Saul, the master of hiding what words he did and didn’t know, looked back at Vincent with childish innocence. Why, what’s that word mean? his eyes asked.
The part-time kid sighed. “I don’t see what’s so fun about someone who looks Chinese wearing a changpao.”
“Nonsense. It would cultivate a charming sense of authenticity.”
“Sorry, I’m already off for the day.”
Richard looked like he was about to say something, but Vincent pretended not to notice and hurried out the door. Alone.
Hong Kong could be divided into two broad regions: Kowloon, a sprawling hodgepodge of shops and houses from the good old days in the northern part of the city, and the bustling financial district of Hong Kong Island on the south. Victoria Harbor sat in between, separating the two. Ranasinghe Jewelry was on the north side of the city, and there were lots of ways to get to Hong Kong Island from there—everything from the subway to taxis—but Vincent always used the ferry whenever he had a meeting at the same time, same place. It was the most time-consuming and melancholy of the possible routes, affording him ample time to question just what the hell he was doing.
No matter how many times he asked that question or how long he searched for an answer, he always drew a blank. He knew it was no use asking, but even so, he found himself gravitating toward the ferry every time.
He got off at Tsim Sha Tsui, one of Hong Kong’s leading tourist destinations, and walked to the usual hotel. He wanted to groan the moment he stepped inside—the place was packed with tourists. The hotel might have been known for its elegant colonial-era lounge, but it felt more like Disneyland in here.
This couldn’t be where they were meeting, right? Vincent checked his phone—just as a new message showed up. A room number.
His frustration only grew as he waited in line for the front desk to ring up and show him to the appropriate room on one of the top floors. This high up, he had a sweeping view of the city’s neon lights and the boat races in the harbor.
A man in a flawlessly tailored suit waited for him alongside a sofa and table in the hotel room’s living room. “Hey there! How’s tricks?”
Confident British accent, gleaming polished leather shoes, a smile as blinding as ever—that was Jeffrey Claremont, all right.
“Not too bad,” Vincent said. “Why’d you book a room today?”
“Because of the festival. You see how busy the lounge is? We couldn’t begin to have a secret conversation there.”
“Are you actually spending the night here? They said so at the front desk. You’re not just going to run off again like you always do, are you?”
Vincent’s blond-haired companion smiled brightly. He never drank, but Vincent felt like he was always on something.
“Of course! It’s the Dragon Boat Festival, the biggest celebration in Hong Kong. It’d be a waste of air fare to go home so soon! What’s the point of being rich and famous if you don’t live a little?”
Vincent didn’t dignify that with a response.
“All righty, Vincent. Can you tell me my dear little brother’s plans for the day?”
“…Fine, Jeffrey.”
“Ah ha, finally got you to say my name. I have to admit—I’ve been looking forward to that! I was wondering when you would acknowledge me.” Jeffrey laughed. “Made my day, right there.”
Vincent didn’t respond to that, either. Instead, as if the playback button had been pressed on a tape recorder, he repeated Richard’s upcoming plans verbatim. Jeffrey sat, legs crossed, in a chair with armrests as he entered everything into his large smartphone. Vincent thought it would have been faster to send the info electronically, but Jeffrey seemed to think these intricate rituals were important. Everything had to be face-to-face; all discussions were verbal. Once set on the path, straight forward, no turning back. The usual work in Hong Kong. A stay in Japan. Same old, same old.
Jeffrey checked everything he had written down one last time and then beamed. “You’re a huge help, sport. Couldn’t have done this without you. Looks like he’s on the move again, after all.”
“What do you mean, ‘after all’?”
“Oh, I had a hunch. I get information from other sources besides you. Seems like he’s making plans to move out of his current place, and not being too secretive about it either. Giving furniture away to the neighbors, scheduling fewer appointments these days… Japan, though. About time he went to Japan.”
“Why do you say that? Does he have some special connection to Japan?”
“…What, he never told you? He studied Japanese when he was at Cambridge.”
“Ah. I assumed it had something to do with you knowing Japanese, too.”
“Me? Nah, I just picked it up for fun. Everyone likes a celeb with lots of talents.”
Jeffrey flashed a smile made for Hollywood and sprang out of his chair. This forced Vincent to rise, too, an elegant form of a command that only worked because Jeffrey held all the power in this equation.
“Thanks for your hard work, kiddo,” Jeffrey said.
“…Don’t mention it.”
As they shook hands, Jeffrey slipped a piece of paper to Vincent, just like he always did. From its distinct texture, Vincent knew it was a signed check.
“Take care. Oh, and—”
Something else had occurred to Jeffrey. He grabbed Vincent’s hand again, and his eyes softened. His voice was laced with warmth as he said, “I hope your father feels better soon.”
“…Goodbye.”
“Righty-o. See you around!”
The purchaser of information on his cousin watched the traitor walk away with the ever-present smile lingering on his face.
Vincent tried reaching Marian three times, but her phone always went to voicemail. She did housework in the mornings before a hectic lunch with friends; her afternoons were taken up with errands and more shopping. Vincent knew being the Lai housekeeper kept her busy, doubly so now that his father was ill and half-bedridden. Still, it was odd that she hadn’t picked up the phone at all.
Once it had been long enough that she should have called back, he tried calling a fourth time. No luck. Should he go back to the house? Nah. She might have been catching up with a friend and fellow maid over lunch at a spot along the trails that wound past Causeway Bay. It was the Dragon Boat Festival, after all. He hoped she was getting out and enjoying it.
When he caught himself thinking that, he had to laugh at his own behavior. The thing was, Marian had been looking a bit under the weather recently. Vincent was worried for her. Of everyone in their immediate circle, she was about the only one not concerned for her health.