Joss Sticks and Murder
Chapter 2
1
Kwangsoo Yung left the repair shop where he worked. He was not looking forward to dinner at his father-in-law's office. He was tired of the detective interfering with his marriage. Just because he had married his foster daughter did not give him the right to constantly give money to Chong. It was his job to take care of her. She needed to learn to live on what he provided for her and not accept money from her father.
Her father had encouraged her to take a job to help out. He pointed out to her that American women went to work to share the financial responsibility quite often. Kwangsoo did not want his wife working. Their financial security was his job, not hers. He would eventually make more than enough money to support her. When he asked her father for her hand in marriage, he had demanded to know how he was going to support her. Why did he want to know if he would be telling her it was alright for her to go to work?
The problems they were having financially were only temporary. Once he was finished with his schooling, he would be able to land a job that would provide them with plenty of income. She had only to be patient.
Kwangsoo headed down the street. He began to walk home. He was still walking where ever he had to go. The young man would take the trolley car or a taxi, when he could afford it. With his mind on his troubles, Kwangsoo did not see the two men that were following him. As he got closer to home he took the shortcut through the alley that led to the back of his apartment. Not hearing the two men come up behind him, they shoved him into a tall privacy fence.
"You are Kwangsoo Yung?" the taller man asked.
Kwangsoo answered reluctantly "Yes, why?"
"Does the name Donnie Walker mean anything to you?"
"No. I do not know such a man," Kwangsoo replied.
"Well, you do now. He is the man you owe money to," the man said.
Confused, the young man shook his head. "I don't owe anyone any money."
"You borrowed money from McCandles, remember him?"
"I paid that money back with the advance my boss gave me on my salary."
"Not according to his books. You see Donnie Walker is now in possession of those books. It says you owe him $3000.00. Now since Donnie has them, your debt has been transferred to him. He is calling that debt due. So you need to pay up."
"But I don't owe any money; I paid that debt. It was not that much money."
"Well it is now," the tall curly-haired man said.
"I am not paying money I don't owe," Kwangsoo insisted.
The man doubled his fist and slugged him in the stomach. The other man who had not said anything, grabbed him, pulling his arms behind him as his partner continued to land blows in Kwangsoo's stomach. When they thought he had had enough, they let go, and he dropped to the ground.
"If you know what is good for you, you will come up with the money. You have one week; one week, and we will be back. And don't go running to Ironside. If you do, we will kill your wife." The shorter man kicked dirt in Kwangsoo's face and the two of them left him.
His ribs and stomach pained. For a moment, all he could do was lie there. Waiting for the pain to lessen, Kwangsoo closed his eyes. Would he ever stop paying for that mistake. He never should have borrowed money from a lone shark.
He slowly got to his knees and pushed himself to his feet. Stumbling, he headed for their second story apartment. Kwangsoo walked up the steps , holding the railing with one hand and his stomach with the other. As he reached the door, he straightened so that Chong would not see the pain he was in. He could not involve her in this. He had to protect her from Donnie Walker, whoever he was.
He opened the door and walked in. Chong immediately came to him. She smiled when she saw her husband. Going to him, she put her arms around him and hugged tightly. Kwangsoo winced but successfully kept her from knowing that what she just did caused him considerable pain.
"Kwangsoo, I am so sorry for what happened this morning. I don't want to argue. I know you are doing the best you can. I just want to help you. Please let me help you until you are through school. Then we will talk about starting a family," she said.
Kwangsoo gently pushed her back. He ran his hand down her face. "I don't want to argue either. He kissed her gently. He did not address her desire to help him, it would only start another argument. "I better take a shower. We don't want to be late for your father's dinner."
Chong smiled. "I set out a suit for you."
He kissed her again and then headed for the bathroom. Kwangsoo turned on the shower and removed his shirt. His stomach was already showing signs of bruising. How would he ever keep this from Chong? Removing the rest of his clothes, he stepped into the shower and allowed the water to beat down on him. Kwangsoo would have to cut the shower short if he was going to have Chong on time for her father's dinner.
2
Robert Ironside wheeled over to the table. Inspecting it to be sure Mark had everything just right, he stopped to look at his watch. His daughter and son-in-law were late.
Robert Duvalier watched his father. He could see that he was becoming impatient. If there was one thing he had learned about his father, it was that he expected everyone to be on time, or call if they couldn't. Apparently Chong had not figured that out yet. Somehow, he was sure his father would be easier on Chong than he would be on him if he were late.
Fran walked over to Robert. She had been watching him from across the room. "Don't worry, the room only rises ten-degrees from the steam the chief lets off when someone is late."
Robert chuckled. "What is he like to work for?"
Fran smiled. The chief's son was trying to figure him out. "He's brilliant, of course, but you already know that. I almost feel sorry for any thug who has him on his trail."
"How's he treat you?" Robert asked. "I mean as a boss."
"Well, he expects a lot, but at the same time, he cares a lot too. Don't let that rough, gruff exterior fool you. The chief is basically a pussycat." She looked directly at Robert and smiled.
"Who roars like a lion," Robert said.
Fran laughed. "He's demanding, but he is fair."
Robert smiled. "Since the day my mother introduced him to me, I found him fascinating, not that I liked him at first. He is English after all."
"So are you, at least half English," Fran pointed out.
"Please, don't remind me. My French half hates it when someone points that out," he said with a grin.
Ed joined them. "Mark said if they don't get here pretty soon, the entire dinner is going to be overcooked."
"Oh that's nice," Robert said. "I don't care for Chinese food when it is cooked correctly; now you tell me it is going to be overcooked? Do you know what Chinese food taste like when it is overcooked?"
"Rubber," They all said together.
They all breathed a collective sigh of relief when there was a knock on the door. Mark headed up the ramp as he called out, "I'll get it." When he arrived at the door, he opened it. Chong and Kwangsoo entered the chief's office residence. They greeted Mark and walked down the ramp to an awaiting Robert Ironside.
Kwangsoo could read the impatience in his father-in-law's eyes. His ribs and stomach were hurting so badly that he had to slow down to ease the pain. It had cost him precious time. Despite Chong knocking on the bathroom door several times, reminding him they were going to be late, he took his time. He had no choice as the pain in his ribs was more than he could bare.
Walking over to Ironside, Kwangsoo said, "Forgive our tardiness, Father, it is my fault. I worked later at the repair shop than I had intended. I should have paid more attention to the time."
Ironside caught the look Chong had given her husband. It told the detective his son-in-law was not being honest as to why they were a half-hour late. He reached out his hand to Kwangsoo, but the young man did not shake it. He simply bowed toward the detective.
Chong gave her husband a look of disapproval. Ironside could detect some tension between them. He deduced there had been an argument between them from the frosty way they were with each other.
"Welcome. It is about time the two of you visit," Ironside said.
"I am sorry, Father. We both have been busy with our jobs, and yours does not exactly allow us to visit at any time," Chong said. She bent down and kissed Ironside's cheek."
He took her hand, and at the same time, turned his chair towards Robert. "Chong, I would like you to meet my son, Robert. He is from Montreal, Canada. He is a police officer."
A big smile broke across her face. "Father, you did not tell me I have a brother!" She excitedly walked over to Robert and put her arms around him. "I am so happy. I have an American brother!"
Robert smiled, but corrected her. "Canadian, French Canadian."
"No matter," she said. "Brother... am so happy to meet you." She looked back at Kwangsoo, who had not moved. Her expression turned to a warning glance, which was also noticed by Ironside as well as his staff.
"Robert, my husband, Kwangsoo Yung."
Finally, Kwangsoo walked over to Robert and bowed. "Very pleased to meet you, brother-in-law." He bowed again. Robert was a bit unsure how to react as like his father, he normally shook hands. After hesitating, he bowed slightly towards the husband of his foster sister.
Ironside turned his attention to his friend and aid. "Mark! I think you better put dinner on before it is overcooked."
Kwangsoo lowered his eyes, believing the statement was aimed at him for bringing Chong late for dinner. He didn't seem to be able to do anything to please his father-in-law.
Everyone took their places at the table. Chong chose to sit beside her father on one side, Robert on the other. Mark served the dinner, which turned out to be cooked just right. Robert and Chong carried on a continual conversation questioning and getting to know each other. Ironside noticed that his son-in-law, as Mark would put it, was just a bit uptight. The chief saw him grimace just a bit on two or three occasions when passing food around the table. He surmised the young man was in pain, probably his ribs.
Wondering what was causing the pain, Ironside studied him a bit closer. He had a slight discoloration on the edge of his jaw. He could not help but wonder if Kwangsoo was involved with loan sharks again. Could he and Chong be worse off financially than she had let on to him? Ironside had helped them as much as he dared. He had seen the resentment on Kwangsoo's face every time he gave money to Chong. The chief had tried to respect the young man's feelings. He was fully aware of the customs of the country they were both from. It was Kwangsoo's responsibility to support and take care of his family. Yet, how could he possibly allow them to fall into debt when he had the money to help them?
Ironside was not wealthy by any means, but he did have an investment banker that had made him quite a nice nest egg. He had plenty of money to live on for the rest of his life. The chief could easily share some of that money with his foster daughter and son-in-law. If only Kwangsoo would realize he was in America now, and it was not uncommon for parents to help their grown children.
That brought up another question in his mind. How would Kwangsoo react to him wanting to legally adopt Chong. He wanted her to be his legal daughter and not just his foster daughter.
Everyone talked through dinner. Robert and Chong talked extensively about their lives and how they came to know Robert Ironside. Only when someone interrupted them did they turn their attention away from one another. Ed, Fran and Mark engaged both of them in conversation, telling them stories about their father. Everyone laughed at Ironside's expense. He did not mind though, he even laughed with them.
Only Kwangsoo was quiet. It had not escaped Ironside. Something was bothering his son-in-law. He wondered if he should try to talk to him. Yet, he knew Kwangsoo seem to resent any suggestions or help which he offered him. Ironside was concerned how he was going to take what he was about to say, but he was going to do it as it had become important to him.
"Chong, I have something I would like to talk to you about," Ironside told her. He wasn't sure he was going to be able to draw her away from Robert. The two of them were getting along extremely well.
"Yes, Father, what is it?"
"You consider me your father?"
"Of course, I do. You have always been there for me," Chong said.
"In the United States, right now I am your foster father. I would like to make it legal, if it is what you wish," Ironside said.
Robert grinned. "I think that is a great idea!"
"I do not understand," Chong said. "Are you not my father?"
"A foster father is someone who steps into that role but is not legal. What the chief is proposing is adoption," Fran said.
"That way he legally becomes your father," Ed told her.
"Is this really necessary?" Kwangsoo said. "Adoption is for children. Chong is not a child."
Chong looked at her husband. She could not believe his comment. "Kwangsoo!"
"I ask a reasonable question," he said, turning to her.
"I think it is a wonderful idea," she told her husband. I would like to make it legal."
"Then I have nothing to say about it?" Kwangsoo asked.
Ironside did not want to be the subject of an argument between them. "Kwangsoo, what is it you find objectionable? Do you not wish to have me as a legal father-in-law?"
"Of course I do not object, sir. I just don't see where it is necessary, that's... all," Kwangsoo said.
"It is not necessary, it just makes it legal. Chong becomes my legal daughter and that opens other legal possibilities," Ironside explained.
"Since I don't have anything to say about it, I see no reason to discuss it. Chong is free to do so if she chooses," Kwangsoo said.
The room became quiet. Ironside had been afraid of this reaction from his son-in-law. He would allow Chong to make her decision. It didn't take her any time at all.
"I would be honored to become your legal daughter!" Chong told him. "When shall we do it?"
"I will take care of the legal paperwork, or rather I will have my brother do it," Ironside said.
"Welcome to the family," Robert said. Smiling at Chong, he reached across his father and squeezed her hand. Chong smiled back at him.
After dinner, Mark cleared the table. Ironside watched as Kwangsoo left the table and headed for the window that the detective quite often looked out. Ironside pushed his chair away from the table. Wheeling over to the window, he settled his chair beside Kwangsoo. He did not look at Ironside.
"Have I done something to offend you?" Ironside asked him.
"No, sir. It is just that I should take care of Chong." He still did not look Ironside in the eye.
"I would say you are doing a good job of taking care of her. She is in good health, has a home and a husband who loves her."
"But I have not been a good provider."
"I would not say that, Kwangsoo. I know you have money problems. It has slowed down your schooling, but that doesn't make you a bad provider. America is different from where you lived. Kwangsoo, I would like to help you, if you would let me. I can help with your education expense. You could finish your education faster and then you would be able to take care of Chong without anyone's help. You are not any less a man because you need help, Kwangsoo. Many young people need the help of their parents until they can get on their feet." Ironside waited for his son-in-law to respond.
"I do not want your help, sir. I will take care of my family. It is the way of our people."
"Kwangsoo, your people are now Americans. I respect that you want to do it on your own, but in turn, you must respect the customs of the American people. Something is wrong, I could see that all evening. Let me help you. What is bothering you?" Ironside asked.
"Nothing is bothering me," he said. "We should join the others." He left the window and went back to where the others were gathered.
When Kwangsoo Chong left for the evening, Ironside dismissed his staff. Robert and Mark were the only ones left. Robert studied his father. "Something is troubling you, Pappa?"
Ironside smiled. "We'll make a detective out of you yet. Did you notice..."
"Notice that Kwangsoo seem to be uptight all evening. He hardly spoke a word."
The chief smiled again. "Exactly. Robert, I also noticed that you and Chong got along rather well."
"After all, she is my sister, well foster sister. I want to get to know her. I have never had a sister before."
Ironside rubbed the stubble on his chin. "I would like you to continue to get to know her. See if you can find out what is bothering Kwangsoo. He refused my help tonight, but I could tell something is deeply bothering that young man. He brought Chong over here with the money he borrowed from a loan shark. I want to know if he is involved with loan sharks again."
"Am I supposed to find out as a cop or a brother?" Robert asked with amusement.
"Both. Just find out," Ironside said.