“The name in the wallet and on the passport was Robert Buchanan,” Tristan said softly.
Marissa stared at Tristan with unseeing eyes. For a few moments, she didn’t say anything.
“I can still see him clearly,” she said at last. Her voice was flat and lifeless.
“I can see him at his computer. Whenever he worked he always had the same expression.”
“I know,” Tristan murmured. Watching Marissa brought back memories of his own. He knew what she was going through.
“What time is it now on the East Coast of the United States?”
Marissa asked.
Tristan studied his watch.
“Between three and four A.M.” I believe,” he said.
“I have to make some calls,” Marissa said. She stood up and walked into the bedroom to use the phone by the bed.
Tristan let her go. He didn’t know what to do. He was concerned about Marissa’s mental state. Robert’s murder had to be a horrendous blow. He would have to keep a close eye on her.
More than anything, he would try to get her to express her grief.
Marissa first called her parents in Virginia. Her mother offered for them to come to Hong Kong immediately, but Marissa told her not to. She would come home as soon as the authorities allowed.
Hanging up, Marissa tried to gather her courage for an even more difficult phone call. She knew she had to call her mother-inlaw, and she knew how much the news would devastate her.
Marissa wouldn’t blame her if she held her responsible for Robert’s death. But to her surprise, Mrs. Buchanan had no words of criticism for her. After an awful silence, she simply informed Marissa that she would come to Hong Kong immediately. Marissa didn’t try to talk her out of it. By the time she hung up the phone, Tristan was in the doorway.
“Sorry to disturb you,” he said, “but that bloody porn police inspector is here to talk with us and he wants to talk to you first.”
The police inspector stayed for almost an hour, taking statements from both Marissa and Tristan. He told them that there would be a thorough investigation and that they would not have access to their belongings until it was completed. He apologized profusely for any inconvenience. He also informed them that there would be an autopsy on both victims and a formal inquest, and that they were not to leave the colony until the formalities were completed.
After the police inspector left, Marissa and Tristan sat alone.
Tristan took the opportunity to try to get her to talk about her feelings.
“I just feet numb,” Marissa said.
“I have trouble believing it has really happened.”
“Maybe we should do something,” Tristan said.
“Instead of just sitting here.”
“I think it might help to get out of this hotel,” Marissa said.
“Good idea,” Tristan said, glad to hear Marissa make any kind of suggestion.
“We’ll move to another hotel.” He got to his feet, wondering which one to choose. Only then did he remember Captain Fa-Huang.
“I have a better idea,” he said.
“What about going on the junk? We need to do something. We need something to occupy our minds.”
“I’d forgotten about the junk trip,” Marissa said.
“I don’t think I’m up to it. Not now.”
“Marissa!” Tristan said.
“Too much has happened for us not to follow the trail to its conclusion.” He stepped over to her and grabbed her shoulders.
“Let’s do it! Let’s get even with these bastards.”
Marissa’s head was spinning. She couldn’t even look at Tristan.
Sometimes she thought he was crazy.
“Come on, Marissa!” Tristan urged.
“Let’s not let them get away with this.”
Finally she looked up at him. She could feel his determination.
She didn’t have the strength to argue or even resist.
“All right,” she said.
“At this moment I feel as if I have nothing to lose.”
“Good show!” Tristan cried. He gave her a forceful hug, then leaped to his feet. He looked at his watch.
“We don’t have a lot of time!” Rushing over to the phone, he called room service and ordered a number of boxed lunches as well as bottled water.