Free The Dragon Head of Hong Kong by Ian Hamilton Page A

client?”
    “Also from Toronto, although he is Chinese.”
    “Well, that is a surprise, but perhaps it should not be. The world is shrinking faster than most of us can grasp. But in any event, I assume that you too have Hong Kong or southern Chinese roots.”
    “My mother is from Shanghai but lived and worked in Hong Kong for many years. My father is a Hong Konger and still lives there.”
    “Ah. That sounds complicated.”
    “I’ve never thought of it that way.”
    “No, just as you evidently do not think it strange that you travelled all that distance, by yourself, with the hope of convincing a man like Kung to return money he stole from your client.”
    “My client is a desperate man. I am his last resort.”
    “What kind of man asks a young woman with no experience of men like Kung or of this part of the world to undertake a job like that?”
    “One who was enough of a fool to find himself a million dollars out of pocket to Kung.”
    Chow laughed. The sound was so much deeper than his speaking voice that she thought he had something caught in this throat, until she heard the humour in it. “No wonder Carlo and Andy were so anxious to work with you.”
    “That wasn’t the impression I had. I thought I was just convenient bait, something to try to entice Kung with.”
    “Are you always this direct?”
    “I try to be, although I don’t like rudeness.”
    “Direct and polite — those are qualities that I share. So let me ask you, what made you think you could find a way to convince Kung to repay your client?”
    “Mr. Chow, why does that even matter now? I met your men and we struck a deal. We were able to take Kung because of our collective efforts, and I contributed as much if not more than your men. Now all I’m saying is that if I can be given the chance to get more information out of him, maybe I can find more money for us both.”
    “What information?”
    “I want to know where he does his banking, and by that I mean everywhere he does his banking. I already know what bank he paid my client from, but I’m sure there will be other banks, account numbers, and passwords. And then I want access to his office and his computer so I can confirm whatever he tells us — and find out what he neglected to tell us.”
    “Then what?”
    “I will locate every dollar he has.”
    “You sound very confident.”
    “It’s what I’ve been trained to do.”
    “I have to admit that it is always easier to strike an agreement when you know exactly what the other person’s position is.”
    “So let me find out.”
    “If you can, then I presume you will want us to reopen negotiations with him. Assuming, of course, that he does have more than four hundred thousand dollars,” Chow said slowly.
    “Do you doubt that he has more money?”
    “No, not at all. And if you can locate it . . . Well then, Ms. Lee, I will ask Carlo and Andy to persuade Kung to sweeten his offer.”
    “Thank you. But I’ll need access to Kung’s office and whatever records he has there.”
    “I will tell the boys to do whatever is necessary to accommodate that.”
    “Now, it would be helpful to know your client’s name and what they were selling to Kung.”
    “Royal Meats, and they sold him pork ribs and sides.”
    “And they are owed half a million U.S. dollars.”
    “Thereabouts.”
    “And what bank did Kung use when he did business with them?”
    “When he paid, which was not often, it was through the Guangzhou Chemical Engineering Bank. They shipped against purchase orders issued by Kung. He was recommended to them by a friend.”
    “Like my client.”
    “Friends who have poor memories, or just disappear when a problem emerges.”
    “Exactly. Well, hopefully I can find what I’m looking for. And let me say that I appreciate your giving me the chance.”
    “No thanks are necessary. Any success you have will benefit us all, Ms. Lee.”
    “My given name is Ava.”
    “Ava it is, and I would prefer that you call me