in a room with dimmed lights. Ted turned off the camera and sat down with Reina and Matt. Ah Bat looked around fearfully “It’s a crime to kill an innocent.”
“Oh, then we have no worries, because you’re no innocent.” Reina threw her hands up nonchalantly.
“You have nothing on me!” Ah Bat exclaimed.
Matt cleared his throat bored by his antics “We don’t have time to bullshit with you. Sit down!” he ordered. The guy swallowed in fear as he took a seat across from them “We need you to sneak one of our people into the Tiger gang.”
Ah Bat began laughing hysterically “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear correctly.”
“I think you did.” Ted crossed his arms sternly as he leaned forward “You see that camera?” Ah Bat hesitantly nodded “It’s off, which means we can do whatever we want with you.”
“Your words against ours.” Reina advised.
“Even if I agree, you know I’m not in the triad, I can’t have that kind of control.” He made an excuse “Plus, Hung Hing will kill me before I can sneak someone in.”
“Oh, you’ll find a way.” Matt promised “Because if you don’t, we’ll turn you into Hung Hing. Then we’ll see how fast you’ll die.”
“That’s manslaughter.” Ah Bat widened his eyes.
Ted laughed, “No, it’s called using your brain. Now think, you must know some dark secret about the Tiger gang.”
Ah Bat leaned back on the chair “Well…I can. But I’m hungry right now and I haven’t had sleep in three days—”
“Get in contact with Ah Gam and find out how to locate Hung Hing.” Matt said to Reina as he got up slowly.
“Okay! Okay…I’ll think.” Ah Bat gave in as he searched his mind for some info “Oh, yeah…Sum Gor was caught sleeping with the Cheung Dai Lou’s wife and--”
“No, not good enough.” Matt quickly blocked the idea.
Ah Bat frowned “Really? It’s juicy.” He assured them.
“No!” Reina was running out of patience with the guy.
“Okay…fine. Give me a minute.” Ah Bat frowned as he concentrated harder “I got it!” snapping his finger “You guys will love this.”
“We’ll be the judge of that.” Ted snorted.
“Three years ago. Sum Gor’s favorite boy, Ah Mo mysteriously disappeared. Rumors said that he died in that big 99’ war with the Dragons. But I found out that he chickened out and ran away to save his sorry ass.” Ah Bat smiled proudly.
“That’s it?” Reina asked.
He widened his eyes at her “That’s it? That’s all you need. Don’t you see? If you found Mo Gor’s whereabouts and plus my threats, he will be more than happy to help.”
“Go on.” Matt nodded.
“See, for the triads, you never, ever back out from a fight. That’s killing the gang’s name. Ah Mo knew that. He had to disappear. But if I use that as a threat, he will have to come and help us. You can bring in your guy then and Sum Gor will owe him his life. Rumor said that Ah Mo was Sum Gor’s love child with this girl that was—”
“That’s enough.” Matt raised a hand. Turning to Ted, he asked “I think we have a plan.”
Ted nodded in agreement “I’ll get my boys on it.” Getting up, he flicked a finger to Ah Bat “You, come with me.”
After he left, Reina turned to Matt “You think he’s truthful? We’ve been scammed by him before.”
“It’s worth a shot.” Matt sighed “But if he lies again…”
“I’ll make sure he doesn’t see tomorrow.” Reina promised.
He smiled slyly “Vicious, did I tell you I love that in a woman?” he leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips.
Reina raised a brow “Maybe I’ll do the dirty work myself too then?”
“I wouldn’t think of it.” He laughed as he reached for her hand “Come on, let’s get back and log in the information while it’s still fresh.”
**************
Jenna walked down the street to the market as she looked for food. Luke had wandered off to the beef section and found her spinning in circles as if looking for someone. He walked up casually behind her and tapped her on the shoulder “Hey—” before he could finish, she was screaming at the top of her lungs and spun around to pin him on the floor.
“Luke!” Jenna clutched her stomach as she let go of his arm “Don’t do that!”
He wrung out his arm in pain “Damn, what’s the matter with you?”
“Sorry, I’m a little on edge.” She looked around again.
“Or crazy. Maybe you should go see Jessie?” he suggested.
“No! I’m not dragging her with me.” Jenna claimed “Doug would kill me.” She quieted her voice and looked around again “I think they’re following me.”
Luke frowned strangely “Stop that. You’re scaring me. It’s bad enough we got one Mia.” He scolded while walking away.
“You don’t believe me?” Jenna caught up with him.
He laughed at the odd girl “I believe that you’re paranoid.”
“I’m not.” She assured him. They continued to shop for dinner.
The guy at the fruit stand looked up as he stepped towards Jenna and Luke, his smile apparent as he turned and rushed back to his Dai Lou at a nearby deli “Chung Gor, she’s grocery shopping.”
Ah Chung sipped his tea with crossed legs, the other five guys standing behind respectfully “Hmm.” He murmured.
“Chung Gor, what if Doug Gor finds out? Won’t he be pissed off?” one of the guys spoke up warningly.
He laughed, “We’re not going to hurt her, just give her a little warning. Who told her to go after the guy Siu Jei likes?” he said ruthlessly. Finishing his tea, he nodded to one of the guys to pay the bill “Come on.” He commanded.
They piled into a van and the car took off around the corner. They spotted her and another guy laughing and talking. Ah Chung could only guess that was probably her brother, the were playfully hitting each other like siblings. They drove slowly until they made yet another stop at the fish market “Now!” he ordered and the door opened quickly.
Four guys pushed Luke away as he tripped into a fish pool while they pulled Jenna into the van. She kicked and scream but they got a hold of her and practically threw her into the van “Jenna!” Luke called but he could barely get himself off the slippery pool he made. All that’s left was a bag of groceries. He was in a panic “Oh God…God…gotta tell Erin. Gotta tell Erin.” He collected the bags while onlookers got out of his way. He rushed home and found her snacking on chips.
“Wooh, I thought you two said you were going to the market? Why are you all wet?” suddenly the odor got to her “Dude, what did you do? Fall into a pool of fish scales?”
“Jen…Jenna…” he said between breaths.
“You won.” Erin laughed “You got home first.”
“No…no…she was kidnapped.” He pointed outside. Leaning on his thigh, he took a breather “They took her. These guys…I don’t know who they are.”
Erin’s thoughtful smile turned up “It’s okay. Just as we planned.”
“What?” Luke screeched. She was too calm.
“Don’t worry, she won’t be hurt.” Waving him away “Go take a bath, I can’t stand the smell of fish.”
Chapter 20
Julian Cheung - Doug Chung aka Virgo
Charlene Choi – Jenna Cheung aka Aries
Gigi Lai – Chan Yan Kiu
Michael Tong – Ah Chung
Across town, Ah Kiu was pulling Doug here and there inside the mall “Ooh, look, isn’t that pretty?” she pointed to a skirt with ruffles.
He shrugged “I guess. Ah Kiu, I think we better get back before it gets dark. I’m not too comfortable not having the guys around.”
She smiled sweetly “I am. I trust that you’ll take care of me. I have no worries and with you here, I’m not afraid of anything.” She said boldly.
Shaking his head, he disagreed “I can’t fight off a hundred guys. If they come at the same time, I wouldn’t be able to protect you for long.”
“I don’t believe they have the balls to come after us right now.” Ah Kiu’s eyes caught another dress “Ooh, that’s pretty.”
“Try it on.” Doug humored her.
“Okay!” she ran inside the boutique and asked the sales girl for the dress in her size. Doug looked around cautiously, the last thing he needed was to be followed. He entered the boutique and noticed Ah Kiu was walking into a dressing room. Deciding to stay near, he walked over and stood outside her door. That’s when he realized she was on the phone “What? Speak louder! You have that bitch?” there was a short pause “Really? That’s great!” she laughed merrily “Serves her right for trying to fight with me. Well, tell Ah Chung to enjoy and take his time.”
Doug’s stomach turned as he realized she was probably talking about Jenna. Opening the door, he didn’t care if she was naked. Luckily for him, she wasn’t. Ah Kiu cried out as she jumped back, startled by him. Yanking the cell from her hand, he yelled into the phone “What the fuck is going on?!” his eyes widened “Yeah, it’s Doug, who the hell do you think it is?!” turning his eyes to Ah Kiu, she lowered her head “Shit, you guys let her go now or I’m fucking all of you guys!!” he hung up and pointed the phone to Ah Kiu “You know that was damn childish!”
“You’ve never yelled at me before.” Her eyes widened.
Suppressing the anger, he closed his eyes “I’m sorry.” He tried to remain calm, hoping that Jenna was safe “Come on.”
“Where?” she asked.
“Home.” He turned and took her hand “You better pray Ah Chung didn’t do something stupid.”
“But you said you didn’t even like her!” Ah Kiu claimed.
“Even if I don’t, it doesn’t mean Ah Chung or any guy can go and rape her.” Doug growled angrily.
******************
Jenna was quickly gagged and her arms tied behind her back. She laid awkwardly on the floor of the van while the guys grinned and stared at her hungrily. Pulling herself to a sitting position, she stared at them with pure fear. Mumbling something incoherent, one the of closer guys laughed “What?” he curled his ear with the palm of his hand “You want me to touch you?” he chuckled like a pervert while reaching for her bare thigh from her short skirt.
She screeched behind the gag while Ah Chung caught the guy’s hand “You want to die?! Doug Gor will cut your hand off!” he scolded. Jenna nodded vigorously in agreement with Ah Chung “Anyways, Siu Jei said I could have the first bang.” The guys blew up with laughter while Jenna prayed for his sake that he wouldn’t try. She would make him sterile before he dared lay a hand on her.
The van stopped at a halt and she wasn’t expecting the whip. Flying forward, she was stopped by a pair of hands. Ah Chung settled her back slowly and nodded to the guys to open the door. They pulled her out and into the mansion she could only guessed belonged to Hung Gor before. They reached one of the many empty rooms and pushed her inside “I’ll stand guard Chung Gor. Have fun.” He smiled knowingly.
Ah Chung nodded as he entered the room and locked it. She backed away slowly and when he reached for her face, she screeched. He laughed with a shaking head “You like the gag in your mouth?” she shook her head as he pulled it out of her mouth.
“I’m going to tell Doug if you lay a hand on me!” she warned.
He flicked a brow up and began taking off his jacket “It’s your fault for embarrassing Siu Jei. Doug Gor will understand.”
Jenna backed into the wall and noticed there was no way to move as she began sliding against the wall. She laughed nervously “No, you wouldn’t like to…I mean, I’m so thin and I have no meaet, it’s like boning a stick.”
“Hmm…I love skinny girls.” He cooed while pulling out a cigarette to light a smoke.
She continued to back into a corner “AND I have AIDS!!” she decided to throw in at the last minute “I’m going to die in a month.” She let out two exaggerated coughs.
He cornered her and blew the smoke in her face “What a coincidence. I have it too.” Taking her tied arm, he yanked her onto the bed and climbed on top of her as she screamed at the top of her lungs. He was suddenly amused by her cries as he rolled around and took the empty seat next to the bed “Are you done?” he asked when she wouldn’t stop screaming.
Jenna turned to him awkwardly “You…you’re not…” Ah Chung placed his foot up on the nightstand comfortably and gave her a short shake of the head. Jenna sat up and turned her head strangely to him “You’re really not going to…”
“You want me to?” he raised his brows.
Shaking her head, she had a look of confusion “I don’t get it. If you’re not going to…then why did you have to bring me in here?”
“Scare you.” He blew out the smoke and killed the butt when Jenna began coughing “Yeah, Siu Jei said I could have my way with you but I’m not that kind of guy that takes advantage of my brother’s girl. I respect Doug Gor and I wouldn’t do anything to hurt him. Physically or mentally.”
“Wow. That’s honorable.” Jenna wasn’t sure what else to say “So…what now?”
“Keep screaming.” He crossed his arms and relaxed his neck against the chair back. Jenna frowned strangely “Give the guys a little show.” He nodded towards the door.
“Oh.” She replied shortly and began screaming “Help! Stop!! No, please…that hurts!! Ow!!!” while she was screaming, she turned her tied wrists to him and shook it violently.
Ah Chung laughed as he untied her wrists while she continued to scream. Suddenly, the door burst open appearing Doug. He pushed Ah Chung away “Don’t touch her!” the guy backed away with his hands up in defense. He turned to Jenna “Are you okay?” he noticed her hair was disheveled.
Jenna shook her head “I’m fine.”
“You son of –” Doug began only to be cut off by Jenna.
“He didn’t!” Jenna stood up for Ah Chung , who was motionless. Doug turned to her, brows ruffled “He was just untying me.”
“Sorry, man.” Doug was quick to apologize.
Ah Chung shook his head “No, I should apologize.” They turned to the door in unison when Ah Kiu came running up the stairs. She looked pale and her breathing had a short wheezing sound.
Doug noticed it “Ah Kiu, are you okay?”
She gasped for air while clutching on the door. None of the other guys dared to touch her. Ah Chung and Doug approached her “Siu Jei!” he cried when she slowly closed her eyes and lost balance falling into Doug’s arms.
*************
When Ah Kiu came to, she felt her heavy chest relaxing. Turning to the side, she noticed Doug was staring out the window, his arms crossed “Doug.” She tried calling but her voice was hoarse.
“Siu Jei.” Ah Chung got up from her right “Doug Gor.” He called.
Doug turned and rushed over to help her in a seated position “Don’t move too much. You lost a lot of blood, they ran a lot of tests.”
Ah Kiu nodded, her pale lips curling into a smile “Did I scare you guys?”
Ah Chung laughed “I panicked but thankfully Doug Gor remained calm. He knew exactly what to do.”
“You were good too.” Doug grinned “If it weren’t for the shrieking.”
Ah Kiu looked apologetic “I’m sorry Doug. I didn’t mean to hurt her. I just wanted to scare her.”
He nodded understandingly “I know. Ah Chung explained. I’m not angry anymore. Just don’t do it again.”
She smiled in response while turning to Ah Chung “I saw the tough guy emerge earlier. You should have heard him. This was the Gam Gor Dai Lou told me about.” She laughed hoarsely.
“I’d hate to see it.” Ah Chung agreed “I’ll get you some water.” He picked up the empty pitcher.
“It would have been full if someone didn’t drink it all.” Doug teased.
“Hey, I get thirsty when I’m nervous.” Ah Chung said in defense.
Ah Kiu smiled and waited for him to leave the room before asking “Am I going to die?"
He laughed "No. You just have seasonal asthma."
"What does that mean?" she asked innocently.
"When the weather abruptly changes, your lungs begin to shrink giving you less air to pump and and out of your body." he repeated what the doctor said.
She nodded "I see. How is she?”
“Still alive. A little shaken up but who wouldn’t be?” Doug sat down calmly “Why did you do it?” he asked the question but he already knew the answer. It was better to let it out, he figured.
She lowered her head “Like you don’t know.”
“Ah Kiu, I can be a little dense. I truly don’t know.” He said earnestly.
She grinned “I have a crush on you.” She raised her fingers and squeezed the thumb and forefinger together “Just a little one.”
Doug found her adoring at times but there were moments even he was doubting the girl “I’m not your type.”
“How do you know?” she asked.
“I know.” He nodded firmly “Now rest. We’ll stay outside and stand guard. I’m going to take Jen home but I’ll be back later.
“Okay.” She smiled as he left.
******************
Doug turned to Jenna for the tenth time and she frowned as he turned away. When he did it again, she snapped “What?!”
“He really didn’t….” he was unsure.
“No!” Jenna exclaimed.
Doug was doubtful “Are you sure? Because we don’t have to tell Ryan about this.”
“No, we don’t.” she said through clenched teeth “He’ll just worry about me and I don’t want that.”
“Okay, you’re home.” He stopped at an old rundown apartment building “Talk to you later—” he halted when he felt a sudden tug on his collar “Hey, this is expensive!”
“I’m not staying here. You get to live in a big mansion and I have to live with rats?” Jenna shook her head sternly “No way, tell my Uncle that I want a REAL apartment!” she had to take over a new identity and Devin decided that she came from a poor family.
“Okay Mia Jr.” Doug rolled his eyes “It’s just for a short period of time. I’ll get you into the mansion eventually.”
“How soon?” Jenna turned her head suspiciously.
“Soon!” he yelled.
She narrowed her eyes “Did you just raise your voice at me? Hmm…I think Jessie would like to know about her boyfriend’s rage is going out of control…” she began to pull out her cell phone.
“Okay, okay…” Doug hastily said “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have raised my voice at you. Now be a good girl and go to your home.” He pointed.
“At least walk me inside!” Jenna widened her eyes “There’s no light.” She pointed to the stairwell.
“No way, I can see the rats coming out of the stairs!” he grumbled but quickly laughed when she wrinkled her nose in disgust “I’m kidding. Come on.” He pushed her roughly towards the stairs.
Chapter 21
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka Scorpio
Louis Koo – Luke Yam
Charlene Choi – Jenna Cheung aka Aries
Aaron Kwok – Ted Kwong aka Libra
Jessica Huen – Carmen Hui aka Cancer
Jordan Chan - Ah Bat
Leon Lai – Daniel Wong
Sunny Chan – Ben Hui aka Ah Mo
“Erin! It’s for you!!” Luke called from the living room.
She appeared at the stairwell and jogged down the steps with ease “Who is it?”
“I didn’t know you screened your calls?” he mocked.
She wrinkled her nose at him while taking the phone “Hello.”
“Erin, it’s me!” A low whisper hissed.
“Doug?” Erin asked with raised brows.
Jenna stared at the phone “No, Jenna. You don’t recognize my voice?”
“Sorry, you guys all sound the alike after living with you for four years. What’s up?” she sat down easily “Are you in?”
“Yeah, in a dumpster!” she looked around at the rundown apartment.
“That’s Jenna?! Is she safe?” Luke eavesdropped.
Erin covered the mouthpiece and turned to him “This is adult business, kids need to mind their own business. Go away.” She shooed.
Jenna laughed, “Is that Luke? I want to talk to him!”
“No!” Erin said sternly.
“Come on, I miss him!” Jenna claimed. Erin rolled her eyes as she passed the phone to Luke as he took it readily.
“Are you okay? What happened? Why were you kidnapped? Erin wouldn’t tell me anything.” He sobbed “I was so scared, I came home and told her and she just sat t here saying that—Oh…okay.” He gave her back the phone.
Erin laughed “Man that boy can talk!” Jenna groaned “Tell him that I’m safe.”
“She’s safe.” Erin relayed the message. That seemed to satisfy Luke as he headed back into the kitchen “So, what happened?”
“They took me into the mansion. Ah Chung, who’s Ah Kiu’s right hand guy and a bunch of other guys tried to scare me into thinking that they would gang rape me. He didn’t even lay a hand on me.”
“Hmm…and Ah Kiu told him to do something?” Erin guessed.
“I guess.” Jenna shrugged as she picked on the peeling paint off the wall “He seems very noble. Even when Doug stormed in and freaked out, he wasn’t defensive.”
Erin nodded as a thought sprung into her head “Get close to him and find out his story. You know, make sure he’s trustworthy. Maybe he’ll come into good use with us one day.” Then it occurred to her “No, wait. I shouldn’t be changing the plans. We should talk to Devin, Matt and Reina first. I have no authority.”
“You will when you marry my Uncle. Madam Head of Security.” Jenna giggled menacingly.
“Goodbye.” Erin hung up with a laugh. She got up and peeked her head into the kitchen “Luke, I’m going out for a bit. You can start without me.”
He pulled the drumstick from his mouth “Okay.”
She headed of to Monet, a quiet bar used for upper end authorities. She figured that was where Devin and the other officials were having their meeting. Entering the classy bar, she noticed he wasn’t there. Turning, she was ready to leave “Erin!” Daniel caught up with her “Hey, what are you doing here?”
“I was looking for Devin.” She answered with a small smile.
“Anything I could help you with instead? We are on the same team now.” He didn’t need to remind her.
Shaking her head, she replied politely trying to keep a distance “No, thanks. It’s personal.” Turning her back, she left the bar but didn’t expect him to follow.
“Well then for sure I can help. I took a couple of years in psychology.” He called while coming into steps with her.
“I did too.” Erin replied shortly “I don’t want to bother you Commander, you’ve got work to do, girls to pick up.”
“I sense a little tension.” He continued.
Erin smiled crookedly and turned to him “I’m not tense.”
He reached out for her hand as she whipped it aside “And you say you’re not tense?” he laughed while pointing “You’ve got a cut.”
Erin looked down and frowned, wondering when it happened. She didn’t even feel a cut “Just a scrape.” She softened her face “Sorry.”
“No need to apologize.” He raised his hands “It was just a misunderstanding. Let me take a look at the cut.”
She allowed him to observed but at the corner of her eyes, she saw two men looking suspicious as the hid the knives behind their backs but she could see from the street light reflection “Watch out!” she pulled him to the side when the men showed the weapons. Kicking one in the stomach, she moved to the side to dodge a slash coming at her.
Daniel reacted quickly as he ducked under a horizontal slash and tripped the guy in one swift leg movement. They got up and attacked again, they fought the men with ease and was able to knock the knives out of their hands “Who sent you?!” he demanded.
“Hmph!” he turned away without replying.
“Hard head?” Daniel asked, pulling out his handcuffs, he was ready to book him.
“Sum Gor.” The other guy answered.
Erin turned to Daniel with a confused look when he let got of the guy he captured “Let him go.” He advised Erin. She pushed the guy away as he stumbled on his feet “Tell Sum Gor, I’ll get the money to him in three days.”
“Go.” The guy nodded to his partner.
Daniel checked on Erin “Are you hurt?” he asked. She smiled with a shaking head, but her eyes lingered curiously “It’s not what you think.”
“I didn’t ask.” She nodded to the knives “Should we take those?”
He picked them up “I’ll take them back to the police station. Care to join me?” she hesitated and he quickly added “Just in case I need help again.”
“You didn’t need my help.” She answered but something told her to go “But I’ll go.”
Daniel grinned brightly “Okay.” He called for a cab as they drove together back to the station. He walked towards the Homicide Detective department “You can wait here. I’ll just drop it at ‘Turn Ins’. Make yourself comfortable.”
Erin smiled, she was more than familiar with the place. It was Ted’s department. She walked over to a desk and casually opened a file “You know it’s illegal to be looking through police information.”
“Ted.” She nodded “Sorry, force of habit.”
“What are you doing here?” he was holding onto a file “Looking for Matt and Reina? They left minutes before to see Devin.”
“No, I came back with—”
“Okay, let’s go.” Daniel returned to see the Captain talking to Erin “Ted, still working?”
He looked at Erin to Daniel “Yes, Sir. Actually, it has to do with the P.R.A.”
“Should we discuss?” Erin sensed the awkwardness that filled the room.
Ted nodded “Sure. Come in my office.” He led the way as Daniel and Erin followed him inside. He gave them a brief summary of what he, Reina and Matt learned from Ah Bat “I think there’s a possibility that he’s leading us on but it’s worth a shot.”
“Any luck finding this missing kid named Ah Mo.” Daniel asked.
“Not yet. We’re searching in the data base for someone that familiar and from what Ah Bat’s description of the guy.” Ted replied “But we expect to hear from our contact tomorrow.”
“Where is Ah Bat now?” Erin asked curiously.
“Still in the questioning room. Reina’s idea.” He smiled knowingly.
Daniel nodded towards Ted “Let him go. No use in keeping him here and wasting our coffee.”
“Yes sir.” Ted agreed.
Erin nodded “Well, there’s no use in losing sleep tonight. Don’t work too late.” She added a comforted smile “Sara is still a girl.”
He grinned thoughtfully “Thanks.”
Daniel got up “I’ll take you home.”
“Okay.” She walked out with Daniel and when she heard a familiar voice, she turned the corner “Carmen?”
She was standing and supporting a guy around her age, his arm was bandaged and she could see that the wound was deep. The blood was seeping out of the gauze “Erin.” She smiled and quickly nodded to Daniel “Commander.”
“You can go now.” The officer taking down the information advised.
“Thank you.” The guy said politely.
“What happened?” Erin asked.
Carmen sighed “Identity theft. Erin, this is my cousin, Ben. Daniel, the commander in chief.” They shook hands politely.
“Identity theft?” Erin noticed his arm “Are you sure?”
Ben smiled shortly “Some guys ran up to me suddenly and attacked me. Luckily Carmen was there.”
She stepped over and whispered to Erin “Gangsters. The Hung Hing gang, I believe.”
Erin frowned “Did your cousin run in with the wrong crowd?”
“No, he just got back from Singapore from a two year retreat with Green Peace. When he returned, they said he owed over three hundred thousand in debt. He hasn’t opened a credit card since he was 18. And he only has one.” Carmen explained.
“That’s a big theft.” Erin was concerned “Are they going to clear it up?”
“Yeah.” Carmen nodded “He’s a little shaken up though.”
“Ah Sir! You have to send someone with me. I could get chased again or worse raped in the middle of the night and who’s going to give me back—” Ah Bat’s voice could be heard from down the hall.
“Shut up!” Ted growled “If you get killed, we’ll avenge your death.”
Erin sighed “Our star has arrived.” They turned to the hall as Ah Bat passed.
He quickly noticed Erin and entered the room with a cocky aura “My, my…if it isn’t the lovable Erin.”
Rolling her eyes, she ignored him “Let’s go.” She nodded to Carmen and Ben.
“Ah Mo?” Ah Bat widened his eyes as he pointed to Ben “It’s him! You found him!”
Ted frowned as he looked over at Erin “What are you rambling about?” Erin asked “This is Carmen’s cousin, Ben.”
Ah Bat shook his head vigorously “It’s him! I recognize him!” he insisted and took a closer look “Well…no, this guy doesn’t have a scar on his face.”
Daniel’s slow smile appeared “Looks like we just came up with a plan and the answer to your identity theft.” He nodded to Ben.
“What?” Carmen was confused “I don’t get it.”
Erin nodded “Nobody move, I’ll find Devin.”
“I’ll take you. He’s probably at Janine’s home.” Daniel said casually.
“What?” Erin stopped him with a surprised look “Who’s Janine?”
SIUBINGLIBRARY 2004
