Private Beijing

Chapter 73

Shang Li made the call himself, just outside the container where he’d been held captive. Zhang Daiyu, Hua and I gave him some privacy, while Detective Chen and his men dealt with Lu Bao and the others. I watched Li speak to his wife for the first time since his disappearance and saw him break down, crying with relief and joy.

After he’d told Su Yun he was coming home, he came over and hugged us all in turn. He wasn’t usually a demonstrative man, but he’d been through a life-changing experience. He rained praise and thanks on us as he held us. It felt good to have my old friend back.

Following our reunion, we used Huang Hua’s van, another LDV 9, to drive Shang Li to his apartment in Mingguang Village, a beautiful modern neighborhood with green spaces and playgrounds between the tastefully designed apartment blocks.

Su Yun was waiting on the street when we pulled up in front of their building, and Li almost tumbled out of the van into her arms.

Hua, Zhang Daiyu, and I got out and stood a respectful distance away while husband and wife kissed and hugged. Mai and Han emerged from the apartment building and flew down the path to join their mother and father in joyful reunion.

A lump formed in my throat as I watched their pure unadulterated happiness pour out. It was impossible not to be moved and I saw Hua and Zhang Daiyu crying tears of joy.

“Mr. Morgan,” Su Yun said to me as she stepped away from her husband and children. “I knew you would restore my heart to me. You have brought us happier times.” She took both my hands. “Thank you.”

This was a win. One of the good moments that makes all the hardship worthwhile.

“You’re welcome, Su Yun, but I didn’t do it alone.”

“Thank you all,” she said to Zhang Daiyu and Hua. “You brought my husband home.”

“Thank you,” Li added. “I owe you everything.”

“You owe us nothing,” I replied. “You take time with your family and rest.” I turned to Hua and Zhang Daiyu. “We’ve got work to do.”

“I should help,” Li said. “I want to get the people who did this.”

He stepped toward me, but Su Yun put her hand on his arm and looked at me with grave concern. I recognized the look because I’d seen it on Justine’s face from time to time. She had almost lost him and wasn’t prepared to go through that again. At least not yet.

“You’re exhausted,” I said to my friend. “You’ve been through a mental and physical ordeal. Stay with your family. Trust us. We’ll finish this.”

Shang Li nodded and Su Yun smiled at me gratefully.

I watched her lead her husband and children toward their building.

“What now?” Hua asked.

I looked at Zhang Daiyu, who already knew what I was going to say.

“We need an address,” she remarked. “We need to know where to find Fang Wenyan.”

I nodded and she stepped away to make a call. Detective Chen did us a huge favor. He ordered his men to keep quiet about Liu Bao’s arrest and said he would book him under a false name when he took him in for processing. It was as much for Chen’s benefit as ours, because he needed time to gain his superiors’ support, to ensure Liu was not immediately released once powerful allies began to apply pressure on his behalf, but we appreciated the favor nonetheless. We had work to do, work that involved Liu’s co-conspirators believing he was still in play.

I moved a few paces clear of the others and took out my phone. I needed to speak to Justine. Not just for professional reasons. I wanted to hear her voice. After what I had just witnessed with Shang Li and his family, I wanted to hear from mine. Justine answered after two rings.

“Jack, are you okay?”

“Yes. We rescued Shang Li.”

“Oh, thank God! That’s so good to hear.”

“We got him back and took down Liu Bao.”

“I can’t tell you how relieved I am,” she replied. “I can’t wait to see you.”

“You’re going to have to wait a little longer, I’m afraid. I need you to call Dinara Orlova,” I said, referring to the head of the Private office in Russia. “Tell her I’m coming to Moscow.”

“Moscow? No, Jack. You can’t go there. Not after what happened.”

“It’s because of what happened that I have to go back,” I replied. “It seems I have unfinished business with old enemies.”

“Oh, Jack. Please don’t do this,” she protested.

“I must. We’ll never be safe otherwise.”

“I can’t talk you out of it, can I?”

I didn’t respond.

“Promise me one thing,” she said. “You’ll come back alive.”

“I promise,” I replied, although I knew my fate would be out of my control.

“And when you get back, we’ll spend a month together. No distractions. We’ll take a long vacation.”

It sounded like bliss to me. “Deal,” I replied.

“Be careful, Jack,” she said.

“I will,” I replied, before hanging up.

I went over to Zhang Daiyu, who stood waiting with Hua.

“Everything okay?” she asked.

I nodded.

“We have an address for Fang Wenyan,” she revealed. “From Fen. It’s an apartment in Zizhuyuan Subdistrict.”

Hua whistled.

“Problem?” I asked.

“He is whistling because this Fang’s area is where half the government lives. It’s for party members with power. Those with real connections,” Zhang Daiyu replied.

“Then we better make sure we don’t upset anyone,” I said, climbing into the van.

Zhang Daiyu and Hua exchanged hesitant looks before following me into the vehicle. Hua said something in Mandarin as he slid behind the wheel.

I looked at Zhang Daiyu expectantly.

“It’s better I don’t translate that word for word. It’s enough for you know he asks questions about your sanity.”

I smiled. “He’s not the first,” I said, as Hua stepped on the accelerator and we drove away.