Fraud twice felt, p.12
Fraud Twice Felt, page 12
He was half-aware of Mei kneeling beside him, trying to lift his head with her elbow since her hands were still tied. Then Roy pulled her away. Elliot forced himself to roll to his side—the side that didn’t hurt. Breathing would come. It wasn’t the first time someone had struck him there. He just had to let his diaphragm relax. But he couldn’t leave Mei to whatever Roy wanted to do with her.
Fortunately, it seemed Roy was being careful with her. She was back on the sofa, with Roy seated beside her, holding her arm and looking her over. “Are you with Madame Theresa as well, girl? Are you a prostitute?”
She spat out something in her native tongue at him, but didn’t struggle, her gaze still focused on Elliot. He eased himself up to his knees. Breathing hurt, but at least the wind was coming back for him. Surreptitiously, he searched the room for something sharp. Something to cut his zip ties, and maybe Roy too.
Roy surprised him by responding to Mei in what sounded like the same language. About the only word that stood out, since he repeated it, was “Nánji,” which he said while pointing to Elliot.
Mei glanced at Elliot as if asking for confirmation. I bet that means “whore.” Elliot flushed, shrugging. “I was. Not anymore.” It shouldn’t surprise him that Roy spoke Mandarin or whatever that language was, especially since his father was from Japan and they both had to deal with Chinese rivals. Still, it meant that there was a lot about the gang boss that he didn’t know. He had to be cautious. Mei appeared to be keeping her story quiet, which was probably for the best.
Roy sneered at him. “Are you done with your little display, E? Come sit with us. Tell me who this girl is.” He studied her again with a coldness that sent shivers through Elliot. “Otherwise, I may have to persuade her to talk on my own.”
That didn’t sound good. “Her name is Mei Chun,” Elliot began, figuring that much should be safe. Gingerly, he stood and crossed back to the sofa, sitting next to Roy. It was like sitting next to a cobra.
Elliot repressed a shudder as Roy placed a hand on his thigh. “Go on. Who is she to you?”
The key here was to stall as much as possible—to get Mei somewhere safe and somehow distract Roy. He only wished there was some urgent matter for the gang leader to attend to, to get him out for a bit. The last thing he wanted to do was let Roy fuck him again, but that might be the only way to put him out of commission for a while. Taking a deep breath, Elliot answered. “She’s the girlfriend of the son of my client. The two of them were hiding out at a friend’s for the past week, and my client was worried. I was hired to look for the two.” Completely true, and yet only scratching the surface.
“Hm.” Roy eyed Elliot, and then Mei. Without warning he lashed out, cuffing her cheek and leaving a bruise. Grabbing her by her short hair, he yanked her head back—she cried out in surprise and pain. “Who are you?” He added something in the other tongue, which was probably the same question.
Tears slid down Mei’s cheek and she trembled, but her face remained stoic. She answered at length, and Elliot figured she was telling Roy the same thing she’d told him, that she was a contract bride, that she’d paid for her passage here from China in that way.
With a grunt, Roy let go of her and stood up. “Well that’s interesting.” He glanced at Elliot, eyes narrowed. “I take it you’re aware? That she’s engaged to one of the Shizi leaders?”
Shit. Elliot couldn’t help showing his disappointment. Still, Roy would have found out sooner or later. “I’m aware. We’re figuring it out.” The less they talked about Mei, the better. Hopefully Roy would have to go gather information to confirm her story. That could keep him busy the rest of the day.
With as much humility and respect as he could muster, Elliot turned, showing Roy his bound hands. “I can’t feel my hands anymore—your guys tied them too tight. If you untie me, I could help you . . . in whatever way you need.” There. He’d said it. One more time, so that he could figure how to escape from here, keep Mei safe, and keep Roy occupied.
Roy sneered. “Oh, you’ll help me. You’ll ‘help’ me until you can’t move for a week, you pathetic trinket. I’ll mark you in such a fashion that no one ever wants to have you again.” He stood and crossed to a writing desk, opening a drawer. He pulled out a slim blade, more of a letter opener than anything else. “Come here.”
Inside, Elliot quailed, but he stood up anyways, and went to stand by Roy, turning and offering his wrists. Okay, so maybe he didn’t want to offer his “services” willingly, if it meant Roy was going to mutilate him. That just meant that he needed to fight back sooner. Like maybe now.
He felt the snap as Roy cut the zip tie, along with a rush of pain and sensation to his hands. Grimacing, Elliot forced himself to stay still, forced himself to remain calm. No sense in attacking Roy while he held a knife in his hands! “What about Mei? I didn’t check her wrists, but they’re probably in the same shape. The Shizi won’t be too happy if she’s damaged.”
“I wonder how much she’s worth,” Roy mused, and the gloating way he said it made Elliot’s skin crawl. While Roy went to Mei and released her wrists, Elliot scanned for something he could use as a weapon. His hands weren’t functioning yet. How long could he wait? Each moment seemed to be getting more and more dangerous.
“I don’t know,” Elliot said, glad that he could be honest about that. As Roy took a closer look at Mei, Elliot tested his grip and was able to pick up a paperweight on the desk. Maybe he could knock Roy out with it. He slowly stepped closer, willing the blood back into his hands, praying for strength to return. He’d only get one chance at this.
Roy grabbed Mei’s arm. “I’ll find out later. Mei Chun, you will wait in the guest bedroom. Elliot and I are going to be busy for a while.”
Elliot froze. No time to wait. He lunged the last two steps, bringing his hand up to strike from behind.
Roy whirled. Elliot saw the flash of the letter opener, but it was Roy’s fist that struck his forearm, hitting hard enough to send the paperweight flying out of his hand to smash on the floor. Pain exploded in his arm, and something cracked.
He fell to the floor, screaming and cradling his arm.
A kick to his hip followed. “You really do think I’m stupid, don’t you?” Roy shouted, kicking him again. He’d dropped the knife, but his patent leather shoes were damaging enough. Elliot curled in on himself, intent on protecting his vitals.
He broke my arm! I fucking can’t do anything right. And now he was in deep shit. “Get off me! I’ll be good now. You know I had to try.”
Mei yelled something in her language, flinging herself at Roy, grabbing him. Roy seized one of her wrists, but not before she clawed him with the other, forcing him to hold her off.
Roy shoved Mei, and then followed that up by backhanding her across the face, shouting back in the same tongue. Must protect her. Elliot tried to get up, but slipped, hitting the floor, where he rocked back and forth, moaning. The pain in his arm was incredible. It was everything he could do not to pass out. Then in English Roy yelled, “Juno! Chad! Get your asses in here.”
A rough shove to the shoulder rolled Elliot onto his back. He stared up into Roy’s furious face, cradling his arm to his chest. Already it was swelling up. Roy took one look at it and snarled. “You stupid whore. This is what happens when you cross me.” He nodded to his guards. “Put the two of them in my study. I have to check on some things. And find someone to set a broken arm.”
He grabbed Elliot’s jaw, half lifting him off the floor. Elliot remained loose and unresponsive, even though he couldn’t breathe. Roy in a rage was terrifying. “You are a pain in the ass, E. I think I’ll drug you. That should force some cooperation out of you.” He let go, and Elliot gagged, gasping for air.
Part of Elliot was cheering for himself. I didn’t let him take me this time! I stood up to him. It was an empty victory, and he knew it. But, gods, it felt good to fight back. Except, of course, for the agony in his arm.
Juno helped him sit up and Elliot noted that Mei was standing nearby, her face grave and worried. “Broken?” she asked, pointing to his arm.
He nodded, fighting back tears. The speed and strength of the attack had been terrifying. He’d known Roy was brutal, but the power seemed almost unreal.
By the time Juno pulled Elliot to his feet, Roy was gone. Chad took Mei’s arm, and the four of them went to one of the side rooms off the main living room, the study, or so Roy had called it. The pain was making Elliot nauseous, but he forced himself to pay attention.
The room had two windows.
They weren’t big windows, but he could see outside: there was a terrace that probably led around the building to the master suite. Can I get out that way? There wasn’t much to the room—a large Cherrywood desk with a slim laptop and printer, some filing cabinets, shelves with books and knickknacks, and a large ornate globe of the world on a stand. There were leather seats with brass studs. The men deposited Mei in one chair, and him in the other.
Elliot panted, fighting against the dread that wanted to suffocate him, at being trapped here. I can’t do this. Roy’s right—I’m just a weak little plaything.
Mei gripped the arms of her chair but said nothing as the men checked the room. They grabbed the laptop, the phone, and removed the staplers, scissors, and another decorative knife that sat on a shelf. Then with a wary look at Elliot and Mei, they exited, presumably to find a medic, shutting the door.
“I am so sorry,” Elliot said.
Then he passed out.
On the drive over to Bob’s Bail Bonds, Derwin kept checking his phone, but there was nothing from Elliot.
It made sense; while Derwin’s meeting with the gang had been at a scheduled place and time, Elliot would be walking all over campus and interviewing teachers and students. It was likely that he wouldn’t check in with Derwin until the afternoon, well after any trouble that Derwin had to deal with. And that was assuming Elliot found a payphone.
Nevertheless, it grated on his nerves. It shouldn’t—it was the university. Lots of people around, including campus security. Totally safe.
So why was he getting a bad feeling?
Derwin dropped Connie off at her place first. She was a wreck. Fifty thousand dollars gone, and still no son. He reassured her that at least they knew exactly where Billy was. And that he was alive.
“Focus on that. I’m going to find this box and brainstorm how to get your son without handing over Mei Chun. I know you’re religious—hold to your faith and pray for your son’s safe return,” Derwin told her.
Connie nodded. “I will. You keep me updated, okay?”
“Absolutely.” He hugged her hard and headed out. Once he was back in the car, it seemed too quiet, too empty. He drove back to Bob’s, parked on the street at the bond agency, and went inside, half expecting to see Elliot sitting at the desk even though he knew that was crazy.
Bob ran up as soon as the door shut. “Well? Where is he? I thought you’d bring Connie and Billy directly here. So we could eat together. Were they lying? Didn’t they have him? What happened?” Sweat stood out on his forehead, and his eyes were bright and feverish.
Derwin winced, bracing himself. “The Shizi have him. They spotted me right away—they showed me a video feed with Billy, so we know he’s alive. And they took the money. Now they want something more.”
At that, Bob’s eyes almost popped out of his head. “What? You gave them the money? And you got nothing? Are you crazy? What the fuck were you thinking?”
Worried that Bob might physically blow apart—Derwin took hold of his shoulders firmly. He related what had taken place at the drop-off location, including his conversation with the gang leader and their requirements. “I’m sorry about the money. I think they were waiting for me.”
Once he was sure Bob wasn’t going to jump out of his skin any longer, Derwin let go. “I’m not sure what to do about the girl. They only gave me twenty-four hours to come up with everything. I had to talk to you first, and then I figured I’d check in with Elliot, see if he’s located Mei or any signs of where they’ve been hiding. Mei might know about this box.” Derwin shook his head. That sick feeling in his stomach was only growing worse. “It’s bad, Bob. I’m open to suggestions.”
“Wow.” Sweat beaded Bob’s upper lip. He wiped at it unconsciously, as he began to pace. “So now they want this box. And some poor girl.” He glanced back at Derwin. “Of course if we go to the police, they kill Billy. Right?”
Derwin nodded. “If I can find the box, maybe we can negotiate them out of taking Mei.” He scratched his head. “It’s either that, or when we see them tomorrow, we’d better be ready for an all-out war.”
Bob resumed pacing. “I can call in other bounty hunters . . . perhaps a few friends. We can’t let them get everything. The money I can replace. But I hate the idea of handing over an innocent girl to a vicious gang.”
“Any help would be good at this point.” Derwin didn’t like the idea of involving others, but if they were going to defy a major criminal organization, the more help the better. He checked his phone again. Still no word from Elliot. “Elliot hasn’t called here, has he?”
Bob shook his head. “It’s been quiet. I had a couple of people post bonds, but that’s about it.”
Derwin nodded, his nerves buzzing. There were no alternatives. He’d have to drive over to the university, find Elliot, and see how the investigation was going. Twenty-four hours would pass by much too quickly.
As he turned to leave, however, a young man with scruffy hair tore up to the shop at a full run, barely pausing to open the door before he rushed in. He was sweating all over, his eyes wild like he’d been running from demons. “Bob? This Bob’s Bail Bonds?”
Derwin glanced at Bob, who answered, “Yeah, that’s me. Can I help you?”
Bob motioned for the guy to sit down, while Derwin crossed to the water jug and poured him a cup of water. Derwin handed it to the young man once he was seated, and he sucked it down, panting heavily. “Oh man. Oh man. I didn’t think I’d make it. They chased me for three blocks.” He coughed and motioned for more water. Derwin hurried to get it. What the hell is he on about?
Bob sat down across from the guy, putting on the patient face that he used with bond posters. “Who chased you? Can you give me some details, son?”
The guy nodded, wiping at his face with his shirt. “Sorry. I just— Sorry. Some gang members. Chased me all the way from my apartment.” He stared at Bob. “This kid told me to come here if there was trouble. He said it was the Tatsu. And they’ve got him and Mei.”
Alarm hit Derwin like cold water. He stepped forward, offering the cup. “Tatsu? They have Mei Chun? How do you know Mei?” On the heel of that came the thought—a kid? “Who sent you here?”
The guy grabbed for the drink, slurping it. “Yeah, um . . . trying to remember his name. Looks like a college student but he said he was a PI. Black hair, really pale skin. Skinny—attractive guy.”
Terror raced through Derwin. “Elliot? Kind of a fiery personality? He was searching for Billy Barton, correct?” Knew I shouldn’t have let him go anywhere alone! How could I have been so stupid? And without even his own cell phone to call for help. He fought against the urge to pace, trying to focus.
The guy nodded. “Yeah—that’s him! He showed up at the university in the art building, talking to some of Billy’s teachers. I sorta panicked when I heard Billy’s name, you know, because Billy’s been hiding out at my place. He got into some trouble over a job he was doing—really dumb job, looking back on it. Oh, and my name’s Chett.” Now that his message had been delivered, he seemed to be calming down, but Derwin, ready to pull his hair out, leaned over Chett, hands clenched at his sides.
“Let me get this straight. So you met Elliot at the university, and you spoke with him. And then what? Tell me everything that happened.” He was aware that Chett’s feet and his lungs were hurting him. The pain had begun to flow into him, just a trickle, but it was still feeding him. He welcomed it; he needed all the strength he could get if what he suspected was true.
Chett nodded, his eyes wide. “Yeah. I tried to run off, but Elliot caught me. I took him to my apartment where Mei has been hiding. Then this limo driver guy started pounding on the front door. Elliot said something about ‘Tatsu,’ and to run and tell somebody at Bob’s Bail Bonds. These two big guys grabbed Mei and Elliot. I managed to get free and ran like hell.”
Derwin feared he might throw up. “They grabbed both Mei and Elliot? Where did they take them? Give me every detail you remember.”
“Yeah, hang on.” Chett waved a hand at him, taking a deep breath. He glanced again at Bob before replying to Derwin. “The men had a black limo. They shoved them inside. One of the big dudes had a ponytail, and the other had a beard and looked like a wrestler.” He flushed. “Okay, they didn’t actually chase me. I didn’t see what happened after I got loose. But I felt like they were following me. Tatsu—that’s like a gang, isn’t it? What the hell did they want? I thought it was the Shizi who were after Billy.”
Derwin wanted to shoot something. Possibly himself. “The Tatsu wanted Elliot. Did they say anything—either the gang members, or Elliot and Mei?” The men had probably taken Elliot and Mei to Roy, but Derwin didn’t know where Roy lived. When Elliot had his appointment a couple of weeks ago, Derwin had dropped him off at City Central Station. The gang boss could live anywhere in the city.
Chett frowned, rubbing his forehead. “Elliot was all freaking out about them being Tatsu rather than Shizi. Mei was screaming about Billy.” He looked up at Derwin with wide eyes. “They’re in deep shit, huh. Did the Tatsu grab Billy too? I don’t understand. He never mentioned them.”
“No. The Shizi have Billy. And they want Mei.” Hopefully Chett understood the issue here, with Billy in the hands of one gang and Mei with the other. The kid could be useful, if he’d picked up any information from Billy and Mei while they’d been hiding with him. “And they also want something else—they said Billy stole an item from them. A box with some engravings inside. Did Billy talk about that? Do you know what kind of dealings he had with the Shizi?”
