As he clinically recounted his investigation of the China Peony, his gruesome discovery of the body, and the eventual identification of Guang Henglai, he watched as her face shifted from interest to disgust to concern. As she spoke with dispassion about the discovery of Billy Watson and his parents’ differing yet strange reaction to his death, David’s face mirrored her own confusion. (She didn’t mention that she’d been pulled off the case—that would only raise questions whose answers would not show the Chinese government in a positive light.) Through it all, they sounded politely professional, so that anyone listening would glean nothing of their past relationship other than cool civility. Anyone in the room, however, would have felt the tension of restrained emotions.
“I understand from the vice minister that your pathologist found a residue in Henglai’s lungs similar to what we found,” Hulan ventured. She was careful not to use her father’s full name. David hadn’t made the connection and she didn’t want to tell him. She’d have enough trouble working with him without her odd family history coming into it. “Was he able to determine what it was?”
“Not exactly. He thinks it’s from some type of insect and that it’s extremely toxic. But other than that, nothing. How about your guy?”
A frown crossed Hulan’s features, but her voice was businesslike as she replied, “Pathologist Fong noted that the teeth and fingernails had turned a dark color unlike anything he had seen before. Did your pathologist find something similar?”
David vividly remembered the color of Guang Henglai’s teeth grinning out at him as he lay in the hold of the China Peony. “Our coroner dismissed that as some sort of degradation consistent with the extended period of decomposition.”
David expected Hulan to add to her report, but she only made a slight humming sound followed by “We were unable to perform forensic tests.”
David waited for more, but Hulan kept her silence.
“Tell me what you know about the Rising Phoenix,” David said after a moment.
Hulan sighed. This was another subject she would have to be careful with. “Section Chief Zai has ordered various investigations of the Rising Phoenix. I haven’t worked on them, but I do know that they have not been successful.”
“It’s hard to get anyone to talk,” David said. “No one wants to betray the gang.”
“Actually,” she said cautiously, “we’ve come quite close several times, but the Rising Phoenix always seems to know we’re coming.”
“You think they’re getting inside information?”
“Could be. Everything’s for sale in China.”
“What kind of evidence have you gathered?”
“I don’t know,” she answered. “Like I said, I haven’t worked on those cases.”
“But with what I know maybe we can put something together,” he offered.
“Perhaps,” she said. “It doesn’t take much evidence to get a conviction in China, but whatever facts we’ve gotten have never been enough for the vice minister.”
“Then we’ll have to find them,” David concluded.
Their eyes met again. Hulan fought the impulse to talk about more personal matters.
David cleared his throat, looked away, and said, “Inspector Liu, this is your turf and your investigation. What do you suggest we do next?”
“What would you do if you were me?”
“I think we should start with the parents.”
“Ambassador Watson is a difficult man.”
David shrugged. “He’s a politician, too, and we have to assume that he’s not stupid. This is a highly unusual situation. I suspect that he’ll recognize that and see us. What about the boy’s mother?”
“I think we’ll do better if we interview Mrs. Watson alone, but I’m not sure how to arrange that. Her husband seems very much in control.”
“Friends?”
“I know of none, but I haven’t looked.”
“That doesn’t sound like you.” The words were out of his mouth before he could think.
Another awkward silence filled the room. Finally, Hulan spoke. “The grass points where the wind blows. In China, I do what I’m told. I obey my superiors, especially in political matters. Do you understand?” She paused, then continued. “I have waited for your arrival to speak with Guang Henglai’s family.”
“What can you tell me about Guang Mingyun?”