character, but that’s not the same as swearing.”
“I understand. But I know in my heart he is not the killer. They will find out who really killed Lee Sing Tai, won’t they?”
“American policeman are smart and I’m sure they could find enough clues to point to the real killer if they want to. The problem is that they may not want to. They don’t want to do anything that might start another tong war, you see.”
“So it is like China here. Magistrates decide who they want to be guilty and nobody can say anything or they will be guilty too.”
“I hope it’s not quite as bad as that,” I said. “I’ll do my best, Bo Kei. My future husband is an important policeman and he is not crooked. I will try to make him find the real killer and to have Frederick set free.”
“You are wonderful woman, Missie Molly.” She reached out and shyly touched my hand.
I didn’t feel like a wonderful person. I felt sick and scared. I wasn’t at all sure that I was doing the right thing. But I needed to buy time. “We must go now, Bo Kei.”
“We can take Annie with us?” she asked. “She also will not be safe here.”
“I don’t think we can take Annie,” I said. “She’s sick, and I can’t bring someone with consumption into my friends’ home. Besides, she has nothing to worry about from the police. She’s not involved in this at all and she’s in good hands here.”
“No, the police will see Chinese girl and make her answer their questions. Maybe they will hurt her.”
“Don’t worry. The ladies who run this place come from important families. They will tell the police that Annie is not the girl they look for. The police will listen to them. Annie will be quite safe, I promise.”
I could see her thinking this through, wanting to say something, but not daring to. Finally she said, “I have to say good-bye to her.”
“That may not be wise, Bo Kei,” I said. “She should not know that you are going with me. The less she knows, the better. If she doesn’t know where you have gone, then the police won’t be able to get it out of her, will they?”
“You say police not harm her!” Bo Kei wailed. “You promise.”
“They won’t harm her, but they may ask her questions.”
“Then we must take her too,” Bo Kei insisted. “She can sleep in my bed. I don’t mind. I am strong. I will not catch this disease. Please, Missie Molly. We can’t leave her here.”
“We have to. I’m sorry, Bo Kei, but she will be well looked after here and the police won’t bother her.”
“I don’t know.” Bo Kei still chewed at her fingertips, her face an agony of indecision.
“Are you worried that the police might mistake her for you? Or is it because of her previous connection with Lee Sing Tai? Don’t worry. The police don’t need to know about that, and the workers here will testify that she has been lying at death’s door all week. So let’s go quietly now, Bo Kei. We’ll ask Sarah to tell Annie that you’ve gone away. It really is much safer for us all.”
She shook her head vehemently. “Then I not go either.”
“Don’t be silly. You’re the one who is in danger, not Annie. Come on.” But she shook herself loose from my hand.
“I must speak with her before I go. I promise I’ll not tell her that I go with you. Just a few words. I must.”
“Very well,” I sighed. “But you realize you may be signing your own death warrant.”
She shook her head. “No. Annie would never betray me. Never. She is my family, and family takes care of each other.”
With that she marched defiantly to Annie’s room.
Twenty-two
The cab was waiting outside the front door. I bundled Bo Kei in, her face hidden behind a shawl, and we set off for Patchin Place. Gus greeted me with a worried face when I knocked at the front door. “Molly, where have you been? We were so worried when we arose this morning and found your bed empty. And then when you didn’t return and didn’t return we thought something must have happened to you.” She broke off as she noticed Bo Kei, standing behind me.
“Something has happened,” I said. “Let us inside and I’ll explain everything.”
We sat in the conservatory, where they always ate breakfast, while I told the whole story. Bo Kei sat beside me, looking at her hands, saying nothing.
“I know I’m taking a horrible risk,” I said at last. “If you don’t wish to be involved, then I’ll hide Bo Kei away in my house across the street and you can pretend we never came here.”
There was silence. I saw a look pass between Sid and Gus.
“Why don’t you take Miss Bo up to your room so that we can discuss this,” Sid said. I picked up the restrained civility in her voice.
“Very well.” I got to my feet. “I’ll show you my room, Bo.”
She touched my arm. “Missie Molly, I don’t want to cause trouble. You can take me back to the house. I’m sure police will believe that I had nothing to do with Mr. Lee’s death.”
“Don’t worry, I’m sure it will be all right,” I said. “My friends are naturally being cautious, but they are very good people and I know they will want to help.”
I led her up to my bedroom on the third floor.
“You have pretty room,” she said wistfully. “You are lucky to live here with friends.”
“I don’t actually live here,” I said. “I am staying here until my wedding. Then I will move with my bridegroom
