Chapter 9

Stevenson was immediately aware of us when we entered the casino. He locked eyes with Mia from across the room as he hinted at a nod of recognition. She was one of his best workers and, although she’ d been given instructions to collect no cash from us, he hoped she’d return with information that would prove useful to him.

As Shen pushed his way through the crowd, Stevenson stepped away from his companions to make sure there was a clear path for him to approach.

“Mr. Stevenson?” he said.

Stevenson stood about four inches taller than Shen. They sized each other up while he accepted Shen’s offer of a handshake.

“How can I help you?” Stevenson asked.

He drawled the words lazily with a dulled Jamaican accent. He was fully aware of Shen’s reason for approaching him but decided not to let on that he did. He enjoyed the game of deception and his eyes showed it.

“You work for Wadim, correct?” Shen asked.

“I work for me,” Stevenson said with a scowl. “What do you want with Wadim?”

“A girl,” Shen said as he tried his best not to let his voice give way to his emotions.

“Your friend looked like he had his hands full. Won’t he share?” Stevenson asked with a chuckle as he nodded his head in my direction.

My friend slowly drew in a deep breath and his jaw flexed with tension. It was clear Stevenson took pleasure out of his obvious struggle to maintain a calm demeanor.

“I want a specific Chinese girl. Her name is Dao-Ming,” he replied.

Shen was surprised at how difficult it was for him to maintain his composure in the presence of this man. He was trained since childhood to keep cool when facing the adversary. That extensive training was certainly being tested. There was something about this enormous black man that made his skin crawl and his stomach turn. His first instinct was to strike at him but, he knew that would be foolish.

Stevenson knew very well who Shen was looking for. In fact, he was expecting and watching for us. Even so, his desire to taunt was too strong to resist.

“So, you only have taste for your own breed, eh?” he taunted.

The fact that Stevenson’s arrogance grated at Shen was written all over his expression. He cursed himself for not being able to hide it better. Normally he hid his feelings well. What was it about this man that broke down his defenses in this way? Giving Stevenson this type of satisfaction was galling. He wanted to land him where he stood, but he needed to find out where Dao-Ming was taken and Stevenson was his only link.

“Do you like to play with people?” he grumbled in a voice that was low but threatening as he inched toward Stevenson. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could maintain his composure. The urge to strike this man was almost overwhelming.

Stevenson threw his hands in the air and laughed.

“Hey, hey, take it easy or you’ll get nothing from me, got it?” he said.

Shen backed slowly away, while keeping his eyes locked with Stevenson’s.

“Dao-Ming, Dao-Ming ...hmm, the name sounds familiar,” Stevenson said in a manner that contradicted his words and gave the impression Dao-Ming’s name was quite well known. Shen stood silent while Stevenson studied him intently. When it seemed as if Shen was going to burst from the strain of refraining from grabbing him by his arrogant neck and wringing the life out of him, he said, “I can’t help you.”

He was lying and Shen knew it. Panic seized him as he watched Stevenson’s imposing figure turn his back to him and stroll down the aisle of slot machines toward the open wall.

Under different circumstances Shen would have found the bustle and glitter of the street activity mesmerizing, but tonight it only served to irritate him more. He scurried to catch up and fall into step next to Stevenson.

“You work for yourself, correct?” Shen huffed. “Is their money better than mine?”

Stevenson followed Shen’s eyes in the direction of two young women huddled next to a limousine. They looked small and fragile as the driver opened the back door and a tall, slender, well dressed black man slid out and stood next to them. Our apparent innocence faded as the younger looking of the two brazenly brushed her body against the man as he bent down so that she could whisper in his ear. He threw his head back and laughed boldly while guiding them into the back seat of the limousine. The man discretely slipped an envelope to the limousine driver as he pulled his legs into the car and the driver closed the door.

A tall, well-built middle-aged black man -who Shen recognized as one of Stevenson’s companions from the event- walked past the limousine driver and took the envelope from him. He tucked it into the inside pocket of his suit coat. It was all done so quickly and discretely that you had to be watching very closely to catch what happened. Shen continued to watch intently as the man weaved his way through the crowd toward them.

Stevenson was suddenly eager to be rid of him. It was time to stop with the games.

“What’s her name, Din-Yin?” he asked.

Shen emitted a frustrated sound that resembled a growl. Stevenson knew all too well her name but just could not resist the opportunity to taunt one more time.

Shen’s voice was low, but clear as he said, “Dao-Ming.”

“Why so specific?” Stevenson asked. “I have plenty to choose from.”

He watched his man move closer through the crowd. He’d have to cease with the taunting jabs soon.

“I want only Dao-Ming,” Shen replied.

Time stood still. Stevenson was our only link to finding Dao-Ming and he had no back up plan. The scoundrel had to pull through with the information.

The lack of patience in Shen’s voice was enough to satisfy Stevenson. Besides, his payment for the two girls was almost up the aisle and he wanted to put his greedy hands on it. It was time to stop playing and get rid of this insect. He crooked an eyebrow as he studied Shen for a moment.

Chuckling, he lit a cigarette and drew on it deeply before responding with, “I can lead you to her, but it’ll cost you.” He looked Shen up and down before continuing, “It may be a higher price than you’ll want to pay.”

Shen released the breath he was holding as a wave of relief swept through him.

“I’m not worried,” he said. “I will pay what you wish.”

“Will you now? Will you really?” Stevenson said.

He was only paying half attention to their conversation and grew noticeably edgy when the man with his money spotted Shen and turned to make his way back out to the street.

Stevenson gave strict orders that discretion was necessary at all times and knew that this was the reason his man didn’t approach, but he also trusted no one and wanted to catch up and get his money before his money disappeared at one of the gaming tables. Shen had officially become a pest. He snuffed his cigarette out in a nearby ashtray and muttered, “I’ll let you know” before scurrying after his man and his money.

Shen started to follow and then thought better of it. Not wanting to lose his connection with Stevenson he shouted, “I’m staying...”

“I know where you’re staying,” Stevenson tossed over his shoulder as he merged with the street crowd.

Shen stood as if dazed while he watched Stevenson’s head blend in with the crowd until it was indiscernible. The irritating man knew who he was all along. That had to be it. Otherwise, why would he say he knew where Shen was staying?

He forged his way through the crowd. He was determined to return to his room and confer with me as soon as possible. He scanned the casino while he walked out to the street and tried to spot any of Stevenson’s men following him, but everyone seemed too submerged in our gambling to notice his existence. Satisfied, he hurried back to our hotel room. As he passed the ship in front of Treasure Island, the reddish pair of reddish glowing eyes peering at him from amongst the crowd being entertained by the pirate show went unnoticed.