In Denial (44 page)

She held out her hand. I’m not going to ask you what you mean by that. So what do you want to do?’

Crossing the room Adam sat on the bed and took Leila’s hand in his. ‘I want to go for a walk and plan my death.’

*  *  *

It was late afternoon on the Saturday.

The streets and roads were coming back to life as people accepted the typhoon had actually passed. There was minor flooding and some of the very young trees had succumbed to the battering and were lying uprooted, the odd one or two somewhat precariously. The humidity was high.

‘
This is very good of you,’ Gabrielle told her hosts as the taxi splashed its way through Stanley to the north side of the island, and the tunnel to Kowloon. She was actually very pleased Eric had suggested they accompany her. Patrick Yong was the obvious starting point but after what Lolita had told her she certainly would not have been happy trying to find him without help. She hadn’t the faintest idea what these Triads were all about but she would not have wanted to risk meeting Adam’s brother on her own. On the other hand she found it hard to believe that the hostility that may have existed between Patrick and Adam so many years ago could possibly still exist.

‘
You’ve been in Hong Kong for five minutes,’ Eric said from the front seat, ‘although compared with some, you’re an old hand now, having experienced your first typhoon. But these back streets, although mesmerising, can be just a little dangerous. It’s also easy to get lost if you take a wrong turn.’

Elizabeth reached across and rested her hand on Gabrielle’s. ‘What he’s actually saying, dear, is that we’re as excited as you are. It’s not every day we get the opportunity for a bit of excitement.’

‘
It’s even kinder of you under the circumstances,’ Gabrielle said. The two women exchanged looks. They had spent a lot of time talking during the typhoon. Gabrielle had listened quietly as Elizabeth told her all about their daughter, Jane, and not once did she think of herself as a minister giving one of her flock the opportunity to just talk; the Elliotts had befriended her and being cooped up in the flat had drawn them even closer together.

In many ways the Elliotts reminded Gabrielle of her own mother and father. They were old school and she really enjoyed their company. She had caught Eric looking at her sideways once or twice. She just gave him an understanding smile and made sure her knees were covered. They were clearly devastated by the loss of their daughter but as they had told her earlier, by returning to Hong Kong they were not abrogating what others believed were their responsibilities, they were returning to what they knew so that they could mourn in their own way and also see their days out in their own way.

Coming out of the tunnel and into Kowloon, Eric gave the taxi driver directions in what Gabrielle could only guess was Cantonese.

‘
That’s the Peninsula Hotel,’ Elizabeth said pointing towards a rather austere looking building. ‘The Raffles of Hong Kong.’

‘
Why’s it called that?’ Gabrielle asked.

‘
It’s not,’ Elizabeth told her, ‘it’s just what Eric and I call it. It has the same timeless elegance as Singapore’s famous Raffles Hotel. There was a time when it was the tallest building in this part of Kowloon. Now look at it - dwarfed by everything else. I know there has to be progress but it isn’t always for the best.’

After another ten minutes the driver indicated a block of flats and said something to Eric. He turned to Gabrielle. ‘He says the address is over there in that block. Do we want him to wait or shall we pick up another taxi when we’re finished?’

‘
We’ll pick up another taxi,’ Elizabeth said as she peered up at the building in front of them. ‘Come on, Gabrielle, in for a penny in for a pound.’

As they reached the entrance, the door opened and a young Chinese couple stepped onto the pavement. The man saw the Elliotts and Gabrielle, and without asking where they were going he held the door open for them to enter the building.

‘
That was a bit of luck,’ Eric commented as they headed for the lift.

They took the lift to the fifth floor and then worked their way along the uncarpeted corridor until they found the right number. After exchanging apprehensive looks it was Elizabeth who rang the bell.

‘
Good afternoon,’ a man in his late thirties said politely in English as he opened the door. ‘Can I help you?’ He was darker and taller than most male Hong Kong Chinese and his face was unlined and very handsome. He was dressed in chinos and a long-sleeved pink shirt.

‘
Are you Patrick Yong?’

‘
I am.’ He smiled.

‘
We’re looking for somebody and we think you may be able to help,’ Elizabeth informed him.

He looked at the three expectant faces in front of him, his eyes resting longer on Gabrielle’s. ‘And who are you looking for?’

‘
Adam Harrison,’ Gabrielle said.

The change in the man’s expression was almost imperceptible but it was there. The smile stiffened and his eyes became more wary. ‘Adam Harrison,’ he repeated slowly, ‘now there’s a name from the past.’ The smile softened. ‘But please excuse my manners, do come in.’ He stood back and bowed slightly as his unexpected guests accepted his invitation.

He showed them through to a large and opulently decorated living room, full of fine Chinese porcelain, pen paintings, brocade and silk. There were two windows overlooking the apartment block opposite and the street below but there was not a sound.

‘
Please sit down and I’ll organise some refreshment.’ His voice was very calm but his eyes were strangely alert.

Elizabeth and Gabrielle sat together on a brocade covered two-seater sofa and Eric sat next to them in an equally decorative chair. ‘I hope we haven’t chosen a bad time ...’ Gabrielle said.

Patrick Yong cocked his head slightly and smiled again. ‘Not at all, madam, but might I enquire after your name.’

‘
Yes, I’m sorry, I’m Gabrielle Brooks and these are my friends, Mr and Mrs Elliott.’

‘
Elizabeth and Eric,’ Elizabeth added but she wasn’t too sure why.

Patrick shook their hands, the smile never disappearing from his face. ‘As you already know, I am Patrick Yong. Now a drink. Some tea maybe, and then we’ll see if I can be of help.’

‘
Tea would be most kind,’ Elizabeth replied for all of them.

Patrick Yong clicked his fingers and a Chinese girl appeared from what must have been the kitchen area. She stood just inside the room, her head bowed and her hands clasped in front of her. Her long black hair hung either side of a pretty but unsmiling young face. She was wearing black cotton trousers and top, but nothing on her small delicate feet. There was no make-up or jewellery.

Patrick Yong spoke rapidly to her in Chinese after which she nodded her head and disappeared. ‘Now,’ he said, turning back to his guests, ‘Adam Harrison. This really is a surprise. But first, tell me, do you all live in Hong Kong?’

‘
My husband and I live on the island,’ Elizabeth said, ‘in Repulse Bay actually, we -’

‘
Oh,’ Patrick said. ‘I have friends there. Perhaps you are neighbours. Where is your house?’

‘
We live in a flat, Plantation Court, just along from the Repulse Bay Hotel.’

‘
Yes, I know it. My friends are closer to the golf course. Do you play golf?’

‘
My husband used to, but not any more.’

‘
Of course,’ Patrick said before turning to Gabrielle. ‘And you, Miss Brooks, you do not live in Hong Kong?’

While the others had been talking Gabrielle had taken a quick look round the room but had not seen any photographs of Joseph and Christina Yong; in fact there were no photographs of people at all. It was nearly a week since Joseph Yong had taken his own life after shooting his wife, and Gabrielle felt sure their son must know. She wondered how Christina was and whether Lolita was coping. Perhaps she should have been in contact. She had not told the Elliotts about what happened so thought it best if she just waited to see if Adam’s brother mentioned it.

Gabrielle realised the others were waiting for her to say something. ‘Er, no, I’ve come from England. I apologise once again for descending on you unannounced, it’s just that with the typhoon and everything -’

‘
The typhoon, ah yes,’ Patrick said, ‘but perhaps you didn’t have my phone number.’ He sat on the arm of the other chair. ‘And may I ask how you accessed the building without -?’

‘
Er, yes sorry about that. There were people leaving the building when we arrived and they let us in. And, no, no telephone number, just an address.’ Gabrielle closed her eyes as she let the lie slip out. There was a telephone number with the address but she had not thought to ring first.

‘
And from where did you get my address?’ Patrick asked, as his eyes seemed to bore into Gabrielle’s.

Oh God, she didn’t want to go there. ‘Your ... your mother, your mother gave it to me.’ Gabrielle felt very nervous under Patrick Yong’s penetrating gaze.

‘
My mother? This is becoming most interesting. You know my mother?’

‘
Er, well, I wouldn’t say I know her exactly. We met for the first time just over a week ago.’ There was no discernible reaction from Patrick so Gabrielle drew the obvious conclusion: he did not know his father was dead and his mother seriously ill, and she wasn’t going to be the one to tell him.

‘
But you know her well enough for her to give you my address in Hong Kong?’

‘
Well, yes.’

‘
Mr Yong,’ Elizabeth interrupted. ‘Miss Brooks has come to Hong Kong because she is looking for your brother -’

‘
Not really my brother,’ Patrick said. ‘My parents adopted him when he was five. He then married my sister and became my brother-in-law.’

‘
I see,’ Elizabeth replied. Gabrielle could see that she had taken an instant dislike to Patrick Yong and his attempt at humour only added to her obvious hostility. ‘Anyway, Miss Brooks is looking for Adam Harrison,’ Elizabeth said, ‘and we thought you might know where he is.’

‘
If he is in Hong Kong,’ Patrick said, ‘then I’m afraid I am the last person who might know where he is. You see, Adam and I have hardly spoken for nearly twenty years.’

‘
Even though, as you’ve just said, he is married to your sister?’

Elizabeth glanced sideways at Gabrielle, her look asking why she had omitted telling them Adam Harrison was married.

Gabrielle closed her eyes as she heard Patrick Yong say, ‘Not long ago my sister and her two children were murdered, Mrs Elliott, and although nothing has ever been proven or anybody charged …’ He stopped as the young girl brought in a tray containing four small cups and a pot of tea.

Placing the tray on the table she looked up at Gabrielle. In the girl’s eyes Gabrielle saw a lot of pain and a cry for help.
She is no more than
fifteen
, she thought,
and yet her eyes suggest she is much older
. Her hands were small like her feet and her skin pale.

Patrick Yong barked an order in Chinese and the girl hurried from the room.

‘
Murdered?’ Elizabeth asked in a hushed voice. ‘Your sister was murdered?’

‘
Yes,’ Patrick replied too matter-of-factly, ‘and her two children were-’

Eric, who had not spoken since they walked into the building, suddenly found his voice. ‘I think we could spare the ladies any gruesome details.’

Switching his attention to Eric, Patrick Yong glared at him for a few seconds. ‘It is not me who is asking the questions, Mr Elliott.’

‘
But that -’ Eric started to say but Elizabeth got there first.

‘
On what grounds do you say they were murdered?’ she asked.

Patrick frowned. ‘The police for a start and,’ he looked at Eric. ‘The fact that their throats were cut from ear to ear.’

‘
But … but why?’

‘
If I could provide the answer to that question, Mrs Elliott, then I do believe the murderer would be in prison.’

Gabrielle sat in silence during the short exchange but now she felt the need to leap to Adam’s defence. ‘Mr Yong, you haven’t asked and therefore I presume you don’t know why I am looking for Adam Harrison. Please note that I said
I
am looking, not
we
are looking. Mr and Mrs Elliott very kindly invited me to stay with them and I’ve been with them since arriving in Hong Kong.’ She looked at the Elliotts and smiled. ‘They know nothing of the circumstances other than the fact that I am looking for Adam Harrison.’ Gabrielle had no intention of introducing her feelings into the conversation. ‘Mr and Mrs Elliott were not aware of the murders,’ she added, ‘and I saw no need -’

‘
Gabrielle, you don’t have to -’ Elizabeth started to say.