“I’d like to go there someday,” said Randy. “Hell of a long flight, though.”

“Tell us about it,” said Jack. “Leaves at noon and we don’t arrive until ten-thirty tomorrow night. Even with the time difference, it’s still twenty-and-a-half hours’ flight time.”

“We’re going to be tired puppies,” said Laura.

“At least the Russians will be in the same boat when they fly out tomorrow,” said Randy.

“I’m impressed you got permission for us to go this fast,” said Jack.

Randy grinned and said, “A lot of phone calls to a lot of people who aren’t used to working weekends. It was good to let them know how the rest of us work. What was really nice was being able to tell them to call Isaac direct if there were any problems. There weren’t. Funny how that works.”

“You’ll confirm the Russians do board tomorrow?” asked Jack.

“I’ll do it personally. Any changes and I’ll let you know. Are you being met at the airport in Hanoi?”

“Yes, the Canadian Consulate arranged for a local to pick us up. I think the title was a Doctor Son, from the Interpol desk of the General Department of National Police.”

“A doctor?”

“Probably in criminal behaviour. He speaks English.”

Randy gave Jack a sideways glance and asked, “Has Quaile had anything to say to you about this?”

“Haven’t spoken with him, or seen him since last Wednesday when he sent me to Staffing.”

“Good. Consider yourself on loan to our office until this is finished.”

“With pleasure.”

Isaac called Randy Otto later that morning and Randy updated him on the investigation. When Randy told him about Giang being murdered, Isaac shook his head. So it begins ...

“This is right after he met with Corporal Taggart?” asked Isaac.

“Yes, sir. It had to have been within the hour.”

“And where was Corporal Taggart when Giang was actually murdered?”

“In our office making notes. He certainly wasn’t responsible.”

No, he never is. It’s always a coincidence ...

“We’re checking the possibility that Giang may have been responsible for Hang’s death.”

With Taggart involved, that would explain why he’s dead. Of course, it would just be a coincidence ...

“But it doesn’t appear likely,” continued Randy. “He doesn’t have any previous history of deviation that would fit the profile. Long record for violence, drugs, extortion and the like ... but I don’t think he’s our man.”

“What about Dúc or the Russians as viable suspects?” asked Isaac.

“Dúc doesn’t fit the profile, either. We’re not sure about the Russians. Still waiting to hear back on their history, but on the surface, I would say not. I think it is someone they know, however.”

“Keep me apprised. If anything happens to the Russians when they arrive in Hanoi, I want to be called, day or night.”

“If something happens to the Russians, sir?”

“I meant with the Russians,” replied Isaac, before hanging up.

It was eleven-thirty Tuesday night before Jack and Laura retrieved their luggage and arrived at the Vietnamese customs counter. The customs agent motioned with his arm and a man quickly came forward and introduced himself as Doctor Son.

Doctor Son was a short, stocky man and Jack estimated that he was in his mid-fifties. He looked friendly and gave a firm handshake. Soon after, Jack realized that Doctor Son was of average height in his country.

“Your name is like the star up in the sky?” asked Laura. He smiled and said, “No. It is S-O-N. In Vietnamese it means ‘mountain.’ I like it if you just call me Sonny.”

Minutes later, they stepped outside the airport to face a cool breeze and a light mist.

“My image of Vietnam was jungle, heat, and humidity,” said Laura.

“Down south it is,” said Sonny. “Hanoi is much like Vancouver in the winter. Cold and wet.”

“You have been to Vancouver?” asked Jack.

“Six years ago. I worked there for two weeks with narcotics investigators to learn how the police work in Canada.”

“What did you think?”

“You are fortunate. You have lots of money. Most of us have scooters, old cameras, very few radios ... mostly cellphones. Mostly what we have for listening ... bugs, you call them, is old equipment the Russians gave us during the war with the Americans. You are very lucky. Today, I was able to borrow a car because of your status.”

“We have status?” murmured Laura.

Sonny whisked them along their way. Once in Hanoi, Jack and Laura saw that many of the women wore conical hats, suited for rain and sun. Many of the men wore green pith helmets, something else that was left over from past conflicts.

The streets were mostly packed with motor scooters and bicycles. Pedestrians appeared to walk blindly in all directions as they crossed the street. The blare of horns was almost non-stop.

“Aren’t these people afraid of being run over?” asked Jack.

Sonny smiled and said, “It is different here. We are a poor country and do not have as many streetlights. It is the driver’s responsibility not to hit the pedestrians. It is a good idea to walk slowly when you cross the street and maintain the same speed. Drivers will judge as to which side of you they will pass on.”

“Do you get a lot of traffic fatalities here?” asked Laura.

“Oh, yes. Very many.”

It was midnight when Sonny checked them into the Hotel Happy Holiday. It was located on what was now a fairly deserted street, a couple of blocks out of the mainstream of traffic. The hotel looked quaint and the lobby was open to the second level where the hotel operated a small restaurant.

“We are on the third floor,” said Sonny, pushing the button for the lobby elevator.

After waiting several seconds, Sonny said something to the desk clerk who answered back.

“He says sometimes it gets stuck,” said Sonny.

Jack couldn’t tell if his tone was apologetic or that of exasperation. “That’s okay,” he said. “After the flight we’ve been on, I’d rather walk and get the circulation moving.”

When they arrived on the third floor, Jack saw that the portion of the hotel which housed the rooms was built with the middle opened up. It made the place noisier, as did the tile floors, but it also looked picturesque. There was one elevator and one set of stairs on opposite sides of each floor, allowing access up and down to the different levels.

“Laura, you will have this room,” said Sonny. “Jack, you will have the room next to her.”

Laura put her luggage in her room and went to Jack’s room.

“I’ll lend you this,” said Sonny, passing Jack a cellphone and business card. “If there is a problem with anything while you are here, please call me.”

“Thanks. Much appreciated,” replied Jack.

“Tomorrow night when the Russians arrive, they will be staying in the room directly above you,” said Sonny, looking at Jack. “I will stay in your room with you. I speak Russian.”

“Their room will be bugged?” asked Jack.

“If the equipment decides to work,” said Sonny. “I will also have men to follow them wherever they go.”

“Great,” replied Jack. “I think our faces would stand out in this city.”

Sonny smiled and said, “They would. You are both tall ....” he paused and looked at Laura and said, “You, of course, would never be good at following people.”

“I’m sorry?” replied Laura, not sure that she heard him correctly.

“You must know that you would not be good for such a duty. You are too beautiful. Men would remember seeing you.”

Laura waited until Sonny left and turned to Jack and asked, “Did I just receive a compliment or an insult?”

“I don’t know. I’m too tired to think. See you in the morning.”

Six hours later, Jack awakened to the echo of people chatting and the noise of tiny rollers on suitcases being dragged across the tiled floors to the elevators. Moments later, he heard the sound of a shower in the room next to him and knew that Laura was up. He met her for breakfast and suggested a walk around the area before noon.