Black Karma (20 page)

She nodded at the security team near the door. “Those two are around-the-clock protection for you. This one,” she indicated Song, “is mine, compliments of Jason.”

“What did we do to deserve all this attention?”

“I'll explain later. Do you remember anything from before you were shot?”

“I remember I was following him, and he disappeared. Then it's a blank. Who is he?”

“That's the part I'm not sure about. He's the one who ‘did' Wen Liu.”

“Do we know why?”

“No.”

“We don't know much, do we?”

“No, but we're not going to let a little thing like ignorance slow us down. We're too stupid to let that happen.”

His smile made her feel better.

She confided in him “The tan man tried to kill you again about two hours ago.”

“Here, in the hospital?”

She nodded. “I put a knife in his arm. I knew you'd want me to.”

“Why didn't you shoot him for me?”

“My first instinct was to kill him. The feeling was almost euphoric. I had to stop myself. I wonder, sometimes, if I'm not more like my grandfather than I'd ever imagined.”

He looked at her with concern. “This isn't the time to have second thoughts, Bai. A moment's hesitation could mean your life.”

“I know. I realize I should have shot him, but the thought of taking another life frightened me, Lee. My instincts to kill frighten me. I'm afraid of what I'll become.”

He frowned. “Fill me in on what's happened since I got shot.”

She took a deep breath and collected her thoughts. “I had a meeting with the Norteños. They don't know anything about Daniel Chen. Rafe showed up to pick up the girl tailing Kelly, so I made a deal and bought her from the Norteños. She's at home with Elizabeth and the girls. That's why I have to leave soon.”

He looked at her, then chuckled, then grimaced. “Don't make me laugh. It hurts. I can't believe you've collected another stray. You're worse than a cat lady.”

“The pain serves you right for making fun of me.”

“You sound like Nurse Ratched. Where is that nurse anyway?”

Just then, the nurse came back into the room carrying a paper cup in one hand and a covered dish in the other. She put the dish on the tray next to Lee's bed and handed him the cup.

He looked inside at the clear liquid. “What is it?”

“Liquid Tylenol,” she replied. “Take your medicine then you can have some Jell-O. As soon as you're cleared for solid foods, we'll bring you a tray.”

He turned aside to stare at Bai with a stricken look on his face. She smiled and held out the cup and straw.

“Save me,” he pleaded.

“Take your medicine, and eat your Jell-O like a good boy,” Bai encouraged him. “When you get out of here, we'll find a steak and a bottle of really good wine to make up for all your suffering.”

He took the Tylenol but refused the green Jell-O. “I've suffered enough.”

“Is there anything you need me to do while you're in here?” Bai asked “Feed the fish? Water the plants? Do your laundry?”

“Tell Elizabeth to water my plants. You're not to go near them.”

She shrugged, aware of her reputation for having a black thumb.

His expression became somber. “Bai?”

“Yes?”

“Be careful. I didn't see the tan man coming. He was there one moment—gone the next. Before I had time to backtrack, he had me. Don't play with him. If you see him again, shoot him.”

She nodded somberly. “I promise.”

“Go home and see to the kids. I'll be fine.”

“I'll be back later.”

“Do what you need to do. I'm not going anywhere. I think I might sleep for a day or two.”

She pressed a hand against his cheek and leaned over to kiss his forehead. “I'm glad you didn't die. I'm not sure what I'd do without you.”

“Get out of here before you have me in tears. I'll bet crying hurts as much as laughing.”

She smiled and squeezed his hand in parting. As she walked toward the door, Song preceded her. He opened the door and checked the hallway before allowing her to leave the room. She gave one last wave to Lee as she walked through the doorway then opened her phone to call Kelly. She wanted a word with the inspector before leaving the hospital. Her call went unanswered.

She called Bo. He immediately picked up her call. “No sign of any tan man in a doctor's coat, Bai. I circled the block but didn't see anyone fitting that description.”

“Thanks, Bo. Song and I will be down shortly. I just have one more stop to make.”

She got directions to the hospital's security office and found Captain Saunders there. Song waited for her outside the door. The captain stood as she entered. “Is everything satisfactory with the private room?”

“The room is fine,” she replied. “In case you haven't been informed, we have security in place. I was wondering where Inspector Kelly has gotten to.”

“Your inspector scurried out of here as soon as I handed him the incident report.”

Saunders looked as if he'd swallowed something bitter. She sympathized; Kelly had that effect on people.

“Did he say where he was going?”

“No, but I don't think you'll have to look farther than the nearest bar. He seems to have a problem.”

“You noticed, huh?”

“Hard not to notice. He smells like a distillery.”

She changed the subject. “Did your men find any sign of the fake doctor with the knife wound?”

“No. I put an alert out to local medical facilities to be on the lookout. A wound like you described would benefit from stitches, but if he's smart he'll just use butterfly bandages and take a broad-spectrum antibiotic.”

She nodded and put out her hand. “Thanks for everything. I appreciate your cooperation.”

“I suspect I'm the one who should be thanking you,” he said as he took her hand. “You prevented a murder inside my hospital then put a lid on the story. You have my gratitude.”

“If you really want to show your appreciation, keep an eye on my friend. I'd feel better knowing he has backup for his security detail.”

“I've got a man dedicated to watching the corridor camera around the clock. Nobody will get into that room without being scrutinized. You have my word.”

“Thanks again, Captain. I'll let you know if I find out anything more about our assailant. I want him put away as badly as you do.”

Song fell into step with her as she exited the captain's office. Walking through the lobby of the hospital, her phone rang.

“Where are you?” Elizabeth asked. “Do you have any news of Lee?”

“I'm just leaving the hospital now. Lee is conscious and feeling much better. I've had him moved to a private room, and I'm on my way home. Is everything all right?”

“Yes, we're fine. I'm fixing the children breakfast. Should I send them to school?”

“No. Tell them we're going on holiday. We'll talk about it when I get home, but I think this might be a good time to get some country air.”

Ominous silence greeted her from the other end of the line. “Are you thinking of sending us away?”

“No. I'm thinking the girls might like to spend some time lying around a pool and learning how to ride horses. Spring in the wine country is beautiful.”

“Where will you be while all of this is going on?”

The question forced Bai to consider. The house in the country was only an hour away by car, and spending nights with the family would ease Elizabeth's fears. She could sleep in Healdsburg and still work in the city. Skirting the truth, she replied, “I'll be staying with you and the girls.”

Her answer seemed to calm Elizabeth. “In that case, I think a trip to the countryside is a wonderful idea. Once we're settled, perhaps you'd like to invite Howard to spend some time with the family. That would give you a chance to see how he responds to the children.”

“Sure, why not?” she replied with as much enthusiasm as she could rally. “Spending time with Howard would just about make my day perfect.”

Chapter 24

Bo fidgeted behind the wheel of the SUV as they sat in morning rush-hour traffic. More than half a million people commuted to work in the city. Bumper-to-bumper, cars lined Bush Street, a major thoroughfare.

Resigned to the crawl of heavy traffic, Bai leaned back into her seat to relax and wait with her eyes closed. When she reopened her eyes, the SUV had come to rest in front of her building. Song held the rear door open for her. She smiled in apology for her drowsiness. He bowed as she swung her legs out of the vehicle.

The doors to the lift opened on the third floor to the aroma of fried bacon. She found the girls sitting at the dining room table finishing a late breakfast with Elizabeth. On the table rested bowls of rice, scrambled eggs and potatoes, along with plates of bacon, sausage and toast. In anticipation of her arrival, a place setting waited for her at the head of the table.

“Good morning,” she said cheerily.

The girls turned to her as Elizabeth said, “I've already given them the good news concerning Lee.”

Bai nodded and took her seat to spoon eggs and potatoes onto her plate before topping the pile with bacon and sausage. The girls remained quiet. From their expressions, no one had slept much the night before. After taking a few bites of bacon, she poured a cup of coffee from a carafe sitting on the table next to her. “Has Elizabeth explained we're going to the country for a few weeks on vacation?”

The girls turned to her with expressions ranging from confusion to delight. Elizabeth responded first. “I thought I'd let you surprise them. From the looks on their faces, you've succeeded.”

Bai smiled. Everyone but Dan looked happy. Dan put her fork down and stood. “I won't leave Lee. He's hurt. He needs me. He's my
shifu
.”

“Your
shifu
is doing fine,” Bai replied, secretly pleased Dan saw Lee as her mentor. “I've just come from the hospital. He'll be released in a few days to join us. He's the reason we're going someplace nice to recuperate. We'll prepare everything for when he arrives. As a matter of fact, Dan, we'll be staying at the estate your father bought for you as an early inheritance. He wanted you and the family to have a place outside the city where you could enjoy your summers.”

Dan sat down to stare at her mother skeptically. Bai's little girl showed signs of growing up. A time would come far too soon, she feared, when spinning the truth to her daughter would no longer suffice. She dreaded that day. She wanted to shelter Dan from the harsh realities of life as long as possible.

“The house has acres and acres of vineyards as well as a swimming pool,” Bai continued enthusiastically. “I understand horseback riding lessons are also available. That is, if anyone is interested.”

She dangled the bait and waited to see who would take the line.

“When are we leaving?” Jia asked with a smile splitting her face.

“We'll leave as soon as we're packed. You won't need much. We'll shop for Western wear and bathing suits on the way. Just take the essentials,” she advised, sensitive to the fact Alicia only possessed the clothes on her back.

Jia didn't wait to finish breakfast. Excusing herself, she dashed to her room to pack. Dan looked suspicious but resigned. Alicia looked uncomfortable.

“Dan,” Bai said, “if you're finished, would you see to packing? I'd like some time with Alicia.”

Dan looked aside at Alicia and smiled in encouragement. Bai could see that a bond had already formed. Dan left the room, and Elizabeth stood to excuse herself.

“Please stay, Elizabeth. This is just girl talk,” Bai said.

Elizabeth took her seat and sipped tea from a porcelain cup.

Bai continued. “I know everything is new to you, Alicia. I just want to make sure you're doing all right and you're not uncomfortable. I want you to think of this as your home. You don't have to feel like a guest. You can be sad when you're sad, angry when you're angry, and happy when you're happy.”

The teen looked at her and nodded wordlessly.

Bai wondered where the cocky Latina from yesterday had gone. She worried. “Is there anything you need?”

Alicia shook her head. “Everyone's been really nice. That's the problem. I'm not sure how to act.”

“You don't have to act. Just be yourself.”

The girl smiled wryly, obviously amused by the thought. “I'm not sure that's a good idea. I'm not sure I like who I am.”

Bai tried to comfort her. “Everyone tries to be the best person they can be. We don't always succeed. All we can do is keep trying to be better by being kinder, gentler, and more forgiving. Just remember you're not alone. Everyone struggles to find themselves.”

Alicia's expression remained doubtful.

Bai added, “I'm here for you. We all are. You're not alone anymore unless you want to be.”

Alicia nodded. “I like Dan and Jia. I'd like to stay, at least for a while.”

“Good,” Bai replied. “Liking is a good start,” she said, standing. “On a lighter note, I think we should hurry these ladies along so we can hit the road. We have a million things to do today, not the least of which is to buy you a wardrobe.”

She pulled the girl to her feet. “Let me change my clothes then we'll go spend some money. Nothing cheers a girl up like shopping.”

In less than an hour, a caravan of cars rolled across the Golden Gate Bridge headed for Healdsburg. Two triad soldiers led the procession in a black SUV. Behind the lead car, Bai drove her MINI Cooper with Alicia in the passenger seat next to her. Elizabeth, Jia, and Dan followed in Elizabeth's black BMW, chauffeured by Song. In the rear trailed a black SUV driven by Bo.

They stopped at a mall in San Rafael to shop. Outfitting the girls for a vacation took longer than expected. In addition to a wardrobe for Alicia, they bought Western riding boots and outfits for everyone with the exception of the triad soldiers, who seemed content with their black suits. Alicia needed a phone and tablet to match those Dan and Jia carried. Conscripted as bearers, their bodyguards carried armloads of packages.