Golden Buddha (Oregon Files 1)

“Right away,” the driver said.

Po reached into his car and removed a portable radio. He continued listening as the driver hooked his car to the rear. A few moments later they were on their way around the hill, then up to the mansion. Eight minutes later, the tow truck stopped on the street outside the wall around the mansion, and Po raced toward the gate. A guard stood in the dark near his shack and Po flashed his badge.

“Detective Ling Po,” he said quickly. “Macau Police.”

“I’m glad you’re here,” the guard said. “Mr. Ho is going crazy.”

“Tell me what happened,” Po said.

The guard related what had occurred. “I got off a few shots,” he said, “but they kept going.”

Po made notes on the vehicles’ descriptions and radioed them in to headquarters. “I want a countrywide bulletin issued. If anyone sees the vehicles, he is to follow them but not make a stop unless he has backup.”

After headquarters had confirmed his request, Po turned to the guard. “Have you seen any other officers here tonight?” he asked. “My boss, a Mr. Rhee, was scheduled to attend.”

“I saw him when he came,” the guard noted. “He hasn’t left.”

Po nodded and raced up the driveway. Cutting across the lawn, he made his way to the front door and flung it open. Stanley Ho was sitting in the front living room on the couch, a portable telephone at his ear. Chief Inspector Rhee was in a chair nearby.

“What happened, sir?” Po asked Rhee.

Rhee rubbed his face before answering. “I think I was drugged—my head is starting to clear, but I’m still having trouble concentrating.”

Po nodded, then listened to Ho on the telephone.

“What do you mean?” he shouted. “We called the emergency number.”

“We have no record of any call,” the operator said.

“We’ll get back to you,” Ho said, disconnecting.

“Who are you?” he asked Po.

“This is Detective Ling Po,” Rhee answered, “one of my best men.”

“Here’s the situation,” Ho said. “A priceless piece of artwork I owned was stolen tonight.”

“What exactly, sir?” Po asked.

“A six-foot-tall solid-gold Buddha figure,” Ho said.

“A similar icon was heisted from the A-Ma Temple earlier tonight,” Po said. “I doubt that is a coincidence.”

“That makes me feel better,” Ho said sarcastically.

“The telephone call you just completed?” Po asked. “What was that about?”

“A guest became ill and we called a helicopter ambulance to take her to the hospital,” Ho said. “Only the hospital has no record of our request.”

“Did you call for the helicopter?”

“No, it was a security guard,” Ho said, “but I was standing right there.”

“I’ll question the guard,” Po said.

“That’s the problem,” Rhee interjected. “The guards are gone.”

“Did you hire them yourself?” Po asked.