As they began the long walk down a now-dark alley toward the Range Rover, Tommy fumed, “You made Mr. Yeong angry.”
“What do you mean?” asked Jake, knowing exactly what he meant.
“You know Mr. Yeong doesn’t like being called Oriental.”
Jake smiled but said nothing.
“Why do you do that?” asked Tommy.
“Because I can get away with it,” said Jake with a smirk, celebrating the fact he had just added one more nail to the coffin of several gangster entrepreneurs.
Tommy shook his head. “If you want to keep taking your fee in Mr. Yeong’s yaba, I suggest you show the man a lot more respect.”
“Oh, come on. Don’t give me that respect crap. This is all about the money. I’ve got what he needs. If he can’t handle my insensitivities, I’ll just move on to someone else. A lot of people will pay for my services. If this is going to work, he doesn’t have to like me. All he has to do is trust me—and pay me.”
“Why should he trust you? I don’t know that I do,” said Tommy.
“Well, apparently he doesn’t trust you. He wouldn’t even front you two kilos of ice to pay for the container we smuggled into the United States. I’d watch my back around him. From now on, you ought to insist on half payment up front.”
Jake knew he had three solid counts against Yeong: two containers of counterfeit goods smuggled across the U.S. border and now the crystal methamphetamine. He needed to move quickly to Park, whom he had not met but who had brokered the Rolex watch deal through Tommy. The investigation might be short-lived because of the lawyer’s solicitation to commit murder. The undercover agent wanted to get Tommy off Yeong and on to Park. This was an opportunity to plant seeds of doubt and fear, maybe even a little paranoia.
Jake continued. “I’d drop this guy like used dental floss. From everything you’ve said Park is more honorable.”
“You don’t question the integrity of a man like Mr. Yeong.”
Jake wasn’t about to back down. “When I get back to my place I’m weighing this. If it’s light your next container’s gonna be light.”
Tommy raised his voice slightly. “You never challenge a man like Mr. Yeong in his office in front of others.”
“You call that a challenge? I never even put a gun to his head.”
“You must always leave a man with his dignity. To do otherwise is to make an enemy.”
“That must be more Confucius because I can’t think of a country song with that line in it,” said Jake.
Tommy looked over his shoulder.
“They aren’t coming,” said Jake.
“You think you know our ways but you’re wrong.”
“I’m still trying to catch up on all these Asian customs.”
“You better hope you live long enough to learn them.”
Jake needed to drop Tommy at his car, which was parked in a strip mall two miles from the restaurant. The undercover agent knew Tommy was agitated by the performance in Yeong’s office, so he decided to lighten up the conversation as they were driving.
“Candy’s beautiful,” said Jake.
After a prolonged moment Tommy said, “You really think so?”
“Absolutely. Better keep a close eye on that one. Somebody with money will grab her in a heartbeat.”
“That’s why I’m working so hard to please her.”
“Whatever generates our revenue stream pleases me, my friend,” said Jake.
With the tension eased, Jake decided to press the investigation.
“What’s the deal with a black bartender in a Korean bar serving only domestic beer?” asked Jake, trying to sound as if he were only making conversation and not all that interested.
Tommy seemed forgiving in his response. “His name’s Kareem. He did time with Candy’s brother at Folsom. They were in the same unit for a year or so and Kareem got to know the family. After Kareem got off parole and needed a job, Candy convinced Yeong’s manager to hire him to tend bar.”
“The bartender’s name is Kareem?” said Jake, glancing over at Tommy.
“Yeah.”
“Is he Muslim?”
“I’m not sure. He doesn’t worship at my mosque,” replied the Korean sarcastically.
“Funny, Tommy. Is Candy’s brother still in?”
“Yeah, and he’s not getting out anytime soon.” Tommy paused briefly before asking, “Why are you so interested in all this? Are you writing a book?”
“No, just seemed odd, a black guy with a Muslim name working in a Korean bar.”
“Submit it to Ripley’s,” came Tommy’s quick response.