Lone Star 02 Read Online Free PDF

entirely legitimate importation of silks, spices, and jade.”
    â€œBut Arthur, I’m confused,” Jessie blurted. “I understand why the Tong would bribe Smith to let them smuggle in what they want, but who would pay him to make business difficult for us...” Her voice trailed off as her green eyes widened in comprehension.
    Lewis gestured toward her with his chin, his voice filled with admiration as he told Ki, “She’s sharp.”
    â€œIndeed she is, Arthur,” Ki smiled back.
    â€œNow I understand your urgent telegram,” Jessie muttered, her face set in determination. “And the need for secrecy. The cartel is involved in all this, correct?”
    â€œAbsolutely,” Lewis replied. “Once again they are trying to destroy the Starbuck organization.”
    â€œHow did you ever get wise to them, Uncle?” Jessie asked. “It was clever of you, I’ll say that!”
    Lewis positively blushed with pleasure at the compliment. “I hired a private detective in order to see whether I could flush out any incriminating evidence on Commissioner Smith. It was my intention to take whatever evidence I could get on him directly to the newspapers, and in that way, force the mayor to discharge him, despite the wishes of the Tong. The private detective is still working on that angle, but while he was investigating Smith, he came upon the cartel’s involvement in the situation.”
    â€œWhat do they hope to get out of it?” Jessie asked. “Besides my ruination, that is,” she wryly added.
    â€œAnd why would the Tong, traditionally a closed group, wish to associate themselves with the Prussians?” Ki interjected.
    â€œOne at a time,” Lewis chuckled. “The detective—his name is Moore, by the way—found all that out as well. He’s quite bright, but extremely insolent, I must add. Fairly slight fellow, considering the rather dangerous nature of his work... Anyway, Moore has discovered that the Tong is playing along because the Prussian cartel is providing them with a controlling interest in a bordello being operated here in San Francisco for very rich and powerful white clients. No Tong family has ever been able to extend its slimy tentacles outside of Chinatown. For the Steel Claw Tong to achieve such expansion would put them far ahead of the other four families. As far as the cartel is concerned, you both know that Prussia, England, and the other European powers have a foothold in the Orient, alongside the United States. The Prussians send their goods into the Japans, and import Japanese raw materials to Europe, but they haven’t been able to touch the trade franchise we have here in America. With the help of the Tong, and through them, with Commissioner Smith’s help, the cartel means to so disrupt our seagoing trade that we lose our import/export licenses in the Orient. If that were to happen, it would tear out the heart of the Starbuck empire.”
    Jessie nodded. “Our organization would be crippled, all right. The Prussians could move right in on us, just as they’ve always wanted.” Jessie paused a moment to think about it. “And it wouldn’t just be in the Orient. The Prussians could take over right here in America, as well.”
    Lewis, his lips pursed, leaned back in his chair, silently nodding in agreement. “I’m a businessman,” Lewis murmured. “But this isn’t about business, it’s about war. We’ve got to stop them, but I don’t know how. That’s why I sent for you, Jessie.”
    â€œWhat is the name of the Tong leader?” Ki asked.
    â€œThat I still don’t know,” Lewis answered. “It’s incredibly difficult for a non-Chinese to get any information at all on the Tong. Wandering the streets of Chinatown is like walking down a maze of mirrors. All you ever see is your own white image reflected back at you. Anyway, I’ve got