White Tiger

I glared defiantly at him. ‘Of course not. And I will find out what is going on here.’

  He leaned back. ‘We’ll explain it all soon. But right now, Simone’s Chinese teacher is here. Go and let her in.’

  The doorbell rang and I jumped. ‘How do you know it’s Simone’s Chinese teacher?’ He just watched me.

  ‘I’m not finished yet,’ I warned, and opened the door to go out.

  ‘I sincerely hope not,’ he said softly behind me. Monica was ahead of me and had already let the Chinese teacher in. I sighed with exasperation and went into my room. I lay on the bed and opened one of the books on Chinese gods. I was certain now that they’d been left there for me.

  That couple on the beach had disappeared completely. The kid today had made a chopper magically appear in his hand. Both Simone and Mr Chen could tell who was in the house without seeing them.

  I did another internet search on Xuan Tian Shang Di and was referred to a page about Xuan Wu. I clicked the link and the screen filled with information about the Dark Lord of the North, Xuan Wu. Something to do with snakes and turtles—he either defeated them or he was one or even both of them. Controlled water; brought rain.

  Xuan Wu, also called the Dark Emperor Zhen Wu, and Chen Wu and Pak Tai in Southern China. Pak Tai, who had a temple on Cheung Chau devoted to him. Boring Pak Tai.

  God of Martial Arts, Emperor of the Northern Heavens. Always in black; dishevelled hair, bare feet. Destroyer of demons.

  Could it be a codename?

  But spy things wouldn’t explain all the weird stuff in the Chen household…

  I stared at the screen with disbelief. Dark Lord Xuan Wu? No way.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  We had the usual Chinese vegetarian meal that evening. Simone chatted about the yum cha and the wedding photos, but didn’t mention our mad rush home.

  ‘I have arranged a trip for us to Paris,’ Mr Chen said. Leo let out his breath in a long hiss, but didn’t say anything.

  ‘Can we see Aunty Kwan?’ Simone said.

  ‘That’s why we’re going—I need to meet with Aunty Kwan.’

  ‘I wanna go to the Eiffel Tower!’

  ‘You always want to go to the Eiffel Tower,’ he said, smiling indulgently.

  Simone screwed up her face. ‘I like it. Can I go to the Science Museum as well?’

  ‘You want to go to London too?’

  Simone nodded, wide-eyed. ‘Yes, please, Daddy. I want to see James and Charlie.’

  He sighed. ‘All right. But only for a couple of days. I can’t stay away for too long, you know that.’

  ‘Okay, Daddy.’

  ‘Leo, ask Monica to take Simone and we’ll discuss the details.’

  After Monica had taken Simone out of the dining room, Mr Chen became much more businesslike. I listened carefully; this would be my first trip overseas with them and I didn’t want to screw up.

  ‘Out of Macau as usual, Leo,’ he said. ‘We’ll stay with Ms Kwan in Paris, and in the house in Kensington in London.’

  ‘Understood, sir,’ Leo said.

  ‘Have you ever been to Europe, Miss Donahoe?’ Mr Chen said. ‘Do you speak French?’

  ‘No. Australia and Asia only.’ I grimaced with embarrassment. ‘My French is pathetic.’

  ‘Not a problem. Leo’s French is perfect, and he will escort you and Simone while I meet with Ms Kwan.’

  ‘How long will you meet with her, sir?’ Leo said.

  ‘Five days.’

  Leo nodded.

  ‘Then three days in London, and back here. Guard them well, Leo, we will be a long way from the Mountain.’

  ‘Sir.’

  Mr Chen turned to me and put his palms firmly on the table. ‘Any questions, Emma?’ He saw my face. ‘What?’

  ‘You called me Emma. You usually call me Miss Donahoe.’

  ‘Oh,’ he said. ‘Sorry.’

  ‘No, no.’ I waved my hands in front of me. ‘Please. Emma. Call me Emma. Miss Donahoe is so formal.’

  He smiled and his eyes wrinkled up. ‘Very well…Emma.’

  ‘Don’t even think about it, girlie, you don’t have a chance,’ Leo growled as we walked together down the hallway.

  ‘Don’t worry, Leo, he’s far too old for me,’ I said, still thinking about those eyes.

  ‘You’re not wrong there.’

  ‘How old is he anyway? He looks mid-forties, but sometimes he seems older, sometimes younger—he’s hard to pick.’

  ‘You’re in your late twenties, right?’

  I nodded.

  ‘Well then, let’s just say that he’s a hell of a lot older than you and you really don’t have a chance. So just forget it.’

  ‘Jealous?’

  Leo stopped. ‘Mr Chen’s wife was a truly wonderful human being. I knew her for a long time before she met him, and I loved her like a sister. His heart is still broken, Emma. He’ll never love anybody again the way that he loved her.’

  ‘What happened to her?’

  ‘She died.’

  ‘I know she died, Leo,’ I said gently. ‘What happened?’

  ‘None of your goddamn business.’ He stomped into his room and slammed the door.

  We travelled to Macau in a fifteen-metre Chinese-style junk. It had an air-conditioned central lounge with a large-screen TV. Simone and I sat in deckchairs on the open-air back of the boat and watched the scenery go past.

  It was fascinating to see the sudden change as we left Hong Kong Harbour. We moved from the densely packed highrises on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon to the sparsely populated Outlying Islands. We went in close past Lantau Island, its rocky crags extending right to the edge of the water. Most of Lantau was deserted, its steep hillside covered in scrub and wild azaleas. The new airport was on the other side of the island.

  ‘Why do we have to go to Macau?’ I shouted to Mr Chen, who sat in the lounge reading a Chinese book.

  ‘Private jets aren’t allowed in Chek Lap Kok, it’s too busy.’

  I was thrilled. I quickly rose and went into the cabin to speak to him. ‘We’re going in a private jet?’

  He nodded and returned to his book.

  I sat down. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’

  He shrugged without looking up from his book.

  ‘Hey,’ I said sharply, and he glanced up at me. ‘You need to tell me what’s going on, Mr Chen.’

  Leo snorted with amusement from the other side of the cabin and I rounded on him. ‘You too. Tell me what’s going on!’

  Mr Chen opened his mouth to say something, then obviously changed his mind and smiled. ‘Very well. We will take my jet from Macau airport to Paris. We will stay in Paris for five days, then fly to London. London for three days, where I have a house in Kensington. Then we’ll take the jet back here. Is that acceptable, Miss Donahoe?’

  I bobbed my head and spoke with mock appreciation. ‘Thank you for explaining, Mr Chen.’

  He smiled over the top of his book. ‘You are most welcome.’

  ‘Do you own this boat?’

  ‘Yes. I need to buy a bigger one. It’s very slow; it takes nearly two hours to travel to Macau.’ ‘Hey, it’s fun to go slow. There’s a lot to see.’ ‘It’s not safe,’ Leo said. ‘We’ll be fine,’ Mr Chen said.

  ‘We shouldn’t leave Simone in the back by herself like that! It’s not safe!’

  Mr Chen sighed with exasperation. ‘Leo, we’re on the water.’

  ‘Oh,’ Leo said. ‘Sorry.’ He went to the back of the boat and sat with Simone anyway.

  Mr Chen smiled over the top of his book, as if to say: he worries too much.

  I smiled back: yes, he does.

  The jet was ready for us when we arrived at Macau.

  Simone behaved perfectly through all of the customs and immigration procedures. She seemed experienced in the rush-and-wait of the airport paperwork. Fortunately Macau airport wasn’t terribly busy and we reached the customs checkpoint reasonably quickly.

  Leo nodded to Mr Chen as he lifted the la
rge carry-on bag onto the conveyor belt for the safety inspection. As the bag went through the X-ray machine, the two security staff shot to their feet and stared at the monitor. Mr Chen went rigid and concentrated on them. They waved us through.

  I glared at Leo as we walked towards the plane and he pointedly ignored me. Mr Chen seemed oblivious, and Simone chatted about visiting Aunty Kwan. It was as if nothing had happened.

  I held Simone’s hand as we walked up the small staircase into the jet. It was about the size of a bus, with large comfortable seats inside and a couch against one wall. Leo almost had to crouch to go through the door.

  We sat in the seats and buckled up. The ground staff closed the door and rapped on the side. Mr Chen went up to the cockpit to talk to the pilots.

  ‘Been on a private jet before?’ Leo said.

  ‘No,’ I said. ‘Pretty cool.’

  ‘Yeah. Mr Chen had this one specially fitted. Behind the kitchen there’s a little bunk for Simone.’ ‘He owns this plane outright?’ Leo hesitated, then, ‘Yes.’ ‘How much money does he have anyway?’

  ‘Let’s just say that if he wanted his own 747, he could buy one tomorrow.’

  ‘But I’ve never seen his name on the Richest Men list.’

  ‘That’s because he doesn’t want to be,’ Leo snapped, and turned away.

  Mr Chen returned from the cockpit. ‘Brian says we should have smooth flying most of the way.’

  After we’d taken off, Mr Chen rose and touched Simone’s shoulder. ‘Are you tired, darling?’ ‘No, Daddy, I’d like to draw.’

  ‘Leo, show Emma where everything is. I’ll go up the back and rest. If anything happens, call me immediately.’

  ‘Yes, sir.’

  ‘Make sure Simone drinks plenty of water, please, Emma.’

  ‘Sure, Mr Chen.’

  He nodded and went towards the back of the plane.

  Leo pointed at the back wall. ‘There’s a little kitchen in there. Behind that is the bunk room. Anything you need, it’s in the kitchen.’

  ‘Can you turn on the video for me, Leo?’ Simone said.

  ‘Sure, sweetheart.’ Leo went to the television which was set into the wall. ‘There’s a few videos in the cupboard here, Emma—just put something on for her, it’s a long flight.’ He showed me where the videos were, turned on the unit, then went into the galley and returned with a soda for himself and an apple juice for Simone.

  Simone watched some of the videos then fell asleep in my lap. I must have fallen asleep as well, because the sound of their quiet voices woke me. I heard my name mentioned so stayed still to listen.

  ‘You should tell her, my Lord. She won’t stop pestering both of us until we do. And if we don’t tell her soon, she’s going to resign. You’ll have to tell her, and prove it.’

  Mr Chen’s voice was full of pain. ‘I can’t do anything to prove it, Leo. I am too weak.’ ‘It’s really that bad?’ Mr Chen didn’t reply.

  ‘Damn,’ Leo said softly. ‘You left it too long. But you still have to tell her, otherwise she’s going to lose her goddamn temper again and leave us anyway.’

  ‘I don’t want to lose her,’ Mr Chen said, wistful. ‘If we tell her the truth, she may be scared away.’

  ‘She won’t be scared away. She doesn’t seem to be frightened by anything.’

  ‘You’re quite right, she’s remarkable.’

  ‘You should tell her.’

  ‘I know.’ Mr Chen groaned. ‘She keeps pushing me to tell her, she knows something’s going on. We’ll do it in Paris. I was planning to tell her there anyway, with Mercy present. No, I have a better idea. You do it. Mercy can help you if she takes it badly.’

  ‘As long as somebody tells her,’ Leo said. ‘She’s been working here for months without knowing who you really are.’

  ‘I’ve had staff who worked for me for years without knowing who I was,’ Mr Chen said. ‘Look at Monica.’

  ‘Monica knows all about it. She just ignores it because it freaks her out.’

  ‘I don’t want to lose her,’ Mr Chen said. ‘I’d love to teach her. She moves with natural grace and would probably be a formidable warrior.’

  ‘Teach her then. She wants to learn.’

  ‘She’s agile and fearless. She’s intelligent too, it sparkles in her eyes.’ His voice became wistful again. ‘She has wonderful eyes.’

  ‘Well then, teach her.’

  Mr Chen dropped his voice. ‘I will discuss the possibility with Mercy, but I don’t think it would be a good idea for me to spend so much time in close physical contact with Emma.’

  Leo was silent for a moment. Then he spoke again, his voice a soft growl. ‘No way. I do not believe this. No way.’

  Mr Chen was silent.

  ‘Tell me it’s not true,’ Leo said.

  Mr Chen sighed loudly.

  ‘This is all we need,’ Leo said. ‘You should dismiss her now, my Lord. Don’t even think about starting something you can’t finish.’

  ‘Simone adores her.’

  ‘And you?’

  Mr Chen was silent for a moment. Then, ‘I don’t want to lose her. I love being with her, having her around.’ His voice softened. ‘I wish things could be different.’

  My heart leapt.

  ‘Well, they can’t, so both of you will just have to get over it,’ Leo said. ‘If you really feel that way then you should let her go.’

  They fell silent again. I was about to make a display of waking when Mr Chen spoke. ‘There are some interesting weather patterns over the Mediterranean.’

  ‘Mess with the weather and Ms Kwan will rip your shell off,’ Leo growled. ‘How long before they’ll come after us? They know how weak you are.’

  ‘It is only a matter of time. Mercy can tell us more. We should be safe now that we are far from their Centre. They are weak.’

  ‘So are you. You shouldn’t have waited this long to see her.’

  ‘I’ll be fine.’

  ‘You shouldn’t take risks like this!’ Leo hissed. ‘Think of what’s at stake here!’

  ‘I am very well aware of what’s at stake here!’ Mr Chen whispered ferociously.

  Leo threw himself out of his chair and went out. Something crashed in the galley and Simone shot upright with a squeak.

  Charade over.

  ‘It’s okay, sweetheart,’ I said, and pulled her to me.

  She freed herself from my arms and scurried to her father, then clambered into his lap and curled up. He smiled down at her and stroked her hair.

  I yawned, stretching. Leo came out of the galley with a soda and flung himself into one of the chairs, which protested under his weight. ‘You snore.’

  ‘I do not!’

  ‘Leave her alone, Leo.’

  Leo grunted and turned his chair away from us. ‘Leo, you are very tired and you have lost your edge. Go and rest.’

  Leo didn’t move. ‘That’s an order, Leo.’

  Leo glared at Mr Chen and stomped towards the back of the plane.

  Mr Chen and I shared a smile. ‘Sleep well?’ he said. ‘How long was I out?’

  He checked his watch. ‘Only a couple of hours.’

  We sat quietly together. He stroked Simone’s hair.

  I shifted and he glanced at me. I opened my mouth to say ‘Mr Chen, are you a god?’ and then closed it again, feeling ridiculous. I decided to make a sideways attack on the issue.

  ‘Mr Chen, what’s your real name?’

  He looked straight into my eyes and I nearly became lost in them. ‘Why do you ask?’

  ‘Because on the letters that come in, you have six different first names.’

  ‘You’ve been in my study?’

  ‘No, of course not, I respect your privacy. But I’ve seen the letters.’

  ‘I’ll have to tell Leo and Monica that; they’re always trying to tidy my study.’ He didn’t seem fazed. ‘Six names would be about right.’

  ‘So which one is the right one?’

  He smiled slight
ly. ‘They all are.’

  ‘Oh, come on,’ I said. ‘What’s your real name?’

  ‘Right now, my real name is John Chen Wu. That is me.’ He smiled into my eyes. ‘You can call me John if you like.’ His gaze became intense and he dropped his voice. ‘Call me John.’

  I looked back at him and spoke softly. ‘I don’t think that would be appropriate.’

  ‘As you wish.’ He leaned back and stroked Simone’s hair. ‘We’ll be there soon.’

  Loud snores floated from the back of the plane and we both smiled.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Once again Mr Chen did something to the airport staff and they didn’t notice the bag as it went through the x-ray machine.

  A van with a driver was waiting for us at the airport and took us into the city of Paris. Simone stared out the window, delighted, as we drove past the elegant, old-fashioned buildings. We pulled into a side street on the edge of Montmartre, around the corner from the Moulin Rouge. Five-storey townhouses stood either side of the tree-lined street, with curved facades and elaborate windows.

  The driver parked the van outside what appeared to be an apartment building. Inside, it was a house. The large entry had sweeping Art Nouveau stairs and a glittering chandelier.

  A slender, middle-aged Chinese lady came down the stairs to meet us. She wore a flowing pantsuit of white silk, and had an enormous amount of hair piled on her head. She moved with the grace of a princess and her smooth oval face was angelic.

  Simone ran to her and clutched her around the legs. ‘Aunty Kwan!’

  Ms Kwan crouched and pushed a stray lock of hair out of Simone’s eyes. ‘Simone, Simone. You are more beautiful every day, and more and more like your mother.’

  Simone kissed her loudly on the cheek.

  Ms Kwan rose and went to Mr Chen. She put one slender manicured hand on his shoulder and leaned up to kiss him on the cheek.

  I’d never seen him blush before. It was charming.

  ‘Hello, old Wu,’ she said. ‘Keeping well?’

  ‘All the better for seeing you, my Lady.’

  ‘You have left it a long time, my friend.’

  ‘I know.’