The affirmation over, Fan hurriedly talked on, bobbing his hand in fawning, pleading motions.
‘He begs forgiveness,’ said the interpreter. ‘He says he was forced to do what he did… that he did not know it was a poison he was introducing into the men’s food. He was told that it was a substance merely to make them ill, to cause a delay to the trial…’
It was going to be more disjointed than he had expected, realised Charlie. He turned to Hodgson.
‘Would there be any difficulty about admissibility if the transcript is shown to be a series of questions and answers?’
The British lawyer pursed his lips doubtfully.
‘Shouldn’t be,’ he said, ‘providing that it couldn’t be argued that the questions were too leading. You must not suggest the answers you want.’
Charlie turned back to the cook.
‘Does he know the man who gave him the substance?’
‘The same man who threatened me,’ replied Fan, through the interpreter.
‘What is his name?’
‘Johnny Lu.’
Charlie reached into his briefcase, bringing out one of the many photographs of the millionaire’s son it had been automatic for him to bring. It had been taken at the press conference just after the liner sailed from New York and showed the man next to his father.
‘This man?’ he asked.
Fan squinted at the picture.
‘Yes,’ he said finally.
Charlie looked towards the recorders.
‘Can the transcript show he has identified a picture of John Lu taken aboard the Pride of America,’ he requested formally.
The proof, Charlie thought. The proof that Johnson had demanded. And which would save Willoughby. What, he wondered, would save him?
‘Why did he threaten you?’ he said, coming back to the old man.
‘I owed money… money I had lost at mah-jong. I did not have it…’
‘What was the threat?’
‘That he would have me hurt… badly hurt.’
‘Tell me what he said.’
‘That if I put what he gave me into their food, he would not let me be hurt… that it would cancel my debt.’
‘Were you at any time told what to do by anyone representing the government of China?’
Fan looked hurriedly to the interpreter and then across at Chiu, to whom the other Chinese in the room had been constantly deferent.
He shook his head.
‘You must reply,’ insisted Charlie.
‘No,’ said Fan.
‘What about the men who died… those accused of causing the fire?’
It was a remote chance, but worth trying.
‘I do not know,’ said Fan.
‘Did they gamble?’ pressed Charlie.
Fan nodded. ‘Sometimes with me.’
‘Be careful,’ interrupted Hodgson, from the side. ‘If just one section is challenged, it could have the effect of casting doubt on the whole statement.’
‘Did they win or lose?’ Charlie asked the Chinese, nodding his acceptance of the lawyer’s warning.
‘Sometimes win. Sometimes lose,’ said Fan, unhelpfully.
‘Did John Lu cancel your debt?’
‘He told me to go to him to get a paper. But I did not.’
‘Why?’
‘I was frightened I would get killed. I ran away.’
Fan gave an involuntary shudder and a different smell permeated the room. He’d been right, realised Charlie. It always happened.
‘What did John Lu say would happen to the men who had caused the fire?’
‘Just that they would become ill… nothing more.’
‘Why did he want that?’
‘He said it would get into the newspapers… that it was important.’
‘Why?’
‘I do not know.’
Charlie wanted nothing more from the man. It had seemed ridiculously easy. But the rest of the day wasn’t going to be.
He sat back, looking to Chiu.
‘Thank you,’ he said.
‘That is all?’
The Foreign Ministry official appeared surprised.
‘It is enough,’ Charlie assured him.
‘Much trouble has been taken,’ said Chiu. ‘A mistake would be unfortunate.’
‘To go on might create just such a mistake,’ said Charlie, looking to Hodgson for support.
The lawyer nodded agreement.
‘You came pretty close on one or two occasions as it was,’ he said.
‘How long will it take to notarise this statement?’ asked Charlie.
‘Fifteen minutes,’ said Hodgson. ‘Won’t take much longer to prepare it, either, I wouldn’t think.’
Charlie came back to Chiu.
‘So I could return to Hong Kong first thing tomorrow?’ he said. He had to limit his stay in Peking to the minimum, he had decided. Even if he identified him, Collins would have no reason to attempt his detention. The risk was in querying his presence with London. And by the time that was answered, he could be clear of Hong Kong. Running again.
Chiu was still unhappy with the brevity of the account, Charlie knew.
‘If you wish,’ said the Chinese, stiffly.
He did wish, thought Charlie. It wasn’t just the new danger of the ambassador. He shouldn’t forget the curiosity of Harvey Jones. At least he could escape that now. One problem replaced by another.
Charlie turned to the trembling figure sitting opposite. Fan still gazed steadfastly down at the table, not realising the questioning was over.
People who bring disgrace to China never go unpunished, Chiu had said. Hardly surprising the poor bastard had pissed himself.
‘Will you tell him I am grateful?’ Charlie asked the interpreter. ‘He has been of great assistance.’
Fan stared up at the translation. Even he was bewildered that it was over so quickly.
Charlie rose, ending the interview.
‘Right,’ said Hodgson briskly. ‘Let’s get along to the embassy, shall we?’
First, thought Charlie, he’d need a toilet.
‘Quite the most unusual city to which I’ve ever been,’ volunteered the lawyer, in the car taking them to the embassy.
‘Yes,’ said Charlie. It didn’t appear to have a centre. Rather, it was sprawl upon sprawl of squares.
‘Do you know that underneath all the buildings and offices there are nuclear shelters?’ said Hodgson.
‘No.’
‘It’s a fact,’ insisted the lawyer. ‘The Chinese are paranoid about an attack from Russia. They reckon they can clear the entire city in fifteen minutes.’
That’s what he needed, mused Charlie. A bomb-proof hole in the ground to which he could run at the first sign of danger.
‘We’ve arrived,’ announced Hodgson.
To what? wondered Charlie. Despite his preparedness, he still faltered at the entrance to the ambassador’s study, knowing as he did so that the reaction would look strange but momentarily unable to control the urge to turn and run.
‘Come in, come in,’ encouraged the ambassador. ‘Not often we get visitors from home. And under such strange circumstances.’
Collins had altered very little, Charlie decided. Not physically, anyway. He continued into the room, taking the outstretched hand. The man’s face remained blank. Please God let it stay that way, prayed Charlie.
‘Sherry?’ fussed Collins, indicating the decanter.
‘Thank you,’ accepted Charlie. Not more than three hours, he thought again. How good was the man’s memory?
‘Astonishing business, this fire,’ said Collins, offering Charlie the glass.
‘Very.’
The man’s manner had changed since their last meeting, even if his appearance hadn’t. He was more polished than he had been in Prague: showed more confidence. But it would only be surface change, guessed Charlie. Still be a prissy sod.
‘The Chinese chap made a full confession, did he?’
‘Full enough,’ said Charlie. ‘It will be enough for us to challenge Lu’s claim in the High Court.’
‘Have to make a report to London about it,’ said the ambassador, as if the idea had just occurred to him.
‘Of course,’ said Charlie uneasily. ‘I understand the Hong Kong police have asked officially for assistance.’
Collins nodded.
‘No reply yet to my Note,’ he said.
He suddenly put his head to one side: