Chapter Seventeen

Lo Cheung had just closed the refrigerator door when the house intercom sounded. “Lo here.”

“Sir, three police cars just turned onto the drive and are headed to the house.”

“Do they have their lights and sirens on or off?”

“Off, sir. Shall I detain them before they get to the house?”

“To what end, so I can escape?” he laughed. “Let them come on up. I’m curious what is worth a trip at ten o’clock at night.”

He straightened his embroidered gold silk robe and tightened the sash belt as he walked through the house to the front door. He stepped out onto the front porch landing to watch the squad cars pull up. He was not in the least bit surprised to see leading the cadre of officers was none other than Inspector Najib Runnak.

“Inspector Najib, what brings you all the way out here on such a beautiful night?”

The Inspector, a slight yet square-shouldered man in his thirties, stepped up but couldn’t face Cheung because he was blocking the top step. He looked up at him with a face that Cheung has always thought was far too stern for such a young man. “Lo Cheung, you are under arrest for bribing a government official and obstructing the progress of a police investigation.”

Cheung folded his arms over his chest. “Really? Can you tell me who I am accused of bribing?”

“You know full well it was the entire night shift of our North Sector precinct.”

“So, a supporter can’t show his appreciation of the work our fine police force does without being accused of bribery?”

“The nineteen bottles of ten-year-old scotch have all been confiscated. We also know exactly which files you were given copies of. Though what you are doing stealing the file of a routine heart attack report, I do not understand. All your hubris has bought you this time is a criminal charge.”

“You took the booze? I have always thought you were a bit too tightly wound, Najib, but I never took you for a killjoy. You need to go a little easier on the starch in that white shirt collar.”

“Half the officers there are Muslim and can’t drink.”

“Is that my fault?” Cheung deadpanned.

The Inspector raised an impatient eyebrow. “Nevertheless, you are under arrest and you are coming with us.”

Cheung looked down at his nightclothes. “May I have a moment to change into something more appropriate?”

Runnak gestured to the policeman on either side of him for them to escort Cheung back into the house.

“Thank you. I won’t be long.” He paused as he turned to go into the house. “That is, I won’t be long changing.” He smiled and added, “I also won’t be long in your lock up, but you know that.”

The most annoying part of being arrested on his own front porch came when he stepped back out. Someone had tipped the press, and a camera crew was waiting for him, lights and microphones thrusting wildly. At least he knew he would look good on camera in his Ralph Lauren suit. Cheung turned to the Runnak and sighed. “Was this really necessary?”

The other policemen held back the reporters as the Inspector escorted him into the back seat of a police car, then climbed in the front. “I had nothing to do with the press being called. Your own fame brings them out of the night.”

“Yes, I’m sure you have no interest in showing the world how you brought down the infamous Mister Lo.”

Runnak turned around in his seat to face him through the cage bars as the car pulled away. “I admit I jumped at the chance to finally arrest you for something solid. You skate around the system long enough and eventually you’re going to trip.”

“Did it ever occur to you that you haven’t been able to arrest me for any of my supposed crimes because I am not actually a criminal?”

“How can you be so close to so many crimes and yet not be responsible for any of them?”

“I am an attractive target. Real criminals are much more circumspect.”

“Ah, yes, the real criminals, who vanish into nothing when the lights come on.” “Actually, that depends on who is holding the light.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means I have brought in a new investigator to work on your favorite of my alleged crimes, the Cheri Macklin murder.”

Runnak didn’t try to hide the roll of his eyes.

“Mock me while you can. My new PI is uniquely qualified and she is cracking that case as we speak. My name will be cleared, finally and completely.”