“But surely he wouldn’t dare bring his troops across the border before the first of July. The whole world is watching.”
“General Wong does not care. He is madman. He considers himself national hero in China. He is hard, cruel man. I tell you something else about him. Wong spent most of 1980s in Beijing. He was one of high commanders responsible for Tienanmen Square tragedy. He enjoyed giving orders to shoot those people. After that, he was promoted and moved back to Guangzhou, where he was from.”
“All right, he’s a suspect. Who else is on your short list?”
“My personal opinion? I think it is someone local. Could be Triad. On other hand, it is not their method. Not many criminals have guns or bombs in Hong Kong. You would be surprised—Hong Kong is quite gun-free.”
“What about the two Chinese officials who were killed by a British officer?”
“That is big mystery,” Woo said. “Again, I do not think it was real British officer. Whole thing was staged. He was imposter.”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
“Again—why would this officer want to cause trouble? Unless he has a personal grudge. And who is he to take on the government of China?”
“And the floating restaurant bomb?” Bond asked.
“Same thing. It was not China. It was not General Wong in Guangzhou, although that is rumour.”
“What do you know about EurAsia Enterprises?”
“Big company. Very respectable. The
“Thackeray.”
“Yes. I have met him. I see him sometimes at casino in Macau. One of my few vices, I admit. I have played
“Do you know what happened in England a few nights ago?”
“Yes, I got briefing. Heroin. That surprised me. I have no records that EurAsia is involved in anything illegal. My contacts with police have assured me that nothing out of ordinary is on record.”
“Yet that heroin came from one of their ships.”
“I think Triad is involved. They have their fingers in everything. It is quite possible that someone in EurAsia is being squeezed by Triad and Thackeray does not know anything about it.”
Bond ordered a brandy. “Are you familiar with the Dragon Wing Society?”
“Yes, I am. They are splinter group of San Yee On. Very powerful. Dragon Wing Society has interests in many nightclubs in Hong Kong. Most of their known activities involve prostitution and gambling. The police believe they are involved in heroin trade but have not acquired evidence. They put squeeze on entertainment industry, too. Movie sets are prime targets, uh huh?”
“Do you know anyone in the Triad?”
“A Triad leader is called the Cho Kun, or Dragon Head. Cho Kun of Dragon Wing is Li Xu Nan. Very powerful businessman. Owns several nightclubs and girlie bars. The identity of Cho Kun is supposed to be secret—no one outside of Triad knows.” Woo grinned. “But I know.”
“All Triads work that way?”
“Usually, yes. Only top men in Triad know. Their lodge is secret, too.”
“Lodge?”
“That is Triad’s headquarters, where they hold meetings.”
“Do you know where their Lodge is?”
Woo shook his head. “No, that
“How can I find this Li Xu Nan?”
“Hard to say.” Woo said. “He frequents a couple of his nightclubs. We maybe try later tonight or tomorrow.”
“Okay, tell me more about Thackeray?”
“He is in late-forties. Bachelor. Does not go out in public much. Lives on the Peak with all the rich
“Has there been any investigation since the drug bust in England?”
“Yes. My contact in police said they searched EurAsia’s warehouse at Kwai Chung. They found nothing. Official company line is that they are shocked and dismayed that something like that could have happened on one of their ships. EurAsia spokesman denied all responsibility and blamed act on criminal enterprise.”
“I’m going to want to take a look at that warehouse myself.”
“We can do that.”
“And I want to meet Guy Thackeray. Can you arrange it?”
“How’s your game of
Bond had little experience with the game that was so popular in Hong Kong. “Not very good, I’m afraid. I’ve played one of the western versions a bit.” The game’s rules and play varied from country to country.
“No problem. I give you quick lessons. Hong Kong version easier than western version or Japanese version, uh huh?”
“When does he play?” Bond asked.
“He plays tonight! You have money? Big stakes. Thackeray is big winner. I do not know how he does it. Always wins. If we get there before he does, we have better chance at getting in game with him. Let us go, okay?”
“Sure. Just how much capital will I stand to lose?”
“Thackeray plays 100 Hong Kong dollars per point,” Woo said with eyes wide. “With a two-point minumum, ten-point maximum! Maximum Hand is worth 38,400 Hong Kong dollars!”
Bond frowned. That meant that Thackeray played a very challenging and risky game. A winning hand must be worth at least two points or a stiff monetary penalty would be imposed. SIS might lose thousands of pounds. Nevertheless, closely observing Thackeray for a couple of hours over an intense game of chance just might be the best way for Bond to evaluate him. He believed that a man revealed every side of his personality during the course of any gaming contest in which a great deal of money was at stake.
“Fine,” said Bond. “Let’s do it.”
Woo caught the waiter’s attention and said,
Bond said, “I know all about
Woo grinned. “Ah, you been to Hong Kong before?”
“Yes, a few times. Japan, too.”
Bond knew the Eastern philosophy of
Woo paid the bill and the two men left the relatively tranquil ambience of the restaurant. They did not notice the strange albino Chinese man who sat reading a newspaper at the Harlequin Bar, just outside the entrance to the Man Wah. As soon as they left, he went to make a phone call.
SIX
