Fortune Is a Woman - Elizabeth Adler [83]
“That was Sammy’s tragedy. Maybe if Josh had loved him, too, this would not have happened. Now you must take Francie away,” he repeated wearily. “It is not good for her to live here. The Chinese do not like it. They believe she is my concubine. When she has her child they will think it is mine. I cannot allow them to say such things about her. She will be treated with contempt and indifference by my people and by her own. She would live in a no-man’s land, neither one thing or the other. And her child would suffer the same fate. Take her away, start a new life with her. You are my family and I will take care of you and send you money. It is only right.”
Annie heard the sadness in his voice and she pitied him his loneliness, because she knew he loved Francie dearly. Nevertheless she felt the stirrings of a happiness in her own heart as she thought about Josh’s child. She would take Francie far away from here. She still had money, they could buy another boardinghouse somewhere else and she could earn enough to raise the child properly. She couldn’t wait to tell Francie that instead of despair her child would bring great happiness into the world.
Lai Tsin left her and went back to his room. It was the only room he had ever had of his own and this was the first time he had closed the door without a feeling of pleasure. He lit the incense taper in the painted tin holder, unrolled his bedmat and lay down. He put his hands behind his head and reran the events of the night in his mind. Tomorrow Sammy Morris would be found and he knew what he had to do. And in a few days’ time, when she was feeling better, Francie would leave him.
A bitter feeling of loneliness swept over him. He had felt it many times before, only now it was worse. He told himself that when you are alone you have nothing and you have nothing to lose. But when you have savored the pleasure of companionship and love, then to lose it was the worst thing in the world. The gods had been good to him for a while and now they had taken their favors away. So be it.
CHAPTER 19
The next evening at seven o’clock, Lai Tsin went to see the Elder and get his answer. The old man bade him enter and he sat opposite him, stroking his white beard and eyeing him solemnly.
Lai Tsin waited. It would be disrespectful to ask the old man to hurry; he would speak in his own good time. “Before I tell you what you wish to know I must ask what your intentions are,” he said at last.
“It is better that I keep my own counsel, Honorable Grandfather,” he replied guardedly, but the old man refused to be deceived.
“It would not be seemly to bring violence and disgrace into the Chinese community.”
“Honorable Grandfather, we are talking of a person who is more violent than the hatchet men of the tongs, a man who has killed many women and even now seeks to kill another—”
“Your concubine.” The Elder’s eyes were contemptuous and Lai Tsin hung his head. The old man thought for a long time while Lai Tsin stared at his shoes, waiting, until finally he made his decision.
“I have investigated your story,” he said calmly. “What you said about the concubine was true. But I also know she is from a great family. Your passion must be strong for you to play such a dangerous game with such important personages. It would be better for all of us if you were to return her to her own.”
“Then it would be better if I killed her!” Lai Tsin’s eyes were angry and the old man knew he meant it. His eyebrows rose in surprise, but he nodded, thinking hard before he spoke again.
“If this murderer were Chinese we would deal with him in our own way. But if your decision is final then you shall have your answer. On these conditions: Whatever happens to this man shall never be known, you will not tell me or anyone else. There must be not a whisper that would undermine the honor of the Chinese community.”
Lai Tsin leaned forward in the slippery blackwood chair. He said, “I agree, Honorable Grandfather.” Then he listened, surprised as the old man told him what he had found out.
He bowed