“But the risks are low,” said Wang. “British Columbia does not send marijuana dealers to jail … at least rarely and then not for long.”

Lee smiled and admitted, “The penalty for any crime in B.C. is low, which is why we have opened up operations in Vancouver. But it is not the risk of incarceration that I am warning you about. The risk is having the police seize all your assets once the criminal offence has been proven. Are you willing to see the undoubtedly large nest egg you have made suddenly taken from you because of greed?”

Wang glanced at Goldie for a sign of support, but did not see any. If anything, he felt that Goldie was anything but supportive. Now he nods his head as if to say “I told you so”?

“It is not only your life you are risking,” continued Lee. “That market is largely controlled by the Vietnamese. You may be inviting conflict with —”

“Cannot the organization influence the Vietnamese?” asked Wang.

Lee paused, irritated at being interrupted. He took a deep breath before continuing in a conciliatory manner. “With the Vietnamese in Canada, there are many … undisciplined … individual enterprises. It would be too labour-intensive to extend our influence to so many independent small groups. The effort of locating their families in Vietnam to ensure compliance would not be worthwhile. There is also a more important consideration. You know how the police work. They usually go up the corporate ladder. Should you be arrested, even for what in B.C. is taken as the trivial offence of trafficking in marijuana, our organization would never accept you into our fold again. There would be no starting over with us.”

“I would never tell the police about you,” said Wang. “You know that! We are very careful. Arthur and I don’t even use your real name in conversation. We only refer to you as ‘The Enabler.’ I would never divulge your identity. Ever.”

“My boss is also very careful,” replied Lee. “You refer to me as ‘The Enabler?’ Well, I refer to him as ‘The Shaman.’ He is brilliant in such matters and I also would never make the mortal mistake of divulging his name. That said, I have already discussed with him the idea of expanding into the areas you have both suggested. He declined for the same reasons I gave you. If you wish to go out on your own into that market, then do so with the realization that you will be entirely cut off from our organization.”

Wang let out a deep breath and said, “No, I do not wish to do that.” He glanced at Goldie and added, “It was an idea we both had. Something both of us thought we should discuss with you.”

Lee caught the edge in Wang’s voice. Is there petty jealousy over my decision to have Goldie fulfill my position? I assured The Shaman that there wasn’t …

“It is good that we exchange ideas,” said Lee. “For example, your suggestion about that person you trust who is moving to Montreal.”

“Woo,” replied Wang.

“His name to me is not important. What matters is your desire to help our organization. The Shaman would prefer that Arthur take on my current role as he was born in Canada and is more familiar with the culture. However, you have shown that you are not only above petty jealousy, but that you were willing to offer Woo’s services to Arthur. A fact I have brought to the attention of The Shaman himself.”

“Thank you,” replied Wang, his smile revealing his delight at being praised.

“Kingdoms are built by the strengths, work, and ideas of many,” continued Lee. “The closer you get to the king, the more protection is needed. You have both done well and have earned the right to stand within the castle walls. At this point I would suggest that it would not be wise for you to go out and cross the moat into unsafe territory.” Lee pinched another piece of eel between his chopsticks and raised it toward his lips before pausing and asking, “Agreed, gentlemen?”

Goldie raised a cup of sake to show his compliance. He was quickly joined by Wang. Lee nodded and did likewise to make a silent toast.

Lee smiled when they resumed eating. Naturally, he did not mention the most important reason he did not want Goldie and Wang investing elsewhere. Spreading the money around would have an adverse affect on the amount of commission received from the products that The Shaman did control.

Jack awakened late Saturday morning and was glad that both he and Natasha had the day off. They were into the third week of July and the weather could not have been more beautiful.

Breakfast consisted of sitting in their housecoats eating croissants and drinking black coffee on their apartment balcony, which overlooked the city. Neither talked of work. For many couples, such a Saturday morning breakfast may have been normal, but neither Jack nor Natasha led normal lives. Love and intimacy too often took a back seat to the pressures of their careers.

“Come on,” said Jack, when they finished. “Get dressed. I’m taking you someplace special.”

“Someplace special?” asked Natasha, raising an eyebrow.

“You’ll see,” Jack replied. “This is our day. I want it to be special. Today the world can wait. It’ll be just you and me.”

At one o’clock Natasha found herself holding Jack’s hand as they strolled across the Capilano Suspension Bridge. The location had a special meaning. It was not only that the view of the Capilano River, 230 feet below, was spectacular. It was because this was where Jack had given Natasha her engagement ring almost two years earlier.

At the centre of the bridge, Jack turned and hugged Natasha as his lips softly caressed hers, kissing her long and tenderly.

“I love you so much,” he whispered. “For me, my life really began on this spot the day you accepted the ring.”

“And if I had said no, would you have jumped?”

Jack stepped back and looked at her for a moment before saying, “Hell, no. I’d have pushed you off!”

Natasha laughed and said, “You’re so damned romantic. You certainly know how to sweet-talk a girl.” She looked intently into his eyes and her smile faded.

“What is it?” he asked.

“Remember when we agreed to be married for two years before starting a family?”

Jack nodded.

“Don’t you think it’s close enough to two years to start trying?”

Jack felt a sense of shock. Has it been two years already?

Natasha saw the look on Jack’s face. She stepped back and felt her eyes water. “What? You’ve changed your mind?”

Jack paused and said, “I have to admit, the idea really scares me.”

“A fine time to be telling me this now! Why didn’t you mention it last time we were on this bridge? I wouldn’t have accepted the ring.”

“I haven’t changed my mind. Just give me a moment.”

“If you really want children, why do you need a moment?”

“I’m afraid.”

“Afraid of what?”

“Afraid I won’t make a good father because of my own upbringing. I didn’t have much of a role model. Sometimes I feel like I don’t know how to act around children.”

“I would never allow you to treat our children badly.”

“I know … and I want children. I’m just a little afraid. You caught me off guard.”

Natasha stepped closer and gently kissed him before saying, “The fact that you worry about that makes me think you’ll make a great dad. I’d never allow you to be any other way.”

Jack smiled. “I know,” he replied. “I have complete faith in your ability to be a good mom … and a wife.”

“So, no more birth control?”

“No.”

“Good, we’ve done enough practising,” replied Natasha with a grin.

“Hey! We should always practise. Every chance we get.”

Natasha giggled and said, “Okay. I hear that practise makes perfect. I could go along with that.”