What an irony! Politicians have been calling the triads a disease for years.”
“We’re not after medical knowledge from the Wing Sin,” Tristan said.
“Just information about illegal aliens that the Wing Sin has been bringing out of the People’s Republic of China for an Australian company called Female Care Australia or Fertility, Limited.”
The man in the white suit eyed both foreigners.
“The astonishing thing about this conversation is that I believe you,” he said with another, less humorous laugh.
“What you are saying is so preposterous, no one would be capable of making it up. Of course, true or not, it does not absolve you from the dangers inherent in talking about the Wing Sin in public.”
“We’re willing to pay for information,” Tristan said.
“Oh!” the man in the white suit said. He smiled as did his henchmen.
“You Australians have a commendable way of striking to the heart of a matter. And since everything in Hong Kong is for sale, perhaps we might be able to do business. In fact, if you were to offer something small like ten thousand dollars Hong Kong, I’d be willing to make a few inquiries and see what I could find out for you. No guarantees, of course.”
“How about five thousand,” Tristan countered.
The man in the white suit laughed again, “I admire your courage,” he said.
“But you are not in a bargaining position. Ten thousand.”
“All right,” Tristan said.
“When do we get our information?”
“Meet me at the top of Victoria Peak at ten tomorrow morning,” the man in the white suit said.
“Be sure to take the tram.”
“Fine,” Tristan said. He stepped forward and reached for Marissa’s and his wallets and watches.
The man at the desk deflected Tristan’s hand. Then he picked up the wallets and handed them to him.
“The money and the watches, unfortunately, we’ll have to keep,” he said.
“I’m sorry, but it is a bit of booty for my men for bringing you to me. The money we can consider as down payment for the ten thousand dollars.” He then shuffled through the cash and pulled out a single ten-dollar bill. He handed that to Tristan.
“For travel expenses from the dropoff point.”
Tristan took the bill.
“Thanks, mate, kind of you. But tell me, are you a member of the Wing Sin?”
“Knowing you are unfamiliar with civilized behavior coming, as you do, from Australia, I will forgive you for asking such a question. I should also like to warn you to avoid the police between now and our meeting. You will be watched. I will see you tomorrow with the money.”
With a mere wave of his hand, the three men in suits came forward and escorted Marissa and Tristan out of the room. As they exited, the man in the white suit went back to his ledger book.
“Friendly bloke,” Tristan commented with obvious sarcasm as they marched down the long corridor and out into the warehouse.
At the car they paused.
“Not in the boot again, mate!” Tristan said as one of the men raised the trunk hood.
In the same position as they’d arrived but with a bit less apprehension, Marissa and Tristan were motored out of the warehouse.
“I could learn to like this mode of transport,” Tristan said, snuggling up closer against Marissa.
“Tris!” Marissa said.
“Come on. Talk to me like you did before. It took my mind off being shut in here.”
“Well, for one thing,” Tristan said, “it’s obvious why they put us back in here. They don’t want us to know where this warehouse is located.”
“Tell me more about your childhood,” Marissa said.
After clearing his throat, Tristan obliged her.
The second trip was much shorter than the first. In fact, when the trunk hood was raised they were surprised, not only because so little time had passed, but also because the motor of the sedan was still running.
Getting out into the harsh sunlight, Marissa and Tristan squinted as they tried to get their bearings. They were on a city street in front of the Mong Kok entrance to the Hong Kong subway. A few pedestrians stopped and gawked at them momentarily, but then moved on. It was enough to make Marissa wonder if it was common to see people climbing out of the trunk of a car in Hong Kong.