See You in Saigon (13 page)

“That’s good to
know,” said Chen as the front door opened and Washington entered, followed by
the three Canadians. “Oh, look. More friends.”

Tuan glanced
toward the door and froze as his eyes grew wide in shock. Jumping off the stool
on which he sat, he reached for his mobile which lay on the bar but Chen was
quicker, snatching the phone up and turning it off.

“Who were you
planning to call when you’ve already got plenty of friends to chat with right
here?” he asked.

“Hien,” Tuan
shouted, calling to the waiter out back.

At that moment,
the door leading to the back room swung open and a frightened Hien entered,
propelled along by Brian Kelly who gripped the back of the waiter’s neck with
one hand while twisting an arm behind him with the other.

The two startled
customers looked about in confusion and then apprehension as Washington headed
to their table.

“Good afternoon,
gentlemen,” he said with a smile as he towered over them. “Do you speak
English?”

One of them simply
stared at Washington, his mouth agape but the other nodded nervously and said,
“Yes, a little.”

“That’s good,”
said Washington with a big smile. “It’ll make this easier.”

“Is there trouble
here,” the man asked in concern.

“It will probably
turn into nothing,” Washington replied, “But I wouldn’t want you to get stuck
in middle of everything if there is trouble so that’s why I think you should
leave now.”

“But beer is not
finished.” said the man.

“You can take it
with you,” said Washington. “In fact, wait a minute.”

He hurried to the
bar and soon returned with four unopened bottles of beer.

“Here you go,” he
said as he set them on the table. “Those are my treat. Now, it’s time for you
to leave.”

The two men left
the table, each stuffing the beer bottles in the side pockets of their suit
jackets as they made a beeline to the door which Dave opened for them.

“Where’s the key
to lock this?” he asked once the two men had left.

Tuan, who sat on
his stool behind the bar fuming under the watchful eye of Steve Chen ignored
the question and remained silent. Washington stepped behind the bar and gazed
at Tuan for a moment before sweeping a dozen liquor bottles off a glass shelf
on the wall, sending them crashing to the hardwood floor.

“When my friend
asked for the key, he was talking to you,” he said, “So, where’s the key?”

Tuan reached for a
drawer under the counter and immediately found himself pinned against the wall,
choking as Washington held him by the throat with one hand, his feet dangling
several inches off the floor.

“It would be
better if you tell me where the keys are,” Washington suggested. “Being too
helpful can get you hurt.”

“I was getting
them for you in the drawer,” Tuan rasped as Washington lowered him to the floor.

“Do you have a
weapon in there too, maybe?” asked Washington.

“I was getting the
keys you wanted,” Tuan replied stubbornly, rubbing his neck.

Washington sighed
and said, “You have a nasty habit of not answering my questions so, I’ll tell
you what. If I see any kind of obvious weapon in that drawer, I’m going to use
it on you.”

“Yes, there is a
gun and a knife in the drawer,” Tuan blurted in fear, “But I was getting the
keys for you. That is all.”

Washington glanced
at Chen and said, “Get this lying bastard away from me before I rip his arm off
and beat him with it.”

Gripping Tuan by
an arm, Chen led him none too gently around the bar and to a table where Hien,
the waiter, was seated with Brian Kelly standing behind him. Washington
retrieved a set of keys which he tossed to Dave before pocketing a small pistol
and switchblade which he also found in the drawer.

“So, Tuan,” said
Chris as he approached the table. “We meet again.”

“It is not because
I wish for it,” Tuan replied. “I do not understand why you do not simply leave
my brother and me alone. We have done nothing to you and we have done what you
asked of us but there is nothing more we can do to help.”

“Ah, my friend,”
Chris replied, “That’s where you’re wrong. We want to find Scorpion and you
know more about him and his operations than you’ve told us because, so far,
you’ve told us nothing so, that’s what you’re going to do today. You’re going
to tell us everything you know about him. Every little bit of information about
him, his men, places he might be, everything. Trust me when I tell you it’s for
your own good. You’ll be much better off helping us out versus sticking with
Scorpion. ”

“You can try to
intimidate me,” Tuan replied with more courage than he felt. “But you are no
match for Scorpion. I do not know who you and your friends are but I do not
believe you had any kind of deal with Cao. If you are trying to make Scorpion
pay you something, you will not succeed. He is a powerful man and you, all of
you, will end up dead. You should leave the country and get as far away as you
possibly can. That is my advice for you. I will stick with Scorpion.”

Chris pulled up a
chair and sat. “You’re right, Tuan. We never had a deal with your dead boss, we
never even met the man. Scorpion knows that but he hasn’t even bothered to tell
you. I’m guessing he hasn’t told you how the Devil’s Delight was destroyed in
North America with hundreds of raid and arrests on Monday. I’m going to tell
you everything about it, everything about who we are, what we’re here for and what’s
going to happen.

“After that,
whether you decide to stick with Scorpion or not will be your decision but you
can be sure of one thing. You
will
tell us everything you know.
Everything.”

* * * *

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon),
Vietnam, mid-afternoon

“… and that is
when I called you, General,” Lieutenant Nguyen concluded. “I tried to think of
more details during the drive back but could find nothing.”

“Thinking back,
might have you seen either vehicle earlier in the day?” asked Jonathan.

“Not to specifically
notice them,” Nguyen replied. “I was paying particular attention to determine
if we were being followed but saw nothing which led me to believe we were. I
unfortunately was wrong for which I apologize.”

“How about the men
who accosted you?” asked Quang. “Might any of them been at the temple? Think,
Chinh. Search within your mind.”

“I have not
stopped thinking and searching,” said Nguyen, “And I will continue. Perhaps I
will recognize someone in the booking photos.”

“Yes, that is what
you should do next, while these men’s faces are fresh in your memory,” said
Quang, “But first, I must inform you of some more bad news.”

“What is it,
General?” Nguyen asked, his frown increasing.

“Scorpion has
kidnapped my family,” Quang announced.

Nguyen gasped as
he raised his hands to his face. “That cannot be possible. I drove them to the
destination you chose myself.”

“Maybe you were
followed,” said Jonathan.

“I would not think
so,” Nguyen replied, his eyes moist. “I was very careful as I knew this was
extremely important to the general but it seems I have failed with this as
well.”

“Did you mention
my family’s location to anyone, Chinh?” asked Quang. “Anyone at all?”

Nguyen looked
crestfallen. “Of course not, General. I gave you my word.”

Quang nodded and
said, “I’m sorry I had to ask but I needed to hear your response.”

“I understand,”
said Nguyen. “You’ve told us others knew as well. Perhaps there is someone you
have trusted too quickly?”

“Unfortunately,
that is possible,” Quang agreed, “So I ask you to not blame yourself for events
for which you are not responsible, Chinh. What we must do now is concentrate on
what must be done, not what is already done. Go look at the booking photos to
see if anyone looks familiar. If we can trace just one of these men, he may
lead us to Scorpion, not to mention our friends’ wives and my beloved family.”

“I will do so
immediately, General,” Nguyen replied, rising to his feet and standing at
attention. “I apologize once more to you and to Mr. Addley for my errors.”

“Enough with the
apologies,” said Quang. “Go find us a lead, Lieutenant.”

* * * *

Vũng Tàu,
Vietnam, mid-afternoon

“I think we’re
stopping,” Sandy muttered. “Finally.”

“It might simply
be a traffic light,” Cathy replied.

“I don’t think
so,” Josée disagreed. “We weren’t moving fast that last minute or two and I
think we were on gravel, not pavement.”

As if to settle
their discussion, the rumbling of the truck’s engine stopped, followed shortly
by the opening and slamming shut of the cab’s doors.

“How long were we
riding for?” Cathy asked.

“A bit over three
hours,” said Sandy after glancing at her watch.

Their ride, though
not first class by any means, had not been entirely uncomfortable, all things
considered. Plywood benches had been built along the side walls of the truck’s box
then covered with foam cushioning. Two small ceiling lights, though dim, had
been left on for the duration of the drive so the captives had not been left in
total darkness. In addition, the truck’s box was evidently equipped with
ventilation and air-conditioning for the inside temperature had remained
comfortably cool throughout their journey.

Faint murmurs were
hear through the insulated walls and, seconds later, the sounds of keys in
locks and releasing latches were followed by the doors opening and bright
sunlight.

“I trust the ride
wasn’t too uncomfortable for you ladies?” their driver said, his five lackeys
standing in a semi-circle behind him to create a human barrier.

“We’re touched by
your concern,” Sandy retorted, squinting at the outside brightness.

The driver
shrugged. “I guess I’d be pissed off too if the roles were reversed. Anyhow,
we’re here and you’ll definitely be more comfortable.”

“And where exactly
is
here
?” asked Cathy as she climbed out of the truck and took in their
surroundings.

The vast property
was of estate proportions and beautifully landscaped, its rolling lawns adorned
with meticulously planned flowerbeds, decorative shrubs, a couple of fountains
and a pond with its own miniature waterfall. Trees of various sizes and species
were strategically positioned here and there, completing the décor while
offering shaded areas. A drive of white crushed stone stretched from the
wrought iron gates afar, gently zigzagging to a parking area in front of the
imposing, two-storey Georgian-style house. High brick walls enclosed the
property on all visible sides and the sound of waves could be heard coming from
around the back.

“
Here
is
where you’ll be staying as my boss’ guests until he can work out a few
problems,” the man replied. “This way, ladies.”

With little chance
of successfully overpowering six fit, and armed young men, the three women
followed the driver up the steps and into the magnificent home, admiring the
place despite the circumstances. They were led to an expansive living room at
the rear of the house where one wall of floor to ceiling windows offered a
breathtaking view of more rolling lawn and the sea beyond.

“Make yourselves
comfortable,” said the driver, gesturing to the modern, white leather couches
scattered about the room. “I’ll go find my boss to let him know we’ve arrived
and I’ll return with some refreshments.”

He gazed around at
his five associates, ensuring they were well positioned to cover all exits,
nodded his approval then left the room. He returned a few minutes later,
carrying a tray filled with an assortment of beverages – water, wine coolers
and soft drinks in plastic bottles as well as canned beer.

“Help yourself,
ladies,” he said, laying the tray on the table before them. “Apologies for the
lack of glassware but we want to make sure nobody gets hurt.”

The women remained
silent but did opt for a welcome drink following the three hour trek. As they
made their selections, beers all around, another man entered the room, smiling
at them as he approached.

“Sorry to keep you
waiting, ladies,” he said. “I was tending to our other guests. As you must
already suspect, I am Scorpion.”

“What other
guests?” Sandy asked with concern.

“General Quang’s
wife, daughter and two grandsons,” Scorpion replied. “I’d introduce you but I
think it’s best to keep you in smaller, more manageable groups. They don’t know
you’re here but I wanted you to be aware of their presence as I think you’ll
behave yourselves more knowing the children’s wellbeing could be at stake.”

“You’d hurt the
children?” Josée exclaimed, not hiding her disgust. “You’re an animal.”