The Money Is Green (30 page)

Mei nodded. “Do as you see fit, Tan. But I want those signatures no later than the day after tomorrow, and I’m going to have to have him well enough and physically fit enough to come out and make a formal announcement of our new partnership. I’m tired of waiting around in limbo. I’ve got other things that need my attention and I
don’t want to keep getting bogged down with this. Remember, I need him healthy enough to be in public in a couple of months, so don’t overdo it!”

“I will do my best to acquire the signatures within the timeframe you request, Madam Chen, and keep Mr. Wilson in good health, but neither will be easy tasks. He is a very determined man. He has not been easy to break.”

“What’s happening with Jason Ballard? Has he done anything unusual or been snooping around in places she shouldn’t be?”

“No, he’s been quiet. He spent the last day going over the operations at the Soltech plant in Shanghai. There’s the personal issue with his daughter back in the States that he wants to attend to. He is currently trying to get back there, but my people are monitoring him.”

“Don’t let him out of your sight and don’t let him leave Shanghai. I think he knows who took Brian Thompson out of the hospital and also knows where he is. I might need you to bring him in and find out what he knows before it’s too late.”

“I will do as you wish, Madam Chen. Is there anything else you need from me?”

Pausing for a second, she answered, “No, that will be all. Call me if there are any new developments.”

“I will do that, Madam. Have a nice flight.”

“Thank you, Tan.” She hung up and stared out the window. I don’t understand why David is being so stubborn. I’ve given him a very fair proposal. And Jason, after all I’ve done for him, I hope he hasn’t turned against me. She sighed, shaking her head, and reached for another set of documents sitting next to her. It’s out of my hands if they won’t cooperate, and they’ll only have themselves to blame for whatever happens.

T
HIRTY
-N
INE

T
he dark bar was almost deserted except for the lone bartender who tried to look busy by wiping the bar down from time after time. Wo Sung sat and the end of the bar with a clear view of the front door and sipped tequila. He rolled a dirty silver dollar coin back and forth through his fingers and over his knuckles.

Pulling out his cell, he studied the last text he had received. It said simply,
Payment received
. Wo smiled. His heroin peddler in North San Francisco, “Crawfish Mike,” had come through after all. Good, he thought. I won’t have him killed now. Quirky dude, but I kinda like the guy. I wonder if he really did work for the mob in New Orleans like he’s always bragging about. I guess with that distinctive red tattoo of a crawfish on his arm, he has to have some connection to that area, otherwise why be so blatant? Oh well, he’s got the three R’s that I like in my guys: reliable, relentless and ruthless.

The front door opened and the figures of Congressman Waters and John Clayton appeared in the doorway. Wo nodded his head in recognition and motioned for the two of them to follow him to a booth in the corner of the bar.

Wo made it there first and slid in. The other two came over, and Waters extended his hand. “Always good to see you, Wo. I hope all is well.”

Smiling, Wo shook his hand enthusiastically. “Eugene, it is always a pleasure.” He shook John’s hand and said to him, “John, it’s good to see you too. Have a seat. Can I get either of you a drink?”

The congressman looked over at the bar, sizing up its contents. “Yeah, Wo, I’ll have a Hennessy over ice.” He turned to his aid. “John, do you want to imbibe with us?”

The young aide shook his head. “No, I still have some things to do at the office later. I’ll just have a Coke and watch you guys and be jealous.”

The congressman slapped him on the back playfully. “That’s what I love about you, John. You’re the only one with work ethic around here.”

Wo signaled to the bartender, who quickly came around the bar and took their orders. He was back in a minute with all their drinks. Wo lifted his drink and made a toast. “Here’s to our next shipment. Let it reach its destination without any issues.”

John and the congressman lifted their glasses and touched Wo’s. John said, “Here, here!”

Tossing back a full shot glass of tequila, Wo winced and hit his chest with his fist. “That’s what I’m saying.” He wiped his mouth off with the back of his hand. “So, Congressman, you want this shipment to be the last? Why are we stopping now? We’ve gotten all the bugs out of shipping these guns and getting them into Mexico. Why would Madam Chen want to stop now? There’s so much more money to be made, it’s scary.”

Congressman Waters shrugged. “I know, but after talking it over with Mei, she and I both agree we should shut it down for a while, just to be safe. Neither she nor I want to get greedy and screw this up. Remember, we’re using her government planes. That’s one of the main components that make this operation successful. We need to be
very careful, and if it means taking some time off from this operation, I’ll do it. I’m thinking she’s worried that this might have been compromised. I disagree with her, because we’ve been very careful and if there were any federal inquiries I would’ve heard about them through my contacts. So far, I haven’t heard anything, so I think we’ve flown under the radar.”

“Could we do this without her planes?” Wo asked as he signaled to the bartender to bring another round. “Don’t you have some other contacts that could supply us with planes?”

“No way!” Waters answered emphatically. “That would be suicidal. We would get caught immediately. The only reason this has gone so smoothly is because we’re using Chinese government planes. Be patient, Wo, we’ll do this again. Especially if the shipment that goes out tonight gets there without a hitch. I guarantee Mei will want to try it again. She likes money too much to leave millions lying around. We’ll just let the dust settle before we go at it again.”

“Besides,” John chimed in, “she’s making a fortune on her solar projects. She owns both sides of the equation—the solar panel manufacturer and the actual solar farm out in Nevada. I hear it’s coming in ahead of schedule and on budget.”

Wo nodded. “Okay, I’ll cool my heels. But I think it’s a mistake to stop at this juncture. Now, let’s go over Mei’s request about Jason Ballard’s daughter and girlfriend. Since things have changed due to the accident, what does she want me to do now? I hope she realizes there’s no way I could barge in and kidnap them out of the hospital.”

The bartender set them up with more drinks and retreated to attend to an elderly patron who had come in and sat at the bar.

The congressman sipped his drink, watching Wo carefully. “This is what she told me: She thinks Jason knows something about the disappearance of Brian Thompson. I believe he’s the main principal of Inter-Power, the developer of the Copper Mountain solar farm. She wants to be in a position to use the two women as pawns to make Jason talk about what he knows if need be.”

Wo listened intensely. “Okay, but what does she want me to do? First it was take them to a safe house and keep them. What is it now? Kill them?”

“I don’t know the answers to those questions yet. I believe they’re tracking Jason’s movements now, and if Mr. Thompson, who is missing, doesn’t show up within the next twenty-four hours, they’re going to bring Jason in for a round of questioning. I’m sure after they grill him Mei will let you know what she wants to do with them.”

“Do you have anyone checking on the daughter, Wo?” John asked. “Is there any chance she’ll be released from the hospital soon? If she is, that would make your job easier.”

“I have a man in Roseville as we speak,” Wo answered. “He knows one of the nurses at the hospital, so she gives him updates. As far as I know, her condition hasn’t changed. If Mei wants the daughter and girlfriend killed, it would be easier than trying to take them alive. And until she’s moved out of the hospital, I can’t do much. I hope you convey that to Mei.”

Rubbing his chin, the congressman nodded, a serious look on his face. “I understand what you’re up against, Wo. I’ll make sure Mei understands that. But on the other hand, she’s a powerful woman and doesn’t like to be denied once she puts her mind on doing something. I would prepare for both scenarios and be ready.”

Wo leaned back in the seat and took a deep breath. “I’ll see what I can do, Congressman. Give me as much help as you can. Where will you be in the next twenty-four hours? I want to let you know once the shipment lands in Mexico.”

Waters looked down at his watch. “I’ve got a ribbon-cutting in downtown tomorrow and then I’m scheduled to attend a fundraiser at Post Trio in the city tomorrow night.”

Wo’s eyes raised. “Post Trio? My, that’s a fancy place for a fundraiser. I’m impressed.”

The congressman laughed. “It’s one of my constituent’s functions. I just show up and start taking credit.” He leaned in and
winked. “And of course accept campaign donations. But in answer to your question, I’ll be around this area for the next two days, so call me anytime, and if I’m not available, leave a message. I’ll get right back to you.”

He tossed his drink down and stood up. “Come on, John, we need to get back to the office. I’ve got a couple of appointments I need to make.” He tipped his hand to Wo. “Thanks for the drinks. Good luck tomorrow. I’ll see you around again soon.” He turned and left the bar, John following close behind.

Wo watched them for a minute before ordering another shot of tequila. I can’t read Congressman Waters. I think he would sell out his mother for a hundred bucks, and if the pressure were put on him to give out names, he would sing like a canary. I need to be careful with him.

F
ORTY

T
he first thing Crystal heard was the sound of something pumping air around. Lifting her hand gingerly, she reached up and felt the bandage wrapped around her head. Her hand moved down to her right cheek and she felt a huge lump of puffy flesh around her eye. The other eye opened enough so that she could start making out images in the stark white room. Her temple throbbed. Every movement was painful, but she turned her head slightly to the side. Where am I? Slowly she started to piece together her last thoughts: Jimmy attacking her and Steve coming to her rescue, the car veering left then back right, the ground coming up at them. Where’s Steve? Is he okay?

As her one eye adjusted, things in the room started to come into focus. Across from her bed she saw a person sitting quietly reading a book. Staring hard and trying to focus, it dawned on her who it was. Janine! What was she doing here? Running her tongue across her cracked lips, she whispered almost inaudibly, “Janine, is that you?”

Janine looked up from her book, her eyes wide with surprise. She leapt out of the chair and rushed to Crystal’s bedside, reaching out and holding her hand. “Oh my god, Crystal!” she gushed, kissing her hand. “You’re awake, you’re awake.” She reached over and pressed the
nurse call button twice. “I’m so sorry, sweetie,” she said, tears welling in her eyes. “I should have had you stay with me. I’m so sorry.”

Crystal swallowed with difficulty then asked, “Is Steve alright?”

“Yes, he’s okay. He suffered a couple of broken ribs, but he’ll be okay.” Janine continued to rub Crystal’s hand. “Your dad is on his way home from China. He should be here later today. He’s so concerned about you. We all have been.”

“How long have I been out of it?” she asked, barely above a whisper.

Janine paused as she thought for a second. “You’ve been in a coma for a couple of days. The doctors weren’t even sure if you’d come out of it. How are you feeling?”

Crystal shifted a little in the hospital bed. “I’m sore and my head hurts, but other than that I guess I feel alright. Where’s my mom?” she asked. “She should be here, not you.”

Janine stiffened but didn’t move from the side of the bed. “I didn’t talk to your mother, but your dad did and he told her about your accident. She didn’t say if she would fly out here or not. She wanted your dad to pay for her ticket, but I don’t know what happened after that.”

“Why would my mom want my dad to pay for her plane ticket?” she asked irritably. “He pays her alimony and her boyfriend makes a lot of money. Why doesn’t she come out here on her own and pay her own way?”

Shaking her head, Janine answered in a soft voice, “I don’t know, Crystal, those are grownup questions you’ll need to ask your dad. Were you and Steve really going to drive to North Dakota? Do you know a how far that is?”

“Steve told me it was a day’s drive once we went through Reno. We planned on camping out at a campground along the way until we got there. It wasn’t going to take that long.”

Putting her hand to her mouth to sustain a laugh, Janine said, “Oh my god, Crystal. Reno isn’t even a quarter of the way to Fargo. It
would have taken you five days and hundreds of dollars for gas, plus food and drinks. How were you going to pull that off?”

Crystal carefully pulled the top sheet up to her chest with both hands and answered sheepishly, “I don’t know. I never looked at a map to see where we were going. I trusted he knew what he was doing.” She looked at Janine, tears welling in her eyes. “I just wanted to surprise my mom. I haven’t seen her in over a year.”

A female nurse came into the room, immediately picked up Crystal’s arm, and checked her blood pressure. She checked the bandages on her head, all while asking a few questions about how she was feeling. After a few minutes she stood back, folding her arms across her chest. “Well, this is really great. Your vital signs are good. You seem to be lucid. Welcome back. The doctor has been called and he should be here shortly to give you a more thorough exam.”

The nurse bent down and spoke to Crystal. “You are a lucky young woman. There are a lot of people who love you and were praying for you.” Pointing at Janine, she continued, “This woman has not left your side for more than a few moments the whole time you were in your coma. She obviously cares deeply for you. Count your blessings.”

Crystal looked at Janine and smiled weakly. “Thank you. You didn’t have to do that.”