Five pieces of jade

CHAPTER 14

At a few minutes before seven Virgil Tibbs parked his car a little more than a block away from the Wang home, locked it, and then continued on foot. As he walked up the quiet street there was no visible indication of the stakeout which was still in operation; at least none which an unsuspecting layman would be likely to notice. He had already passed certain instructions to Agent Jerry Gamer, who was heading the crew, and knew that they would be followed explicitly. With his preparations as close to complete as he could make them, he turned in at the driveway, mounted the steps, and rang the front doorbell.

Chin Soo admitted him almost at once. The young Chinese houseboy was dressed in dark slacks and a lightweight black sweater which emphasized the lean strength of his body. Tibbs glanced at his feet and noted the slip-on shoes which, if necessary, could be shed within a second or two. He was not familiar with the techniques of Gang Fu, but the years of rigorous training which he himself had undergone had taught him a great deal-including the fact that the bare feet of a karate man are among his most lethal weapons. Chin Soo's costume, he judged, had been chosen for action, even though it did not loudly proclaim that fact.

"Good evening, sir," Chin said. "I am very glad that you have arrived."

"Thank you."

"The jade boxes have been arranged as you asked," he continued. "I have not had time to determine which of the others.. "

He stopped when Yumeko appeared, very simply dressed in blouse and skirt. "Good evening, Virgil," she said. "I have not yet made myself ready because first I ask you what you wish I wear."

"That's up to you," Tibbs answered. "Ifs not a party, if that's what you mean." He turned to face her squarely. "I want you to do something: stay out of this part of the house. And keep out of sight. If the doorbell rings, don't come, we'll answer it."

She looked at him very steadily. "You are expecting people to come with trouble."

"Possibly," he admitted, "but nothing we can't handle." He looked at her, as he had several times before, accustoming himself to the combination of Japanese features and Negro complexion. He was not disturbed by it, but he found himself thinking of her as entirely a Japanese, then in the next moment as a Negro girl who had grown up in a foreign country. There was a delicacy to her features that was definitely Oriental, and her eyes, of course, had smooth upper lids. But she was dark enough to pass almost anywhere as a Negro; only her face reaUy betrayed the fact that she had had any other origin.

If the Japanese won out in his mind, it was because of her name and the fact that to her, English was a difficult foreign language. If she had been called Nancy or something like that, and had spoken with the same fluency that he did, it could easily have gone the other way.

"Now," he said, "it may be that someone tonight will want to come and see you tomorrow evening; in fact I'll try to arrange that. Yumeko, I want you to say that you are very sorry, but that you will not be at home; you and Chin Soo are going into Los Angeles to the Buddhist temple to keep a prayer vigil for Mr. Wang."

"There are Buddhist temples here," Soo said.

"Don't bring that up. There are different kinds of temples, I know that; they will assume that you want to visit a certain one. It doesn't matter whether you're Buddhist or not, they'll beheve you."

"Mr. Wang was," Chin said, "so it is very logical that we would go to his church to pray for him."

*That's fine. Let the assumption be that you will be there for some time. And please be sure to convey the idea that you are going together-that's important."

"It shall be so," Yumeko said.

"I have read of things like this," Chin interjected. "Are you going to gather everyone together tonight and then announce who killed Mr. Wang?"

"It isn't that simple."

"Not like Mr. Nero Wolfe."

"I'm afraid not. Not being a genius, I have to do things the difficult way."

"I think that you will succeed."

"Thank you. Now let's get down to business. Yumeko, you get dressed in whatever way you like, but keep it informal-no kimono this time. Then let Chin and me handle things until we send for you."

"I will wish to make preparations in the kitchen."

"That's all right, but keep the doors closed and don't come out here."

She looked at him with dark eyes. "You will not allow me because I am female," she said.

"I don't want you to get hurt-just in case," Tibbs answered. Then he took her by the shoulders and turned her around. "Be good," he admonished.

When she had gone Chin spoke. "It is good that you send her away. We will now await the arrival of the two Chinese who were here before."

"Are you expecting them?" Virgil asked.

"No, sir, but I believe that you are."

"Possibly-I can't be sure." With that he walked into the living room, chose a place where he could keep a careful watch on the door, and sat down. From the side pocket of his coat he drew out a pocketbook-sized copy of Kawabata's Snow Country and began quietly to read.

After a few minutes Chin Soo set down a cup of hot coffee at his elbow. Otherwise it was quiet in the house; the houseboy's shoes had soft soles which were silent on the carpeting, few street noises filtered through the heavy draperies which himg closed before the windows. Yumeko had effectively disappeared. With the calm patience that he had developed during the past several years of police work Tibbs read on,' his mind fully absorbed by the text before h im while he waited.

Presently he began to feel a little tired; the strains of the past several days asserted themselves, inviting him to close his eyes. In response he stirred himself and reached for the coffee cup, but it was already empty. A glance at his watch told him that it was ten minutes after eight.

He stood up, stretched, and then once more settled down with his book. He read steadily after that until the doorbell finally rang at eight minutes to nine.

Chin Soo materialized to answer it and admitted Johnny Wu. With a properly smiling face the Chinese-American entrepreneur came in, his hand outstretched to greet Tibbs.

"I'm glad to see you," he said. "I was afraid I was the first."

In the background Chin looked a question at Tibbs and read the very slight, all but invisible nod that he received in return. By the time Johnny had settled himself and was fumbling for a pack of cigarettes, Yimieko came into the room. In accordance with Tibbs' suggestion she had put on a quite simple, but very tasteful dress that set her off to excellent advantage. As though to emphasize the Japanese side of her background, she had arranged her long hair in a completely Oriental style, piled up on her head in a manner which suggested an Utamaro print. It was altogether captivating and Virgil was fully aware of it

A second ring of the doorbell announced Elliot Harvey, the stock trader. As he walked into the room Virgil noted a visible change in his manner; his temperament was still austere, but he was clearly prepared to make an effort to be congenial. He shook hands with Tibbs and with Johnny Wu, then turned to greet Yumeko almost as an afterthought. As he did so, and perhaps took clear notice of her for the first time, he reacted enough for Virgil to take note of the fact. He appeared to acknowledge her advantages and if he felt any hesitation toward her because of her origins, he gave no indication of that whatsoever.

Within the next five minutes Aaron Finegold arrived with his wife. Immediately behind them came Donald Washburn who, somewhat surprisingly, had brought his son with him. As Tibbs shook hands with the lad he observed his thin torso and other external evidence of inadequate physical development. Since his father was conspicuously virile, the contrast was acute, but Washburn showed every indication of being proud of his boy.

Although the living room was not notably large, Yumeko made her guests comfortable with an easy manner which belied her fear of social contacts. Chin Soo provided additional chairs as they were required, placing them in locations which he had apparently selected well beforehand.

The last to appear of the invited guests was Bob Naka-mura. His protective coloration was complete; his amiable round face did not suggest the imbecile, nor did the well-tailored suit that he wore, but there was nothing whatever about him which fitted the image of a police officer. He looked precisely like an Oriental-American businessman, and by his demeanor he carried off the role to perfection.

When the company had settled down, Virgil casually 134

opened the meeting. "Thank you all for coming here tonight," he began. "I appreciate it very much." He paused a moment and looked about the room. "You know whose house this was and something of the circumstances of his passing. They are under investigation at the present time, and that is my excuse for being here myself this evening."

He paused once more, but everyone was quite content to let him continue. In a comer of the room closest to the front door Chin Soo stood so quietly that he was half invisible. Yumeko was tense despite her outward composure — he knew her well enough now to read that. In some respects, he was aware, she had reason to be.

"There are at least two people not present here this evening whom I'm very much interested in interviewing concerning Mr. Wang's death," Tibbs continued. "When I will be able to do that is uncertain. In the meantime some other matters should be attended to. Mr. Finegold, would you care to explain to us the present and future status of Mr. Wang's very beautiful and valuable jade collection?"

The lawyer easily took the floor without moving from his chair. As he spoke, Virgil carefully watched the developing interest in his words. He sat very still, appearing to give Finegold his attention, but he was acutely aware of the human reactions about him and he weighed them against the conclusions that he had in his mind. It took Fine-gold more than four minutes to lay his groundwork, then, without histrionics, he made the announcement that according to the provisions which Mr. Wang had made, the jade collection in its entirety had been left to Miss Yumeko Nagashima. A second or two later the girl herself seemed to have been suddenly stricken; her hands flew up and covered her face. Then, shortly, her body began to shake with suppressed sobs.

There was no one in the room who was not looking at her, understanding that she had had no intimation that she was to receive so magnificent a bequest-or any at all. Tibbs watched her too, then he observed the others, including Chin Soo. The houseboy was also looking at Yumeko, but his features told less than those of anyone else present.

Presently the girl recovered somewhat and reached for her handkerchief. Decently, the others gave her an opportunity to recover herself. She wiped her eyes several times and then looked at Finegold with bewilderment. "Are you sure?" she asked.

The attorney nodded. "I drew up the will. It was Mr. Wang's clear and unequivocal wish. So the collection is now yours. You understand, however, that there will be an inheritance tax and that the estate will have to go through probate before it will be free and clear. Ill be glad to handle that for you if you so desire."

At that point Tibbs interjected a question. "Mr. Fine-gold, in view of the high value of the collection, and the fact that Miss Nagashima was totally unprepared for the announcement that she is an heiress, do you consider it possible that you might get court permission for her to sell a few pieces in order to raise the necessary costs?"

*That's entirely possible, providing we can get a reliable appraisal from a quaUfied expert of the pieces she might wish to sell."

"I would suggest Mr. Wu," Virgil said. "He is himself a jade dealer and should easily qualify as an expert"

Bob Nakamura entered the conversation. "Mr. Finegold, I represent certain highly reliable people who have considerable resources behind them. Not unlimited, of course, but substantial. On Mr. Tibbs' recommendation I will be glad to accept Mr. Wu as an expert on jade and its value, both wholesale and retail. I also have some shght knowledge of the subject. With Miss Nagashima's permission, I should like to examine the collection with a view to making a flat offer for it in toto. If the offer is acceptable, then we would assume the responsibility for advancing the necessary funds to clear it through probate."

Harvey, the stock trader, was next. "Mr. Finegold, I take it that you are representing Miss Nagashima this evening?"

"At present I am her attorney of record, yes. That is in response to a request made by Mr. Wang."

"Understood. My business is investments, sir, and I too know something about jade." He turned toward Bob. "I'm sorry that I didn't get your name."

"Nakamura."

"Mr. Nakamura, it was my intention since shortly after I learned of Mr. Wang's death to make an offer, when the time was proper, for the collection. As a matter of business, as I am sure it is with you."

"I have taken note of that, sir," Finegold answered, "and subject to Miss Nagashima's instructions I will be more than happy to give you an opportunity to bid."

"I too would like to examine the collection."

"I, personally, see no objection to that." 136

"Thank you." Harvey looked around the room. "Anyone else?"

Don Washburn responded. "I am frankly not in a position to make an offer for the entire collection, largely because I am not in the business in any way and would have no machinery to make subsequent sales. I'm a collector, pure and simple. But if I may, I would like to have the opportunity to acquire three or four pieces that I have had under consideration. If it works out that Miss Nagashima does wish to make some sales to pay probate and estate costs, then I will be a willing customer. And I'll be glad to accept Mr. Wu's evaluation as to what would be a fair and proper price."

"I'm in somewhat the same position myself," Finegold said, and looked toward his wife. "We too have had our eye, so to speak, on certain pieces which we have neglected to acquire largely because I have been heavily engaged in court for some weeks. As a matter of fact I had asked Mr. Wang to give us first refusal on them in case anyone else expressed interest in the interim."

"I'm sure that my principals would respect that commitment," Bob Nakamura said. He removed his glasses and wiped them so convincingly that VirgU was almost persuaded himself that his business negotiations were entirely bona fide.

"This is not properly my affair in any way," Tibbs said quietly, "but I would like to make a suggestion if I may. If Miss Nagashima feels up to it, perhaps she would consent to open the jade room. Then Mr. and Mrs. Finegold can indicate the pieces in which they are interested. After that Mr. Washburn can do the same. If there is no conflict, then their priority will be established. If there is a conflict, then they can resolve it by mutual consultation."

Harvey apparently had been thinking. "If it is agreeable with everyone," he declared, "I would like to have the same privilege. I too am a coUector and if I do not acquire the entire collection, there are some pieces I would like to buy individually."

Finegold took the floor once more. "It strikes me that Mr. Tibbs' suggestion is a very fair and equitable one." He turned to Yumeko. "Miss Nagashima, how do you feel?"

The girl swallowed before she answered. "It is, I think, most right to do this, but I ask to be excused. I wish to serve tea. I ask that you allow Mr. Chin Soo to showing the jades." She turned and looked at the houseboy, who bowed.

"I am happy," he said.

"I don't see any point in who goes first," Washburn said. "I suggest that Mr. and Mrs. Finegold go, then Mr. Harvey, and I'll be glad to bring up the rear."

Harvey nodded his acceptance of that. As the Finegolds got up, Yumeko quietly slipped out of the room; she had still not recovered from the surprise announcement and appeared to be in an aura of disbelief.

Virgil looked at Finegold. "May I come with you?" he asked.

"Please."

By Tibbs' watch it took the Finegolds exactly eight minutes from the moment they entered the jade room until they had indicated four choices to the houseboy, who had made careful notes on a piece of paper.

Harvey required nine minutes and twenty-three seconds to choose three items.

Don Washburn spent some three and a half minutes showing his son the general wonder of the jade room, then he took precisely three minutes and fifty-four seconds to point out three items to Chin Soo. "I've seen them aU before," he explained.

When he had returned to the living room with his son, Tibbs looked a question at Chin Soo who shook his head in reply. Of the ten jades chosen, none was duplicated. "You know what to do now, don't you?" Virgil said.

"I understood as soon as you made the suggestion, Mr. Tibbs. Are you sure that you don't have a little Chinese blood somewhere in your ancestry?"

"I'm afraid not. As far as I know my background is pure Negro; none of my female forebears appears to have been raped by white slave owners."

"Then you are probably an exception," Chin said. "But: if there is a fountain of intelligence, your ancestors drank; from it. I did not kill my employer, sir, but if I had, I would have good reason to be fearful now."

Virgil turned. "Let's go back," he suggested. "Yumeko may need moral support." He waited while the jade room was carefully secured, then he followed the houseboy back to the Uving room where Yumeko was in the act of serving. As Tibbs sat down she handed him a cup, he glanced inside and saw that this time the tea was black. "Thank you," he said.

She lowered her eyes. "It is my poor best. Please forgive me."

Bob Nakamura spoke to her from a short distance away, but his words could be generally heard in the room. *'I don't want to inconvenience you this evening, but I would appreciate it if I could call on you tomorrow evening and have the privilege of seeing your jades. So far I know them only by reputation."

She turned to face him. "It would make me the greatest pleasure, Nakamura san, but tomorrow evening I am going with Chin Soo to temple. It is to make prayer vigil for Mr. Wang. It is much in my heart that I go there."

Tibbs was impressed by the quality of her performance; she had spoken in such a quiet, yet sincere manner that she had been totally convincing. He almost believed her himself. Once again he noted that there were depths to Yumeko that were far from being visible on the surface.

He caught the eye of Aaron Finegold and gave him a very slight nod. The attorney picked it up and in a few moments spoke generally. "Since Mr. Wang assigned me the responsibility for handling his estate as well as other matters, I'd like to thank you all very much for coming here this evening. I believe that we have a fully mutual understanding. Are there any questions that any of you would like to ask?"

Don Washburn responded. "I'd like to ask Mr. Tibbs if he has any announcements that he was planning to make.'*

Virgil shook his head. "Not at this time."

"I understand, but naturally I'm anxious. I'm sure that we all are."

There was a general stir of leaving. Harvey went first, followed by the Washbums, but Johnny Wu lingered. As soon as Bob Nakamura was well out of the door, he spoke to Finegold. "I didn't have a good opportunity to bring this up before," he said, "but I am also very much interested in the jade stock. Mr. Tibbs can tell you that I'm an established dealer and I invite you to check my credit standing." He looked about him, makhig sure who was present and who was not. "I don't believe that the others quite realize this, but if the stock is about as I last saw it, the value should be in the vicinity of half a million dollars."

Yumeko gasped.

"That's a pretty substantial investment," Johnny continued. "I'm prepared to make two proposals for you and Miss Nagashima to consider. First, I will undertake to sell whatever amount of the collection you would like at a reasonable rate of commission. Some of the pieces are individually

quite exceptional: there are some lavender ones that command a very high premium. I will guarantee to protect your cHent's interests by seeing that they are not sold below their value in the current market. Or, if you would prefer, I will purchase pieces outright up to a reasonable quantity and at equitable prices-you can depend on me for that."

Finegold nodded his head. "That sounds very fair both ways, Mr. Wu. Let's leave it at this for tonight: I'll keep your offer very clearly in mind and give you a full opportunity in any competitive situation if one develops. Your being an established dealer is a strong point in your favor."

"Thank you. May I also remind you that I was Wang, Fu-sen's close friend; by our standards that leaves me with a very definite obligation under the present circumstances."

"I appreciate that. Thank you, Mr. Wu."

When the last of the guests had left, Virgil turned to Yumeko and Chin. "Both of you did very well this evening," he said. "I'm sorry that I had to put you to so much i trouble, but there was a good reason for it."

"I am aware," Chin Soo answered. "What are we to do tomorrow?"

"I'll call you. I recommend that you stay here until I! do." He was too mentally tired to suggest anything else. He had been on very keen edge all evening and it was» telling on him.

"A cup of coffee before you go?" Chin asked.

"No, thanks. I want to go home and go to bed. Thank: you both again." With that he left and walked back to his; car.

It took him less than fifteen minutes to drive home and park. Then he went up to his apartment and phoned the night-watch commander, Lieutenant Olsen. "I may have stirred something up tonight," he reported. "If I was successful, then something should break soon-possibly later ij tonight, but tomorrow evening looks like a much better bet After that it should be all over. Can you keep the stakeout going?"

"Of course, Virgil. If you need more help let me know."

"Right now everything looks fine. If anything does let go tonight, call me here right away, please. Otherwise, good night."

He was ready then for a drink. He mixed himself one and sat down to enjoy it, trying to think of something besides the case and all of its ramifications. It was a weird one and 140

he was perhaps the only one who knew how really weird it was in all of its aspects.

The jade book on the table beside him invited attention. He picked it up, opened to where he had stopped his last period of study, and began to read. He knew that he would not be involved with jade much longer, but it was a fascinating subject and there was no telling when one additional bit of information might be the key to a major conclusion.

He read for almost an hour and a half before he finally went to bed. Even while he slept there were a number of people who wanted very much to get in touch with him; only the fact that his private phone was unlisted made it possible for him to rest undisturbed.