Five pieces of jade

CHAPTER 13

When Virgil Tibbs walked into his oflSce for the second time that morning there was a note on his desk: Call Mr. Wu. He had never received a message that he needed less; at that moment he had a consuming desire to speak with Johnny Wu at the earliest opportunity. He picked up his phone even before he sat down, and dialed.

He got an answer in a slightly singsong feminine voice that very politely told him that Mr. Wu was not in. He was invited to leave his name and number. He did so and hung up, his mind already reaching out to the many other things which he now had to do. He picked up a long pad of yellow ruled paper and began to jot down a series of items that were still unresolved. When he had done that he took off his coat, laid his gun on the desk, and went to work.

He first called the morgue and asked for the surgeon who had briefed him on the details of Mr. Wang's death. The doctor was in and after something of an interval he came to the telephone. Tibbs asked several questions concerning the damage to the vitality and body structure of the murder victim as a result of the strangling he had received. Presently a httle more Ught began to show. He thanked the assistant coroner for the additional information and made a note on his pad.

He was still writing when the phone rang. He picked it up with the expectation that it would be Johnny Wu, but he was greeted by the voice of Frank Lonigan on the line. 'This is very preliminary, Virgil," the federal man told him, "but unless we're completely off the track, that sample that you gave us is the stuff all right. Without a lab report that isn't conclusive, but we expect to have one in a day or two. You've got us pretty excited down here; how can we help you?"

"You just did," Tibbs answered. "For the moment, that's all that I need from your end. I have something planned for tonight that may give us a little more to go on. Would you be available tomorrow?"

"Absolutely. Call this number and they'll reach us-at any hour."

"Outstanding. If anything breaks, you'll hear from me." With that he hung up.

When he had made another note or two he called the LAPD and spoke to the lieutenant who had direct command of the Chinatown detail. From that well-informed officer he gained a number of points concerning which he had been uncertain. Among other things he asked if there had been any recent reports that had indicated new forms of activity in which the police department was interested. When he got a yes answer to that, and such information as the lieutenant had available, he felt like an old fire horse that smells smoke and knows that something in his line is definitely stirring.

His next call was to Lieutenant Olsen's office to find out if there was any report from the stakeout on the Wang home. The reply was almost entirely negative; the house-boy had been seen going to the supermarket and returning with groceries, but the officer who had followed him there had not noted anything amiss.

As soon as he had that information he put in a call to a close friend in Air Force procurement and asked for an informal readout on the Washburn company. He was promised a call back and as much data as could be safely relayed over the telephone. That was all that he required; he followed the caU with another note on his pad.

He next phoned the city attorney's office and asked for a background on Aaron Finegold. Fortunately, the man he talked to knew Finegold personally and was able to supply some information that Tibbs was most anxious to have.

After checking the next item on his pad he put in a long-distance call to the narcotics treatment center in Kentucky and requested a report on Robin Washburn. When he had properly identified himself he was connected with the doctor who had been in charge of the case. He was supplied with the few facts that he required; in addition he learned that the patient had been discharged two days previously and was presumed to have arrived at his home.

Then he remembered something very important that he had all but forgotten. He spun the dial once more and succeeded in getting Yumeko on the line. "I want you to do

something for me," he directed. "If anyone calls you on the telephone, anyone at all, I want you to let me know inmiediately, here at the office. The number is on my card. Do you still have it?"

"I have."

"Good. Be sure to do that-if I'm not here, leave a message for me. I'll get it."

"Do you wish anything else?"

"Yes, I may decide to throw a little party at your home tonight. I would like your permission for that. You might have to serve some more tea and some biscuits, but I'll pay the cost."

*There will be no cost. I can."

"Excellent. And, Yumeko, don't worry-you'll be fully protected."

"I have not worry."

"I'll probably stop in to see you this afternoon," he concluded, and then hung up. His mind was all business now, and he knew at least one thing about Yumeko that made him keep his guard up. Like so many others in this pecuhar case, she had not been entirely candid with him. People seldom were when murder was involved.

His phone rang. He picked it up once more and was gratified to hear Johnny Wu at the other end of the line. "I want to talk to you very much," Tibbs said, "and as soon as possible.'*

^That's fine with me, Virgil," Wu replied. "As a matter of fact I'm coming out to Pasadena-I want to see Yumeko Nagashima. Do you have any objection to that?"

It was a loaded question. "Of course not, why shouldn't you call on her if you want to. Is she expecting you?"

"I called her a few minutes ago."

Tibbs was furious with himself; he had carefully asked the girl to report all future calls, but he had failed to ask her about any that might have come in since he had left her. "What time is your appointment, Johnny?" he asked.

*T left it open, but I was planning to offer her lunch if she would like."

Virgil glanced at his watch. "Since there's time, would you mind stopping by here on your way? We're not hard to find."

"I'll be glad to. Say in half an hour?"

"Good. See you then."

As he hung up the instrument, Bob Nakamura came in. In contrast to his usual brisk manner he seemed thoroughly exhausted. He dropped into his chair and then carefully rubbed his face with his hands. "What news?" Virgil asked.

*They're bagged; the Feds nabbed them when they were trying to board a plane at Hollywood-Burbank. One of them made a dive for it, but aU he did was bust himself up."

"Evidence?"

"With what I've been able to get, and the others, there's enough to put them inside about six times over. They turned out to be wanted in a half a dozen other places. It's a federal rap now, so they'U be out of the way for quite a while."

"Congratulations," Tibbs said. "You must have been on that one for almost two months."

"Actually a little more than that."

*Then why don't you take the afternoon off? Then youll be fresh to go to work with me this evening."

Bob turned a look at him that would have made a stone weep. "What is it now, Virg, out on the street again?"

Tibbs shook his head. "On the contrary, I'd like you to be my guest at a little party. I don't believe that you've met any of the priucipals in my case, have you?'*

"Give me a list, but I don't think so."

"I wiU. Tonight, if aU goes well, you will be Mr. Naka-mura, the representative of a group of wealthy Oriental art dealers."

Bob raised a warning hand. "Hold it, Virg. I can speak Japanese, but if that girl you told me about is going to be there, shell spot my American accent the first time I open my mouth. I'll never get away with it."

"You don't have to; I may just create the impression that you are from Hawaii. You are present because you are interested in acquiring the jade collection of the late, respected dealer whom you knew only by reputation."

"I see. Am I an eager beaver, or what?'*

"You are an eflScient, very capable, reasonably polite businessman. You have substantial financial resources behind you."

"Would that it were true.*'

"Shut up-you have me for a friend, don't you? It will be at the Wang place this evening, say around nine. Wear your good suit."

"One question," Bob interjected. "Am I representing Japanese or American interests?"

Tibbs thought a moment *That's a good point. Imply that they're Japanese, but avoid a flat statement."

"And if I get blown?"

"Then leave everything to me. Of those who I expect will be present you can trust me-nobody else, got that?"

"It sounds like a charming affair. At least it's different I'll come by a few minutes after nine. Who invited me?'

"I did-we're acquainted. Leave it at that."

That matter settled, Tibbs turned to the inevitable accumulation of paper work and began to hoe his way through. He was still at it when the reception desk in the lobby called to inform him that Johnny Wu had arrived. "Send him up in two minutes," he said, allowing enough time for Bob Nakamura to make his disappearance. When Johnny's well-rounded bulk appeared in the doorway, Tibbs was alone.

He motioned his guest to a chair, and then lost no time in coming to the point "Johnny," he began, "I don't think that you've been leveUng with me. Chin Soo showed up this morning at the Wang house. I happened to be there. He told me that you had advised him to make himself scarce just at a time when I was very anxious to talk to him."

"All right," Johnny admitted, "I was dead wrong on that and all I can do at this point is to offer you an apology- and an explanation."

"Skip the apology, but I'm very interested in the explanation."

Johnny rested an arm on Tibbs' desk. "Within the Chinese-American community we like to handle our own problems. We seldom appeal to the police for help, and we don't usually ask for charity. We take care of our own."

"I know that"

"Good. Chin Soo is, of course, Chinese. Virgil, can I talk off the record for a little bit?"

"Provisionally, yes."

"Make it definitely; there's a good reason. Take my word for it."

"All right."

Off the record, then. Chin Soo is in this country legally, but just barely. If the full facts were to be published, he might face deportation. And that would be very undesirable; he's a sound young man and a very honest one."

Virgil nodded, but said nothing.

"When Wang Fu-sen was killed, Chin panicked, and I can't honestly blame him. He had never established a rapport with Miss Nagashima and for family reasons, he distrusts all Japanese. Now you know that Fu-sen and I were friends; it was at his house that I met Chin-not socially in that sense of the word, but we were mtroduced. So when he discovered what had happened to his employer, he had immediate visions of being interviewed by the police and having his status come out. That would mean back to Hong Kong and for very good and honorable reasons, he didn't want any of that. So he took an immediate powder and came to see me."

Johnny leaned forward to give emphasis to what he was about to say. "Now I give you my word that if you had shown any interest in the houseboy, or had asked me about him, I would have told you what I knew. But when you didn't bring it up I kept my mouth shut and you can't honestly blame me too much for that."

"Go on," Tibbs said.

"I can tell you this: Chin doesn't know a damn thing about Fu-sen's death that you haven't already been told, I determined that to my own satisfaction. If I had felt that he had any real information or evidence to give you, I would have made him come forward. Enough of that. When things began to take a different turn, I made a decision to send him back to the house. In the first place it was his responsibility-the death of Fu-sen didn't reheve him of his obligations. He owed Wang a great deal and it was up to him to pay off. He had two things to do: to continue to take care of the house for the time being and to protect the Nagashima girl, because Fu-sen had been interested in her — as an object of his generosity."

Tibbs picked up a pencil and rubbed it between his palms. "How much 'protection' do you think he might be able to provide? And why do you think that Yumeko might need it?'*

Johnny Wu smiled at that "Virgil, have you ever heard of Gung Fur

"Yes-Chinese karate-or the equivalent."

"Roughly that's right, except I personally think that you're underrating it a little. Anyhow, Chin happens to be an expert; accept my assurance that he's mighty damn good."

"All right, I'll buy that," Tibbs said. "But why the sudden need for protection?"

This time Johnny pulled out his handkerchief and used it to wipe his hands. "This is the part that you will want to know," he said. "And I admit that I should have told you sooner. I was following tradition instead of common sense and you have my apology. The fact that Chin Soo was in Wang Fu-sen's house was not entirely an accident Some

time ago some of us in our community became aware of the fact that Wang was being put under some kind of unpleasant pressure. The details weren't available and no one was about to ask him, that would have been outside of our rules of conduct, but we had a pretty good idea. The Chicoms try to make it hot for us every now and then if they think that there is anything to be gained by it. If you care to check with the FBI, they may tell you that I value my citizenship and have done a few things to earn it."

"By the Chicoms, you mean the Chinese communists."

"Right. To them we are overseas Chinese and they mean to use us in any way that they can. When the word came through that Fu-sen was having some difficulties, we looked for a good man. Chin Soo was recommended and he wanted desperately to come to America-as practically all of our better displaced young people do. We sent for him and after his arrival he did his stuff for a Gung Fu master who approved his abiUty. Then we put him into Wang's home- with appropriate courtesy, of course. Fu-sen understood. We wanted the bodyguard to have a gun also, but Wang absolutely balked at that: he abhorred violence of any kind. About three months after that the Nagashima girl arrived from Japan. I can guess your next thought, but forget it Chin, has undergone severe training and intense discipline — so despite natural incHnations he wouldn't overstep in the house of his employer and, as I said, he doesn't dig Japanese."

"A blind spot," Virgil said.

"Granted. Now you asked me why we thought that protection might be necessary for the girl-as of now. I was about to tell you this anyway, but I hasten to add that I just learned of it myself. There is some new strong-arm talent in town.'*

Tibbs leaned forward. "Chinese?" he asked.

Wu nodded. "Yes-or possibly Korean; I can't be certain because I haven't seen them. But the word gets around. There are two of them and the reports are that they are tough-very tough."

"How did they get into this country?"

"Virgil, forgive me, but don't be naive. How many Mexicans do you imagine there are living here right now who never entered through formal channels? We have largely open borders and if someone wants to get in and has the resources, he can make it Orientals don't try it too much be-124

cause we're conspicuous and suspected, but it goes on every day. It isn't advertised, because it would only encourage the traffic. It's pretty tough to tell an honest, hardworking Chinese who would like to immigrate here that the present U.S. laws give him aknost no chance whatever because he isn't a Caucasian, It's a medieval relic, Virgil, and it forces otherwise honest people to step around the law sometimes, as we frankly did to bring in Chin Soo."

*'Have you anything else you can tell me about the imported talent?"

"Yes. It won't stand up in court as evidence, but we know. The two hard types are either Chicoms or possibly North Koreans who are passing as something else. That's easy here because so few of the majority can tell the difference. And we have good reason to think that they're in the narcotics business."

Virgil shook his head. "Johnny, I can't keep that to myself: assuming that you're right, it's too important. Ill protect the rest of your information as much as I can, but that is something I've got to pass on."

"All right, I understand. Just forget where you heard it, that's all. I'm a peaceful man."

"Something else," Tibbs continued. "I understand that there is to be a meeting this evening, at the Wang home, to discuss the possible disposal of the jade collection presently housed there."

Wu suddenly sat up straighter in his chair. "Could I arrange to be in on that?" he asked.

Tibbs was cairn. "I'm sure there's no problem. It's to be at nine, I'm told that some of the other guests can't make it before then."

"Nine it is. Anything else?'*

"Yes, as a matter of fact. I'd like word of the meeting to filter through to the two visitors you just told me about Can you handle it?"

"You mean to invite them?"

'*No, just to let them know."

"May I use your phone?"

Tibbs pushed it over. Johnny picked it up and dialed; when he had his number he began a rapid-fire conversation in Chinese. He was on the line for some time, long enough to make Virgil wonder what was actually being said. The Negro detective waited patiently until Johnny was through and then looked at his guest for a report

"One thing about our community," Johnny said, *Sve have good communications. They'll hear."

"Do you know where to find them?" Virgil asked.

"No, but by the middle of the afternoon they should have the word, wherever they are. Anything else?"

"That's it until tonight."

Without ceremony, Johnny left.

As soon as he was alone Tibbs put in one more call, this one long-distance to Gumps, the famous jade store in San Francisco. His two or three questions were promptly and courteously answered by someone who was clearly an expert. He already knew the essential facts he was given, but they served to confirm a guess that he had made and which, in the light of the new evidence, looked better and better to him. In this improved frame of mind he went to lunch.

By the time he returned, there was a message for him from the LAPD which confirmed another of his ideas. He began a fresh series of phone calls. The first was to Aaron Finegold. He invited him to be present that evening in order to protect the interests of his client. Miss Yumeko Naga-shima. On that premise Finegold consented to come. He also agreed to see Tibbs for a few minutes later that afternoon.

Don Washburn agreed to shift an evening appointment to comply with Virgil's request to come to the Wang home.

Harvey, the stock trader, was cool when he answered the phone, but warmed somewhat when he heard his caller's name. "I'm glad you're in touch, Mr. Tibbs," he said. "I'd like to express my regret for my shortness with you when you came to my home. The news is out now that my wife and I are separating. We had had a particularly painful disagreement at some length just before you came to see me. I fear that I was not at my best."

That provided Virgil with an opening and he used it. When he hung up less than a minute later, he had Harvey's assurance that he would be at the meeting.

If anything plagued him, it was the fact that at many points in the case he was building he lacked the vital element of proof. No conclusions he reached meant a thing until he could support them with solid evidence in court That he would still have to obtain. And he was not so optimistic as to assume that if he confronted the guilty person or persons, he would be immediately rewarded with full confessions given in the presence of reliable witnesses. As was practically always the case, he would have to do it the hard way. 126

He began by going to see Aaron Finegold. He could have saved himself the errand with a phone call, but he had his own reasons for appearing in person. He was admitted after a short wait; the attorney shook hands and then waved him to a chair. That done he sat down himself and waited for Tibbs to begin.

Virgil obliged. "Unless there is some very strong reason why you can't do so, I'd appreciate it very much if you would announce this evening that the jade collection that was Mr. Wang's is going to Miss Nagashima."

Finegold pondered. "It might be rushing things a bit," he said.

"Possibly so, but I have an excellent reason for asking this."

"One connected with the administration of justice?"

'Yes."

*Then I'll have to go along, I guess. My wife is very impressed with you, by the way."

"In the police business we can use all of the appreciation that we can get," Tibbs responded. "And if I may, the feeling is entirely mutual."

"She'll be happy to hear that."

From the lawyer's ofl amp;ce he drove directly to the Wang home. Chin Soo opened the door and smiled when he saw Tibbs' dark face. "We glad you come."

VirgU caught something in the tone of his voice. After he was inside and the door was shut, he turned again to the houseboy. "How much English do you really speak?" he asked.

Soo hesitated a moment, then replied. "More than I admit"

"I thought so. Where did you learn it?"

"In Hong Kong. It's a British colony, you know.*'

"But more than ninety-eight percent Chinese."

"True, but I got around."

"OfficiaUy?"

Chin shook his head. "Nothing like that. But I have some friends."

"Have any of them come calling here lately?"

Soo looked at him more intently for a moment. "I see you have the word. They're on the other side as far as I'm concerned."

"A couple of things," Tibbs said. "First, if anything breaks tonight, let me handle it. Don't attempt anything on your own."

Soo inclined his head slightly. "Excuse me, but you are not Chinese. If those two come, it will be my problem."

"Do you carry a concealed weapon?'*

"I am the weapon, Mr. Tibbs."

*'Not against two armed men, you aren't."

"For either of them to fire a gun, he would have to take it out first. That takes time."

For the moment Virgil did not elect to pursue the matter. "Do you have access to the jade room?" he asked.

"Mr. Wang gave me full responsibility for its care."

"Good. And I appreciate the protection you gave him, even though you were not able to prevent what occurred."

"He dispatched me on a long errand, Mr. Tibbs, me and the girl. Quite obviously he wanted us out of the way. Most reluctantly I obeyed him. I do not like to leave this house imguarded."

"Even now?'*

"Yes, even now. I was assigned here for that purpose."

"Can you prove that?"

"Mr. Wu could perhaps help you."

"Is it the jades?"

Chin Soo shook his head. "It is something else."

"Some people have named it 'jade dust.' "

Chin bowed. "You are most intelligent; you should be Chinese. You know also, then, that Mr. Wang was a most honorable man.'*

"I know."

"There is evil in this house, Mr. Tibbs. It will shortly be taken away and disposed of by reliable people. Until that occurs, it is my responsibility to keep it here."

"I'm for that," Virgil said, "and because I am, I want you to do something for me. How many boxes do you suspect contained the forbidden drug?'*

"Perhaps one half."

"In weight?"

"As much as four hundred pounds."

"As a heroin substitute on the street, then, it could worth as much as six million dollars."

"More, much more. And it is not a substitute, Mr. Tibbs, it is a replacement. A replacement that would be almost entirely controlled from one source."

"Here is what I want you to do," Tibbs said. "Find several boxes of different sizes that do not contain the drug — can you do that?'*

"Of course."

"Since the boxes all look the same from the outside, is it true that the only way to identify them is by the individual jade each is built to contain?"

"That is correct."

"If for any reason a jade goes out of this house, you win put it into its box."

Chin Soo bowed again. "I understand. There will be no problem; such a mistake will be easy to make."

"Good. Where is Yumeko, by the way?"

"She is resting, preparing herself for this evening."

"One more thing: how well do you know the value of the pieces in the collection?"

"I know the value and also the price that Mr. Wang would have asked."

*Then that takes care of everything. I will be back before seven tonight; I suggest that you eat very early."

"Excuse me, Mr. Tibbs, but we were expecting that you would join us."

Virgil shook his head. "I still have some things to do. Watch yourself in the meantime."

Chin Soo led him back to the door. "Do not concern yourself about that," he said as he uhered Tibbs out.

During the short drive back to headquarters the police radio chattered with minor dispatches. An abandoned car was checked out for the name of the owner. A citizen assist call for a pohce officer turned out to be a request for help in moving a heavy refrigerator. A suspicious person reported lurking in the vicinity of an apartment building was found to be a completely legitimate florist's deliveryman. And so it went, the endless parade of details in the life and operation of a modem city. People called the police for everything- once for a suitable escort to take a roommate to a party. Anything and everything came over the police radio. Floyd Sanderson had been on patrol one night when he had been dispatched to investigate "a male Oriental eating the grass." He had arrived to find the call quite genuine, a male Oriental was eating the grass. Like the members of every community represented in the city, a few Orientals had mental disturbances and this had been one of them. Sanderson had helped the man, turned him over to the proper medical authorities, and then had gone back on patrol. A hundred or more miles every night, cruising endlessly up and down the streets, in order to meet and deal with whatever unusual circumstances might arise-from a drunk asleep on the sidewalk to a fleeing murderer armed and volcanically dangerous.

For what he hoped would be the last time that day Tibbs walked into his office and found Bob there. "All set for tonight?" the Nisei detective asked.

Virgil sat for a moment on the edge of his desk. "It looks good. One thing I want you to do: not too soon, but when things are weU along, I want you to ask if you can come back tomorrow night to examine the jade collection. Remember that you have not yet seen it, you know of it only by reputation. A casual look around won't do-you want to make a detailed study."

"Sounds logical."

"I hope so. Don't overplay it; there'll be some bright people there."

"I won't. Lieutenant Olsen wants to know if you still need the stakeout at the Wang house."

"Hell yes, I'm depending on it."

"OK, I'll pass the word. Next: are we likely to be bringing in a prisoner tonight?"

"I doubt it."

"Since you're getting everyone together, I thought you were going to spring your case."

"Not yet I know what I'm after, but I don't have the proof-and that's the most vital part."

"What's the plan?"

Once more Tibbs took off his coat before he sat down. "I'm goiug to try and do it an easier way," he said. "This whole deal is set up for one reason-to make the guilty person panic a little. If I can pull that off and force one more piece of action, then I've got it."

"What kind of action?"

"You'll know," Virgil promised.