White knuckles and all. He set his glass down and headed for the door. Thanks for the drink. And the tip.
Ill see what else I can do for you, Toby called after him. I still might have a few contacts in-country. Maybe I can get em to watch over you. And the woman. By the way, is anyone keeping an eye on her tonight?
Some buddies of Puapongs. They wont let anyone near her. She should get to the airport in one piece.
And what happens then?
Guy paused in the doorway. Well be in Saigon. Thingsll be safer there.
In Saigon? Toby shook his head. Dont count on it.
THE CROWD AT THE Bong Bong Club had turned wild, the men drunkenly shouting and groping at the stage as the girls, dead-eyed, danced on. No one took notice of the two men huddled at a dark corner table.
I am disappointed, Mr. Siang. Youre a professional, or so I thought. I fully expected you to deliver. Yet the woman is still alive.
Stung by the insult, Siang felt his face tighten. He was not accustomed to failureor to criticism. He was glad the darkness hid his burning cheeks as he set his glass of vodka down on the table. I tell you, this could not be predicted. There was interferencea man
Yes, an American, so Ive been told. A Mr. Barnard.
Siang was startled. Youve learned his name?
I make it a point to know everything.
Siang touched his bruised face and winced. This Mr. Barnard certainly had a savage punch. If they ever crossed paths again, Siang would make him pay for this humiliation.
The woman leaves for Saigon tomorrow, said the man.
Tomorrow? Siang shook his head. That does not leave me enough time.
You have tonight.
Tonight? Impossible. Siang had, in fact, already spent the past four hours trying to get near the woman. But the desk clerk at the Oriental had stood watch like a guard dog over the passkeys, the hotel security officer refused to leave his post near the elevators, and a bellboy kept strolling up and down the hall. The woman had been untouchable. Siang had briefly considered climbing up the balcony, but his approach was hampered by two vagrants camped on the riverbank beneath her window. Though hostile-looking, the tramps had posed no real threat to a man like Siang, but he hadnt wanted
to risk a foolish, potentially messy scene.
And now his professional reputation was at stake.
The matter grows more urgent, said the man. This must be done soon.
But she leaves Bangkok tomorrow. I can make no guarantees.
Then do it in Saigon. Whether you finish it here or there, it has to be done.
Siang was stunned. Saigon? I cannot return
Well send you under Thai diplomatic cover. A cultural attaché, perhaps. Ill decide and arrange the entry papers accordingly.
Vietnamese security is tight. I will not be able to bring in any
The diplomatic pouch goes out twice a week. Next drop is in three days. Ill see what weapons I can slip through. Until then, youll have to improvise.
Siang fell silent, wondering how it would feel to once again walk the streets of Saigon. And he wondered about Chantal. How many years had it been since hed seen her? Did she still hate him for leaving her behind? Of course, she would; she never forgot a grudge. Somehow, hed have to work his way back into her affections. He didnt think that would be too difficult. Life in the new Vietnam must be hard these days, especially for a woman. Chantal liked her comforts; for a few precious luxuries, she might do anything. Even sell her soul.
She was a woman he could understand.
He looked across the table. There will be expenses.
The man nodded. I can be generous. As you well know.
Already Siang was making a mental list of what hed need. Old clothesfrayed shirts and faded trousersso he wouldnt stand out in a crowd. Cigarettes, soap and razor blades for bartering favors on the streets. And then hed need a few special gifts for Chantal.
He nodded. The bargain was struck.
One more thing, said the man as he rose to leave.
Yes?
Otherparties seem to be involved. The Company, for instance. I wouldnt want to pull that particular tigers tail. So keep bloodshed to a minimum. Only the woman dies. No one else.
I understand.
After the man had left, Siang sat alone at the corner table, thinking. Remembering Saigon. Had it really been fifteen years? His last memories of the city were of panicked faces, of hands clawing frantically at a helicopter door, of the roar of chopper blades and the swirl of dust as the rooftops fell away.
Siang took a deep swallow of vodka and stood to leave. Just then, whistles and applause rose from the crowd gathered around the dance stage. A lone girl stood brown and naked in the spotlight. Around her waist was wrapped an eight-foot boa constrictor. The girl seemed to shudder as the snake slithered down between her thighs. The men shouted their approval.
Siang grinned. Ah, the Bong Bong Club. Always something new.
Saigon
And tomorrow, we will take you by car to see the National Palace, where the puppet government ruled in luxury, then on to the Museum of History, where you will learn about our struggles against the Chinese and the French imperialists. The next day, you will see our lacquer factory, where you can buy many beautiful gifts to bring home. And then