wouldn’t know it.” He stopped and turned to Field. “We can never tame the tiger. Only ride it for a time.”
“I know.”
“You won.”
“It doesn’t feel like winning.”
Lewis turned away.
“Will he send the girl?” Field asked, unable to contain the question.
Lewis faced him again, his expression serious. “I don’t know, Richard. Only he can answer that. You will leave safely, in deference to me, but the girl is his possession.” Lewis exhaled. “I cannot say, nor am I in the business of trying to save Russian girls through some foolish romantic notion. But you’ve done all you can. You must leave now.”
Lewis spun his hat in his hand once more and then turned and walked to the door. “Good luck, Richard,” he said. “Begin again. That’s my advice. And be less ambitious in what you strive for next time. We must temper ourselves. Too grand and unrealistic a set of expectations can only lead to heartbreak. And not just your own.”
Field felt the tightness in his throat again.
“Don’t you want to know where she is?” Lewis asked.
Field found it impossible to reply.
“She’s at her friend’s house, Field. At Katya’s.” Lewis put on his hat. “Good-bye. I doubt we’ll meet again.”
Field listened to the sound of Lewis’s footsteps disappear, then walked to the window and watched him emerging into the gardens, his white suit and hat brilliant in the sunshine. He stopped in the middle of the lawn, his stance casual, his hands in his pockets. A young woman in a flowing white dress approached him, her face flushed with the heat and the excitement. Lewis took off his hat and bent to kiss her, a hand resting easily upon her shoulder.
Katya’s face looked older through the window of the house in the French Concession, her eyes framing questions that Field could not answer. She led him through the kitchen to Chen, who was leaning against the wall at the bottom of a winding staircase.
Field wiped the sweat from his brow and tried to calm himself. “I couldn’t—”
“I know.”
“No, I asked that you be protected—”
“Don’t worry, Field.”
Chen’s calmness helped still Field’s nerves and the guilt that had been consuming him since he’d left the consulate.
“Come with us, with me. Get your wife and family and come with me, on the boat.”
Chen shook his head.
“If you stay, you know they will kill you.”
“I was born here. I will die here if necessary.”
“They’ll hunt you down. You know it better than anyone.”
“They will try.”
Field looked down at the floor. “I could have used Lu’s notes to change things. I could still do as I threatened and send them to the right people in London and Washington, to the
Chen laughed, tipping back his head, his smile only fading when he realized that Field had been serious. “There will be change here, Field, have no fear.” Chen shook his head, smiling again. “No, no.” He pointed up the stairs. “She is there. The boy was tired.”
“Where will you go, Chen?”
“I have friends.”
“In the city or elsewhere?”
“In all places.”
Field suddenly understood. “You’re a communist . . .”
“Whisper it quietly.” Chen smiled.
Field shook his head.
“One day, you may come back to China, Richard. Then you will find no Lu Huangs, no Macleods, no taipans, and foreigners will be welcomed as honored guests.”
Field stared at him. “Who else? There are many—in the force, I mean.”
“They will have their time.” Chen nodded. “The girl waits for you.”
“There are three men at the gate. They followed me from the consulate.”
“Of course.”
“Will you go now?”
“When it is time.”
Field hesitated. “Will Lu keep his word?”
