"Give me a list, but I don't think so."
"I wiU. Tonight, if aU goes well, you will be Mr. Naka-mura, the representative of a group of wealthy Oriental art dealers."
Bob raised a warning hand. "Hold it, Virg. I can speak Japanese, but if that girl you told me about is going to be there, shell spot my American accent the first time I open my mouth. I'll never get away with it."
"You don't have to; I may just create the impression that you are from Hawaii. You are present because you are interested in acquiring the jade collection of the late, respected dealer whom you knew only by reputation."
"I see. Am I an eager beaver, or what?'*
"You are an eflScient, very capable, reasonably polite businessman. You have substantial financial resources behind you."
"Would that it were true.*'
"Shut up-you have me for a friend, don't you? It will be at the Wang place this evening, say around nine. Wear your good suit."
"One question," Bob interjected. "Am I representing Japanese or American interests?"
Tibbs thought a moment *That's a good point. Imply that they're Japanese, but avoid a flat statement."
"And if I get blown?"
"Then leave everything to me. Of those who I expect will be present you can trust me-nobody else, got that?"
"It sounds like a charming affair. At least it's different I'll come by a few minutes after nine. Who invited me?'
"I did-we're acquainted. Leave it at that."
That matter settled, Tibbs turned to the inevitable accumulation of paper work and began to hoe his way through. He was still at it when the reception desk in the lobby called to inform him that Johnny Wu had arrived. "Send him up in two minutes," he said, allowing enough time for Bob Nakamura to make his disappearance. When Johnny's well-rounded bulk appeared in the doorway, Tibbs was alone.
He motioned his guest to a chair, and then lost no time in coming to the point "Johnny," he began, "I don't think that you've been leveUng with me. Chin Soo showed up this morning at the Wang house. I happened to be there. He told me that you had advised him to make himself scarce just at a time when I was very anxious to talk to him."
"All right," Johnny admitted, "I was dead wrong on that and all I can do at this point is to offer you an apology- and an explanation."
"Skip the apology, but I'm very interested in the explanation."
Johnny rested an arm on Tibbs' desk. "Within the Chinese-American community we like to handle our own problems. We seldom appeal to the police for help, and we don't usually ask for charity. We take care of our own."
"I know that"
"Good. Chin Soo is, of course, Chinese. Virgil, can I talk off the record for a little bit?"
"Provisionally, yes."
"Make it definitely; there's a good reason. Take my word for it."
"All right."
Off the record, then. Chin Soo is in this country legally, but just barely. If the full facts were to be published, he might face deportation. And that would be very undesirable; he's a sound young man and a very honest one."
Virgil nodded, but said nothing.
"When Wang Fu-sen was killed, Chin panicked, and I can't honestly blame him. He had never established a rapport with Miss Nagashima and for family reasons, he distrusts all Japanese. Now you know that Fu-sen and I were friends; it was at his house that I met Chin-not socially in that sense of the word, but we were mtroduced. So when he discovered what had happened to his employer, he had immediate visions of being interviewed by the police and having his status come out. That would mean back to Hong Kong and for very good and honorable reasons, he didn't want any of that. So he took an immediate powder and came to see me."
Johnny leaned forward to give emphasis to what he was about to say. "Now I give you my word that if you had shown any interest in the houseboy, or had asked me about him, I would have told you what I knew. But when you didn't bring it up I kept my mouth shut and you can't honestly blame me too much for that."
"Go on," Tibbs said.
"I can tell you this: Chin doesn't know a damn thing about Fu-sen's death that you haven't already been told, I determined that to my own satisfaction. If I had felt that he had any real information or evidence to give you, I would have made him come forward. Enough of that. When things began to take a different turn, I made a decision to send him back to the house. In the first place it was his responsibility-the death of Fu-sen didn't reheve him of his obligations. He owed Wang a great deal and it was up to him to pay off. He had two things to do: to continue to take care of the house for the time being and to protect the Nagashima girl, because Fu-sen had been interested in her — as an object of his generosity."
Tibbs picked up a pencil and rubbed it between his palms. "How much 'protection' do you think he might be able to provide? And why do you think that Yumeko might need it?'*
Johnny Wu smiled at that "Virgil, have you ever heard of Gung Fur
"Yes-Chinese karate-or the equivalent."
"Roughly that's right, except I personally think that you're underrating it a little. Anyhow, Chin happens to be an expert; accept my assurance that he's mighty damn good."
"All right, I'll buy that," Tibbs said. "But why the sudden need for protection?"
This time Johnny pulled out his handkerchief and used it to wipe his hands. "This is the part that you will want to know," he said. "And I admit that I should have told you sooner. I was following tradition instead of common sense and you have my apology. The fact that Chin Soo was in Wang Fu-sen's house was not entirely an accident Some
time ago some of us in our community became aware of the fact that Wang was being put under some kind of unpleasant pressure. The details weren't available and no one was about to ask him, that would have been outside of our rules of conduct, but we had a pretty good idea. The Chicoms try to make it hot for us every now and then if they think that there is anything to be gained by it. If you care to check with the FBI, they may tell you that I value my citizenship and have done a few things to earn it."
"By the Chicoms, you mean the Chinese communists."
"Right. To them we are overseas Chinese and they mean to use us in any way that they can. When the word came through that Fu-sen was having some difficulties, we looked for a good man. Chin Soo was recommended and he wanted desperately to come to America-as practically all of our better displaced young people do. We sent for him and after his arrival he did his stuff for a Gung Fu master who approved his abiUty. Then we put him into Wang's home- with appropriate courtesy, of course. Fu-sen understood. We wanted the bodyguard to have a gun also, but Wang absolutely balked at that: he abhorred violence of any kind. About three months after that the Nagashima girl arrived from Japan. I can guess your next thought, but forget it Chin, has undergone severe training and intense discipline — so despite natural incHnations he wouldn't overstep in the house of his employer and, as I said, he doesn't dig Japanese."
"A blind spot," Virgil said.
"Granted. Now you asked me why we thought that protection might be necessary for the girl-as of now. I was about to tell you this anyway, but I hasten to add that I just learned of it myself. There is some new strong-arm talent in town.'*
Tibbs leaned forward. "Chinese?" he asked.
Wu nodded. "Yes-or possibly Korean; I can't be certain because I haven't seen them. But the word gets around. There are two of them and the reports are that they are tough-very tough."
"How did they get into this country?"
"Virgil, forgive me, but don't be naive. How many Mexicans do you imagine there are living here right now who never entered through formal channels? We have largely open borders and if someone wants to get in and has the resources, he can make it Orientals don't try it too much be-124