cause we're conspicuous and suspected, but it goes on every day. It isn't advertised, because it would only encourage the traffic. It's pretty tough to tell an honest, hardworking Chinese who would like to immigrate here that the present U.S. laws give him aknost no chance whatever because he isn't a Caucasian, It's a medieval relic, Virgil, and it forces otherwise honest people to step around the law sometimes, as we frankly did to bring in Chin Soo."
*'Have you anything else you can tell me about the imported talent?"
"Yes. It won't stand up in court as evidence, but we know. The two hard types are either Chicoms or possibly North Koreans who are passing as something else. That's easy here because so few of the majority can tell the difference. And we have good reason to think that they're in the narcotics business."
Virgil shook his head. "Johnny, I can't keep that to myself: assuming that you're right, it's too important. Ill protect the rest of your information as much as I can, but that is something I've got to pass on."
"All right, I understand. Just forget where you heard it, that's all. I'm a peaceful man."
"Something else," Tibbs continued. "I understand that there is to be a meeting this evening, at the Wang home, to discuss the possible disposal of the jade collection presently housed there."
Wu suddenly sat up straighter in his chair. "Could I arrange to be in on that?" he asked.
Tibbs was cairn. "I'm sure there's no problem. It's to be at nine, I'm told that some of the other guests can't make it before then."
"Nine it is. Anything else?'*
"Yes, as a matter of fact. I'd like word of the meeting to filter through to the two visitors you just told me about Can you handle it?"
"You mean to invite them?"
'*No, just to let them know."
"May I use your phone?"
Tibbs pushed it over. Johnny picked it up and dialed; when he had his number he began a rapid-fire conversation in Chinese. He was on the line for some time, long enough to make Virgil wonder what was actually being said. The Negro detective waited patiently until Johnny was through and then looked at his guest for a report
"One thing about our community," Johnny said, *Sve have good communications. They'll hear."
"Do you know where to find them?" Virgil asked.
"No, but by the middle of the afternoon they should have the word, wherever they are. Anything else?"
"That's it until tonight."
Without ceremony, Johnny left.
As soon as he was alone Tibbs put in one more call, this one long-distance to Gumps, the famous jade store in San Francisco. His two or three questions were promptly and courteously answered by someone who was clearly an expert. He already knew the essential facts he was given, but they served to confirm a guess that he had made and which, in the light of the new evidence, looked better and better to him. In this improved frame of mind he went to lunch.
By the time he returned, there was a message for him from the LAPD which confirmed another of his ideas. He began a fresh series of phone calls. The first was to Aaron Finegold. He invited him to be present that evening in order to protect the interests of his client. Miss Yumeko Naga-shima. On that premise Finegold consented to come. He also agreed to see Tibbs for a few minutes later that afternoon.
Don Washburn agreed to shift an evening appointment to comply with Virgil's request to come to the Wang home.
Harvey, the stock trader, was cool when he answered the phone, but warmed somewhat when he heard his caller's name. "I'm glad you're in touch, Mr. Tibbs," he said. "I'd like to express my regret for my shortness with you when you came to my home. The news is out now that my wife and I are separating. We had had a particularly painful disagreement at some length just before you came to see me. I fear that I was not at my best."
That provided Virgil with an opening and he used it. When he hung up less than a minute later, he had Harvey's assurance that he would be at the meeting.
If anything plagued him, it was the fact that at many points in the case he was building he lacked the vital element of proof. No conclusions he reached meant a thing until he could support them with solid evidence in court That he would still have to obtain. And he was not so optimistic as to assume that if he confronted the guilty person or persons, he would be immediately rewarded with full confessions given in the presence of reliable witnesses. As was practically always the case, he would have to do it the hard way. 126
He began by going to see Aaron Finegold. He could have saved himself the errand with a phone call, but he had his own reasons for appearing in person. He was admitted after a short wait; the attorney shook hands and then waved him to a chair. That done he sat down himself and waited for Tibbs to begin.
Virgil obliged. "Unless there is some very strong reason why you can't do so, I'd appreciate it very much if you would announce this evening that the jade collection that was Mr. Wang's is going to Miss Nagashima."
Finegold pondered. "It might be rushing things a bit," he said.
"Possibly so, but I have an excellent reason for asking this."
"One connected with the administration of justice?"
'Yes."
*Then I'll have to go along, I guess. My wife is very impressed with you, by the way."
"In the police business we can use all of the appreciation that we can get," Tibbs responded. "And if I may, the feeling is entirely mutual."
"She'll be happy to hear that."
From the lawyer's ofl amp;ce he drove directly to the Wang home. Chin Soo opened the door and smiled when he saw Tibbs' dark face. "We glad you come."
VirgU caught something in the tone of his voice. After he was inside and the door was shut, he turned again to the houseboy. "How much English do you really speak?" he asked.
Soo hesitated a moment, then replied. "More than I admit"
"I thought so. Where did you learn it?"
"In Hong Kong. It's a British colony, you know.*'
"But more than ninety-eight percent Chinese."
"True, but I got around."
"OfficiaUy?"
Chin shook his head. "Nothing like that. But I have some friends."
"Have any of them come calling here lately?"
Soo looked at him more intently for a moment. "I see you have the word. They're on the other side as far as I'm concerned."
"A couple of things," Tibbs said. "First, if anything breaks tonight, let me handle it. Don't attempt anything on your own."
Soo inclined his head slightly. "Excuse me, but you are not Chinese. If those two come, it will be my problem."
"Do you carry a concealed weapon?'*
"I am the weapon, Mr. Tibbs."
*'Not against two armed men, you aren't."
"For either of them to fire a gun, he would have to take it out first. That takes time."
For the moment Virgil did not elect to pursue the matter. "Do you have access to the jade room?" he asked.
"Mr. Wang gave me full responsibility for its care."
"Good. And I appreciate the protection you gave him, even though you were not able to prevent what occurred."
"He dispatched me on a long errand, Mr. Tibbs, me and the girl. Quite obviously he wanted us out of the way. Most reluctantly I obeyed him. I do not like to leave this house imguarded."
"Even now?'*
"Yes, even now. I was assigned here for that purpose."
"Can you prove that?"
"Mr. Wu could perhaps help you."
"Is it the jades?"
Chin Soo shook his head. "It is something else."
"Some people have named it 'jade dust.' "
Chin bowed. "You are most intelligent; you should be Chinese. You know also, then, that Mr. Wang was a most honorable man.'*
"I know."
"There is evil in this house, Mr. Tibbs. It will shortly be taken away and disposed of by reliable people. Until that occurs, it is my responsibility to keep it here."