Joss Sticks and Murder
Chapter 1
1
Chong Lee slammed the eggs down on the table in front of Kwangsoo Yung. The couple had been married for many years now. It was not well known in the city of San Francisco that she was the foster daughter of Chief Robert T. Ironside. Kwangsoo, on the other hand, was never allowed to forget it. At least that is the way he had come to feel over the years.
He still loved Chong as much as he ever did, but it seemed to him that she put her foster father before him. Living in the United States had certainly "Americanized" his wife, and he had a hard time understanding why she did not follow the traditions of their country. The breakfast she had just placed in front of him was a prime example.
As head of the family, Kwangsoo was responsible for providing the money that would take care of the family. Family ... what family? When he married Chong, he had planned to finish his schooling and start a career with a salary that paid a lot more than the job at the garage working for Joe Markham. Unfortunately, he was taking a lot longer than he had planned. As a result, Chong refused to consider having a child until he had completed his courses. He wanted children and he did not want to wait. It was a source of constant disagreement between them.
San Francisco was an expensive city to live in. When he came to America, he had quickly landed a job working in Markham's Auto Repair. It kept him busy during the day, but he was having problems earning enough money to live as well as save for college. Kwangsoo was lonely. He had left his beautiful Chung Lee behind in their native Korea. He could hardly save any money, let alone afford to bring Chong to America. His friend, Inchull Kim had put him in touch with someone who would loan him the money for Chong's airfare to San Francisco. Kwangsoo had borrowed the money from a loan shark.
When he could not pay it back, he spent his time trying to avoid McCandle. He had only needed more time, yet the man simply demanded it paid immediately. The young man had depended on the dowry from Chong Lee's foster father, Robert Ironside, as was the tradition of his country. He should have seen Chong Lee's "Americanization" had already begun when she was not willing to go to her detective foster father and ask for the dowry. She said he had done much for her already as he had provided her and her family with money over the years to live on. Kwangsoo quickly learned a dowry was not practiced in the United States, nor would his wife-to-be consider asking Robert Ironside to keep with their tradition of providing a dowry.
Chong expected him, however, to keep the tradition of asking permission from her foster father for her hand in marriage. Kwangsoo had been in San Francisco long enough to know the reputation of the tough detective, and did not look forward to asking him. Chong and Fran Belding prepared the dinner as Ironside's staff attended. After dinner, his sergeant and his aide had left the dining room to allow Kwangsoo the opportunity to talk to the detective.
After his future foster father-in-law gave him a rough time, he did give his blessing for the marriage.
Since Kwangsoo could certainly not tell Chief Ironside about how he got the money to bring Chong Lee to the States, he had to continue to avoid the man in hopes that he would find a way to pay back the money. Things were further complicated when he had gone to his boss to ask for an advance on his wages in order to pay off the loan shark. Joe had flatly turned him down. When money came up missing at work, his boss had called the police and told them Kwangsoo had been responsible for the theft.
This of course brought Robert T. Ironside into the picture. Kwangsoo knew Ironside had become suspicious of him when he could not adequately explain the cuts and bruises on his face. He certainly could not tell him they were inflicted by a lone shark trying to collect the money he had borrowed.
Fortunately, Ironside had cleared him of stealing the money at work, which turned out only to be misplaced by his boss. It was never really missing in the first place. His future father-in-law had sent his sergeant just in time to stop another beating on the part of the loan shark and his thugs. They were arrested and Joe did eventually give him that advance.
Everything had been worked out and Ironside did come through with the money for a small reception for the two of them in his office. Later, he would provide the money that sent them on a short honeymoon.
Kwangsoo had been so happy in the beginning. However, things did not go as he had planned. Everyday living expenses were not allowing him to put away any money for schooling. He had to drop his classes down to one or two per semester. Although, he was making headway, he suffered the embarrassment of Chong going to her foster father for financial help on several occasions. He had argued vehemently against it as he was supposed to be the provider. Chong went against his wishes and did so anyway.
It had caused much tension between Kwangsoo and Robert Ironside, not to mention he and Chong argued constantly about it. Despite all this, he wanted to start a family. If they waited until he was completely through school, it would be years before the children would come. Chong was dead set against it. She wanted to wait.
Although, his foster father-in-law never put pressure on him, in fact he offered on many occasions to help him with his college tuition; Kwangsoo was too proud to accept his help. Actually, if he were honest with himself, he resented Robert Ironside's interference in what he believed should be his and only his responsibility.
"Kwangsoo, are you listening to me?" Chong said sharply.
"Yes, I am listening," he said, knowing his mind had wandered elsewhere.
"Please be polite to my father. He is only trying to help us."
"It is not his place, Chong, it is my responsibility to take care of my family. He should not interfere." His tone was harsher than he had intended. His nerves were raw where Robert Ironside was concerned.
"When will you accept we are now in America. It has many more different traditions. Parents help their offspring in this country," she reminded him.
"Have you forgotten the traditions of our people? You were quick to expect me to follow the tradition of asking your father for your hand in marriage. Do you only follow the traditions that suit you, Chong?"
"That is not fair. I follow our traditions!" she argued.
"Then why are you working as a waitress in that restaurant? It is my place to take care of you. Do you not understand it makes me feel less of a man when you try to fill my role?"
"Women in this country work all the time. You know we need the money. I am only trying to help my husband complete his studies."
"That is not your place, Chong. You would never have done so back home," he countered.
"Back home! When will you realize this is America? We can keep many of our traditions, but we must also respect those of a country that has given us such opportunity," she said angrily.
"Opportunity? What opportunity? We are living like poor people. We would be much better off if we returned to our homeland," Kwangsoo claimed.
"How can you say that, Kwangsoo? Maybe you would feel differently if you had to wonder where your next meal was coming from. If it had not been for my father, my family may very well have starved."
"Ironside, I am so tired of hearing how generous and caring he is. I am your husband. You should do as I say," he complained.
"Do as you say? We are a partnership, Kwangsoo!" She raised her voice as much as she ever did when she was upset during their arguments, which was not very much.
"Partnership! It is tradition for the wife to obey the husband in our country." He was snapping at her again, which he regretted, though he knew her willingness to adopt to American traditions more each day was the source of their problems. And where was she getting it? From her American foster father. Kwangsoo was jealous of the influence the Yankee detective had on her. She seemed to listen to him more than she did Kwangsoo himself.
Chong could no longer contain her temper. She raised her voice to an almost shout. "This is our country! If you do not wish to live as an American, then maybe you should go back and live in our native land!"
He reached for her, but she pulled away from him. Grabbing her coat and purse, she headed for the door. "I am going to be late for work. Please be ready to go to my father's for dinner when I return." She went out the door and slammed it behind her.
2
The door to Ironside's office opened and Robert Duvalier entered. It had been awhile since he had seen his father. He had been looking forward to this for some time. It was only recently that his father told him of his foster sister. Robert was an only child, so the thought of having a sister excited him.
Ironside turned his head to see his son enter the office. A big grin spread across his face. "It is about flaming time you show up around here!"
Robert grinned back at his father, walked over to him and put out his hand. "Hello, Papa. I have been looking forward to this visit."
Ed, Mark and Fran walked over to greet their boss's son. After shaking hands with his father, Robert did so with Mark and Ed. Looking at Fran, he said, "I do not believe that we have met before."
"I am Fran Belding. I also work for Chief Ironside."
Robert looked around the office, but did not see the person he was looking for. Turning his attention back to his father, he asked, "And Officer Whitfield?"
"My pretty policewoman decided to take vacation time and go to Europe with her parents. I think she misses that high society life," Ironside told him. He pointed at Fran and explained, "Officer Belding worked with my office for about four years while Officer Whitfield was on a leave of absence. Fran still works with our office whenever we need her. Since Eve is in Europe, Fran will be working for us until she returns."
"Well it is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Belding," Robert said with a slight bow.
"Please, call me Fran."
"Fran," Robert said in acknowledgement. Turning his attention back to his father, Robert sat down beside him. "I cannot believe it took you all this time to tell me that I had a sister."
"She is my foster daughter. I sent money overseas to support her family. A lot of people sponsor those overseas that need help."
"Still, you did not tell me until you extended this invitation."
Ironside recognized Robert was correct. As busy as Chong Lee was, he simply did not see her often. Mostly, she contacted him by phone. When she did come to see him, it was normally alone. Kwangsoo rarely joined her. Ironside got the feeling his son-in-law had trouble with the financial help that he extended the two of them. Yet, he could not allow Chong to go without.
"Well, you are here now. She and Kwangsoo will be joining us for dinner tonight. If it is any consolation, she does not know about you either."
Robert raised an eyebrow. "You didn't tell her that you have a son?"
"First of all, I don't see her that often. Secondly, I don't see you that often either. In fact, if I want to hear from you, I normally have to call you."
Robert smiled. He knew his father was right. His work at the Academy and the police station in Montreal kept him rather busy. By the time he thought of calling his father, it was usually too late to do so. It did make times like this even more enjoyable. Since he had found out that Robert Ironside was his father, the two of them had actually grown quite close. They may not have spoken to each other as often as they would liked, but Robert thought of him often as he was sure his father did him as well.
"Well, I am here now," Robert said, echoing his father. "Tell me what my foster sister is like?"
Ironside smiled. "She is a beautiful young lady with a good head on her shoulders. I don't think she has decided yet what she would like to do with her future, but I have no doubt when she does, she will be very successful."
"Sounds to me like someone I can become very fond of," Robert said sincerely.
"I thought it was time the two of you met," Ironside told him.
"What is her husband like?" Robert watched as the expression on his father's face changed. Sometimes, his father was extremely hard to read. He could maintain that poker face that did not allow any insight into what he was thinking. This time, Robert knew something was wrong. Rather than ask his father, he would wait until he was ready to talk about it.
"He has been going to school since they married. He works in a vehicle repair shop."
Robert could hear the disapproval in his father's voice. He would certainly pay close attention when he met his sister's husband at dinner tonight.
Mark brought in sandwiches and soft drinks. He set them on the table in front of his boss. Ironside indicated for Robert to help himself. Fran and Ed join them at the table.
Despite being told to help himself, Robert waited for his father to begin. Once each of them had sandwiches and colas in front of them, Fran spoke up.
"Chief, why don't you tell Robert what you are going to propose to Chong when she arrives tonight."
Robert turned his attention away from Fran and back to his father. "Well?"
"For years, Chong has considered me her foster father. I think it is about time I actually become her father, Ironside said.
As he chewed his sandwich, Robert looked at his father in confusion. "I don't understand. What does that mean?"
"The chief is going to officially adopt Chong as his daughter," Fran said excitedly.
Ironside looked over at her and shook his head. "I thought you told me to tell him."
"You're too slow Chief," she said with a grin. "I could not help myself."
Ed and Mark chuckled. "The chief is going to tell her when she comes tonight. If she agrees ... " Ed told him before Ironside interrupted him.
"What do you mean if she agrees?" Ironside demanded indignantly.
"Well, after all, Chief, she may not want to be adopted," Fran pointed out.
"And why not?" Ironside said.
"Maybe Robert would be in a better position to answer that," Mark laughed.
Robert put his hands up. "Don't bring me into this!" He laughed despite the look on his father's face.
Ironside grumbled at his staff. "Aren't you people on the city payroll?"
Fran and Ed smiled as they got out of their chairs and headed out of the office. Mark still had a grin on his face. When Ironside noticed, he snarled, "Are you going to leave the dirty dishes on the table until dinner time?"
Sanger got up and began clearing the table. It was all Robert could do to keep from all out laughter.
3
Ever since Donnie Walker took over the loan sharking business, he had been going over the books and collecting from his predecessor's former customers. Until he was able to build his own clientèle, Donnie had to make a living. It didn't matter whether they actually had paid the man off, or not, he could always claim they did not pay all the interest because they were late on their payments. All he cared was the money started to flow in. McCandle had left behind his books that listed all of his customers and where they could be located. It made it so much easier for Donnie, even if he thought the man had been an idiot for keeping records which the cops might find and use to send him to the pen.
Donnie laughed when he thought about McCandle having the misfortune of loaning money to Ironside's future son-in-law. If Donnie were to be honest, it would not have stopped him from collecting from him either, but he would have been much smarter about it. You didn't mess with Ironside. Too many people made the mistake of underestimating the crippled cop. He was dangerous, and if you were going to go up against him, you had to be smarter than he was.
He looked through the book that McCandle had left behind. Adding up the totals of those that had not paid off their debts, it was not enough money to live on. He would have to collect interest from those that had completed their payments. Donnie didn't care whether they had paid off. The whole idea of the business was to create a steady source of income. Keep them paying. Never let them off the hook once you had reeled them in. Glancing down the list, he spotted the name he was looking for. Kwangsoo Yung. In checking, he had found out that Ironside's daughter was actually some foreign born girl he had sponsored. He liked it when the customers had wives. He could always use their women against them. That is what he intended to do with Ironside's son-in-law if necessary. He could not take the chance Yung would go running to the crippled cop the first chance he got. Donnie would make sure he said nothing. He would not seek Ironside's help if he was holding Kwangsoo's woman. Donnie had it all figured out. Soon he would put his plan in action.
I do not own the Ironside characters. They are the creation of Collier Young. All other characters were created in my mind to tell the story. Thanks for reading!
*This story is based on the episode, "Joss Sticks and Wedding Bells."
*Robert Duvalier is a character from "Check, Mate and Murder!"
You may want to read "Checkmate and Terror." In my timeline, it explains how Robert Duvalier is revealed as Ironside's son.