On his arrival at Central the following morning, Danilov found the whole place in an uproar. Armed officers were running around the corridors; sandbags were being placed on the steps facing Foochow Road, and on window ledges. Nobody was allowed into the lobby; even the hawkers had been banished from their usual places on the streets in front of the station.
‘What the hell is going on, Sergeant Wolff?’
The bluff old-fashioned copper still sitting at the front desk shrugged his shoulders. ‘Haven’t you heard? The Japanese have attacked the factory where the monk was murdered. They killed some of the workers and took a lot more hostage.’
‘Japanese marines?’
‘Civilians, apparently, but if you ask me—’
‘Nobody is asking you, Sergeant Wolff, so please keep your opinions to yourself.’ The last order was spoken by Chief Inspector Rock. He was wearing a shoulder holster outside his jacket, the first time Danilov had seen him armed.
‘What’s going on, sir?’
‘It looks like the murder of the monk was the last straw. All hell has broken out in Hong Kew. Looting and burning. Murder and mayhem. Japanese marines have landed from their ships on the Whangpoo. The Chinese have responded by digging trenches and putting up barbed wire at the borders. They closed Shanghai North station; nobody can get in or out. It’s a mess, Danilov. A proper mess.’
Danilov tried to edge past him to get to the detectives’ room.
‘No you don’t. You need to come with me.’
‘But sir, I need to—’
‘That’s an order, Danilov. Strachan is getting the car. All leave is cancelled. We’ve got to get between the warring sides before they start to kill each other.’
‘But sir… the investigation, the murder of the children… ’
‘Forget it, Danilov. If we don’t put every man we have on duty, the settlement will be lost.’
‘We’re so close, sir. I just need to make a phone call. One call,’ he pleaded.
‘You have your orders, Inspector Danilov. You’re coming with me to Dixwell Road station.’
‘I can’t, sir.’
Chief Inspector Rock seized him by the arm. ‘If you want to stay in this police force, you will obey orders. Our job is to protect the lives and property of the people of Shanghai. Right now, all investigations stop. Is that clear, Danilov?’
‘But—’
‘THAT IS AN ORDER. COME WITH ME.’