The Orchid Tree (16 page)

The Supreme Court rose up on his left and Charles walked to the entrance. A statue of a blindfolded woman, witness to the impartiality of the law, stood with scales in her right hand. She held a sword in her left one to remind the population of the law’s power of punishment. It wouldn’t be long before he walked through that hallowed door, ready to work with a barrister and try a case to the bench.

Charles bowed his head and said a silent prayer in front of the Cenotaph, remembering Bob and all the others who had died at Stanley.

The Glorious Dead 1914-1918

1939-1945

He stared at The Hong Kong Club building. That was one place where he wouldn’t be setting foot. Its constitution excluded the membership of shopkeepers, Chinese, Indians, women and other undesirables. Not that he fell into any of those categories, but Pa hadn’t been considered when he’d applied to join before the war. It didn’t take much intelligence to work out why.

Charles felt proud of his background, however, and ready to take on the establishment. He didn’t need to be a member of any of their clubs. There were enough clubs he could join that would accept him. He thought about Henry Wolseley. Should he telephone him and ask about Kate? No, he’d find her himself. It had been too problematic from London, the distance too great, communication too erratic. Now he was back in Hong Kong, the difficulties would be different . . .

On board his Dragon yacht,
Jade Princess
, moored at the Yacht Club, James was checking the lines and making sure they were separated, ready for departure. The boat had been built in the 1930s, and he’d bought it from a fellow about to retire in England.

Sofia was due to arrive from one of her uncle’s trading junks, anchored nearby. Should he feel guilty about her? He shook his head. It wasn’t as if he and Kate were engaged to be married. They were simply seeing each other socially. Perhaps he really had reinvented himself in Hong Kong; he certainly wasn’t the same man he’d been brought up to be. He’d never imagined himself as the type to take a mistress.

And such a mistress!

So beautiful and exotic. What he felt for Sofia was pure intoxication. She hadn’t hinted she wanted anything more from him other than the occasional assignation. Was he pleased or annoyed at her casual approach? Just grateful their relationship had been kept secret; he didn’t care for the disapproval of Hong Kong society. He was certain he would be ostracised if anyone found out. If only he didn’t have to consider the social taboos of this bigoted place . . .

Sofia had taken to sailing as if it were in her blood. She appeared to have an instinctive feel for it, and could have managed
Jade
quite well on her own if he’d let her. This was the third time they’d slipped away at first light. They’d cruise out of the harbour on
Jade’s
inboard engine and unfurl her powerful sails to find a deserted cove, where they would skinny-dip and make love in the shallows. He smiled to himself, remembering the first time. She’d laughed at the speed of his love making and had made him lie back afterwards while she’d tantalised him, instructing him not to move as she ran her hands down his body.

She’d taught him the ancient Chinese art of love that she’d learnt from reading the books in her uncle’s library. James was relieved Sofia hadn’t learnt it from another man. She’d been a virgin and he could hardly believe his luck that she’d chosen him. Heat crept up his neck as he thought about their lovemaking. He’d learnt to prolong the pleasure and not to come too quickly.

The creak of the single oar being sculled on a sampan, and he reached out his hand to help her aboard. They set off and soon they anchored in Rocky Bay.

The sun had risen and the early morning sea was still as glass. At this time of day and mid-week, the beach was deserted. Sofia dived off the side of the boat. Her body was spare but shapely, and she swam with the assurance of someone who’d practically grown up in the sea, unlike him; he’d only learnt to swim in the Navy. He slipped on his bathing shorts and dived into the cool depths. Surfacing next to her, he shook the droplets from his hair.

He kissed Sofia deeply and she laced her legs around him. Treading water, he manoeuvred her backwards until they reached the side of the yacht, then placed her between himself and the ladder, holding onto the rungs with both hands. She pulled off her swimming costume and tossed it into the boat. He did the same, then lifted her onto his erection. They moved in unison, the tepid seawater caressing them, every nerve in his body tingling. ‘Now,’ Sofia said, at last. He came, then, losing himself in her, hot pleasure shooting through him. Intoxicating pleasure. No words spoken, just a physical need assuaged.

They climbed aboard the yacht and sipped the piping hot coffee Sofia brewed in
Jade’s
tiny galley. Overlooking the bay perched the exclusive bungalows of the wealthy expatriates, whose residents’ committee kept out locals and undesirables. Last week he’d been invited to a party with Kate there, given by the
Taipan
of one of the Hongs, as the larger trading companies were known. The
Taipan
and his wife were friends of Kate’s father, and they had a weekend retreat on a ridge overlooking the Shek-o golf course.

James had been envious of the fabulous location, although at the time he’d called it a bit remote. It had been an excellent opportunity to make the right contacts, but he’d longed to be with Sofia and his passion had fought against the sensible voice inside his head that told him no good would come of his affair with her.

He glanced at her towel-drying her hair.
God, she’s beautiful! What does she see in me?

‘Have you any news yet about helping us save the factory?’ she asked, putting on fresh lipstick.

‘My contacts are keen for me to meet with your uncle. To discuss possible cooperation.’

Maybe Sofia was seeing him to keep him soft for K C Leung? The sudden thought soured the coffee in James’ mouth.

***

He met Leung at a restaurant in Kowloon, where K C had booked a private room. Sofia hadn’t been included in the meeting. Why? Her uncle greeted him jovially and showed him to the table.

‘I’ll lay my cards on the table,’ James said, sipping brandy and picking at the crispy seaweed with his chopsticks. ‘I’ve been asked to find out about Leo Rodrigues’ Triad contacts and the banks in receipt of smuggled gold. Sofia tells me you’re in debt to him.’

‘That’s right. But I don’t want to repay.’ Leung thrust out his chest. ‘I want trick him into thinking I repay.’

‘How do you propose to do that?’

‘He flies the gold into Macau regularly on Catalina seaplane. I’ll arrange for a robbery to take place after aircraft leaves Hong Kong. I need you be on my launch, pick up my men and the loot.’ K C laughed and settled back in his chair with exaggerated casualness. ‘I’ll repay Leo with his own gold.’

‘Who will steal the gold?’ James blinked. The plan was foolhardy. No other word to describe it. ‘And what will happen to the plane?’

‘One of my associates trained to fly Catalina seaplane in Philippines. He and other man will board flight from Hong Kong to Macau, and hold gun to pilot’s head when seaplane reaches cruising height.’

James laughed. ‘And you expect them to just hand over the plane?’

Leung’s smiled. ‘If they don’t want get killed.’

‘Then what?’

‘My man will take over controls and land aircraft near Soko Islands, in most south-western waters of Hong Kong Territory.’

‘Why do you need me?’

‘I will give you name of Hong Kong banks that buy gold from Macau illegally. Also will find out where new Triads have set up. I know you work for Special Branch. You tell them keep out of my business in return for this.’

‘What will happen to the gold?’

‘My men will conceal plane and tie up captives. I want you to pick up my men and gold.’

‘I still don’t understand why you need me. Can’t you get one of your men to do it?’

‘If you involved, I know Hong Kong police not trick me.’

‘Fair enough. I’ll let you know as soon as I’ve been given the green light.’ James crossed his arms. Special Branch was unlikely to want Leung’s information enough to countenance an in-flight robbery. ‘
If
I’m given the green light, that is.’

‘You will be. Or we won’t be able to stop any violence between the nationalists and the communists. Big trouble coming from China. And new Triads very big trouble-makers.’ Leung lifted his glass and smiled. ‘
Yum sing!
Or “bottoms up” as you British say.’ And he drained his brandy in one gulp.

They ate quickly, talking about the food (delicious) and weather (too hot and wet). They had little in common, apart from Sofia. Did her uncle know about their affair? If so, he must have sanctioned it.

James couldn’t fathom the man. Because he was Chinese, he supposed, but also for his political convictions. China was an enigma to him and the people so different to any he’d encountered before. Fascinating, though. He’d like to learn more about them. James was starting to feel more intrigued by the locals than by the stuffy expatriates.

Take Henry Wolseley, a typical Colonel Blimp character, almost a stereotype, but then most of the expatriates in Hong Kong were like that. How had he produced such a sweet daughter as Kate?
Ah, Kate!
He was fond of her and glad he wasn’t exactly two-timing her. She deserved better.

Heat spread up from James’ groin. God, Sofia was enticing. What if he risked everything and allowed himself to fall in love with her? Perhaps she didn’t want that. After all, she’d given him no indication . . .

‘I don’t understand why you want to leave the Consortium, Sofia.’ Leo lit a cigarette. ‘Why give up all the power and influence we have here in Macau for the life of an ordinary person in Hong Kong?’

‘I don’t intend to be
ordinary
,’ she said, straightening her back. She sat opposite him in Father’s study. Balthazar, as usual, lay on the rug at his feet. The dog went everywhere with him; he spoilt it with titbits from the table and employed a servant solely to take the it for walks.

‘Hong Kong will flourish. And I intend to flourish with it.’

‘How’s that? With a piddling factory spinning cotton?’ He laughed, blowing smoke towards her. ‘That’s hardly going to make you a millionaire.’

‘The factory is just a start. I’ll invest my capital in the company. Uncle and I will develop it into a proper textiles business, manufacturing clothing.’

‘And set yourselves up to rival businesses in England?’ He sneered. ‘I don’t think so.’

‘Our labour costs will be much lower. We’ll be more competitive.’

‘What about quality control?’

‘I’ll go to Britain and learn from the experts.’

‘All these plans of yours will come to nothing when I take over the factory,’ he said, balancing his cigarette on the edge of the ashtray. ‘I’ll sell it to the highest bidder to get back my money. Many industrialists are leaving Shanghai to set up in Hong Kong.’

‘Uncle will pay you back. Give him time!’

‘Time is at a premium, haven’t you heard? Run along now, little bastard sister.’ He waved her off. ‘I’ve got a meeting to go to.’

Sofia concealed herself behind the rhododendron bushes in the front garden and waited until Leo emerged from the house. Derek Higgins was with him. How she hated that man! He’d served Uncle like a slave and here he was kow-towing to Leo as if he were some sort of god.

She remembered that Derek needed money for his family. And he had to feed his gambling habit. Uncle had paid him a fair wage, only it wouldn’t have made Derek rich. Neither would his fireworks factory, a small concern he ran on a shoestring. But it wasn’t an excuse to betray Uncle.

Sofia followed Leo and Derek, keeping out of sight as they walked to the old Inner Harbour. The deep-sea junks clustered five abreast, washing hanging from a forest of bare masts. The temperature must have been in the nineties and the humidity was so high the air practically dripped moisture. She hardly noticed she was so used to it.

She strode past the shipwrights, constructing their junks on cradles over a canal. Spicy aromas of food mingled with the stench of rotting rubbish. She ducked down a dark alley-way and hid behind a stall. Leo and Derek disappeared into a tea-house. Sofia crept up to the shuttered window and, peered through the cracks. She stiffened. They were talking to three Chinese men. One of the men leaned back in his chair; his jacket fell open. There was a gun in a holster strapped to his chest!

She stared at the men for a long time and memorised their features. Then she rushed home and marched into the sitting room. Uncle was sitting under the ceiling fan.

‘If the men are returning to Hong Kong on the afternoon ferry I need to be on it too,’ she said after she’d told him what she’d been doing. ‘Now I know what they look like, it’ll be easy enough to keep an eye on them.’

‘You did well.’ Uncle handed her a wad of Hong Kong dollars. ‘Make sure you treat yourself to something nice at Lane Crawford.’

‘Thank you. I just hope I’ll be able to follow those men without problems.’

‘I’ll telephone one of my associates to meet you as you disembark.’

Four hours later, a slight young man with a round face and crooked teeth greeted her at the pier on Hong Kong Island. ‘My name is Chun Ming,’ he said.

The three Triads took rickshaws to the Ferry. Sofia and Chun Ming followed in a taxi. They managed to get onto the same boat across the harbour, and stood behind the men in the queue for another taxi.

Past the airport, they stopped in front of what looked like a shanty town. There were shacks everywhere but for some crumbling old buildings in the centre. ‘I feared as much,’ Chun Ming said. ‘Kowloon Walled City.’

‘Oh?’

‘It’s the only part of Hong Kong that has stayed under the control of China. About six and a half acres of land, it wasn’t and never has been a city.’

‘Now I remember. Wasn’t it a Chinese military fort when Hong Kong was ceded to Britain over a hundred years ago?’

‘You mean when Britain grabbed Hong Kong in an unequal treaty. There’s no point following them in there. It’s full of Kuomintang supporters. No wonder the Triads have moved in . . .’

‘Thank you for bringing me here, Chun Ming. This information will be invaluable.’

Sofia dropped him at his flat. In Tsuen Wan, she paid the taxi driver and went up to her office. She dialled James’s number and asked if they could meet.

‘I’m sorry, sweetheart. If I’d known you were going to be in town, I wouldn’t have made prior arrangements. I’m having dinner with my boss and his wife at the Parisian Grill. When do you go back to Macau?’

Should she tell him not until tomorrow?
No.
‘On the evening ferry,’ she lied.

***

At eight o’clock Sofia was hiding behind a stall on the pavement outside the Parisian Grill. Why hadn’t James invited her to meet his friends? Perhaps he wasn’t ready. She wanted to see what they looked like. One day, she’d meet them properly. When James realised how much he loved her and didn’t care what others thought.

A taxi pulled up. James was in the back seat.
Oh, no!
He wasn’t alone. He was with a European woman, just the two of them, and no sign of anyone who could be his boss. The girl seemed much too young to be Tony Chambers’ wife, and she was beautiful, willowy, with a heart-shaped face, and a fragile look that would make any man want to protect her.

Sofia chewed her thumbnail. Should she march up to them and demand an explanation? But she had no rights over James, no rights at all. Hadn’t she’d played it cool with him up until now? The next time she saw him she’d find out about the Englishwoman and she’d let him know how she felt. It was time to tell him she loved him. The physical attraction she’d felt for him initially had grown into a deep love. If anyone were to ask her why that was, she’d find it difficult to explain other than the fact she wouldn’t be happy if she had to live without him. He made her feel complete.

She wrapped her arms around herself. Uncle would be pleased with her spying this afternoon. Now he had something to give James in exchange for helping to save the factory. Uncle hadn’t told her what his plans were, but she had her own thoughts on what was needed, and those thoughts included James, Englishwoman or no Englishwoman.