Pops stared at Hang for a moment and said, “If you like pizza? Otherwise I can order something else?”

“I like pizza,” said Hang, using her hands to wipe her tears. Later, while gorging herself on pizza, Hang turned to Pops and nervously said, “My father has a phone. He asked that I call him.”

“I think you should. He must be worried.”

“I have not talked to him for six months—no, weeks,” replied Hang. “I worry about my sister and grandmother, too.”

Pops checked his watch and said, “With the time difference, it is now about four in the morning there. Maybe a little early for a call. Let’s wait a few hours.”

Hang nodded in agreement.

Pops spied Hang’s extra thumb and gently reached out and touched it. “I was told about this. Does it cause you pain?”

Hang quickly withdrew her hand from the table and placed it on her lap.

“Please, I did not mean to embarrass you,” said Pops. “I just wondered if it caused you any pain.”

“It does not hurt” replied Hang, matter-of-factly. “Only in my head it hurts. Not real pain.”

Pops smiled knowingly and said, “If you like, in time, I will have a surgeon remove it for you. But that will be your decision. It does not bother me at all.”

Hang smiled and brought her hand back into view. “I think I would like that. To be the same as other children. My sister does not have this problem. She is perfect.”

“Your sister ... I understand the next ship leaves in three days. Do you think she will like it here? I bet you miss her?”

“Yes, very much,” she admitted.

“I hope you will be happy here,” said Pops.

Hang beamed. Words were not necessary.

“Your English is very good, but in a few days we will start you on home-schooling. Right now, I bet you are exhausted.”

Hang smiled and said, “Yes. I am very tired.”

“If you’ve had enough to eat, go to your room and take a nap. I’ll wake you in a couple of hours and then you can call your dad.”

Hang went to her room and climbed into bed. She had never slept in a bed so big. Or on a mattress and pillow that was so soft. Too soft for what she had become used to. She elected instead to lie on the floor and cover herself with a blanket. She fell asleep immediately and slept soundly until she was awakened a few hours later by a gentle knock on her door.

A few minutes later, she sat at the kitchen table with Pops, who picked up a cellphone on the table.

“Do not say anything on the phone about the ship or the name of who smuggled you into the States,” he cautioned. “It is risky for you to call home now, because the American police monitor calls to foreign countries. Especially a communist country like Vietnam.”

“I understand,” said Hang.

“Tell your dad how excited you were to see the American border sign when you arrived. That would be good. If the police are listening, they would think you drove across the border as people are supposed to.”

“Okay,” said Hang.

“Do you think your sister will be happy here? I understand the next ship leaves in three days.”

“It would be an honour for her to be in your house, Mister Pops.”

“I think it would be better for you if she was here. There is another girl that wants to come. It must be decided now. I can only have two girls and I think it better that you have your sister. Don’t you?”

Hang was startled to learn that there was a possibility that another girl may be selected. “Yes, I want my sister,” she said quickly. “She is kind and polite. She will be no trouble for you.”

“Your dad must miss you. Won’t it be nice when he can come and live here, too?”

“You think he can?” asked Hang.

“Not right away. But think about it. You are free to become anything you want in this country. You could become a lawyer if you want. Then you could draw up the papers yourself to allow your father to immigrate here.”

“He really wants to come to America.”

“Good. I think we can risk one call right now. In a couple of weeks, when certain papers are in order, you can use the regular phone in the house and call home whenever you like.”

Hang gave Pops the number and he dialled. “It is ringing,” he said, while passing her the phone.

Hang’s call was an excited combination of tears and laughter as she spoke of her new surroundings and her dreams for the future. Pops was generous with the time she could talk and when she was finished, she had spoken at length with her father, Linh, and even her grandmother.

As soon as she hung up, she felt sorrow. She had never been completely away from her family before. Occasionally, in the past, before her father had become a tourist guide, he had to go away for a couple of weeks to work on farms. Even then, Hang still had Linh, who helped her look after Grandmother.

“You look sad,” commented Pops. “Is everything okay?”

Hang nodded and said, “I am okay. I am only sad because I miss them.”

“That is why I wish your sister had come with you. It would make it easier. Your father was told that.”

Hang’s face brightened and she said, “She will come now. You do not need that other girl. She will start the voyage in three days.”

“That’s great,” said Pops, sounding relieved. “Oh, there is one thing I forgot to show you. It is in case the police should ever come before your papers are in order. I have built a secret room in the basement for you to hide in. Come, I will show it to you.”

chapter four

Jack and Laura started their shift by checking with the property managers of the apartment building that the two Russians lived in. The office was located in the main foyer, next to the front entrance of the apartment building itself.

Jack noticed the building was secure, complete with intercom and security cameras, inside and out. After producing identification, Jack and Laura learned that the actual apartment manager was a retired Vancouver city policeman by the name of Derek. A phone call was placed and Derek soon joined them in the office. He was more than willing to assist.

The lease agreement indicated the names were Petya Globenko and Styopa Ghukov. Their occupation said that they were retired schoolteachers. They had each provided Russian passport numbers for identification. The penthouse suite came with two free underground parking stalls, but the Russians indicated they did not have a car.

“Taxis,” commented Laura. “Makes our job easier.”

“Until you turn a corner and suddenly see three taxis in front of you and have to play the old shell game,” replied Jack.

“They usually use a limo service,” said Derek. “From what I’ve seen, they’re big tippers. I presume they’re dopers?”

“We’re not sure,” said Jack. “We were just given their names and told they were bad guys worth looking into. At this point we don’t know anything about them yet.”

“They speak perfect English,” said Derek. “Petya goes by the name Peter. He’s tall, thin, and has short grey hair and a moustache. Styopa is short, chubby, and has a shaved head. They always pay on time and with cash. Guess I don’t need to tell ya, their place costs a bundle to rent. They fit the profile of dopers.”

“I’ll never keep their names straight,” mumbled Laura, before trying to repeat them in her head.

“How about Moustache Pete and the Fat Man?” suggested Jack.

“That’s easier,” she replied.

“Do you know who they associate with, or if they have many visitors?” asked Jack.

“Not that I’ve really noticed ... but come to think of it,” replied Derek, reaching for a journal on the desk and flipping through some pages. “The building has a party room,” he muttered, gesturing to a room with double doors just across the foyer. “They came to me about a week ago ... yes, here it is. They booked the room for tonight. The party starts at nine o’clock.”