Free The Headmaster's Wager by Vincent Lam

gesture.
    â€œBig brothers, there has been some mistake, a misunderstanding,” said Percival, all assurance gone from his voice. “Perhaps some additional … paperwork will help. I might have some red packets inside, also green paper. Let’s go into the school, big brothers.” The lotus-leaf cone dangled from Dai Jai’s fingers. Percival looked around, as if assistance might be nearby. The vendors watched with some curiosity. There was the one-eyed monk, begging for alms.
    â€œJust like a Chinese. You think that money buys everything. I don’t think so.” The older man from Saigon retrieved a single-page document from a manila envelope. He squinted. It was not clear whether he was reading or if this was simply a gesture. “These arrest papers are from the Political Security Section. That section has no interest in your green paper.”
    Percival saw the gold chain peeking out from under Dai Jai’s shirt, thought of the charm hidden within. He hoped it would not be snatched from the boy’s neck by these men, prayed to the ancestors’ spirits that their powers and those of the family charm would keep his son safe. He had clasped it around Dai Jai when he was a small boy, the night before he was to attend the Teochow Clan School for the first time. He had sat on the edge of Dai Jai’s bed and told him the same stories that Chen Kai had once offered, of the distant ancestor bringing the charm from abroad, of its protective power. Nowhe trusted, he had to trust, that the charm could somehow keep the wearer safe even if arrested by the quiet police. But he must not succumb so easily—perhaps there was still something to say. Percival tried to muster some bravado. “Ah, the political section. The new advisor to the education minister is busy, yes? I know Colonel Thuc well. An old friend, a childhood friend.” His voice trailed off. Percival thought of the photo in Mr. Tu’s office, of a man he had never met. In any case, Mak would know how to get to him.
    â€œUnlikely. He is from Quang Ngai.”
    â€œLong live Prime Minister Ky, who will vanquish the communist terrorists,” offered Percival desperately. “Listen, big brothers, I know all about yesterday’s unfortunate incident at the Teochow School. Is that the problem?”
    â€œSo you know all about it,” said the older one.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œYou know more than we do?” said the younger one. “Is that what you’re saying,
hou jeung
?”
    Suddenly, Dai Jai burst out in Cantonese, “I’m sorry for causing trouble.” His voice was high, his eyes wet. “I was only trying to show you my patriotism.”
    These words burned. Percival did not meet Dai Jai’s eyes or give any sign he had heard him. His smile was frozen, insistent. “Mr. Tu is my good friend at the Ministry of Education. I will call him. Leave the boy here. Tomorrow Mr. Tu can answer any question that you might have. We’ll all sit down and talk about it then.”
    The younger one said, “This matter doesn’t concern education or Mr. Tu, Headmaster. Besides, school is over for the day. If you were simply this boy’s teacher, why would you tell him to go inside? You are his father. You think we don’t remember that the two of you were having breakfast yesterday on your balcony? Don’t play us for stupid.”
    â€œNever, big brothers.” Percival felt a painful strain in his face. “Please leave him with me. I will bring him myself to Saigon tomorrow. We will all sit sensibly and work out an arrangement. Tonight, think about what you would like. You know a father will do anything for his son.”
    â€œAh,” said the older one. “You could both be in Cambodia by tomorrow. A day changes so much, doesn’t it? This arrest warrant states that Dai Jai is a dissident, and if your son is a dissident, you are right to be