A Lotus For Miss Quon Part 12

aWe leave tomorrow night,a he said. The following morning we will be in Hong Kong.a Nhan hesitated before saying, aCould we wait for two days, Steve? It would be better. I consulted the Oracle this morning and the next two days are very bad for me. Please wait. In two daysa time it will be all right.a She looked anxiously at him expecting him to be angry and impatient with her, but instead he grinned at her.

aNow look, Nhan, if youare going to become an American citizen youave got to stop being superst.i.tious, and thatas all this nonsense is: superst.i.tion Oracles are all very well for a little Vietnamese taxi-dancer, but not for an American citizen.

aI understand,a Nhan said helplessly. She wanted so much to gain Steveas approval and to make the right impression. She was suddenly sure that she would never see Hong Kong. Hadnat the fortuneteller told her the next two days were the most critical days of her life? aIt isnat possible to wait?a aNo. Everything is arranged,a Jaffe said. aNow donat worry about it. Itas going to be all right.a He lay back across the bed, pulling her with him and he began to kiss her.

Nhan closed her eyes and tried to relax under his caresses, but her mind was darting with fear the way a trapped mouse will dart to escape the paw of a cat.

aLook, why not stay here with me?a Jaffe said. aWhy go back to Saigon? Weall leave here tomorrow night. Will you stay?a He lifted himself up on his arm and leaned over her, tracing his finger gently down the side of her nose, touching her lips and moving up along her jawbone as he looked at her.

aI canat stay,a she said, shaking her head. aI must prepare my mother for my going away. There are many things yet for me to do. I must pack. I couldnat go without saying goodbye to my brothers.a Families! Jaffe thought irritably. They were a ball and chain on the leg of a man who is trying to run. They were a blanket that stifled impulse.

He was glad he had no family: no mother to prepare for his going away: no brothers to say goodbye to.

His irritation showed on his face as he shrugged his shoulder.

aWell, all right. Itas your family. Blackie will come to your apartment at ten tomorrow night. He will bring you to me. Itas all arranged.a aI will be ready,a Nhan said.

aWe will meet at the ruined temple at eleven then he is driving us somewhere where the helicopter can land. Once we get to Kratie, weall be safe.a Because of the growing presentiment of danger that persisted in haunting her mind, she took Jaffeas face gently in her hands, smiling at him and she said, aCould we make a little love together, Steve? Now . . . It will be for the last time.a She paused, then went on, abefore we reach Hong Kong.a He looked down at her, puzzled.

aYouare still scared, arenat you?a he said as he began to undo her tunic. aYou mustnat be scared. Itas going to work out all right. I know it is. You must trust me.a She gave herself to him as she had never given herself to him before. It was as if she were trying desperately to express the love she felt for him so that it would make an indelible mark on his mind; something he would always remember her by in the years ahead when he would be living without her.

II.

While Nhan was in the bus going to Thudaumot and Lieutenant Hambley was talking to Inspector NgocLinh on the telephone, Blackie was driving his brother to the Saigon airport.

Charlie had been fortunate to get a scat on the Dakota going to Phnom-Penh at ten oaclock. He had already sent a telegram to Lee Watkins, the pilot on the Opium run, asking him to meet him at Phnom Penh airport.

As the big American car drove along the main road, both brothers were silent, their minds active.

Blackie said suddenly, aWatkins should know a safe place to make his landing. It must he close to Thudaumot. I donat want a long drive with Jaffe: itas too risky.a Charlie nodded.

aIall arrange that.a He paused as Blackie slowed down to edge past two buffalo being led along the road, then as Blackie accelerated, he went on, aItas time we decided how we are to get the diamonds from the American when he leaves here.a aIave been thinking about that,a Blackie said. aI donat think it would be safe to let him get to Hong Kong with the diamonds. The time to take them from him is when he arrives in Kratie.a Charlie thought about this. He realized Blackie was right. It would be almost impossible to get the diamonds from Jaffe in Hong Kong, but in Kratie, it would be fairly simple aYes. Once the diamonds are out of Vietnam, it doesnat matter. I could hire some men to take care of him after I have talked to Watkins.a Blackie had been brooding over this problem during the early hours of the morning. He had come to a certain conclusion. He hesitated to tell his brother, but after a long pause, he forced himself to say, aWe canat trust any outsider in this, Charlie. They might steal the diamonds. I suggest you go with Jaffe to Kratie.a Again he paused, then, aYou will have to get the diamonds from him.a Charlie flinched.

aYou are younger and stronger, Blackie,a he said. aI think you should do it.a aI have thought about that too,a Blackie said, abut there are too many complications. How would I get back? We couldnat expect Watkins to make a return trip. I have no Cambodian visa whereas you have. I would have to go on to Hong Kong with the diamonds. No, Iam sorry, Charlie, but you will have to do it.a aThis American is dangerous,a Charlie said, s.h.i.+fting uneasily. aI might not be able to get the diamonds from him.a aI have also thought of that,a Blackie said. aYou mustnat take any chances with him. The way I see it is this: you will tell the American he is to be landed just outside Kratie. There will be a car waiting to take him to the airfield for his flight to Hong Kong. You will arrange with Watkins to land at some lonely place. You will also arrange for a car to be there to meet you. You will need a gun with a silencer. When Watkins has gone, you will go with Jaffe to where the car is waiting. It should be on the road, some little distance from your landing place. You will arrange it so Jaffe walks ahead of you. On the way you will shoot him. We canat take any chances, Charlie. Thereare two million dollars involved. If you held him up and tried to get the diamonds from him, he might outsmart you. I donat like this plan very much, but we have no alternative. When he is dead, you will take the diamonds and go to the car. You will tell the driver your pa.s.senger was unable to come.a Charlie considered what his brother had just said. Murder was no stranger to him. Fifteen years ago he had murdered a woman who had been blackmailing him. He had had no compunction about killing her. He had gone to her apartment late one night on the pretext of paying her her monthly blackmail. He had hit her on the back of the head, stripped her and drowned her in the bath. It was thought she had slipped, hit her head on the bath taps and had drowned herself.

The idea of murdering Jaffe didnat disturb Charlie. There was nothing he wouldnat do to lay his hands on two million dollars, but he wasnat the same man as he had been fifteen years ago. His nerves werenat as steady. He flinched at the idea of walking through a dark jungle with a man as dangerous as Jaffe. If Jaffe suspected what was going to happen and got in the first shot, the chances were he wouldnat miss. Charlie had no wish to die. He would have liked a safer plan.

aWe are forgetting the girl,a he said. aSheall be there too.a aI hadnat forgotten her,a Blackie said. He deliberately hadnat mentioned Nhan. He wanted his brother to get used to the idea of one murder first. aSheall have to go too. Iam sorry, Charlie, but I donat think the American will leave if the girl doesnat go with him. I did think I would fix it so she didnat join him, but on second thoughts, itas too risky. He might refuse to go if she wasnat with him. Sheall have to be wiped out too.a Two murders! Charlie thought, and he felt sweat start out on his body.

He visualized the scene. Jaffe and the girl walking ahead; he following them. He would draw the gun and he would shoot Jaffe in the back. Jaffe would fall. He might not be killed, but at least he would be harmless. What would the girl do? She might run away. It would be dark. If she started to run before he could swing the gun in her direction, she could get away. Then he would be in trouble.

As if he were reading his thoughts, Blackie said gently, aShe is in love with the American. When he falls, she will go to him. Itall be an easy second shot, Charlie.a aYou seem to have thought of everything,a Charlie said, a note of bitterness coming into his voice. aThere was a time when I did the thinking for the family.a Blackie didnat say anything. Everything depended now on whether Charlie would do this thing. He himself flinched from murder. He knew Charlie had one murder on his hands already. He knew he could never bring himself to shoot Jaffe and Nhan. That was another difference between Charlie and himself: there was a ruthless streak in Charlie that Blackie envied.

They were within sight of the airport now.

aThe arrangement,a Charlie said, ais too one-sided. You take no risks, Blackie. I have to do all the work and take all the risks. When the bodies are found, Watkins will guess I killed them. He might try to blackmail me.a aYou in your turn can blackmail him,a Blackie said. aHe could get ten years for running opium into Bangkok. You donat have to worry about Watkins.a aThereas the driver of the car.a aArrange with Watkins to use one of his men. You wonat have to worry about him.a Charlie shrugged. Ile was ready to accept the plan, but he was putting up a show of opposition to open the way to strike a better bargain.

aIf I am to do all this,a he said, awe must have a new financial settlement. You canat expect to have half the money when you take no risks. I think I should have three-quarters and you a quarter.a Blackie had been expecting his brother to ask for more money, but three-quarters was, of course, absurd.

aWe are going to be partners, Charlie,a he said. aWe want to use the money to start a dance club in Hong Kong, profitable to both of us. I agree you should have more money, but three-quarters is unreasonable. I suggest you should have fifty thousand dollars from the capital, then the rest to be split evenly.a aLet us say a hundred thousand,a Charlie said, aand a 60 a" 40 share in the profits of the club.a Blackie hesitated, then shrugged his shoulders. He would have demanded even better terms than these if he had to do what Charlie was going to do.

aAll right,a he said. aI agree to that.a Charlie nodded. He was satisfied.

As Blackie pulled up at the Departure entrance of the airport, Charlie said, aI will be back tomorrow morning. Donat forget the gun.a Blackie didnat wait to see him off. He drove back to Saigon, unaware that he had been followed to the airport and was now being followed on his return by the two Security Police detectives. They saw Blackie enter the club, then one of them went off to telephone to the Inspector while the other waited in the car which he had parked a few yards from the entrance of the club.

The detective didnat notice Yo-Yo who squatted under a tree, flicking his toy up and down on its string while he watched the detective.

Yo-Yo had seen the two men drive off after Blackie and his brother. He had seen Blackie return alone, still followed by the two detectives. The situation interested him, and after considering it for some minutes, he straightened up and walked over to the club. He went in, climbed the stairs and entered the dance hall.

He crossed the dance floor and went into Blackieas office without knocking. He shut the door and leaned against it.

Blackie was sipping from a gla.s.s of tea. He looked up. His face became expressionless when he saw Yo-Yo.

aWhat is it?a aI have some information to sell,a Yo-Yo said. aItall cost you five thousand piastres, but itas cheap at the price.a aWhat information?a aIall have the money first.a aYou can get out,a Blackie said, putting down his gla.s.s of tea, abefore I throw you out.a Yo-Yo giggled. aItas to do with the police and you, Mr. Blackie. Itas important.a Blackie felt a sudden chill around his heart. He didnat hesitate for long. He took out his wallet and counted out five thousand piastres and threw them across the desk at Yo-Yo.

aWhat is it?a Yo-Yo picked up the notes. aTwo Security Police detectives are following you,a he said. aThey followed you when you left this morning with Mr. Charlie. They were following you when you returned. They are sitting outside now in their car: the black Citroen.a Blackie sat for some moments staring at Yo-Yo, then with a visible effort, he said, aThe next time you come in here knock on the door. Now get out.a Yo-Yo looked at the money in his dirty hand and then he winked at Blackie.

aSome have good luck, some bad. Iam sorry for you, Mr. Blackie,a and he went out.

As soon as the door had shut, Blackie got quickly to his feet and went to the window. Cautiously, he peered through the closet shutters. He could see the Citroen down in the street. He couldnat see who was sitting in it, but whoever it was was smoking. He could see a spiral of tobacco smoke drifting out of the open window of the car.

What did it mean? he asked himself. Why were they watching him? Did they suspect he was in touch with Jaffe? Or were they watching him in the hope he would lead them to Nhan? Or was it something that had nothing to do with Jaffe?

He moved away from the window, taking out his handkerchief to wipe his sweating face. Cold panic crawled up his spine. If it hadnat been for that little rat, Yo-Yo, he would have gone out in another ten minutes to collect the gun and the silencer. If they had caught him with that, he would have gone away for two years.

He went slowly over to his desk and sat down. He had better remain in his office, he told himself. Yu-lan could collect the gun. He thought with envy of Charlie, safe in the Dakota taking him to Phnom-Penh. Should he warn Charlie the police were on the watch? He hesitated, then decided to wait a little while. Maybe this had nothing to do with Jaffe. Maybe someone had talked about the little currency deal he had engineered a couple of weeks ago. Perhaps that was why the police were watching him.

He got up and went to a cupboard and poured himself out a stiff drink of whisky, then he returned to his desk and wrote a hurried note. He took from his wallet several notes which he put in the envelope together with the letter he had written, sealed the envelope and addressed it.

Then he went out into the dance hall where Yu-lan was arranging flowers.

aTake this letter to Fat Wo,a Blackie said to her. aTake shopping basket with you. Buy some fruit and vegetables. Fat Wo will give you a parcel. Put the parcel under the fruit and vegetables and then come back here.a aWhat is in the parcel?a Yu-lan asked, her eyes anxious.

aIt is no affair of yours,a Blackie said. aGo at once. The matter is very urgent.a Yu-lan hesitated, then seeing he was in no mood to tolerate disobedience, she went away to fetch the shopping basket.

Blackie returned to his office. He finished the whisky and felt less nervous. He stood at the window watching Yu-lan as she walked briskly down the street to Fat Woas restaurant. No one followed her. The man in the Citroen continued to smoke. Blackie waited by the window. Twenty minutes later, he saw Yu-lan returning, the shopping basket loaded with vegetables. He met her at the door of the club as she came in.

aDid you get it?a he asked.

She set down the basket, lifted out some of the vegetables and hauled out a parcel securely wrapped in brown paper and tied with string.

aWhat is happening?a she asked. aI am worried. You are planning something. May I not know?a He took the parcel.

aNo,a he said. aThis is a matter for men.a He went into his office, shut and bolted the door and then opened the parcel. The .38 automatic with its long silencer pleased him. He checked the magazine, then going to his safe, he locked the gun away.

Two more days, he thought, before we get the diamonds. It seemed an eternity to have to wait. He went to the window again and peered through the shutters. The Citroen was still there.

While he stood watching the car and wondering what this police attention could mean, Inspector NgocLinh was standing before Colonel On-dinh-Khucas desk, making a report about the dead policeman found in a ditch on the Thudaumot road.

The time was half past three. The policemanas body had only just been found. He had been missing since he had left the police post at ten thirty the previous evening. He had been detailed to watch Blackie Leeas car. The Inspector couldnat make up his mind whether bandits had killed the policeman or if Jaffe had killed him.

The Colonel wasnat interested in the dead policeman. During the morning, he had had a disturbing conversation with Lam-Than. Lam-Than had warned him his sands were now rapidly running out. One of Lam-Thanas spies at the Presidency had told Lam-Than that the group opposing the Colonel had finally convinced the President to take action against him. By the end of the week he would no longer be Head of Security Police. He would have been dismissed instantly only the man who was to succeed him was in Paris, and until he returned in three days, no action against the Colonel could be taken.

Three days! the Colonel was thinking as he half-listened to the Inspectoras report. If this rumour were true he had only three more days in which to lay his hands on the diamonds and get out of the country.

aWhere is this taxi-dancer?a he said. aHow much longer do I have to wait?a aShe will return to her home at six,a the Inspector said. aAt ten minutes past six, sir, she will be in this room.a The Colonel stared at him, his little eyes glittering.

aI will hold you to that statement,a he said. aIf she is not here by ten minutes past six, you will regret having been born.a There was a pause, then the Inspector said, aThe man, Blackie Lee, took his brother to the airport this morning. The brother flew to Phom Penh. He has a return ticket and arrives back here tomorrow morning. These two men know something about Jaffe. I respectfully suggest they should now be arrested and questioned.

The Colonel shook his head. aNot yet,a he said. aGive me the girl. She will tell me what I want to know. Just give me the girl.a

chapter thirteen.

I.

Nhan woke from a sound and dreamless sleep. She lay without moving, looking up at the wooden ceiling as she listened to the faint sounds of pa.s.sing people and an occasional car in the road outside the villa.

The little room was very hot. She felt drowsy and relaxed. She turned her head to look at Steve sleeping beside her. Then moving gently so as not to wake him, she half sat up to look at his wrist.w.a.tch lying on the table beside her. The time was four oaclock. She lay back with a contented sigh.

The bus to Saigon left at fifteen minutes past five. It would get her to the Central Market at five-to-six. She would be home by six in time to prepare supper for her brothers.

For the moment her fears had drained out of her. Jaffeas skilful lovemaking had satisfied her body and relaxed her mind.

She stretched her long naked legs with another sigh of content and she put her hands over her small b.r.e.a.s.t.s, pressing her elbows into her tiny waist.

Steve stirred. He opened his eyes, blinked, then seeing her watching him, he smiled.

ah.e.l.lo, Mrs. Jaffe,a he said and dropped his hand onto her. aWhatas the time?a She looked adoringly at him. He couldnat have said anything nicer to her than that simple ah.e.l.lo, Mrs. Jaffe.a aItas only four.a He slid his arm under her shoulders and pulled her to him.

aHow glad Iall be to get out of here,a he said, absently stroking her flank. aThirty-one more hours. Itas d.a.m.ned funny really how in a few hours oneas whole life can change. In thirty-one hours you and I will be in a helicopter. Have you ever been in a helicopter?a aNo.a aNor have I. This will be the first of many new experiences we are going to share together.a He saw the worried expression come into her eyes and he shook his head, smiling at her. aThe first thing weall do when we get to Hong Kong is to find a lawyer to get your family fixed. Youare worrying about them, arenat you?a aA little. They will be very sad when I leave them.a aTheyall get over it.a He lay quiet for some moments, then, aYou wonat change your mind and stay here with me? Your grandfather can go and tell your family youare leaving with me to get married. Iall give him the money for a taxi. Come on, Nhan, change your mind. Letas get to know each other. We shall have thirty-one hours in this little room to talk. We should know each other pretty well after thirty-one hoursa talking shouldnat we?a aYes.a She was tempted to stay. It was strange, she thought, when I am with him, Iam not frightened. With him, holding me, I can really believe that I shall go to Hong Kong with him and I shall stay at the best hotel and have a car of my own and a necklace of pearls as he promised. Not that I want anything really except him.

She wrestled with temptation to stay. Her three brothers didnat like her grandfather. She never knew quite why. It wouldnat do for him to go to them and tell them she was leaving Saigon and wouldnat see them for a long time. They relied on her. They would miss her so much. It was her duty to explain why she was leaving them herself.

aI must go, Steve,a she said, looking anxiously at him. aI want to stay, but as I am leaving them and going to live with you, it wouldnat be right not to tell them myself.a aI guess thatas right.a Jaffe bent and kissed her. aYouare a funny kid, Nhan. I admire you for being able to feel that way. I couldnat: itas not in me.a aYou are very kind.a aNo, Iam not,a Jaffe said, frowning. aIam in love with you. I wasnat kind even to you before I learned to love you. Now itas easy to be kind to you, but not to anyone else.a He got off the bed and slipped on his shorts, then crossing to his canvas holdall, lying on the floor, he opened it and took out the typewriter ribbon container and came back to her. aLie still,a he said and opening the container, he gently spilled the diamonds into the little hollow between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

She lifted her head and looked at the diamonds sparkling like fireflies on her brown skin. They felt cold, and she suppressed a s.h.i.+ver as Jaffe very carefully moved them with his fingers, making a little pattern with them.

aTheyare terrific, arenat they?a he said. aLook at them! Iall be sorry to sell them. Iall pick the best of them and Iall have it mounted on a ring for you.a The feel of the diamonds against her skin gave her the same feeling of horror she once had when, lying in the long gra.s.s, a snake had slid over her naked legs. Then, she had sprung to her feet, screaming. Now, seeing the pleasure the diamonds lying between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s gave him, she fought down the horror and controlled the impulse to sweep them off her body and scream.

But she couldnat hide the sudden tensing of her muscles and Jaffe, puzzled, scooped up the diamonds and put them back into the tin.

aI wonder if Iall ever learn to understand you, Nhan,a he said. aOne second youare happy and relaxed, the next youare scared out of your wits. Iad like to know what goes on in that funny mind of yours.a She rubbed her hand between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s as if trying to get rid of the feel of the diamonds. aI wonder sometimes what goes on in your mind too, Steve.a aI guess.a He looked at the diamonds before putting the lid on the tin. aThese stones give me more pleasure than anything else in the world a" except you.a aIam glad.a She slid off the bed. She couldnat bear to talk about the diamonds a moment longer. If it hadnat been for those hard sparkling stones, Haum would still be alive and this nightmare that was happening to them both wouldnat be happening.

aI must get dressed. I donat want to miss the bus.a aThereas time.a He stretched out on the bed and lit a cigarette while he watched her slip into her clothes. As she went over to the mirror to tidy her hair, he said, aYou understand what to do, Nhan? There must be no mistake. Blackie will call for you at ten oaclock tomorrow night. He will bring you to the old temple. Iall be there at eleven. Donat bring too many things . . . just a small suitcase. Iall buy everything you want when we get to Hong Kong.a aI understand.a She put her comb back into her bag, then from the bag, she took out a small object and came over to him. She sat on the edge of the bed, looking seriously at him.

aI want you to keep this until we meet again.a aWhat is it?a She took his hand and put the object into it. Frowning, he held it up to examine it. It was a tiny Buddha carved in ivory.

aIt belonged to my father,a she said. aIt will protect you from harm. It is very powerful, Steve. Keep it with you. So long as you have it, no harm will come to you.a He was touched by her simple faith.

aIall keep it,a he said. It didnat occur to him the sacrifice she was making by giving the Buddha to him. All her life she had kept this little ivory carving. She relied on it for comfort: parting with it was giving away her most important and valuable possession. He put the Buddha on the table by his watch. aWell, kid, it wonat be long now.a He sat up, putting his arm around her. aIall be waiting for you. Donat look so serious. Itas going to be all right.a aYes. I must go.a She touched his face with her fingers, then leaning forward she kissed his mouth. aGoodbye, Steve.a He went with her to the door. aIn another thirty and a quarter hours,a he said and smiled down at her. aSo long till then.a He gave her a little hug, then stood back and watched her go swiftly down the stairs.

She didnat look back.

He went over to the window and watched her walk down the dusty road. He admired her neat, upright carriage and the way she held her head.

During the drive back to Saigon, Nhanas mind became a torment of fear, apprehension and indecision. Without Steveas strength and confidence to support her, she felt lost and frighteningly alone.

After she had prepared supper for her three brothers, she told herself, she would go to the paG.o.da of Dakao and spend the night in prayer. She would light four candles. She wished now she hadnat given Steve her Buddha. She didnat think he would value it, and she felt lost without it. She was glad when the bus finally pulled up at the Central Market. She walked quickly along the pavement crowded with food vendors selling Chinese soup, the juice of sugar cane and dried meats. One vendor held out a stuffed snake towards her, grinning as she s.h.i.+ed away, turning her head and quickening her steps. The evening sun was hot. The road crowded with hooting motorcars, pousse-pousse and bicycles created a strident violent movement that beat on her nerves. As she approached her apartment block, she didnat notice the black Citroen parked a few yards from the entrance to the block. Inspector NgocLinh sat in the car, a plainclothes detective at his side. Both men were smoking. The Inspector kept looking at his watch uneasily. The time was one minute past six.

The two men watched Nhan enter the apartment block and they exchanged glances.

aIt could be her,a the Inspector said and he got out of the car. aWait here.a Nhan ran up the stairs to the second floor. She paused outside the front door of her apartment to calm herself. She must not frighten her brothers. It was going to be difficult to explain to them that she was going away. She must make them believe she was very happy. They were fond of her. If they believed she was really happy, they might not mind so much that she was leaving them.

She practised a smile tentatively. The muscles of her face were so stiff the smile was painful. She turned the handle, pushed open the door and walked into the living room.

The sight of a strange man standing in the middle of the room brought her to an abrupt halt. There was no one else in the room. She didnat have to be told that this man was from Security Police. The shabby European suit, the expressionless face, the glittering alert eyes could belong to no one else except a member of Security Police.

She stood motionless, feeling the blood draining out of her heart and a sensation of cold pa.s.sing over her body.

aYou are Nhan Lee Quon?a the man asked in a hard, impersonal voice.

She tried to say something but no sound came. She became aware of quick footsteps coming down the pa.s.sage, then Inspector NgocLinh came into the room.

She recognized him. The Inspector was well known in Saigon. She remembered what the fortuneteller had told her. The next two days will be the most critical in your life.

aYou are Nhan Lee Quon?a the Inspector said, staring at her. aYou are a taxi-dancer at the Paradise Club?a aYes.a She forced the word past her stiff lips.

aYou are to come with me,a the Inspector said. He signalled to the detective who moved past her and opened the door. He went into the pa.s.sage and stood waiting.