City of Shadows by M J Lee

Author:M J Lee [Lee, M J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781474046558
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2016-07-08T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 42

Strachan showed Danilov the list that Tinkler had written for him.

‘I didn’t know there were that many clubs in Shanghai. When did Cowan ever find time to work?’

‘It seems he did enjoy a drink, sir.’

‘Let’s start at the bottom and work our way up.’

The Inspector finished his cigarette and threw it into the gutter. ‘I’m convinced that Cowan is key to both cases, Strachan. If we find him, we will find the answers to our questions.’

‘Well, looking at the list, there are four places in Blood Alley that he frequented and two more in “The Trenches”.’

‘Neither are in the International Settlement. It seems that he preferred to go outside for his relaxation.’

‘There are a couple more clubs in our area, sir, on Tibet Road and Nanking Road. More upmarket, I think.’

‘Let’s start at Blood Alley before it gets too late and the army starts killing each other.’

They drove to the first bar on Chu Pao San Road, known to the Armies, Navies and Marines of the world’s fighting forces as Blood Alley.

‘Here it is, sir. The Four Sisters. According to Moore and Tinkler, this was his favourite after-work drinking hole.

Above the door, a rough picture of four young girls was highlighted by a red lamp. The door itself was solid wood with a round porthole cut into it.

‘The sailors should feel at home.’

As Danilov spoke, one of those sailors stumbled out of the bar and into Strachan. ‘Wes me fren?’

Strachan recoiled from the alcoholic breath of the man. ’What’s that?’

‘Wes me fren?’ He swayed slightly, held upright only by the weight of his bell-bottomed trousers.

‘Where’s your friend?’

The sailor nodded, his eyes focusing on Strachan’s tie.

‘They went over there,’ said Danilov pointing to a bar across the street.

The sailor nodded once more and began to stagger across the street until he collapsed in a heap on the pavement.

Strachan went to help him up.

‘Zank ye, zank ye.’ The sailor slowly clambered to his feet and set out once again to cross the road to the bar.

‘Let’s get a move on, Strachan. I fear this is going to be a long night.’

They opened the door and pushed their way through a bead curtain. The place was dark with just a faint red glow emanating from behind the bar. In the corner, three sailors were drinking with three Russian women. It had all the appearance of the Last Supper without Jesus or any of the disciples.

The sailors looked up as the two detectives entered but silently returned to their drinks. A round, flabby woman festooned with rings that were too tight for her fingers, approached them.

‘Welcome, gentlemen, to the Four Sisters. I’ll get some girls to join you. We’ve just had a new shipment in from Harbin.’

‘That won’t be necessary, Madam.’

‘A drink then, come this way.’ She hooked her arm beneath Danilov’s elbow.

He removed the arm. ‘We’re here on business, Madam.’ He flashed his warrant card.

The woman’s smile vanished and her eyes seemed to shrink into her skull. ‘I don’t want any trouble, I know I’m behind with the payments…’

Danilov held up his hand to quieten her.

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