The Disciple of Las Vegas (25 page)

Ava dropped the knife and with a swipe of her foot kicked it against the wall. Her arm was bleeding badly. She lifted the hem of her T-shirt, wrapped it around the gash as best she could, and pressed her arm against her side. Then she walked out of the alley and onto High Street. The hotel entrance was only twenty metres away; she could see the doorman helping a couple out of a taxi. As Ava walked past him, he smiled at her and tipped his cap.

She was almost across the lobby, her arm throbbing and blood seeping through her T-shirt, when her cellphone rang.
Why now?
she thought.

“Ms. Lee, this is Andrew Hawkins, Minister Simmons's executive assistant. We met last night.”

Ava stopped walking. “I know who you are.”

“I've been asked to call you.”

“Why?”

“It's about the subject you discussed with the Minister last night.”

“We discussed a lot of things. Can you please get to the point? I'm rather busy right now,” Ava said.

He hesitated, and Ava wondered if Simmons was listening to their conversation. “I'm calling to see if you would be available for a meeting this afternoon.”

“With the Minister?”

“No, actually, it would be with his daughter, Lily, and her lawyer, George McIntyre.”

“And why would I agree to that?”

“I'm not privy to all the details, and neither, I assure you, is the Minister. I am told that Ms. Simmons and Mr. McIntyre have reviewed the material you left with her yesterday and have decided, upon second thought, that you have made a strong and compelling case for return of the money that was represented to her as company profits.”

“The stolen money?”

“As I said, I'm not privy to the details, so I'm not in a position to say yea or nay to your characterization.”

“What are you in a position to say?”

“Ms. Simmons has indicated that she is prepared to meet with you and to execute the document that you wanted signed.”

Ava was standing by the elevator, blood now dripping on the marble floor of the lobby. She noticed the concierge staring at her in shock. “Can you get me a towel, please?” Ava asked. “I had an accident outside.”

“I beg your pardon?” Hawkins said.

“I wasn't speaking to you.”

“Oh.”

“Give me a moment.”

The concierge walked quickly towards her, holding a small towel he had taken from a drawer in his desk. She took it from him and, seeing the panic in his face, said, “It's not that serious. I'll be okay. Now please excuse me, I have to finish this phone call.”

“I can get a doctor here in minutes.”

She waved off the offer and put the phone back to her ear. “Mr. Hawkins, you were telling me that Ms. Simmons is going to sign my transfer request.”

“Those weren't my exact words,” he said cautiously. “I said she was
prepared
to do that.”

“It sounds as if there are conditions attached.”

“Well, there is one complication that I've been advised about. The request you mentioned — the paper you evidently left with her yesterday — she doesn't have it anymore.”

“She lost it?”

“She tore it up.”

At least he's honest
, Ava thought. “That isn't a problem. I have another copy.”

“I am sure she will be relieved to hear that.”

“Is that all, then?” Ava asked.

“No, there is one more thing.”

“I'm listening.”

“It's in regard to the conversation you had with Minister Simmons last night.”

“Yes?”

“You expressed the opinion at one point that he may have violated the integrity of his blind trust.”

“Yes, I did imply that was possible.”

“And then things may have been said or implied that could be construed as inappropriate, in terms of his experiences doing business in Asia or with certain Asians.”

“Yes, he did express some opinions that I thought were out of place.”

“Ms. Lee, that was simply a case of his emotions getting the better of him. He was obviously upset about his daughter. Surely you can understand that.”

“Where is this leading, Mr. Hawkins?” Ava asked.

“Would you be prepared to attest, in writing, that the Minister did not directly discuss any issues, financial or otherwise, connected to The River?”

“Are you asking if I would swear that he didn't breach the integrity of the blind trust?”

“Yes, I am.”

“I can do that.”

“That's wonderful.”

“Is there anything else?” Ava said.

“Yes, there is one last thing. Can you also, again in writing, attest to the fact that the Minister did not disparage Asian business culture in general or specifically anyone who works in that culture?”

“And if I can't, is Ms. Simmons still prepared to sign the transfer?”

“I really don't know,” he stumbled. “I was asked to make the request, and I have.”

“So it isn't a condition?”

“You'll have to take that up with Ms. Simmons.”

“Mr. Hawkins, tell whomever you are reporting to that I am prepared to forget both the Minister's views on how business is conducted in Asia and the issue about the blind trust.”

“It is being requested that you put something in writing.”

“If something short and to the point is acceptable, I'll consider it.”

“Thank you.”

“Is that it?”

“No, I have also been asked to inquire whether you need time to consult with anyone overseas or if you need to involve legal representatives from your side.”

“No.”

He paused, and she knew he hadn't expected that answer.

“When do I meet with Lily Simmons?” Ava asked.

“I believe that may be possible today. Mr. McIntyre's office is in Knightsbridge, just down the road from you.”

“What time?”

“I believe the plan is that, after I pass along my report of our conversation, either Ms. Simmons or Mr. McIntyre will call you directly.”

“I'll be waiting.”

“Ms. Lee, I'd like to know . . .” Hawkins began awkwardly, and then stopped.

“Know what?”

“Actually . . . I'd like to know who you are.”

“What do you mean?”

“I spent close to an hour with Daniel Anderson this morning. He's a friend of my older brother, and it was Daniel who arranged for my appointment to Minister Simmons's staff. He grilled me about your meeting with the Minister last night. I was honest with him — I'd like you to know that. I found the Minister's comments about Mr. Ordonez to be completely inappropriate, and I confirmed to Daniel that they had indeed been uttered. He told me that the Prime Minister had a personal interest in the matter. I was taken aback. Who are you, to bring this about?”

“Is that Daniel Anderson asking or you?”

“Me. Daniel seemed to know.”

“Then you ask him,” Ava said, and then cut off the line.

Ava went directly to her bathroom to look at the cut. It was longer than she'd thought, maybe fifteen centimetres, but the wound was shallow. She washed her arm in cold water, smeared some Polysporin on it, and wrapped it tightly in gauze.

She walked back into the room and sat on the bed to phone Uncle.

“Did Ko call Li?”

Andrew Hawkins had driven Leung's hired killers from her mind. “Eventually,” she said.

“Eventually? Did you have problems with them?”

“None worth mentioning.”

“Good. I am glad it is over.”

“Li conveyed his apologies.”

“I will thank him from my end. He is a useful man to keep close.”

“You'll be happy to know that Lily Simmons has decided she wants to keep close as well. They used her father's executive assistant as the middle man. He says she's prepared to execute the transfer.”

“That is good news.”

“But it isn't done yet. I came to London needing just one signature, and after everything I've gone through, I still need that one signature. I'm not taking it for granted.”

“Still, we see movement in the proper direction,” Uncle said, blunting his optimism.

“I'm told we're probably going to meet sometime later today at her lawyer's office. They'll want me to sign for our side. Will Ordonez have a problem with that?”

“I cannot see him objecting.”

“Well, let's make sure of that. Before I go to the lawyer's office I'd like something in writing from Manila that authorizes me to sign on behalf of the Ordonez Group, and that binds them to honour whatever I do sign with regard to this debt.”

“What is involved?”

“For starters, Roger Simmons wants me to say that I misinterpreted our conversation last night. That nothing was said that violated the terms of the blind trust. And that I invented the remarks he made about Asian businessmen.”

“And he never said Tommy Ordonez was a piece of shit that cannot be shined?”

“I guess I made that up too.”

“What do you want me to get from Manila?”

“You'd better make it a blanket authorization. Have them fax it to me here at the hotel. And then have someone on standby in Manila in case Simmons's lawyer wants to call to confirm its authenticity.”

“I will call Chang. He will be pleased.”

“I'll call you when everything's wrapped up, Uncle.” Ava hung up the phone, then leaned back on the bed and closed her eyes. She was trying to calm herself by taking deep breaths and visualizing bak mai moves when her phone rang. An incoming call —
mcintyre cullen
appeared on the screen.

“Ava Lee.”

“This is Loretta Michaels, from McIntyre and Cullen. Is four thirty a suitable time for you to meet with Mr. McIntyre and Ms. Simmons?”

“Yes.”

“Our offices are just off Knightsbridge Road. The eighth floor, 88 Ford Street.”

“Tell them I'll be there.”

Ava called her travel agent and asked her to book a seat on the eight-o'clock Air Canada flight from Heathrow to Pearson. One way or another, she had a feeling she was going to be on it.

At four fifteen Ava was downstairs with her luggage. As she was checking out, the concierge handed her a fax from Manila. She reviewed the document on the limo ride to Knightsbridge and then slipped it into her Chanel purse.

She arrived five minutes early and was debating waiting in the car when she saw Lily Simmons approach the front doors of 88 Ford Street. She was wearing a black wool suit and carried a small black leather briefcase. Her hair was tangled and her shoulders slumped. Ava waited a few minutes before following her in.

“Wait for me,” she said to the driver as she was getting out of the car. “I shouldn't be long.”

The lobby of McIntyre and Cullen was expansive. The white marble floor was complemented by a six-metre-long Persian rug. The dark wood-panelled walls showcased the rich forest green of the leather couches and chairs.

“You must be Ms. Lee,” the receptionist said, not unkindly.

“I am.”

“They're expecting you,” she said. “Let me take you in.”

The boardroom was massive, its size accentuated by a nine-metre-long table with twenty red leather chairs. Sitting alone at the far end was Lily Simmons. She looked up at Ava. “They should be along in a minute,” she said.

“Is your father coming?” Ava asked, taking a seat halfway between Simmons and the door.

“No. Why would he?”

Ava could see black shadows under her eyes, and her lips were chapped, or bitten. Her hands were on the table, the thumb of the right hand rubbing the palm of the left. “I'm sorry if this is uncomfortable for you,” Ava said.

Simmons shrugged. “I just want to get this over with.”

“Me too.”

There was an awkward silence. Ava took a copy of the transfer request from her Chanel bag, and then, for good measure, a copy of Douglas and Ashton's confession and the paperwork from Jack Maynard and Felix Hunter.
They're going to get their money back too
, she thought as they came to mind for the first time since she had last talked to Maynard. How long ago had that been? Three days? A week? It felt like a month. It felt like another world away.

Simmons was leafing through her own papers.
A convenient distraction
, Ava thought. Suddenly the woman raised her head and said, “There is something I'd like to say to you before the others arrive.”

Ava twisted in her chair so she could face Simmons. “Go ahead.”

“I listened to the message you left on my phone this morning.”

“Yes.”

“I have to say I found it completely perverted and twisted.”

“I'm sorry if you think that.”

“No, you're not. You're not sorry about anything. First you try to drive a wedge between me and my fiancé, and then you attempt to discredit my father and damage our relationship by suggesting he would do something so venal.”

“Do you seriously think I was making it up?”

“You've proven yourself capable of doing absolutely anything to get your way.”

“Not to that extent.”

“I don't believe a word you say.”

“You shouldn't be so naive about the men in your life.”

Simmons slammed her palm on the table. “You thought I'd sign that damn transfer if you could convince me that my father didn't care whether or not you released those tapes. Well, here we are, and I'm going to sign it, all right, but only because he wants me to.”

And for what reason?
Ava wanted to ask, but bit back the question. Nothing positive could come from telling Lily Simmons something she didn't want to hear.

The boardroom door opened and a middle-aged man walked in with a young woman. He was tall and slim, and his silver mane contrasted nicely with his classic navy-blue pinstriped suit. The woman wore a soft cream suit that enhanced her dark skin and fashionably cut hair. “My name is McIntyre, and this is my associate Monique Hutton,” he said.

Ava stood and shook hands with them. Simmons stayed seated. The lawyers sat next to Ava, McIntyre to her immediate left and Hutton next him. He took two files from his assistant and then said, “Lily, could you come closer, please.”

Simmons sat stone-faced, grinding her teeth. Then she picked up the papers in front of her, and seated herself next to Hutton.

McIntyre opened the first file. “I hope this is what you're expecting to see, Ms. Lee,” he said. “We prepared it under the direction of Ms. Simmons, and she thinks it fairly reflects a discussion you had with Andrew Hawkins earlier today.” He passed her a three-page document. “Do you need some time alone with this?”

“No,” Ava said, scanning the page.

“And Ms. Simmons said that you see no need to employ legal counsel from your side.”

“That's correct.”

“And that you have the authority to bind the Ordonez Group.”

“I do,” Ava said, opening her purse and taking out the fax she had received from Manila. “Here — this should be satisfactory. If you need to speak to a representative of the law firm in Manila, I have them on standby.”

He scanned the fax. “No, this seems perfectly straightforward and clear. Have them courier the original for my records, if you don't mind.”

“Certainly,” Ava said, and continued reading.

The document laid out the details for transfer of the $65 million. The deal bound the Ordonez Group: its representatives could not so much as utter the words
The River
,
Simmons
,
Ashton
, or
Douglas
, let alone contemplate taking legal action against any of them. If they did, The River and its investors would be entitled to damages that far exceeded $65 million. It was familiar posturing, full of bluster that amounted to very little.

Ava paused when she got to the last page of the document. She looked up at Simmons and her lawyers. “I didn't discuss this with Mr. Hawkins,” she said.

McIntyre cast an anxious look at Lily.

“But it is what I discussed with Ms. Simmons when I first proposed a settlement, so it isn't entirely unexpected or unreasonable,” Ava said slowly. She signed the document.

“Excellent. And now this one,” McIntyre said, handing her a single piece of paper.

She read the paper and then leaned forward so she could speak directly to Lily. “You're pushing me to the limit with this.”

Simmons turned her head towards Ava but didn't look her in the eye. “We think it's necessary.”

“I don't object to admitting that I may have misinterpreted your father's remarks, but I have trouble signing a piece of paper that says I deliberately lied about what he said for my own selfish motives.”

A heavy silence settled in the room. McIntyre tapped his pen against the back of his hand while his assistant stared at the wall.

“Mr. McIntyre,” Simmons said, “you know my father. What do you think he would say about making changes to this document?”

“He would be quite adamant about leaving the wording intact,” McIntyre said.

Ava pushed it aside and handed a paper from her stack to McIntyre. “This is another copy of the letter authorizing transfer of the money from Cyprus to a Hong Kong bank account. I want it signed before I sign anything.”

McIntyre took it from her, read it, and passed it to Simmons. “Ms. Lee, before Ms. Simmons signs, I have to ask you to confirm your intention to sign both documents that we've presented to you.”

“I'll sign.”

“Then I will sign immediately after,” Simmons said.

Simmons and Ava took turns signing five copies each of McIntyre's documents, and then both McIntyre and Hutton witnessed them. Ava had them make three copies of the money transfer and then witness that the copies were of an original signed document. It was five o'clock when they finished.

Ava took two sets of each document and slipped them into her bag. “The transfer request will be couriered to the bank in Cyprus tonight,” she said. “I hope no one will think they can interfere with the process.”

“We have an agreement that benefits both parties, Ms. Lee,” McIntyre said. “It would be foolish, not to mention damaging, for anyone to do anything contrary to it.”

Ava stood and extended her hand. As she did, her phone rang. She was about to turn it off when she saw the incoming number. “It's the Prime Minister's Office calling,” she said. “I'm afraid I have to take this.”

McIntyre looked at Simmons. Her mouth was fixed in a tight smile.

“Yes, I've had a much better day than yesterday,” Ava said, “and I want to thank you for your concern . . . No, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Simmons didn't call, but Mr. Hawkins did and he was very helpful . . . Yes, we have resolved the issues between us, and I don't think you'll be hearing any more about this from our side . . . I'll be sure to pass that along to President Arellano . . . Yes, I won't hesitate to call you if the need arises.”

She closed the phone and slipped it back into her Chanel purse. “Well, thanks for this.”

Simmons looked at her lawyer. “Ms. Lee, just a reminder,” McIntyre said. “You've just signed a binding agreement. I'm not sure that conversations with the Prime Minister's Office, however casual or uninitiated, are in anyone's best interest.”

“I agree completely. I think that might be worth reiterating to your clients as well, particularly the one who isn't in this room.”