The Mountain Master of Sha Tin by Ian Hamilton

Author:Ian Hamilton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: House of Anansi Press Inc
Published: 2019-05-30T14:18:03+00:00

( 15 )

For the second time that day, Ava took the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour, but instead of sitting at the front, she sat in the rear so she could watch the Hong Kong skyline receding into the distance. When she disembarked, she got into a taxi for the short ride to the Sheraton, and at four-twenty she walked through its massive glass doors into a busy lobby. She had called Ko and told him to meet her there, but there was no sign of him or Sonny. She looked in vain for a vacant seat and then walked over to the lobby lounge. Inside she saw a couple of unoccupied corner tables. She pushed them together and grouped the Scandinavian-style chairs around them.

She saw a server frowning at her, and waved him over. “We’re going to be a party of at least five,” she said. “The others will be here soon.”

“Will you be eating?” he asked.

“Do we have to have food in order to sit here?”

“No, but we do have a nice snack selection.”

“We’ll look at the menu. I know we’ll have drinks, and maybe some of my colleagues will eat,” she said. “While I’m waiting, I’ll have a glass of whatever Sauvignon Blanc you have.”

When he moved off, Ava checked her phone. There weren’t any messages from Sonny or Ko. She tried looking into the lobby, but her view was impeded by a wide spiral staircase that went up to the mezzanine. She began to wish Sonny had chosen a homier meeting spot. Service was prompt, though, and as she took her first sip of wine she spotted Sonny standing in the lobby, head and shoulders above everyone around him. She went to the lounge entrance and called his name. He smiled and came towards her, followed by Andy and Carlo.

“Andy, you know Ko, don’t you?” she said.

“Yeah.”

“Do me a favour and wait in the lobby until he arrives.”

“Sure thing,” Andy said.

Sonny and Carlo joined her at the table. The server appeared almost at once. He looked at Carlo, who was dressed in jeans and a polo shirt with his tattooed arms visible, and Ava half anticipated a problem. Instead the server said, “What would you gentlemen like to drink?”

“Is it okay if I have a beer?” Carlo asked Ava, recalling the no-booze policy she had imposed on jobs in the past.

“A beer is fine,” she said.

“San Miguel,” Carlo said.

“Same for me,” Sonny added.

“Are Ching and the other guy at your brother’s place?” Ava asked Carlo as soon as the server left.

“They are, and they didn’t complain. I think they’re happy to be as far from the garage as they can be.”

“Good. And what did you find in the back alley?”

“It’s narrow, with enough room for just one truck. If you believe the signs, most of the businesses take deliveries through the back. They all have doors, some double but most single. Phoenix’s is single, solid metal. If it is barred and bolted like Ching says, I

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