Erik had spent the remainder of the night fighting his memories. Just when he thought he'd finally escaped them and built a new life for himself in America, the past reared its ugly head. Or rather his ugly head. Throughout his childhood and adolescence, he barely had a handful of good memories. The encounter with the girl was one.
He'd tucked it so far back in his mind that he'd almost forgotten it entirely. Forgot her beyond a vague impression of soft brown eyes and a small hand holding the ribbon out to him, and yet he'd always kept the piece of green ribbon somewhere on his person. He thought of it as a talisman that he'd carried from childhood, something wrapped around a good memory, even though the memory itself had faded through the turmoil of his life. He wasn't foolish enough to think it would bring him luck, but he often found himself holding it when he was alone and sad. For some reason it brought him comfort.
He had the ribbon in his trouser pocket that last night at the opera. It survived his final confrontation with his own madness and he remembered clutching it tightly on his run through the sewers. He was even grateful to Nasir for searching his pockets and setting it aside before consigning the ruined garments to the rubbish bin.
His stomach twisted as he looked at the ribbon now, crumpled and dirtied from years of his touch. There was more to the story of that day more than she'd told, more than she knew.
. . . .
"Who were you talking to?" Davos pounded on the cage bars.
"No one." Erik crouched back against the straw, shoving the ribbon deep into the dirty pile.
"Liar! I saw someone running away." Davos clenched his fists, barely keeping hold of his temper. "You will tell me, little freak."
"I'm not lying." Erik protested, inching as far away from the man as the cage bars would allow.
Davos's face was red. He was breathing hard. "Luca, Karoly, come here!" he bellowed, grasping the cage bars until his knuckles whitened. When the two men approached, he turned to them. "Our little pet monster has been lying to me. He must learn that this is unacceptable."
The two men nodded, sly grins spreading across their mouths. They knew what was coming.
Erik's eyes opened wider, he was panting for breath from fear. He knew what was coming, too. If he was lucky, the scars wouldn't be too bad this time.
Davos pulled out his keys, unlocking the cage and gesturing the two men inside. "Bring him out."
"No!" Erik kicked out and fought but he was powerless once they each grabbed an arm and forcibly dragged him out, holding him upright before Davos.
"I saw someone. You were talking to someone. A girl, I think."
Erik said nothing. He knew there was nothing he could do to save himself from what was coming. He knew what Davos was capable of. He'd seen it happen before when villagers thought they could help free an animal and snuck into the camp in the middle of the night. Sometimes other villagers would find the body after the caravan slipped off into the night. Other times, he was certain, the missing villager would never be found. All he could do was to keep quiet and hope the girl had gotten far enough away that Davos couldn't reach her.
"Is that it, little monster, a girl?" The two men chuckled, gripping Erik's arms even tighter while Davos grabbed his jaw. "Was she drawn to your handsome face?" A vicious backhand almost snapped Erik's neck. "Or was it your masculine form?" The whip Davos held stroked the youth's uncovered torso. "What do you think, my friends? Is our little monster ready to entertain the ladies?" His hand snaked out, grabbing Erik between the legs and squeezing.
Erik screamed. Never had he felt pain like that. He couldn't breathe, it hurt so badly. The men laughed as Davos squeezed again, sending Erik reeling over the edge into darkness.
. . . .
He never forgot that pain and what the memory of it ultimately drove him to do.
Shaking off the past, Erik rose and went downstairs to his office. Memories or no, he had a business to run.
A while later a tentative knock rattled the proprietor's office door at Club Incognito. "Mr. Erik?"
Erik sighed and looked up from his papers. He enjoyed running the club. He found it mentally challenging to watch the floor and try to discover the cheaters. Occasionally one slipped past him, but sooner or later he caught them, grudgingly accepting their triumph over his vigilance and then warning them that if they ever tried to cheat in his club again, the outcome would not be favorable to anyone but him.
"Mr. Erik?"
He recognized the voice and straightened in his chair. This wouldn't be a good meeting. "Come in, Kwan Su." He waited for the elderly Chinese man to enter and shut the door. He inclined his head slightly, acknowledging the man's bow before gesturing to a chair opposite his across the broad walnut desk. "What brings you to my humble establishment?" He had an inkling of the elder's business, and if it was what he thought, it could prove problematic.
The Chinese Tongs were beginning to make inroads into business beyond Chinatown. At first, it was establishing legitimate businesses like laundries and small restaurant-teashops. Then they began trying to gain footholds in the railroad companies that employed a high number of Chinese workers by setting up unions. Lately, Erik was starting to hear stories of small gangs of toughs approaching businesses near Chinatown and extorting money from the proprietors for protection. To date, they hadn't encroached into Club Incognito's territory, but he had a feeling that would soon be changing.
"Ah, Mr. Erik." The old man rubbed his hands one over the other. "I regret being the bearer of bad tidings, but I fear I must inform you that my nephew, Kwan Li, will no longer be available to work for your establishment."
"I am sorry to hear that, Kwan Su." Erik spoke slowly while several thoughts ran through his head. He knew the harmless-appearing old man was highly placed in the Tong hierarchy. Was this a ploy to get more money for his nephew? Had the young man run into trouble that prevented him from working? Or was this an attempt by the Tong to infiltrate his club? "I hope no ill has befallen him."
Kwan Su smiled. "No. He is well, but his old mother is sick and as her only child, he is fulfilling his duty to take care of her."
He's lying through his teeth. "He is indeed a good son, but won't it place a hardship on the family to lose his income?" Erik tapped his pencil on the paper in front of him. It was a subtle message to Kwan Su to get on with the reason for his visit. The two of them has spoken before and Erik was in no mood for the old man's games.
"Yes," Kwan Su inclined his head. "But fortunately for the family his two cousins have recently arrived from China and are willing to take lowly positions in your establishment as a way of helping." He leaned forward, gesturing to the account sheets spread on the desk. "You could gain two fine workers for no more salary than you were paying one."
You mean two spies you crafty old bastard. "I appreciate your offer, Kwan Su, but I must respectfully decline." He knew this was the first approach by the Tong to get their claws into the club.
The old man sat up straighter, raising his eyebrows. "I am surprised, Mr. Erik. I thought that you, as a successful businessman, would see the advantage. What is that phrase? 'Two for the price of one?'"
Erik allowed himself a small smile. "Yes, you're right. However, I leave all the hiring decisions to Mr. Khan. He has a background in law enforcement, you know, and is very good at finding just the right people for the establishment." He rose and walked to the office door. "Please forgive my rudeness, but I must return to my work. I have appointments this afternoon and must get this done before. Good day, Kwan Su."
"Good day, Mr. Erik." Kwan Su paused in the doorway, looking Erik directly in the eyes. "I hope you will not regret your decision."
Erik nodded, acknowledging the man's words, both stated and implied. Then he closed the office door and returned to his desk. This could be a problem and it needed to be stopped quickly. He stepped on a hidden button under his desk and waited.
"You wanted me, Erik?" Nasir leaned in the open doorway, one hand on the door knob. "I'm in the middle of something."
"This can't wait, Nasir."
One look at the set of Erik's mouth told him that Erik's 'something' was more important than his. "What's wrong?" He settled on the leather sofa along the wall and waited.
"I had a visit from Kwan Su."
"Ah," Nasir nodded, understanding the issue. "We've been expecting this."
"Yes." Erik leaned forward, resting his forearms on the cluttered desk. "The question is: what do we do about it?
"I won't allow them to make inroads into the club. But I'm not willing to bow to extortion for them to leave us alone. Any ideas?"
There was a dangerous edge to Erik's voice that Nasir recognized immediately. The last time he heard it was in Paris shortly before his friend dropped a one ton chandelier onto an unsuspecting crowd. "Well, I don't think dropping a Chinese lantern into the crowd will have much of an effect on them."
Erik's lip quirked up slightly. "No, I fear you're right. Besides, that may be entirely too subtle. I was thinking of a more direct approach."
"No!" Nasir stood and confronted his friend. "You will not become the Phantom again. Those days are over. Let them rest in peace.
"Erik, give me a little time to investigate. We know they have an opium connection, it may be possible to interrupt their supply line. I have a friend from the old days in Mazenderan who now lives in Sacramento. Let me go there and talk to him. He has some powerful connections to the Far East who are involved in the opium trade."
Erik raised an eyebrow. The straight-arrow Daroga had friends on the shady side of the law? Friends whom he himself knew nothing about? That was a bit surprising. "All right." Erik agreed although he didn't think that would do much to help the immediate problem. "We just can't wait too much longer."
"Agreed." Nasir consulted the calendar pages on Erik's desk. "Today is April 16th, I can leave immediately." He looked at his pocket watch. "We're in luck. There's just enough time for me to pack a quick bag and catch the daily train to Sacramento at noon. I should be able to consult with my source and be back by the 19th or 20th. You can stall at least until then."
"I can." Erik stood and crossed to the rack holding his suit coat, slipping into the garment. "I think I'll just take a stroll down to Chinatown and see how Mr. Kwan's associates are doing. Perhaps we can strike a bargain that will be mutually beneficial without either one of us having to give in."
"Yes," Nasir said softly. "Just don't hurt him too badly. You've got to keep your temper in check, my friend. You know it only leads to trouble when you don't."
The former Phantom grinned, donning his hat and picking up his walking stick. "Fear not, old friend; I'm only going for a walk."
. . . .
"Tilly, you can go back to the hotel now, and please put these in water." Lillian handed off a large bouquet to her maid, brushing bits of leaves and petals from her blue skirt. "I need a little time alone."
Tilly shook her head. "I don't think it's a good idea for you to walk unaccompanied My Lady. I've heard stories…."
"Nonsense, San Francisco is a civilized city. I'm quite sure I'll be fine." She let her shoulders droop a little and gazed wistfully across the cityscape. "I've been surrounded by people clamoring for my attention since the moment we stepped off the train. I just need a short time alone to regain my equilibrium. Don't worry, I'll be fine." She smiled and patted her maid's arm. "Please, Tilly, go ahead to the hotel and get my things ready for tonight's soiree. It's a musicale at Colonel and Mrs. Masters home featuring their adequately talented daughters and fifty of their closest friends."
Tilly rolled her eyes. "Oh no, not another one of those. I'm sorry My Lady."
Lillian nodded. "I do love music, but I fear this evening's entertainment will be a challenge for me to fully appreciate." She smiled slightly.
"Indeed." Tilly turned toward the hotel. "At least you have tickets for Mr. Caruso's performance of Carmen tomorrow night. That's something to look forward to."
"Yes. I heard him once at Covent Garden. He has the most wonderful tenor voice. I'm quite looking forward to just sitting quietly and enjoying the performance."
"Will Mr. Jackson be accompanying you?" Tilly knew that her mistress had received two tickets to the performance.
"No. I'm thinking I may brave the scandal and go alone." Lillian almost laughed at the expression on her maid's face at the suggestion. "Just as I am going to walk alone now. Off with you Tilly. I'll see you back at the hotel."
Tilly bobbed a small curtsey and turned away, walking quickly towards the hotel she could see in the distance.
Lillian craned her neck looking over the crowded street. There was nowhere in particular she wanted to go, she just wanted to have a few hours free for herself. She decided to just start walking and see where her feet led. If she got lost, she knew she could always hail one of the passing carriages-for-hire to take her back to the hotel. But for now, she decided to let the fates lead her where they may.
. . . .
Erik paused under the entrance to Chinatown. It wasn't his first visit but the sight always made him stop. It amazed him that passing under the archway was like stepping into another land. While the inhabitants made attempts toward assimilating the ways of their new homeland, they still clung to their old culture fiercely. He, who owed no loyalties to any culture or nation, was intrigued by how old Cathay could still be seen and felt while surrounded by a vital, growing American city.
But today wasn't a day for musing. Today he had a mission.
He walked unerringly toward a ramshackle building housing a tea shop, knowing that behind the façade was a Pai Gow parlor and beyond that an opium den. The proprietor of the business was known to him and in the beginning, when Erik was first establishing Club Incognito, the two men struck a deal not to interfere with each other's business. But now it appeared that Ping Sai was reneging on the deal.
He entered the tea shop, ignoring the bowing attendant and keeping his hat and walking stick. He went straight through the tea shop into the Pai Gow parlor where two large men walked up to him. "I will see Ping Sai," he informed them, standing his ground. "Tell him Mr. Dantes wishes to speak with him."
The men nodded, aware of his identify and noting the firm grip he had on his stick. One left, moving through a disguised door at the back of the room and soon returned to Erik. "Ping Sai will see you." He bowed politely and gestured toward the door.
"No," Erik said. "I will meet him in the tea shop." He knew the door led to the opium den beneath the building. He had no wish to be surrounded by the pipe smoke or to be any farther away from the street. His intent was a quick meeting and an exit with as little violence as possible.
Erik sat at a small table near the exit, placing his hat on the table, his stick beside him, and ordering a small pot of lapsang souchong tea. He was just raising a cup to his lips when a man of about his own age slipped into the seat across from him. "Good day, Ping Sai."
"Hello, Mr. Dantes." The man refused an offered cup and sat quietly, looking at his masked visitor.
"I'll get right to the point," Erik began. "I had a visit from Kwan Su this morning." He waited as Ping Sai nodded to acknowledge his words but said nothing. Erik knew what that meant. "I know he came from you. We have an agreement, Ping Sai. I have honored my part of the bargain, will you honor yours?" Erik sat back, waiting and taking an occasional sip of tea. No one played the patience game better than he.
After several minutes of silence, Ping Sai leaned forward. "Times are changing, my friend. As much as it saddens me, I may not be able to hold to the terms of our agreement much longer."
"Indeed," Erik said. "I understand your need to expand your business and I have no objection as long as you leave me and mine alone."
"Ah, I fear that may not be possible much longer." Pin Sai's eyes were hard. "I work not only for myself, but also for the betterment of my people."
Erik scoffed at the words. "You work only for yourself; we both know that." He leaned forward across the table. "I tell you again; you will leave me and my establishment and my people alone and I will do the same for you."
Ping Sai rose, gesturing to the small crowd of men gathered at the back of the room. "And if I don't?"
Erik also stood, looking the man squarely in the eyes. "Make no mistake, Ping Sai. If you make any attempts to interfere with my business, my people, or me, you will curse the day you did not do what I am asking." Then he turned, picking up his hat and stick and walked from the shop.
Ping Sai looked at the men behind him, gesturing in Erik's direction, 'I fear Mr. Dantes will have to be taught a lesson." They nodded and moved as one. "Don't kill him," Ping Sai called after them. "Not yet."