Noble House by James Clavell
Neither of the other men moved. “Why 8:30, Mr. Dunross? Why not midnight or midday tomorrow?” Sinders asked, unperturbed. He continued to puff his pipe but Dunross noticed that the tempo had been interrupted the moment he laid down the challenge. That’s a good sign, he thought.
“I have to call Tiptop then. Thanks for seeing me.” Dunross turned for the door.
Crosse, sitting behind the desk, glanced at Sinders. The older man nodded. Obediently Crosse touched the switch. The bolts sneaked back silently. Dunross jerked to a stop, startled, but recovered quickly, opened the door and went out without a comment, closing it after him.
“Cool bugger,” Crosse said, admiring him.
“Too cool.”
“Not too cool. He’s tai-pan of the Noble House.”
“And a liar, but a clever one and quite prepared to finesse us. Would he obliterate ‘it’?”
“Yes. But I don’t know if H hour’s 8:30 P.M.” Crosse lit a cigarette. “I’m inclined to think it is. They’d put immense pressure on him—they have to presume we’d thrust the client into interrogation. They’ve had plenty of time to study Soviet techniques and they’ve got a few twists of their own. They must presume we’re fairly efficient too.”
“I’m inclined to think he hasn’t got any more files and ‘it’ is genuine. If ‘it’ comes from AMG it must have special value. What’s your counsel?”
“I repeat what I said to the governor: If we have possession of the client until Monday at noon we’ll have everything of importance out of him.”
“But what about them? What can he tell them about us when he recovers?”
“We know most of that now. Concerning Hong Kong, we can certainly cover every security problem from today. It’s standard SI policy never to let any one person know master plans an—”
“Except you.”
Crosse smiled. “Except me. And you in the UK of course. The client knows a lot, but not everything. We can cover everything here, change codes and so on. Don’t forget, most of what he passed on’s routine. His real danger’s over. He’s uncovered, fortunately in time. Sure as God made little apples, he’d’ve been the first Chinese commissioner, and probably head of SI en route. That would have been catastrophic. We can’t recover the private dossiers, Fong-fong and others, or the riot and counterinsurrection plans. A riot is a riot and there are only so many contingency plans. As to Sevrin, he knows no more than we knew before we caught him. Perhaps the ‘it’ could provide keys, possibly keys to questions we should put to him.”
“That occurred to me instantly too. As I said, Mr. Dunross is too bloody cool.” Sinders lit another match, smoked the match a moment, then tamped the used-up tobacco. “You believe him?”
“About the files, I don’t know. I certainly believe he has an ‘it’ and that AMG came back from the dead. Sorry I never met him. Yes. The ‘it’ could easily be more important than this client—after Monday at noon. He’s mostly a husk now.”
Since they had returned, the interrogation of Brian Kwok had continued, most of it rambling and incoherent but details here and there of value. More about atomics and names and addresses of contacts in Hong Kong and Canton, security risks here and patterns of information about the Royal Mounted Police, along with an immensely interesting reiteration of vast Soviet infiltration into Canada.
“Why Canada, Brian?” Armstrong had asked.
“Northern border, Robert … the weakest fence in the world, there isn’t any. Such great riches in Canada … ah I wish … there was this girl I almost married, they said my duty … if Soviets can disrupt Canadians … they’re so gullible, and wonderful up there.… Can I have a cigarette … oh thanks … Can I have a drink my … So we have counterespionage cells everywhere to disrupt Soviet cells and find out … then there’s Mexico … The Soviets are making a big push there too … Yes they have plants everywhere … did you know Philby …”
An hour had been enough.
“Curious he should break so quickly,” Sinders said.
Crosse was shocked. “I guarantee that he’s not controlled, not lying, that he’s telling absolutely everything he believes, what has happened and will continue to do so un—”
“Yes of course,” Sinders said somewhat testily. “I meant curious that a man of his quality should crumble so soon. I’d say he’d been wavering for years, that his dedication was now nonexistent or very small and he was probably ready to come over to us but somehow couldn’t extract himself. Pity. He could have been very valuable to us.” The older man sighed and lit another match. “After a time it always happens to their deep-cover moles in our societies. There’s always some kindness, or girl or man friend or freedom or happiness that turns their whole world upside down, poor buggers. That’s why we’ll win, in the end. Even in Russia the tables’ll be turned and the KGB’ll get their comeuppance—from Russians—that’s why the pressure now. No Soviet on earth can survive without dictatorship, secret police, injustice and terror.” He tapped out his pipe into the ashtray. The dottle was wet at the base. “Don’t you agree, Roger?”
Crosse nodded and stared back at the intense, pale blue eyes, wondering what was behind them. “You’ll phone the minister for instructions?”
“No. I can take the responsibility for this one. We’ll decide at 8:30.” Sinders glanced at his watch. “Let’s get back to Robert. It’s almost time to begin again. Good fellow that, very good. Did you hear that he was a big winner?”
CHAPTER SIX-NINE
8:05 P.M.:
“Ian? Sorry to interrupt,” Bartlett said.
“Oh hello!” Dunross turned back from the other guests he was chatting with. Bartlett was alone. “You two aren’t leaving, I hope—this’ll go on till at least 9:30.”
“Casey’s staying awhile. I’ve a date.”
Dunross grinned. “I hope she’s suitably pretty.”
“She is, but that comes later. First a business meeting. Do you have a minute?”
“Certainly, of course. Excuse me a moment,” Dunross said to the others and led the way out of the crowded anteroom to one of the terraces. The rain had lessened in strength but continued implacably. “The General Stores takeover’s almost certain at our figure, without any overbid from Superfoods. We really will make the proverbial bundle—if I can stop Gornt.”
“Yes. Monday will tell.”
Dunross looked at him keenly. “I’m very confident.”
Bartlett smiled, tiredness and concern behind the smile. “I noticed. But I wanted to ask, are we still on for Taipei tomorrow?”
“I was going to suggest we should postpone it till next week, next weekend? Tomorrow and Monday are rather important for both of us. Is that all right?”
Bartlett nodded, hiding his relief. “Fine with me.” And that solves my problem about Orlanda, he thought. “Well then, I think I’ll be off.”
“Take the car. Just send Lim back when you’re through with him. You’re going to the hill climb if it’s on? That’s at 10:00 A.M. till about noon.”
“Where is it?”
“New Territories. I’ll send the car for you, weather permitting. Casey too if she wants.”
“Thanks.”
“Don’t worry about Casey tonight—I’ll see she gets back safely. Is she free afterwards?”
“I think so.”
“Good, then I’ll ask her to join us—a few of us are going for a Chinese supper.” Dunross studied him. “No problem?”
“No. Nothing that can’t be handled.” Bartlett grinned and walked away, girding himself for the next onslaught—Armstrong. He had cornered Rosemont a few moments ago and told him about the meeting with Banastasio.
“Best leave it with us, Linc,” Rosemont had said. “As far as you’re concerned we’re informed officially. The consulate. I’ll pass it on to whomever. Leave it all lie—tell Casey, okay? If Banastasio calls either of you, stall him, call us and we’ll work out a scam. Here’s my card—it’s good twenty-four hours a day.”
&nb
“Oh hi, Linc,” Murtagh said, hurriedly getting out of a cab, almost knocking him over. “Sorry! Party still going on?”
“Sure it is, Dave. What’s the rush?”
“Got to see the tai-pan!” Murtagh dropped his voice, his excitement showing. “There’s a chance that head office’ll go for it, if Ian’ll concede a little! Casey still here?”
“Sure,” Bartlett said at once and all his senses focused, everything else forgotten. “What concessions?” he asked warily.
“Double the foreign exchange period and he’s to deal direct with First Central, giving us first option on all future loans for five years.”
“That’s not much,” Bartlett said, hiding his perplexity. “What’s the whole deal now?”
“Can’t stop, Linc, gotta get the tai-pan’s okay. They’re waiting, but it’s just as Casey and me laid it out. Hell, if we pull this off the tai-pan’ll owe us favors till hell freezes!” Murtagh rushed off.
Bartlett stared after him blankly. His feet began to take him back into the house but he stopped and returned to his place in the line. There’s plenty of time, he told himself. No need to ask her yet. Think it out.
Casey had told him about the Royal Belgium’s connection with First Central, and Murtagh had elaborated this afternoon, adding how hard it was to get an in here with the Establishment but that was all. Bartlett had noted the Texan’s nervousness and Casey’s nervousness. At the time he’d put it down to the races.
But now? he asked himself suspiciously. Casey and Murtagh and the tai-pan! “First Central’ll go for the deal if and “the tai-pan’ll owe us favors till hell freezes….” and “just as Casey and me laid it out.” She’s the go-between? Casey’d run rings around that joker and she’s no messenger. Hell, Casey has to lead him by the nose. He’s no match for her. So probably she put him up to—to what? What does the tai-pan need most?
Credit, fast, in millions by Monday.
Jesus, First Central’s going to back him! That’s got to be it. If. If he makes concessions, and he’s got to make some to get out from under …
“You want the car, sir?”
“Oh. Yes, Lim, sure. Police headquarters in Wanchai. Thanks.” He got into the back, his mind buzzing.
So Casey’s got a private game going. It must’ve been in the works a day or so but she hasn’t told me. Why? If I’m right and the scam succeeds, Ian’s got the wherewithal to fight off Gornt, even cream him. She’s gone out of her way to help him against Gornt. Without my okay. Why? And in return for what?
Drop dead money! Is the 50–50 a payoff—my 2 mill but she shares 50–50?
Sure. That’s one possibility—one that I know about now. What’re the others? Jesus! Casey independent, maybe going with the enemy? They’re still both enemy, Ian and Gornt.
His excitement increased.
What to do?
The money at risk with Gornt is covered every which way. The 2 mill with Struan’s is covered too, and stays. I’d never planned to jerk it—that was just testing Casey. The Struan deal’s good either way. The Gornt deal’s good, either way. So my plan’s still good—I can still jump either way, though the timing’s critical.
But now there’s Orlanda.
If it’s Orlanda, it’s the States or somewhere else but not here. It’s quite clear she’d never be welcome in Happy Valley’s winner’s circle. Or in the cliques and clubs. She’d never be freely invited into the great houses, except maybe by Ian. And Gornt, but that’d be to taunt, to jerk the reins, to remind her of the past—like last night when that other girl came on deck. I saw Orlanda’s face. Oh she covered, better than anyone could have covered except maybe Casey. She hated that the other girl had been below, in the master suite that was once hers.
Maybe Gornt didn’t do that deliberately? Maybe the girl came up on her own. She went back below almost at once. Maybe she wasn’t supposed to come up at all. Maybe.
Shit! There’s too much going on I can’t figure: like the General Stores and the Ho-Pak rescue—too much agreed by a couple of guys on a Saturday—a couple of whiskeys here and a phone call there. It’s all dynamite if you’re in the club but Jesus watch out if you’re not. Here you’ve got to be British or Chinese to belong.
I’m just as much an outsider as Orlanda.
Still, I could be happy here, for a time. And I could even handle it here with Orlanda, for a short time, on visits. I could handle the Pacific Rim and having Par-Con as a Noble House but for it to be accepted as the Noble House by British and Chinese, it’ll still have to be Struan-Par-Con with our name in small letters, or Rothwell-Gornt-Par-Con the same.
Casey?
With Casey, Par-Con could be a Noble House, easily. But is Casey still to be trusted? Why didn’t she tell me? Is she sucked in by Hong Kong and beginning to play her own game for Number One?
You’d better choose, old buddy, while you’re still tai-pan.
“Yes, Phillip?”
They were in the study under the portrait of Dirk Struan, and Dunross had chosen the place deliberately. Phillip Chen sat opposite him. Very formal, very correct and very weary. “How is Alexi?”
“Still unconscious. Doc Tooley says he’ll be all right if he comes out of it in a couple of hours.”
“Tiptop?”
“I’m to call him at 9:00 P.M.”
“Still no approval of his offer from … from the authorities?”
Dunross’s eyes narrowed. “You know the arrangement he suggested?”
“Oh yes, tai-pan. I … I was asked. I still find it hard to believe … Brian Kwok? God help us, but yes … my opinion was asked before the suggestion was put to you.”
“Why the devil didn’t you tell me?” Dunross snapped.
“Rightly you no longer consider me compradore of the Noble House and favor me with your trust.”
“You consider yourself trustworthy?”
“Yes. I’ve proved it in the past many times, so did my father—and his. Even so, if I were you and sitting where you are sitting, I would not be having this meeting, I would not have you in my house and I would already have decided the ways and means of your destruction.”
“Perhaps I have.”
“Not you.” Phillip Chen pointed at the portrait. “He would have, but not you, Ian Struan Dunross.”
“Don’t bet on it.”
“I do.”
Dunross said nothing, just waited.
“First the coin: Wait until the favor is asked. I will endeavor to find out what it is in advance. If it is too much th—”
“It will be too much.”
“What will he ask for?”
“Something to do with narcotics. There’s a strong rumor Four Fingers, Smuggler Yuen and White Powder Lee are in partnership, smuggling heroin.”
“It’s under consideration. They’re not actually partners yet,” Phillip Chen said.
“Again, why didn’t you tell me? It’s your duty as compradore to keep me informed, not to write down intimate details of our secrets and then lose them to enemies.”
“Again, I ask forgiveness. But now is the time to talk.”
“Because you’re finished?”
“Because I might be finished—if once more I cannot prove my worth.” The old man looked at Dunross bleakly, seeing the face of many tai-pans in the face of the man opposite him, not liking the face or that of the man above the fireplace whose eyes bored into him—the foreign devil pirate who had forsaken his great-grandfather because of mixed blood, half of which was his own.
Ayeeyah, he thought, curbing his anger. These barbarians and their intolerance! Five generations of tai-pans we’ve served and now this one threatens to change Dirk’s legacy for one mistake?
“About the ask: even if it’s connected with heroin or narcotics, it will concern some future performance or action. Agree to it, tai-pan, and I promise I will deal with Four Fingers long bef
“How?”
“This is China. I will deal with it in Chinese fashion. I swear it by the blood of my ancestors.” Phillip Chen pointed at the portrait. “I will continue to protect the Noble House as I have sworn to do.”
“What other trickeries did you have in your safe? I’ve been through all the documents and balance sheets you gave Andrew. With that information in the wrong hands we’re naked.”
“Yes, but only in front of Bartlett and Par-Con, providing he keeps them to himself and doesn’t pass them over to Gornt or another enemy here. Tai-pan, Bartlett doesn’t strike me as a malicious person. Perhaps we can deal with him to get what he has back and ask him to agree to keep the information secret.”
“To do that you have to barter with a secret he doesn’t want let out. Do you have one?”
“Not yet. As partners to us he should protect us.”
“Yes. But he’s already dealing with Gornt and advanced $2 million U.S. to cover Gornt selling us short.”
Phillip Chen whitened. “Eeeee, I didn’t know that.” He thought a moment. “So Bartlett will withdraw from us on Monday and go over to the enemy?”
“I don’t know. At the moment I think he’s fence-sitting. I would if I were him.”
Phillip Chen shifted in his chair. “He’s very fond of Orlanda, tai-pan.”
“Yes, she could be a key. Gornt’s got to have arranged that, or pushed her toward Bartlett.”