UNASSUMED: Zara Zee and the Unassuming Case of the Billionaire Heir Page 9

  “Did you find your lunch in there?” Leo said with a sarcastic snort.

  Poking the chopsticks in the basket, Peter pulled out a soaked rag. “These things come in pretty handy when it comes to manipulating evidence without altering it. Tampering with evidence can be a real problem in an investigation.” He took a whiff of the rag.

  “Chloroform?”

  Peter nodded. “No wonder she didn’t get to fight them off enough. These bastards didn’t even have the guts to fight her fair and square. They just sedated her and dragged her out.” He followed the long black marks that led to the window. “Bastards.” He turned to Leo. “Zara’s in this predicament because of you, you know?”

  Unhappy with the comment, Leo frowned, but kept his calm. “She’s in this predicament because you assigned her to protect me. You knew the situation was dangerous and you still put her on this case.”

  “This is an important case, and any young detective would want to sink their teeth into it. Zara’s ambitious, but she’s also dedicated to her work. She very much wanted to be on this case.”

  “If you’d done your research, if you’d known me at all, you would know that I’m very capable of defending myself, that I don’t need protection.”

  “I think we’re in a better position to make that decision than you are. We know what these ruthless and vicious criminals can do.”

  Leo snorted and looked out the window. “Whatever. Are we just going to stand here arguing the point or are we going to do something about it?”

  Letting out an exasperated sigh, Peter ran his hands through his hair and looked at Leo. “My car’s just outside.”

  “So’s mine.” He hurried out the door with Peter right behind him.

  “Your car is a little too conspicuous to be around the factory,” Peter said as he kept stride with Leo.

  Leo’s breath caught in his throat a moment, but he quickly swallowed it as he stared straight ahead. He hadn’t shown Peter the letter head he’d found, so how could he know about Da Hwa Factory? He bit down on the questions he wanted to throw at Peter and decided to simply wait and see. “My car will get us there faster… and in comfort.”

  “I have a police cruiser. It’s fast enough.”

  “Not enough to outrun these goons if they decide to take chase.”

  “We’ll take the cruiser,” Peter said with finality.

  “I spent thousands customizing my car so that every need is met. There’s no way in hell I’m going to drive out to the factory in a police cruiser.” Leo stopped in front of the room where Zara’s grandmother still lay.

  “At least they didn’t go after her,” Peter said as he looked at the older woman.

  “Yet,” Leo added. “They know she’s here and they’ll no doubt return.”

  A nurse came in to tend to a patient in the crowded room, but Peter pulled her aside with one hand while diving into his pant pocket with the other to pull out a handful of bills. “Please put that woman in a private room,” he said pointing to the frail sleeping woman.

  The nurse stared at him and the bills with astonishment, but took the money and nodded.

  “I’ll be back later tonight to make sure she’s been set up in a suitable room,” he added for good measure.

  Leo and Peter exited the stuffy and smelly room.

  “That’s pretty generous of you,” Leo said.

  “I know the old woman is tough, despite how fragile she looks in that bed, but a little pampering can’t hurt.”

  “Not to mention making Zara happy.”

  Peter frowned as he pulled his phone out. “Chen, I’d like to have a guard…”

  Leo turned his attention to the possible situation Zara found herself in while Peter finished his call. He’d managed to hide well just how worried he was about her, but his gut was increasingly twisted into a painful knot.

  “I’ll sleep better knowing Zara’s grandmother is well guarded,” Peter said as he put his phone away.

  “I’m sure Zara will appreciate that.”

  They pushed through the main entrance doors and stepped out on the filthy sidewalk. Without hesitating, Leo headed to his car and Peter begrudgingly followed. Leo beeped the doors open and took the driver’s seat.

  Once inside the car, Peter took a long moment to take in the elegant and sexy interior. “I see why you didn’t want to take the cruiser.”

  “Not that I’m spoiled, but once you’ve had this degree of comfort and luxury, it’s hard to fall back to the basics.” He put the car in gear and took to the street. “Beside, I rarely get the chance to drive, and this will give me the chance to really take her out.”

  “Is this where I’m supposed to sympathize with the poor little rich boy?”

  “Hey, don’t hate me because I grew up with a few creature comforts.”

  “Let’s be honest here, this is a little more than just creature comforts. You have a lifestyle that is beyond most people’s wildest dreams.”

  “And I’ve worked hard for it, too. I’ve spent a lifetime acquiring the best things that life has to offer, and I make no qualms about that.”

  “Oh, please. Worked hard? You don’t know what working hard is. Most people in Hong Kong, hell, all of China will work their fingers to the bone for their entire life and will never touch the kind of money you flippantly throw around during any given month.”

  Leo couldn’t argue with that. Despite having worked hard all his life, he knew the greater part of his wealth hadn’t come to him by way of work at all. It’s simply been passed down to him by his hard working father.

  “So going to the not so trendy part of Kowloon must’ve been quite the decent into hell,” Peter added. “Have you ever seen anything like that hospital before?”

  Leo’s jaw tightened and the rancid smell of the hospital returned to aggravate his nostrils. “It’s inhumane… that hospital. I could have set up Zara’s grandmother in a comfortable and modern hospital.”

  “It’s not so easy seeing how the other half lives, is it?” Peter tapped his fingers loudly on the armrest as he clucked his tongue in aggravation. “The other half lives… ha. It’s more like the other ninety-nine percent.”

  Leo didn’t want to get into a discussion about the haves and have nots. “And yet the men and women at that hospital are doing everything they can to help every patient. It’s admirable.” Admirable, yes, but he knew deep in his heart that he would have to do something to help them further. A few hundred thousand dollars could go a long way to make patients more comfortable and it would barely make a dent in his bank account.

  “You and Zara are from such different worlds. For all the wealth and riches and luxuries that you have, you know nothing about what she finds truly precious.”

  “And you do?”

  Peter nodded.

  “Isn’t there something in the police handbook about fraternizing…?”

  After a light hearted chuckle, Peter looked at Leo. “Nobody knows this, but… Oh hell, I might as well tell you. We’re practically engaged.”

  “You and Zara?” Leo said with disdain.

  “Yep, and once we’re married, she’ll never have to worry about her grandmother again. Come to think of it, she’ll never have to worry about anything again.”

  Seething, Leo gripped the wheel. “Where to?”

  “Head north towards Guang Zhou.”

  Leo veered the sportscar onto the onramp and they were soon on the highway heading north with Leo setting a little more weight on the gas pedal, eager to see what the Da Hwa Factory would have to divulge to him.

  “D’you give me permission to open her up?” Leo said with a playful grin as they left the crowded city and came to the wide open highway. Not waiting for that permission, he shifted gear and pushed his sporty little luxury car to the max. Caressing the curves, they motored far out of Hong Kong and within minutes the industrial park was in their view.

  “So what building is it?”

  “Da Hwa Factory.”

&
nbsp; Again, Leo tried to act like he knew nothing, but it drove him crazy. How had Peter gotten such information so fast?

  “You really think that’s where they took her?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Why Da Hwa? There are so many factories they could choose from.”

  Peter turned to look straight at him. “What do you think?”

  So Peter also knew Da Hwa belonged to him. “Da Hwa is run by Lee Holdings.”

  “That’s right.”

  “What do you think they’re trying to say?”

  “Clearly they want to get the message across.”

  “And what message would that be?”

  Peter chuckled. “I told you not to underestimate these guys. They want you to know how easy it is to infiltrate your life, anytime, anywhere, any way. Just like that they can get close to someone you care about… right under your nose and without raising the slightest suspicion. As it stands, there’s no way you can tell who’s on your side and who’s on theirs.” Solemn, he looked at Leo. “They’re running the show, and they want to make sure you know it. And, police protection or not, they can get to you.”

  Chapter 11

  Zara

  Zara awoke to a pounding headache and sore shoulder blades. Opening her eyes to the opaque darkness of the bag still over her head, she instantly remembered her last moments at the hospital and the sudden onset of extreme fatigue.

  Struggling to bring relief to her aching arms and shoulders, she realized her wrists were still bound behind her back, the source of the pain between her shoulder blades. Angry with herself for allowing such a thing to happen to her, she tugged even harder in an attempt to free her hands, but it was hopeless.

  At the sound of shuffling footsteps approaching her, she ceased all movement, and held her breath as she listened. The footsteps stopped and were followed by the distinct sound of a chair being dragged across the floor.

  “Hello, young lady,” a mature and authoritative voice said.

  Zara turned to the sound of the voice, but refused to respond.

  The room was suddenly flooded with light and the darkness of the bag over her head lost a degree of opaqueness, allowing her to make out vague shadows and silhouettes.

  “How do you like your new job as Mr. Lee’s assistant?”

  “I enjoy it very much,” she said in a clear and confident voice. No way was she going to even hint at the fear she felt. “Every day is a challenge, but, then again, with my college education and skills, I think I could be doing so much more.”

  A hearty laugh echoed in the space around her and a chill ran up her spine. It was a sincere laugh, one she might have enjoyed hearing under different circumstances, but under the dark sack on her head, the laughter took on an even darker and more sinister meaning.

  “So young,” the man said. “So confident. I guess that’s how it is for all you new college graduates. You guys think you can just snap your fingers and own the world. A college degree and you think you’re capable of running a company, even if you’ve never set foot in a CEO’s office before.”

  The room fell silent for a long moment and Zara wondered what he was doing. Her ears perked up to capture the slightest sound, but there was nothing.

  “Kim, pull that sack off her head, will you?”

  Zara stiffened as heavy footsteps came up behind her.

  “I want to see the face of the person I’m talking to,” the older gentleman added.

  A large and heavy hand gripped her shoulder while the other loosened the tie around her neck.

  “Easy, you brute,” the older man warned. “After all this is a lady, and we should treat her with respect. Be gentle.”

  The brute responded with a grunt, but softened his hold on Zara’s shoulder as he pulled the bag off her head. Instantly blinded by the glaring overhead lights, she squinted and strained to see the face of the man holding her captive, but he remained a blurred silhouette.

  “That’s better,” the man said. “You're quite pleasant to look at.”

  If he expected her to thank him for the compliment, he’d have to wait a long time.

  “So here’s the proposition I have for you,” he finally said. “I’m impressed by the fact that you’ve been able to get in so close to Lee, and I’d like to take advantage of your accomplishment. I need you to be close to him, to stay close, and maybe get even closer. I want to know everything about him; every move he makes, every decision he takes, and every plan he puts into effect. I want to know who he trusts, who he confides in. I believe you have the capacity to get all this information without attracting any suspicion whatsoever.”

  “You want me to spy on Leopold Lee?” Zara said as the man’s face became a little clearer.

  He laughed with heartfelt amusement, the amusement of a loving grandfather towards a creatively naughty grandchild. “I’ve never liked the sound of that word; spy. It sounds so hypocritical and harsh.”

  A numbing sensation crawled over her skin as Zara realized whom she was speaking to. The older voice, slow, steady, confident, articulate… it sounded so much like the voice of the man who would lead a criminal ring, the brutal kind.

  “I much prefer to think of it as simply getting to know the man,” he added. “Through you.”

  That inflection… she knew she’d heard that voice before and was increasingly certain of his identity. As pleasant and genteel as his voice sounded, he had the capacity to inflict pain and devastation. A snap of his finger could create such havoc as to make the most horrific medieval war look like child’s play.

  Through the blur of the blinding lights, she saw him cross his arms over his chest.

  “Think of me as a friend, or perhaps an old uncle. I want you to contact me every evening and tell me how your day went. Surely you can do that. It could be a pleasant moment every day where you share what you learned, what you saw, what you heard. You know they say that keeping it all inside can be harmful to your health, so just think of me as your daily dose of anti stress medication.”

  “You mean gossip.”

  “Gossip! Yes. Exactly. Every woman loves to gossip, doesn’t she?”

  Zara grimaced and wanted to tell him what she really thought about his view on women, but kept it to herself.

  “Just think of me as your gossip buddy.”

  There was something disarmingly charming about his manner. Had she been unaware of his true identity, she might have fallen victim to his charm.

  “Look,” he said. “I’m just an old man. I don’t get around much, and I don’t know much about what’s going on out there. You’ll be my eyes and ears. The one who’ll regale me with stories of your day.”

  He made it sound so easy, even attractive.

  “I want you to start working for me as of tomorrow morning. You're a bright and capable young woman and I’m sure you’ll do a great job of keeping me well informed.”

  “It sounds a little unethical.”

  He waved a dismissive hand at her comment. “Every single day, all around the world, people are coming home after a hard day at work and they’re venting to their spouse, their friends, their parents about the day’s events.”

  “But…”

  “This is a competitive world. Everyone is looking for that edge, the edge that can help them succeed. That’s all I want.”

  His face became clear, and the dark and deep set soulful eyes and crinkled skin reinforced the grandfather figure he seemed to be portraying.

  “And consider this,” he added. “The information you provide will help me make decisions that can impact thousands of workers, and perhaps millions of citizens. The work you do for me can change lives.”

  If the old man saw her simply as an assistant he could manipulate, and not the undercover cop she truly was, she could find out what he really intended to do with Leo.

  “Okay, so I go to work, I make a mental note of everything I see and hear and I give you a call every night to talk it over.”

  “That�
��s about it.”

  “And what do I get out of this arrangement?” she said, playing along with the plan.

  “Don’t worry. You’ll be handsomely rewarded for your efforts.

  “All right.”

  “You're on board?”

  “Sure.”

  “Wonderful,” the old man said with a sound clap of his hands. “And now, just to show my good intentions, to show my appreciation, I’m going to contact the hospital and make sure your grandmother is especially well taken care of.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes, of course. And as long as you're doing a good job, as long as I’m satisfied with the pertinence of the information you're providing, I’ll make sure she gets the best treatment possible.”

  Behind the congenial smile, behind the gruff but warm voice, Zara heard the veiled threat in the promise to take care of her grandmother.

  “I have nurses in place who will feed her, wash her, make sure she gets the proper dose of any and all medication, and ensure her overall well-being.”

  “These nurses are already there?” Her heart pounded as she thought of her vulnerable grandmother. She’d die if anything happened to her because of this job.

  He nodded. “In fact, the head nurse works with us; a very cooperative woman.”

  She hoped she hadn’t gone as pale as she felt.

  “We understand each other?” he said.

  “We understand each other,” she confirmed with a solemn nod.

  Chapter 12

  Leo

  As they neared the old industrial district that housed Da Hwa and its surrounding housing project, Leo prepared to take the off ramp.

  “No,” Peter said. “Don’t take this exit.”

  Frowning, Leo looked at him. It’d been a few years since he’d been to Da Hwa, but he could’ve sworn it’d been at that exit. Then again, he’d never driven there himself. He tried to think back to the last time he’d even come out to the area. Had he been eleven years old? No. He’d been even younger. Surely no older than eight.