Gibson & Clarke (Failed Justice Series Book 2) (27 page)

CHAPTER 58

Mei Ling had been dead serious about shopping. It may have been a subterfuge to spend time with Marta and let her know of her brother’s problems, but she absolutely loved buying clothes. Whether it had anything to do with the new unlimited black metal credit card her brother had given her, no one would ever know.

She was tired of being poor, of having to watch where every nickel and dime went. The fact she graduated law school and passed the bar was no guarantee of becoming rich or even making a decent living. The fact she was CEO of a non-profit corporation meant every cent went back in the business. Her clothes were sensible, practical, reasonable, and old. Mei Ling could not recall the last time she spent money on herself, just for fun. Now she was being frivolous and loving every last minute of it.

Marta got caught up in the whirlwind excitement. Mei Ling spent more than seven hundred fifty dollars on lingerie alone.

“I am embarrassed to tell you. I have worn JCPenney’s cotton underwear all my life. I have always wanted silk things next to my body, but food and my shelter for abused women always came first. I cannot remember the last time I bought a new bra. I have never been fitted for a good one in my entire life.”

Marta did not know what to say.

“My brother is rich. I guess that makes me rich. I want nice things. I am tired of scrimping and saving. I want to look nice. I want to smell nice. I want to dress nice. I want to feel nice. Yes, that’s it. I want to feel nice, and I want you to help me. I am lost in places like this. I look at the price tag and become afraid. Now I no longer have to be afraid. I believe Xiang is now a billionaire or very close to it. Do you know how many billionaires there are in China? Less than twenty-five. There are more than twenty-five billionaires right here in New York City alone. Probably many, many more.”

Marta was seeing a new side of Mei Ling. One she could never have imagined.

“Did your brother give you
carte blanche
?”

“I don’t understand.”

“Did Xiang set a limit on what you can spend? Did he say no more than a thousand dollars or ten thousand?”

“No, of course not. He’s a rich. He could never spend what he has in a thousand years. I work ten to twelve hours a day, every day, and never know if I can pay the rent at the end of the month. Do you know the interest on a billion dollars is one hundred forty thousand a day? He makes one hundred forty thousand dollars a day by doing nothing and just letting the money sit in a money-market account.”

Marta never thought of it that way.

“If I only spend one hundred thirty thousand today, Xiang is still richer than he was yesterday.”

“I guess you’re right. Let’s not waste time talking. We still have a few more shops to visit. They’re going to just love you. By the way, I have a great beauty salon I want to take you to next week. You have beautiful features, and your jet black hair is to die for.”

“We’re having fun, aren’t we?”

“You can bet on it, Mei Ling. You can bet on it.”

***

Jabor could not believe the amount of packages. He called Mr. Yeung for instructions.

“I have no instructions. Put all the packages in the trunk, and bring her home when she is finished. Does she appear to be pleased?”

“Mr. Yeung, I have never seen her smile so much. She is like what the Americans say, ‘happy as a kid at Christmas.’”

Xiang smiled. It was all worth it.

Now if I can only reconcile what Marta told me about the flaw in the agreement with Scalesci. I made a promise to Mei Ling. She would die if I did not keep it.

***

US Attorney Seth Winters decided it was now time. It certainly was not out of the goodness of his heart or a driving desire to stamp out crime in the Midwest. The US Attorney in Chicago had something he needed. It was simply good old fashioned horse trading.

Seth made the phone call. He knew within forty-eight hours Mr. Anthony Scalesci could not take a crap without the feds knowing about it. Street dealers would be pulled in and hidden away for days at a time. The next level in the distribution chain would be harassed as long as necessary. It would not take long till Mr. Scalesci would be forced to temporarily close shop. Then it would become a waiting game.

The Feds were in no hurry; Scalesci had miscalculated and had ordered more product from Choe Yu. He now had millions tied up in merchandise and had to move it. He would have to take some chances. That’s when mistakes were made.

Tony was beginning to panic. He wondered if he had made a mistake. He was worried he may have grown too big too fast. He was no longer below the radar. He would have to tell Yu that, for the time being, he would not be placing any new orders.

I smell a rat. Maybe a yellow one whose nest is in New Jersey.

Scalesci had a bad feeling he had been set up.

***

I don’t have a choice. I’m not about to lie to my partner, and I’m certainly not going to give up ten days of romance with Rod. I’ll just tell him the truth. I’m having second thoughts about the law business. Is it really what I want to do the rest of my life, represent major drug dealers?

“Billy, it’s me. Can we meet for a drink tonight? You pick the time and place. It’s important. We need to talk. Call me back on my cell. Thanks, partner.”

***

Nine thousand five hundred and thirty-six miles away, a meeting was taking place in a very private and protected room. The eldest brother, Choe Li, was waiting for an answer. As predictable, the college kid was the first to reply.

“We have no allegiance to Mr. Scalesci. He has been a customer for less than sixty days, and now he will be placing no more orders for some time. We cannot plan, we cannot allocate, and we cannot operate with people like that. With Mr. Yeung, for thirty years, we never had a problem. I vote we no longer do business with Scalesci.”

“I must agree, my brother. Now it is a question of who will take his place. Mr. Yeung has made it clear—he feels it is best to retire and stay retired.”

Again, the youngest brother was quick to reply. “I suggest we make him an offer he cannot refuse.”

The phrase sounded animus, just as the college boy intended.

“I will think about what you have said and will communicate our thoughts with Mr. Yeung.”

The two other brothers nodded. The meeting was now concluded.

***

Two hours later, Marta’s cell phone rang. It was Xiang, not Billy.

“Yes, Xiang, what can I do for you?”

Xiang spent the next fifteen minutes explaining the phone call he had received from Choe Yu. He needed to revisit the clause in the non-compete agreement. In short, he needed to meet with Marta now. Not next week, not tomorrow morning, now. A car would be in front of her office in thirty minutes. Xiang hung up.

Wow. That was unexpected and totally out of character. Someone is putting a hell of a lot of pressure on him. Guess Billy will have to wait.

Marta left a text message on Billy’s cell phone.

Marta:
Emergency—must cancel—nothing to worry about. Will explain in morning.

CHAPTER 59

Mei Ling was thrilled. She could not wait to open all her boxes and bags. Some of her purchases would be delivered by the store in a few days. Her new room had closets and closets and more closets, not like her mini apartment in the city.

“Yee Yee, come quickly.”

Not knowing what to expect, Xiang moved as quickly as his old body would take him. He saw his beautiful young sister holding up dress after dress, as if she were deciding which gown to wear to the ball. He had never seen her so excited, so enthusiastic.

“I apologize. I spent far too much money, but I was having fun and could not resist. It must be wonderful to be rich. To buy all the clothes you have ever wanted and not worry if you can pay for them. Thank you so much, my sweet brother. How can I ever thank you enough?”

“Just by seeing you happy. That is all I ever wanted. I would enjoy hearing all about your shopping spree with Marta but not today. If you will excuse me, it is important I leave. I have some business concerns that must be addressed.”

Mei Ling said nothing. She understood. Or did she?

Mei Ling sat alone in her room and thought. She was afraid to admit it, but money does change people.

I know I have changed. Is it for the better or worse?

***

Surprisingly enough, Xiang was late for a change. The black sedan pulled up forty-five minutes after Xiang hung up from Marta. Five minutes later, he was questioning Marta on the animus clause.

“The non-compete clause refers to you specifically. It names you, Xiang Yeung, from competing with Scalesci and his syndicate. It says nothing about a company or corporation where you are a partner or partial owner. It does not prevent your parents or children or friends from competing. As long as you are not the sole owner, you can designate anyone you want to run the business.”

“That is what I assumed.”

Marta knew there was something else to be discussed. She sat quietly and waited. Xiang hesitated for a minute and continued.

“I received a phone call from my former associates in China.”

He then went on to explain the conversation as best as he could remember it. He was careful to paint the entire picture as it was related to him.

“What do you intend to do about it?” Marta responded.

“I don’t know. I really don’t know. For now, I am using you as a very confidential sounding board. I hope you understand.”

“I do. You know only one person can give you the answer. That person, of course, is yourself.”

Xiang slowly nodded. At that moment, he felt the burden of the world on his narrow shoulders. Finally, Xiang looked up and purposely changed the subject.

“Did Mei Ling enjoy herself shopping with you?”

Marta quickly recognized the signal; the previous conversation was now over.

“Absolutely. You have given her a newfound freedom, the ability to have and spend money without feeling guilty. Knowing she will be able to pay the rent and all that other good stuff. You have made her not only happy but have added to her growing self-confidence.”

“I am pleased the money has made someone happy. For too many years, it was a great burden on me. Thank you again for seeing me on such short notice.”

Xiang was about to stand up when he decided to continue.

“For the next few weeks, I may need you to do several favors for me. Some legal, some personal. Call it non-legal advice. I promise you will be well compensated. I would prefer this not be considered office business. Call it a personal services agreement. Forgive me for being presumptuous, but I have made out a check payable to you personally, for two hundred fifty thousand dollars. Please make yourself available anytime I call for the next few weeks.

With that, a very old, very tired man slowly stood up, gave Marta a peck on the cheek, and left the room.

Marta did not know what to do or say. She glanced at the check to make sure she was not daydreaming.

It’s payable to me, not the firm. A quarter of a million. Holy crap.

Marta now felt a sadness for Xiang. He had everything, and yet he felt he had nothing.

The next thought to hit her was Rod and the trip.

Damn, damn, damn. I just sold my soul to the devil for a small pouch of gold coins. Actually a very large and expensive pouch.

“Hi, it’s me. Sorry to call so late. I’ve got bad news. I can’t come down to see you. I can’t take off for ten days. And I can’t explain why over the phone—it’s too sensitive. I promise I will make it up to you—up to us—as soon as I can.”

Rod listened and was not surprised. Maybe a little hurt, but definitely not surprised. He had hoped she would be different. Professional people: doctors, lawyers, whatever, were all the same. All talk, no action. It was always about the almighty buck.

What good will money do them when they can’t get out of a wheelchair? All the wealth in the world will not make up for experiences that can never be recaptured.

“I understand. Don’t sweat it. If you should ever come down to the Keys again, you have my phone number.”

Rod was leaving the door open, not that he expected a positive response.

Marta could feel her blood pressure rising. She could feel the bile in her stomach churning.

“Do you have five minutes to listen to me?”

“It’s your dime. I’m just hanging out topside watching a late night meteor shower. Unbelievable. I was about to crack open another brew. I’ve got all evening.”

“You self-centered, cocky son-of-a-bitch. You may not realize it, but I’m falling in love with you. I would give anything, and I do mean anything, to spend ten minutes, ten days, or ten years with you. Unfortunately, I have an older client, one who needs my brains and legal skills, to keep him alive. I have to be here for the next two weeks. I don’t abandon my friends or my clients. Once I finish up with him, I’m yours for as long as you want me. Can I make it any clearer?”

Rod spilled the beer he was drinking. He had no idea what to say. He was, well, he was flabbergasted.

“I’m not positive, but I may be able to change my schedule and postpone the trip for two or three weeks. Are you serious about what you just said?”

“Like death and taxes, Sweet Cheeks. Enjoy your beer, and think about all the fun we’re going to have. Bye, lover.”

Now what the hell do I tell Billy? First things first. Deposit the check in my personal account and find out what I have gotten myself into. Then I can think about Rod and my future, whatever that is.

Marta closed her eyes and tried to slow her blood pressure down.

For many all too valid reasons.