Burden of Conscience: fourth novel in the Collingwood Series by George Fillis

Author:George Fillis [Fillis, George]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bluerock7 LLC
Published: 2023-07-06T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Mother had been with us six weeks, and we had nearly given up hope of ever seeing Lijuan when I received a telegram at the bank from Eng:

Lijuan arrived. Complications and added expenses $10,000. Reply to Eng at Imperial General Store Vancouver for arrival date. Bring money. -Eng

I was elated and incensed at the same time. Eng gave me the impression he had conscience and decency. But he was still controlled by the syndicate and withheld $25,000 of Dung’s money intended for Chukee’s care and now was extorting $10,000 more with this gambit for added expenses. There was no way to verify the costs he was claiming. I immediately called Caitlin and read her the telegram.

“Love, I know it’s not right, but calm down and consider what’s at stake. You were willing to take Chukee for nothing and received $25,000, and you were also willing to pay to bring your family here, so we’re still ahead.”

“I feel like reporting Eng operating on D’Arcy Island to the RCMP.”

“Haven’t you already told Clive and David Yonge about D’Arcy?”

“Yes, but they’re bound by attorney-client privilege and can’t tell the authorities without my consent. I haven’t told Chief Kirkpatrick or Ellen Jerome.”

“But will you?”

“Not until I get Lijuan. The trafficking ring is like tar; it sticks on everything it touches.”

“When will you be going?”

“I’ll rearrange my schedule with Peggy and try getting tickets for tonight’s evening train. If I take Mother with me, it’ll be a three-day journey each way. I haven’t seen Lijuan in eighteen years. We won’t recognize each other, but she and Mother should know each other.”

“Lily will want to go. Assure me you won’t step foot on D’Arcy island?”

“I’ll use the $10,000 as negotiating terms to pick her up in Vancouver. Will you pack a bag for Mother and me, two small satchels with minimal clothing?

“Sure. Do you want me to tell Lily?”

“You can try. Mother will understand ‘Lijuan’ and ‘Vancouver’ and will see you packing her bag and want to help. But I don’t like leaving you alone. Will you ask Rhoda to stay with you until I get home?”

“Sure. Rhoda’s here most of the time anyway. I don’t know what we’d do without her.”

My next call was to David Yonge. He offered to pick us up at the train station and invited us to stay with him. I was hesitant because I didn’t know Lijuan’s condition, but he suggested we’d be more comfortable with him than in a hotel. When I told him about the $10,000 payment, he suggested I wire $9,800 to his law firm’s trust account, which would be available for immediate withdrawal when I arrived, and bring another $500 in cash for the balance and travel expenses.

I sent the following response to Eng:

“Arriving Friday morning. Contact in BC at 263-8443.”

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