Cera's Place (2 page)

Reaching the corner of Jackson and Dupont, she stopped in awe. Flames leapt high into the sky as they consumed the three-story building standing next to Ross Alley. The wind whipped the sparks through the air like fireflies, threatening the adjoining buildings. On the sidewalk, broken glass sparkled in the firelight like a jeweler’s display of precious gems. A jumble of frantic voices and fire alarm bells added to the chaos. The sound of beating hooves drew Cera’s attention away from the fire and down the street. The fire department’s horses and wagon were coming at full gallop.

With great effort, she pushed her way to the front of the crowd. Expecting to see the dead Chinese men, she looked at the empty alley in bewilderment. Besides the slack jaws staring at the burning building, the only other people nearby were Samuel Biggs and Officer Klein. The men stood apart from the crowd, exchanging what could only be heated words from all the finger pointing and chest thumping.

Another explosion rocked the building, lighting up the night sky with a whoosh. The crowd responded with a collective cry of fright, as debris fell from the sky. The few extra seconds of brilliant light illuminated several puddles on the cobblestone in front of the alley.

Water? It hadn’t rained in days. Blood?

As Cera reached toward one of the puddles, a rough hand from behind yanked her back. Losing her balance, she fell hard, cutting her palm on a shard of glass.

“I told y’all to get back! Go on now!” Officer Klein’s face pulled into a snarl as he barked orders at the crowd.

Glaring at the officer, Cera sucked on her bleeding palm to stay silent.

“You hurt, Miss Cera?” a small voice asked. Johnny appeared at her side, sticking a hand out to help her to her feet.

Cera smiled at the boy. “Just cut my hand a bit.” She tried for one more look at the puddles, but the firemen were already pouring water on the building. Whatever was there moments ago was washed away. “Johnny, did you see anyone in Ross Alley earlier—maybe some Chinese fighting with Mr. Biggs?”

The boy shook his head. “Naw, nothin’ like that. Why?”

“Never mind. I need to head back to the saloon. Are you staying here?”

Johnny’s eyes scanned the mesmerized crowd. “I’m thinkin’ of watchin’ for awhile.”

“You’ll watch, huh? From the look on your face, I’d say you’re figuring how much money you can pinch from these people.”

Scowling, he replied, “I don’t take nothin’ they can’t afford to lose.”

Cera ruffled his hair a bit harder than she had to. “Why don’t you come by the saloon tomorrow and earn an honest wage? The floor needs a good sweeping and I’m sure Li could use some help in the kitchen.”

“Sure thing, Miss Cera,” Johnny agreed before slipping into the crowd.

Hurrying back the way she came, Cera puzzled over what she had—and hadn’t—seen. Obviously, from the looks of Sadie and the Chinese girl, something murderous had happened, so where was the proof? Had someone taken the bodies away before the crowd came out to gawk?

*****

“She is Hu Wong, daughter of Chen Wong,” Li Chan explained to Cera when she arrived at the saloon. He sat at a table with Hu and Sadie, while Isaac, Mary Beth, and Ginger stood nearby, their faces reflecting concern.

Cera frowned. “That’s all she’s said so far?”

Li shook his head. “She say nothing. I know her.”

“Should we go find her family?” Cera asked.

Li shrugged. “Mother die on ship to America. Father have laundry shop. No more family.”

Cera sighed and rubbed her forehead, trying to stop the dull throb taking over inside her head. “Sadie, what happened out there?”

Sadie stopped wiping the dried blood from Hu’s face. “Well, ma’am, I was coming from visitin’ a friend, when I saw a China man and Mr. Biggs arguin’. The China man was waving his arms all ‘round and shouting up a storm. Then Mr. Biggs hit him hard—right in the face—and the China man fell to his knees. Some other China men came a runnin’ to help, but the men with Mr. Biggs had clubs…” Sadie’s voice faltered. She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, grimacing at the memory. “The girl here was cryin’ and such. When the white men beat all the China men to the ground, I grabbed her and ran.”

Cera nodded. “I would have done the same.” She walked behind the bar and poured a shot of whiskey. Setting it in front of Hu, she motioned for her to drink.

Hu’s hand shook as she brought the glass to her mouth, but when the smell of the raw alcohol reached her nose, she made a sour face and set it back down.

Cera pushed the glass at her again.

Giving in, Hu swallowed the liquor and promptly broke into a coughing fit.

Satisfied, Cera asked the girl, “Do you speak English? I can speak some of your language, but it might insult your ears.”

“I speak English.”

“Good. Then can you tell me why your people and Biggs were fighting?”

Hu shook her head, burying her face in her hands. Her shoulders moved up and down as she silently cried.

Blowing air from her cheeks, Cera hunkered down beside Hu and took her hands away from her face. She held them until the girl looked at her. “You are safe here. I—we,” nodding toward Li, “will protect you, but I need to know what happened.”

Hu stared at Cera for several moments, but finally, as if making a decision, she began her story.

“You know Chinese brothel? It small shack with bars on window and door. Many girl live in shack. When girl see man, she show bosom. Make him want to buy. All night you hear girl call, ‘two bits to look, four bits to feel, six bits to do’. Girl live terrible life. Girl sad, take opium every day.

“Girl not want this work. Men tricky. Say if leave China and go to America, girl marry rich man. But not true. My father know Samuel Biggs buy girl from Hip Yee and Choy Poy for brothels. If they no have girl, Biggs steal girl from street. Tonight, my father tell Biggs to stop and my father die in alley like dog.”

“Who are Hip Yee and Choy Poy?” Cera asked. For the most part, the Chinese kept to themselves, but the names sounded familiar and rumors were as plentiful as the foggy nights in San Francisco.

Hu wiped a palm across her wet cheek. “They run Chinese Tong. They bad.”

Isaac let out a low whistle and exchanged a look with Cera. They both knew the Tong controlled the Chinese community, by force if necessary. “Are you sure Biggs is involved in these kidnappings? He has a lot of influence with the city officials. I have never much cared for him but if it is true, I’m not sure if we will be able to convince the police to do anything. Did your father have any proof?”

“One night, my father see two men put girl, Lan Chiu, in Biggs’ wagon. My father go to Chiu house. Lan no come home. My father see Biggs and say ‘Where you take Lan Chiu?’ Then…” Hu stopped, unable to go on.

Pacing the length of the bar, Cera considered Hu’s story. She wasn’t sure what could be done. Since the Chinese community didn’t trust the whites, she knew they wouldn’t talk to the police willingly. Yet, for the sake of these girls, Biggs and the Chinese Tong had to be stopped.

“I have more bad news.” Cera hesitated, not knowing how to tell Hu what she had seen. “When I went to the alley, no one was there but Biggs and Officer Klein. The bodies of your father and his friends were gone.”

Speechless, Hu gaped at Cera.

“That’s why there was a fire,” Isaac said, coming to the realization Cera had already formed. “They needed to get rid of the bodies to hide the killings.”

“That’s what I reckon. I saw some puddles that were probably blood—” Cera stopped short when Hu’s face began to crumble. “Anyway, what it comes down to is the word of a colored kitchen girl and a Chinese laundry girl against an influential white man. I can tell you right now who’s going to win that one in court.”

“Do you know the names of any other girls who have gone missing?” Isaac asked.

Gripped with grief, Hu managed to nod.

“Good.” Isaac rubbed his palms together briskly, in a no-nonsense manner. “Li can talk to their families. Maybe if we get enough people to come forward, the authorities will listen to us.”

Cera started to pace again. “That’s a good plan, Isaac. How about if—”

Ginger interrupted her boss. “How’s about if I take Hu upstairs and find a bed for her? She’s as pale as a magnolia petal. This can all wait until the morning, after she’s rested some.”

Hu raised her eyes to Li. Behind the redness, there was fear, but Li nodded reassuringly.

“Come with me, honey.” Ginger helped Hu to her feet and wrapped a protective arm around her. “Now don’t you worry none. Cera’s real good at putting things right.”

“Thank you,” Hu whispered and bowed her head.

“Remember Hu, you are safe here. I told you I would protect you and I meant it.” Cera clenched her fists at her sides. Her temper rose and she welcomed it. “Men like Biggs think the rules don’t apply to them. They are the worst kind of lowlife. Taking him down will be a great pleasure.”

When Ginger and Hu were out of earshot, Sadie turned to Cera. “Are we safe, boss? Biggs knows we saw him murder those men. If he recognized me, you can bet he’ll come a-calling.”

Cera bit her lip, but then took Sadie’s hands in her own and squeezed them. “I know. I just didn’t want to bring that up and scare you all more. I think you and Hu had better stay out of sight when customers are around for the next few days until we figure out what to do. And what I said to Hu goes the same for you. You’re like my family and I will do everything I can to keep you safe. Now, why don’t you go upstairs and get some rest. We’ll deal with this mess in the morning.”

Sadie nodded. “I’m sorry for bringin’ trouble to your doorstep. I didn’t know what else to do.”

Cera held up her hand. “Not another word. Get to bed.”

*****

Cera kept the saloon open for a few more hours, but only a handful of the regulars returned. Every now and then, another explosion rocked the neighborhood, signaling the fire still burned strong.

After closing, Cera climbed the stairs to the bedrooms where she and her serving girls lived. From the upper landing, she looked down at the barroom. So much hard work just to have a saloon in the worst part of San Francisco, it almost made her laugh. Still, she was grateful. Not many women were given the chance to own their own business—she had Isaac to thank for that. Without his agreement to be a silent partner, the bank would never have lent her the start-up money. Of course, a few palms were also greased along the way. Officer Klein enjoyed his share of their profit on a monthly basis.

Two decades ago, her folks came West in the hopes of finding a fortune in gold, but that hadn’t happened and her parents were long dead. The Chinese men in Ross Alley came to this country looking for a better life as well. For a short time, they found it but now they were dead. Her heart went out to Hu. Grief was a hard parcel to carry. Maybe if she could give the girl some justice, it would make the load lighter.

Chapter 2

While Jake walked the streets looking for Cera’s Place, he paid no heed to the vendors hawking their wares or the saloon girls calling out for company. San Francisco reminded him of a whore trying to buy respectability. In the distance, he could see the beautiful homes on Rincon Hill built by the newly wealthy, but here in the Barbary Coast things remained ugly and dangerous.

As he passed yet another dance hall, a bleary-eyed drunk stumbled out the door, knocking shoulders with him. The man exhaled the stench of stale beer along with a mumbled apology before lurching away. Jake gave him a quick nod, and then felt his coat pocket, ensuring his money was still intact.

He had asked around about Cera’s Place when he first got into town, and the response had always been the same. The saloon was well known for its good food, strong drink, and the tough Irish owner who didn’t allow any shenanigans. Unlike the surrounding businesses, Cera’s girls only dealt cards to their male customers. If you wanted more, you had to take your desires elsewhere.

When he finally found the saloon on the corner of Kearney and Washington, it seemed out of place among the other dilapidated buildings in the neighborhood. The bright white wood trim looked recently painted, and the freshly cleaned windows reflected the late-morning sun. He chuckled just a bit at the sign in the window: Mind Your Manners—or Leave. Thank You.

Jake wondered if this time he would find Daniel’s daughter so he could finally fulfill his promise to his friend. Even though he had been this close before only to be disappointed, he allowed a small flicker of hope to come alive before he pushed the saloon doors open.

He waited for his eyes to adjust to the smoky room. It wasn’t what he expected. An intricately carved bar ran the length of the wall to his left. Creamy wallpaper in a fleur de lis and rose pattern gave the place more elegance than the average saloon. A young boy busily swept the plank floor clean of peanut shells, cigar butts, and ash. About three quarters of the small tables were occupied with men either eating or gambling, and in the corner, a fairly competent piano player provided music.

A few serving girls circulated the room, their laughter mingling with the grunts of the coarse men. He wondered if the patrons found it frustrating that these girls weren’t for hire. He had visited plenty of saloons in his life and more often than not, it took either a dark room or several drinks to make the upstairs girls come even close to the vitality these possessed.