Black Karma Page 15

  “While we’re waiting for the police,” she asked, “whom do I see about having my friend moved to a private room? I’ll provide security for him. That’ll be one less problem for you.”

  Saunders turned to meet her gaze. “We have VIP rooms, if you don’t mind paying.”

  “Done,” she replied.

  He nodded in response and pushed a button on a square, black communication device attached to an epaulet on his shoulder. He gave instructions to prepare a VIP room for Lee and to refer any issues with the change of rooms to Director Flag.

  As Saunders finished his conversation, Inspector Kelly crashed through the doors and into ICU. Song reached inside his jacket. Bai stepped forward and put out a hand to restrain the triad soldier. The notion of allowing Song to shoot Kelly proved tempting, but she needed the inspector.

  “Who’s in charge here?” Kelly blustered while rocking back on his heels.

  She could plainly see he was still drunk. Reeking of alcohol, he obviously hadn’t had time to cast off the dregs from the night before. She nodded at Song to stay put then gestured to Captain Saunders to follow her. She walked toward Kelly while pointing out the door. “Let’s take it outside, Kelly. There are sick people in here, and you’re carrying enough germs to bring an army to its knees.”

  Kelly raised a hand in protest as he turned to follow her. He appeared exasperated. “Don’t bother asking what I think,” he mumbled. “I’m only the friggen police.”

  They walked through the double doors and into the hallway with Saunders bringing up the rear. Once in the corridor, she removed her mask and turned to confront Kelly angrily. “I don’t know what you’ve been swilling, but it seems to have addled your brain. I’m not even a little bit interested in what you think. I’m worried about Lee. I want to know what’s going on, and I want to know now!”

  He threw up his hands in frustration. “We can’t talk here. This place is too public.”

  Saunders removed his mask, so Bai could clearly see the deep scowl etched on his face. He asked a pointed question of Kelly. “Do you know who the assailant is?”

  Kelly waved his hands frantically and shook his head. “You don’t understand,” he replied in a defeated voice. “I don’t have the slightest idea who he is. I swear on my mother’s grave I don’t know. That’s assuming you’re talking about who I think you’re talking about. What I need to know is did anyone get hurt? Do I need to file a report?”

  “A nurse received a superficial neck wound,” Saunders answered. “She seemed pretty badly shaken by the incident. I’m willing to downplay the event as violent behavior by an unstable individual.” He turned his gaze on Bai. “We don’t want any rumors being spread about doctors trying to kill patients.”

  “That’s fine with me,” she said, “as long as Lee is protected and gets the best of care. That’s my only concern.”

  “We’ll get him moved immediately to a private room,” Saunders said. “While that’s taking place, I’ll interview the nurse myself. There’s no sense in subjecting her to even more trauma.”

  Kelly turned to Bai and asked, “So why am I here? Did you get me out of bed to run down here so you can call me a drunk? You could’ve done that over the phone.”

  “Your job is to make sure that SFPD doesn’t show up to interrogate anyone.”

  “I am SFPD,” Kelly countered in frustration.

  “That’s exactly my point. You’re my personal SFPD. I can reason with you. If some newbie detective were to show up and sniff out a chance to make a headline, we’d all have our pictures in the paper. Nobody here wants that. Right?”

  Two heads nodded in agreement.

  “So we keep a lid on this assault. It’s better for everybody,” she said.

  “How is it better for you?” Kelly asked.

  She glared at him. “I don’t want the tan man to know I’m coming for him.”

  “Jeezus!” Kelly cried. “Why can’t you just leave well enough alone? You pick at a scab, and it’ll bleed. You keep pickin’ at that man, and you’ll be the one bleedin’,” he said as he shook his head in frustration.

  “Why don’t you get some coffee and wait for the report from Captain Saunders?” Bai suggested. “Make your call downtown or whatever you have to do to bury this fiasco. I’ll stay with Lee until he’s settled. Then you and I, Kelly, will sit down to have a nice little chat.”

  “Fine, fine, fine . . .” Kelly replied. “You do that.”

  She frowned at Kelly, who nodded in acquiescence while waving her away with a flick of his fingers. With misgivings, she left the two men standing in the corridor and walked back to the intensive care unit. Still standing where she’d left him at the foot of Lee’s bed, Song scrutinized anyone who came into the ICU. Nurses chanced nervous glances in his direction but quickly averted their eyes.

  Two orderlies wearing blue scrubs followed Bai into the room. The attendants unhooked Lee from the monitors, then she and Song followed his bed up to the sixth floor where a pristine suite of rooms waited. The main room boasted a good view of the city through picture windows. Blond furniture and a big-screen television on the wall provided a comfortable setting for both the patient and his visitors. The orderlies rolled the bed over to the window, where they hooked Lee up to another set of monitors. A nurse marched into the room to make sure everything was in order. She checked his vital signs and output bags before nodding deferentially to Bai then leaving.

  Bai walked over to stand next to his bed and pressed her hand against his cheek. He looked peaceful but pale. “May all your dreams be joyful,” she whispered, “and may all your angry shades be gentled and laid to rest.”

  She kissed him on the forehead and smoothed his hair back, grateful he lived.

  Chapter 23

  Four very large men wearing black suits over black tee-shirts walked into Lee’s private room. Hardware bulged under their suit jackets. Bai reached into her pockets, and Song tensed with his hand inside his jacket.

  About six feet tall, the shortest of the men spoke. “We’re from Axis Security to see Bai Jiang. Jason Lum contracted for our services—a four-man detail for around-the-clock protection.”

  “All four of you came to guard him at once?” Bai asked curiously.

  The men smiled.

  “No ma’am,” the original speaker said. “This is just a meet and greet, so you’ll know who we are. We’ll rotate on four six-hour shifts. Two of us will be in the room at all times. If there’s a reason one of us can’t make a shift, you’ll be notified in advance.”

  “I see.”

  The speaker turned to his team and nodded. Two of the men turned to walk out of the room, while he opened his jacket to move away from the door and place his back against a wall. Standing with his hand inside his jacket, he had a clear shot at anyone coming through the entry. The other guard assumed a similar stance on the other side of the room.

  Bai walked back to Lee’s bed to put her hand on his forehead. His skin felt cool to the touch. As she withdrew her hand, his eyes blinked open.

  A moment or two later, he recognized her. “Where am I?”

  “You’re in San Francisco General.”

  “What am I doing here?”

  He reached for one of the drains on the side of his chest. She stopped his hand.

  “You’ve been shot,” she said softly. “The tan man put two holes in your back. Don’t worry. The doctors say you’re going to be fine. You just need a couple of days to rest and take it easy.”

  “Who’s the tan man?”

  “The tan man in the gray suit you were following.”

  He seemed to have difficulty remembering. Meeting her gaze, he asked, “Water?”

  She poured water from a plastic pitcher and put a straw in the cup before holding the plastic tube up to his lips. He sipped slowly then shook his head.

  “It hurts,” he complained.

  “I imagine it does. The good news is the shooter used a twenty-two, so the scars will be smal
l.”

  “I guess that’s good news,” he said half-heartedly. “What are the tubes for?”

  “They’re drains. The doctor is going to take them out later today. It’ll be something to look forward to.”

  “For you or for me?”

  She smiled.

  “I dreamt a naked man jumped up and down on my chest,” he said.

  “Why was he naked?”

  “All the men in my dreams are naked.”

  She smiled at his attempt at humor. “I can tell you’re feeling better.”

  “Do you suppose you could get them to give me some more drugs?”

  “Why? Are you in pain?”

  “I could be if that’s the right answer.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.”

  She pushed the call button for assistance. When the nurse came into the room, she glanced warily at the men standing around with their hands in their jackets. The woman had a pinched face with hair parted in the middle and drawn back into a ponytail at the nape of her neck.

  “He wants drugs,” Bai told her.

  “He isn’t due for his morphine for another two hours.” She looked at Lee. “Where does it hurt?”

  “Where doesn’t it hurt?”

  The nurse looked at Lee a long moment before caving in. “I’ll get you something and be right back.”

  He looked at Bai when the nurse had left. “What do you think she means by ‘something’?”

  “From the look she gave you, I’d bet on Tylenol.”

  Lee frowned. “I thought the same thing. She has an Amish look, doesn’t she?”

  “Don’t worry. We’ll have you out of here in a day or two. Just hang in there a little longer.”

  “Like I’ve got a choice?” Becoming more aware of his surroundings, he looked around. “What’s with all the muscle?”

  She nodded at the security team near the door. “Those two are around-the-clock protection for you. This one,” she indicated Song, “is mine, compliments of Jason.”

  “What did we do to deserve all this attention?”

  “I’ll explain later. Do you remember anything from before you were shot?”

  “I remember I was following him, and he disappeared. Then it’s a blank. Who is he?”

  “That’s the part I’m not sure about. He’s the one who ‘did’ Wen Liu.”

  “Do we know why?”

  “No.”

  “We don’t know much, do we?”

  “No, but we’re not going to let a little thing like ignorance slow us down. We’re too stupid to let that happen.”

  His smile made her feel better.

  She confided in him “The tan man tried to kill you again about two hours ago.”

  “Here, in the hospital?”

  She nodded. “I put a knife in his arm. I knew you’d want me to.”

  “Why didn’t you shoot him for me?”

  “My first instinct was to kill him. The feeling was almost euphoric. I had to stop myself. I wonder, sometimes, if I’m not more like my grandfather than I’d ever imagined.”

  He looked at her with concern. “This isn’t the time to have second thoughts, Bai. A moment’s hesitation could mean your life.”

  “I know. I realize I should have shot him, but the thought of taking another life frightened me, Lee. My instincts to kill frighten me. I’m afraid of what I’ll become.”

  He frowned. “Fill me in on what’s happened since I got shot.”

  She took a deep breath and collected her thoughts. “I had a meeting with the Norteños. They don’t know anything about Daniel Chen. Rafe showed up to pick up the girl tailing Kelly, so I made a deal and bought her from the Norteños. She’s at home with Elizabeth and the girls. That’s why I have to leave soon.”

  He looked at her, then chuckled, then grimaced. “Don’t make me laugh. It hurts. I can’t believe you’ve collected another stray. You’re worse than a cat lady.”

  “The pain serves you right for making fun of me.”

  “You sound like Nurse Ratched. Where is that nurse anyway?”

  Just then, the nurse came back into the room carrying a paper cup in one hand and a covered dish in the other. She put the dish on the tray next to Lee’s bed and handed him the cup.

  He looked inside at the clear liquid. “What is it?”

  “Liquid Tylenol,” she replied. “Take your medicine then you can have some Jell-O. As soon as you’re cleared for solid foods, we’ll bring you a tray.”

  He turned aside to stare at Bai with a stricken look on his face. She smiled and held out the cup and straw.

  “Save me,” he pleaded.

  “Take your medicine, and eat your Jell-O like a good boy,” Bai encouraged him. “When you get out of here, we’ll find a steak and a bottle of really good wine to make up for all your suffering.”

  He took the Tylenol but refused the green Jell-O. “I’ve suffered enough.”

  “Is there anything you need me to do while you’re in here?” Bai asked “Feed the fish? Water the plants? Do your laundry?”

  “Tell Elizabeth to water my plants. You’re not to go near them.”

  She shrugged, aware of her reputation for having a black thumb.

  His expression became somber. “Bai?”

  “Yes?”

  “Be careful. I didn’t see the tan man coming. He was there one moment—gone the next. Before I had time to backtrack, he had me. Don’t play with him. If you see him again, shoot him.”

  She nodded somberly. “I promise.”

  “Go home and see to the kids. I’ll be fine.”

  “I’ll be back later.”

  “Do what you need to do. I’m not going anywhere. I think I might sleep for a day or two.”

  She pressed a hand against his cheek and leaned over to kiss his forehead. “I’m glad you didn’t die. I’m not sure what I’d do without you.”

  “Get out of here before you have me in tears. I’ll bet crying hurts as much as laughing.”

  She smiled and squeezed his hand in parting. As she walked toward the door, Song preceded her. He opened the door and checked the hallway before allowing her to leave the room. She gave one last wave to Lee as she walked through the doorway then opened her phone to call Kelly. She wanted a word with the inspector before leaving the hospital. Her call went unanswered.

  She called Bo. He immediately picked up her call. “No sign of any tan man in a doctor’s coat, Bai. I circled the block but didn’t see anyone fitting that description.”

  “Thanks, Bo. Song and I will be down shortly. I just have one more stop to make.”

  She got directions to the hospital’s security office and found Captain Saunders there. Song waited for her outside the door. The captain stood as she entered. “Is everything satisfactory with the private room?”

  “The room is fine,” she replied. “In case you haven’t been informed, we have security in place. I was wondering where Inspector Kelly has gotten to.”

  “Your inspector scurried out of here as soon as I handed him the incident report.”

  Saunders looked as if he’d swallowed something bitter. She sympathized; Kelly had that effect on people.

  “Did he say where he was going?”

  “No, but I don’t think you’ll have to look farther than the nearest bar. He seems to have a problem.”

  “You noticed, huh?”

  “Hard not to notice. He smells like a distillery.”

  She changed the subject. “Did your men find any sign of the fake doctor with the knife wound?”

  “No. I put an alert out to local medical facilities to be on the lookout. A wound like you described would benefit from stitches, but if he’s smart he’ll just use butterfly bandages and take a broad-spectrum antibiotic.”

  She nodded and put out her hand. “Thanks for everything. I appreciate your cooperation.”

  “I suspect I’m the one who should be thanking you,” he said as he took her hand. “You prevented a murder inside my hosp
ital then put a lid on the story. You have my gratitude.”

  “If you really want to show your appreciation, keep an eye on my friend. I’d feel better knowing he has backup for his security detail.”

  “I’ve got a man dedicated to watching the corridor camera around the clock. Nobody will get into that room without being scrutinized. You have my word.”

  “Thanks again, Captain. I’ll let you know if I find out anything more about our assailant. I want him put away as badly as you do.”

  Song fell into step with her as she exited the captain’s office. Walking through the lobby of the hospital, her phone rang.

  “Where are you?” Elizabeth asked. “Do you have any news of Lee?”

  “I’m just leaving the hospital now. Lee is conscious and feeling much better. I’ve had him moved to a private room, and I’m on my way home. Is everything all right?”

  “Yes, we’re fine. I’m fixing the children breakfast. Should I send them to school?”

  “No. Tell them we’re going on holiday. We’ll talk about it when I get home, but I think this might be a good time to get some country air.”

  Ominous silence greeted her from the other end of the line. “Are you thinking of sending us away?”

  “No. I’m thinking the girls might like to spend some time lying around a pool and learning how to ride horses. Spring in the wine country is beautiful.”

  “Where will you be while all of this is going on?”

  The question forced Bai to consider. The house in the country was only an hour away by car, and spending nights with the family would ease Elizabeth’s fears. She could sleep in Healdsburg and still work in the city. Skirting the truth, she replied, “I’ll be staying with you and the girls.”

  Her answer seemed to calm Elizabeth. “In that case, I think a trip to the countryside is a wonderful idea. Once we’re settled, perhaps you’d like to invite Howard to spend some time with the family. That would give you a chance to see how he responds to the children.”

  “Sure, why not?” she replied with as much enthusiasm as she could rally. “Spending time with Howard would just about make my day perfect.”