‘I think the term is stitched up.’

‘Anyway, I have cleared it with your superiors. Chan has been working so hard recently that he is going on holiday for a while. When he returns I will deal with any problems that may have arisen from his…enterprises. Now, if you’ll excuse me …’

‘Are you aware of exactly what type of business your son-in-law was involved in?’

‘It was a complex: nightclub, golf course, film studio and so forth, quite magnificent!’

‘Did you go there?’

‘No, I didn’t. Now, what is your point, Inspector?’

‘I went there. I saw it all: the torture chamber, I saw the Irish hostess laid out on a slab – tortured to death. Sixty-Eight was a prison for sex workers. Films were made there that involved the rape, mutilation and murder of women and children. I saw it and I have evidence.’

No one had mentioned children or torture to CK, and yet he knew it was probably true. He felt a momentary stab of self-recrimination – he knew he should have watched Chan more closely. He should not have let him take such a gamble. To make the films was one thing – to be found out, quite another. Now it appeared that CK would be left to take the blame. Others would think he had authorised it. Chan was impatient to take over as Dragon Head, and now he had influential friends to back him up.

CK rested his elbows on the desk and pressed the tips of his fingers together while he thought. Finally, he looked up. He tried to keep the anger out of his voice.

‘I grow tired of this conversation and of you. I am sure that your superiors will be surprised to learn of your insubordination.’ He reached for the phone.

‘Before you do that, CK, I think you might like to get a look at these.’ Mann threw the two DVDs onto the desk. ‘I bet you’ll recognise at least one of the people in these films. I only know a few people in the Russian mafia, but you know what? As luck would have it, I remember seeing him the other day. He was with Chan, here to drum up business. Then I saw him again, a few days later – on television – relaxing by a pool. The man has massive damage to his right leg. He stood on a landmine in his terrorist years. Some of the injuries are to the bone. He was lucky not to lose his leg. He takes it for granted, doesn’t even think about it any more. But it’s quite shocking when you see it. It sticks in your mind. So useful for identifying murderers in snuff movies.’ Mann leaned forward in his chair and smiled. ‘I have made copies of each.’

CK stood abruptly. He locked his arms and spread his fingers on the desktop.

‘What is it you want?’

‘I want Chan. I want him brought to justice in some form or another, and I want the witness Georgina – alive.’

‘No court will convict Chan. He is a clever man. He will slide through your net, Inspector.’

‘Not the net I have in mind. I’m not looking to bring him to court.’

CK studied Mann for a few minutes, a curious expression on his face. Mann returned his scrutiny with a hard-man stare. Then CK slowly rose and went back to stand at the window. Mann watched his narrow shoulders rise and fall as he weighed up this new information.

After a few minutes CK turned around. His eyes burned and his mouth betrayed a faint smile.

‘Okay, Inspector Mann. I will play your game for now. But do not cross me – you will not do it more than once. I am not an enemy you should choose. You can have Chan if you can find him, but I have no idea where he is – he was careful not to tell me. The girl may remain alive as long as she remembers nothing of her time in Sixty-Eight. But …’ he paused and stared hard at Mann, the smile still present, ‘if you find Chan, don’t bring him back. I will not allow it to go to court. I will not allow him to stand trial and incriminate others to save his own skin. Of course, I will deny all knowledge of this conversation.’

‘Really? So sentimental, CK? One would think you didn’t like your own son-in-law. Or is it just a trust issue?’

CK had grown tired of the conversation. He sat down at his desk.

Mann stood up. ‘Thanks for your time. Happy viewing. But, before I go, one more thing …’Mann leaned in a few centimetres from CK’s face, ‘tell your friends that their time will come. I will watch and I will wait and I will have justice for those women, in or out of the courtroom. Be sure of it.’

CK smiled at Mann, unfazed.

‘If ever you plan a change of career, Inspector, come and see me. I like a man with integrity.’

‘I thank you, CK, but your brand of integrity will never be mine.’

103

Mann found Li waiting for him in the office. He looked pale and tired. He looked lost. Papers and photos were scattered across his desk. He was staring into the space above them when Mann entered.

‘You should get some rest, Shrimp.’

‘Will you, boss?’

Mann smiled at the young officer. ‘I will get a few hours, after we go and see Confucius. You ready?’

Li jumped to his feet. ‘Ready.’

The hospital was in sleep mode. Voices were hushed, lights turned down. Electronic equipment beeped down the empty corridors. Nurses shuffled on the linoleum.

Mann and Li were shown to Ng’s room by a petite Filipina.

‘He is breathing on his own now, but he is still very weak. Just a few minutes with him, okay?’ She opened the door and stepped back to let them in before shuffling her black-stockinged feet back down the corridor to the nurses’ station.

Mann and Li approached Ng’s bed and stood at either side. It was hard to get close to him – he was surrounded by bleeping, blinking machinery. They stood in silence, waiting. Li was the first to speak as he whispered across the bed to Mann:

‘He looks bad, boss.’

Ng’s eyes opened a fraction and flicked from one man to the other. ‘I wasn’t shot in the ear, you know. I can hear.’ He attempted a smile. ‘All right, Genghis? he said to Mann, then turned to Li and winked. ‘How you doin’, Rambo?’

Li grinned, flattered. ‘I’m fine, thanks, Confucius. How are you feeling?’ he asked with a little too much enthusiasm.

‘Great!’ Ng grimaced, rolling his eyes.

Mann smiled, relieved to see his friend on the mend. ‘It’s a good job you’re so fat. The bullet just couldn’t cope with the layers it had to go through.’

‘Sure, sure. Ha fucking ha.’ Ng grinned. ‘Tell me …?’

‘What?’

‘Something’s going on. I can tell by your face, Mann.’

‘It’s the investigation, Ng. It’s going nowhere. The women were killed by wealthy, high-up, untouchable men. We’ve already been told that the brothers are taking the rap for it – and they were involved, definitely, but they weren’t the ones to kill our women. It’s a big cover-up.’

‘And Chan?’

‘I’ve been warned to leave him alone. The top brass have tied the Super’s hands.’

‘Cut off his balls, more like,’ said Li.

‘Yeah, that’s about the strength of it. Although I did go and see CK personally, took him a present of a couple of films, and I got the distinct impression that he would have loved to have told me where his son-in-law was.’

‘It figures. Not the easiest of relations. Chan has Georgina?’

‘He has her. Insurance, I would say. Just until he feels safe enough to get rid of her. I’m thinking of taking a bit of leave, starting now. I fancy doing some sightseeing. Might even make it to the Philippines. What do you think?’

The nurse reappeared at the door. ‘Time to leave, gentlemen. Your friend is tired.’

‘Okay. Okay.’ Mann started to go. Ng called him back.

‘Mann … try to get him before he leaves Hong Kong. Find him. Find her. Make your peace, Genghis. Remember – a man who commits a mistake and doesn’t correct it is committing another mistake.’

They got outside the hospital.