The Norway Room (19 page)

SHUKO

32

It was sometimes the way when the Red Guard went to execute someone that they would make them lie in the family bed, then before the assembled household, neighbours too sometimes, the shots were fired. Then all watched. The Guards, relatives, neighbours. They watched the blood seeping into the bedroll. The stain growing larger. Redder and redder. Larger and larger.

The English phrase
sweet dreams
is common in many languages and cultures. In the China of my youth,
safe dreams
was the salutation. And they were the final words of the jeering Red Guards to those huddled around the sodden mattress. Chin Lou's memoir
Haunted by the Dreams of the Red Mattresses
tells of sleeping with the stains, dried and brown, sleeping with the evidence. I believe the book is still banned.

I slept on the navy-blue futon I had prepared for my guest. And it was sweet dreams indeed that I enjoyed.

At first – and then the mattress turned red. Trudy's blood seeped across it and stained my reputation for faultless competence. A phone call disturbed my early-evening nap, the voice of Hsinshu himself. ‘There has been a development, Shuko.' There was no stretching of vowel sounds. Each syllable short and abrupt. ‘Rather shocking. Certainly unfortunate. You are not aware of it?'

I am Shuko, who stands strong as an oak at the right hand of the Emperor. But as I heard those hard short syllables,
shock-ing, unfor-tun-ate
, rapid twists of a weapon in a wound, my spirit became more like the willow. ‘No, Emperor.' He could hear it in my voice.

‘Ah.' A long and disappointed sigh. I had heard that sigh before, but never before provoked by any action of mine. ‘Then I must tell you – our plans have met a serious setback. Very serious. It seems you have been outflanked, Shuko. Outgunned. Literally. I have learned that Mr Stretton was shot in his office just an hour or two ago. Through the head. Quite dead of course. His secretary, or mistress, with him.'

His secretary, or mistress
– I was still lying on the navy-blue futon. Just seconds before, I had been dreaming of Trudy's golden hair lain across it.

It is a test of the quality of men such as I that we can regain focus so quickly at such times. Or perhaps it was just the triviality of the sentiment that I had allowed to overtake me.

‘Crawford?'

‘Apparently not. Unless he is playing a particularly devious hand, and I can see no reason why he should. It was he who gave me the news. Delivered in something of a tirade. He is quite sure that Mr Stretton was shot by a Chinese. And therefore of course he believes it to be us. He said his man Kieran Walsh has talked to someone from the club. The assassin was masked, but lifted the mask in a corridor beyond the CCTV. Just a little. Just enough for them to know. The Chinese.' A pause. Then: ‘But not us.'

‘No, Emperor.'

*

It seemed at first that no one was behind the counter of the Bamboo Garden. Looking in through the window I saw only two customers awaiting their orders: a youth leaning against the counter intent on his phone, and a woman seated, looking up at the television mounted on the wall. Then I saw the top of Siyu's head; she was sitting behind the counter, flicking through a magazine.

‘Uncle.' She rose smiling from her seat, dropping the magazine on to her chair. Her hand went for her belly – and rested on it. Yangku followed me into the shop. Siyu smiled at him too. Then, sensing something, ‘Uncle?'

‘Feiyang.'

‘He is not here, Uncle. He has been out since lunchtime.'

‘Siyu, you must come with me.' Yangku lifted the counter hatch and held out his hand to her. ‘Come quickly now, Siyu. It is important.'

‘Uncle, what is wrong?' The customers watched. Siyu's hands covered her belly. Yangku put his hand on her shoulder, gently. ‘Mamma,' she shouted, ‘Mamma,' and took hold of the back of the chair.

Outside a couple of people stared as we dragged her away. A man coming out of the Madrigal moved towards us then thought better of it. Yangku tipped Siyu into the boot of the Rover and we were away.

Yangku drove. Very quickly. In a side street he stopped. I went to the boot. I could hear the girl weeping. Sobs. ‘Siyu? Are you listening? This is very important. Are you listening? If you are sensible nothing will happen to you or the child. We are taking you to my flat to wait for Feiyang. When we get there do not make a fuss. Do you understand? No shouting. No screaming. Nothing. No harm will come to you if you behave sensibly.'

As Yangku continued the journey to Nimrod House at a more cautious speed, I called Feiyang. ‘You have behaved very foolishly. Your action is a direct attack on the Dragon's interest.' I had decided not to use the words punishment or revenge. ‘You will recall our conversation, Feiyang – about history. The Emperor Bang. I have Siyu.' I ended the call. I had no interest in anything he had to say. Yangku stared straight ahead, concentrating on the road before us.

The girl was quiet as we parked up. Her tear-stained face blinked up at me when I lifted the boot. ‘Uncle.' She spoke Chinese. ‘Uncle, please. Help me. Look.' She brushed a hand across herself. ‘The waters.'

I helped her out of the boot. ‘Behave properly. You understand? And all will be well.'

‘Take me home, Uncle. Or take me to the hospital.'

I took her arm. ‘Say nothing.' I squeezed. ‘Do you understand?'

She trudged between Yangku and myself into Nimrod House. The lift was empty. I pressed fifteen. Slowly clutching her belly she padded the steps up to the sixteenth, Yangku ahead of her, me behind. Only once did she stop. And, turning towards me, ‘Why? What has happened?'

I was unmoved. ‘Keep going.' Inside the flat I led her to the room I was preparing for Trudy. She made for the futon and threw herself upon it. And in that movement the wailing began.

33

At the end of the line Miss Blossom listened to everything without interruption. I was standing at the window looking out at the lights of the Mendy, glittering cheaply in the darkness.

‘Miss Blossom?'

‘I am here.' When Miss Blossom had answered my call there was sharpness in her tone; why had I phoned her at home? She presumed it was urgent, important. Yes it was. Her voice was softer now. ‘I am thinking. Considering.' The silence returned. I tracked the lights of a lorry moving out of the estate towards the Tallis Road. ‘You ask a great deal of me.' I let the statement hang. ‘But you acknowledge this and say you are ready to pay.'

‘Handsomely, ma'am. My driver will collect you from your home whenever you say. He can be with you in half an hour. And of course he will return you to your door.'

‘I see. Good.' The lorry was on the Tallis now, merging with other lights, soon it would be indistinguishable. ‘My fee for this call-out will be five thousand pounds in cash.'

‘Let's call it six.' There was a cry from Trudy's room. ‘I think I can hear another contraction. Will it be convenient to collect you in an hour?'

*

Soon I too was among the lights of the Tallis Road driving to the casino. There was no doubt in my mind that the killings at the Norway Room would do grave damage to my status within the Dragon. An unreliable servant is useless. The sigh of disappointment I had heard from the Emperor echoed in my mind and the shame was hard to bear, but for the moment I was overtaken by the desire to punish Feiyang.

There were several police cars parked up in Chinatown and a number of foot patrols, but nothing at the casino itself. I feared my access to Dragon funds might already have been withdrawn, my downfall decided upon. But this was not the case. It was still early in the evening. There was no senior member of the Dragons there. The casino staff and junior Dragons showed their usual respect. The cash was bagged without question; few in the organisation enjoy such trust.

There was no sound from Trudy's room. We had taped Siyu's mouth, tied her arms and legs, secured her to the bed. She heard me enter the room. There was enough light from the window for me to be able to see her, the shape of her. Her head lifted, turned, held for a moment and fell back.

I went to the bed and sat beside her, placed my hand on hers, stroked it very gently; there was noise behind the tape, her body pulled against her cords. ‘Hush. Hush now Siyu.' I cradled her head and whispered into her ear, as one comforting a distressed child. ‘I am back and can release you. It was, as I said, only for a short time. Soon help will be here. Medical assistance. I am going to—'

Her body contorted. A strangulated squawk, despite the tape. A sound like poultry. When she was quieter I continued.

‘I am going to ask you a few questions. They are very important – for everyone. When they are answered we can get on with things. Do you understand?' Her head bobbed against my arm. Without thinking I let my lips touch her head. ‘All will be fine.'

She gasped and gaped when the tape came off. ‘My arms. My legs. They hurt. I need to move my legs, Uncle.'

‘Hush niece. A moment. In a moment. Now tell me about your husband. What time did he leave today?'

‘This morning he went out. He came back at about one o'clock, and then left again about an hour later – without having anything to eat.'

‘And has he returned since?'

‘No.'

‘And this morning, the first time he went out. Where did he go?'

‘I don't know.'

A squeeze of her shoulder. ‘It is important, Siyu.'

‘Truly, Uncle, I don't know. Business is all he says. Kieran called for him and he said they were going out on business. That they would not be back. Then at about one o'clock, he returned. Without Kieran. He sat with Chun and Tang Weiguo then he and Tang left the shop. Again he told me business – not sure when he would be back. I ask no questions, Uncle, truly. He says it is business, there is nothing I need to know.' She was becoming upset, starting to weep.

‘Does he do a lot of business with Kieran?'

‘Recently, yes. Kieran comes a lot, and they talk. Sometimes they go out together.'

‘Did he tell you anything about the business?' Another squeeze, harder this time. ‘It is very important, Siyu, then I can untie you.'

There was a sigh halted by a sob. ‘Only that they have very big plans. For a takeover. That will make a lot of money. The start of very big things. A big takeover that will change everything for us.' She cried uncontrollably now, aware of what she had done.

I rested my chin on her head. ‘You have done well, Siyu. Very well. I will make you some tea and then untie you. Relax.' And I eased her head back on to the bed.

34

Miss Blossom was wearing a black trouser suit, perfectly cut to her height and figure, a red stripe down the outer sides of the trousers, a pink carnation embroidered like a badge on the jacket. She had made her way down on high heels from the seventeenth floor.

Yangku carried her small leather case. Once through the door of the flat she removed her headscarf of pink silk and handed it to me. I folded it, and bowed. She nodded a response, then smiled – such refinements please her. An ivory comb finely carved with Shinto symbols held her black hair in a bun to the back of her head. ‘Where is the patient?'

‘Through here, Miss Blossom.'

‘Ah, the navy futon. And the pictures. Very nice. And you are Siyu. Now have no fear. All will be well.'

Arching her back and bending low she took Siyu's hand, placed her fingers on the girl's wrist.

‘Are you –?'

‘Let me take your pulse.' Turning to me, ‘How long is it since the last contraction?'

‘Five minutes, I would say.'

‘No, longer. Ten.' Siyu corrected.

‘My case please.' Yangku brought the case. ‘Here. Put it here.' From it Miss Blossom first took a leather pouch. She removed her rings and dropped them in. Siyu followed each movement. Miss Blossom noticed. ‘Beautiful rings aren't they.' She showed the last one to the girl. ‘This emerald is my favourite. Very valuable. All of them. And they did not come easily, I can tell you.' Unzipping a pocket in her jacket she popped the pouch in and rezipped it. She took a white plastic apron from the bag and put it on, a box of rubber gloves, a stethoscope and shears, all of which she placed beside the futon. Two towels she laid beside Siyu. ‘I will need some bowls of hot water.'

Standing outside the open bedroom door I listened to Miss Blossom reassuring Siyu. She used the peasant dialect and idioms of Hubei Province. When the contraction came her tone was firmer as she instructed Siyu to push. ‘Harder now. Come on. It will be easier for you in the end. This is no time for fears or tears. You must work, push.' Then softly, ‘That was good. You did very well. We are nearly there. Soon all will be over.'

The sounds held me. The heavy breaths, panting, wails and sobs of Siyu, the fluctuating tones of Miss Blossom's voice. An image of Trudy came to my mind, lying on the futon, almost smiling.

Miss Blossom came to stand beside me. ‘We are nearly there,' she whispered. ‘You have the money?'

‘Six thousand pounds sterling. In cash. In the other room.'

‘I think the light is too harsh for this business now. Let us have candlelight. I have some in my case.'

‘I have some too, Miss Blossom.'

‘Good, that will be very nice. Shadows and flickering lights. Very nice. It will make the girl feel better.'

*

Miss Blossom knelt on the futon, her hands between the girl's legs. ‘Another push, Siyu. You are taking too long. Far too long.' The girl yelled. In the candlelight I watched the shadows of her contortions dance across the walls. I saw the head break free into Miss Blossom's hands, the body slither after it. A yellow parcel, swinging from Miss Blossom's hands, blue-veined and slimy, white and grey, thin red streaks of blood. The woman's hands worked quickly around the head. ‘The cord is caught. Tangled around the neck.' To whom she spoke exactly wasn't clear. Siyu? The room? She cut the cord. The room was filled with Siyu's gasps. Yangku and I stood watching the woman at work.

Siyu's breathing became quieter, steadier. Miss Blossom wrapped the child in a towel. Quickly. Took it to Siyu. ‘You took too long, my dear. And the cord was round its neck. See.' And she showed her the dead baby. Siyu reached out. ‘Better not. It is better you rest.'

Siyu screamed and lunged forward as Miss Blossom moved away from her. ‘Let me have her. Let me see.'

Miss Blossom turned. ‘Sit back,' she barked. ‘Sit back you foolish girl. Sit back and be quiet.'

The shocked girl did as she was told. Miss Blossom sat beside her. ‘Look,' she held the child so Siyu could see it. ‘No. Don't touch. Just look. The child is dead. Was born dead. It is sad. But there it is. It happens a hundred times every day – around the world.' There was quiet. A tableau. Two women on the bed. Candlelight. Yangku and I standing either side of the open doorway. ‘Enough,' said Miss Blossom and rose. ‘Stay.' She carried the baby to Yangku. ‘Take it away,' she whispered.

Returning to the bed she took Siyu in her arms, and held her. ‘Cry now girl. It is over. Let it go.' And she held her as the girl sobbed and wailed. When she quietened, Miss Blossom took her to the bathroom, watched her shower. She made soothing noises, dried her and brought her back to the futon where she covered her with a quilt I had bought for Trudy. Miss Blossom took a sachet from her case. She looked to me: ‘A glass of water.' She emptied powder from the sachet into it. ‘This is a sedative, Siyu. It will make you sleep. You must get as much sleep as possible. You are very young. There will be many babies. More than you need. Safe dreams.'

Outside the closed bedroom door I handed Miss Blossom her money. She put it into the case. I passed her her scarf. She flicked it to a square and put it on.

‘Ring me if you have any concerns. She should sleep for a long time. When she wakes, make sure she is well fed. Soup. Rice. Meat. In a day or two she will be fine.'

I watched from the window of my bedroom as Yangku and Miss Blossom made their way across Nimrod car park, two tiny figures now. Soon the Rover was making its way towards the Tallis Road. I was held again by the lights of the Mendy. Like a thousand New Year lanterns. Next door Siyu was sleeping like a baby.