“That’s why you wouldn’t give Anna’s Chaus to Haig.”
“They weren’t mine,” he said simply. “I’d been painting all along, in any case, in a rented studio.”
“And also, what Jack said was true. Your professional pride demanded those paintings be new, if you had to say they were.”
He regarded me. “I think you know something about professional pride, Ms. Chin.”
A compliment from the fierce professor? I tried to keep myself from falling over. “Does Anna know?”
“That I am Chau? No one knows but Xi Xao, my wife, and myself.” Slowly, he asked, “Will you tell her?”
“No.” I didn’t have to think about it at all. “This story isn’t mine to tell. Except to my partner. And my friend.” Interesting, what I’d just heard myself say. I’d have to consider that later. “But they won’t share it, I know. Chau Chun is Anna’s hero, though. Now that she knows he’s alive, she’ll want to meet him.”
“Many people will want to meet him. It will pass. Anna has other things to think about now. A career. A family. Thank you, Ms. Chin.”
“On behalf of Bill, Jack, and myself, you’re welcome.” I bowed. “Maybe we should go back inside now.” I added, “Dr. Yang.”
He held the door for me. Probably it was the lights, and the music, and the giddiness of the party as we walked in, but I imagined I saw a sparkle in the professor’s eyes as we went in search of his family.
ALSO BY S. J. ROZAN
THE LYDIA CHIN/BILL SMITH NOVELS
OTHER NOVELS
SHORT STORY COLLECTIONS
AS EDITOR
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
GHOST HERO. Copyright © 2011 by S. J. Rozan. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
www.minotaurbooks.com
e-ISBN 9781429974639
First Edition: October 2011
