Stealing Time

CHAPTER 29

A

nnie Lee called Nanci Hua in Garden City just after six on Thursday evening. "You Lin's cousin?" she asked in Chinese.

"Yes, who's this?" Nanci asked, though she knew right away who it was.

"Never mind who. I know where she is. You want to know?"

"Yes."

"You give me five thousand dollas?"

"Five thousand dollars!" Nanci was shocked.

"Yes, she's your cousin. You owe it for her."

"The money is for her? I don't understand. Where is she? They said you took her to the hospital."

"No hospital, who said hospital?" Suddenly the voice became uncertain.

"A woman where she lived told me her friend from work took her to the hospital. You're Annie Lee, the friend, right?"

"You'll give me five thousand dollas?"

"What do you need five thousand dollars for? What is this? Are you holding her for ransom or something?" Nanci's voice shook with anger.

"Okay, three thousand."

"This is bribery. You can't do this."

"Very important men maybe hurt Lin," Annie Lee said cagily.

"You can't scare me. Who are these men, your bosses? The president of your company, the owner of the company? The king of the world?" Nanci was furious. "Lin is only seventeen years old. She's a baby. Whoever hurts her could go to prison. Do you understand me?"

"Lin very sick." The tone was accusing.

"Tell me where she is, or I'll call the police right now."

"Two thousand dollars and no trouble. That's my last offer. You give me tonight, see cousin tonight. No give me, maybe Lin die."

"What are you talking about? I want to talk to her. Let me talk to her!" Nanci cried. Oh, God, she didn't know what to do. It was dinnertime. Milton was busy at the restaurant, and she wasn't sure what was right. Call April Woo or give the woman the money? After all the expenses with the new house and the down payment on the new car, Nanci wasn't sure they even had two thousand dollars. Her mind raced. But they could get it from the restaurant. Maybe even tonight.

"You have the money?"

"Maybe. I'll have to let you know. Give me your number."

"No, I call you back. Ten minutes."

The woman she knew was Annie Lee hung up. Nanci called Milton at the restaurant. She was sure there would be more than two thousand dollars there. She felt very bad about Lin, bad enough to give Annie whatever she wanted. This was her fault. All her fault. The assistant manager at the Golden Dragon said Milton would call her right back.