Chapter 9: China At Last!

The plane landed in China a few hours later and Timothy looked around for any sign of the Chinese man. He had no idea whom he was looking for, but figured the man would find them. At least Yuri wasn't in too much pain now that the bullet had been removed. Timothy hoped the Chinese man new a doctor, however.

"Any idea who this Wong guy is?" Richard asked him as he shut off the plane.

"No, but he's expecting us. I assume he'll know where to find us."

"That doesn't help us. It could be anyone."

"Garth doesn't tell me about these 'friends' of his," Timothy frowned as if trying to defend himself. "It's not my fault he doesn't give me all the details."

"Thirsty...," came Yuri's weak voice. The two men glanced at Yuri. Timothy climbed into the back seat and took out a canteen for Yuri to drink.

Richard glanced around and noticed someone gesturing to him. It was a man in an orange baton outfit. Richard began to feel worried, either that was Wong or he had landed someplace he shouldn't and was going to ask to move.

"4 o'clock," he told Timothy. Timothy glanced out the back window and saw the man.

"Do you think that's Wong?"

"I sure hope so. But keep Yuri's head down, just in case."

Timothy ducked while Richard opened his door.

"Good morning, sir. May I help you?"

"I heard you had a package from Garth to Wong," the man whispered. He glanced at another man in the same uniform walk by and waved causally. The passing man nodded in acknowledgment and continued on his way.

"You know Garth?" Richard asked him with a raised eyebrow.

The man smiled, "We're old friends."

"So you must be Wong?"

"The one and only. Now what about the 'package'?"

Richard was relieved, but glanced around. There were too many people around.

"Is there a safer place to talk?"

"Hanger B," Wong nodded and gestured to a one of the three nearby hangers. "I have a car in the back."


After parking his plane in the designated hanger, Richard and Timothy met up with Wong. The Chinese man had changed from a simple runway assistant to a spotless white suit. He was a wealthy Chinese man and it was a mystery of how Garth knew him. Then again, there are a lot of things he doesn't tell his sidekicks, and it oddly bothered Timothy.

"Now, then," Wong said as he approached. "Shall we get down to business?"

"There's one thing I would like to know before we hand him over," Timothy frowned. "How much did Garth promise you in order to have you hide Yuri at your estate?"

Wong was no longer smiling and glared at Timothy.

"That is not your concern."

"It is when I was promised a share of the money too."

"I don't answer to you, now get out of my way," Wong growled as he forced himself past Timothy. It annoyed the sidekick, but he didn't want to cause a scene.

"There's one thing you should know," Richard frowned and blocked the backdoor of his plane. "Or captive was injured and is in need of a transfusion. Do you know a doctor who can look at him?"

Wong looked annoyed that these two insubordinate were blocking his way.

"Yes, yes, I have a personal doctor. Now, please excuse me!" he pulled Richard away from the door and stepped inside. He smiled when his eyes rested on the weakened Yuri. The Japanese man was holding his wound and still in some pain.

"Garth wasn't kidding when he said you were identical to him," Wong said as he drew a finger down the side of Yuri's face. "Don't worry. I'm sure we'll get along quite nicely if you behave yourself."

As weakened as Yuri was, he managed a glare at the Chinese man.

The three men carefully transported Yuri to Wong's limousine. Richard didn't say anything more and left abruptly. He had done his part in this mission, and that was all that mattered...besides the money Garth had promised him, of course.

Despite the promise Wong made about keeping Yuri safe, Timothy knew his part of the job was not over yet. He still had the responsibility of keeping an eye on Yuri until Garth no longer needed him.


It wasn't a long drive to Wong's estate and even Timothy had to admit that it was an impressive place. There was a palace-like garden out front and the house was bigger than any mansion he had ever seen. The hired driver parked the car in the huge garage and got out to open the passenger door for Wong. Wong wouldn't carry Yuri, of course, and ordered two of his many servants to do the dirty work.

Timothy followed the servants and Wong to the basement and the servants lied Yuri down in a dark, secluded area. Wong put a chain around Yuri's ankle as security in case he ever tried to escape. Of course, Wong carried the only key.

"I'll call for that doctor and he'll be here in no time to look after our friend," he told Timothy. It wasn't long, indeed. Yuri was looked after and given the much needed transfusion as well as some medication for the pain.

Timothy was surprised when Wong invited him upstairs to have a drink, but he accepted. They relaxed in the pool room and Wong poured te two of them a glass of wine.

"So tell me," Timothy asked a moment later. "Do you know why Garth wanted Yuri here in China? I know there's that skating competition, but is he hoping he can force Yuri to skate for him?"

Wong smiled as he picked out a pool stick and began cleaning the tip to play. "You really don't understand Garth, do you?"

"I've only known him for a few years and he doesn't tell me much."

"I've known Garth for much longer. In all honesty, I'm pretty much his adopted father."

"You raised him?" Timothy asked in surprise. Wong nodded and walked over to the pool table.

"Indeed. I trained him in many things; martial arts, strategy thinking. He's a real protegee."

He aimed carefully for the perfectly set of balls in the center before striking. The balls rolled around the table until six landed in each of the corner holes. Timothy smiled, amused.

"Not bad."

"I usually can get them all in a single strike. I must be rusty," Wong frowned.

"How did Garth come into your care?" Timothy wanted to know. Wong was quiet as his eyes never left the table. He walked over to the opposite side of the table before answering.

"I wouldn't ask personal questions about that yet, if I were you. It's dangerous."

"I apologize."

"About your question on what Garth is planing, he can tell you once he gets here. I trained him in keeping secrets, and even I don't know all his plans." He took aim again and this time landed a perfect strike. He looked satisfied now and ordered his on-looking servants to set up the game again. All Timothy could think about Garth and what he was planing on doing to the captive skater. Sure, he wanted his money, but even he must know that skaters were not millionaires. There must be a deeper motive to it all.


Victor returned from the restroom to his seat next to Garth and noticed he was still asleep. He smiled and brushed away some of the black hair that had fallen over his closed eyes. Garth flinched and grabbed Victor's hand, twisting it backwards and causing Victor to whimper.

"Yuri, calm down. It's only me," he said in a startled tone. Garth's eyes came into focus and he removed his hand from Victor's wrist.

"Sorry, Victor. You surprised me, is all."

"That was a pretty strong grip..," Victor whimpered, caressing his sore wrist.

A woman's voice spoke on the intercom and announced they were soon going to land. Victor and Garth buckled their seatbealts and Victor winked at him.

"We're here, Yuri. Maybe we could put in a bit of site seeing while we're here?"

"It depends on if I'll have time. I have to practice for the competition, I may not have time," Garth said. Victor was a bit confused.

"You? What happened to 'us'? We're both here, I don't see why we can't have a bit of fun."

Garth realized he didn't include Victor when he spoke and regretted slipping up. "Sorry, Victor. I'm just tired. Jet leg, you know."

"Da, I understand," Victor smiled as if he was no longer bothered by not being mentioned. "We'll find a hotel and get some rest first before going over to the rink."

"Sounds good," Garth nodded.

While they braced themselves for the landing, Garth's thoughts drifted towards Timothy. Did his idiot sidekick get Yuri here on time? Did his mentor Wong find them alright? That was all that really mattered to Garth. He couldn't wait to get away from Victor. So clingy.