Chinese Dragon

DAVEBARRACLOUGH

Book Two of the Three Kingdoms Trilogy

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Chinese Dragon

Book Two of the Three Kingdoms Trilogy

chapter one

I reached the end of the road and saw the line of traffic, my heart sank as I
realisedthattherushhourwasatitsheight.Fivetaxiscrawledpast,theirdrivers
staringobstinatelyahead.MyappointmentwithMrNaSangwhawasforsix.It
meant that precisely. I glanced at my watch, saw that it was barely fivethirty,
anddecidedtowalk.

AsIweavedmywaytowards40SejongdaeroIwonderedwhatNahadinstore
for me. He hadnt been any more communicative that usual on the telephone.
When Id asked what my next assignment was hed replied, somewhat curtly,
TheChangChuchuAffairifthatmeansanythingtoyou.

Ithadnt,ofcourse,andIdhunguponadeadline,wonderingwhatkindofafool
I was to have let myself be caught up in the cloak and dagger business of the
secretservices.Ishouldhavegonebacktoengineering,andhadfunandgames
arguingabouthealthandsafetyregulationsandstaffteabreaks.

Searching frantically for Park Songyong my ex business partner, whose

extravagance had sent our engineering business into freefall and eventual
liquidationIhadsuddenlycomeintoclosecontactwithNaSangwhaandhis
operatives. Na was also looking for my expartner and, realising that my
knowledge of Park and his association might prove more than useful, he had
enlistedmyhelpandputthefullresourcesofhisdepartmentatmydisposal.

IcaughtupwithParkeventually,discoveringintheprocessthatIhadahitherto
unsuspectedstreakofruthlessnessinmymakeup.Tobehonestwithmyself,my
conceit was flattered when Na offered me a position on the staff of his
undercoverdepartment.PerhapsifIdbeenmarriedButIwasnt.Astheclock
tickedpastsixIturnedintoSejongdaero.

Chapter two

As I was ushered into the room I thought, as I always had, how improbable a
setting it was for the briefing of a mission that could well culminate in violent
death. It was high and spacious, with a veined marble floor, and wallfitted
bookcases.Severalclubleathereasychairswerestrategicallyplacedaroundthe
moderndeskwithitsbusinessliketelephones.

Behind the desk sat a man in his early fifties, neatly groomed and wearing an
inconspicuous, well fitting dark grey suit. At a first glance he might have been
mistakenforasuccessfulbusinessman;itwasnotuntilhestartedtospeakthat
you realised Na Sangwha possessed certain qualities, which would have been
wastedintheworldofcommerce.

HeroseasIcamein,gavemehisdeceptivelybenevolentbow,andindicatedfor
metositdown.AsIsettledintothechairclosesttothedoorheinclinedhishead
towardsamanrelaxinginoneoftheleatherchairsbythewindow.

IwantyoutomeetImSuntaek,MoonHansang.Hellbeacolleagueofyourson
thiscase.Heshotanamusedglanceattheotherman.Hesnotentirelysoldthat
wehaveacaseatall.Orisyourcynicismjustacoverforlaziness,Im?

Imsmiledsardonically.Weariness,sir?AsConfuciussaidroadsweremadefor
journeysnotdestinations.Howthatwomancoveredsomuchgroundinstiletto
heelswillalwaysbeamysterytome.Hestoodupandtookmyhandinafirm
grip.DoyouknowhowmanymuseumsthereareinShanghai,Moon?

Ismiledblanklyinthewayyoudotothatsortofquestion,andhesankbackin
hischair.

Youwill,heassuredme.
Igavehimanappraisingglance.Hehadanintelligentface,withalong,shrewd
nose. His brown eyes had the goodhumoured tolerance of having seen

everything and not believing half of it. I had a feeling I was going to get along
withmynewcolleague.

Nasaidbrusquely:Thisisaphotographofthewomanyouwillbehavingunder
observation,Moon.Hetookaprintfromhisblotterandhandedittome.

Itwasaphotographofawomaninherearlythirties.Shoulderlengthhair,with
widespaced dark eyes, a wellshaped nose, and a full, generous mouth. I could
havethoughtofmanylesspleasantassignmentsthantrailinglegsasslenderas
thosebelowthekneelengthpencilskirt.

Her name is Kim Sumi, Na was saying. Shes part owner of an art gallery in
Gangnam.Shesengagedtoastockbroker.AmannamedYunHyeok.

I glanced up over the photograph to catch Im Suntaek satirical gaze. Lucky

man,Yun.Eh,Moon?

Na cut in abruptly. Shes flying to Shanghai the day after tomorrow. Ive
arrangedforyoutotravelonthesameplane.Helookedatme.Youvebrought
yourpassport?

Iproducedthepassport.Nagaveitaquickglanceandpusheditintoadrawer.

Itwillbereturnedtoyoubeforeyouleave.

ItseemedhightimeIaskedaleadingquestion,soIsaid:MayIaskwhy
youwantthiswomankeptunderobservation,sir?

Natookacigarettefromasilverboxandpushedtheboxacrosstomysideofhis
desk.JustoversixweeksagoanagentofthisdepartmentcalledChangChuchu
waskilled.HewasknockeddownbyacardrivenbyKimSumi.

Ihelpedmyselftoacigarette.Yoususpectitwasntanaccidentisthatit?

Im made a steeple of his forefingers and thumbs, gazing through it, one eye
screwedup.Thatstheloadedquestion,Moon.

NasnappedoffhislighterinthedirectionofImwithahalfsmile.Well,letsput
itthisway.Changwasoneofourbestmen.Theremusthavebeenseveralpeople
whowantedhimoutoftheway.

Iwondered,atrifleuneasily,whetherIdeverachievethatunenviablestatusin
the department. But thered be an inquest. Didnt anything come out in the
evidence?

NanoddedacrossatIm.Youtakeover,Im.Youwerethere.

It was a genuine enough accident, according to the witnesses, Im said heavily.

They said Kim Sumi did her best to pull up, but just didnt have a chance to
avoidChang.Accordingtotheirtestimonyhesteppedoffthepavementrightin
frontofthecar.

Iglancedagainattheopen,attractivefaceinthephotograph.AnyideawhatKim
SumiwasdoinginShanghaiatthetime?

Nacutin:Weknowshewasthereonholiday.

Shesbeenbacktheresincetheaccident?Isaid.

Nanodded.Sheflewthereaboutsixweeksagoandstayedsixdays.WesentIm
overtotailher.

Imgroanedhollowly.Sixdaysofmuseumsandartgalleries.Andnothingmore
incriminatingtoreportthanasidelongglanceatamalenudestatue.

Ismiled.Andyetyoustillsuspectherofnotbeingentirelyinnocentofcausing
Changsdeath?

Notme,Imsaidemphatically.Formypart,itwasapureaccident.These
thingshappeneventous.Hepulledathislongnose.OnlyIcantconvinceMr
Nathatsallitwas.

All right, Im, Na said soothingly. I know you think Ive a bee in my
bonnetaboutMissKim.Butthereitis.

Imlaughedembarrassedly.Ididntsaythat,sir.

I wouldnt hold it against you if you had. Na smiled at him paternally,

then his face tightened as he turned to me. These trips back to China by Miss
Kimcantbecompletelypurposeless.Iwanttoknowwhattheirsignificanceis.
Thatsyourassignment,Moon.Iwantareportfromyouoneveryoneshemeets
andwhereshegoes.Herotatedhiscigarettelightlybetweenfingerandthumb.
IdparticularlyliketoknowwhethershevisitsacafcalledtheChineseDragon.

Iraisedmyeyebrows.WhytheChineseDragonparticularly?

Chang used to frequent it. Na opened a side drawer in his desk and
brought out a street map of Shanghai. Spreading it out on the desk he put a
manicured finger on a redencircled area of streets named. Tian Zi Fang. The
ChineseDragonisjusthere.Hesaidtappinghisfingeronthemap.

Imadeamentalnoteofit.Chang,Isaid.Canyoutellmeanythingabouthim?
WhatwashedoinginChina?

He lived there. Worked in Shanghai. From time to time he supplied us

withinformation.

Nasmouthtightened,soIdidnotpresstheobviousquestionaboutthenatureof
theinformation.Instead,Iqueried:Didanyoneknowaboutthis?

He shook his head slowly. Not that we are aware of. But, of course, certain
people must have known we had a contact in China and that information was
coming through to us. He smiled thinly. Nothing you need concern yourself
about.Justinformationaboutthingsingeneral.

Youperceptiveolddevil,Ithought.Isaid,WhatifImisright?Thattheaccident
wasgenuineandMissKimwasntinterestedinChang?

Na gave me a long, coldeyed stare. I ask the questions, Moon. Your job is to
bring me the answers. Your plane ticket to Shanghai will be mailed to you
tonight.

Ididntneedcueingtoknowwhatmynextlinewas.Goodbye,sir.

AsIpassedImschairhehoodedoneeyeatme.Ihopeyoulikemuseums,Moon,
hesaidsoftly.

Icameoutoftheofficeintothegatheringdarknessoftheevening.Oppositeme,
theskylineofSeoulwaslitbythebrightneonsignsoftheadvertisinghoardings.
Iwishedmyinstructionshadbeenequallywellilluminated,atthemomentthey
didntseemtomakeagreatdealofsense.

Chapter three

Theplaneticketarrivedthenextmorning,togetherwiththealteredpassport.I
was relieved to find that I wouldnt be travelling under an assumed name. Na,
hadsimplychangedmyoccupation.ItnowreadJournalistinsteadofEngineer.
Atypednoteinsidethepassportsaid:Youarecommissionedtowritearticlesfor
atradepaper.Engineeringstuffasyouknowthelingo.Takeavideocamerawith
you. And use it. Destroy this. It bore no signature. It didnt need to; Na Sang
whaspersonalitywasstampedalloverit.

ThefollowingmorningIwasatIncheonairportwellaheadofdeparturetime.I
hungaroundthebookstall,keepinganeyeonthestairwayuptothelounge.

WhenshedidcomeIdrewaquickbreath.Herphotographhadntflatteredher.
Shewashatless,andherravenblackhairwascutshortandcombedinafringe
roundherearsandforehead.Itsuitedherneatshapedhead.Shehadafurcoat
draped across her shoulders, over a dark suit; and her legs looked as though
theydsteppedstraightoutofastockingadvertisement.EvenifIhadntbeenon
anassignmentIdhavebeenwatchinghereverymovementwithwell,interest.

AsshecamebesidemeatthebookstallafaintperfumeIcouldntputanameto
accompaniedher.Ifeltlikeabloodhoundwhodbeengivenaglovetosniffand
toldtofollowthatscent.IfIdhadatailIdhavewaggedit.

SheboughtacopyofVogue.Shehadaquiet,lowvoicethatmusthavemadeYun
Hyeoksdaywhenshetelephonedhim.

I let her board the shuttle ahead of me, then found an empty seat three rows
awayontheoppositesideoftheaisle.

Just as we were about to leave, a latecomer came panting towards the shuttle
andscrambledaboard.HewasobviouslyanAmerican;heworeabaseballcap,T
shirt, jeans, and a pair of red Converse All Stars. Yet there was nothing brash

abouthimashecameinfavouringallandsundrywithashinygrin.Hetookthe
onevacantseat,nexttoKimSumi.

He seemed to be on easy conversational terms with her before we reached the

terminal,andIfeltvaguelyenvious.Hewasaboutmyownage,Ijudged,though
hewasobviouslycultivatingamoreyouthfulappearancethanhisyears.

When we reached the terminal I was first out of the shuttle and into the
passenger lounge. But when it came to board I waited for Kim Sumi to leave
ahead of me, then followed her into the aircraft. As I half hesitated beside her
doubleseatshelookedupandsmiledatme.

OhImterriblysorry.Aretheseinyourway?

Shereachedoutandcollectedherhandbagandmagazinefromtheplacebeside
hers.

AsIseatedmyselfandthankedherthedoorsoftheplaneclosed.Fromtheback
thecalm,aloofvoiceoftheairhostessremindedusofthesafetyprocedure,and
tofastenoursafetybelts.

WhenwewereairborneandhadreleasedoursafetybeltsIproducedapacketof
mintsand,afteramomentaryhesitation,helditouttoher.Shetookonewitha
slimfingeredhand,thenailscrimsonandatrifletooelongatedformyliking.Not
that I could fault her otherwise. As she engrossed herself in the magazine I
mentally scored myself a few points up on Im. From what Id gathered hed
trailedherthehardway,lurkingbehindnewspapersashedtrampledafterher
throughmuseumsandartgalleries.ThensuddenlyIfeltamomentofmisgiving.
After all, Im was an old hand; yet he chose to keep out of sight of his quarry.
Couldtherebesomeflawinmyowntactics?WouldIfindmyselfinasituationI
couldnthandle?

AquarterofanhourbeforewewereduetolandIfeltboundtocreateanopening
thatmightleadtosomeclueastothepurposeofherjourney.

WhyanyonecomestoChinaforaholidaydefeatsme,Isaidoffhandedly.
Onlyabusinesstripwoulddragmehere.

That could be Yun, my fianc, talking, she said with mild exasperation.
MentionholidaystohimandheimmediatelythinksofJejuIsland.

Atleastyoucanbesureofthesunthere,Isaidurbanely.IsupposeChina
hasitspoints.Buttheweathersusuallyfoul.

Oh, nonsense! Ive been to China several times and the weathers been
marvellous.

Youvebeenverylucky,thatsallIcansay.IpusheditasfarasIdared
without arousing her suspicions. Whats the attraction when the cherry trees
arentinbloom?

Pagodas. Her eyes mocked me for a moment. Oh, well just to satisfy
your curiosity! Its the museums and art galleries. Shanghai is the city of
museums,youknow.Asthoughtoemphasisethattheattractionwasntmaleshe
playedwithherengagementring,thenquicklychangedthesubject.Soyoureon
abusinesstrip?


I nodded. Im a journalist. I write technical articles. Mostly on engineering
subjects. Thats the reason Im going to Shanghai. Theyve got hold of a new
techniqueinglasscurtainwallingthatmytradepapersinterestedin.

Ratheroutsidemyprovince,Imafraid,shesaid,smiling.HelloIthink
werecomingintoland.

Almost immediately the Captains voice came over the intercom informing us
that we were due in at Shanghai Airport in a few minutes time, and would we
fasten our seat belts, please? The weather in Shanghai, he added, is fine and
sunny.

KimSumiwrinkledhernoseatme.Thereyousee?Sheopenedherhandbag,
broughtoutamirror,andbegantodounnecessarythingstoherface.Presently
she said, over a lipstick: Thanks for helping to pass the time so pleasantly.
PerhapswellrunintooneanotherinShanghai.

Smiling,Ihopednottooironically,Isaid:Illlookoutforyou.

TheplanenoseddowntowardstheflatChinesecoastline.Awaytotherightthe
towers of Shanghai were silhouetted against the blue sky of a perfect spring
afternoon.Crossingthecity,likeasinuoussnake,wastheYangtzeRiver.

I let Kim Sumi precede me through the Passport Control and Customs. Here,
instead of having her smart blue and yellow striped suitcase put on the airline
bus trolley she picked it up and walked quickly to the main exit. I grabbed my
owncasefromthetrolleyandhurriedafterher,arrivingattheexitjustintimeto
see a sheernylon sheathed leg disappear into a taxi. I signalled the next in the
rank but lost it to the American. From his gesticulations with his bag I had the
impressionhewasinstructingthedrivertofollowtheothercab.

A moment later I was going through the same performance myself. My driver
didntspeakKoreanbutluckilywebothknewenoughEnglishformetogetthe
ideaquicklyacross.Withacherootwaggingfromhislipshesaid,Certainly,sir,
inaflat,expressionlessvoice.

InShanghaiwefollowedtheothertaxisalongabusystreetbesidetheYangtze.
As we approached the most impressive of its many bridges the cabs we were
followingslowedanddrewintothekerb.Leaningforward,Itoldmydriverto
carry on past them. Okay, sir, he called back as I ducked down to avoid being
recognised by the woman and the man who were now on the pavement,
exchangingsurprisedgreetings.

AtthenextcornerIstoppedmytaxi,andasIpaidoffthedriverIthoughtsome
lighthearted comment on the situation was called for. There was always a
chance that he might report the incident to the police, and then Id have a
plainclothesmanonmytail.SoImumbledsomethingaboutaprettygirlonthe
planeandwantingtofindoutwhereshewasstaying.Ineednthavebothered.All
itgotmewasashrugged,Whynot?


IwentdownthestreetthatranatrightanglestothecanaluntilIcametoasmall
hotel. It wouldnt rate a single star in a hotel guide. But the tiled floor of
receptionwasfreshlypolished,andyoucouldseeyourfaceinthemetalsurface
ofthereceptiondesk.

Theygavemearoom,austerelyfurnishedbutspotlesslyclean,overlookingthe
street.AfterIdunpackedmyshirtsandtheoneothersuitIdbrought,Itooka
quickshower.WhenIddressedIwentoutandboughtastreetguide.

InanunpretentiousbarIthumbedthroughtheguide,andtookmybearingsfrom
oneofthemaps.EventuallyIfoundTianZiFangwithoutmuchdifficulty,andI
memorisedtheroutetoitfrommypresentposition.ThenIpaidformybeerand
wentouttogivetheChineseDragonalookingover.

ItwasatypicalChineserestaurant,withlowtables.Idalwaysfoundthetrickis
towatchthecustomersattheoutsidetablesbeforeyoudecidetoenter.Ifthey
looklikelocals,andtherearenocameraslungtouristsamongthem,youcanbe
prettysurethefoodwillbegoodandthechargesreasonable.TheChineseDragon
passedthetest.However,Ididnotgoinside.

Irambledaroundforacoupleofhours,stillgettingmybearings.Amistdriftedin
fromtheseaandmingledwiththepollutiontoformayellowsmogand,sinceI
badlyneededadrinkandsomefoodtotakethechilloutofmybones,Idecided
toreturntoTianZiFang.Itwassplatteredwithneonlitbarsandrestaurants.I
wastooeagertogetintosomewheretobechoosey,soIturnedintothefirstdoor
Icameto.

What little atmosphere the restaurant possessed was laid on for the tourist
trade.Waitressesinfakesilkdresseswithpigtailsdrapedovertheshoulders;a
long bar with a bartender whod have answered to Harry in any international
touristhauntedbar.JusttobeinontheactIflungbackacoupleoflocalbeersin
rapidsuccession,then,feelinglikearefuelleddragon,satdownatatable.

Afterthebeerthemenuwasovercrowdedandelusive,soIsettledforthehouse
speciality,adishofriceandpork,whichwasratherbetterthanIhadexpected.
BythetimeIhadanotherbeerinfrontofmeandacigarettealightIfeltableto
givesomethoughttomyfirstdaystrailingofKimSumi.

Sofar,IwasinclinedtoagreewithIm.Sheddiscussedherselfquitefreelyonthe
plane mentioned her interest in the art and antique business and referred to
herfiancwiththenaturalnessofagirlwhohadnothingtohide.Ithoughtabout
YunHyeok.Astockbrokerseemedanunlikelyfiancforagirlwhowasmixedup
withthekindofpeoplethatNasdepartmentwasinterestedin.Isippedmybeer.
YunHyeokwasadamnedluckychap!

I returned to the conversation on the plane. She hadnt shown the slightest
evasiveness when Id questioned her about her frequent visits to Shanghai. Or
had she? Abruptly, I stubbed out my cigarette, remembering how shed evaded

thesubjectwhenIdpushedmyquestioningalmosttothepointofrudeness.Ilit
another cigarette and expelled the smoke from my lungs upwards. That was it.
ShedturnedtheconversationtowhatIwasdoinginShanghaiasaripostetomy
ownboorishinquisitiveness.

A mans voice, ordering a round of drinks, suddenly reminded me of the

American.Wheredidhefitintothepicture?Hecouldbealotlesstheinnocent
tourist than he looked. In which case, there were two of us trailing Kim Sumi.
Alternatively, there might be no more to it than the usual reason why a man
chasesan attractivegirl.Not relishingeither of myhalfbaked conclusions, and
thelastonetheleast,Ipaidmybillandreturnedtomyhotel.

Chapter four

FourdayslaterIwassittinginthewindowofacafoppositeamuseum.Bythis
time I had worked out a method of procedure for keeping Kim Sumi under
observation. After following her at a discreet distance around five museums I
decidedthatmyconsciencewouldbesatisfiedifIsimplywatchedhergointoa
museumandthenconsumedtwoorthreebeersatanearbycafuntilshecame
out. Maybe Im would not have approved, but his more scrupulous method had
broughtnobetterresult.

Apart from that, Id discovered that trailing Miss Kim was another word for
boredom.Idcompiledalistofwhereshedbeenapartfromhervisitstoplaces
ofhistoricinterest.Shops,cinemas,restaurantsthelot.Shehadntbeenwithin
aquartermileoftheChineseDragon.

As I watched her stroll out of the museum I gulped down my beer with the
decisiveness of a man of action. That afternoon I would contact Kim Sumi and
risktheconsequences.

AttwooclockIwasoutsideherhotel,mixingwiththecrowdsand,nottomake
tooobviousmyinterestinthedoorofthehotel,occasionallygoingthroughthe
motionsofphotographingthepleasurecraftpassingtoandfroontheriver.

She didnt showup untilthree. Thenshecamebrisklyoutofthehotel,crossed

theroad,wentdownthestepsbesidethebridge,andboardedapleasurecraft.

When it had moved off I went down on to the landing stage and checked the
timetable there. The boat was due to return at four. That gave me an hour to
waste.Iputintimeoveracoupleofbeersinanearbycaf.

OnthedotoffourIstationedmyselfatthetopofthestepsleadingtothelanding
stage,andasherboatdrewinIputthevideocameratomyeye.Thistimeitwas
purringquietly.Herplainreddresswasaperfectcontrasttoherdarkloveliness.

Idroppedthecameraontomychestasshecameupthesteps.ItwasntuntilI
said, Good afternoon, that she noticed me. Her lips parted, then her surprise
meltedintoawarmsmile.

Oh,hellothere!sheexclaimed,gesturingagreetingwithablackgloved
hand.

Stillalone,Isee.

Andlovingeverymomentofit!Noonetopleasebutmyself.

What are you doing in this part of the town? I asked innocently. Dont
tellmeyouverunoutofartgalleries?

She shook her head. I thought Id rest from art galleries and museums this
afternoon.

Shecameandstoodbesideme,gazingdownatthewater.Itslovely,isntit?she
saidpresently,withasighofcontentment.

At that moment I couldnt think of anything more perfect. Youre right about
China.Itsgotsomething.

Sheglancedupatmegratefully.ItwaswithaneffortthatIforcedmyselftolead
into the object for our seemingly casual meeting. By the way, what do you do
withyourselfintheevenings?

Sheshrugged.Oh,nothingveryexciting.Findsomewheretoeat,usually.There
aresomeverynicelittlerestaurantsinShanghai.

There certainly are, I said, with a great show of enthusiasm. I found a

delightfulplacelastnight.TheChineseDragon.Iglancedatherquickly.Doyou
knowit?

Shefrownedperplexedly.ChineseDragon?

Inodded,withouttakingmyeyesfromherface.

No, I dont, she said slowly. I dont think Ive heard of it. Where is it,
exactly?

It sounded like the truth. But I decided to maintain my outward enthusiasm,

hopingImightstilltrapherintoaninvoluntarylapse.YougointoTianZiFang
and turn right at the Cherry Orchard Sorry I mean you go into the Tian Zi
FangandturnrightattheRedCockrell,thenthroughtotheHappyShopperand
turnleftIswallowed,andstartedagain.LookyouturnleftattheMorning
Mist,thenwhenyougettotheChineseDragon

Oh, do stop, she implored laughingly, putting a hand on my arm. You

obviouslyhaventtheslightestideawhereitis.

I grinned sheepishly. We could take a taxi there. I snapped my fingers. I say,

thatsanidea!Whynotletmetakeyoutherenow,foradrink?

Foramomentshegazeddownatablackswanfloatingalongtheriver.Thenshe
saidslowly:ItsawfullykindofyoubutIhavetogobacktothehoteltochange
fordinner.Imgoingto

Icutinonher.Thatsallright.Theresloadsoftimetofitinadrink.Howabout
meetingmehereinanhour?

Well, she began hesitantly, then with a quick smile she glanced at her
watch. Thank you very much. Ill take you up on that. Ill see you back here at
fivethirty,ifthatsallrightwithyou?

Splendid! I exclaimed with unfeigned pleasure. Fivethirty it is. Bye

now.Icockedaneyebrowather.Anddontgowanderingofftoamuseum!

Sheturnedaway,laughing.Iwont.

With an odd feeling of lightheartedness I watched her cross the road to her
hotel. I was sure now that the name the Chinese Dragon had been no more
significanttoherthanifIdmentionedarestaurantinNewYork.Nahadgothis
linescrossedwhereKimSumiwasconcerned.ThatwasthewayIwanteditto
be.

Chapter five

There was a lot of warmth still left in the sun when we arrived at the Chinese
Dragon.Theplacewascrowdedatthathour,butadiscreetlydisplayedtiphad
persuadedawaitertherewasroomforonemoretableoutside.

After Id ordered a cinzano for my companion and a soju for myself I went out
ontothepavementandstartedtotakesomevideocamerashotsofthecolourful
scene.

I was focusing the camera on Kim Sumi when I suddenly realised she was
talkingtosomeone.Asecondlateramansfigurecameintomyviewfinder.

Hello there! exclaimed a familiar voice. It was the American, the same
disarminggrinonhisslightlychubbyfeatures.

Iloweredthecameraandmanagedtowipethescowloffmyfaceasheembarked
uponadetailedaccountofhisdaysadventures.Slowly,Iwentbacktothetable.
He was beaming at Kim Sumi so agreeably that it was impossible to feel
annoyed.

HaveIbeenaround!heexclaimed.Ivejustaboutwalkedmyfeettothe
bonebuyingthingsforthefolksbackhome.

Ofcourse,youregoingbacktomorrow.Shenodded.Then,asmyshadow
fellacrossthetable,sheturnedtointroduceus.

Hestuckoutamassivehand.Gladtoknowyou,sir,heexclaimed,andsounded
asifhereallymeantit.Ididmybesttoreciprocate,butitwasaneffort.

MrDoyleisstayingatmyhotel,KimSumitoldme.

Henoddedeagerly.Andwerealwaysbumpingintoeachotheroutsidethehotel.
Inboats,buses,elevators

Museums?Iinterrupted,atriflemaliciously.

No,sir!Doylepawedtheaircontemptuously.Nomuseums.Notforme!
Hishanddroppedtothebackofachair.Say,doyoumindifItaketheweightoff
myfeet?


Iacceptedtheinevitable.Ofcoursenot.

Idontwishtointrude

Ibitbacktheshortanswertothatone,andsaid:Nono,thatsquiteallright.

He planted his bag on the table, put his camera underneath it, and deposited
himselfinthevacantchair.Thatsbetter.Chinasagreatplace,MrMoon.Ireally
goforit.Butmyfeet!Willtheyllbegladtobebackhome!

I gave him his laugh, stuffed my camera back in its case, and laid it down
resignedly.Justforsomethingtosay,Iasked:isthisyourfirstvisittoChina,Mr
Doyle?

No,indeed.Iwashereaboutfiveorsixweeksago.Didthewholecountry
infivedays.Didntfigureoncomingback.Herubbedahandoverhiscrewcut.
ButIhadaratherunfortunateexperience.

Iraisedmyeyebrowspolitely.Whatwasthat?

ThenightIwasleaving,someonebrokeintomyhotelroomandliftedmy
baggage.Hegrinnedruefully.Well,notjustmybaggage.Theystoleeverything
literallyeverything.

KimSumiglancedathimsympathetically.Oh,buthowdreadfulforyou.

Yeah.Doylebeamedatherappreciatively.Canyouimagine!Idjustgot
theonepairofjeansandaTshirtthethingsIstoodupin.

Icouldseehewasgoingtomakeamealoftheincident,soIfedhimacue.What
didyoudo?Takethenextflighthome?

Hegavemeagratefullook.Thatsonethingthethiefdidntstealfrommemy
vacation.Iboughtmeanewoutfitandjustkeptgoing.

Butsurely,saidKimSumi,youreportedyourlosstothepolice?

Youre darned right I did. He leaned forward. And heres the payoff. A
week ago the police picked up the guy who stole my stuff and emailed me to
come here and claim it. I was in Beijing just about to fly home. But you bet I
camerightbackhereandfast.

Youvehadallyourstuffreturned,Ihope?Isaid.

Everythingexceptapairofbinoculars.

Yourealuckyman,MrDoyle.

Heshrugged.Gladyouthinkso.

Dontgetmewrong,Isaid.Ididntmeanto

Hewavedmedownwithanoutsizepaw.Forgetit,MrMoon.Inacatastrophic
sortofway,guessIwaskindoflucky.Hesnappedhisfingersatapassingwaiter.
Thesameagainformytwofriends.AndyoucanmakemineaJackDanielsonthe
rocks.

I could have been wrong about tourists never having discovered the Chinese
Dragon. The waiter smiled imperturbably, said, Cinzano, soju, and a Scotch on
therocks,andbustledofftothebar.

Doyleturnedbacktouswithanamusedsmile.Guessthatguyknowshowmany
yuan go to the dollar! He ripped back the zip of his bag. I was shopping all
morning. Made some nice purchases too! Take a look at this. He dived a hand
intothebagandtookoutaChinesedoll.Itwasastuffedclothdoll,ayounggirl
dressedinnationalcostume.Aintthatsomething,now?

KimSumilipsquiveredinaslightsmile.Itssweet.

WaittillIshowyoutodaysbestbuy.Arealbargain.Iboughtitjustalong
thestreethere.Herummagedaroundthebag,notfindingwhathewanted.With
anexasperatedgrunthepulledoutaChineseauctioncatalogueandthrewiton
thetable.

I glanced at the garish cover. Planning to have a little bit of China back home,
Doyle?Iasked.

Aw, thats for my brother, he said, then triumphantly produced an

exquisitely designed chronometer and placed it on the table. Aint that swell?
You know what they call that? A chronometer. Its for sailors. Accurately
measures the time so that you can determine your longitude when at sea. You
justwindituplikesoHeenjoyedhimselfwindingit.Gotitformynephew,
SuJi.Hesquitethelittleengineer.Atleast,sohisMomsaysIwouldntknow.I
got no skill with math . Flicking the case, he set the chronometer going, and
beat time with a pudgy finger. Then he stopped, and grinned selfconsciously.
Anyhow,itlooksgood!

Itsbeautiful,KimSumisaidbreathlessly.

Sureis!IveseenembackintheStates,butneveronelikethis.

I wasnt just being polite when I said Id never seen one with such delicate
workmanship.

Doylepracticallyflappedhisarms.Imsomepicker!heenthused.Thatmustbe
thecutestchronographinthewholeworld.

Chronometer,KimSumicorrectedsoftly,hereyessmilingatme.

Doyleofferedmeacigarfromabulgingcase.WhenIddeclinedhestuffedonein
anoutsizeholder,clampeditbetweenhisteeth,andlookedashappyasachild
withateat.Thatwasntabaddescriptionofhisround,chubbyface.

Thenthewaitercamewiththedrinksandoverthemwedriftedintotheclich
riddentalkthatpassesforconversation,whichitsaonewomantwomenparty.

Chapter six

BackatmyapartmentthetelephonebellbeganringingthemomentIopenedthe
door. Leaving it open, I took the steep stairs two at a time. Not that I was
expectingacall.ItsjustthatImoneofthosepeoplewhogoaroundbitingtheir
fingernails if the phone stops ringing before theyve answered it. Kicking open
the door of my living room I made a dive for the table and grabbed up the
receiver.

Hello?MoonHanSangspeaking,Ipanted.

A low, controlled voice said, Its Kim Sumi. You sound like the finish of the
hundredmeters.

Ilaughed.Toomanycigarettes.Itsnicetohearyourvoiceagain.Howareyou,
anddidyouhaveagoodtripback?

Yes, it was very pleasant. The smile went out of her voice as she
continued:Look,Imafraidthisisveryshortnotice.ButIwonderedifyoudlike
tocomeroundforadrinkthisevening?

Ofcourse.Idloveto.

Myfianc,YunHyeok,willbehere.Iknowhedliketomeetyou.

Fine.WhattimeshallIcome?

Shehesitated.Seventhirty?Wouldthatbeallright?

Couldntbebetter.

Shelaughedlightly.HowsillyofmeyoudontknowwhereIlive.Its824Seoul
Tower,Gangnam.Canyourememberthat?

Imscribblingitdown.


Illlookforwardtoseeingyouthen.Goodbye.

Goodbye.

I put down the receiver thoughtfully, wondering why she had telephoned like
thisoutoftheblue.Whyshouldshebeanxiousformetomeetherfianc?What
wasthepoint?Couldtherebesomeconnectionwiththatstrangefilmofthecar
accident? I hesitated, wondering if I should telephone Na. Finally, I decided
againstit.

Chapter seven

Seoul Tower was a super modern tower block. It had a glasswalled elevator,
whichItooktotheeighthfloor.Iwentalongamarblecorridor,pasthalfadozen
teakdoors,untilIcametonumber24.

I jabbed a finger at the doorbell, straightened my tie, and conjured up what I

hopedwasjusttherighttouchofeagerexpectancyintomysmile.Iwastedthat
on a blank door for a couple of minutes, then rang the bell again. As the bell
stoppedringingIcockedmyheadatthedoor.Therewasnosoundofinnerdoors
being opened or stiletto heels clicking frantically to herald her approach. Just
silence.

Iglancedatmywatch.Threeminutespastthehalfhour.Ifrownedatthedoor.
ThenIputmythumbonthedoorbellandleanedonit.

Itookmythumboffthebellafterthirtysecondsoflisteningtoitsmockingring.
IdphoneKimSumilater,Idecided;andifIwerefeelinghalfasirritablethenas
Iwasnow,AssignmentCharmwouldntratemorethanahollowlaugh.

I was turning away from the door when I heard a scraping sound at my feet. I
lookeddown.Abrasskeywasbeingslippedunderthedoor.

Igapedatitforamoment,thenstoopedandpickeditup.Itossedthekeyupand
downinthepalmofmyhand,tryingtoworkouttheangles.Wasthisahintfor
metocomebacklater?

Bracing myself, I inserted the key in the lock, opened the door, and entered a
small hallway. On the floor, ripped open, was a bag. I heeled the door to, then

tookacloserlookatthebag.Attachedtothehandlewasaluggagetag.Thename
onitwasB.Doyle.

Oppositemewasthehalfopendoorofthelivingroom.Icrossedtoit,pushedit
wide,tookastepinside,thenfroze.Lyinginthecentreofthefittedcarpetwas
whathadoncebeenastuffeddoll;aChinesegirlinnationalcostume.Thedolls
clothing had been torn open and the stuffing scattered over the carpet. Not far
fromthedolllaytheauctioncatalogue,theoneDoylehadproducedinShanghai.
Faintly, my nostrils detected the familiar cigar smoke, and with a chill of
apprehensionIgazedroundtheroomattheoverturnedspindleleggedtable,
atthegildedlampbesideit,astheshatteredchinavaseandthescatteredroses.
ThensuddenlyInoticedthegrotesquefeet,strangelysmallforsuchabigman,
pointing at rightangles to each other. I noted the crumpled jeans, the torn T
shirt,thebloodstained,heavyglassashtraybesidethecrewcut,mattedhair.

I must have been staring at Doyle for almost half a minute before becoming
awareofthenoise.Arhythmic,jubilanttickingthatdominatedthequietroom.I
spunroundandmadeadiveatthechronometerlyingfaceupwardsonthefloor.
Someone was shouting, For Gods sake, stop! It was me. I dropped the
instrumentbackonthefloor,straightenedup,andwentbacktoDoylesbody.

IdidntlikewhatIhadtodo,buttherewasachancethatthesearchingofDoyles
pockets might produce a clue to the identity of his murderer. I stooped down,
then jumped back as though Id been shot. I was as nervous as hell, and the
suddenjarofatelephoneringinginthatroomwasasunexpectedasashoutina
church.

I shook myself like a dog coming out of an icecold stream, and turned to the
telephone,whichwasonasmalltablebesidethesofa.Ihesitated,thenwentover
and picked up the receiver, first covering my hand with my breastpocket
handkerchief.

Atonceafemininevoice,urgentlybreathless,cameontheline.ThisisKongSo
ra.Iwasright,KimSumi.HesverycuriousaboutBaeandWorldCupBukro.I
thought Id better The voice wavered uncertainly, then resumed on a more
urgentnote:Sumi,thatisyou,isntit?

Therewasnopointinprolongingthecallnow,soIslidthereceiverbackontoits
cradle, then stood for a moment with my hand still holding it. I tried to get a
mental picture of World Cup Bukro the name was vaguely familiar but it
eludedme.AfterafewsecondsIreplacedmyhandkerchief,andnervedmyselfto
returntothebody.

SomethingtoldmeIhadntmuchtime,soIbegantoexamineDoylespocketsas
quicklyaspossible.Therewasnothingofanyapparentsignificanceinhiswallet,
andIdjustturnedoutoneofhissidepocketswhenIheardthesoundofakey
scrapingthelockofthefrontdoor.

Quicklyrestoringtheoddsandendstohissidepocket,Iglancedroundtheroom
and saw, for the first time, a door in a distant corner. As I crossed over to it I
heard the front door open and close. I slipped inside the bedroom, which was
obviously Kim Sumi; there was that faint, unmistakable perfume. Leaving the
dooropenacoupleofinchesIimmediatelylookedroundforanotherexit.

Therewasonlythewindow,concealedbylongsilkcurtains.Ipulledthecurtains
asideasquietlyaspossibleandbreathedasighofreliefwhenIsawthatitwasa
patiostyleslidingdoor,whichwasunlocked.Outsidewasabalcony.Leavingthe
dooropen,Ireturnedtothedoor.

Iwas just in time to see Kim Sumi, wearinganattractivesummerdress, come

throughthelivingroomdoor.Shelookedpuzzled,andIguessedthatshedbeen
surprisedtoseeDoylesbagonthehallfloor.Herexpressionchangedatthesight
oftheravisheddoll,theoverturnedchairs,andtheauctioncatalogue.Thenshe
sawDoylesbody.

Involuntarily she stepped back a pace, as if to avoid a blow. She was clutching
her handbag with both hands, so hard that the whites of her knuckles showed.
Afterwhatseemedatleastaminutesheslowlytookacautioussteptowardsthe
body, then another. There was a tiny click as the toe of her shoe prodded the
chronometer.Shestoppedtolookatit,herfaceturnedfromthebody.

The telephone rang and she straightened herself abruptly. I could see a tiny
frownwrinkleherforehead;thenshesuddenlyseemedtogaincontrolofherself.
Shewentacrossandliftedthereceiverasifshenowwelcomedtheinterruption.

Shedidntspeak,butlistenedtothechatteringvoice,whichIcouldhearfaintly
thoughunintelligibility.Thecornersofhermouthtightened,andatlastshe
interrupted.

Sora,getofftheline!sheordered.Somethingdreadfulhashappened
There was another burst from the earpiece, then Kim Sumi lost all patience. I
mustcallthepolice,shesnapped,sowillyoupleasegetofftheline!

She slammed down the receiver, her hand trembling slightly as she held it in
place to make sure the connection was broken. Then she slowly lifted it again,
andIhadnodifficultyinconcludingthatshewasdiallingthefamiliaremergency
number.

Ididntwaittooverhearthisconversation,butmovedquietlybacktothepatio
door,andoutontothebalcony.Itookadeepbreath,andfeltthechillairfillmy
lungs. Fortunately the balconies formed a continuous ring around each floor,
with just a low wall separating each apartment. To the right I could see light
floodingfromthelivingroom,buttheapartmenttotheleftwasdark,aswasthe
onenexttoit.Imadelightworkofthelowwallandtriedthedoor,itwaslocked,
butIhadbetterluckwiththeapartmentnexttoit.Theownerwasntexpecting
anyonetotrytoenterviathebalcony.

Once in the street below. I melted into the throng of people strolling casually
abouttheirbusiness,thesameasanyotherevening.Ataxidroppedafarealittle
wayupthestreet.Ihaileditasitcametowardsme,andsaid:40Sejongdaero.

AswedroveoffIlookeduneasilythroughthebackwindowattheentrancetothe
blockofflats,butitseemedquitedeserted.

Justaswereachedtheintersectionapolicecarswungroundthecorneralmost
ontwowheels,causingthetaxidrivertosnatchathissteeringwheel.

Fuck me! I heard him exclaim. Bloody wooden tops up to their games
again!

They think theyre on a tv show, I replied, trying to sound as casual as

possible,thenmadenofurthereffortatconversation.Itwasratherimportant,I
decided,thatheshouldnotrecallanythingaboutthisparticularpassenger.

Chapter eight

AtSejongdaerothedoorwasopenedbyShin,ofthedepartment,asoftspoken
maninablackdoublebreastedjacketandstripedtrousers.MrNa,hetoldmeas
thoughrevealingastatesecret,wasnotavailable.

Fuming with frustration I asked if Mr Im were available. That got me into the
hallwaywhileShinwentdowntothefarendofitandwhisperedconfidentially
intoatelephone.Replacingthereceiversilentlyhetoldme,inhushedtones,that
MrImcouldseeme.

InthelibraryImwassprawledinaneasychair,asojuinhishand.Sorryabout
Na. He was called to the Blue House to prime officials on a suitably ambiguous
answer to He broke off, eyeing me shrewdly. Hello You look as though
youdseenaghost.

The makings of one, I said. Doyle, the American I saw in Shanghai, is

dead.Murdered.

Im whistled silently, then unfolded himself from his chair. What you need is a
drink. He crossed to the drinks cabinet and opened it. A brandy I think is
indicated.Heexaminedabottle.Ah,yes.ACourvoisier.Pouringit,hesaid,ina
conversationaltonetactfullyintendedtobringmynervesofftheboil:Theboss
looksafterhimselfwellinthedrinkline.Somethingofagourmet,too.Youwant
totimeyourmurdersbetter,Moon.Say,lunchtimeathisclub.

Id sunk into an easy chair opposite his when he came back with the brandy.
Sorry to be jumpy, I said, taking the glass from him. But I dont stumble over
corpseseverydayintheweek.

Unfriendly things, he said, letting himself down into his chair. Na told
meaboutthisAmerican.Liketoelaborate,Moon?

WhenIdoutlinedtheeventsinKimSumisapartmentImpulledathisnose.A
very unpleasant business. And the murderer left the apartment the same way
youdidbythebalcony?

Inodded.Afterfirstslippingthedoorkeyunderthefrontdoor.

Imfrowned.Thatswhatpuzzlesme,Moon.Whymakeiteasyforyoutofindthe
body so quickly? Youd think a murderer would want to give himself plenty of
timetomakehisgetaway.

Thathadoccurredtome.Isippedmybrandy,tryingtoworkitout.

Itcouldbethisway.Imclosedoneeyethoughtfully.Youwereexpected
at the apartment. They slipped you the key, knowing damned well youd go in.
Right? Then they tip off the police that a murders been committed. The police
cometotheapartment,findyoutherewiththebody.And

Icutinonhim.Iwasexpectedattheapartment.ButbyKimSumi.

Imeyedmecasuallyovertherimofhisglass.Well?

Oh, come off it, Im, I said exasperatedly. Kim Sumi had nothing to do
with the murder. I was watching her from the bedroom as she came into the
apartment. She was petrified when she saw the body. As for tipping off the
police,itwasshewhotelephonedthem.

Imlookeddownhisnose.WitnessfortheDefencecannowleavethebox.

Im giving you the facts. Her reactions were those of any woman who
finds a dead body in her apartment, I said heatedly. Anyway, why would I
defendher?

He gave me an amused glance. Our Miss Kims a damn attractive girl, he

reflected.IwonderwhatDoylewasdoinginherapartment?

Idontknow.AllIdoknowisthatshewasasstunnedasIwastofindhim
there.

You say Doyles bag was lying in the hall? And the contents were
scatteredroundhisbodyinthelivingroom?

Anauctioncatalogue,achronometer,andtheChinesedoll.

That Chinese doll, Im said reflectively Any theory why the murderer
wouldripthestuffingoutofit?

Anobviousone.Hewaslookingforsomethingthatcouldbehiddeninthe
doll.

Imnodded.Isthereanythingspecialaboutthechronometer?

Mechanically it was like any other. But this one was more than usually
ornate.Delicatelycarvedandbrightlypainted,thesortofthingyoudexpectto

findinthesouvenirshops.Myfingerstightenedonthestemofmyglass.Chang
Chuchuwascarryingachronometerwhenhewasaccidentallykilled,wasnthe?
Whatwasthatonelike?

Youvejustdescribeditprettyaccurately.

ThenIbegan.

Imshookhishead.Thiswasnthis.Nahasthatlockedupinhissafe.Imanaged
to get possession of it after the inquest. He smiled. This department does
managetopullastringortwosometimes,youknow,Moon.

I looked suitably impressed, then finished my brandy. Well, where do we go

fromhere?

So far as youre concerned nowhere, for the moment. He got up, and
tookmyglassandisovertothedrinkscabinet.ThepolicewillbeatMissKims
apartmentnow,questioningher.Ifshesasgenuineasyouthinksheis,shelltell
themshewasexpectingyoutonight.

Idtakeabetonthat,Isaidsharply.Andtheresnoneedtobesarcastic
aboutit.

Did I sound sarcastic? he said smoothly. The point I was making was
this. Youll need to think up a pretty plausible story to keep the police off your
back.

Illjusttellthemthetruth.Ivenothingtohide.

Haventyou?ImhandedmeanotherCourvoisier,thentookhisownglass
forawalkupanddowntheroom.Youfoundthebody.Whydidntyouwaituntil
theycametotheapartmentandtellthemaboutit?Thepolicewontlikethatat
all.Hewavedhisglassatme.Oh,weknowwhyyoucamedashingroundhereto
report to Na. But police wont say, Thanks very much, Mr Moon, that lets you
off!whenyoutellthemyouweredoingatailjobonKimSumi.Theyllbevery
curiousindeed.

Well,supposetheyare?Isaid,shrugging.AllIhavetodoismentionthis
department

Thatsjustwhatyouhaventgottodo,Imsaidquickly,swinginground
onme.Getthisintoyourhead,Moon.AllNaisconcernedwithiswhyoneofhis
mosttrustedagentsshouldhavebeenkilled.Thatwedisagreeastoitbeingan
accidentisbesidethepoint.YourassignmentistofindoutwhetherMissKimis
mixed up with people who wanted Chong out of the way. And to do that she
mustntknowyouretailingher.Tellthepoliceyouare,andtheyllmakebigfeet
noises that will divert her shelllike ears in your direction. And not quite so
charminglyastheyareatpresent.

Its backhanded, but Ill take it as a compliment on my handling of the

assignmentsofar,Isaid,grinningupathim.Bytheway,doyoustillthinkitwas
anaccident?

This American being murdered in her apartment certainly opens up

possibilities. He pursed his lips thoughtfully, then said decisively: Phone her
now.Givehersomereasonwhyyoudidntturnup.Hewentovertothedeskand
flickedthroughthepagesofadiaryonit.Hereweare.

ItookmySamsungfrommypocket,anddialledthenumberslowly,figuringouta
plausibleexcuse.

Iputthereceivertomyearandheardtheringingtone.Acoupleofsecondslater
therewasaclickasthereceiverwasliftedattheotherend.

Amansvoicecamecrisplyontheline.Hello

Ihesitated,thenafteraslightlysurprised,OherIwentonbriskly:CouldI
speaktoMissKim?MynamesMoon.

Therewasanunmistakablehandblanketingofthemouthpieceattheotherend,
andIlipspokePolicetoNa.Hesmiledbacksagely.ThenIwaslisteningtoKim
Sumisvoice.Isthatyou,MrMoon?

Isay,Imterriblysorryabouttonight,Isaidwith,Ihoped,anauthentic
noteoffranticapologyinmyvoice.ButIhadabusinessappointmentatDaegu.I
forgot all about it when I accepted your invitation. I was hoping to get back in
time,butthisconferencewentonandon.Asamatteroffact,Imspeakingfrom
Daeguatthemoment.

Badluck.Imeanaboutyourconference.Iwonderedwhathadhappened
toyou.

IdidringbeforeIleftbutcouldntgetareply.IglancedacrossatImwho
seemedamused.Itwasaboutaquarterpastseven.

Oh,didyou?Iwasntinthen.YunHyeok,myfianc,rangmeearlier.He
hadoneofhisasthmaattacksandIthoughtIoughttogoroundandmakesure
hewasallright.Asmilecameintohervoice.Ifyouhadcomeyoudhavebeen
ringingthebellofanemptyflat.Still,someothertime,perhaps.

IsaidIhopedso,apologisedagain,andhungup.

Nicework,Imsaid,takingacigarettefromthesilverboxandpushingit
acrosstome.Wherewassheataquarterpastseven?

Apparentlyherfiancwasillandshewentroundtolookafterhim.

Youcanrelyonthepolicetocheckthat,Imsaid,withasardonicglance
atme.Youwanttowatchout,Moon.TheyllbelookingforamotiveforDoyles
murder.Somethingniceandprimitive,likejealousy,forinstance.

Chapter nine

ItwasjustaftereightwhenIawokenextmorning.IcouldhearMrsKimJeong
hee,mycleaner,rattlingcupsinthekitchen.AnaromaofgreenteadriftedinasI
reachedforacigarettefromthecaseonthebedsidetable.Ihadalotofmental
sortingout to do and Ive a habit of doing most of my constructive thinking in
bed.

A report of the murder should be in the morning paper and I decided to see
whethertherewereanyfreshdevelopments.AsIwasabouttocalltoMrsKimto
bringthenewspaperandteatomeinbed,thefrontdoorbellrang.

MrsKimbustledpast,slightlybreathlessasusual.Thenshewasback,knocking
onmydoor.Agentlemantoseeyou,sir.

UsuallyImMrMoontoher,unlessshewantstoimpressmyvisitors.Latterly,
thesehadbeencreditorsconnectedwithmydefunctbusiness;onlymynameon
achequewouldhaveimpressedthem.

Cursing, I groped for my slippers and dragged on my blue dressinggown,

pausingonlytocombmyhairandslipthecigarettecaseintomypocket.

MrsKimJeongheewaslurkingoutsidemydoor,alookofconcernonherusually
cheerfulface.Itsaplainclothesman,shehissed.Icansmellem!

Thiswasit.ThrustingmyhandsinmydressinggownpocketsIstrolledcasually
intothelivingroom.

Atallman,withneatlybrushinghairgreyingatthesides,wearingadarksuitand
grey tie, watched my entrance with a slightly quizzical look, plainly alert for
anythingthatmightbeconstruedassuspicious.

Mr Moon? he began affably. My names Lee DetectiveInspector Lee

Shihoo.

Ifrownedperplexedly.Whatsthetrouble,Inspector?Anothercomplaintabout
myparkinginfrontofmynextdoorneighboursgarage?

Nothing as heinous as that, sir, he said, with a policemans heavy

humour.ItsaboutaladyIbelieveyouknow,MrMoon.AMissKimSumi.

Yes,shesafriendofmine.Ilookedstartled.Nothingshappenedtoher,
hasit?Anaccident?

Heshookhishead.Idjustliketoaskyouafewquestionsabouther.Hisgrey
eyeshadbeencasuallyroamingtheroom;suddenlytheycameuptomine.You
had an appointment with her yesterday evening? It was more of a statement
thanaquestion.

Thatsright,Isaidinapuzzledmanner.Atseventhirty,atherflat.
UnfortunatelyIwasunabletokeeptheappointment.IwasheldupatDaegu.

Isee,hesaidinanoncommittaltone.ThenyouwerentatSeoulTower
atanytimeyesterdayevening?

Ivealreadytoldyouthat,Inspector,Irepliedirritably.

Youvetoldmeyouwerentthereatseventhirty,hecorrected.

Letsgetthisclear,Inspector.SofarasIknow,Iveneverbeenwithinhalf
a mile of whatever the mansions are called. His smooth smile provoked me
intoasking:Whythisthirddegreestuff?

Hedidntlikethatatall.Foraninstantitgothimonthewrongfoot.Imsorry
youtakeitthatway,sir.Hefidgetedwithhisstiffbrimmed,darkgreyhat.This
is purely routine questioning. Then his tone sharpened. A man was murdered
lastnightinMissKimsflat.

Ididmybesttolookstartledagain,thenasked:Haveyoufoundthemurderer?

No.Hepaused.Iunderstandyouknewthemurderedman.

Idid!

HisnamesDoyle.

Doyle Doyle, I said, frowning. Then I snapped my fingers. Of course!

HewasthemanImetwithMissKiminShanghai.AlthoughIcanscarcelysayI
knewhimIonlysawhimonce.

MissKimtoldmeabouttheincident.Hesmiledobliquelyasthoughhed
very nearly trapped me. Would you say Miss Kim was on friendly terms with
him?

Ishrugged.Nomorethanthecasualfriendshipofpeoplewhomeeteachother
abroadonholiday.

Hewatchedhisfingerrunroundthebraidedbrimofhishat.Andyouwereall
meetingagaininherflatlastnighttotalkoveryourholidayinShanghai?

IfishedoutmycigarettecasetogaintimewhileItriedtoavoidthebarbinthe
question.ShedidnttellmeDoylewascoming,Isaid,offeringhimmycase.Asa
matter of fact, I thought hed gone back to America. I was invited to meet her
fianc.

Thatswhatshesaid.Hetookacigarettefrommycase.MissKimsavery
attractivewoman,wouldntyousay,MrMoon?

Ismiled,rememberingImsmotivetheory.Drinkismyweakness,Isaid.

AsIsnappedmylightertohiscigaretteLeeglancedupatme.DoesMissKims
fiancknowthatyouareaneligibleyoungbachelor?

As it happens, I said tartly, I wouldnt have met Miss Kims fianc. It

seems he was taken ill yesterday evening. I smiled tauntingly. Tell me if Im
wrong,Inspector,butIthinkyouwereinherflatwhenshetoldme.

Quiteright.Iwas,hesaidimperturbably,glancingathiswatch.Thanks
for your help, Mr Moon. Dont bother to come to the front door. He made a
gesture of goodbye with his hat as he went out of the living room, then he
turned back to me. We checked on the asthma attack. Miss Kim was with her
fiancfromsixthirtytowellafterseven.Weliketoconfirmalibis,MrMoon.

WhenhesgoneMrsKimcameinwithatrayofteaandfruit.Wasitaboutyour
car, Mr Moon? she asked innocently. That man next door was swearing
somethingdreadfulyesterdaywhenitwasparkedoutsidehisgaragedoor.

Odd you should think that, Mrs Kim, I said, grinning at her. They were
almosttheexactwordsIusedwhenIsawthedetective.

Producinganewspaperfromunderthetraysheplaceditonthetable.Theres
beenanothermurderinGangnam,MrMoon,shesaid,unnecessarilyrearranging
thecontentsofthetray.

Sothedetectivewastellingme,Isaid.

Sheseemedtogettheimplication,andbustledoutindignantly.

Ipouredmyselfatea,litacigarette,andpickedupthepaper.Itwasconveniently
foldedtodisplaytheStopPress.Iskimmeditquickly.Itmerelysaidthataman
had been found in a Gangnam luxury apartment, and that the tenant, Miss Kim
Sumi,washelpingthepoliceintheirinquiries.

IputthepaperdownandwentbackovermytalkwithLee.Onethingstuckouta
mileKimSumihadntwithheldanythingfromhim.Thatconfirmedmyviews
onher.SheknewnomoreaboutDoylesmurderthanIdid.

But what was the American doing in her apartment? And how did he get in? I
waspouringmyselfanothercupofteawhenIrecollectedsomethingthatLeehad
said. You were all meeting again in her apartment last night to talk over your
holiday in Shanghai? Tea was pouring over the top of the cup into the saucer
beforeIrealisedwhatIwasdoing.WithamutteredDamnIreplacedthepoton
thetable,gotup,andcrossedovertothetelephoneanddialled

Ilistenedtotheengagedsignalforhalfaminute,thenreplacedthereceiverand
camebacktothetable.Ilitanothercigarettefromthestubofthelast,dropped
thatintotheteafilledsaucer,andtossedtheinferenceofLeeswordsaroundin
my mind. Was that the excuse Kim Sumi had used to get Doyle round to her
apartment?Tomeetmeandtalkoverourholiday?Butwhy?Tomurderhim?I
saw again the body and the battered head, with the heavy, bloodstained glass
ashtray beside it. It simply did not add up. Doyle was a powerful man; a blow
from one of his heavy fists would have knocked out any woman senseless.
Besides, I had seen Kim Sumi when she came into the apartment. There was
nothing in her appearance to suggest shed been in a fight. But someone must
have let Doyle into the apartment. And whoever did so was the person who
slipped the key under the door to me. Circumstantially, the person was the
murderer;butnotnecessarily.

AdozenconjectureslaterIgaveup.Iwasinthebathwhenitsuddenlyoccurred
tomethatLeehadnturgedmetodisclosewhereIdbeenthepreviousevening.
It would have been awkward if hed pressed me to detail my movements. Why
hadnthedoneso,Iwondered?Ihadanuncomfortablefeelingthathesuspected
IdkepttheappointmentwithKimSumi,andwasjustkeepingmeontheendof
alineuntilhewasreadytohaulmeinlikeaflounderingfish.

WhenIwasdressedItriedagaintocontactMissKim.Attenoclock,afterathird
abortive attempt, I decided that an engaged line meant she was in her
apartmentt,andthatIdgoroundthere.

IcalledtoMrsKimthatIwasleaving,thenwentdowntothemewsandgotmy
caroutofthegarageundermyapartment.Frombehindmylivingroomcurtaina
facewatchedmego.Iflickedaderisivehandtowardsthegaragenextdoor.Mrs
KimknewdamnwellIneverparkedmycaroutsideit.

Chapter ten

PressingthebelloftheapartmentatSeoulTowerremindedmeitwaslittlemore
than twelve hours since Id been standing there expectantly. Involuntarily, my
glance dropped to the bottom of the door. Id almost expected to see a key
pushedslowlyunderit,anditcameasashockwhenthedoorwassuddenlyflung
wide.

Hansang!MrMoon

Icouldnthelpnoticingthereliefinhervoice.

I hope I havent dropped in at an awkward time, I said, noting the fur

coatdrapedoverhershoulders.ButItriedtoringyou

Shemadeagesture,halfwelcoming,halfapologetic.Oh,Imsorry.IfIdknown
butIvehadmyreceiveroffallmorning.Thosereportersweredrivingmecrazy!
Shebitherlip.Thenthisdetectiveandhisendlessquestions

Iinterruptedherquickly.IvejusthadavisitfromInspectorLeeShihoo.

Iwasafraidyouwould,shesaidcontritely.Ihadtotellhimaboutyou
whenyouphoned.Butpleasecomein,MrMoon.

Ifollowedherintothenowtidylivingroom.MyfriendscallmeHansang,Isaid
withasmile.

She made a little face at me. It slipped out. She motioned me to a cream
colouredeasychair.Dositdown,Hansang.

Slipping out of the fur coat, she let it fall on to the sofa. She wore a red suit,
ornamented by a single diamondencrusted loversknot brooch. Forgive me if
Imratherremote,shesaidtakingtheeasychairoppositemineandcrossingher
legs negligently, but I havent yet really recovered from the shock. You read
aboutsuchthingsinthepapers;youcantbelieveitcanhappentoyou.

Inoddedsympathetically.Whenthedetectivetoldme,Iwasappalled.Igotout
mycigarettecaseandopeneditslowly.WhatIcouldntgraspwasthatitshould
beDoyle.IthoughthedgonebacktotheStatesdaysago.Iraisedmyeyesfrom
thecase,watchingherface.

Herforeheadfurrowed.Itsbeyondme.Iwasundertheimpressionheflewback
from Shanghai the day after we met him at the Chinese Dragon. She shrugged
helplessly.Ididntseehimagainafterthat.

Iheldoutmycigarettecase.Hedidntmentionthathemightlookyouupsome
timeifhedidcomeoverhere?

Neverevenhintedatit.Shetookacigarette,andIputalighttoit.That
detectivekepttryingtomakemeadmitwedarrangedtomeethere.

Hedidthesamethingtome.IthinkhewasabitdisappointedwhenItold
himyouhardlyknewtheman.

Shesmiledgratefully.Imterriblysorrytohaveinvolvedyouinallthis.Butwhat
couldIdo?IhadtotellhimIwasexpectingyouatseventhirty.

Thatsallright.Iheldmylighterhesitantlytomyowncigarette.Ifyou
weregoingoutdontletmeupsetanyarrangements.

Her eyes smiled into mine. Its thoughtful of you. But it really wasnt all that
urgent.IdbeenexpectingYunHyeoktocallround;heusuallydoesonhiswayto
his office. Of all mornings he had to miss this one just when I needed his
shouldertocryon.Herfingerstappedatthearmofherchair.SoIwasaboutto
descend on him in person. But perhaps I shouldnt be too furious with him. He
mustbefeelingprettyrottenafterthatattackofasthmayesterdayevening.

Ofcourse,thatswhyyouwereoutwhenIrangthefirsttimeatseven
fifteen.

Yes.Shelookedatthetoeofhershoe.YouwerephoningfromDaegu,
wasntit?

Thatsright.

For your technical magazine, or whatever it was? Her voice wavered

uncertainly.Youdidsayyouwereajournalist,didntyou?

If Lee began digging into my past, I thought, hed soon come up with the true
facts. I do write for the engineering magazines at times, I said truthfully. You
see,Imactuallyanengineer.Ihadmyownworksuntilrecently.Unfortunatelyit
wentbroke.

Oh,badluck,shecommiserated.ThenyouwereatDaegu?Sheleftthe
questiondanglinginescapably.

It was then that I had a brainwave. By making my visit to Daegu sufficiently

obscureIdforestallanytoodirectinquiriesthatLeemightmakeaboutitsobject.
I didnt want to have to tell you this, Sumi. But I went down there on the off
chance of getting myself fixed up with one of the engineering firms. I laughed
awkwardly.Ijustwanderedabout,lookingthemoverandtryingtoforcemyself
tocallonone,capinhand.IntheendIditheredarounduntilIdmessedupour
appointment.

As though that mattered. Her face clouded. But it did, didnt it? If you
hadcomeathalfpastsevenpoorMrDoyle

Ibrokethemomentarysilence.Howdidhegetintoyourflat,Sumi?Whywashe
here?

Please,shebegged.Iwentthroughallthisforhourslastnightwiththe
detective.

I had the impression he wasnt entirely convinced Doyle was no more

than a casual acquaintance of yours. At that moment it seemed important to
forceadirectansweroutofher.Wasthatallhewas,Sumi?

IdneverseenthemanuntilImethimatthehotel,sherepliedangrily.
Then, with a shrug, she said wearily: I suppose Id better tell you. I was lying
whenIsaidIneversawhimagainafterourmeetingattheChineseDragon.She
avoidedmyeyes,thensaidinalowvoice:Hecametomyroomthatnight.

And?

He made a pass at me. She spread her hands. Nothing happened. He

calmeddowneventuallyandapologised.Somenonsenseabouthavingfallenfor
mefromthemomenthesawmeatIncheonAirport.

DidyoutelltheInspectorthis?WhensheshookherheadIasked:Why
not?

AndhavehimtellYun?shedemandedquickly.

Whatifhedid?Ismiled.Yunsurelydoesntimagineanengagementring
putsabarbedwirefencearoundanattractivegirl?

Imafraidhedoes.Perhapsishisasthmathatmakeshimsointolerant.
Hereyesmetmineforalongmoment.Itsabsurd,butIthinkhesevenjealousof
you.

Thedoorbellpealedstridently.

Ilaughedbriefly.Ofme!

Thenthebellrangagain,aprolonged,insistentring.

Shestoodup.ItsoundsasthoughyouandYunmaybemeetingafterall.

As she went out to admit her visitor I stubbed out my cigarette in an ashtray
emblazonedwiththeShanghaiskyline.

A highpitched voice drifted in from the hallway. Whats happened, Kim? Why
didnt you ring me? There was some heavy breathing. A police Inspector just
calledroundandsaid

Kimsvoiceinterruptedquietly.Please,Yundontgetsoexcited.Yourasthma

Dontgetexcited!Thevoicerosetoacrescendo.GoodGod,KimSumi
dontyourealise

Oh,dopleasecalmdown,Yun,Kimsaidsharply.MrMoonsinthere.

Moon? Yuns voice was explosive with suspicion. Moon? The man you
metontheplane?

Ididntcatchheradmonitorywhisper.

A moment later I was standing up, murmuring, How do you do? to a tall,
desiccatedmanwithdarkhairpartedinthecentre,acroppedmoustache,beak
nose,andpaleblueeyesthatstaredatmehostilelythroughheavyhornrims.He
wastakingoffhishatashecamein;theimpeccablyrolledumbrellacompleted
thepicture.

MrMoon,Kimsaid,thisismyfianc,YunHyeok.

Hehungalimphandatme.KimSumihasmentionedyou,hesaidcoldly,and
withdrewhishandfrommineasthoughitheldasoiledhandkerchief.Heturned
toKim.Iwanttotalktoyou,Sumi.Alone,ifyoudontmind.

Its all right, darling, she said soothingly: Mr Moon knows what
happened.Thatswhyheshere.

IthoughttheremightbesomethingIcoulddotohelp,Isaidquickly.Its
aprettyawfulbusiness.

Prettyawful.MyGod,thatsanunderstatement,ifyoulike!Withaneffort
Yunrecoveredhisbreathafterthisoutburst.WhoisthismanDoyle?Idemand
anexplanation,Sumi!Youvenevermentionedhimtomebefore.

Hewasntthatimportant,shesaid,withaglanceofmockdespairatme.
JustacasualacquaintancewemetinShanghai.

Yunpointedhisumbrellaatmeaccusingly.YouvemetthisDoyle?

Ononeoccasion.IwaswithMissKim.Wemethimoversomedrinks.

Drinks? We? he panted, glancing from one to the other suspiciously.

HowdidthisfellowDoylecometobehere?Imnotafool,Sumi.Theremustbe
alotmoretothisthanappearsonthesurface.

I wondered how the devil Kim Sumi came to be engaged to this querulous
neurotic.Inamildlysarcastictone,Isaid:Youvegotsomethingthere,MrYun.

Heglaredatme.Iwasnttalkingtoyou,sir.

Kimsighed.Oh,Hyeok,please.

Get a grip on yourself, Yun, I said roughly. Miss Kims had a very
unpleasantexperience.Rightnowsheneedssympathy,notbullying.

Hislipstightenedangrilyforamoment,thenhesmiledbleakly.Howrightyou
are. I apologize, Moon. He turned to Kim. Im sorry, dear. I think we should
postpone any further discussion until Im less spent. This evening, then. He
glancedathiswatch.Tck,tck?ImdueataBoardmeetinginhalfanhour.By

thewaySumi,dosomethingaboutthatpartnerofyours.Shesphonedmethree
timestosayshecantgetholdofyou.

Of course I will, darling, Kim said placatingly. I expect Soras furious

withmebecauseIhunguponherlastnight.Sheshuddered.Itwasjustatthe
momentwhenIdseenthe

Yunseyesfollowedthedirectionofhers.Hewasabouttosaysomethingwhen
thedoorbellinterruptedhim.

Kimgaveanotherlittlesigh.Whycanttheyleavemeinpeace?

Ifitsthenewspapersdonttellthemanything!Yunorderedsharply.Not
awordnow,Kim!Mynamemustntbementioned;youunderstand?

Dont worry, darling. I think I can handle them. She crossed the room,
pattinghisarmreassuringlyasshepassed.

Yuntappedhisthighirritablywithhishat.Publicityofthissortwouldplaythe
devil with my business. He glared at me as though I were responsible for the
situation.Imastockbroker,Moon.

I think you can trust Miss KIm to deal with reporters tactfully, I said. I
took out my cigarette case, proffering it to him. He shook his head, patting his
chest in explanation. Miss Kim mentioned that she had an art and antique
business, I said when Id lit a cigarette. You say she has a business partner
Kong?

Yes, yes, he replied testily. Kong Sora and my fiance are in

partnership.Heglancedroundimpatiently,eagertobegone.

FromthedoorKimsaid:ItsInspectorLee,darling.

Iturned.Leestoodinthedoorway,hiseyesroamingtheroomasthoughmaking
aninventoryofeverythinginit.Whentheymetminehenodded.Goodmorning,
sir.

TurninghisbackonLee,Yunsaid:Imlatenow,Sumi.Imustgo.Hewaggled
hisumbrellaatme.CanIgiveyoualift?

Leesteppedforward.IdlikeawordwithMrMoon,ifyoudontmind,sir.

Yungavemealong,speculativelook,thennoddedcurtlyandwalkedpastLeeto
thedoor.

Excuse me, Inspector, Kim said brightly, and followed Yun from the
room.

Chapter eleven

Cosyapartment,isntit,sir?

Id been following Kim Sumi with my eyes, and I now turned to find Lee
watchingme,aslightsmileonhisthinlips.Very,Isaidtersely.

Firsttimeyouvebeenhere,isntit,sir?

WithsomeeffortIrepliedunemotionally:Imadeitquiteplainthismorningthat
Idneverbeeninvitedhereuntillastnight.

He raised one eyebrow quizzically. And you couldnt keep that appointment,
couldyou,MrMoon?

BeforeIcouldanswer,Kimcameback.Sheclosedthedoorcarefully,thenturned
tous.Oh,please,dositdownbothofyou.

Lee took a hardbacked chair, facing the two Kim and I had occupied a few
minutesbefore.MissKim,hesaid,restinghishatonhisknees,doesthename
Baemeananythingtoyou?

Iinhaledcigarettesmoke,waitingforherreaction.Butitwasnomorethanyoud
expectfromsomebodysuddenlyconfrontedwithanamecompletelystrangeto
them.

No,shesaidblankly.Imafraiditdoesnt.

Leeglancedatme.Andyou,sir?

Ishookmyhead.Itdoesntringabellwithme,either.Shouldit?


Not if Doyle was just a casual acquaintance, he told us. It would have
been helpful in our efforts to check Doyles background if you had known the
name. It was written in a diary we found on his body. Apparently he had
appointments with this Bae Yeonseok for today, tomorrow, and the day after.
Leestonesharpened.MissKimIdlikeyoutotellmeagainhowmanytimes
youmetDoyleinShanghai.

Oh, really! she said with exasperation. Ive already told you the only
occasionwaswhenwewerewithMrMoonattheChineseDragon.

Leedrewtheedgeofhandalongthedentofhishat.Wouldyouliketothinkthat
over,MissKim,andanswerthequestionagain?

Sheretorted,rathertoodramatically:Areyouaccusingmeoflying,Inspector?

Hegavealittleshrug,thenafteramomentsaidcalmly:Wehavedefiniteproof
thatyoumethimonanotheroccasion,MissKim.

I stiffened as she queried in a more uncertain tone: What sort of proof,

Inspector?

He leaned forward. A video film, Miss Kim. A video film that we found on the
deadman.Iranitthroughanhourago.TherearesomeshotsofShanghaiwith
yourself in several of them. One in particular is of the Chinese Dragon caf. It
shows Doyle joining you at a table. He cleared his throat. You appeared to be
morethanacasualacquaintance,ifImaysayso.

IsupposeImusthavebetrayedsomereactiontohearingthatmyvideohadbeen
found in Doyles possession. The Inspectors slightly malicious smile suggested
that hed put a different interpretation on my expression. You dont appear to
havebeenpresentonthatoccasion,MrMoon.

It may surprise you to know, Inspector, I said unpleasantly, that the

videowastakenbyme.

Foroncehisurbanitydesertedhim.Youtookit,sir?

KimSumisatup,hereyesshining.HansangMoon!Butofcourseyoutookit!I
remembernow.

Justaminute,Leesaid,thescepticalexpressiononhisfaceonceagain.If
youtookthatvideo,sir,whatwasitdoinginDoylespocket?

IthoughtIknewtheanswer,butdidntwanttogetinvolvedwithLeeoverthe
video.Thatsyourpigeon,Inspector,Isaid.Ilostthatvideosomewherealong
thelineprobablyinShanghai.

Leefrownedatthisunexpecteddevelopment,thensaidquietly.Letmeknowif
anythingmoredefiniteoccurstoyou.Youcanalwaysleaveamessageformeat
thestation.Hestoodup.Well,thatsallforthemoment,Ithink.Bytheway,Miss
Kim,yourenotplanningtogotoShanghaiagaininthenearfuture?

Heavens,no!sheexclaimed.Whatputthatthoughtinyourhead?


IjustwantedtobesureyoudstillbehereifIwantedyou.

Hestoodlookingdownather,thenwithan,Illseemyselfout,leftsoabruptly
thatwewerebothalittlesurprised.

AsthefrontdoorclosedKimgaveasighofrelief.Thankgoodnesshesgone!she
smiled. I didnt know you were taking pictures of me all over Shanghai, Moon
Hansang.

Isawyouonceortwice,Isaid,offhandedly.IthoughtIdliketoinclude
anattractivegirlonmyChinesebackgrounds.

Thatssweetofyou,shesaidwarmly.Wheredidyouseeme?

Ohcomingoutofmuseumsonbridgesgettingoffboats,Ireplied
ratherlamely.

Shesmiledagain.Irememberthatone,shesaidsoftly.

Irose.Imustbegettingalongnow,Isaid,feelingvaguelyillatease.

Its been nice having you here to give me your moral support, she said
gratefully.HowlikeYuntowalkoutonmejustwhenIneedhim.

AtthefrontdoorIsaid,Youwillletmeknowiftheresanydevelopments,Kim?

Ofcourse.Shelookedupintomyface.Youllbethefirsttoknow,Han
sang.

Chapter twelve

I stepped into the first doorway I could find, to telephone Im Suntaek on my

cellphone.

After the preliminary greetings he asked suavely: Any news of the bewitching
KimSumi?

YourememberImentionedthataphonecallcamethroughforherwhilst
Iwasintheapartmentlastnight,andIansweredit?

Itdidcropupamongtheluriddetails.Youdidntgetaroundtotellingme
whatwassaid.

Byme,nothing,Isaid,atriflenettledbyhisbanteringtone.Itwasfroma
womanwhoannouncedherselfasSora.Shewentrightontalking.SofarasIcan
remember,shesaid,Iwasright,Sumi.HesverycuriousaboutBae

Imcutin.Whatwasthatnameagain?

BaeYeonseok.Myhandtightenedonthephone.Whydidyouaskmeto
repeatit?

Ijustdidntcatchitatfirst,hesaidcasually.Well,goon

Well,SoraturnsouttobeaMissKongKimSumispartnerintheart
gallery.

Haveyoubeentothegallery,then?

No, I went round to Sumis Miss Kims apartment this morning. Her
fiancwasthereandhelettheinformationoutmoreorlessincidentally.

Sohesturnedup!Imlaughed.Whatshelike?

Ratherlikeyou,asamatteroffact,Im.Anabsolutebastard!

I let him say his piece, then went on: While I was at Miss Kims apartment a
detective Inspector Lee Shihoo arrived. Hed already given me a grilling
earlier this morning. He said hed taken a diary from Doyles pocket, which
recorded several appointments with this man Bae. Lee threw the name at Miss
Kim;shesaiditdidntmeanathingtoher.

HmImpaused.Youthinkshewaslying?

Im damned sure she was, I said acidly. When Kong Sora phoned she
obviouslytookitforgrantedthatMissKimknewBaeandthestreetname,too.

Streetname?Youdidntmentionastreetnamebefore!Imsaidsharply.

ForthesimplereasonthatIveforgottenthenameofit,Isaid,frowning.
WorldCupsomethingItsrightonthetipofmytongue

Letmegiveyouatip,Moon.Alwaysgetanamedowndirectlyyouhearit.
On the back of an envelope anywhere, but get it down. Then he laughed
apologetically. Sorry to sound off like a SergeantMajor, but one of the first
thingsyouhavetolearnisnevertorelyonyourmemory.IllseeifwehaveaBae
Yeonseok in our records. Dont forget to ring me if you remember that street
name.

Therewasadecentlookingpubasteportwofromthedoorway,soIparkedmy
car there and treated myself to a bowl of bibimbap and a glass of soju. Then I
drovebacktomyapartment,edgingthroughacoupleofyellows,moreintenton
recallingthestreetnamethanonmydriving.

Chapter

thirteen

Itookmykeyfromthefrontdoorandwasabouttostuboutmycigaretteinthe
ashtrayonthehalltablewhenIheardafaintrustlingofpapercomingfrommy
living room. Then a drawer was jerked open. I knew it wasnt Mrs Kim; she
alwaysleftpromptlyattwelve.

LeavingthefrontdoorajarIsteppedacrossthehallwayandpeeredthroughthe
crackofthehalfopenlivingroomdoor.Icouldjustseeahandforagingamongst
thepapersinmywritingbureau.

Ieasedthedooropenalittlefurther.Amaninawellcutgreysuitstoodwithhis
backtowardsme.TheslimwaistandpowerfulslopingshoulderswarnedmeId
needeveryoneofthetenyearsdifferenceinouragesifitcametoashowdown.

Itookastepinsidetheroomandsaidquietly:Youwontfindanymoneythere,if
thatswhatyourelookingfor.

Hespunroundandwefacedoneanotherinsilence,eachsizinguptheother.His
eyes were dark in a sallow face. Above a hard mouth was a pencilline
moustache. He was a type that you see in secondrate bars, reading the racing
resultinthepaperandshiftilyavoidingtheyesofanystranger.

HerefusedtomeetmyeyesnowasIchallengedhim.Whoareyou,anyway?

Hesmiledtightly.Illbouncethatonebackatyou,Moon.Whothehellareyou?

You seem to know my name, anyway, I said, stepping towards a side

table and reaching for the telephone. Maybe you prefer the police to ask the
questions?


Keepyourhandsoffthatphone,Moon!

Myhandretreatedasthoughithadbeenstung.Iwaslookingdownthemuzzleof
a.38automatic.

Whatsthegame?heasked.WhyareyoutrailingKimSumi?

Trailingher?Isaid.Shesafriendofmine.

ShewasntuntilyoumetherontheplanetoShanghai.

Wheredidyougetthatinformation?

We got it! he snapped. Now we want some information about you,

Moon.

Idbeendoingsomequickthinkingwhilethisexchangewasgoingon.Myliving
roomhasaparquetfloor,withmatsplacedhereandthere.Thiswasthedaythat
Mrs Kim waxed the floor, and no rose had ever smelled so sweet as did the
pungentodourofthewaxatthatmoment.

Youreholdingthecards,Isaid,noddingtowardsthegun.Butwhynot
shortcircuitthestoryofmylifeandcometothepoint?Ilookedattheendofmy
cigarette.HiseyesfollowedmineandItookastepforward.Whatisityoureally
wanttoknow?

Dont play the innocent, he said roughly. What have you done with
them?

Donewiththem?Therewasnoneedformetofakemysurprise.

Hewavedthegunimpatiently.Youwantmetospellit?

Hewasstandingonasmallrugnearthedesk.Oh,wellIsupposeIdbetterI
beganthen,Damn!Iexclaimedanddroppedthecigarettetothefloor.Burnt
myfingerstalkingtoIstoppedquicklyandgrabbedattheedgeoftherug.It
was thin and slid across the waxed floor as though it were ice. The man fell
backwards, the gun falling from his hand and slithering across the floor to the
wall.

Imadeadiveforit,butherolledover,clutchedoneofmyankles,andjerkedme
forward on to the floor. The next instant he was on top of me. Id been right
aboutthepowerintheslopingshoulders.

Thewaxdidntsmellquitesosweetnowthatmynosewasflattenedagainstit.I
got my left leg round one of his, pressed the palm of my right hand on to the
floor,androlledhimover.Raisingmyhead,Ilookedforthegun;itwassixinches
frommylefthand.Ireachedoutforitthensomethingcrackedinmyhead,I
lookedforthegun;itwassixinchesfrommylefthand.Ireachedoutforitthen
somethingcrackedinmyheadandIwasfallingdownintothepitchdarknessof
anabyss

The dull, rhythmic pain of a pendulum inside my head woke me. I felt old and
tired.AtthetopoftheabysstherewerevoicesandlightIclawedmywayupto
themThenthesmellofwaxseemedtorestoremyfullconsciousness.

ThevoiceofthemanIdbeenstrugglingwithwassaying:No,theywerentinthe
bureau.

Nor on him, said another voice a cultured voice, which chose words
withtheprecisenessofsomeonespeakingalanguagenottheirown.Iwouldnot
have done this, Choi; but in another moment he would have had the gun. My
assailantlaughedshortly.Hestougherthanhelooks.

Ihopeso,theothervoiceremarkedgravely.Thebedroom,Choi?You
hadbetterlookroundinthere.

Thedoorclosed.ThenIfeltahandinmyinsidepocket,removingmycigarette
case.IlaymotionlessuntilIheardthesoundofthecigarettecasebeingputdown
onthebureau,thenturnedmyheadroundenoughtogetaoneeyedlookatthis
man. He had his back to me and appeared to be writing. He was shorter and
younger than the man I had caught rifling my bureau. His fair hair was close
croppedatthebackandsides.Ihadtheimpressionofamanwhotookapridein
hisappearance.ThenmycigarettecasewassnappedshutandIclosedmyeyes
asheturnedbacktome.

Hed just replaced the cigarette case in my pocket when the man called Choi
returned.

Nothingthere.

I have a feeling you were mistaken, Lloyd. I do not think that Moon is
connected with those others. From the direction of his voice I guessed that he
wasstandingoverme.

Im beginning to have some doubts myself Choi broke off, with an

abrupt: Anyway, we shall have to see what happens from now on. Lets move,
beforehecomesround.

IwaiteduntilIheardthefrontdoorclose,thenrolledoverandsatup.Myhead
throbbedworsethanever,andIputahandgingerlytothebackofit.Therewasa
lumpasbigasanegg,butnobloodonmyhandwhenItookitaway.

With an effort I levered myself up and staggered across to the drinks table. I
poured myself four fingers of whisky and gulped it down; then I stood looking
down at the empty glass while the whisky gradually began to take effect, and
presentlyItookoutmycigarettecase.Tuckedunderthecigaretteswasaslipof
paper.Idrewitoutandreadthescrawledmessage.Justtwowords.

WORLDCUPBUKRO48GIL

WorldCupBukRo,Imuttered.ByGod,thatwasit!WorldCupBukRo!

Iwasstillshakyasthedevilandnotthinkingtoocoherently,soIdecidedtotake
a shower. Afterwards I stretched out on the settee and thought over what had
happenedsinceIdcomeintomyapartment.

FromwhatthemanChoihadsaidtomeitwasobviousthatIwassuspectedof
having something. His What have you done with them? could imply anything
fromplanstobanknotes.Whateverthesomethingwashewaspreparedtousea

guntogetit.ButwheredidKimSumifitintoallthis?Andwhydidhewantto
knowmyreasonfortrailingher?

SuddenlyIrememberedtheChinesedoll,rippedopenandlyingbythebody.Had
Doylebeencarryingthesomethinginthat?Iwonderedforamomentwhether
IdbeenfacetofacewithDoylesmurdereranhourbefore.ButIdismissedthe
thought; hisassailant wouldhavefound what hewas after inthedoll.Thetwo
intruders were obviously under the impression that I had killed and robbed
Doyle.

FromtheglimpseIdhadofhimandthesnatchesofoverheardconversation,Id
gottheideathatthesecondmanwasthemoreintelligentofthetwo.Thathewas
uncertain about me was obvious in everything he had said. But why insert the
noteinmycigarettecase?

Ifingeredthelumponthebackofmyheadtenderly.IdidntthinkIdbeenstruck
withthebuttofthegun.Theskinwasunbroken.Ihadntnoticedanysignofmy
frontdoorhavingbeenforcedwhenIdcomein;thatindicatedthattheydused
theoldthievestrickofslippingapieceofcelluloidintothedoorlatch.Butthe
secondman,atleast,didntlookortalklikeathug.

Tomorrow, after a good nights sleep, I would do some prowling round World
CupBukro48Gil.ButIwouldnttellImuntilIdfirsthadagoodlookroundfor
myself.

Chapter fourteen

IfounditamongthemazeofstreetsintheareaofSangamDong,northofHaneul
Parkandtheriver.Closeby,asthenamesuggestswastheWorldCupstadium

ParkingmycardownasideturningIwalkedbacktoWorldCupBukro48gil.Its
shopscateredfortheworkersinthenearbyMediaCity.Therewereseveralcafs
and fastfood shops, a healthfood store, and so on. It seemed the least likely
streetforamanwithaneggsizedbumponhisheadtobewanderingdownin
search of Well, in search of what? I asked myself, gazing vacantly into the
windowofatraditionalteashop.

BreakingfromareverieIsuddenlyrealisedthatIwasstaringataquaintChinese
doll.Myeyeswanderedtotheotherobjectsinthewindowsomehandpainted
fans, a model of a Chinese junk. I looked up at the name running in gold script
acrossthewindow.TheGoldenSun,itsaid.Ithoughtateaintheremighthelpto
setmybrainworking.

Itwastheusualsortofteashop.Therewasalongcounter,infrontofwhichwere
adozenlacqueredtableswithmatchingchairs.TheChinesemotifofthewindow
was even more prominent inside. Tourist publicity posters of China in cherry
blossom time decorated the walls, interspersed with hanging fans. Pots of
chrysanthemumswereoneverytable.Iwentinandsatatatable

InthemirrorbehindthecounterIhadafullviewofthetables.Thesoleoccupant
of these, just visible between the sails of a model junk, was an elegant woman
wearingaclosefittingemeraldgreendress.

A harassed girl, dressed in a silk smock, stringlike hair hanging down to her
shoulders,sweptausedteacupandsaucerfromthecounterinfrontofme.Yes,
sir?shesaid,adenoidallydisinterested.

Iorderedateaandidlywatchedhermanipulatethechromiummonster.Asshe
camebackwithmypotforonethewomanbehindmecalled:Mybill,please,So
hyun.

The waitress searched in the pockets of her smock, found a check pad and the
stubofapencil,andmurmuringafretful,Coming!begantomakeoutthebill.

HowsJawlong?thewomaninthegreendressinquired,overthelidof
hercompact.Areyouexpectinghimintoday?

The girl brushed some hair from her eyes impatiently. Hes better now. He
shouldbeinthisafternoon,MissKong.

I was about to light a cigarette, but now my hand tightened on the dormant
lighterandIriskedadirectlookatthewoman,betweenthesailsofthejunk.

Shewasinhermidthirties,notunattractiveinasuperciliousway.Hereyeswere
jade green and penetrating, her mouth a shade too large. I imagined a shrewd,
restlessmindatworkbehindtheimmobileface.

HereyesmetmineandIturnedmyheadquicklyaway.InthatinstantofcontactI
hadthefeelingthathershadshownamorethancasualinterestinme.ButIwas
overreceptivetoimpressionsjustthen;thenoteinmycigarettecase,andKong
Soraspresenceinateashop,whichfeaturedaChinesedollinthewindow,was
stretchingcoincidencetosnappingpoint.

ThroughthemirrorIwatchedthegirltakethebilltoKongSorastable.

Closinghercompactthelatterdrawledinaboredtone:WhatisitwithJawlong,
flu?

Oh, with the usual tummy trouble, Sohyun replied with a sniff. Ill be
gladwhenhesback.Leavingmetocopeonmyownhere

A postman came in, flourished a bundle of mail in Sohyuns direction, and

slapped it down on the counter at my elbow. Turned out nice again! he said
cheerfully.

Hasit?Sohyunrespondedperfunctorily.Iwouldntknow.

I glanced casually down at the pile of mail. It seemed to be mostly bills, apart
fromonelargebuffcolouredenvelope,whichfromitsbulkIassumedcontained
printedmatterofsomekind.

MyattentionreturnedabruptlytothemirrorasIheardthedooropenandvoice
ofKongSoraexclaiming:Sumi!

Chapter

fifteen

Iheardherheelsclicking,thenshecameintomyview.Sheworeaclosefitting,
blackbelted,sleevelessyellowdress,blackgloves,andwashatless.Sheseemeda
littlelesspoisedthanusualasshequicklycrossedtoKongSorastable.

Sorrytobelate,Sora,shesaid,atrifleedgily.Iwasheldupinthetraffic,
thenIhadtroubleparkingthecar.

You poor dear. I wondered what had kept you, Kong Sora drawled,
glancingatherwatch.Youvejusttimeforatea,Sumi.Thenwemustgetdown
toWonju.

KimSumisaidhesitantly:Youthinkitsworththetrip?

Definitely,Kongrepliedlazily.FromwhatIhear,thedealersringwillbe
thereinfullforce.

As their conversation proceeded it became apparent that they were going to

Wonjutoattendanauctionofantiquefurniture.IfIdhopedtocatchsomething
thatwouldgivepointtothenotewhichhadbroughtmetoWorldCupBukro48
GilIwasdisappointed.Theirtalkhadnomoresignificancethanthegossipyou
overhearfromtheseatbehindyouonabus.

Idbeenstaringintothemirrorand,ofcourse,theinevitablehappened.Sumi
turned her head in my direction, frowning; then her face lit up with a smile of
recognition.

Whos that? Kong Sora said sharply as I slid off my stool and crossed
overtotheirtable.

Hello,there!Iexclaimed.Thisisasurprise!

Yes,isntit?Sumisaid,ashadesceptically,Ithought.

Thensheturnedtohercompanion.Sora,thisisMrMoon.WemetinShanghai.
Sheglancedupatme.KongSoramybusinesspartner.

Kong returned my greeting with a cool nod. As though sensing that her
indifferencehadmademefeelanunwelcomeinterloper,KimSumisaidquickly:
Dositdown,Hansang.

Ipulledoutachairfromthetable.IhopeIhaventinterruptedanything,Isaid,
asIsatdown.

A Board meeting, Sumi said, with mock severity. The Annual General
Meeting of Kim and Kong. She laughed. Its just our morning tea break, Han
sang.Ourgalleryisonlyroundthecorner,youknow.

Ibroughtoutmycigarettecase.No,Ididntknow.Butwell,Imgladitis!

Sumi smiled at me appreciatively. Isnt this rather out of your way? I havent
seenyouinherebefore.

ItsthefirsttimeIvebeenhere.TheofficesofanengineeringfirmIused
todobusinesswitharejustdowntheroad,Isaid,offeringheracigarette.One
ofourcreditors,Iregrettosay.IthoughtIddropinhereforateabeforeseeing
theiraccountantateleven.

Kong Sora stood up abruptly. If youll excuse me, I have to get back to the
gallery.

Gettingup,Isaid,ratherstiffly:ImsorryifImintheway.

Sumiputoutarestraininghand.Dositdown,Hansang.WeregoingtoWonju
toseesomeantiques.Theresnoneedtostartfortenminutes.

Ill see you at the shop then, Sumi, Kong Sora said, and with a forced
smileatmesheleft.

PoorSora,Sumisighed,takingacigarettefromthecaseIdlaidonthe
table. You have havent seen her at her best, I fear. Its this Doyle thing. Shes
terriblyworriedoverthepublicitythinksitwillharmourbusiness.

Itllblowover,IsaidasIlithercigarette.Ishouldntletitgetyoudown.

Iwont.ButthebusinessmeanssomuchmoretoSorathantome.She
watched me light my own cigarette. You see, Im not dependent on it that is,
notfinancially.

Ohyes,Isaidoffhandedly.ItwasnotasubjectIcouldpursue,muchas
I should have liked to. As I seem to have disrupted your tea break, I went on,
canIorderyouonenow?

No,pleaseIreallymustntkeepSorawaiting.Shesanxioustobethere
forthestartofthesale.Hereyesrestedonmyface.ButImgladtohaveseen
you,Hansang.Asamatteroffact,Itriedtogetyouonthephonebeforecoming
here.Sheglancedoveratthegirlpolishingtheteaurn.Itsnotconvenientnow,
but I must have a talk with you, Hansang, as soon as possible. Suddenly she
lookeddefenceless,almostforlorn.

Isaidquickly:WhattimewillyoubebackfromWonju?


Thisevening,aboutseven,Iimagine.

Thenwhynotcomeroundtomyplaceforadrinkwhenyougetback?

After a few moments hesitation she nodded. All right, Hansang. Ill do that.
Expect me at seventhirty. She reached for the ashtray and slowly ground her
cigaretteinit.Shestoodup.Andthanksalot,Hansang.

Istoodlookingafterherasshewentpastthewindow.Ithoughtshemusthave
been educated at one of those schools where the girls learn development by
walking about for hours with books balanced on their heads. Deliberately I
expelledhermoreglamorousaspectsfrommymindandwonderedwhatitwas
shewantedtosaytome.

A telephone ringing behind the counter reminded me of the tea Id left there
untouched.Iwentacrosstomystool,satdown,andliftedthecup.Theteawas
tepid, and I was about to call the girl over when I saw she had the telephone
receivertoherear.

Oh,Iamgladyourebetter,sir,shewassayinginaserviletone.Allthe
regularshavebeenaskingafteryou

Half listening to her monologue Id decided to skip another tea and ask for the
bill,whenshelaidthereceiverdownandhurriedacrosstothepileofmailonthe
counter.Fromthisshedrewoutthebuffenvelope,toreopentheflap,andtook
outacatalogue.

Ilookeddownatitcasually,thenmyeyesrivetedonthegaudycover.Itwasan
auctioncatalogue.

Afteraglanceatitthegirlhastenedbacktothetelephone.Thatsright,sir,she
said.Itwasanauctioncatalogueinthebigenvelope.Therewasapausewhile
she listened. Then, with a final, Itll be ever so nice to have you back, sir, she
hungup.

Ipaidmybillandwentoutintothestreet.Therewasnoreasonatallwhyaman
calledJawlongwhoranaChinesebarshouldntreceiveanauctioncatalogue
therewereatleasttwentyChineseantiquesintheplace.Equally,therewasno
reasonwhyheshouldnthaveafacsimileofDoylesChinesedollinhiswindow.
Yet the doll plus the auction catalogue possibly added up to more than a
coincidence. But as far as I knew it was the only Chinese bar in Seoul. All the
same,IwantedNasreactionstothisdevelopment.

Istrodebrisklyalongthestreettofindsomewherequiettomakeacall.

Chapter sixteen

An hour later I was sitting opposite my chief in the smoking room of his club,
sippingsoju.Ismiledtomyself;fromthetoneofmyvoiceonthetelephonehed
guessedIwasinadisgruntledframeofmind,anditwastypicalofhimtochoose
astampinggroundwherethelawsofhospitalityforbadeaguesttoenterintoa
heatedargumentwithhishost.

Hesippedhissherryinsilence,allowingmetosimmerdown.Then,puttinghis
glassonthetablebetweenus,hesaidconversationally,Well,now,Moon?Whats
onyourmind?

TheChangChuchuAffair,Isaiddryly.TherearedevelopmentswhichI
wouldliketodiscusswithyou,sir.

Iimaginedtheremightbe,hesaid,withawrysmile.Supposeyoubring
themoutwherewecantakealookatthem.

Illbeginwithaname,Isaid,leaningbackinmyleatherarmchair.Bae.I
toldImaboutaphonecallthatcamethroughwhileIwasinKimSumisflaton
the night Doyle was murdered. It was from Kong Sora and she mentioned the
nameBaeYeonseok.

Hisexpressionbetrayednomorethanpoliteinterest.

I hesitated, then went on a little tentatively: Im Suntaek had obviously heard

thatnamebefore.

Itspossible,Nasaidblandly.

Ileanedforwardinmychair.Itsnouse,Na,Iprotested.

Youve got to trust me. I must know more about the background of the
ChangChuchucase.

Hereachedforhisglassandsippedhissherrythoughtfully.Then,rathertomy
surprise,hesaid:Thatsareasonablerequest,Moon.Ithinkthetimehacomefor
metotakeyoumoredeeplyintomyconfidence.Returninghisglasstothetable
herelaxedinhischair,fingeringhischin.Duringthepasttwelvemonthsweve
beenveryworriedaboutacertainorganisation.Wevegoodreasonforbelieving
thattheheadofthisorganisationissomeonecalledBaeYeonseok.

And this organisation, Iprompted, whenhehad lapsedintoa frowning

silence,whatdoesitdealin?

Blooddiamonds,hereplied,comingoutofhisreverie.Theyresmuggled
fromNorthKorea,viaChina.Baeslittlegroupprovidesahighlyefficientsystem
forbuyingandsellingthem.

But surely, I said, drumming my fingers on the arm of the chair, blood
diamonds are police business? I dont see what interest your department can
haveinamatterofthatsort.

WerenotdirectlyinterestedinBaesorganisation.Asyousay,itspurely
amatterforthepolice,heagreed.However,thataretwoangleswhichinvolve
mydepartment.Someofthediamondssmuggledintothiscountryareindustrial
diamonds. Quite a brisk traffic there; mainly with the agents of other foreign
governments. He smiled. That is why my department comes into the picture.
Wevealreadycreatingalistofpossibleagents.

I see, I said untruthfully. I hadnt a clue what he was leading up to.

Twisting my glass around on the table, I said: But wheres the connection
betweenallthisandKimSumi?OrChangChuchu,forthatmatter?

Thatsthesecondangleinthisbusinessofthesmuggleddiamonds.And
tome,atanyrate,itsthemostimportantangle.Hisfaceclouded.Twomonths
agoIwastoldthattheShanghaipolicesuspectedChangChuchuofbeingmixed
up in this affair. As you can imagine, I was disturbed by this news. I trusted
Changimplicitly.Hedbeenworkingwithusforsometimeandpossessedquitea
lot of valuable information. He pursed his lips ruefully, then continued, with a
shrug: Apart from that, I pride myself on choosing the right man for the job. I
didntthinkIdmadeamistakeaboutChangbut,forsecurityreasons,Ihadto
checkuponhim.SoIaskedhimtocometoSeoul.Hepaused.Hewasonhisway
totheairportwhenhewasknockeddownbyKimSumiscar.

Inthesilencethatfollowed,Istudiedhisface.ThiswasanewNa.Ihadalways
thought of him as a man ruthlessly dedicated to the efficient running of his
department;now,foramoment,Ihadaglimpseofthewarm,sensitivenaturehe
normally concealed behind a mask of indifference to the feelings of his
subordinates.

Vaguelytouched,Isaidquietly:WasChangChuchuafriendofyours?

Hestraightenedinhischair,shootingaglanceatme,whichwasatonceresentful
andamused.Aleadingquestion,that,Moon,hesaidsharply.Then,withasmall
gesture of acceptance: Id known him for some time. He played the piano
superbly. He and his brother, Joongki, were at the Academy of Music in
Shanghai; both brilliant musicians. But, of course, I had other reasons than
authentic background for employing Chang Chuchu as an undercover agent.

AlthoughtheirmotherwasChinese,thefatherofboththeChangswasaKorean
armyofficer.

DidJoongkiknowhisbrotherwasworkingforyourdepartment?

Of course not, said Na emphatically. Then his brow furrowed. I could

wishyouhadntbroughtthatup.IdontwanttohavedoubtsaboutChangBut
if he did tell his brother, or anyone else, he was working for our department,
then I have to admit I made a mistake. He spread his hands. I dont often
misjudge people, Moon, and until I have definite proof of Changs innocence in
this matter Ill have no peace of mind. Apart from my personal feelings, I dont
wantitonmyconsciencethatIveletthedepartmentdown.

Ismiledinwardly.ThiswastheruthlesslydedicatedNa.Whathappenedtothe
metronome Chang Chuchu was carrying when he was killed? I asked. Did Im
examineit?

TheShanghaipolicehandeditovertohim.Therewerenodiamondsinit,
if thats what youre thinking. Nor in the one belonging to Doyle. He smiled
blandly.WeusuallyfindScotlandYardcooperative,youknow,Moon.

Im glad to hear it, I said, returning his smile. Then perhaps you can
persuade them to hand over one of the articles they found when Doyle was
murdered?

Na looked at me through half closed eyes. Which article, Moon? The

chronometer?Iassureitsbeenexamineddowntothelastdetail.

Not the chronometer, I said casually. I happen to be interested in the

auctioncatalogue.

Chapter seventeen

At six oclock that evening I had a call from an agitated Yun Hyeok; he was
anxious to know if I could meet him in half an hour in the upstairs bar at The
Grasshopper. Remembering that I had an appointment with Sumi at my
apartment for seventhirty I was about to make an excuse, then I had second
thoughts.IdecidednottoriskmytalkwithSumibeinginterruptedbyajealous
Yunbangingonmydoor.SoIagreedtomeethimforacoupleofquickdrinks.

Hewasstandingatthebar,fidgetingwithaginandlime,whenIarrived.

Well have to make this snappy, Yun Hyeok, I warned him after he had
orderedmysoju,Iveanappointmentatseventhirty.

Frombehindthespectaclesthepaleblueeyesquizzedmyfacecuriously.With
Barhebegan,thenswiftlycoveredhislapse.Withthatbloodycopper?

Ishookmyhead.Whatmadeyouthinkthat,YunHyeok?

Damnedfellowsbeenhoundingme.Hadanhourofhimatmyofficethis
afternoon. He pursed his lips petulantly. Questioning me about Sumis
relationshipwiththisDoyleman.

Butshesalreadytoldhimthatshehardlyknewtheman.Isaidevasively.
It seemed I was to be subjected to the boredom of allaying the suspicions of a
jealousfianc.

Yes,Iknow.ButforsomereasonoranotherthisInspectordoesntseem
tobelieveanythinghestold.HisprominentAdamsapplewobbledconvulsively.
Moon,youwerewithSumiwhenshemetDoyleatthebar.

Yes,Isaid,tryingtokeepanoteofexasperationoutofmyvoice.

The Adams apple worked vigorously, then he rushed on: Did you get the
impressionthattheymighthavemetbefore?

Ofcoursetheydseeneachotherbefore.Theywerestayingatthesame
hotel.

Yes,Iknow.Ididntmeanthat.

WithoutdisguisingmyannoyanceIsaid:Whatdidyoumean,Yun?

He looked into his glass. Did you think when they were at the bar that they
behavedwell,asthoughtheywereonparticularlyfriendlyterms?

ItwasaquestionIdaskedmyselfatthetime.No,Ididnt,Isaid,wonderingif
thisanswerwerenotsomuchtoreassuremyselfasYun.ButImnotMissKims
fiance,ofcourse.Youwouldhavebeenabetterjudgeofherreactions.

Now, dont get the wrong impression about Sumi, he said hastily. Of
course,Itrusther.Butitsthisquestioningbythepolicethatssoupsetting.He
slammedhisglassdownonthebarcounter.TheyveevenquestionedKongSo
ra!

Why?Iaskedsharply.

Lordknows!hesaidgloomily.Ihaventtheslightestidea.

Thenwhy,Ithought,didheoffermethatpieceofinformation?Idecidedtodo
somefishingmyself.DoesMissKongspendherholidaysinShanghai?

GoodLord,no!Shecantstandtheplace.IrememberhertellingmeHe
brokeoff,thensaidslowly;Whydidyouaskmethat?

Ishrugged.Ithoughtperhapsthatwaswhythepolicehadquestionedher.

Ah,naturallyyouwould.Veryperspicaciousofyou.Hesmiledthinly.No,
SoraloathesChina.Frankly,Iagreewithher.Damnshithole,ifyouaskme.He
picked up his glass and sipped his drink before going on: Why Sumi should
wanttogothere,afterwhathappenedacoupleofmonthsback,defeatsme.

Isummonedupapoliteshowofinterest.Somethingunpleasant?

Very, he said, his eyes never leaving my face. She ran over a man in
Shanghai;achapcalledChangChuchu.Hewaskilled,poorsod.

GoodGod!Iexclaimed.

Nasty business. Still, it wasnt her fault, apparently. He glanced at his

watch. Good heavens, is that the time? He finished his drink hurriedly, Just
remembered I have an appointment, Moon. Quite forgot it, chatting away here.
Mind if I dash? But, of course, you have an appointment, too. With rather too
elaboratecasualnessheadded:Ifyouregoinganywhereinthedirectionof

Mycarsoutside,Icutinonhim.Thanks,allthesame.

Well, goodbye, Moon. Without offering a hand he turned, then swung

back. Oh er if you should run into Kim Sumi at any time Id rather you
didntmentionourconversation.IdhatehertothinkIwascheckinguponher.

Ipromised,withmentalreservations,tokeepeverythingundermyhat,andwith
aThatsagoodchaphemovedovertothestaircase.

Dawdlingovermydrink,togivehimtimetodriveoffbeforeIleft,Iconsidered
our conversation. I had a feeling that it was not entirely jealousy that had
prompted Yun to arrange our meeting. No doubt he was suspicious of Sumis
relationshipwithDoyle.Butwastheremoretoitthanthat?Hedsaidtwothings
thatpuzzledme.OnewasthereferencetoKongSorahavingbeenquestionedby
the police. Hed brought that up, then dropped it immediately I began to get
curious.TheotherwashistellingmeaboutChangChuchubeingrunoverbySu
mis car. Hed been watching me closely when he mentioned it. He could, of
course,havebeenpumpingmetofindouthowfriendlyIwaswithKimSumi.It
could have been that, I decided, finishing my drink; and the reference to the
questioning of Kong Sora could have been no more that a jealous mans
masochistic desire to torture himself over his fiancs friendship with another
male. Dismissing Yun as a frustrated Romeo, I went down to my car, and drive
backtomyapartment.

Chapter eighteen

Parked in the street, outside my door, was a Hyundai saloon of uncertain age.
Leaningagainstit,smokingacigarette,wasalongfigurewhomIrecognisedwith
amutteredimprecation.

AsIgotoutofmycarImsaid:Adrink,fortheloveofgod!Ivebeenkickingmy
heelsforhalfanhour,waitingforyou.
Thereisanewfangledinventioncalledthetelephone,Isaid,grinningat
him.Itllhavetobeaquickdrink.Imexpectingavisitorintenminutes.

Inmylivingroom,asIhandedhimawhiskyandsoda,hesaidsardonically:Your
visitorwouldntbeKimSumi,byanychance?

Iturnedbacktothedrinkstable.Talkingofher,Isaid,withaforcedlaugh,Ive
justhadachatwithYun.
Thatsoundsintriguing.Whatdidhewant?
Oh,nothingreally.Justwantedtogetaloadofjealousyoutofhissystem.
Ireturnedwithmydrink.GodknowswhatKimSumiseesinhim!

ImSuntaeklookedatmequizzicallyforalongmoment,thenwithamurmured,
cheers!sippedhisdrink.

Ibegantopacetheroom,asmuchtoescapehisamusedstareasanything.Forget
it, I told myself. What if Sumi does come while hes here? All right shes a
damned attractive woman; but that doesnt mean Ims innuendoes should get
undermyskin.


IheardyousawNathisafternoon,hewassaying.
Inodded.Quiteafranktalk,actually.Itclearedtheair,ifnothingelse.

Iunderstandyouveaskedfortheauctioncataloguethatwasfoundwith
Doyle?

Ifiddledwithanornamentonmywritingdesk.

He didnt mention why you wanted it, Im went on, his tone adding a
questionmarktothestatement.

He didnt ask me, for one think, I said coolly, rather resenting his
persistence.AndifhehadIcouldntreallyhavetoldhim.Foryourinformation,
Implayingahunch.

Goodlucktoyou,Imsaid,returningmysmile.Bytheway,yourenotthe
only one whos getting inquisitive about Doyles possessions. Kim Sumi asked
LeeShihooifshecouldhaveaprivateviewofthevideotheyfoundonhim.They
playeditthroughforherthismorning.

Rather an odd request, I said, genuinely puzzled. Did she give any
reason?

No. But I think I can supply one. He frowned into his glass. Shes
obviouslygettingvery,verycuriousaboutyou,Moon.Hepaused,thenlookedup
withaquizzicalsmile.ItisKimSumiyoureexpecting,isntit?

Well, yes, it is, I said defensively. Although the invitation was at her
request.

That doesnt surprise me. Id take a bet she wants to discuss the video
withyou.Heshookhisheadatme,chidingly.Thatfilmisgoingtotakeahellofa
lotofexplainingaway.Iveseenit.And,inmyopinion,youoverdidthoseshotsof
her.

Itseasilyexplainable.Ivealreadytoldhersheonlycameintothevideo
becauseIwantedtoincludeaprettywomaninanymemoriesofShanghai.

Is that so? Im murmured. Id say you were including Shanghai in your

memoriesofKimSumi.

Hewasstillsmilingcynicallyashedrewbackthewindowcurtain.Andhereis
the star of your film, making a personal appearance. And in a Samsung 2 Litre,
too.Hedroppedthecurtain.DoyoumindifIfadeoutofthepictureintoyour
bedroom?

The thought of Im listening in to what promised to be an embarrassing

conversationdidntgreatlyappealtome.ButIwascaughtonthewrongfoot.Its
thedooronyourleft,Isaidcurtly.

Makeitsoundconvincing,headvised,buttrytofindoutifshesuspects
anything.

Inoddedasthedoorbellrang.

Chapter nineteen

ShedchangedintothesuitshedbeenwearingthefirsttimeIsawher.But,asI
followedherintothelivingroom,Ithoughtshelookedlessateasethanshehad
then.

Imsorry,Hansang,butImterriblyonedge,shesaid,overhershoulder.
ThatdetectivewaswaitingformeoutsidemyapartmentwhenIgotbackfrom
Wonju.Thiscatandmousebusinessreallyispreposterous.Imsickandtiredof
answeringthesameoldquestions.ImusthavetoldhimadozentimesIvenever
heardofthiswhatshisname?Oh,BaeYeonseok.

AsIlookeddownatthedarkbrowneyesablazewithindignationIrefrainedwith
difficulty from challenging her, there and then, with Kong Soras telephone
message.IthinkitwasonlythethoughtofImlisteningbehindthebedroomdoor
thatdeterredme.Abruptly,Iturned,andwentovertothedrinkstable.

Dositdown,Sumi.WhatcanIgetyou?

Please,ifyouhaveit,abrandyandgingerale.Shesankintoaneasychair.
Whatadayitsbeen!Sora,thenthatdreadfulInspector,thenHyeokHertone
lightened.Hehasntphonedyou,hashe?

Keeping my back to her I clinked bottles while I made up my mind whether to

tellherornot.No,Ilied.No,hehasnt.

Well,thatsonemercy,shesaid,withashortlaugh.Perhapshesstopped
beingsuspiciousatlast.

When I came back with the drinks she smiled up at me. I took my whisky and
sodatothechairoppositehersandsatdown.


This is definitely what I needed, she said. Now, I suppose I should tell
youwhyIwantedtoseeyou.Shelookedatmefromunderhalfclosedeyelids.
Iveseenyourvideo,Hansang.TheonetheyfoundonDoyle.Thepoliceplayed
itthroughforme.

Not exactly a professional job, Im afraid, I said easily. It was a first

attempt,youknow.IdonlyboughtthecamerajustbeforeIwentaway.

Hereyeswidened.Forabeginnertheshotswereremarkablygoodparticularly
the ones of me. She twirled the stem of her glass between her fingers, then
demandedbluntly:WhywereyoufollowingmeinShanghai,Hansang?

Followingyou?Irepeated.Ihadntexpectedhertobequitesoquickoff
themark,andwasmomentarilyataloss.

There cant be any other explanation. Although the Inspector only

seemed to recognise me in one or two shots, I caught a glimpse of myself in at
least six others. Her eyes narrowed. I simply cant believe that we both
happened,bychance,tobeinthoseplacesatthesametime.

Theredidntseemmuchpurposeincontinuingtodenyheraccusation.Allright,
Isaid,withahalfsmile,Iwasfollowingyou.

Her knuckles whitened as her fingers tightened on her glass. It was a moment
beforeshespoke.Why?

Ifyouinsistonknowing,Isaid,feelingslightlyridiculous,itwasbecause
youarewell,anextremelyattractivewoman.

Butwhyfollowme?shepersisted.Youdmetmeontheplane.Therewas
noreasonwhyyoucouldnthaveaskedmetogooutwithyou.

Youdmadeitveryplaintomethatyouwereengaged.Icantakeahintas
wellasmostotherpeople.

Sherelaxedinthechair.Soyoujustkeptarespectfuldistance,shemurmured.
Thatsrathertouching.

Yousoundrelieved,Isaidsharply,inanattempttodiscoverwhethershe
believedmyexplanation.

Asamatteroffact,Iam,shesaidimperturbably.Ithoughtyoumustbea
privateinvestigatororsomething.

Me!Ilaughed.Ivetoldyou,Imanengineer.

I dont know why I should have thought that. But strange things have
been happening since She fluttered a hand. Oh, lets forget it. Youre not a
privatedetective,andthatsallthatmatters.

Icantletyougetawaywithitaseasilyasthat,Isaidlightly.Notafter
having practically accused me of spying on you. What are these strange things
thathavebeenhappeningtoyou?

Shebitherlip.Ihategoingoverallthis.Sheclosedhereyes.Ikilledaman.

Itriedtoappearsuitablyshocked.

Hereyesopened,andlookeddirectlyintomyface.InacaraccidentinShanghai.
HisnamewasChangChuchu.Oh,itwashisownfaultthatwasprovedatthe

inquestbutthatdidntmakemefeelanybetteraboutit.Itriedtocontacthis
family,evenconsultedalawyertotracethem,butwithoutresults.Ijustcameup
againstablankwall.

Thatisstrange.Hemusthavehadsomerelatives.

Hansang, she said, suddenly leaning forward in her chair. You dont
thinktheresaconnectionbetweenDoylesmurderandmycaraccident?

Idontseehowtherecouldbe,Isaid,watchingher.Doyou?

NotunlessDoylehadknownChangChuchu.DoylehadbeeninShanghai
before,youremember.

Yes, he said he had all his possessions stolen. I gripped the arm of my
chair.Whatareyoudrivingat,Sumi?

Oh,IdontknowImsoconfusedbyitall.Shebrushedthebackofher
handacrossherforehead.Cantwetalkaboutsomethingelsenow?

Howaboutanotherdrink?Youvefinishedthatone.

Sheglancedatthewatchonherwrist.No,Ireallymustflynow.SoraandIhave
totakesomefurnituredowntoaclient.Weresupposedtotherebynine.

Dont you ever let up? I said, trying not to sound too curious. I never
seemtobeabletopinyoudown.Itseitherafiveminutedrinkoratwominute
tea.

Shemadealittlefaceatme,andIwenton:TherewasthatfirstdateIhadwith
youIleftthesentenceunfinished,hopingshewouldgivemealeadintomy
realpurpose.

Sheshuddered.Thatdreadfulevening;andIhadsolookedforwardtoit.

Imeanttoaskyouthisbefore,Isaidcasually,gettingupandtakingour
emptyglassestothedrinkstable.Itsalwayspuzzledmewhyyouinvitedmeto
yourapartmentthatnight,Sumi.

ButIvetoldyoutomeetmyfianc.

I crossed the room and looked down at her. Hes almost psychopathically
jealous.Ishouldhavethoughttheonethingyoudhavewantedtoavoidwould
beintroducingamanyoudmetonholiday.

Thatsthewholepoint,shesaidearnestly.Idmentionedmeetingyou.If
Ihadntaskedyoutotheapartmentafterthat,hedhavesuspectedtheredbeen
somethingmorebetweenusthanjustacasualacquaintance.

Isupposehewould,Ihadtoagree.

She stood up, smoothing the jacket of her suit. Im so glad weve had this talk,
Hansang.IhatedtofeelIcouldnttrustyou.

Andyoudonow?

Hereyesmisted.YouknowIdo,shesaidsoftly.

Shewasveryclosetomenow;herfaceraisedtomine.AsIinvoluntarilymadea
movement towards her she placed a restraining hand against my chest. Han
sang,whydidyouaskmeabouttheinvitationtomyapartment?

Ismiledather.Youveexplaineditallnow,Sumi.

Andyourenotsuspiciousofme?

I wasnt thinking very clearly at that instant. Suspicious of you? Of course not.
WhyshouldIbe?

Her hand dropped to her side, and she sighed deeply. Everyone else seems to
be.

Looking down at the head dropped so close to my chin I had an almost

overwhelming desire to stroke the jetblack hair. Then I remembered Im. I
steppedawayfromher.YoumustntkeepdearSorawaiting,Isaid,withalight
laugh.

Shelookedatmeforamoment,ratherdazedly,thensmiled.Thanks,Hansang.
Idcompletelyforgottenher.

Thespellwasbrokenand,asIusheredheroutintothehall,weweretwonormal
peopleexchangingconventionalphrasesafterasocialdrink.

When I came back to the living room Im was squirting soda on to a whisky.
Sorry to abuse your hospitality, but my tongue was sticking to the roof of my
mouth.

Minetoo,Isaid,withalaughIhopeddidntsoundtooembarrassed.Her
refusinganotherdrinkrathercrampedmystyle.

SoIgathered,hesaiddryly.Oh,bytheway,herestheauctioncatalogue
youwanted.Takingitfromhisjacketpocket,hehandedittome.

Iflippedthepages.Letshopemyhunchpaysoff.Istrolledovertothedrinks
table.Well,whatdidyoumakeofitall?

Hewasinthemiddleoftheroom,hisfeetplantedwide.CanIgiveyouapieceof
advice,Moon?

Unstopperingthewhiskydecanter,Isaid:Aboutnotmixingbusinesswith
otherthings?

Somethinglikethat.

Why the hell must he always act the schoolmaster, I thought irritably, giving a
stifferthanusualwhisky.Iliftedtheglass,smilingathim.

Hesaid,quietly:Butyoucantakecareofyourself,cantyou,Moon?

Icantakecareofmyself,Im.

A lot of other people have said the same thing. He tossed back his
whisky.PerhapsChangChuchusaidit.Whoknows?

Chapter twenty

AfterIhadbreakfastednextmorningIlitacigaretteandwentovertheauction
catalogue, page by page. I could find nothing, which might conceal a cryptic
message;nounderlinedlettersthatcouldhavebeenthebasisofacode.Itwas
justlikeanyotherauctionlisting.

I skimmed through the lots. Furniture, Porcelain, bronze, Gold jewels, Jade
carvingsandotherexoticartefactscalculatedtomakethecollectorsfingersitch.
If I were an art collector I would have been in heaven if I were a collector. I
wasnt; but I had a hunch that I could display the catalogue where the Chinese
dragononthecoverwouldnotgounseen.
AsMrsKimwasclearingawaythebreakfastthingsshesaid,inaninnocenttone
intendedtoconcealherundyingcuriosity.Wasthatladywhowasherelastnight
theonewhophonedinthemorning,MrMoon?

You should keep up with the times, Mrs Kim. Men use perfume these
days.ThenIdidaquickdoubletake.Didsheleavehername?

Mrs Kim came down from the heights of indignation reluctantly. All she said
was, were you in? When I said, no you wasnt, she hung up quick. Mrs Kim
smiledinnocently.Couldithavebeenawomanpoliceman,doyousuppose,sir?

Isaidyes,itwastheonewhowasteachingmeJudo.Wedecidedtocallitadraw;
andIwentintothemews,gotmycaroutofthegarage,anddrovetoWorldCup
Bukro48gil.

AfterparkingmycarIwalkedquicklytoTheGoldenSunteashop.

TimemightalmosthavestoodstillsinceIdbeentherelast.Thesolecustomer,at
thesametableshedoccupiedpreviously,inthegreendressshedworntheday
before,wasKongSora.Theonedifferencewasthat,insteadofthestringhaired
girl,amannowstoodbehindthecounter.Hewasshortandthickset,withblack
hairgrowinglowonhisforehead.Hiseyesweredeepsetunderbushyeyebrows.
Hisheavyjowlwasalreadyshowingfiveoclockshadow.

AsIcameinKongSoracalledacrosstohim:Mybill,please,Jawlong.

I went over to her table, and stood with my hand hesitating on the back of a
chair.Goodmorning,MissKong.

She glanced guardedly up at me. Oh, good morning, she drawled, assuming
what,forher,wasafriendlysmile.Wontyousitdown?

As I pulled out the chair Jawlong lumbered over from the bar. Nice weather
againtoday,MissKong,hesaid,withaheavyChineseaccent.AlthoughIdidnt
lookupathimIknewfromthedirectionofhisvoicethathewasscrutinisingme.
HewaspawingupthemoneyforthebillwithahairyhandwhenIlookedupat
him.

Agreenteaplease,Isaid,suddenlycatchinghisgaze.Wontyoujoinme,
MissKong?

Im just going, she said, snapping her handbag shut. But thanks all the
same.

AfteranotherspeculativeglanceatmeJawlongmovedbacktothecounter.

Suminotcomingintoday?Isaid,turningtoKong.

Im afraid not. Were frantically busy. She pulled on a glove. And to

crowneverything,thepolicehavebeentotheshopagainthismorning.

Iclickedmytonguesympathetically.

Ive read murder cases, police investigations, and people being

questioned,shewenton.ButneverinmywildestdreamsdidIimagineitwould
be anything like this! She gave an expressive shrug. That Inspector person is
like a terrier. Im sure hed use any sort of torture if he could get the right
answers.AsthoughIdknowwhetherDoylehadanyappointmentswithaman
calledChoiJonghoon!

Iscratchedmychin.Wasthatthename?IthoughtitwasBaeYeonseok.

Oh,Baewasthatit?Shelookedatmeblanklyforamoment.Thename
doesntmeanathingtome.Andwhyshouldit?IdneverheardofDoyleuntilI
sawhisnameinthepaper;sohowonearthamIsupposedtoknowhehadan
appointmentwith

Bae,Isuggestedquietly.

Oh,Icouldntcarelesswhathisnameis.Sherose.Ireallymustgonow.

Istoodup.Bytheway,MissKongyoudidntphonemyyesterdaymorning,by
anychance?

What an extraordinary question, she drawled, eyeing me almost

insolently.Iscarcelyknowyou.

Nor I you, I said with a smile. Whoever it was didnt leave a name. My
cleaner took the call, but she didnt recognise the voice I happen to have a
rather keen ear for voices, Miss Kong, I added, looking at her steadily, and
mentally recalling the first time Id listened to her penetrating voice on the
telephoneinSumisflat.Yes,Iveaverygoodmemoryforvoices.

Sheheldmygazeforasecondortwo,withoutanswering.Then,withahardlittle
smile,shesaid:ImustntkeepSumiwaiting,MrMoon.Sheexchangedaglance
withJawlong,thensaunteredoutoftheteashop.

Isatdownandcautiouslylookedacrossatthemanbehindthecounter.Hehad
drawn my tea from the urn and was about to bring it over to me. I took the
auction catalogue from my pocket, opened it, and turned the pages slowly, as
thoughabsorbedintheselectionofantiquesformycollection.

As he placed the tea in front of me I held the catalogue so that the brightly
colouredcoverwasdirectlyunderhiseyes.

Thanks,Isaid,acknowledgingtheteawithanupwardglance.

His eyes flickered from the catalogue to my face; then a hairy hand rose to his
jowl,fingeringitthoughtfully.

Areyouinterestedinantiques,Jawlong?Iasked.

Hishandcontinuedtostrokehisjowl.Whendidyouarrive?

Youhaventansweredmyquestion,Isaidcoolly.

Hegavemeanotherlong,speculativelook,thennodded,moretohimselfthanto
me,andreturnedtothebar.Hepeeredbeneaththecounter,tooksomethingout,
returned without a word, and slid it on to the table in front of me. It was an
auctioncatalogueexactlylikeDoyles

A stubby finger reached across and pointed at a sticker on the cover. This is a
newone,Jawlongsaidheavily.Itsuptodate.

Myeyesfocusedonthesticker.ChineseFineArtAuctions,itread.SeoulAgents:No
Jungjong.

Chapter twenty-one

When I left The Golden Sun, with the two auction catalogues tucked under my
arm,Isawanewspaperstallandheadedtowardsit,onlytofindthatIhadntany
changeinmypocket.Thevendorlookedupatme.

Iwonderifyouhavechangeforatwentypoundnote?Iasked,handling
thebarrowboythenote.Imoutofchangeforthepaper.

Anythintooblige,guv!hesaidwithanengaginggrin.Thereweare!

AsIthankedhimhelookedroundcautiously,thensaidinalowvoice:Wantto
do yerself a bit of good, guv? Then dont forget Bronze Dragon. Its four
nineteen.Besttipoftheweek,guv!

I smiled and nodded my head, then walked off fishing my cellphone from my
pocket.IlookedupNoJungjonginthedirectory,andselectedhisnumber.After
listeningforafullminutetotheburringattheotherendIhungup,andasitwas
almostnoonIdecidedtohaveasnacklunchbeforephoningNoJungjongagain.

AsIwonderedoffthebarrowboywasgrinningbroadly.DontforgetBronze
Dragoninthefournineteen,guv!heremindedme.Youreonawinnerthere!

Iflippedmyhandinacknowledgement,thenpaused,bitingmylipthoughtfully.I
hadntnoticeditbefore,butnowIthoughttherewassomethingvaguelyfamiliar
aboutthetrim,fairhairedfigure.Ishrugged;hewasjustarathersprucerthan
normalbarrowboy.
Ireturnedtomycar,droveintotown,andparkedinasidestreet,besideabar,
which I believe was called The Rice Farmer an old collectorspiece, with
enormouswallmirrorsandteakfittings.HereIhadabowlofriceandsteamed

fish,andaglassofsojuatthebarcounter.Idboughtamiddaypaperfromthe
newspaper seller outside and I scanned it for any further developments in the
Doyle murder. All I found was a buried news item, which proved no more
informative than is customary when the old bill are running round in circles.
Reading between the lines, it seemed that DetectiveInspector Lee Shihoo was
upagainstablankwall.

OutofcuriosityIturnedtotheracingpage.Mybarrowboyshottiplookedcold.
No horse named Bronze Dragon was listed among the runners for the four
nineteenthatafternoon.

After lunch I drove in the direction ofCity Hall, stopping twice to call No Jung
jong,butwithnoreply.Eventually,Idecidedthathemustbeathreehourlunch
man.

ItwasfiveoclockbeforeImadecontactwithNoJungjong.Then,atthefirstring,
thereceiverwasliftedandafruityvoicesaid:ChineseArtAuctioneers.

NoJungjongspeaking,thevoicesaidwhenIaskedforhimbyname.

I tried to sound convincing as I said: Im interested in buying some Chinese

antiques,MrNo.Yourfirmwasrecommendedbyafriendofmine.

There was a pause of a few seconds at the other end, then the voice asked
guardedly:Whatsthenameofthisfriend?

BaeYeonseok,Isaid,myhandtighteningonthereceiver.

IcouldalmostsenseNoJungjongsnodasherespondedatonce,quitematter
offactly,with:Isee.Andwhatsyourname?

Iglancedatthenewspaperbesidemeandgavethefirstnamethatmetmyeye.
KimKimSangwoo.Youdontknowme.

No,Idont.NoJungjongpaused,thenasked:Haveyougotacatalogue?

Ofcourse,Isaideasily.OtherwiseIcouldnthavephonedyou.

Thatsright.Heappearedtohaveswallowedmystory.Illbeinmyoffice
forthenexthalfhour,hesaiddecisively.Anddontforgettobringthecatalogue
withyou.

IassuredhimIshouldntforget,andrangoff.

There wasnt much sense in picking up my car and then touring the streets of
Seoulforaparkingspace.SoIwalkedbrisklythroughthesidestreetsandwas
outsideNoJungjongsofficebuildinginthreeminutes.

Itwasnotexactlyimpressive.Ahandpaintedsignintheentranceinformedme
thatofhispresenceonthefirstfloor.Iclimbedthewoodenstairsandwentdown
a dismal passage until I came to a glasspanelled door marked Chinese Art
Auctioneers.SeoulandShanghai.

AtmyknockthefruityvoiceIdheardonthetelephonecalled:Comein.

Chapter twenty-two

Iopenedthedoorandenteredaroomcarpetedwithmuchwornlinoleum.The
dampstreaked walls were partly concealed by faded posters depicting China,
and, slightly askew, a calendar advertising a fine art convention. The furniture
consisted of one woodenbacked visitorschair, a filing cabinet, and a desk.
Behindthissatamiddleagedman,eatingricecakewithobviousrelish.Hisface
wasasroundandcolourlessasaDecemberfullmoon;hisblackhairwasparted
justaboveoneearandsparselycombedacrossabalddome.

MrKimSangwoo?heinquired,throughamouthfullofcake.Inodded,
andhewavedthecakeatthewoodenbackedchair.Haveyougotthecatalogue?

Id taken the precaution of leaving Doyles copy in my car. I now produced the
oneJawlonghadgivenmeandputitonthedesk.NoJungjongpulleditoverto
him,scrutinisedthesticker,thenlookedoveratmeinquiringly.

ForamomentIwasnonplussed,realisingthatwhatIsaidnextwasprobablythe
payoff.Idecidedtothrowtheballbackintohiscourt.Ihaventquitemadeup
mymindaboutwhichantiquesIbrokeoffwithaslightsmile.

ApparentlyIdsaidtherightthing.NoJungjongnodded,tookanotherbiteathis
ricecake,andwithasplutterofcrumbsbegantoreeloffalistofnames.Well,
wevegottraditionalfurniture,bronzes,porcelain,silks

Mymindflashedbacktothebarrowboy!WithforcedcomposureIsaid,Ithink
IminterestedinaBronzeDragon.

Hegulpeddowntheremainderofthecakeandexploredatoothwithhistongue
whilehestudiedmyface.Howmany?

ItseemedIdbackedawinnerwiththefirsthalfofthebarrowboystipBronze
Dragon.NowIgambledthatthetimeoftheracewassignificant.LetmeseeI
shouldsaywell,fournineteen.

NoJungjongssmallmouthstretchedintoasmile.Allright,MrKim,heagreed
affably. What would you say to joining me in a cup of green tea before we get
downtobusiness?

What I needed at that moment was a soju. Also, I wanted to avoid answering
questions.Thanksallthesame,Isaidhesitantly,butwhywastetimebygoing
outnow?

I keep it on the premises, he replied genially, leaning back and pulling

outadrawerofthefilingcabinet.Doctorsorders.Feedyourulcer,MrNoJung
jong, he said. Have a bite ofsomethingand a green teaevery twohours. He
producedtwosaucerlessbreakfastcupsandavacuumflaskfromthedrawerand
placedthemonhisdesk.Hotasthedevil,sweetassin,eh,MrKim?Hechuckled,
unscrewing the lid of the flask and pouring the steaming liquid into the cups.
Passing one across to me he went on cheerfully; Now then, well get down to
business.

Hetookakeyringfromhispocket,selectedakey,andunlockedadrawerinhis
desk.ThepalmsofmyhandsgrewdampasIwatchedhim.

Thereweare!hesaid,bringingoutanobjectandplacingitonthedesk
besidetheflask.

I had last seen its exact counterpart beside the dead body of Doyle No Jung
jongmovedthegbrightlydecoratedchronometerontohisblotterandbeamedat
meexpansively.

Chapter twenty-three

Thebarrowboystiphadproducedtherabbitoutofthehat!NowIfeltasfoolish
asthememberoftheaudiencewhohasacceptedtheconjurersinvitationtostep
ontothestage.Iacceptedmyroleasthestoogeandsmiledaimlessly.

Likeacloudcrossingthemoon,theglowfadedfromNoJungjongsface.Well,
MrKim?heprompted.

Atthatinstantthetelephonerang.Withouttakinghiseyesfromminehereached
slowlyforthereceiver.

Hello.

Whoever it was at the other end wasted no time on preliminaries. I couldnt

catchanyofthefloodofwords,butIrealisedthatthevoicewasawomans.No
Jungjonglistenedintently,hismouthpursed,andIknewthatthetense,urgent
voice on the phone was warning him about me. Occasionally I thought I could
detectanoteinthevoice,whichseemedfamiliar.

Whilst the call lasted I assumed an air of detachment, as one does when the
persononeiswithtakesaphonecall.ButIknewIwouldntgetawaywithit.

There was a sudden click in the earpiece, and with maddening deliberation No
Jungjongreplacedthereceiver.

Halfrising,andwitheverynervealert,Imentallycalculatedthedistancetothe
door.

Justaminute,MrKim,NoJungjongsaidmenacingly.OrshouldIsay
MrMoon?Hishandsnatchedopenhiscentredrawerandapistolwaspointing
atmebeforeIhadachancetorisefromthechair.

MylipsweredrybutIattemptedafeeblesmile.Notveryefficient,areyou,No
Jungjong?Thesafetycatchison.

AshiseyesdroppedtothegunIgrabbedtheteacupandflungthecontentsinhis
face.Hegaveasmall,chokingscreamand,droppingthegun,clawedathisface.
Sweeping the pistol from the desk to the floor, I snatched up the chronometer
andranfromtheroom.

Chapter twenty-four

AtaxiwasdroppingafareasIcameoutoftheofficebuilding.Iwasinitbefore
thedriverhadputhisflagup,anddirectedhimbacktomycar.

ImmediatelyIdretrievedmycarIdrovetoWorldCupBukro,cursingtherush
hourtraffic.Iwantedtocatchthebarrowboybeforehepackedup.Iknewnow
why Id experienced that vague sense of familiarity when Id seen him that
morning. In the moment No Jungjong had pulled the gun on me a chain of
images had flashed through my mind: looking down the muzzle of a gun; the
blowonthebackofmyhead;myrecoveringconsciousness;theneat,fairhaired
figureofamanslippinganoteintomycigarettecaseIwascertainnowthat
the barrow boy and the man who had left the note were one and the same
person.

TurningintoWorldCupBukroIthoughtforamomentthatIdmissedhim.Then
Ispottedthebarrowatthefarend.Ibrakedbehindit,gotout,andwentupto
him.

HehadhisbacktomeasIsaid:Thanksforthetipitcameoff.

Heturnedanunfamiliarsallowfacetowardsme,wagglingthestubofacigarette
betweenhislips.Whatsthat,mate?Mistookmeforsomeoneelse,aveyer?

Oh,Imsorry!Isaid,withalaugh.Abagofapples,please.

HeeyedmeasthoughIwereadrunk,decidedIwasnt,putfourapplesinabag,
andtosseditontothescales.Thereyougo,guv.

Itooktenthousandwonnoteoutofmywallet.Wherestheotherchapwhowas
onthebarrowthismorning?Iasked.

Oh,im.Esavinganightorf,hesaid.Thenhescratchedhishead.Aint
yougotnothinsmallerthanthat?

Youneedntbotheraboutchange,Isaid,wavingthemoneyathim.That
is,ifyoutellmewherethatothermanis.

Whatyoutakemefor?hesaidnastily.Goonscarper!

Hecameroundeventually,afterIdshownhimanoldbusinesscardthatI
hadinmywallet,andpersuadedhimthattheothermanwasanoldschoolfellow.

Well,thischap,ejustcomeuptome,seeandepaidfortheloanofthe
barrow! Says e was an author writin a book about barrow boys. To tell the
truth,mate,Iwonderedwhathewasupto,soIkeptmeeyeonimfromround
the corner, see. e dont make no move to serve noone! Then today I see im
givin you the nod. He wiped his nose with the sleeve of his jacket. Beats me,
guv!

Willyoubeseeinghimagain?

Dunno.Mightseeimintheboozerhesbeenintherethelastcoupleo
nights

Givehimthiscardifyoudoseehim,Isaid,handingthecardoverwith
thefivepoundnote.Itsgotmyphonenumberonit.Tellhimtogivemearing.

Righto!Hestuckthefiverinhiswaistcoatpocket,grinningatme.Cor!

TheMissiswontbelieveaflippingwordofthis!

Chapter twenty-five

As I turned out of World Cup Bukro I noticed a slim, angrylooking figure,

wavinganumbrellaatthestreamofoccupiedtaxis.Ipulledintothekerbbeside
him.

Want a lift, Yun? I called through the open window of my car. Youll
nevergetataxiatthishour.

Heblinkedmyopicallyatmeforamoment,thengavemeoneofhisraresmiles.
Oh,itsyou,Moon.ItwouldbejollyhelpfulifyoucoulddropmeoffatCityHall.

I said, untruthfully, that I was going in that direction, and reached over and
unlatchedthedoor.

I do appreciate this, he said, sliding into the seat beside me. What a
stroke of luck you should happen to be passing. From the rather sly way in
whichhesaidthisIhadtheideahewastryingtopumpme.

Yes, it is, isnt it? I said innocently. I came down that street to short
circuittherushhourtraffic.Idrewawayfromthekerb.Imustrememberthat
shortcutforfutureoccasions.

Yes,thetaxisuseitquiteabit,hesaidindifferently.

My offer of a lift had not been entirely altruistic. Id been as curious about his
reason for being in World Cup Bukro as he had obviously been about mine.
HaveyoujustcomefromMissKimsshop?Iaskedconversationally.


Asamatteroffact,Ihave,hesaidsomberly.Iwantedtohaveatalkwith
KimSumiaboutavisitIhadfromthatdetectivethisafternoon.Unfortunately,
shewasntavailable.

Badluck,Imurmured,andcasuallyinquiredwhatLeeShihoowantedto
knowthistime.

Hes got it into his wooden head that I can give him some information
aboutamancalledBae.

Andcanyou?

No,ofcourseIcant!Neverheardofthechap.Hisemphasisbroughtona
briefspellofasthmaticcoughing.Whenhedgotoverthat,hesaid:Hashebeen
questioningyouaboutBae?

HedidaskmewhetherIknewhim.

Yun seemed more exasperated than ever. Kong Sora tells me hes been
houndingher,too.Whyheshouldbesokeenontryingtopinsomeknowledgeof
BaeYeonseokontoallofusdefeatsme.

Allofus?Isaidsharply.Whodoyoumean,exactly,Yun?

Well, isnt it obvious? he said peevishly. You, me, Sumi, Sora he

doesnt trust any of us. I must say its a fine state of affairs that I, a reputable
stockbroker, should be subjected to the indignity of being crossexamined by
thatidiotofapoliceman!Andinconnectionwithmurder,ofallthings!

From then until we reached City Hall I had to listen to a monologue on the
impeccable life of Yun Hyeok, and when I finally said goodbye to him I found
myselfwonderingwhetherSumihadanyinklingofwhatshewaslettingherself
infor.

Chapter twenty-six

Halfanhourlater,sittingoppositeKimSumiinthebarattheKoreanaHotel,I
again thought how incredible it was that so glamorous a personality should be
engagedtoamanlikeYun.Ithadbeenherideathatweshouldmeetforaquick
drinkandshedsoundedanxiousonthetelephone.

Lightinghercigarette,Isaid:Aquickdrinkthatsalliteveris,eh,Sumi?

Im sorry, Hansang. Impulsively, her hand touched mine, then was as

quicklywithdrawn.ButIhavetomeetSorainhalfanhour,Ivebeenoutofthe
shopsincelunch.Herfaceclouded.ThatswhyIwantedtseeyou,Hansang
aboutwhathappenedthisafternoon.

Ifingeredthestemofmysojuglass.Well?

Iwentbacktomyapartmentatlunchtimetochange.Idspiltsometea
onthedressIwaswearing.SoIhurriedintotheapartmentwithoutpayingmuch
attention to anything. Then I noticed that some things werent in their usual
places, so I had a look over the entire apartment. It wasnt very obvious, but a
drawer in a bureau wasnt quite closed; the kitchen door was open and Im
positiveIcloseditthismorninghereyesheldmine.Hansang,somebodyhas
beensearchingmyapartment.

Wasanythingstolen?Iaskedtentatively.

She shook her head. Thats what puzzles me. There was some money in a
drawer, and some jewellery on my dressing table. Oh, nothing very expensive,
butathiefwouldnthaveignoredit.

It sounds as though whoever got into your apartment was looking for
something,Isaidslowly.Maybeletters,oradocumentofsomekinddoesthat
suggestanythingtoyou?


But I havent anything of that sort that could possibly She caught her
breath.Youmeananythingthatcouldbeusedtoblackmailme?

Oh,now,justaminute,Sumi,Isaiddeprecatingly.Iwasntimplyingyou
hadanything

Of course you werent, Hansang, she said lightly. Then her expression
changed;shesaid,withafrown,quitesuddenly:Doylewasablackmailer.

I nearly snapped the stem of my glass in two. How do you know that? I
demanded.

AssoonasIwassuremyapartmenthadbeenenteredIthoughtIdbetter
telephoneInspectorLeeShihoo.Hecameroundtotheapartment,buthedidnt
seem particularly interested in what I had to tell him. Then, for some reason I
cantfathom,heproceededtotellmethatDoylewasablackmailer.

Ifrowned.Itsnotlikehimtogiveinformationaway.

He was watching me all the time in a shifty sort of way. I felt he was
hintingatsomethingconnectedwithDoylesblackmailingactivities.Hermouth
trembled. I had a horrible feeling he was hinting that Doyle and I She
hesitated.

Wererunningablackmailracket?Laughing,Ishookmyhead.Leeslike
allpolicemen;theyalwaystrytopushyouontothedefensive.Whatelsedidhe
tellyou?

Askme,youmean,shesaidwearily.HewantedtoknowifDoyleactually
smokedcigars.

Verypungentcigars,fromwhatIrememberofthateveningattheChinese
Dragon, I said casually. Then suddenly the oddity of Lees question hit me like
theblastofafurnace.Whatwashegettingat?Didhegiveyouanyclue?

HesaidtheydsearchedDoylesroomathishotel.Apparentlytheyfound
several boxes of cigars in his suitcase. Full boxes. She shrugged. I cant think
whyheimagineditwouldinterestme;butheseemedtoexpectmetocollapseor
something.

Ithinkyouareratherlettingyourimaginationrunawaywithyou,Isaid,
my mind busy with Lees motives. Still, Im glad you told me all this, Sumi, I
added.YouknowyoucanalwaysunloadyourworriesaboutthisDoylebusiness
ontome,dontyou?

Yes, she said softly. Her eyes dropped to her glass and she hesitated,
twirlingitalongthetable.

GoonIprompted.Theressomethingonyourmind.

Oh,wellIwasjustwonderingwhyIdidntphoneHyeokwhenallthis
happened

Well,whydidntyou,Sumi?

Idontknow.Ididntthinkofit.IthoughtofyouSheraisedhereyesto
mine.Ijustpickedupthephoneandfoundmyselfcallingyournumber.

IcouldalmosthearImlaughingsardonically.TalkingofHyeok,Isaid,I
metyourfiancjustbeforeyoutelephoned.IgavehimalifttoCityHall.

Oh,didyou?shesaidsharply.Wheredidyoumeethim?

AtthecornerofWorldCupBukro48gil.


Iexpecthedbeentothegallery.ThankheavensIwasnttheretolistento
alltheboringdetailsofhowthepublicityoverDoyleisruininghisbusiness.He
neverthinkshowharassedIam!
Isaidcasually:ItseemsLeehadbeentoseehim,toquestionhisaboutBae.

Imgettingabittiredofthatname,shemurmured.

Yun said theyd questioned Kong Sora about him, I went on, watching
herclosely.Hassheevermentionedthenametoyou?

OnlywhenshewastellingmethatLeeShihoohadbeenaskingherisshe
knewhim.Herforeheadfurrowed.Hansang,youdontthinkSoradoesknow
thismanBae?

Ismiledironically.Ifshedoes,sheshardlylikelytoconfideinme.

She couldnt repress a little smile. It was silly of me to say that. But in this
atmosphereofsuspiciononebeginstodoubtevenonesfriends.Sheslidafinger
acrossthetabletowardsme,thenabruptlywithdrewit.Yourenotsuspiciousof
me,areyou,Hansang?

Ofcoursenot.WhyshouldIbe?

She didnt answer, but glanced at her wristwatch. Now I really must go.
Gatheringherglovesandhandbag,shegotup.Ihateleavingyoulikethis,but

Istoodup.Youcantmanagedinner,later?

Im afraid not. Ill be at Soras apartment until all hours. She rested a
handonmyarm.Butifanythingshouldoccurtoyouaboutwhymyapartment
wassearched,ringmeatSoras.Youllfindhernumberinthebook.

IpromisedherIwould,andaccompaniedhertothedoor.

ShedisappearedintothebusytrafficofSeoul,andIreturnedtothebar.

Ibeckonedthewaiterover,orderedanothersoju,andsatgatheringmythoughts.
ItwaswhenItookoutmycigarettecaseagainandwastappingonitreflectively
thatthingssuddenlybegantoaddup.Sumisapartmentmusthavebeenbroken
intobythesametwomenwhohadsearchedmine;theywereobviouslylooking
forwhattheydfailedtofindinmyapartmentSomethingthatcouldhavebeen
hiddeninadoll.

IwaswearingthesamesuitthatIdwornonthenightofthemurder.Ifeltinthe
ticketpocketofmyjacket,andmyfingersfoundwhattheywantedthekeyof
KimSumisapartment

Chapter twenty-seven

Closingthefrontdoor,Istoodforamomentinthedarknessofthehallwayat824
Seoul Tower, listening. I was remembering Im Suntaeks words: But you can
takecareofyourself,cantyou,Moon?Alotofotherpeoplehavesaidthesame
thingPerhapsChangChuchusaidititwasariskIhadtotake.

Icrossedtothelivingroomdoorandpusheditwidewithaglovedhand.Iwasnt
going to be caught a second time if Lee should have any reason to look for
fingerprintsagain.Theroomwasindarkness,theheavycurtainsalreadydrawn
acrossthewindow.Inthelightfrommypockettorchthechairsandsofayawned
atmevacantly.

Iwentquicklytothebedroomandeasedthedooropen.Anempty,pinkduveted
bed;awardrobewithitsdoorajar;twofeatheredmulesnestlinglikelovebirds
onthefloor;thefaint,elusivefragranceofSumisperfume.Thatwasall.

Iwentbackintothelivingroom,andswitchedonthelight.Then,suddenly,my
mind clarified. I would try to reenact the scene when Doyle had faced his
murderer.

All my reasoning was based on two assumptions; that the aroma of the cigar
smokeIdnoticedintheroomonthenightofthemurderhadmorethanusual
significance; and that Doyles immediate reaction to an attack had passed
unnoticedbyhismurderer.Also,Iwasgamblingonthechancethattheprevious
searchershadntfollowedmyownlineofreasoning,inwhichcaseitwasunlikely
theywouldhavefoundwhatIwaslookingfor.

I went over to the spot where Doyles body had lain, took a cigarette from my
case, and put it in my mouth. Then I turned towards the door, imagining Id
suddenly realised the imminence of an attack, and acted in the instinctive
mannerofamanabouttograpplewithanassailant.Itorethecigarettefrommy
mouthandflungitfromme;andonlythendidItakemyeyesfrommyimaginary
adversary.

My cigarette had fallen beside a wastepaper basket. I picked up the cigarette,

then examined the contents of the wastebasket. Torn envelopes and circulars
werenotwhatIwaslookingfor,buttherewasnothingelse.Ididsomeweights
and measures calculations. What Doyle had snatched from his lips would have
carriedtwicethedistanceofaflimsycigarette.Accordingly,Iwidenedtheradius
ofmysearchandpresentlycametothefireplace.

MyhandsweretremblingasIkneltdownandfumbledundertheironlegsofan
electricfireonthehearth.Thenmyfingerstouchedasmooth,cylindricalobject.I
drew it out and stood up. In my hand I held a half smoked cigar in a chunky
holder. It was the holder I had last seen clamped between Doyles teeth at the
ChineseDragon.

Icrossedtoatable,tookoutmybreastpockethandkerchief,spreadthisout,and
putthecigarandholderonit.Usingapaperknifewhichwaslyingonthetable,I
cut open the cigar. There was a pungent smell of stale tobacco. I shredded the
leaf between my fingers, then picked up the cigarholder, and examined it
closely. It was heavily stained with nicotine, about two inches long. Id been
holding it gingerly between finger and thumb, not much relishing its intimate
association with the dead Doyle, when I spotted a groove between the
mouthpiece and cup. Using the thumbs and fingers of both hands this time, I
unscrewed the mouthpiece. Taking a match from my pocket I prodded the
obstructioninthecupoftheholder

Twofairsizedstones,sparklingprismatically,fellintothepalmofmyhand

Chapter twenty-eight

Theyrediamonds,allright.Icantvaluethemoffhand,butyoucantake
itfromme,theyreworthapacket,Moon!

ItwastheafternoonofthedayfollowingmydiscoveryofthediamondsinKim
Sumisflat.IdtriedallmorningtocontactNa,butneitherhenorImhadbeen
available. Now I was in the library at 40 Sejongdaero, watching Im sliding the
diamondsalongNasblotterwithalong,bonyfinger.

Im was once in the diamond business, Na said dryly. He turned to me.

Thisalltiesinwithcertainfactswevemanagedtodigup.OurdossieronDoyle
shows a past record of convictions in Europe for dealing in stolen gems. In my
opinion, Doyle was acting as a courier for Bae, smuggling blood diamonds into
thiscountry.Healsohasarecordasablackmailer.

I smiled. Yes, I picked up that bit of information myself from Kim Sumi. Lee
told her about Doyle. I think he was trying to find out whether she was being
blackmailedbyhim.

Its a motive for murder, Na said. But not in this instance. Doyle was
killedbecausesomeoneknewhehadthesediamondsonhim.

AndBaehadarrangedtomeetDoyleinSumisflat,Iminterjected.That
sticksoutamile.

Which makes her one of the members of this diamond smuggling

organisation,Isaid,frowning.Ijustdontbelieveit!RememberIwaswatching
her when she came into the apartment and found Doyles body. She was
completely surprised, and obviously horrified. In fact she was in an absolute
panicwhenshephonedthepolice.Ishookmyhead.Shesasbewilderedasthe
restofus.

NawavedarestraininghandasImleanedforwardinhischair.Butremember
that earlier phone call from Kong Sora. Does Kim Sumi still deny shes ever
heardofBaeYeonseok?

SheaskedmetodaywhetherIthoughtKongSoraknewBaeYeonseok.
In a way that might explain the phone call. Suppose Sora does know Bae is
havinganaffairwithhimwithoutrealisinghewasmixedupinanythinglikethis.
WouldntthatexplainMissKimsdenialofBaeonewomanprotectinganother?

Its ingenious, but it doesnt account for Doyle being found dead in Kim
Sumisapartment.

No,Iagreed.Itdoesnt.

Na had been drumming his fingers on the desk, inattentively, during this
conjecture. Now he pursued another line of thought: You say you thought you
recognisedthebarrowboyasoneofthemenwhoraidedyourapartment?

Impracticallypositiveofit.

AreyousuggestingtheyalsobrokeintoMissKimsapartment?

Well,someonedidwecanonlyassumeitwasthesametwowhoraided
mine.

Na nodded. How I see it is this: if they were in Baes organisation, then you
suggest they got wind of his meeting with Doyle, doublecrossed Bae, and
murderedDoyletogetthediamondsforthemselves?

Imfixedhiseyesontheceiling.Ofcourse,oneofthemencouldbeBaehimself.
PerhapshelosthistemperwithDoyle,hesuggested.

Its possible, I grant you, Im. Na rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a
moment,thenwavedhishandinthedirectionofthethreechronometerswhich
were now standing on his desk. Weve had these examined. Theyre perfectly
ordinary chronometers. Just what their significance is escapes me at the
moment.Anyideas,Moon?

Its obvious that No Jungjong is in the Bae organisation, I said

tentatively.Hecouldbeafence,usinghisbusinessasacoverforthebuyingof
smuggled diamonds. The auction catalogue is a passport, as it were, to identify
theseller.Asanadditionalprecautionthethiefmustalsogivethecodewords
inthisinstance,BronzeDragon,fournineteen.Ileanedforward.Butthereisa
thirdproceduretobegonethroughaprocedureinsomewayconnectedwitha
chronometer.

Did this fellow No Jungjong say anything when he produced the

chronometer?askedNa.

Nothing at all. It seemed to be my cue to talk. I was damned relieved

whenhistelephonerang.

Yousaidthevoiceonthetelephonesoundedfamiliartoyou?Imsaid.

ImpracticallysureitwasKongSoras,Isaid.Ifso,thenthatputsherin
the Bae organisation. And No Jungjong will have enlightened her about you.
Naseyesmetmine.Fromnowonyoucanexpecttrouble,Moon.

And not only from Baes outfit, Im commented quietly. Lee hasnt
finished with you yet, my boy. From what youve told me, hes still far from
convinced that you didnt keep that appointment with Kim Sumi on the night
Doylewasmurdered.

IlookedoveratNa.WhydontItakeLeeintomyconfidence,sir?

Nashookhisheademphatically.Getthisquiteclear,Moon.AllIminterestedin
isChangChuchu.Iwanttobesurethathewasareputableagentandnotmixed
upinthisdiamondsmuggling.Themurderispolicebusiness.Youllhavetotalk
yourwayoutofthatasbestyoucan.Hiseyeshardened.Oncethepoliceknow
whatyouredoingthenewspapersmaygetholdofit.Thenthisdepartmentwill
be in the limelight. He sniffed contemptuously. The sensational press would
haveabeanfeast!KoreanSecretAgentinvolvedinDoylemurderallthatkind
ofstuff.TherecouldevenbequestionsintheBlueHouseNo,Moon,youmust
handlethiscaseentirelyonyourown.

Allright,sit.Iunderstood,Isaid.ButifImonmyownImustbegivena
freehandtohandlethecaseinmyownway.

Nalookedatmesharply.Whatdoyouhaveinmind,Moon?

Ihaventworkedoutallthedetailsyet,Isaidairily.ButIthinkareturn
visittoNoJungjongisindicated.

Chapter twenty-nine

BackinmyapartmentIfeltagooddeallessconfidentthanImusthaveappeared
toNa.ThatIhadtoseeNoJungjongagainwascertain,forhewastheobvious
linkinthechainthatmightleadmetoBae;andinordertogetatthetruthabout
Chang Chuchu my best bet was to force a showdown with the top man in the
diamond smuggling organisation. What Baes reaction would be in such a
situationIhadnoidea;exceptthatitwouldprobablybehighlyunpleasant.My
concernatthemomentwastoconcoctastorythatwouldpersuadeNoJungjong
topassmeontoBae.Itwouldhavetobeaconvincingone.

AfterpacingthecarpetaimlesslyforhalfanhourIgaveup.

Itwaswellaftersixoclockandthelightwasfading.Iswitchedonthetablelamp,
andasIdidsomyheartmissedabeat.HadIturnedoffthelightinKimSumis
apartmentlastnight?IhadanastyfeelingIhadntdoneso,inmyexcitementat
findingthediamonds.

Idecidedtophoneher.Shewouldbealmostcertaintomentionitifshedfound
thelightonwhenshegotbackthenightbefore.Ithumbedthroughthetelephone
directorytofindthenumberofthegallery,tryingasIdidsotothinkofapretext
for ringing her. I smiled a little guiltily as I dialled the number. If Im had been
therehedhavecertainlymadeacausticcomment.

KongSoraansweredthetelephone.ItoldherwhoIwasandaskedtospeakto
Sumi.WithoutreplyingIheardhercall:ItstheMoonman,Sumi.

The receiver changed hands almost immediately and I heard Sumi speaking,
almostinawhisper.HansangIwasjustabouttogooutandringyou.

So the light must have been on, I thought! Anything important, Sumi? I said
aloud.

Well,yes.Shewentoninrapid,lowtones:Icanttellyounow.Couldyou
meetmethisevening?

Howaboutdinnertonight?

Shehesitated.Canyoumakeitsomewherequiet,wherewecantalk?

Meet me at Caf Paris You know it? Its in Yeoksamdong Ill be

thereatseventhirty.

WesaidgoodbyeandIhungup.AsIdidsoInoticedthattheaddresspad,which
I always kept beside the telephone had disappeared. It was a leathercovered
padwithanalphabeticalthumbindex.Ihadnthadoccasiontouseitforacouple
ofdays,soIcouldntestimateexactlyhowlongithadbeenmissing.Iwonderedif
themanIdcaughtsearchingmybureauhadslippeditintohispocket,intending
tocheckuponmytelephonelistlater.IrecalledthatthelastnumberIdjotted
down was Kim Sumis. That would account for her apartment having been
searched. Otherwise the names and addresses would be of no interest.
Fortunately,Naswasnotamongthem.

Thenthetelephonerang.Pickingupthereceiver,Igavemynumberandhearda
precisevoicesaid.AmIspeakingtoMrMoon?

IgrippedthereceiverasIrecognisedthevoice.Itwasundoubtedlythemanwho
hadslippedthenoteintomycigarettecase.Yes,Isaid.

MynameisZhong,theprecisevoicecontinued.Youdonotknowme.

Bronze Dragon in the fournineteen best tip of the week, guv! I said,
mimickinghisbarrowboyimpersonation.Then:Imustcomplimentyouonyour
Seoulaccent,Zhong.

Helaughed.IhavepickeditupinyourSeoulbars.Histonechanged.Youhave
givenyourcardtomybarrowboyfriend.Youwishtoseeme,perhaps?

Verymuch,Isaid,tenderlyfingeringthebackofmyhead.Istillhavea
painfulrecollectionofourfirstmeeting.

Youhaveguesseditwasme?Itisaswell.Icannowapologisetoyou.We
madeaseriousmistakeaboutyou,MrMoon.

We?Iqueried.

I cannot explain the situation over the telephone. But when I do so you
willrealisethatI,andmycompanion,hadalegitimatereasonforsearchingyour
apartment.

Andforstealingmytelephonepad?Isuggested.

I do not understand you, Mr Moon. Nothing was taken from your

apartmentbyus.Histonebecamethoughtful.YesIthinkitisveryimportant
thatwemeetassoonaspossible.Atonce,perhaps?

ImafraidIcantmanagethat.Iveadinnerdateforseventhirty.


Ah!Whereisthisdinnerdate,please?

I hesitated. But there was an urgency in his tone which suggested Id be

satisfying more than curiosity by meeting him that night. Yeoksamdong, I
answered.Imdiningthere.

Andthenumberofyourcar?Ishrugged,buttoldhim.

When you leave your friend after dinner you will drive, please, to City
Hall and stop just before you come to the main door, he instructed in
businessliketones.Iwillbeonthekerbthereatelevenoclock.

Whyallthecloakanddaggerstuff?Iaskedirritably.Whycantwemeet
foradrinksomewhere?

It is better that we are not seen together, he said gravely. I must warn
you, Mr Moon, these people that we are concerned with will not hesitate at
violenceorworse.

Thatweagain.IdfeelmorecomfortableifIknewwhoyouwere,Zhong,Isaid
sharply.

Iwillsetyourmindatrestlater,afteryouhavedinedwithMissKim.

Justaminute!Iexclaimed.Ididntsay

Itwasashotinthedark,MrMoon,heinterruptedwithashortlaugh.It
isaswellthatyouarenotdiningwithMissKiminherapartment.Nowyouwill
beabletoenjoyyourteawithpeaceofmind.

Whatthedevilareyougettingat?Idemandedheatedly.

Then I heard a gasp and the sound of splintering glass, and the clatter of the
receiverfalling.

Zhong!Icalledout.Zhongwhatshappened?

Therewasastrangechokingsoundandthenajumbleofvoicesandawomans
scream. I kept calling, Hello, but there was no answer, and finally someone
slammeddownthereceiverattheotherend.

I replaced my receiver and hesitated. It would be impossible to trace the call.

Perhapsthepoliceshouldbenotified?

Eventually I decided to take no action, as putting through an emergency call

would involve me in explanations of more than passing interest to the police. I
didntwantLeetostartquestioningmeagain.

Inanycase,IwasatalossforanexplanationofZhong.Fromthelittlehehadtold
meIhadtheimpressionthathewasonthelawandordersideofthefence.And
fromthenoisesontheotherendofthephoneitseemedhighlyunlikelythathe
wouldbekeepingourappointmentateleven.Iglancedatmywatch.Ihadtwenty
minutestogettoYeoksamdong.

Chapter

thirty

CafParisisafavouriterestaurantofmine;soIwasautomaticallygivenacorner
table.Theheadwaiterbroughtmeasojuandhandedmeamenu.Itriedtodivert
mymindfromZhongbyselectingthedishesIwouldrecommendtoSumi.Iwas
still rather on edge from the episode of the telephone and I didnt want her to
notice it. I was expecting to have to do some clever fencing, anyway, about the
light being on in her living room the previous night; Id had the distinct
impression that shed suspected me at first of being connected with the
searchingofherapartmentthatafternoon.

Directly I saw her I knew that whatever else was scheduled for the evening it
wasnotdinnerwithme.Sheworeherredsuitandamerewispofahat.

Im terribly sorry, she said contritely, but Im afraid our dinner dates
off.

Iexperiencedasenseofrelief,whichIdidmybesttoconceal.Irose,anddrew
outachair.Atleastyoucansparetimeforadrink,Isaid.Youlookasthough
youneedatranquiliser.

Ido,indeed,shesighed,sittingdown.ButIvenotime.Soraswaitingin
my car. Theres a hitch over a drumtop table we bought at Wonju. We have a
customerforit,andnowtheauctioneersayshedidntacceptourbid.Soracant
waittohaveitoutwithhim.

Ithoughtitratheralatehourforabusinessrowwithanauctioneer,andsaidso.


Hedoesalotofdealsinhislocalatnight,KimSumisaidindifferently,
thentoyedwiththecutleryinfrontofher.ButIsimplyhadtoseeyou,Hansang.
Itsaboutmyapartment.Anotherveryoddthinghashappened.

Oh?Isaid,noncommittally.

I have two keys to my apartment. One I keep here she tapped her
handbagtheotherisalwaysintheChinesedishonmyhalltable.

Tobridgethepause,whichIfelttobealittletooobviouslypointed,Isaid:Goon

WhenIlookedforthesparekeythismorningithaddisappeared!Itried
tophoneyouatonce,buttherewasnoreply.

Whydidyouphoneme,Sumi?TheresnothingIcoulddoaboutit.

Ofcoursenot,Iknowthat,butHereyesrebukedme.Well,youknew
about my apartment having been searched, and I thought youd show some
interestinthedisappearanceofmykey.

Itiredtoshowsomeinterestinakey,whichwasatthatmomentinapocketofa
suitinmywardrobe.Ifthatkeywasusedtogetintoyourapartment,howwould
theervisitorhavegotholdofit?Iaskedher.

Thatswhatbothersme.Shemetmyeyesforalongmoment.Someone
whovisitedmyapartmentinthelastfewdaysmusthavetakenit.

Iwaitedforhertogoon.

There have only been four people, she continued, watching me. Sora,
Hyeok,thatdetectiveandyou.

YoureforgettingDoyle,Iputinquickly.Andhismurderer.

Doyle was murdered she began; then in a startled voice: The

murderer!Didhetakethekeyandcomebackyesterday?

It was a problem that I thought Id solved until Id had that phone call from
Zhong. Now Id readjusted my thinking. Its possible, I said, then threw the
reallyloadedquestionather.HowdidDoylegetintoyourapartmentinthefirst
place?

Shestaredatmeforasecond,thensaidquietly:YourenotsuggestingthatIgave
himoneofmykeys?

Isaidweakly:No,whatImeantbutexpresseditveryclumsilywasthatthe
murderercouldhaveenteredyourflatbythebalcony,andthenwhenDoylerang
thedoorbell

Oh,Hansang,shesaidwearily,whywouldDoylebecallingonme?

HewasstayinginSeoul.Hecouldhavelookedyouupinthephonebook,
decidedtodropinonyou

Shestoodup.Isntitthesameoldcircle?Itsimplydoesntleadanywhere.She
glancedatherwatch.Heavens,IvebeenheretenminutesSorawillbehaving
afit.Hereyessoftened.Ifeelanabsolutebeastwalkingoutonyoulikethis.

Theresalwaysanothernight,Isuggested.Tomorrowperhaps?


ImdiningwithHyeoktomorrownight.AndeveryothernightthisweekI
haveengagements.Suddenlyherfacebrightened.Iknow!Illmakesurewere
back from Wonju by ten. Drop in at my apartment just after. Well have tea
together.
At that moment the patron himself came to the table, spreading his hands in
consternation at her obviously imminent departure. She smiled winningly at
him,andwithawaveofherhandshewasgone.

Ireassuredthepatron,whowasprotestingthathewascomingtotakeMadames
orderpersonally.Itwasnttheservice,Iassuredhim.Hersistersill.

I ordered the Korean barbeque, which merited his recommendation. But my

mindwasmoreconcernedwiththetea,whichwastofollowtheteaatten,in
Sumisapartment.

Chapter thirty-one

After leaving the restaurant I found myself in an unsettled frame of mind, a

mixture of frustration at Kim Sumis evasion, and anticipation of our next
meeting.Isatinmycarforsomeminutes,wonderinghowtospendthenexthour
orso.Therewereplentyofinvitingbarswithineasyreach,butIfeltthatitwas
importanttokeepaclearhead.

In the end I decided that I might as well go back to my apartment, just in case
there should be any telephone calls before ten. I started the engine and drove
slowly to the top of Yeoksamdong. As I turned right, with a careful eye on my
driving mirror for any following traffic, I caught sight of a black saloon car
drawing out from the kerb. It swung round the corner close behind me. In the
nextroadIhadtopullupforthetrafficlightsandsawtheblacksaloonswerve
sharplyin.

Acoupleofminuteslater,however,itwasonlytwentyyardsbehindme.Itook
advantageofthetrafficflowtoturnquicklydownanarrowsidestreetonmyleft,
and when I saw the black saloon in my mirror once more, I knew I was being
trailed.

As I steered carefully down the narrow street my brain whirled with

speculations as to the identity of my pursuer. I tried several times to get a
glimpseofthedriverofthecarthroughmymirror,buttheanglesseemedtobe
allwrong.AllIcouldseewerereflectionsonthewindscreen.

TurningrightImadethemostofaclearstretchofroadandpassedthroughone
set of traffic lights on red, leaving my pursuer to wait for the next change to
green.

In the swirl of the thick traffic I thought Id lost the black saloon, but it was
visibleinmydrivingmirroragain.IthoughtofZhongswarning:Thesepeople
willnothesitateatviolenceorworse.

Theblacksaloonkeptasteadytwentyyardsbehindme.Itriedtofigureoutwhy
they should be following me. If theyd planned some sort of attack, surely it
wouldhavebeeneasiertowaitformeinthedimlylitstreet.Ordidnttheyknow
whereIlived?

Iglancedatthepetrolgauge;therewasenoughinthetanktokeepmegoingifI
justdrovearounduntilIwasduetomeetSumiagain.Butthatwouldonlyhave
meantbeingfollowedtoherapartment.IdecidedthatIhadtoshakeofftheblack
saloononceandforall.

Ipulledupquickly,jumpedoutofthecar,anddodgedpastthebusqueue,into
thesubwaystationarcade.Iranalmosttotheend,thenturnedintotheopening
to the line. The lift was ascending with infuriating deliberation, and I lost
patience. I darted down the steps just as a westbound train was coming in. I
mutteredsomethingtotheticketcollector,thenrusheddownthesteps,threeat
atime.AsIshotintothetrainthedoorsbegantoclose,asifoncue.Breathless,I
sankintoaseat,satisfiedthatnoonecouldhavefollowedmeontothattrain.

LeavingthetrainIgavetheticketcollectorashillingandwentoutintothestreet.
Istillregardedeveryblacksaloonsuspiciously,buttheirdriversneverglanced
myway.WhenIcametomystreetIwalkedroundtothebackentrancefromthe
square.

Ienteredtheapartmentasquietlyaspossible,carefullyclosingthedoorafterme
andputtingupthecatch.Iflungopenthelivingroomdoorandwaitedasecond
beforeentering.Ilookedbehindthedoor,thencrossedtothewindowanddrew
thecurtainsbeforeswitchingonthelight.Theroomseemedunnaturallyquiet.

When I was halfway through a cigarette I felt much more relaxed. The clock in
thecornerchimednine.IblewalongstreamofsmokeanddecidedIdgobackto
pickupthecar.

LeaningbackinmyarmchairItriedtoworkoutwhatplansKimSumihadfor
meatourmeeting,buttheheavysilenceoftheapartmentwasbeginningtobe
unnerving. I reached over to switch on the tv, but before I could do so the
doorbellrang.

InmyhastetoswitchoffthelightInearlyknockedoveranoccasionaltable.Four
morestridestookmeovertothewindow,whereIpeepedcautiouslythroughthe
curtains.Thereinthestreetbelowwasthefamiliarblacksalooncar.

Thedoorbellrangagain.

Idecidedthattheshowdownmightaswellcomenowaslater;atleastIwason
my home ground and fully alert. I switched on the light again and went to the

frontdoor.Myplanwastoopenitquietlyforafewinchesandstandpreparedto
slamitintotheintrudersface.

Itsallright,sirnothingtofear,saidafamiliarvoiceasthedooropened.
I pulled it wider and immediately recognised the man in the raincoat and grey
hat.ItwasDetectiveInspectorLeeShihoo.

Chapter thirty-two

Isteppedbackapace,myhandonthecatch.

Good evening, sir. Is it convenient for me to come in? Lee said, one
eyebrowraisedinasortofamusedquirk.

Ofcourse,Isaidshortly.Whyshouldntitbe?

He came in, taking off his hat. I thought perhaps, sir, you might have a visitor
already.

Thisisntmynightforfemininecompany.Igrinnedathim.Pityshehad
to miss dinner at the Caf Paris. It was excellent. How was the food at Parks,
Inspector?

Icanrecommendthesoups,sir,herepliedimperturbably.

Sorry I had to keep you waiting so long, I said. Why didnt you come
straight here, instead of playing cops and robbers? Rather melodramatic,
followingmelikethat,wasntit?

I didnt want to miss you, Mr Moon. You might have had another
appointment.

Well,Ihadnt.AndwhatmadeyoutrailMissKimtoCafParis?

Routine, sir. A body was found in her apartment in unexplained

circumstances;checkingonhermovementsisallpartofourroutineinquiries.

You mean you hope she might lead you to the murderer? Somewhat
nave,isntit,Inspector?

Tothinkthatthemurderermayhavebeenafriendofhers,MrMoon?He
gavemeaderisiveglance.HowwouldhehavegotintoMissKimsapartmentif
shehadntknownhim?

By the balcony, I said simply. I remember you taking a look at it the

morningofthemurder.

Hesmiledthinly.Yes.Asamatteroffact,wefingerprintedit.

ItriedtorememberwhetherIdtouchedthebalustradeasIlefttheapartment.
Lees eyes were probing my face. To evade them I turned to the drinks table.
Whatwillyouhave,Inspector?

Notforme,thankyou,MrMoon.

Neverdrinkonduty,eh,Inspector?

Thatsright,sir.Hetwistedhishatroundinhishands.

Well,ifyoudontmind?Isaid,pickingupmyglass.

ThereareoneortwoquestionsIdliketoclearupwithyou,MrMoon.

OhIsaid;then,withalaugh,whichIhopeddidntsoundashollowto
himasitdidtome:Isitagainsttherulestositdownonduty?

Hesatdown,andIstraddledahighbackedchair,facinghim.Ihadanideathatif
the questions became awkward I could get up and pace the room without
makingitlooktooobvious.

Well,whatsthefirstquestion?Isaideasily.

It concerns your movements on the night of the murder, sir. I think I

remember your saying you were unable to keep your appointment with Miss
Kim.

Inodded.IdgonedowntoDaeguandcouldntgetbackintime.

I see. He closed one eye speculatively. What was the purpose of your
visittoDaegu,sir?

IdalreadyplantedaplausiblestoryinSumismind.NowonceagainIwentinto
mypieceaboutmybusinesstroubles;havinggonedowntoDaegulookingfora
job;thenduckingtheissue.

I know how you felt, sir. He nodded sympathetically when Id finished,

thenlookedthoughtful.Itmakesitratherawkwardthough,MrMoon.Hesmiled
bleakly.Imean,theresnoonewithwhomwecancheckthatyouwereinDaegu
atseventhirtyonthenightofthemurder.

YouthinkImlying?Isaidheatedly.

His eyes travelled across my face almost abstractedly. Without any change of
expression he murmured casually: Youve never been in the diamond trade,
haveyou,MrMoon?

Thediamondtrade!OfcourseIhavent.ItoldyouI,anengineer.Irose
from the chair and began the roompacing act. Whats behind that question,
Inspector?

Routine, sir, he replied coolly. I thought perhaps that might have been
whatbroughtyouandDoyletogetherinShanghai.Asortofcommoninterestin
diamonds.

Lets get this quite clear, Inspector, I said irritably. I met Doyle once.
With Miss Kim. I cant even remember what we talked about but it certainly
wasntdiamonds.

He flicked a nonexistant speck of dust from his hat. Then it will come as a
surprisetoyoutoknowthatDoyledealtinblooddiamonds.

Itiredtoregistertheappropriatesurprise.Butitsunbelievable!Helookedand
behavedlikeanyotherAmericantourist.Iturned,andpacedbehindLeeschair,
tryingtofathomwhathewasleadingupto.AtlastIsaid:ImafraidImnotquite
followingthedriftofallthis,Inspector.

Iwascomingtothat,sir.InviewofwhatwenowknowaboutDoyleitis
fairly certain that whoever murdered him was after the diamonds he was
carrying.

Youknowthathewascarryingdiamondsatthetime?Iaskedinnocently.

He was in the habit of smuggling them into this country from North
Korea.Itslikelythathehadsomewithhimthatevening.Leeturnedinhischair,
facing me. Possibly they were hidden in that doll, Mr Moon. I looked blank.
Doll?Whatdoll?

Therewasadollintheroombythebody.Itwasrippedopen.

Isnappedmyfingers.Iremembernow!HedboughtasouvenirdollinShanghai.

Thatstheone,MrMoon,Leesaid,nodding.Andyouneversawitagain
afterthatmeetinginShanghai?

HowcouldI?IneversawDoyleagain.

Youre positive about that, sir? You never saw him again, alive he
pausedheavilyordead?

What the hell are you getting at? I demanded furiously, coming round
andglaringdownathim.

Your fingerprints, Mr Moon. We found them on the door of Miss Kims

livingroom.

Ilaughed.Ofcourseyoudid!Iwasintherethenextday.Ifinishedmybrandy.
And,incidentally,Inspector,howdoyouknowtheyweremine?

Heputahandinhispocket.Wecheckedfromthis,sir,hesaidslowly,holding
outmytelephonepad.

Staringatit,Isaidlamely:Soyoustoleitthatmorningyouwerehere?

Itooktheliberty,sir.Althoughstoleisnottheword.Appropriatedin
thecourseofpoliceinquiriesisamoreaccuratedescription.

Call it what you like! I snapped. All right, you found the fingerprints I
madethefollowingday.Whatsthesignificanceofthat?

Therewouldntbeanysignificance,sir,hesaidcoldly,exceptthatyour
fingerprints were among those we took on the night of the murder His eyes
hardened.Wouldyoucaretoexplainhowtheygotthere,MrMoon?

My doorbell rang. It seemed that I was fated to be saved by the bell from
answering awkward questions. Lee rose, with every intention, it appeared, of
answeringthedoorhimself.

Dontbother,Inspector,Isaid,crossingtothedoor.Itmaynotbeaman
withagun.

ItwasIm.GlimpsingLeeacrossmyshoulderhisfacefroze.Ifyourebusy,Moon

I almost dragged him in by the lapels. Inspector Lee was just leaving, werent
you,Inspector?Isaid.

SomewhatreluctantlyLeemovedtothedoor.Yes,sir.ButIshallbewantingto
talktoyouagainveryshortly,hesaidcurtly.

Ill look forward to that, I replied. By the way, this is Im Suntaek

InspectorLeeShihoo.

For a second, as they nodded a greeting, I thought I caught a look of

bewildermentflashacrosstheInspectorsfacewhenheheardthename.Thenhe
wassaying:Perhapsyoudtelephoneme,MrMoon,shouldanexplanationofthe
matterwevebeendiscussingoccurtoyou.

Imsurethereisone,Inspector.

Hesmiledwryly.Ihopeso,sir.Goodnight.

Trouble?inquiriedIm,whentheInspectorhadgone.

Plenty.IleftmyfingerprintsontheinsidedoorofKimSumisflat.

Whatofit?Heknowsyouvebeenthere.

ButnotbeforethepolicefoundDoylesbody.

Istilldontgetit.Howcouldhecheckthattheywereyourfingerprints?

Hecockedhisheadatme.Youhaventapolicerecord,haveyou,oldboy?

It seems Im getting one. Lee helped himself to my telephone pad when

hewasherebefore.Iglancedovertowherehehadbeensitting.And,damnhim,
hesgoneoffwithitagain!

Imwhistledsoundlessly.Youvegotyourselfinanastyjam,Moon.Whyinhell
werentyoumorecareful?

I didnt know I was going to find a body, I said testily. Anyway, what
bringsyouhere?

Imtookarolledsheetofpaperfromhisinsidepocket.Idlikeyoutotakealook
atthis.

When Id unrolled it I saw that it was a flashlight photograph of a mans head,

proppeduponpillows.Hiseyeswereclosedandhismouthhungopen.Hewas
eitherdead,orverynearit.

Whoisit?Iaskedquietly.

AmancalledZhong.HesChinese.

I looked, with some apprehension, more closely at the photograph, trying to

associatethefacewiththesmilingbarrowboy.Itwastheshapeofthehead,the
fairhair,andtheprominentcheekboneswhicheventuallyconvincedme.Yes,I
recognise him. Its the man who gave me the tip from a barrow in World Cup
Bukro.

Thats where he was shot. In World Cup Bukro. While he was calling
fromhiscellphone.

Hewasphoningmy!Isaidquickly.Iknewsomethinghadhappenedto
himatthetime.Iglancedagainatthephotograph.ButIdidntimagineitwas
anythinglikethis.


That photograph was taken in hospital twenty minutes ago. He hasnt
recoveredconsciousness,andIdoubtwhetherheeverwill.Imtappedhischest,
justabovetheheart.Hewashithere.

Whoshothim?Havetheygottheman?

Imshookhishead.Hewasshotfromapassingcar;itgotclearaway.

IhandedthephotographbacktoIm.Howdidyoucomebythis?Iinquired.

Im still on this case, you know, Moon, he replied cagily. Tell me about
thisphonecall.

IdidmybesttorecounteverydetailofthetelephonecallfromZhong.

So he gave you a warning. Im smiled grimly. Ironic, isnt it, that a

momentlateritwashewhowasshot?

Butwhywasheshot?Andbywhom?MyspinetingledasIrealisedthese
werequestionstowhichwewouldhavetofindtheanswerverysoon.

Didnthegiveyouanyclueastohisidentity?

None.ThoughIhadtheimpressionthathecouldhavebeenworkingfor
somedepartmentsuchasours.HewasntoneofNasmen,washe?

Im shook his head. He could have been in the Chinese undercover police,
possibly tracing North Korean diamonds. Equally, he could have been in the
diamond smuggling game himself. I dont suppose Bae has cornered the entire
marketinstolendiamonds.

I frowned. But why should Zhong warn me that I was in danger? And give me
thattip?

Imshrugged.Maybethatwasjusttoseewhatyouddo.

Suddenly I remembered Zhongs reference to tea with Kim Sumi. Heres a

damnedoddthing,Isaid.ZhongguessedIwashavingdinnerwithSumitonight

Hisguessseemstohavebeenasgoodasmine,Immurmured.

IgnoringthisremarkIwenton:Butthepointis,whenheheardweweredining
at a restaurant and not at Sumis flat he said: Then you will be able to enjoy
yourteawithpeaceofmind.

MmCryptic,tosaytheleast.Impaused.Didyouenjoyyourtea?

Sumihadtocallthedateoffforbusinessreasons,Isaid.Butshehas
askedmytogotoherapartmenttonightfortea.

Hegrinnedatmeashehelpedhimselftoacigarette.AsIsaidoncebefore,you
cantakecareofyourself,Moon.And,talkingofthat,whataboutthisreturnvisit
totheantiqueimporter?

Thats already scheduled, I said carelessly. But Ill want one or two
thingsfromyoufirst.Sitdown,Im,andIlltellyouwhattheyare.

Chapter thirty-three

AsIfollowedKimSumiintothelivingroomofherapartmentIwasmystifiedyet
again that such an attractive woman should be satisfied with a neurotic
hypochondriaclikeYun.Withherlooksandfigureshecouldhavelookedmuch
furtherthantheStockExchangeforherlifepartner.

Inthelivingroomsheturnedtomewithaswift,engagingsmile,asthoughshe
werewelcominganoldfriend.Makeyourselfcomfortable,Hansang.

Shehadchangedintoablackdress,plainexceptforasimplesprayofdiamonds.

Sumiwalkedovertotheteatray.Onit,withthecups,wasaglassteapot,aspirit
lampburningbeneathit.

Youdontmindwaiting,doyou,Hansang?Iveathinkaboutmakingtea
thisway.

Ismiled.Howdidthebrawlwiththeauctioneergo?

TrustSoratohandleasituationlikethat.Ofcourse,therewerealotof
fireworks, but eventually he promised to deliver the drumtop table by ten
tomorrow.

Neveradullmomentintheantiquebusiness!Ibroughtoutmycigarette
case.

Certainly not in ours! We had a visit from that detective just after you
phonedtoday.

Lee?Whatsonhismind?

Ilithercigaretteandsheexhaledslowlybeforereplying:You,Hansang.

Youmakethatsoundratherominous.

Inawayitis.Shegaveasmallsigh.Whymustwealwaysbediscussing
this wretched Doyle business? Her eyes softened. There are so many other
thingsIwanttotalktoyouabout,Hansang.

Hadntyoubetterdispersethiscloudthatshangingovermyheadfirst?

Itsabouttheappointmentwehadonthenightofthemurder.Apparently
Leesnotconvincedthatyoudidntturnup.Shesmiledremotely.Itseemsthat
nowImsuspectedofloaningthekeyofmyapartmenttoyou.

Iwavedthatideaawaywithadeprecatingflourishofmyhand.WhyshouldLee
flingthatoneatyou?

Hesayshesfoundyourfingerprintsonmylivingroomdoor.

IwasntreadyatthatjuncturetotellherofLeestalkwithme.Whyshouldnthe
findmyfingerprintsinyourapartment?HesawmeherethemorningafterDoyle
waskilled.

Thats what I pointed out to him. She looked at me with a puzzled

expression. Although he didnt actually say it, I felt all the time that he was
leading up to something else; that you could have been in my apartment the
nightbefore.

Doyouagreewithhim,Sumi?Iaskedquietly.

Ofcoursenot!sheexclaimed,withanimpatientgesture.Howcouldyou
havebeen?YouwerestillatDaeguwhenyouphonedmelongafterseventhirty
thatnight.

The telephone rang and, excusing herself, she picked up the receiver. She gave
hernumber,thenglancedoveratmeasthecalleridentifiedhimself.Oh,hello,
HyeokYes,ImaloneShenoddedherheadwearilywhileavoicedronedat
theotherend.Haveyoutakenyourtablets,Hyeok?Well,youmustgivetime
to act, dear. She listened to a lengthy protest. All right then, Hyeok Ill come
round.Inabouthalfanhour.Seeyouthen,dear.

With a sigh, she replaced the receiver. I suppose it is another of his asthma
attacks. But sometimes I wonder if he doesnt play on my sympathy and make
themanexcusetohavemerunroundandfussoverhim.

Iputonanexpressionofpoliteimpartiality.Onecanthelpfeelingsorryforhim,
Isuppose.

Shenodded,notveryenthusiastically,thendartedbacktothetableandblewout
theflamebeneaththeteapot.Goodness!Ialmostforgotthetea!

Shesatdownandbegantopourit.

Doyoutakesugar,Hansang?

Mycigarettehadburneddowntoastub,scorchingmyfingers,butIcouldntrisk
takingmyeyesfromtheteajustthen.


Twolumps,please.

Oh, dear, I was afraid you might. And Ive run out of it. Do you mind
havingsaccharine?

I heard myself saying I didnt mind, then I let my cigarette stub drop into the
ashtrayasSumiproducedasmallbottleanddroppedtwotinywhitetabletsinto
mytea.Shehandedmethecupandleanedbackinherchair.

Hyeokreallywouldhaveanattackifheknewyouwereherehavingtea
withme.Shegavemeanamusedglance.Soraswearshesjealousofyou.

Hesthetypewhodbejealousofanyman,Isaid,laughing.Bytheway,
wasSoratherewhenLeedroppedinonyouthisafternoon?

Shenodded.Verymuchso.IhadtolistentohertheoriesontheDoylecaseall
thewaytoWonjuandback.

Werehertheoriesplausible?

She bit her lip thoughtfully before answering. You know Sora cant make you
out, either. She wanted to know whether you ever made a pass at me in
Shanghai. When I said you certainly didnt, she took the attitude that well, if
hes not the sort of man who makes passes at engaged girls why is he running
aroundafteryounow?Sheloweredhervoice.Whyareyou,Hansang?

OnceagainIwassavedbythebell.Thistimeitwasthedoorbell.Shelookedat
mewithoutspeaking,thengotupandwentoutintothehall.DirectlyIheardher
openingthefrontdoorIchangedmyteacupforhers.

Sora!IheardSumiexclaim.Isanythingwrong?

Dont panic, said Kongs strident voice. I left my cigarette case in your
car,thatsall.

Sumiwassaying,Oh,youcouldhavephonedme,whenKongpushedopenthe
livingroomdoor.

Herstartofsurpriseonseeingmewasjustashadetooobvious.Yourethelast
person I expected to find here, she said, then turned back to Sumi. Im sorry,
darlingIfIdknown,Iwouldnthavebargedin.

Thats all right, Sumi said with a forced smile. Did you leave your
cigarettecaseinmycar?Idontrememberyourusingitonthewayback.

Then Ive left it on the bar of that pub in Wonju. That means itll be
stolen!

Iexpectyoullfinditsinthepocketofthecoatyouwerewearing,Sumi
saidcoolly.Nowyourehereyoullstayandhavetea?

Darling,areyousureImnotinterruptingsomething?

Illgetanothercup,Sumisaid.

Kong gave a tiny shrug and smiled at me. Nice to see you, she said,
depositing herself in Sumis chair. Really, I feel its very naughty of my not to
havephonedfirst.

Pleasedontapologise,Isaid.Iwasjustgoing,anyway.

Sumi brought another cup and saucer. And I have to go and see Hyeok. Hes
beenringingSheclatteredthecupandsauceronthetableasthephonerang
again.WouldntitbejustlikeHyeoktowanttoknowwhyIhaventdashedover
rightaway?

Doesnt he ever let you off the leash, Sumi? Kong said, raising her
eyebrows.Shepickedupthefullteacupinfrontofher,stirringitmechanically.

Presently,Sumireplacedthereceiverandcamebacktothetable.Hewantsme
to go round immediately. But I suppose I can be allowed time to drink my tea
first.SheglanceddownatKong.Ohyouseemtohaveappropriatedit,Sora.

Oh,sorry,darling,Kongbegan.Illpouryouanother

Ihastilysippedmyown.Hello!Iexclaimed,watchingSumisface.Thereseems
tohavebeenamixupwiththecups.Thisoneisntsweetened.

Oh,Hansang,youmusthavegotmine,Sumisaid.Nevermind,Ihadnt
startedit.Helpyourselftomoresaccharine

No,dontbother,Isaidquickly.Imustbegoing,anyway.

Kim Sumi picked up her handbag. Yes, well, so must I. Hyeoks so bad
tempered.

AsIgotupKongsaidfirmly.YourenotgoingtodragMrMoonoffwithyou,Su
mi;ImrelyingonhimtogivemealiftwhenIvefinishedmytea.

Oh, said Sumi, a trifle petulantly. Well, you might have asked Han
sang whether he minded. She smiled at me. Ill give you a ring some time
tomorrow.

See you in the morning, darling, Kong said nonchalantly as she helped
herself to a cigarette. And you can tell Hyeok from me that he takes you too
muchforgranted!

Chapter thirty-four

Thatman!KongsaidwhenthefrontdoorhadclosedPossessiveisnttheword
forit!

Sickpeopleusuallyare,Isaid.

Imalwaystellinghershellhaveaninvalidonherhandsifevershedoes
marryhim.CantyoupersuadehernottorushintothismarriagewithHyeok?

Me? I protested. I dont think Ive known Sumi sufficiently long to

discussherpersonalaffairs.

I suppose not. She let the smoke drift from her lips. Although youve
discussedyourswithher,Ibelieve.

Whatexactlydoyoumean?

Well,aboutyourbusinessaffairs.Shetellsmeyourengineeringfirmran
intofinancialdifficulties.

I did mention something about it, I admitted. But Im rather surprised

thatKimSumishouldhavebroadcastit.

Konglaughed.Nothinglikethat,MrMoonjustonegirltoanother.Shefinished
hertea.Isupposeyoullstartitupagaindirectlyyougetbackonyourfeet?

Isupposeso,Isaidshortly.WhenIcanlaymyhandsonsomecapital.

Thatsnonetooeasy,Iimagine.Shecrossedherlegs.Bytheway,didSu
mitellyouInspectorLeeShihoowenttoseeherthisafternoon?

Shedidmentionit.

I wasnt really listening, but I couldnt help overhearing some of his

questionsHeseemedveryinterestedinthatappointmentyouhadwithSumi.

Onthenightofthemurder,youmean?IwasdetainedinDaegu.Icouldnt
keepit.


And,ofcourse,youcouldnthavegotintotheapartmentifyouhadkept
it.SumiwasdetainedbyHyeokasusual.Sheflickedtheashfromhercigarette
on to the carpet. You know, this fingerprint system has always fascinated me.
Cantheyreallytelltheactualdayonwhichtheprintsweremade?

I should imagine you know the answer to that one, I said with a dry
smile.Whatmadeyousaythat?

It was rather silly of me, wasnt it? Naturally, it would only be the
fingerprintsfoundonthenightofthemurderthatwouldhaveanysignificance.
She raised the foot of the crossed leg, and examined the toe of her shoe rather
elaborately.IheardLeetellingKimSumithatDoylewasintheillicitdiamond
trade.

He told me that, too, I said, mentally noting that Sumi hadnt said
anythingtomeaboutthatpartofherconversationwithLee.Hadsheintendedto
mention it, I wondered? After all, thered been some interruptions and it could
easilyhaveslippedhermind.Orhadshedeliberatelyconcealedtheinformation?

Iwonderifhehadanydiamondsonhimthenighthewaskilled?Kong
Sora was saying. If he had, then the murderer must have had quite a haul,
mustnthe?

Itwasobviousthatshewasleadinguptosomething,soIdecidedtoplayalong.
But could he have done anything with them? I asked innocently. He couldnt
justtakeblooddiamondsintoajewellersandsellthem.

Therearemenwhowilldealinthem.Doylemusthaveknownone.

Thenthatmustbethemanhehadtheappointmentswith!Iexclaimed,
as though suddenly enlightened. Bae! Now I know why Lees been questioning
meabouthim.

Hes questioned us all about him me, Sumi, Hyeok She laughed
lightly.Oh,well,ifanyoneevercomestomewantingtodisposeofNorthKorean
diamonds,thatswhoIllputthemontoBaeYeonseok!

Ifyoucanfindhim,Isaid,joininginherlaugh.Thepolicecant.

Thatstrue.Shedroppedhercigarettestubintothedregsofhertea.So
itsnouseyoufindinganyblooddiamonds,MrMoon,becauseyouwouldntbe
able to get rid of them. She smiled ruefully. What a horrible thought; walking
aroundwiththepotentialcapitaltostartyourbusinessupagain,andnotbeing
abletodoathingaboutit.

Justhuntingforaneedleinahaystack,Iagreed.IwonderwhatthisBae
Yeonseoklookslike.

Likeanyrespectablebankmanager,Iexpect.Shestoodup.IsupposeI
didrathertakeitforgrantedyoudgivemealift.Wouldyoumind,MrMoon?

No,ofcoursenot,Isaid.WherecanIdropyou?

IsItaewondongallrightforyou?

Itsonmyway,Itoldher.

Atthefrontdoorshepaused.Youknow,IthinkallthistroublehasmadeSumi
see Hyeok in a new light. He hasnt shown a scrap of concern for all the worry
shes going through. She arched her eyebrows. Your sympathy has meant a
greatdealtoSumi,MrMoon.Shestoldmethat.

Imumbledsomethingaboutashouldertocryon.


SumissuchasweetpersonShesmiledatmeknowingly,thentapped
myarmwithherhandbag.Youmusthurryupandgetthecapitalyouneedtoget
onyourfeetagain,MrMoon.

Chapter thirty-five

Thenextmorning,asIwanderedintothelivingroom,MrsKimwasstandingby
the telephone, duster in hand. As I entered she started to polish the telephone
with unnecessary vigour. This, I knew only too well, was a cover for some
seeminglyinnocentprobing.

Imeanttoaskyou,MrMoon,shebegan,haveyouputthetelephonepad
awaysomewhere?

I seated myself behind the tea jug. Its in my desk drawer. Did you want it for
anything?

She was slightly taken aback for a moment, but quickly recovered, and started
polishing a speckles brass candlestick. Did you find out who the lady was that
phoned?

Ofcourse,ithadbeenSumi;Idremembered,sometimeafterwards,thatshed
mentioneditwhenwedmetintheteashop.ButIwasntgoingtoenlightenMrs
Kimonthatpoint.Ishookmyheadandpouredmyselfsometea.

TherewasapolicecaratthetopofthemewsthismorningwhenIcome
in,shewentonpersistently.Isupposetheyrekeepinganyeyeonsomebody.

I supposed they were. I was mentally cursing Lee; my plans for the morning
didnt include having fun and games evading a trailing police car. I decided it
would be as well to check which end of the street, in Mrs Kims devious mind,
wasthetop.

Iadoptedtheobliqueapproach.Didyounoticewhethertheblossomwasoutin
thesquareasyoucameinthismorning,MrsKim?

Itnomoredeceivedherthanapillinapieceofmeatfoolsadog.IfIwasyou,Mr
Moon, she said, with a flick of the duster, Id use the bottom end of the street
today.Thenthefrontdoorbellrangandreallymadeherday.ShallIsayyoure
out,sir?sheinquiredinaneagerwhisper.

I overcame my irritation and laughed. Youre a treasure, Mrs Kim! Answer the
door,thenbringanothercupandsaucer.

As Id expected, it was Im. He came in carrying a small leather case. Good

morning,Moon.Ivebroughtwhatyouwanted.

Splendid!Youlljoinmeinatea,wontyou?

He nodded, smiling. Talking of tea he began, obviously alluding to my

appointmentwithSumithepreviousevening.

Forgetit!Isaid.Thatwasafalsealarm.Iswitchedtheteacups.Ithen
wentontodescribewhathadhappened.KimSumireactedperfectlynormally.
AndKongSoracertainlyshowednosignofbeingdrugged.Infact,hermindwas
exceptionallyactive.

ItsoundsasthoughZhongwasjusttryingtothrowascareintoyou.

Seemslikeit,Iagreed.ThoughperhapshedoesnttrustKimSumiany
morethanyouandNado.

Impulledhisnose.Andyouthinksheistobetrusted?

With one reservation, yes. I changed the subject quickly. By the way,
howisZhong?

I phoned the hospital this morning. Hes recovered consciousness and

theythinktheresagoodchancethathellpullthrough.Illhaveatalkwithhim
thisafternoon,iftheyllletme.

Mrs Kim came in with the extra cup and saucer, eyed Im covertly, obviously
decided he was just a business acquaintance, and retired somewhat
disappointed.

IpouredImatea.YoudidnthaveanydifficultyinpersuadingNatohandover
thethingsIaskedfor?

Imopenedthesmallcaseonhislap.Hewasabitworriedaboutthediamonds.

Iimaginedhemightbe.ButdontworryIshantlosethem.

I opened the jewellery box he handed me and examined the two diamonds,
whichlookedveryimpressiveagainsttheirblackplushbackground.

Imdelvedinthecaseagain.AndheresthemetronomeyoutookfromNoJung
jong.Heputitonthetable.


Just what was I supposed to say when No Jungjong produced this? I
rubbed my finger over the polished surface. Ive a hunch that its the key to
everythingwewanttoknow.

Whichissimply,Imsaidwarningly,theproblemofChangChuchu.Was
he the reputable person Na thinks he was? Or was he mixed up in the blood
diamond racket? Thatsall.Heregardedme shrewdlyforamoment.Dontget
tooambitious,Moon.

Ill keep that in mind, Im, I replied, not altogether sincerely. I was too
deeplyinvolvedinapersonalwaytobesatisfiedwithanythinglessthanthefull
answerstothesideissuesthathadcroppedupintheChangChuchucase.

And heres the other thing you wanted. Im brought out a small black
automatic and balanced it on the palm of one hand. Na looked down his nose
whenItoldhimyouwantedaloanfromthearmoury.Hehandedittome,butt
first.Dontexpectthedepartmenttogiveyouamedalifyouuseit.

I slipped the gun into my jacket pocket. For persuasive purposes only, I
explained.

ImSuntaeksmiledbackatme,closedthecase,andsnappedthelocks.Haveyou
decidedwhatlineyoulltakewithNoJungjong?

Myownspecialbrandofpersuasion,Isaid.

Factorfiction?

Maybealittleofeach,Itoldhim.

Chapter thirty-six

OnmypreviousvisittoNoJungjongsofficeIdnoticedateaandsnackbarafew
yardsfromhisbuilding.Itwasfrequentedbytheportersfromthemarketwhen
thebarswereclosed.RelyingonmyguessthatNoJungjongwouldcomeoutat
some time to fill his flask and purchase lunch, I stepped into the doorway of a
warehouse facing his office block. I had half an hours wait; then he came out
withhisflasktuckedunderonearm.

Iwatchedhimgointotheteashop,thenIhurriedacrossthestreet,intohisoffice
building, and swiftly along the dingy passage to his office. If he had locked his
door my visit would lose an important asset the element of surprise. But my
luckheld.Islidinsidetheroom,andclosedthedoorbehindme.

IwentovertoNoJungjongschair,unwrappedthechronometerandplaceditin
thecentreofthedesk.ThenIreversedthechair,straddledit,tookoutthepistol
andlaiditbesidethechronometer,readytohand.

PresentlyIheardheavyfootstepscomingalongthepassage.Gruntingtohimself,
NoJungjongenteredtheroomandclosedthedoor,apparentlypreoccupiedwith
thenewspaperhewasreading.

Asheturneditwasthechronometerwhichfirstcaughthiseye.Hefroze,staring
atitforamoment,thenhiseyesslowlytravelledtothegunIwaspointingathim.
Withacrashtheflaskslippedfromhisarmtothefloor.

Good morning, Mr No Jungjong, I said cheerfully. Picking a winner for

thefournineteen?

The newspaper slid from his grasp. Moon! He ran his tongue across his lips.
Whatareyoudoinghere?Hisvoicewashoarse,almostchoked.

Returningyourchronometer,Isaid.

Without taking his eyes from my face he pushed the flask aside with one foot.
Why?

Our last little talk ended rather abruptly; before we got around to
discussingthechronometer.Ismiled.Ithoughtitmightbeagoodideaifwehad
amorefriendlychataboutit.

Isee,hesaid,glaringatthegun.

Dontgetanywildideas,NoJungjong,Iwarnedhim,makingashowof
tighteningmyfingeronthetrigger.NotthatIdshoottokillbutIcanpickmy
spotatthisdistance.

Hewinced.Whatisityouwant?hegulpedatlast.

Thats more like it! I said affably, waving the gun towards the chair in
frontofthedesk.Sitdown.

He slumped into the chair and put a packet of rice cakes on the desk. Do you
mindifIeatacake?heasked,beginningtotearoffthepaper.

Goahead,Inodded.Wellskiptheteathismorning.

Helookedatmesourlyforamoment,obviouslyrecallingtheusetowhichIdput
thescaldingteaatourlastmeeting;thenhepushedthecakesacrosstomewitha
suddengesture.Verynicefreshlycut.

Ishookmyhead.Now,NoJungjong,aboutthischronometer.Youwerewaiting
formetosaysomethingtheotherdaywhenyouproducedit,werentyou?

Hepickedupacake.WasI?hesaideagerly.Thenwhydidntyou?

Youdidntgivememuchtime,didyou,beforepullingagunonme?

Youneverknowwhoanyoneisthesedays.Itmighthavebeenaholdup.
Hetookalargebite.HowdidIknowyouwerentgoingtostickmeupthenlike
youredoingnow,Moon?

Oh,itwasntmydayforcarryingagun.Ihadntanydiamondstoprotect
then.

Heconsideredthisforafewmomentsashechewednoisily.Youhavenow?he
askedtentatively.

Idrewthejewellerscasefrommypocket,pressedthecatch,anddisplayedthe
twostones.NoJungjongseyesbulged.

Hewipedthebackofhishandacrosshismouth.MayIexaminethem,MrMoon?
Hehalfroseandreachedacrossthedesk.

Ikeptmyhandonthecaseandsmackedhisarmdownwiththegun.Keepyour
handstoyoursideofthedesk,NoJungjong!


Could you pass me my jewellers eyeglass? he begged. Second drawer
down.Ifounditandsliditovertohim.

Hescreweditinhiseyeandexaminedthetwodiamondsexpertly.Whatdoyou
wantforthem?heaskedeventually,takingtheglassfromhiseye.

Notamiddlemansprice.ButIlldoadealwithyourboss.

Hisexpressionchanged.WhosaidIhadaboss?

Doyle.

Hebroughtthehalfeatencaketohismouth,thenslowlylowereditandreplaced
itinthepacket.AreyouafriendofDoyles?

IknewhiminAmerica,Isaidglibly.Wewereonceinbusinesstogether.

Whatsortofbusiness?

We wont go into details, I replied crisply. I lost tough with him for
severalyears.ThenIbumpedintohimaweekagoinShanghai.Wehadanight
out.Ishookmyhead.Doylenevercouldholdhisliquor.Hegotabittalkative.

No Jungjong smoothed the sandy hair across his bald head. Talkative about
what?

Hispresentlineofbusiness.Ofcourse,wedbeenverycloselyassociated
inAmerica,sohedidntholdmuchback.

Ialwayssaidthatbloodybigmouthofhismeanttrouble!NoJungjong
scowleddownatthediamonds.Well,letshaveit!

He started off by telling me he was smuggling stuff over here from the
North,Isaid,surprisedtofindhoweasilytheliesrolledoutonceIdwarmedup.
Afteracouplemoredrinkshereallyspilledthebeans.Hesaidhehadaverynice
little diamond smuggling racket, and he went on to boast about the size of the
organisationhewasworkingfor;andthefoolproofcodesystemtheyused.

So thats where you picked it all up, No Jungjong muttered, obviously

impressedbymycarefullydevisedstory.Wewonderedhowyougotontothe
auctioncatalogueandthecodewords.

SoyouhadaBoardmeetingaboutme,didyou?Isuggestedwithalaugh.
Whichofthedirectorswerepresent,besidesyouandtheChairman?

Yourenotinabarwithadrunknow,MrMoon,NoJungjongsaid.Im
notDoyle.Sodontthinkyoucankidmeintodroppingnames.

Well,Illdropjustonename,Isaid.BaeYeonseok.Hesthebossofyour
organisation.

Doyle! No Jungjong spat out the name with contempt. The loose
tonguedbastard!Heproddedthediamondswithafleshyfinger.Sonowyoure
ontothesetupandyouwantustobuythese?Wellhavetoknowwhereyougot
them,first.

IgotthemfromDoyle.

Hisjawdropped.Hesoldthemtoyou?

No.Ipaused,thenadoptedaconfidentialtone.Imgoingtobefrankwith
you,NoJungjong.IveanideathatBaeisntplayingquitesquarewithyou.

Hed better not try any tricks, he began angrily; then, more guardedly:
Whatdoyoumean?


Have you ever heard of a girl called Kim Sumi? I asked, watching him
closely.Hisstare,asheshookhishead,wastoomystifiednottobegenuine,soI
continued.ImetherinShanghai.ShewasonfriendlytermswithDoyle.WhenI
returned to Seoul she invited me to her apartment for a drink. I went to her
apartment but no one answered the doorbell. Just as I was about to leave I
frownedathim.Youwontbelievethis,NoJungjong

Well,givemethechance,hesaidirritably.Goon

As I was turning away from the door someone slipped a key under it. I
pickeditupandletmyselfintotheapartment.Itwasempty,exceptforabody
lyingonthefloorofthelivingroom.

Hemoistenedhislips.Doyles?

I nodded. His head was battered in. Hed been murdered. Remembering what
hed told me about being mixed up with the North Korean blood diamonds I
knewhiskillingmustbeconnectedwithit.ThenIrememberedthatbackinthe
StatesheusedtosmuggleheroinacrosstheMexicanborderinacigarholder.I
thought he might be using the same method to smuggle diamonds. His cigar
holderwasntonhim,butjustasIwasleavingtheapartmentIspotteditlyingin
thefireplace.IpointedthegunatthediamondsonNoJungjongsdesk.Those
wereinthecigarholder.

NoJungjongbreathedheavily,hisfaceflabbyandmoistwithfear.YouthinkBae
?

Thatsanybodysguess,Isaid.Butifhedid,hedidntgetthediamonds.

NoJungjongpressedahandtohisstomach.Throughanobviousspasmofpain
hemuttered:Whatsthenextmove,Moon?

Youll get in touch with Bae. Tell him I have the diamonds and Im
prepared to do a deal and no questions asked. Ill be in my apartment from
sevenoclocktonight.Ireachedover,closedthejewelcase,pickeditup,andput
it in my pocket. And you might mention also that I havent as trusting a
dispositionasDoylehad.

Iroseandbackedtothedoor.Imsorrytohaveinterruptedyourteabreak,No
Jungjong.

In the passage, with the door closed behind me, I dropped the gun into my
pocketandhurrieddowntothestreet.

AsIwaslookingforataxi,ahornhonkedimperativelyandIglancedbacktosee
Imleaningoutoftheopendoorofhiscar.Iwentbackandopenedthefarside
door.

Thegetawaycar,Imexplained,grinning.Justincaseyouhadtotakea
potatNoJungjongandmakeadashforit.Iexpectyouneedadrinknow.Well
goroundtotheCrescentMoon;theyshouldbeopenbythistime.

Chapter thirty-seven

JusttheplacetohearabouttheeventsinNoJungjongsoffice,Imsaid,nodding
at the pillars plastered with ancient show bills Its got the authentic theatrical
atmosphere.

Everythingwentaccordingtoplan,Isaidrathersmugly,andwentonto
tellhimallthathadhappened.

WhenIdfinishedhesippedhissojuthoughtfully.Abitrisky,lettinghimknow
youwereinKimSumisapartmentonthenightofthemurder,wasntit?

You think he might inform the police? And have them digging into his
business?Notachance.Iwascurioustoseewhatitwouldstirup,apartfromany
reactionfromBae.IfImright,anditwasKongSorasvoiceIheardonNoJung
jongstelephone,hescertaintopasseverythingontoher.Anditalsogavemean
opportunitytotryoutKimSumisnameonhim.

Wasthereanyreaction?

None.Impositivehedneverheardhernamebefore.

That must have given you a nice, warm glow, Im said with a smile.
Incidentally,whatdoyouintendtodoifBaedoescomeroundtoyourapartment
tonight?

From the hints I threw out to No Jungjong about my adventures with

DoyleinAmerica,Baewillassumehesdealingwithacrook,Isaid,doingsome
quickthinkingoutloud.SoIcantalkquitefreely.MyideaistomentionChang
ChuchusnameasamanwhodboughtNorthKoreandiamondsfromme.How
BaereactstothatshoulddefinitelyeitherprovethatChangwasworkingforBae,
orconfirmNasbeliefinhim.

It all sounds very simple over a glass of soju, Im said dubiously. But
youreupagainstatoughcrowd,youknow,Moon.Asthoughtoemphasisehis
point,headded:Ivejustleftoneoftheirvictims.

Zhong?Howishe?


He has an even chance of pulling through that is, if there are no
complications.

Youhadatalkwithhim?

Iwasallowedfifteenminutes.HesaChineseinvestigator.Hesbeenonto
thisBaesetupforsometime.Doylewasknowntobesmugglingdiamondsover
forthem,andZhonghadbeentrailinghimforweeks.HedfollowedhimtoKim
Sumisapartmentonthenightofthemurder.

Ismiledgrimly.HethoughtIwasthemurderer,then?

Imnodded.HealsoconcludedthatyouhadDoylesdiamonds.Hencethesearch
atyourapartment.

Thatsunderstandable.Butwhatbeatsmeiswhyheshouldhaveputthat
noteinmycigarettecasetosendtoWorldCupBukro.Andwhytipmeofftothe
codewords?

Its that fatal charm of yours, Moon! Im laughed. Seriously, when they
found no diamonds in your apartment, and no evidence there of your being
mixed up in that sort of business, they came to the conclusion you were
investigatingthesmugglingring.So,havinggotnofurtherthanNoJungjongand
come up against a brick wall themselves, they decided to let you in on what
informationtheyhad,andseewhathappened.

Mmverybigofthemthoughtheyneednthavebeenquitesoviolent,
Isaid,rubbingthebackofmyhead.DidZhongseeanyoneelsethatnightatSu
misapartment?

Nobody. But theres another way out of Seoul Tower, across the inner
courtyard.Sothemurdererobviouslycamedownviathebalconiesandleftthat
way.

I sipped my drink, which reminded me to ask whether Zhong had given any
explanationofhisoddremarkaboutthetea.

He said it was meant as a warning that crooks often make use of

glamorous women. He added, slyly: Your activities with the videocamera in
Shanghaididntgounnoticed.

Hesdefinitelynotmyfavouritedetective,Isaidshortly.IsKimSumion
hislistofsuspects?

Doylestayedatherhotel.ShewasseenwithhiminShanghai;hewentto
herapartment.Itmakesaninterestingdossier.Imglancedatmesharply.Youre
notbyanychancefallingforher,areyou,Moon?

Oh,comeoffit,Im!Thegirlsengaged.And,anyway,apartfromthefact
that my job is to check up on her, I dont entirely trust her myself since that
telephonecallofKongSoras.

Andifthathadsomereasonableexplanation?hepersisted.

Imalwaysopentoconviction,Igrinnedathim.Bytheway,howhasthe
avuncular Im been filling in his sparetime? Have you checked up on Yuns
prospectsasahusbandtobe?

Not a hope there, Moon. Hes on the Stock Exchange recommended list.
Hisbankmanageraskshimouttolunch.Hefinishedhisdrink.Talkingoffood,
Illstandyoulunchtoday;arewardforenterprise!Theydoyouverywellhere.

Chapter thirty-eight

AfterlunchIreturnedtomyapartment,planningaquietreadandsmoke,butI
couldntshakeoffafeelingofrestlessness.

Of course, the seven oclock meeting with Bae Yeonseok wasnt exactly
somethingtolookforwardtowitheageranticipation.Supposinghestuckapistol
in my stomach directly I opened the door? I patted the revolver in my own
pocket. Gun duel in Seoul apartment would make a sensational reading in the
morningsnewspapers,Ireflected.MrsKimwouldrevelinit!Thatremindedme
thatshealsohadapassionforfuneralsMyapartmentfeltascoldandlonelyas
theNorthfaceoftheEiger.

Sumi,too,wasdisturbingme,inmorewaysthanone.Imhadpushedmeintoa
corner with his insistent questioning. True, I hadnt known her long; yet there
wasawarmthandfriendlinessinhernaturethatmight,ifthecircumstancesof
ourmeetinghadbeendifferent,havedevelopedintoanintimaterelationship.

Thefrontdoorbellinterruptedthesethoughts,andIglancedatmywatch.Itwas
sixoclock.Withmyhandonthepistolinmypocket,Iwenttothefrontdoorand
openedit.

Leaningonhisumbrella,wheezingasthmatically,wasafigurewholookedabout
asfrighteningasanindignantrabbit.ItwasYunHyeok.

Thereyouare,Moon!hesaid,hisabsurdmoustachebristling.Imustsee
youonamatterofgreatimportance.

Itookmyhandoffthebuttofthegun,unabletorepressanamusedsmile.

AndIdprefertodiscussitinprivate.

Comeoninthen,Iinvited,standingback.

Hestrodepastmeintothelivingroom,andIfollowed.

Sitdownandtrytorelaxoryoullbringononeofyourattacks,Isaid.


Iwouldratherremainstanding,hesaidpompously,plantinghimselfin
the middle of the room, his bowler hat pressed to the handle of his umbrella.
Thenheraisedtheumbrellaandwaveditatme.Illcomestraighttothepoint;
areyouhavinganaffairwithSumi?

AmIwhat?Nowjustaminute

Areyouhavinganaffairwithher,Moon?

Idodgedtheferruleoftheumbrellaasheadvancedasteptowardsme.Theeyes
behindtheglasseshadanearmaniacalglare.

Dontbeabloodyfool,Yun.OfcourseImnot!

Thats a lie! he fumed. Im not blind. This hasnt come as a complete

surprisetome,Moon.

Whathasnt?Isuddenlygrippedthepistolinmypocket.

Thebreakingofourengagement.

There was silence for some seconds. Then I heard myself ask. When did this
happen?

Last night as though you didnt know, he stammered excitedly. We

wereperfectlyhappyuntilyoucameonthescene,Moon.

Are you sure, Yun? Maybe you were. But if Kim Sumis broken your
engagement youve only yourself to blame. Youve taken her too much for
granted.

Only myself to blame! he exploded. Only myself to blame for another

mantakingadvantageofmybeingilltostealmyfiance?

This made me really angry. Yun, thats not true! On the few occasions weve
talked about you, Sumis been most sympathetic. Shed never listen to any
criticismofyou,Imsureofthatshesmuchtooloyal.

Breaking off an engagement isnt my idea of loyalty. He took a further

steptowardsme.DoyousweartheresnothingbetweenyouandSumi?

ForGodssakestopdramatisingyourself!Isaidwithirritation.Neither
SuminorIhaveeversaidawordyoucouldnthavelistenedto.

He gave me a long, intense look. I accept your word, Moon, he said at last.
Somewhatreluctantly,headded:PerhapsIshouldapologise.

Iwavedtheapologyaside.Thatsallrightforgetit,Yun.

I wish I could, he said, selfpityingly. Then, with a sudden change of

mood, he went on in an anxious tone: Has Sumi ever mentioned the name of
anyothermantoyou?

In the way I think you mean no. Of course, shes mentioned various
peopleconcernedinthisunfortunatebusinessDoyle,Lee

Bae?hesuggestednervously.

Shedeniesanyknowledgeofhim,Isaid,wonderinghowmuchheknew.

Isntthatsignificant?Hisbreathcameinshortgasps.

Whyshouldshedenyit?Imcertainthatsheknowshim.

Whatmakesyouthinksheknowshim,Yun?


I called in at the gallery yesterday. Kong was on the telephone. I heard
hersay:Baewantstomeetyouagain.ShallIfixitfortentomorrowmorning,at
TheGoldenSun?DirectlyKongsawmeshehungup.

HowdoyouknowshewasspeakingtoSumi?Isaidsharply.

Sumi wasnt in the shop. And the guilty way that Kong cut the
conversationshortconvincedmeitwasSumishewastalkingto.

DidyouaskKongwhoitwas?

Naturally. He began to pace across the room. Of course, she denied it.
Shesaidshewastalkingtoaclientwhowantedhertofixupameetingwithan
artdealercalledDoHongki.Imadeapointofdroppinginatthe teashopthis
morning.Needlesstosay,neitherKongSoranorSumiputinanappearance.

YourepositivethenameshementionedwasBae?

Nodoubtaboutit.Heblinkedatmeunhappily.Whydotheybothdeny
knowing Bae? Why all this secrecy? Im positive theres another man behind it.
HesresponsibleforSumibreakingourengagement.AndKongistheinstigator.
Shesalwaysdislikedme

Iwasgettingalittletiredofthisemotionaldisplay.Whydontyoufacethefacts,
Yun? I snapped. Sumi broke off the engagement because of your selfishness.
Butyourpridewontletyouacceptthat;youhavetopinitontoanotherman.
FirstitwasmenowitsBae.And,personally,Ithinkyouonlyimagineditwas
hisnameyouheard.

IhopetoGodyoureright,hesaidmiserably.Icouldntbeartoloseher.
JustlatelysheschangedHebrokeoff,fightingforbreath.

HastilyIpouredabrandyandputitintohishand.Hewastremblingviolently.He
mutteredhisthanksand,withaneffort,raisedtheglasstohismouth.

I was wondering whether to phone for a doctor when the doorbell gave two
sharprings.Ihadaninstantofpanic!IfthisshouldbeBaethesituationpromised
to be even more fantastic than my wild imaginings had supposed. It seemed
certain that there would be at least one corpse for Mrs Kims satisfaction; Yun
was already near to collapse and it seemed unlikely that he would survive the
shockofcomingfacetofacewithBaeatthismoment.

As I flung open the front door a postman just managed to save himself from
falling on to the mat. Sorry! he said, with a sheepish grin. I was just having a
lookthroughtheletterbox.Ithoughtyouwerentin.

ItooktheletterandrippeditopenasIhastenedbacktothelivingroom.

Yun was standing where I had left him, looking very woebegone and staring
blanklyathisemptyglass.

Areyoufeelinganybetter?Iasked,withgenuinesympathy.

Imallrightnow,thankstothebrandy.Hesmiledatmebleakly.Ireally
shouldntletmyselfgetsoexcited.

No well try not to worry too much, Yun, I said reassuringly, taking
the glass from his hand. Im certain everything will be all right. Now, if youre

sure youre well enough to get back home, will you excuse me? Ive just had a
lettercallingmeaway.

Dontworryaboutme.Theseattackslookworsethantheyreallyare.He
squared his shoulders and swung his umbrella nonchalantly. Not bad news, I
hope?

No.Justarearrangedmeeting.

Atthefrontdoorheapologisedagain,thenwalkedbrisklyoffdownthestreet.I
hadthefeelingthathewastryingtoimpressmewithhisvirility.

BackinthelivingroomIrereadtheletter.Itsaid:

WILLMEETYOUELEVENTONIGHTPARKCARATNAMSANPARKWILLLOOK
OUTFORYOU

NOJUNGJONG

Istuffedtheletterintomypocket,pickedupmyuntoucheddrinkandlookedatit
foralongmoment.ThenItookitouttothekitchenandpoureditdownthesink.

Iwasgoingtoneedaveryclearheadforthemeetingateleven.

Chapter thirty-nine

ItwastenpastelevenwhenIarrivedattherendezvous.Iwasdeliberatelylate
because I wanted No Jungjong to be first on the scene. If he were alone Id
decidedthatIwoulddrivestraightpasthim.Hemightwellbethedecoytoget
meoutofmycar,leavingmewideopentoattack;andIthoughtitunlikelythat
Bae, as head of an international organisation, would move around without a
substantialbodyguard.Ihadmypistolwithme,ofcourse,buthadnointentionof
usingitexceptasalastresort.Attractinghalfadozenpolicecarswasdefinitely
notonmyagenda.

As it turned out, all my plans were wasted. No reception committee waited to

greetme;thedecoywasnowheretobeseen.Parkingmycarascloseaspossible
to the street lights, I switched off the car lights, made sure the car doors were
locked,andwaitedforeventstocatchupwithme.

It was a moonless night, with a trace of mist. Ideal, in fact, for any
unpleasantness.Ilitacigaretteandsatback,regrettingthatIhadntfilledaflask
withwhisky.NotthatIwasbored;Iwasconstantlyonthealert,andeachtime
theheadlampsofacarloomedupIkeptcarefullyoutofsight.Irememberedthe
techniquetheydusedonZhongandwastakingnochances.

WhileIwaswaitingIcontemplatedmytalkwithYun.Evenmakingallowances
forhisjealousimaginings,itseemedfairlylikelythatthename KongSorahad
mentioned on the telephone was Baes. What was less certain was that shed
beentalkingtoSumi.

Istubbedoutmythirdcigarette.ItseemedIdbeentoocleverinmycalculations.
ItlookedasthoughNoJungjongandhisassociateshaddecidedIdidntintendto

keep the appointment and had taken themselves off before I arrived. Vaguely
disappointedathavingbeendeniedanyexcitementIswitchedontheheadlights
andstartedthecar.

IhadntdrivenmorethanafewhundredyardsbeforeIsawthelightofatorch
beingwavedinthecarparkahead.Isloweddown,anticipatingatrick.Thenmy
headlampscaughtthefigureofamanleaningonamoped.Hewaswearingthe
squathat,greenjacket,andbreechesofaParkWarden.Ipulledupbesidehim,
loweringthecarwindowjustsufficientlytoaskwhatthetroublewas.

Itsamanlyingbackthereinthebushes,theWardentoldme.Hesina
badwayotherwiseIwouldnthavestoppedyou.

What is it a hit and run case? I said. He looked more like hes been
beatenup,sir,theWardensaidgrimly.Heneedshospitalattentionrightaway.

I considered this for a moment, then said: Ill pull in to the side of the road,
Warden.Thenwellgoandlookathim.IfhesnottoobadlyhurtperhapsIcould
drivehimdowntoSeoulNationalUniversityHospital.

When Id moved my car I followed the Warden into the bushes, where a heavy
figurelayontheturf,groaning,hisheadpartlyconcealedbyhisarm.Istooped
overhim.

Thedarkhairthatusuallyspannedthebalddomewashangingoverhisleftear.
Thefullmoonface,withthebroadnoseswollenanddiscoloured,andthewary
eyesnolongercapableofusingajewellerseyeglass,staredupatme.

MoonIsthatyou,Moon?Hisvoicewaslittlemorethanawhisper.

Nowdontworry,NoJungjongeverythingsgoingtobeallright.Itried
tosoundreassuring.Wellgetyouovertomycar

Youknowhim,sir?theWardenaskedincredulously.Funny,isntityou
justhappeningtocomealonglikethatand

Aluckycoincidence,Isaidbrusquely.Givemeahandtolifthimoverto
mycar,willyou?

No Jungjong was a dead weight; it was like lifting a sack of flour. But we
eventuallyhadhimproppedupinthebackseatofmycar.

Now,sir,theWardenbeganinanofficialtone,dragginganotebookfrom
histunicpocket.Itsmydutytoreportthistothepolice,soIllhavebothyour
namesandaddresses,ifyoudontmind.

IdidntneedthegroanofprotestfromtherearseattotellmethatIshouldmake
aquickgetaway.Myfriendsanulcercase.Itmaybecritical.Imustgethimto
thehospitalrightaway,Icalledurgently,engagingthegears.Thehospitalwill
give you our names. Give them a ring later. Good night, Warden. Thanks for all
yourhelp.

Goodman,Moon,NoJungjongmutteredaswegatheredspeed.

Goodforyou,youmean,Icalledback.Hellhavethenumberofmycar!
Andsavewhateverbreathyouhavelefttillwegetbacktomyplace.

Chapter forty

Somewhere on the drive back No Jungjong lost consciousness. When I parked

outsidemyapartmenthewasbreathingheavily,hisheadlollingonthebackof
the seat. I dashed up to my apartment, poured a half tumbler of brandy, and
returnedtothecar.

No Jungjong was stirring slightly. He opened the one eye, which was still
functioning.MilkMoonmilkhemurmured.

Imanagedtogethimovermyshoulderandcarryhimintomyapartment.ThereI
tookoffhisjacket,loosenedhistie,andloweredhimintoanarmchair.

When I went out to the kitchen to get him a glass of milk and a bowl of rice I
carriedhisjacketovermyarm,anditwasntuntilIdlookedthroughthepockets
andfoundwhatIwaslookingforthatItookitbacktothelivingroom,hungit
overthebackofachair,andpouredmyselfalargeglassofsoju.

Howareyoufeeling?Iinquired,comingoverandgazingdownathim.

Imperkingup,hesaid.ThankGodtheydidntkickmeinthestomach

Hefacewasinamessandtherewasagashinhislefttemple,whichIjudgedhad
beencausedbyalethallyaimedkick.

Whoarethey,NoJungjong?

Gangofteenagers,hesaidunconvincingly.Therewasanawkwardpause
ashetookanotherspoonofrice.Thisiswhatthedoctorordered!hechuckled,
sheddinggrainsofriceontothefrontofhiscrumpledshirt.

Soagangofteenagersbeatyouupjustforthefunofit?

They do that, you know. He nodded sagely. But this lot were after my
money.Turnedoutallmypockets.

Icrossedovertohisjacketandtookouthiswallet.Well,theyevidentlymissed
that;andthefortythousandwoninside.

Well,thatsastrokeofluck!heexclaimed.MaybethatWardendisturbed
them.Iwishhedcomesooner.TomorrowIllbesostiffIshantbeabletomove.

FromhisjacketpocketItookouttwootherarticlesandheldthemup.Thenit
looksasthoughyoullhavetocancelthisplanetickettoVancouver.Iseeyoure
dueforaflighttimedtenthirtya.m.Itossedtheticketontohislap.

Whatthehellareyouupto,goingthroughmypockets?hesnapped,his
oneserviceableeyewatchingmeapprehensively.Andwhatareyoudoingwith
mypassport?

Imkeepingit,NoJungjong.Whetheryougetbackitdependsonhowco
operativeyouare.

His reaction was surly. Im not going to answer any questions, he muttered.
Yourewastingyourtime,Moon.

Ithrewthepassportontoatable.Theresonethingmoreinthepocketofyour
jacket, No Jungjong. A gun. That might interest the ballistic experts at the lab.
TheyveextractedthebulletfromthemanwhowasshotyesterdayinWorldCup
Bukro.

That wasnt me. He levered himself up in the armchair, then fell back
withagroan.IsweartoGoditwasnt.

Youllhavetodobetterthanthat,NoJungjongotherwiseImhandingit
overtothepolice.Itisregisteredwiththem,Isuppose?

He gave a helpless sigh. All right, he said tonelessly. What is it you want to
know?

First,whydidyoucometomeetmewithaguninyourpocket?Orshall
Ianswerthat?Icrossedtohim,putahandunderhischin,andhelduphisfaceto
mine.Youweregoingtouseittoforcemetohandoverthediamonds,werent
you?YourplanwastodoublecrossBaeandgetoutofthecountrywasntit,No
Jungjong?

Ipaidforit,Moon?hemoaned.TheyrumbledwhatIwasuptoandbeat
helloutofme.

Dontexpectsympathyfromme,Isaidharshly.WasBaewiththem?

Baestoosmartforthat,hesaidbitterly.

ButyouknowwhoBaeis!Ipersisted.

Heshookhishead,andaspasmofpaincrossedhisface.Thosebastardsnever
tellyouanything.

Answer my question, No Jungjong! I said sharply. Who is Bae Yeon

seok?

Idontknow.Iveneverevenspokentohimonthetelephone.Andthats
thegospeltruth!Heeyedmewearily.Areyouadetective,Moon?

You know who I am, No Jungjong; you were tipped off about me by
telephonethefirsttimeIcametoyouroffice.Welltakeitfromthere.Ilooked
downathim,thoughtfully.Yourjobinthesetupistoactasagobetween.The
diamonds originate in North Korea and are smuggled over via China by people

like Doyle. To prevent any slipup the smuggler has to identify himself before
beingpassedontoyou.AmIright?

YousaidDoyletoldyouallthat.Whydoweneedtogooveritallagain?

Im just verifying the facts, I said equably. Now if I were working for
BaeIshouldbesuppliedwithanauctioncatalogue,whichIdtaketoTheGolden
Sun,andtheydpassmeontoyou?

Jawlongmadeafalsemovethere,hesaidangrily.Youdneverhavegot
ontoallthisifthebloodyfoolhadntgivenyouthatcatalogue.

NodoubtBaewilltakecareofhim.Inodded.Nowyoutellmetherest.

Idarent,Moon,herepliedwithashudder.Youseewhattheyvedoneto
mealready.Nexttimeitllbehedrewahandacrosshisthroat.

All the more reason why you should tell me, I said, picking up his
passport from the table. Youre going to need this very badly but youre not
gettingituntilyouvecomethroughwithalltheinformationIwant.

ForGodssake,Moon!Youvegottoletmehavethatpassport!heshifted
uneasilyinthechair.

Goon,NoJungjong

Iwaitedandatlastheresponded:WhentheyrepassedontomeIreeloffalist
of names. Among them is the code word. If they pick that out and repeat it,
togetherwiththecodenumber

BronzeDragon.Fournineteen,Isaid,withasmile.

Howthehellyouknewitbeatsme;itschangedeveryweek.Hegaveme
aslylook.Whereyoucameunstuckwasonthelasttest.

Ahthechronometer.

Thats right. He extended a finger and waved it to and fro. You should
havemovedthefingertoacertainnumberontheclockface.Whenyoudidntdo
that,Iknewyouwereaphoney.

SupposeIdknownthenumberwhatthen?

Youdhavebeenpassedontosomebodyelse.

Bae?

NobodygetspassedontoBae.Hewipedhismouthwiththebackofhis
hand.Givemeabreak,Moon.Youwouldntwantthemtokillme,wouldyou?

YoudhavekilledmeoutthereonNamsanPark,Isaidsavagely.IsKong
Sorathegobetween?

Helickedhislipsnervously,thennodded.

Anditwasshewhowarnedyouaboutmeonthetelephone?

Henoddedagain.

YousaynoonegetspassedontoBae.DoesKongSorasettlethedeal?

Yes.Hepluckedatthearmofthechair.

I half filled a tumbler with brandy and handed it to him. It was not entirely a
gestureofsolicitude,forIwasrelyingonthebrandytoloosenhistongue.

Hegulpeddownmostofit,thenlookedupatmecontritely.

Youvegotmewrong,Moon.Iwouldnthaveusedthegunonyoutonight.
Itwasonlymeantasathreat.


Illtakeyourwordforit,Isaid,droppingintoachairoppositehis.

Presently,hesaid:Youknowsomething,Moon?Afterthewaytheybeatmeup,
Idshopthemall.

Idecidedthiswastobethemomentoftruth,andthatnowwasthetimeforme
toask:WhatdoyouknowaboutamancalledChangChuchu?

Ive heard of him, he admitted. He was killed in a car accident in

Shanghai.

AndtheNorthKoreandiamondsthatwere

ChangChuchuknewnothingaboutthediamonds,heinterposed.They
were hidden in a chronometer that Chang was carrying, but as far as he was
concernedhewasjustdeliveringabirthdaypresenttoafriendofhisbrothers.

Hisbrother?

ThatsrightJoongkiSalinger.Joongkioftenbroughtdiamondsoverto
Bae,butatthatparticulartimehewaslaidupwithabrokenankle,soJoongki
hitontheideaofhidingthediamondsinthechronometerandaskingChangto
deliverthem.

ButChangnevergothere.

He was knocked down when he was on his way to the airport. The
chronometer vanished. I heard that Bae was furious about the whole business.
HethoughtJoongkiwasdoublecrossinghim.Heputthepressureonthepoor
devil,andJoongkifinishedupbykillinghimself.

HowdoyouthinkDoylegotholdofthemissingdiamonds?

NoJungjongshrugged.HemusthaveknownChangChuchuwascarryingthem.
Maybe Joongki told him. Doyle probably decided to follow Chang and wait for
hischancetoknockoffthechronometer.Anyhow,hecameoverhereandtriedto
doadealwithBaeYouknowwhathappened.

ThissoundedremarkablyliketheanswertoNasproblem.ButIstillpersisted.

Kim Sumi was driving the car that killed Chang Chuchu. Now, tell me
whatyouknowabouther.

I told you before, Moon the name means nothing to me. But knowing
names isnt encouraged in Baes outfit. I know Kong Soras because I have to
contact her when someone comes into my office with a packet of blood
diamonds.Asacoversherunsagallery.

WithKimSumi,Isaid,moretomyselfthantoNoJungjong.

DoylewasmurderedinKimSumisapartment,wasnthe?
No Jungjong scratched his head. Bae suspected Doyle of selling diamonds to
someothersetup.Ifyouaskme,thatswhyDoylewasmurdered.

ByBae,personally?

Possibly.

DidyoupassonthewordthatIwantedtodoadealwithhim?

Yes,throughKongSora.IdontknowwhatmadehimsuspectIwasupto
something.ItoldKongyoudbebringingthediamonds.

StrangethatBaedidntsethisgangofthugsontome,then.


Thats what I thought. You had a lucky break there, Moon. But theyll
catchupwithyoubeforelong.Youwatchyourstep,Misteryouwouldntwant
tofinishuplikeDoyle,wouldyou?

Youcansaythatagain!

Well,hesaidafterapause,doIgetmypassport?

Thetelephonerang.Ipickedupthereceiver,watchingNoJungjongasafemale
voicedrawledinmyear.Oh,MrMoonthisisKongSora.Idverymuchliketo
seeyouCouldyoubeatTheGoldenSunattenoclocktomorrowmorning?

IthinkIcanmanagethat,MissKong.

Shecutinonmehastily:Dontmentionthistoanyone,MrMoonparticularly
Sumi.Tentomorrow,then.Thatsadate.

AsIreplacedthereceiverNoJungjongsaid:Whatdidshewant?

Shewantstoseeme.

What did I tell you! he said knowingly. Your numbers in the frame,
Moon!IvewarnedyouWellwhataboutmypassport?

Itsallyour,Isaid,pushingitacrossthetabletowardshim.

He picked it up and slipped it into his hip pocket. And would you do me a
favour?heasked.Phoneforataxi.Illnevermakeittothesubway.

Idialledthetaxifirm.

Thatsoaky,NoJungjong,Isaidpresently,Itllbehereinfiveminutes.I
shouldhaveahotbathandacoupleofasprintonight.Andbesureyoucatchthat
planetomorrowmorning.

Youcanbetonit!Heliftedhisjacketfromthechair,groaningashetried
toputiton.Couldyougivemeahand?

AsIhelpedhim,Itookthepistolfromthejacketpocket.Itwas.38automatic.I
wouldntbecaughtlandingin Vancouverwiththis,ifIwereyou,NoJungjong.
ImtoldtheCanadianpolicecanbeprettyroughwithgunmen.

Youre welcome to it. And good luck to you, Moon. No hard feelings, I
hope.

Youre an optimist, I said, steering him to the door. Theres your taxi
now.

Chapter forty-one

AsIwasleavingmyapartmentthenextmorningIwalkedstraightintoInspector
LeeShihoo.

Id just like a word with you, sir? he said, edging me back into the
apartment.Ishantkeepyouamoment.

Youdbetternot,Isaid.Iveanappointmentintwentyminutestime.

In the living room Mrs Kim was gathering my breakfast tray. Would the
gentlemanlikeacupoftea,MrMoon?sheinquired.

Itoldherthevisitorwasntstayingandshetookthehint.

You wouldnt be able to get rid of a wife as easily as that, Lee said
enviouslywhenMrsKimhadgone.TherearetimeswhenIwishIwasabachelor
again,sir.

Why?Apolicemancanalwaysfindanexcuseforbeingoutlate.Ishould
thinkyouhavethebestofbothworlds,Inspector.

Oddyoushouldmentionbeingoutlate,hesaid,liftinganeyebrow.What
timedidyougetbacklastnight,sir?

SothatParkWardendidgetthenumberofmycar,Isaidurbanely.Well,
whatisityouwanttoknow?

Thenameofthemanyousaidyouweregoingtodrivetothehospital.

He was a friend of mine. I brought him back here. All he needed was a
brandy.

Accordingtoourinformationhewasbadlybeatenup.Doyouknowwhy
hewasbeatenup,sir?

If I knew that, Inspector, the problem of juvenile delinquents would be

solved.

Yobs,eh?ThatswhattheParkWardenthought.Heeyedmequizzically.
Quiteacoincidencehisbeingafriendofyours,wasntit?


Implaguedwithcoincidences.Amanismurdered,andmyfingerprints
turnuponthedoor.Ilaughed.ThatsthesortofcoincidenceImalwaysrunning
upagainst.

Ishouldntletithappentoooften,sir.Itcouldproveawkward.

Suchasmybeingsuspectedofmurder,forinstance?

Youre not under any suspicion in the Doyle murder, Mr Moon, he

informedmesomewhatreluctantly.Althoughwedothinkyouknowwhodidit.
Hestudiedhishatbandcarefully.Itsaseriousoffencetowithholdevidencethat
couldassistthepoliceintheirinquiries.

WhatmakesyouthinkIwoulddefythepolice?

Youseemtobeveryfriendlywiththeladywhooccupiestheapartment
where the body was found, Mr Moon. Women do tend to confide in well, a
ratherspecialman,youknow,sir.

Idoknowsomeofthefactsoflife,Inspector.Butiftheresanyspecial
man,asyousodiscreetlycallit,inMissKimslife,itsthemanshesengagedto.

I saw Mr Yun just before coming here. He tells me the engagement is

brokenoff.IgatheredhewasnttoohappyaboutyourfriendshipwithMissKim.

ThatsstrangeWhenhewashereyesterdayhegavemetheimpression
thathethoughtyouwerebeingratheroverzealousinyourvisitstoherButI
shouldntletitworryyou,Inspector.

I shant, he assured me. Though youd be surprised how careful a

policemanhastobesometimes.AwomanasattractiveasMissKim,forinstance,
canleadyourightupthegardenpath.

Well,Imnotapoliceman

You do mix with some rather strange people, he countered, and I

presumedhewasreferringtoImSuntaek.

Ihavemanyfriends,Isaid.Idontalwaysaskthemhowtheyearntheir
living.

As a policeman, its the first thing I want to know. Were always

interestedinamanwhohasnoknownoccupation.Herubbedhischin.Youfall
intothatcategory,sir.

For your police records Im an engineer by profession, temporarily

engagedinjournalisticwork.Doesthatsatisfyyou?

Itdoesntexplainwhyyouhavesomuchfreetime,MrMoon.Orwhatyou
dowithit.

Whatsallthisleadingupto?

Justthis,sir.Isuggestyouleavepolicebusinesstothosewhoarepaidto
doit.

WhyshouldyouthinkIdabbleinpolicebusiness?Ichallenged.

Youre too interested in the Doyle murder, sir. And if youll take my
advice, youll keep clear of it. Doyle was mixed up with some unpleasant
characterswhocanbeverynastyindeedwithanyonewhocrossestheirpath.Im
warningyou,MrMoon.

Thanks, Inspector. By the way, did you ever trace this Bae youve been
questioningusabout?

We know that Bae Yeonseok is the head of the North Korean diamond
organisationthatDoylewasworkingfor.Thatsasfaraswevegot.Hegavemea
penetratingstare.Whydidyouaskthat?

Iwascurious,thatsall.


ThenIadviseyoutorestrainyourcuriosity,sir.Hewalkedtothedoor,
then turned. And if you do happen to get to know anything more about Bae,
telephone me at once! Thats an order, Mr Moon! Otherwise you may find
yourselfchargedwithobstructingthepolice.Idontcarewhosbehindyou,he
wentonemphatically,Illmakeitmybusinesstoseethatyougetsixmonths!I
meanthat.

FromthelookonhisfaceIwassurethathedid.

AsItookataxitoWorldCupBukroIwonderedjusthowmuchpullNahadwith
the police and whether or not hed use it on my behalf if it came to a
showdown.Ihadanunpleasantfeelingthathewouldnt.

Chapter forty-two

KongSorawastalkingtoJawlongwhenIarrivedatTheGoldenSun,andasshe
caught sight of me the smile faded from her face. He followed her eyes and,
turningquickly,hurriedbehindthecounter.

I crossed to her table and sat down. As I did so Jawlong left the counter and
quicklylockedthedoor,deftlyswitchingtheOpensigntoClosed.

AsIwatchedhimIheardKongSorasaying:Wouldyoulikeatea,MrMoon?

No,thankyou,Ireplied,stillkeepingawaryeyeonJawlong.Withouta
glance at us he returned to the counter. Well, what is it you want to see me
about?IaskedKong.

She dropped a lump of sugar into her strong tea, and stirred it slowly. Im
worried about Sumi, she replied, with a rueful smile. Shes broken off her
engagement.

Why should that worry you? I asked, making no effort to keep the
sarcasmoutofmyvoice.

Hyeoks making such a nuisance of himself, running her nerves ragged,

tryingtogethertochangehermind.

Howdidyouexpecthimtotakeit?

IthoughtyoumighttalktoSumi,shesaid.Shelistenstoyou.Ifyoucan
justconvincehershesdonetherightthing

I regarded her with some amusement. Is that why you asked me here this
morning,simplytopersuademetoboostyourfriendsmorale?

Hereyeshardened.Itwasntthemainreason.

Thenwhydontwecometothemainreason?

She glanced across at Jawlong, then lowered her voice. I want the diamonds,
shesaidcoolly.

Ieffectedalookofsurprise.Whatdiamonds?

Letsnotplaygames,shereplied,hertonehardening.Iknowyouhave
theDoylediamonds.

Ilaughedincredulously.Whatthehellsgotintoyou,Kong?Doyoumeantosay
Doylereallywascarryingdiamonds?

You know he was. She looked over to Jawlong and nodded. All right,
Jawlong.

He reached under the counter and produced a tape recorder, then pressed the
startingswitch.IrecognisedNoJungjongsvoiceimmediately.

Howmuchdoyouwantforthem,Moon?

Notamiddlemansprice.ButIlldoadealwithyourboss.

WhosaidIhadaboss?

Doyle.

Ilistenedtoalittlemoreofthatfamiliarconversation,thenKongSoranodded
toJawlongoncemoreandheobedientlyswitchedoffthetaperecorder.There
wasapause.

SoyoudidnttrustNoJungjong,Isaidatlast.

Baedidnt.ButthenBaeYeonseokdoesnttrustanyone.Notevenme.

Apparently he trusts you to buy diamonds for him, I said. Well, Kong,
howmuchareyoupreparedtopay?

Imnotpreparedtopayanything,shesaidcoldly.Justhandthemoverto
me,andwellconsiderthematterclosed.

AndsupposingIdonthandthemover,Kong?

Sheshrugged.Wellsimplytellthepoliceyouhavethem.That,coupledwiththe
factthatyourfingerprintswerefoundinSumisflat,willputyoureallyonthe
spot.

AsDoylesmurderer,youmean?Isaid.Isthatwhatyouretryingtopin
onme?Playthroughtherestofthattape.ThenyoullhearhowIhappenedtobe
intheapartment.

Ihaveplayeditthrough,Hansang.Doyouthinkthepolicewillswallow
thatstoryofthekeybeingslippedunderthedoor?

HowwouldIhavegotinotherwise?

ThesamewayDoylegotinviathebalcony.

And why would he go up that way? I said incredulously. Somebody

insidetheapartmentlethimin.

SoSumihasnttoldyouwhatreallydidhappen?Shegaveashortlaugh.Then
Illtellyou.Yousee,Doylehadasidelinetohisdiamondsmuggling.


Blackmail?

She nodded. He picked up your camera at the Chinese Dragon, probably

accidentally.Thenwhenhedrunthefilmthrough,hethoughthehadavideohe
couldusetoblackmailSumi.Heddiscoveredshehadajealousfiancwhodbe
lividwhenheknewanothermanhadtakensuchaninterestinher.

Theresaperfectlyinnocentexplanation.HasntSumitoldyou?

About you wanting an attractive girl in your pictures of Shanghai? She

laughedagain.Sumisadamnlittleidiottofallforthat!ButtogetbacktoDoyle
hephonedSumitofindouthowmuchshedpayforthevideo.Shethoughthe
wascrazyandrefusedtobuythefilmfromhim.Soheenteredherapartmentby
wayofthebalconytotryandscareherintodoingadeal.

Howdoyouknowallthis?Icountered.Wereyouthereatthetime?

Itsobvious.SumiwenttoHyeoksyoufollowedDoyleandwentinvia
thebalconyafterhim.Youknewhehadthediamondsonhim.YoutoldNoJung
jong as much, and its on the tape recorder, dont forget. You cant wriggle out
thistime.

Imwasright.IthadbeenamistaketotellNoJungjongIwasintheapartment
that night. I was there, I admitted, but Doyle was already dead. He was
murderedbywhoeverslippedthekeytome.

Wholl believe that? Not the police, you can be sure. You give me the
diamondsandIllhavethattaperecordingerased.

You work for Bae, I said. I dragged that out of No Jungjong yesterday
evening,afterhedbeenbeatenup.Iglancedatmywatch.NoJungjongwould
beonhiswaytoVancouverbynow.Yes,Isaidguiltily,Iwasintheapartment,
and I answered the phone when you rang to warn Sumi that someone was
curiousaboutBaeYeonseokandWorldCupBukro.

Shenodded.ButthesomeonewasYunHyeok.DonttrytopinanythingonSu
mi,Hansang.Shesjustadamnlittlefoolwhocantmakeuphermind.

Then why that call about Bae? If shes not mixed up with him, why the
warning?

BaehasseenmewithKimSumi.Hesfallenforher,andhewantedmeto
arrange for him to meet her here at The Golden Sun. Yun came into the gallery
onedaywhileSumiwasout,andsaidhedoverheardhermakingarrangements
to meet someone. Thats why I phoned Sumi on the night of the murder to
warnherthatYunwasgettingsuspicious.

TellmedidSumievermeetBae?Iasked.

Never, she said emphatically. Nor does she know anything about the
diamondsetup.

Though I was far from satisfied I didnt want any further argument. All right,
Kong,Isaid,Illacceptyourexplanation.ButyoucantellBaethatIwanttwelve
million won for those diamonds. Theyre worth a great deal more, and Ive no
doubt hell make a nice profit. I want twelve million, nothing less and I want it
fromBaehimself.

She stared at me suspiciously. You wouldnt be working for the police, would
you,Hansang?

Does it sound like it, I retorted quickly, when Im offering blood

diamonds for sale? But if Bae Yeonseok doesnt come through with twelve
millionIlltipthepoliceoffaboutyou.Soyoudbetterdosomefasttalking.

She considered this for a few minutes, then said: Ill try to arrange for Bae to
meet you, I promise you that. Then her mouth tightened. But I promise you
something else. Youll get a beating up later that will make you think No Jung
jongswasfunandgameswiththekindergartenclass.

Imadeitobviousthatthisthreatdidntbothermeatall.

AsImovedtothedoorItookJawlongaside.

Youdbetterthinkupanalibiforelevenoclocklastnight.Iadvised.The
policearelookingforthethugswhobeatupamanonNamsanParkataboutthat
time.BeforeIgotomeetBaeIshallwritealettertoInspectorLeeShihootelling
himtocallinhereifIshouldbeawayfrommyapartmentforlongerthantwenty
fourhours.Youmightkeepthatinmind,Jawlong.

Hecanhaveateaonthehouse,Jawlongsaidthreateningly.Whilehes
listeningtothattaperecording,MrMoon.

Then maybe hell let you hear a recording of my conversation with No

Jungjongafterhewasbeatenuplastnight,Isaid,grinningathim.Yourname
crops up in it several times Ill leave the Closed notice on the door, I said
casuallyasIputmyhandonthelatch.Iveanideaitllbethereforalong,long
time.Goodmorning,Jawlong.

I went out, reflecting with some amusement that, for a Chinese, Jawlongs
commandofobsceneKoreanwasremarkable.

Chapter forty-three

ImwaspacingupanddownthemewswhenIgotback.AsIgotoutofthetaxiI
askedthedrivertowaittenminutes,thendrivemetoGangnam.

Bet you a drink I know the address, Im said, at my elbow. Itll be 824
SeoulTower,driver.

That wasnt funny, Im Suntaek, I said irritably, as we went into my

apartment.

Moon,thejobyouwereassignedtodoiscompleted,Imsaidfirmly.Why
chase around after Kim Sumi, trying to solve a murder thats no concern of
yours?

Shesinvitedmeroundtoherapartmentforlunch.DoIhavetoaskNas
permission?

Hesinthemoodtosayyestoanythingyouaskhim.Asamatteroffact,
thats why Ive called. He wants me to pass on his congratulations for the way
youve handled the Chang case. But now that we know Chang was innocent of
anyconnectionwithBae,thecaseisclosed.

NotsofarasImconcerned,Isaid.Intheengineeringtradewelearnto
seethejobthrough.AndIshanthavefinishedthisoneuntilIvefoundoutwho
BaeYeonseokis.

Verynoblesentiments,Moon.ButImafraidtheydontimpressme.

Exactlywhatdoyoumeanbythat,Im?Isaidangrily.

He shook his head reproachfully. Am I right in thinking youre trying to prove

thatKimSumihadnothingtodowiththemurderofDoyle?

What if I am? I said, throwing my hat into a chair. Is there anything

againsthelpingagirloutofabloodyawkwardsituation?


And if you establish shes the sweet, innocent thing that you imagine,
whatthen?Whatsortofrewardareyouexpecting,eh?

Yourtroubleis,yourearomantic,Im,Isaidtestily.

Mytroubleis,Imjustacynicwholikestocollecthisbetswhenhewins.

Allright,Im,Isaid.Helpyourselftoadrink.

Hedidso,thenlookedupatmeandsaidseriously:Youreondangerousground,
youknow,Moon.

I know, I said. And Im seeing this thing through, Im. Im making an

appointment to see Bae, and Im hoping to sell him those diamonds for twelve
millionwon.

Hegavealong,softwhistle.Isupposeyouknowquiteapartfromthefactthat
thediamondsdontbelongtoyouthatdealinginblooddiamondsisacriminal
offence?Areyouaskingmetocompoundafelonybygivingyouthegoahead?

Im playing the cards my own way, I said airily. All I want to do is to

meet Bae; the diamonds are only a bait. My aim is to find Doyles murderer. I
wenton,notveryconvincingly:AndeverythingpointstoitbeingBae.Whenthat
elusiveindividualisbehindbarsIllcallitadayontheChangcase.

Betterretirefromthiscaseonyourlaurels,advisedIm.YoureNasblue
eyedboyatthemoment.

Unfinishedbusinessneverdidsatisfyme,Isaidobstinately.Anyway,Im
curioustoknowwhoBaeis.

Youcanletmeknowwhenandwhereyouremeetinghim,Moon,Imsaid
dryly.ZhongwasntsowellwhenIphonedthehospitalthismorning.Hespretty
weak.

ThatsanotherreasonforbringingBaetojustice,Isaidvehemently.All
right.Ipromisetoletyouknowwhereandwhenthemeetingistobe.Doesthat
satisfyyou?

It may save me having to dig into my pocket for a subscription to a

wreath!

My taxi driver was stamping up and down the street when I came out of the
buildingafewminuteslater.

Jump in,guv!hesaid, and wedrove off swiftly,leavingImstaring after

mewitharesignedexpression.

AtSeoulTowerIpaidoffthetaxiandwentupinthelifttotheeighthfloor.

WhenIrangthebell,KimSumiopenedthedoorandseemedrelievedtoseeme.
Soras here, she said, And Hyeoks just phoned. Hes become a nightmare
stalker.

Aboutyourbreakingofftheengagement?Iqueriedsympathetically.

Sohesbeentoseeyou?Sumisaid,leadingthewayintothelivingroom.

Hesbeentoseemeallright!Iejaculated.Hespracticallyaccusedmeof
beingthemanresponsible.

I nodded to Kong Sora, who was sprawled in an easy chair. She gave me a
knowinglook.

The telephone rang, and Sumi made a gesture of impatience. Thats probably
him.Illtakeitinmybedroom,ifyoudontmind,Hansang.

Inoddedunderstandingly,andshewentintothebedroom.

Kong looked after her, then turned to me. Ive arranged the meeting with Bae
Yeonseokfortonight.

Sohespreparedtodoadeal?

Hesagreedtoyourprice.HellmeetyouatNumber418JayuCourt.

Ipulledoutmydiary.Justaminute,Illmakeanoteofthat,Isaid,remembering
Imadviseaboutjottingdownaddresses.

Andcomealone,Kongaddedquickly.Iftheresanyonewithyouthedeal
isoff.

Illcomealone,Ireassuredher.

Baewillbewatchingtomakesureofthat.Youcantmisstheapartments.
It has a neon sign outside. She took an electronic key from her handbag and
handedittome.Justletyourselfin.Itsempty,soyouwontbedisturbed

Iregardedherthoughtfully.WhatassurancehaveIthatBaewillhandoverthe
money,orthatIllcomeoutofthatapartmentalive,forthatmatter?Iasked.

You havent any assurance, she said smoothly. But presumably you
thoughtofthatcontingencywhenyouaskedforthismeeting.

I smiled and nodded. When I get back to my apartment Im going to write a

letter.IshalladdressittoInspectorLeeShihoo,andhanditovertomylawyer
with very definite instructions. Im sure I dont have to tell you what those
instructionswillbe,Kong.Ifanythinghappenstometonight,thatletterwillbe
deliveredtoCityHalltomorrowmorning.Youmightpassonthatinformationto
Kong.

Iwill.Shelaughed.ButIthinkyoureinforasurprise,Hansang.

MaybeBaeisdueforasurprisehimself,Isuggested,pocketingthekey.
WhattimedoIseehim?

Atmidnight.Sheglancedatherwristwatch.Andthatremindsme,Ihave
anappointmentintenminutes.DoapologisetoSumiforme.

A few minutes later Sumi came into the living room. She nodded without
speaking when I told her that Kong had left; she seemed depressed, and sank
intoaneasychair.

Hyeok is driving me frantic, she said presently. Hes threatening to kill

himself,amongotherthings.

Oh,hellgetoverit.Butyoumustbequitefirmandrefusetoseehim.I
leanedbackinmychair.Incidentally,afterfirstaccusingmeofhavinganaffair
withyou,heswitchedtheblameontothemancalledBaeYeonseok.Itriedto
tellhimyoudidntknowanyoneofthatname.Youdontdoyou,Sumi?

No,Idont,shesaid,hesitating,hereyesonmyface.Idontknowhim,
butwell,yousee,BaeisafriendofKongs,andIthoughtifItoldLeethat
wellShebrokeoffwithalittleshrug.


Goon

Ithoughtthepolicewouldbesuretothinkshehadsomeconnectionwith
Doyle.

AndhadsheanyconnectionwithDoyle?Ipersisted.

No.No,Imsureshehadnt,Sumisaidwithconviction.

HaveyouknownKonglong?Iaskedher.

Quiteawhile.Shelockedherhandsbehindherheadandhalfclosedher
eyes.Hyeokintroducedus,asamatteroffact.

Didyouknowanythingaboutherbeforeyoumet?

Not much, she said with reluctance. She knew a lot of people with
money who were interested in art and antiques. So, naturally, I thought she
wouldbequiteanassetasapartnerinmybusiness.Shecaughtmyeyeandsaid:
She might be useful to you if youre needing some capital to start up your
businessagain.Whydontyouhaveatalkwithher?

Idneedtwelvethousand,Isaiddubiously.Thatsquitealotofmoney,if
youhaventanysecuritytooffer.

Isupposeitis,shesaid.Haventyouanysecurity?

I shook my head and gently brought the conversation back to Bae. Did Doyle
ever mention Bae to you? I inquired. Then I added, suddenly: You know that
DoylewasdealinginNorthKoreandiamonds,dontyou,Sumi?

Shelookedstartled.NoNo,Ididntknow,shesaidquietly.Leesaidhewasa
blackmailer,butIdidntthink

Iwantedtobelieveher.KongSoramusthavebeenlyingwhenshedtoldmeSu
mi knew about Doyles other activities; shed obviously used it as an excuse to
introducethesubjectofthediamonds.

YourenottryingtowarnmeagainstKongSora,areyou,Hansang?she
said anxiously. Ive always trusted her Id hate to think she was mixed up in
anythinglikethat.

No, I didnt mean that, I said hastily. But Kong knowing Bae, and Lee
being so obviously suspicious of him well, it made me curious about her
background.

Really,youreasbadasHyeok!sheprotested.Hesalwayswarningme
nottotrusther.

Theres another possibility, Sumi. Do you think Doyle came here that
nighttotrytoblackmailyou?

Blackmailme!Buthowcouldhe?Therewasnothinghecouldblackmail
meabout.

Therewasthevideotheyfoundonthememorycardinhispocketthe
filmItookofyouinShanghai.YunmighthavebeenjealousifhedknownIwas
followingyouaround.

I must say it did look as though you had more than a casual interest in
me,Hansang,sheadmitted,smiling.Shesatupinherchair.ButhowdidDoyle
get hold of that video? I remember you telling the Inspector you lost it
somewhere.Doylemusthavestolenit.Shestoodup,withadespairinggesture.
Oh,Icantbearanymoreofthis.EversincethatcaraccidentIvehadafeelingI
wasbeingfollowed.TherewasamaninShanghaiwhofollowedmeeverywhere.

WhereverIwentIdseehiminmuseums,artgalleriesThenyouwhenyou
weretakingpicturesofmeandthenDoylebeingmurderedinmyapartment
andthisconstantquestioningbythatdetective

Impulsively,Iputmyhandonhershoulder.Tellmethetruth,Sumi;haveyou
ever met Bae? I asked gently. She raised her head and met my eyes without
flinching.

Baemeansnothingtomenothingatall,Hansang.Cantyouunderstand
that?

Reassured,Ismileddownather.ImmeetingBaetonight.Konghasarrangedit.

She shook her head. You mustnt keep that appointment. Im sure something
dreadfulwillhappen.

Whatmakesyousaythat?Iaskedsharply.

Ijustfeelit,shesaidmiserably.KongSorahassomeobjectinallthis.I
dont know what it is. But its dreadful to feel oneself surrounded by all this
suspicionHansang,Ijusthavetogetawayforabit.IhaveacottageonJeju
Islandoverlookingtheharbour.Itssoquietthere.Shesmiledupatme.Can
yousailaboat,Hansang?

Inodded.Iusedto,Isaid.IusedtogotothecoastsometimeswhenIhadalot
of business problems. Somehow, in a boat my worries didnt seem quite so
important

She held out her hand, tentatively. Why dont you come with me, Hansang?
Thenwecouldgetallthisunpleasantaffairintoitsproperperspective.Willyou,
Hansang?

Itsoundedverytempting.

Her eyes softened. Ill have everything packed tomorrow morning. We could
catchthetenthirtyflight.Canyoucallformehere?

IsaidIwould,andshegavemealittlesighofsatisfaction.And,please,dontgo
tomeetBaeYeonseoktonightPromisemethat

I shook my head. I want to clear up this Doyle business, Sumi, for your sake.
Until thats settled there can be no peace of mind for you. Dont worry, Sumi,
whennextwemeetIhopetohaveeverythingclearedup.

Thentakecareofyourself,sheurged.Promiseme,Hansang?

AsIpromisedItouchedthepistolinmyjacketpocket,justforluck.

Chapter forty-four

The thought of the pistol in my pocket comforted me once again as I walked

alongthedesertedstreet,peeringatthetallapartmentblockofJayuCourt.Itwas
shabbyandinneedofrepair,withagaudyneonsignoutside.

I caught the elevator up to the fourth floor and walked along the paintpeeling
corridoruntilIreached418sdoor,andswipedtheelectronickeyoverthelock.
The door creaked as I pushed it open, and I stepped into a stuffysmelling
hallway.

I switched on my small torch, and looked round the meagrely furnished hall.
Therewasadoorontheright,oppositethefootofthestairs.Istoodandlistened
for a moment or two; if Bae had arrived there was no sign of his presence.
Carefully,Iturnedthedoorknobandslowlypushedopenthedoor.

Atfirstglanceitlookedlikeanordinarylivingroom:thefurniturewascovered
with dust sheets, and I could detect the familiar shapes of chairs, a sideboard,
and a writing bureau.Swivellingthe torch beamoverawideradius, I began to
advance across the room. It seemed like any other room awaiting the removal
menuntilthebeamofmytorchsuddenlylitupamansfoot.

The foot was turned upwards, and as the torchlight probed further into the
darkness I discovered that the owner of the foot was lying behind the sofa,
apparentlyunconscious.

Myfirstreactionwastoswitchoffthetorchandstandperfectlystill,listeningfor
the sound of his breathing. A shaft of light from a street lamp on the opposite
side of the road shone weakly through the side of the oldfashioned wooden

window;theroomwasstilleerilyquiet,norwasthereanysoundfromanyother
partoftheapartment.

Making up my mind at last, I took a couple of quick steps, put one knee on the
sofaand,leaningovertheback,shonethetorchbehind.WhatIsawmademego
roundthesofaatoncetotakeacloserlook

Thepalefaceandsandyhairwereonlytoofamiliar.NoJungjonghadntusedhis
passporttogettoVancouver,itseemed.Hewouldneveruseitagain.

Therewasaheavycrimsonsmearonhislefttempleandatrickleofbloodfrom
his mouth. Obviously there was nothing I could do for him this time I
straightenedmyselfandasmyheadcameabovethelevelofthebackofthesofa
thebeamfromapowerfultorchcaughtmesquarelyintheeyes.

It was a few seconds before I could distinguish the figure in the doorway.
Standing there, with the torch in his left hand and what looked like a .38
automatic in his right, was Yun Hyeok. He had removed his glasses, and his
staringeyeswerecoldandmenacing.

Iwaitedforhimtobreakthesilence,buthedidnotspeak.Icameheretomeet
BaeYeonseok,Isaidatlast,throughdrylips.

Thatsadamnlie!Yunsaidhotly.YoudarrangedtomeetSumihere.

Igrippedthebackofthesofa.

Switchoffthattorchandputyourhandsup!heordered,anditseemed
safertoobey.Hisfacewasstrangelycontortedashesaid:Whythehellcouldnt
yousticktothejobyouwerehiredfor,andleaveKimSumialone?

WhatwasthejobIwashiredfor?Iaskededgingforward.

To uncover the diamond racket, wasnt it? he said, gripping the butt of
thegun.KongSorasbeenontoyoueversinceyouwenttoseeNoJungjong.

Ive brought you the diamonds, I said, lowering my arm and feeling for
the jewel box in my waistcoat pocket. Have you brought the twelve million
won?

Keep your distance! he said sharply. No, I havent brought the twelve
million.DoyouthinkthatImBae?

No,Idont,Isaid.Dontbeafool,Yun.ThepeopleIworkforwontlet
you get away with murdering me. Put that gun away and you can have the
diamonds.

Youre in no position to bargain, Moon, he said, taking a pace towards

me.Youregoingtodienotonlybecauseyouknowtoomuch,butbecauseyou
tookSumifromme.

Waitaminute,Yun,Isaid,openingthejewelcase.LeeShihoosgetting
damn close to finding Doyles murderer. If you have any sense youll leave the
country as soon as you can. Youll need money. Here, take these diamonds and
sellthemtoBae.Iheldoutthebox,lettingthelightshineontothestones.They
canbuyyouyourfreedom.Otherwise,youllgetafifteenyearssentenceatleast.

Theguninhishandwavered.Heleanedforward,hiseyesfocusedonthebox.I
brought my hand up with all my weight behind it, the diamonds hitting him
directlybetweentheeyes.

AshestaggeredbackIswungmyotherarmagainsthisgun,knockingitfromhis
hand.AsImadeadiveforithecamedownonmewithanupwardkneethrust.
Thenhisfingersclosedroundmythroatwiththeviciousclutchofanearmaniac.
In a desperate attempt to escape those choking fingers I heaved my body
upwards,throwingYunovermyhead.Hishandsleftmythroatbuthegrabbedat
thegun.Thenhewaskneelingoverme,thegunpointedbetweenmyeyes.There
wasasuddencrack,andIthoughtforamomentthattheexplosionwasthebullet
crashing into my skull. Then I realised that the gun itself had dropped on my
forehead,andthebloodIcouldfeelonmyfacewasdrippingfromYunswrist.I
rolledover,andsawthefigureofatall,leanmanlookingdownatme.

Doesnt do too badly for a sick man, does he? said Im imperturbable
voice.

Thanks, Im! I managed to say breathlessly, as I struggled to me feet. I

indicatedthesofa.IwasluckierthanNoJungjong,poordevil!

Yes,weknowabouthim,Imsaidquietly.TheyvealreadydealtwithNo
JungjongwhenIarrivedonthescene.

Yes,justwhatareyoudoinghere,ImSuntaek?Iasked,stilltryingtoget
mybreathback.

Our department isnt a suicide squad, Moon, he answered smoothly.

When you were so adamant about meeting Bae Yeonseok I simply decided to
keepaneyeonthings.

Mm I said reflectively. So thats what was in your mind when you

insistedonknowingthetimeandplace.

He smiled, and picked up Yuns gun, wrapping it in his handkerchief. This will
interest the police, I daresay, he said to Yun, who was binding his own
handkerchief round his injured wrist. Inspector Lee Shihoo should be here at
anymoment.IputacallthroughtohimdirectlyIfoundNoJungjong.

Itsluckyformeyoucamebackherewhenyoudid,Isaid.Thanksagain!

A pleasure, he said, and added casually: Dont forget the diamonds,

Moon.Nawilldocktheirvalueoutofmysalaryifyoudontreturnthem

Ilaughed,retrievedthediamonds,andhandedtheboxtoIm.Apolicecardrew
upoutsidethehouse.

Comeon,Moon.

AswewentdownthepathwayInspectorLeeShihoogotoutofthecar.Illwant
awordwithyoutomorrow,MrMoon,hesaidashepassedme.

Makeittenoclock,Isaid.At824SeoulTower.Itmayberatherurgent.

Illhavetwoofmymenthere,Leesaid,turning.Wedontwantanyone
gettingoutbythebalconythistime,dowe,sir?

Chapter forty-five

AttenminutestotennextmorningIrangthebelloutsideKimSumisflat.She
openedthedoor,wearingafurcoatovertheshouldersofadarksuit.

Thats what you were wearing the first day I met you, Sumi, I said.
Remember,ontheplanetoShanghai?

Shenodded,hereyesshining.DidyouimagineIdforget?shekissedmelightly
onthecheekandgesturedatthesuitcaseinthehall.Ivebeenupsinceseven
packing.

Shewaitedformetocomeinandclosethedoor,thenwenton:AmIgladtosee
you!Itiredtotelephoneyoutomakesureyoudbehere,butyouwereout.

ItoldyouIdcome,Isaidquietly.

Yes,Iknow.Shesighed.ButIvebeeninvolvedinsomanypanicslately.
And,ofcourse,Soraissimplyrunningroundincircles.Itllbewonderfultoget
awayfromitall.Shesmiledandheldoutherhandtome,thenmovedoneofher
casesoutoftheway.Hansang,wheresyourluggage?shequeriedsuddenly.

ItsoutsideinmycarIstalled.

Sheglancedatherwristwatch.Theresjusttimeforadrink,ifyoudlikeone?

Ishookmyheadandsheseemedtosensethetensioninmymanner.

Isanythingthematter?sheasked.

Iindicatedthedoorofthelivingroom.Canwegoinsideforafewminutes?

Shestoodwithherbacktothefireplace,facingme.Iwasmomentarilyataloss,
butfinallymanagedtosay:ImnotgoingawaywithyouSumi.

Shecaughtherbreathsharplyandputoutahandtoclutchthebackofachair.
Thenwhydidyoucome?shedemanded,asImovedacoupleofpacestowards
her.

TomeetBae,Irepliedquietly.

Shestaredatmeforsomesecondswithoutspeaking.Therewasnosoundinthe
room except the muffled throb of a pneumatic drill some distance down the
street.

YouexpecttomeetBaehere?shesaidinanincreduloustone.

Inodded.YunHyeoksmadeafullstatementtothepolice.Theyknowaboutthe
diamonds,andwhyDoylecameheretoseeyou.TheyknowhowYunmurdered
him,thenpushedthekeyunderthedoorsothatIcouldletmyselfinandleave
myfingerprints.

Itisnttrue!sheprotested,butIwentonunheeding.

Youbothleftbythebalconythenyoucamebackalonethroughthefront
doorandputonaveryconvincingperformance.Wasthatwhyyouinvitedme
toprovideanaudience?

No,Hansang,shesaidsimply.Itwasanaccidentyouvegottobelieve
that.

Thenwhydidyouaskmeroundtoyourapartmentthatnight?

I asked you so that Yun could take a look at you. I knew youd been
followingmeinShanghai.Ithoughtperhapsifyouwereinthediamondbusiness
Yunmightrecogniseyou.

SotherewasnointentionofmurderingDoyleinthefirstplace?

No.No,hejustturnedupoutoftheblueandthenwhenhestartedhis
blackmailing threats Im afraid Yun lost all control However, it turned out
ratherwell,exceptforthediamonds.Shefidgetedwiththestripofbraidonthe
backoftheupholsteredchair.Whatmadeyouthinkoflookingfortheminthe
cigarholder?

Itsmyjobtothinkofthingslikethat,Irepliedevasively.Thecardswere
on the table now, and I was watching her closely for the first sign of any
suspicious move. I cant understand you, Sumi, I said helplessly. You killed
Chang Chuchu because you thought his brother Yun was doublecrossing you
andthatChangwasmakingoffwiththediamonds;youwereresponsibleforthe
suicide of Joongki; you involved your best friend in diamond smuggling, and
yourfiancinmurderWhydidyoudoit?

Sheregardedmedistantlyforalongmoment,thensaidquitecalmly:BecauseI
happentobeBaeYeonseok.

Chapter forty-six

ForabriefmomentIhesitated,thenwentoutintothehallandopenedthefront
door.Leewaswaitingoutside,asIdexpected,andtogetherwereturnedtothe
livingroom.Asweentered,Sumiwaspickingupherhandbag.

I always knew there would be an end to all this, she said, nodding
towardstheInspector.Butitwillbemyway,nottheirs.

As Lee Shihoo crossed to the bedroom and called to the policeman on the
balcony she drew a small automatic from her handbag. Dont touch me! she
said, levelling the gun at Lee. The policeman came in from the bedroom, a
grizzled,elderlyman,inaflatsquadcarhat.Hewasplainlystartledatthesight
of the gun. Stand over by the Inspector, Sumi ordered, waving it at him
threateningly.Illusethis,youknow.

Doasshesays,Sergeant,Leesaidsuavely.Theresnosenseinstarting
anything.

Sumislidherhandintoherbagagainandtookoutasmallredcappedphial.Im
goingintomybedroomnow,shesaidquietly.Dontfollowme,Hansangnow
orlater.Idontwantyoutoseemeagain.

Iheardastrainedvoice,whichIhaddifficultyinrecognisingasmyown,saying.
Sumi, dont be a fool! Then she disappeared into her bedroom, closing and
lockingthedoorafterher.

Yunwarnedmeaboutthis,Leesaid.HesenttheSergeantouttoreenter
thebedroomfromthebalcony.

Butassoonasthebedroomdooropenedweknewitwastoolate.Leelookedat
theinertfigureonthebed.Isupposethiswillgetmeablackmark,butIdrather
thatthananothermurder.Shedhaveusedthatgunallright.Hehelduphishand
as I moved towards the bed. I wouldnt, sir, if I were you, he said quietly. I
hesitated,thenwithabriefnodwentoutintothehall.

Chapter forty-seven

ImwassittingatatableattheNewYorkerwhenIarrived.

Ive ordered a dozen oysters, he said. Why dont you have a glass of
champagnefirst?Hebeckonedthewinewaiter.

Shekilledherself,Isaid,asthewaiterdeparted.

Shed more guts that Yun, Im said. Hes still arguing. According to his
version he knew what was going on but denied being in the organisation. He
evenmaintainsthathethreatenedtobreakofftheengagementunlessKimSumi
gave up the racket. He wont get away with that one at court. Its possible,
though,thathisstoryofkillingDoylewhileinajealousragemaybeaccepted.It
wouldsavehimfromacapitalsentence.

I should think its true, I said. Doyle was battered with that ashtray,
which seems to point to a fit of uncontrollable rage. Yun wasnt sane when we
sawhimalthoughImnotgoingintothewitnessboxonhisbehalf.

Yourenotgoingintothewitnessbox,period.Imsaidflatly.Nadoesnt
want the department to get that sort of publicity. He patted my arm. Sorry,
aboutthat.KimSumiwasadamnedattractivegirl,Idontblameyouforfalling
forher.Butyouvedoneagoodjob,Moon.Haveadrinkonit!

Bollinger 49, I said wryly reading the label on the bottle. A

champagnetocelebratewith.Youfinishit,Im.

Im damned if I know why, Im said, but I dont feel like oysters and
champagnetoday.AndIunderstandthatNahasanothercasehewantsustogo
toworkon.Wouldntdotofloatinontheoldboy,notinofficehours,atanyrate.
I sometimes get the impression that he thinks murders that dont take place
between nine and five arent really his departments business. I do hope you
wontfindworkingforthegovernmenttoodull,Moon.

IsaidIdtrynotto.

TwohourslateraswelefttherestaurantImsaid:Isay,Moon,yourenotoneof
thesefellowsthatgoesinformasculineperfume,areyou?

I sniffed the sleeve of my jacket. Reminds me of a girl I once met at Incheon

Airport,Isaid.Wouldyouminddrivingmehomefirst?IthinkIdliketochange
mysuit.

Andchangethathandkerchief,Imsaid.Ithaslipstickonit.Nalltakea
poorviewofthat.

To hell with Na, I said. Ive changed my mind. Drive me straight to 40

Sejongdaero,ImSuntaek.

ImandIsatfacingNa,whohadourreportsontheBaeYeonseokcaseinfrontof
him.TherewasnothinginmineaboutKimSumisinvitationtoaccompanyher
toJeju.Naclosedoneofthefoldersandturnedtome.

Chapter forty-eight

Ihopeyouappreciatethatwehaveallowedyouacertainamountoflatitudeon
thiscase,Moon,hesaid.YoucleareduptheChangChuchuproblemsoneatly
thatIletImtalkmeintoallowingyoutogoafterBae.ButIwantyoutorealise
thatitisnttobetakenasaprecedent.

I mumbled something about being so involved that it had been difficult to

withdraw.

YouwerefortunatetohaveImSuntaekkeepinganeyeonyou,saidNa
severely.Heclosedthefoldersandreplacedthemintheirfile.Thenhetookout
another folder and placed it on his desk. Now, about your next project he
began,butwasinterruptedbythetelephone.

ThecallwasforIm,whowentintotheadjoiningofficetotakeit.Whilewewere
waitingforhimtoreturn,Naopenedthebottomrighthanddrawerofhisdesk
andtookoutavideocamera.

Youmayaswellhavethisbacknow,hesaid.Itookandgaveitaquick
glance,thenhandeditbacktohim.Thisisntmine,Isaid.

Thenthatexplainstheswitchingofthefilms,Nasaid,reachingdownand
producinganothercamerafromthedrawer.Thisistheonethatwasfoundwith
Doylesbody.

Yes, they got mixed up accidentally at the Chinese Dragon. Doyles had
just been returned by the police; it was stolen from his hotel on his previous
visit,amonthorsoearlier.Thatwouldbewhenhetookthefilmoftheaccident.

Yes,thatsright,Naagreed.Theyreboththesamemake,andthecases
arealmostidentical.


ItwasKongSorawhofirstputthatideainmyhead,Iwenton.Shetried
to make me believe that Doyle had picked up my camera by mistake, and then
usedmyvideotoblackmailKimSumi.Itwasanaccidentalswitchallright,but
Doyledidntneedmyvideoforblackmailingpurposeshedalreadyfoundout
whoBaewas.Thatswhyhewasblackmailingher.

Perhaps it was lucky you got the wrong camera, Na said with a smile.
Veryoccasionally,mistakesdoturnoutforthebest,butweneveracceptthatas
an excuse in this department. However, youve made a good job of this
assignment.

Isaid:ImgladyouwereprovedrightaboutChang,sir.

He gave a little shrug. I suppose you thought I was unduly sentimental. As he

was dead, what did it matter whether he was innocent or guilty? Well, it
matteredtome.

ThiswasoneofthethingsaboutNathatensuredthefullsupportofthemenwho
workedforhim.

ImSuntaekreturned,andNareopenedthefolderonhisdesk.

Now,aboutthenextassignment,Moon

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