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At the end of the session time, Kai let Aa’eesha out of the building, extinguished the candles and locked everything up. I feel sorry for Aa’eesha sometimes, her husband sounds like such a dinosaur, but she’s happy with him. She put her leather jacket back on as she left, doing it up against the cooler air.
The scenery is the same, but Te Ling feels so different in the evening. Kai’s stomach rumbled. Time for lunch. She headed for her favourite bar/restaurant.
The tourists were still around, but the families had disappeared. As she left the park, she spotted a tourist family still eating at one of the park side cafés. A pair of police approached them and spoke to the parents.
Kai passed the café and caught a snatch of the conversation.
“Surely, it’s no more dangerous here than in New York?” the mother said, looking worried.
“I’m afraid it is, Ma’am,” the older policeman said, “The underworld of New York is younger than Te Ling’s.”
“You mean the criminals?” the Father laughed, “You don’t get targeted by them unless you’re stupid.”
“I wish he meant the criminals,” the younger policeman said, “unfortunately the Underworld is a lot more dangerous than just criminals.”
Kai smiled at the wistful expression on the younger man’s face. He must be new to the job, but he’s definitely a local. I can tell from here that he wants to explain it properly. She crossed the road and walked into the restaurant and theatre area of the Tourist District.
Down here the streets were brightly lit and there was a police presence on every junction. The business owners paid a premium in City Rates to ensure the safety of the tourists that ventured away from the Hotels. Very few locals ate in the area because of the prices but Kai’s favourite place was right in the middle of it and now she was earning enough to eat there as often as she wanted.
“Good Evening, Miss Riordan.” The Maître d said as she entered, “I’m afraid that your usual corner table is still occupied, but I have one by the window if you like?” he indicated the main restaurant with a wave of his hand
Kai shook her head, “I’ll wait in the bar for my usual one, thank you Jai-Lo.”
He nodded and made a note in the appointments book. Kai trotted down the steps into the bar area. There weren’t many people in here this early, so she took her normal stool at the far end of the bar, her back against the wall.
“Hiya Kai-Lynn, hungry or thirsty?” the Jiǔbǎo asked.
“Evening Maaike. I’m hungry tonight; just a European beer please.”
Maaike poured out the beer, swiped the excess head of foam off the top with a black handled beer scraper and passed it over, placing a disposable coaster on the polished wood before she put the glass down, “Did you hear the latest about the Black Dragon?”
“Which bit?” Kai took a long drink of her beer, “I heard a lot of things about the Black Dragon recently.”
“Well, today’s rumour is that the Black Dragon has had children.” Mai took one of the glasses from the tiny dishwasher under the counter and began polishing it with a clean cloth.
“What’s so exciting about that?”
“Considering that the Black Dragon is supposed to be a Vampire at the moment...” Maaike raised an eyebrow and lowered her tone so that the tourists that had just entered the bar didn’t hear her, “How can a Vampire have children? Wolf Clan can have cubs, but Vampires Rebirth Humans to procreate.”
“Hmm, good point.” Kai drank some more, “But even if it’s true, it’s none of our business.”
Maaike nodded and was about to say something more, but a waiter appeared on the bottom step.
“Miss Riordan, your table is ready for you.” He called out.
Kai slid down from her stool and picked up her glass, “Thanks for the chat, Maaike.”
The Jiǔbǎo waved a hand and moved along the bar to serve the tourists. Kai followed the waiter upstairs.
After her meal, Kai paid her tab and stepped back out into the tourist district. Something feels different about this place. She looked around. The lights were still bright and adult tourists still thronged the streets here, but the police presence had doubled.
Spotting an officer she knew by name, she wandered over, “Hi Zhao Li... what are you doing out here tonight? Isn’t there a murder or major crime that you should be investigating?”
The policeman laughed, “I’m not super glued to my desk chair you know, Kai-Lynn.”
Smiling, she shrugged, “I’m just wondering why there are so many police around this evening.”
“I shouldn’t really tell you anything...” his voice trailed off, his eyes no longer laughing.
“Is it something that is going to end up in my office later tonight?” Kai said.
He sighed.
“That would be a yes then. I’ll clear my schedule for this evening.” Kai moved away, as if she’d just been exchanging pleasantries with him, “I’ll see you when I see you.”
He raised a hand as she walked away, but she could feel his unhappiness and irritation. I’d better tell Edward to rearrange any appointments, I suspect this one is going mean a late night.
The walk to her other office took slightly longer than the walk from her loft to the park office. She skirted the park this time; the paths were well lit but the spaces between them were dark, and Kai knew from experience that it was a bad idea to interrupt anything that might be happening in there.
Her office was on the second floor of an old building in the heart of the eastern side of the City District. Edward manned the outer office and was at his desk when she walked in through the front door. Any hope of being able to clear her schedule disappeared when she realised there were three people already waiting for her.
“Can I see you in my office, Edward?” Kai asked, without stopping at his desk.
“Of course, Miss Riordan. I’ll just get your coffee.” He disappeared into the little kitchenette.
Once inside, Kai slung her jacket over the back of her chair and sat down. Two files were already in the middle of the desk. I should have called ahead... my own fault. She sighed and flipped open the top one, the black band on the spine telling her that it was a business client.
“Here you are, Miss Riordan,” Edward said as he came into the office with her coffee, shutting the door behind him.
“Thank you. Can you cancel any other appointments please? I get the feeling that something big is going to land in my lap shortly.”
“Already done. Detective Zhao called in about five minutes ago.” He put the mug down on the desk in front of her and Kai automatically moved it to the stained leather coaster she had on her right.
“What would I do without you, Ed?” she smiled at him.
“Let’s hope you don’t have to find out. Can I show the first client in?” Edward pointed to the black banded folder, “It’s actually a rather easy one.”
Kai scanned the summary sheet, “So I see. Yes, bring him in.”
Her PA left the office and came back in with a western man wearing a black business suit, pale blue shirt and bright blue tie.
Kai stood up and moved round the desk, holding her right hand out, “Welcome to my office, Mr Derwin-Hepler.”
The man hesitated.
“I see that my reputation has preceded me,” Kai smiled, “It’s quite all right, I’m wearing gloves.”
He took her offered hand gingerly and then breathed out heavily when nothing happened to him.
She shook his hand briefly before returning to her side of the desk, “Please sit down.”
Mr Derwin-Hepler sat down in one of the other chairs, “Thank you for seeing me.”
“If you wouldn’t mind walking me through the problem...”
“Of course,” he said, “We’ve had a series of thefts from the petty cash. I’m trying to deal with it internally, but despite having narrowed it down to three particular employees, if you can’t shed any light on the situation, I’ll have to call in the police.”
“I see. Did you bring anything in that I can use remotely, or would you rather I came to your office tomorrow?” Kai took a swallow of her coffee.
“If you wouldn’t mind visiting the office. I’ve not yet told them they are under suspicion, although the whole company knows that we have a thief in the office.” Derwin-Hepler shifted in his seat.
He’s very uncomfortable about this situation. Maybe there’s more to it than just these three? Kai drank some more coffee, letting the client sit silently.
He took a deep breath.
“I’ll come to your office at midday and spend the afternoon with you, interviewing your employees on the matter.” She said, putting her mug down, “We’ll see what comes up and I’ll be able to have a better idea of how to proceed.”
Mr Derwin-Hepler relaxed, “Thank you, that would be perfect.”
“See my assistant on the way out to make the arrangements, if you wouldn’t mind. I have rather a lot of work to do this evening.” Kai stood up and saw him to the office door, shaking his hand again.
Over his shoulder, she spotted Detective Zhao sipping coffee and leafing through what looked like a police file. He’s earlier than I expected. Should I reschedule the couple? She glanced at them and caught a feeling of severe anxiety and unhappiness from the woman. No, that’s something that needs taking care of quickly.
Edward looked up at her from his keyboard and his eyebrows drifted into his hairline, before he looked toward the absorbed policeman. She shook her head and shut the office door behind Mr Derwin-Hepler.
After she finished her coffee, she pressed the button on her intercom to buzz Edward. Instead of answering, he ushered the couple into the office, sat them down and asked if they needed anything.
He’s being very solicitous, but there wasn’t much in the file for me to go with. This may be a tricky one. Kai stood up, picked up her notebook and pen, then moved round the desk and grabbed the spare chair from beside the wall.
She placed it beside the couple and sat down, “Mr & Mrs Smith, I understand that you are looking for your daughter, Tabatha?”
“Yes,” Mrs Smith said, “She was last seen on a flight to Te Ling, but she disappeared when she arrived.”
“How old is she?” Kai made quick notes in shorthand as the woman spoke, “and who was the last person to see her?”
“She’s eighteen. She was coming here to meet up with my brother and his wife before they all continued on to Japan.” Mr Smith spoke this time.
“Your brother and his wife?”
“Andrew and Melanie Reading-Smith. They live in Wuhan, but Te Ling was easier to fly to, so Tabatha was going to meet them at the Hilton and sight see for a couple of days before they left for Tokyo.”
“Who met her at the airport?”
“My brother sent his driver and car to meet her, but she didn’t arrive.” Mr Smith said with a catch in his voice, “I checked with the airline, and it said that she boarded in London and departed the aeroplane here. Customs have records of processing her, but somewhere between Customs and the pickup zone, she disappeared.”
“When was the flight due to arrive?” Kai kept her voice calm, which was proving difficult with the level of anxiety the couple were giving off, “And which flight to Japan were they going to take?”
Mr Smith handed her a piece of paper, and she noted the details down on her pad.
“You hear all sorts of stories about young women going missing. Andrew contacted the police when their driver reported that she was missing and we spoke to them when we arrived this morning, but they say they can’t do anything yet.” Mrs Smith sobbed a little and her husband took her hand.
“My brother suggested that we consult you while we were waiting for them.” Mr Smith continued, “His company has used your services before.”
The police would have to wait to see if she surfaced amongst one of the Vampire Clans or in the Wolf Clan before they could register her missing officially. I’d better check with them first. Kai laid her pen down, “Do you have something of Tabitha’s, something that she wore a lot or kept with her a lot?”
Mrs Smith opened her handbag and pulled out a faded black t-shirt with a barely recognisable logo on. “She usually slept in this. I persuaded her to buy some new pyjamas for the trip and she left it behind. I haven’t washed it yet.”
Kai stood up, put her notebook and pen on the desk and retrieved a thick, clear polythene zip lock bag from a desk draw, “Just put it in here.”
Mr Smith dropped the t-shirt into the bag as Kai held it open. A whiff of dried sweat, fabric conditioner and perfume drifted up to her nose. Needs washing, but it’s much better for my purposes, especially as there’ll be DNA on it as well, should we need to identify a body.
“I’ll need to make some enquiries before I start looking for her; how long are you staying in Te Ling?” she closed the zip of the bag.
“Until we’ve found her. I don’t intend to leave without her.” Mr Smith said.
“Give my assistant your contact details here and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can with anything that I find out.”
“Thank you.” The husband said as he stood up and helped his wife to her feet, “We look forward to good news.”
Kai smiled, “Of course.” She showed them out of the office. In the outer office, Detective Zhao was still flipping through his file. I wonder how many times he’s read those pages now?
“Edward, give me a five minute break and then I’ll see the Detective.” She said clearly as the couple made their way to his desk.
Her assistant nodded and began speaking to the couple. Kai saw a vaguely annoyed look pass across Zhao Li’s face and suppressed a smile. You can wait a little more, detective. Be patient.