Vendetta Read Online Free PDF Page B

friend.” He bowed slightly before he extended his hand in greeting.
    The introductions were made quietly as they all walked into the house, where Li turned the women over to three servants.
    Yoko, Alexis, and Nikki looked at one another at the foot of the stairs before they followed the three maids to the second floor. “This is it, girls. The job starts
now,
and God help us all,” Nikki said.
    “Yoko, can you ask if they can bring us some hot coffee? Lots and lots of hot coffee. But first I want to take a steaming shower and wash my hair. Then I just want to sit and drink all that coffee for ten minutes.”
    “But of course, Nikki.”
    Below stairs, the tall man known as Li ushered Charles into his private office. “We will speak English from here on, Charles. While I trust my servants, one can never be too careful, as you well know. Whiskey?”
    “Of course.” Charles looked around the large, pleasant room. It had everything a man of Li’s stature needed. The room appeared to be divided into three parts. There was an entertainment area, where a large plasma television and DVD player, was attached to the wall. A stereo unit was nestled underneath in a cherrywood cabinet. Off to the side was a fully stocked bar area with four deep, leather swivel chairs and a table holding a glorious flower arrangement. To the right of the bar was what appeared to be Li’s work area. Rich, polished wooden file cabinets covered the wall; a comfortable desk chair that looked used sat behind a magnificent carved cherrywood desk. Everything one needed to conduct business from home was on the desk. Paintings with vibrant watercolors, dotted the wood-paneled walls that began at the highly polished plank floor and went all the way to the high ceiling.
    What surprised Charles more than anything was the absence of window treatments. So Li could look out or so others could look in? He asked his friend.
    “One must always be aware in this country, Charles. How would you put it? The odds are a little more even this way. I spend a great deal of time in this room and, if it should ever become necessary, I can make a hasty exit through the floor. I defy you to find the mechanism that operates the trapdoor. By the way, I crafted it myself. Are you up to the challenge?”
    “You’re a crafty old fox, I’ll give you that. Show me!”
    “No. You must find it yourself. We can do it later. I did say I was going to offer you a whiskey, did I not?”
    Charles chuckled. “Yes, you did and I am patiently waiting. We must talk, Li. We can socialize later.”
    Li nodded solemnly. “Tell me everything, Charles, so I can help you. You saved my life once and now it is my turn to help you. You may speak as freely as you wish, but only in English. I personally sweep this room twice a day for…ah…bugs.”
    Charles leaned back in his comfortable chair, his whiskey glass in hand. He seemed to have no interest in drinking the amber liquid. He told Li everything. He watched the old man to gauge his reaction.
    “Commendable! I applaud you, Charles. From the little you told me on the scrambled phone, I more or less surmised something like this. I personally know John Chai’s father. I know
of
John and his unsavory reputation and let me tell you, neither man is on my speed dial. Everything in this country is political, as you well know. Ming is detestable. John is beyond detestable. It gives me great pleasure to help you and perhaps rid this country of such parasites. However, I do not fool myself. Two more will spring up just like them.”
    “And your safety, Li?”
    Li shrugged. “All those I have cared for during my lifetime are gone. I am an old man now. I watch sunrises and sunsets and live with my memories. It is not much of a life these days. Do not worry about me. I always wondered what happened to you. There were, of course, rumors. I did pray for your safety.”
    Charles allowed himself a small smile. “And I for yours. The old days, Li, are just