Gelignite (14 page)

He saw Sun lying on the roadway.

He-He lost consciousness before he could do anything to help.

Feiffer shouted into the phone, 'I've got two men in hospital, half a bloody bridge blown away in the middle of the morning traffic, the more than fair likelihood something worse is going to happen any tick of the clock, and you seriously expect me to say officially that it was a bloody water main bursting?!' He roared into the phone, 'Are you completely off your head?!'

There was a moment of silence. Feiffer said, 'Well?'

The Commander's voice was cool, even. The Commander said, 'Have you finished?'

'The question is hardly whether or not
I've
finished—the question is whether or not—'

The Commander said, 'I'm sorry, Harry, but that's how it is.' The Commander said, 'I have to take the bomber at his word and assume the basis of the attacks is political.' He said, 'Officially, the explosion was caused by a water main bursting.'

'Under a bridge? A water main?' Feiffer said seethingly, 'What with gas explosions in shops that don't happen to be fitted with gas, paraffin lanterns blowing up in the middle of bright daylight and water mains going off where there just aren't any water mains, people may just get the impression that the local plumbing around here is getting put together in Transylvania!'

'I can't help that.' The Commander said, That's the situation.' He asked, 'How are the two officers who were injured?'

'One of them's got a broken leg and the other's just knocked about.' Feiffer said, 'Fortunately, they were at the other end of the bridge and on the highway.' He lowered his voice and said reasonably, 'Look, Neal, what you don't seem to understand is that I need the assistance of the public.'

'I do understand that, Harry, and I sympathise with you.'

'I can't put a story in the newspapers saying the police are seeking the perpetrator of a water main explosion and did anyone happen to see a man with a radio transmitter? People are going to ask just what it was the transmitter
transmitted
. What am I supposed to say? That it transmitted a tone to a bloody bomb that blew up a water main, but it's the water main we're really interested in?' He said, 'Neal, for God's sake!'

There was another pause, then the Commander said, 'I don't think you've yet quite got the total picture, Harry: I don't want
anything
released to the newspapers.' The Commander said, 'It's a total news blackout; there isn't any question at all of an alternate version.' He asked, 'Is that clear?' He asked, 'What have you got on the bomb?'

'There were two bombs.' Feiffer said, 'They were both bombs, both of the cans, one at either end of the bridge. He just waited for a copper to pick one up, locked that one at safe with his little radio set and then fired off the other one.' He said, 'No doubt he was the person who reported cans being thrown over the bridge to lure someone cut.' He said before the Commander could ask, 'I've checked, the call went through the main switchboard at the police number 999 and nobody recalls whether it was even a man or a woman.' He said, 'It was anonymous and, needless to say, the voice was disguised.'

'I see.'

Feiffer said, 'The intact bomb worked by an electromagnetic escapement device sold for radio controlled model airplanes.' He said, 'According to the first model shop I rang they said they've sold over five hundred of them in the last six months alone.' He said, 'They cost virtually nothing, so sales are cash.' He added, 'And the gelignite used was composed of four quarter pound sections of four one pound sticks, cut along the batch numbers, so there's nothing there either.' He said finally, 'The intact bomb was covered, as usual, in fingerprints, so he doesn't care.' He said suddenly, 'And we're helping him.'

'Pardon?'

'Helping him. I can't help feeling that he's using us to assist him do whatever it is he's got in mind to do.' Feiffer said, 'It's all just a little too pat: the letters to me and then the dud bomb, and then arranging a set-up on the bridge.' He said, 'It's all just a little too neat. He wants something from us, from the police, and so far, since we haven't had anything even vaguely resembling a demand or a complaint, I have the horrible feeling that we're giving it to him.' He said acidly, 'I mean, the news blackout.' He said, 'I'm sure he wants that. I'm sure that's what this "political" business is all about.'

The Commander said, 'To forestall publicity?'

'I'm sure of it.'

'Why? For what reason?'

Feiffer said,
I don't know
!'

'Hmmm.'

Feiffer said, 'Well?'

There was a pause.

Feiffer said, 'He's got something planned that's best done out of the light of other people's knowledge. He's got a final victim or object in mind that he can't afford to have known about—'

'When? Now? Or at the time?'

'I don't know. Maybe both. I just don't know.'

There was another, longer, silence. The Commander sat at his desk in his office in Kowloon looking out at the harbour through his picture window. He lit a cigarette thoughtfully.

Feiffer said quietly, 'Look, Neal, I realise the position you're in, but I should remind you that a number of people who are definitely
not
political have already been bumped off. Surely that balances the fact that someone who is political
might be
?' He waited.

The Commander paused. He said slowly, 'That sort of question leads to questions about the worth of one human being against another. It's not the sort of line of philosophical enquiry I enjoy having put to me.'

Feiffer said, 'I need help from the public, from witnesses.'

'What other leads are you following at the moment?'

'None.'

'What about that man Wong? His brother?'

'Wong's brother is in Macao. I've told you. He's out of it. He hasn't been in a position to get explosives for ages.' Feiffer said, 'We've got nothing.'

'And there was no note in the bridge bomb?'

'There didn't really have to be, did there? I mean, the message was obvious enough. It says, "Look, Ma, I can make bombs." Neal, give me the chance and even if there is a political angle to it maybe I can catch him before he gets to it—'

'No.'

Feiffer said bitterly, 'So we're investigating a water main explosion—'

'You're investigating nothing! Officially, nothing has happened.'

'It's as bad as that, is it?'

The Commander said, 'Do you really want me to give you a quick run-down on the current state of Hong Kong politics?' He said, 'No, we're holding it down.'

'And that's final?'

'Unless you catch him and discover he's just a run-of-the-mill non-ideologised villain.'

Feiffer said bitterly, 'To make non-political sabre toothed tiger stew . . .'

'What does that mean?'

'Nothing.'

The Commander said, 'I'm sorry, Harry, I really am.' He said, The simple fact of the matter, whatever I may have the leisure to believe personally, is that some people are more important than others.' He said, That's the official view. It has been since the beginning of the world. Anything else is just pure indulgence.' He said unconvinced, 'You must know that.'

'Yeah.'

'Well, don't you?'

Feiffer said, 'I'll give it some thought and let you know.'

The Commander said, 'Look . . . um—'

Feiffer said, 'Yeah.'

He hung up.

*

There was a short, hushed pause (the minions holding their breath and suffocating in respectful silence?) and then Conway Kan's voice came on the line. He said quietly, 'Detective Senior Inspector O'Yee?'

O'Yee laid his pen under the directory address of the twenty-third antique dealer in Hong Kong. 'Yes.'

Conway Kan said, 'I am sorry to trouble you.' So far he had not announced who he was. (He was used to secretaries announcing him before he was put through.) 'I trust you had a restful night's sleep.'

'I did, thank you, Mr Kan, and you?'

Conway Kan said, 'I rested secure in the knowledge that a person I trusted had his protecting gaze upon my small trouble.' He said, 'I have not rung up, dear friend, in concern to oversee your enquiries or even enquire about them, but rather to re-affirm my faith in you.'

O'Yee glanced at the open telephone directory. He said, 'Nothing so far.'

'Ah.' Conway Kan said, 'I merely wished to tell you that, of course, I should quite understand should other more pressing duties overtake you.' He said, 'I refer, of course, to the recent happenings in the Hong Bay district.'

'Oh?'

'The explosions and loss of life.'

O'Yee said quickly, 'They were gas and water main explosions.'

There was a pause.

O'Yee said, 'And the one outside the Post Office was a Tilley lamp exploding.'

There was a sighing sound. (One of the minions gone red in the face from the pent-up breath and expiring on the lacquered floor.) Then Conway Kan said, I would understand if such matters took precedence.' He said, 'I had a nodding acquaintance with Mr Leung of the ivory shop, but I'm afraid I do not know Mr Wong.'

'The chestnut seller?'

'Hmm. The person who presumably brought the lamp to the Indian letter-writer for repair.' He said, 'I am better acquainted with Mr Tam, the late Mr Leung's partner.' He said unnecessarily, 'I know most people in business in the district.' He said, 'Poor Mr Tam contracted leprosy some years ago and was removed to Hei Ling Chau island, which, as you know, was until recently the place for those with that unfortunate illness.' He said, 'He is a man, in relation to this matter, of perfect innocence.' He said, 'I have known him for some time.'

O'Yee thought, "Is there anything around here you don't know?" He said, 'I gather Mr Tam no longer figures in any enquiries the police may be making.'

'May I tell him that?' Conway Kan said, 'He is an old man and a little upset that his final days may be disturbed by any suspicion of works not of merit.' He waited. He asked, 'Do I presume on you too much?' He said, 'I feel, as a Chinese, you may appreciate matters that are a little mysterious to your European colleagues.'

'I think you may tell him that he is not suspected.'

'I am grateful.' Conway Kan said, 'I am under a further obligation to you that you may call upon any time.'

Now. O'Yee said, 'What else do you know about the explosions?'

'You sound a trifle suspicious.'

O'Yee said, 'One of the features that recommended me to you was my desire to do my job efficiently. I am attempting, albeit in another matter, to be equally efficient now.' He asked, 'Can you tell us anything about the matter?'

'You, or "us"?'

'The police.'

There was a pause. Conway Kan said, 'Only that Mr Dien to whom the last letter bomb was addressed has told me he cannot think who would have wanted to do such a thing.' He said, 'Mr Dien and I are partners in a business enterprise.'

O'Yee thought, "Feiffer should be taking this call." He thought, "Kan wouldn't talk to Feiffer." He tried to remember the briefing before the dud letter bomb had been opened. He said, 'Mr Dien is the owner of a funeral society.'

'A cemetery.'

'Yes.'

Conway Kan said, 'He is in fact co-owner with myself.' He said, 'Mr Tam has a place reserved for when he dies.' He said, That is how I know him.' He said, 'It is a matter pertaining to the older Hong Kong families.' He said philosophically, 'Many of them are presently in reduced circumstances, but the family name continues.' He said, 'Apart from that, I know nothing.'

'You have no idea who might be responsible for the—'

'None at all.' Conway Kan said, 'I have heard, from indirect sources, that you are suffering an embarrassing time with the antique dealers.' He said, 'I regret that very much.'

'It's all right.'

Conway Kan said, 'Thank you, Mr O'Yee.' He said, 'If they are gas and water and lamp explosions, then, of course, they are gas and water and lamp explosions.' He said, 'However, amongst those concerned, word does get around.' He said, 'I wish your Chief Inspector success.' He said, 'Perhaps the man responsible is only a lunatic'

'Perhaps.'

Conway Kan said, 'Thank you for making the time to speak to me.'

'Goodbye.'

There was a pause. 'Goodbye, Mr O'Yee. And thank you.' O'Yee sighed. It was all too much for him.

*

Feiffer yelled at Auden, 'Will you bloodywell forget about bloody Special Branch!' He yelled at Auden, 'Who the hell do you think they represent? God?'

Auden looked at O'Yee. O'Yee shook his head. O'Yee left. Auden said, 'I only thought we could ring them and see if they've come up with anything since we—'

'No! They'll ring us if they've got anything! All right?' The hammering and drilling and smashing and tearing down started again and Feiffer stuck his head out of the open window and yelled, 'Shut up!' and, utterly miraculously, it stopped. Spencer said, 'Gosh... !'

Auden said, 'Well, as far as I can see, the only connection between the people who have had bombs aimed at them is that they've all had bombs aimed at them.' He said, 'One ivory dealer, one chestnut seller, a letter-writer (by accident), you, and two cops.'

Spencer said, 'And Dien.'

Feiffer said, 'Or you.'

'Pardon?'

'What if the Post Office letter bomb was aimed at you?' Feiffer said, 'If this fellow's so bloody brilliant he must have realised that someone would have been checking the mail at the Post Office. So why wasn't the bomb you defused aimed at you?'

Spencer said, 'Well, not necessarily me.' He asked Feiffer, 'You maybe?' He said, 'You're the one he addressed his letters to.'

'Then why send me a second letter?'

Auden said, 'He knows that senior officers don't stand around in Post Offices all night. He'd assume someone junior would have gone.' He glanced at Spencer significantly.

Spencer said, 'Or you. You could have gone.' Auden shrugged. He thought he would definitely apply for Special Branch. Somewhere where he'd be appreciated. He thought, "A Special Branch man would have checked the second letter." He said, 'Maybe.'

Feiffer said, 'The only frail connection I can see—' He said irritably in parenthesis, 'We have to assume there is some sort of connection—is that Dien owns a bloody cemetery and that one of the suspects, Tam, who is no longer a suspect, plans to be buried there.' He said hopelessly, 'Is there anything we can work on from that?'