(Hi all!I own no one; yes, yes I know I own the Wongs. I am not a
virologist so I'm sure my science is fantastical but it works in my little
extension of the Charlie's Angels world.)
*-*-*-*-*
We left the house, hopped in the car and Alex put the top down. It was a beautiful autumn California day, the air was warm but not overly hot, the sky was a crystal clear blue. I slid in a mix CD I had gotten from Max and we started singing along to "Solsbury Hill" by Peter Gabriel. When we got within five miles of Chinatown the way was blocked by police cars and the officers were working hard to divert traffic around another direction. As we reached the designated turn around point Alex yelled, "Hey." The officer turned our way. "What's going on?"
"I can't tell you exactly but this whole area is being quarantined. My understanding is a chemical truck over turned but hey, I'm not high enough for anyone to tell me anything," said the officer irritated. Alex looked at me and I knew what she was thinking so as she turned down the detour I called Bosley.
"Hey Bos, It me."
"Hey Dylan, what's up?"
"That's what we were hoping you could tell us. Can you check the traffic reports and see if you can find any information about an over turned chemical truck?"
"Sure why?"
"They are rerouting traffic and said that was the problem but Alex and I have a feeling that isn't the case."
"Sure I'll check into it. I'll call you back when I know more."
"Thanks Bosley."
"No prob," he said hanging up.
"Bos agreed to check he'll call us back when he knows something."
"Good, and its only another few miles to the restaurant."
We entered Chinatown about ten thirty. Funny how it looked completely different in the daylight with people out milling about, walking their dogs, shopping, just going about their daily business. I saw my car and it was being towed. "Shit! I must have parked in a no parking zone last night and not realized it."
Alex stopped the car and I ran over to mine. "You cant take my car."
"Can and will," said the massive tow truck driver. He was a large man, his gut hung over his waist band of his jeans, his white polo shirt with his name and the name of his towing firm embroidered on it was yellow from wear and perspiration stains and looked like he had heard them all.
"Look I wasn't in any condition to drive last night and my friend," I said motioning to Alex who gave him a fluttery wave and a flirty look, "gave me a ride home." He looked at Alex who was making eyes at him then back at me. "Come on don't I get a little slack for being responsible and not driving home drunk?" Ok I lied but I didn't need my car towed.
"Yeah okay," he said and lowered my car back to the street. He unhooked the wench and set my baby free, then sauntered, yes, he sauntered there is no other way to describe how he was walking, over to Alex's car. "Here sweet thang, if you, or your friend, "he hastily added me onto it, "ever need help, blown tire, your battery is dead or something, give me a call." He reached his thick fingered hand into the car holding a business card between his index and middle finger like he was a suave James bond type.
Alex took the card and stuck it in her cleavage, then patted it and said, "I will and I'll keep your card in a safe place." With that she pulled up and parked right in front of mine in the no parking zone." He gawked at her boldness but she blew him a little kiss and he hopped in his tow truck and drove off.
"Ewww, how could you stand to do that?"
"Easy, I just imagined he was someone else," she said laughing.
"Come on," and we walked over to Wong's Chinese Palace Restaurant. "So front door," I asked looking at the busy eatery, "or rear?"
"Let's go in the front way and see where that gets us."
Inside of the main restaurant looked much nicer than the back kitchen area we had seen the night before. I was your standard Chinese restaurant, decorated with black wooden tables and chairs, red upholstery a bit of rattan and lots of dragons in gold. I nudged Alex with my elbow and shook my head in the direction of a table in the back corner.
"Hey it's Kung-Fu,"
I rolled my eyes, "His name is Sun-Yu, but that isn't who I mean. Isn't that man in the corner Fahid Mahubabi?"
She looked again. "Let's take a seat." We slid into a booth behind a small cherry tree where we could see but not be seen. Alex glanced back over, "You know I think you are right. What is a Indonesian mobster doing in a dirty little Chinese restaurant like this?" Just then my cell phone rang.
"Hello? Oh Hey Bos."
"I got that info you wanted. You ready?"
"Yes what did you find out?"
"There was an overturned chemical truck."
"Oh there was." I said loud enough for Alex to hear.
"Yeah but you ought to hear what it was carrying."
"What?"
"Apparently normal Aluminum Chloride but the police found several viral samples and one was broken. They keep expanding the quarantine radius. Right now it's four miles any direction from the accident site. Charlie's source tells me that they plan on stopping the quarantine five miles out."
"Thanks for the info, Bos." I hung up and was about to tell Alex when our waiter arrived.
"You two," Sun-Yu said.
"We're just here for lunch, two bowls of won-ton soup and two egg rolls; do you want egg rolls, Dylan?"
"Egg rolls would be good. And fortune cookies."
"And tea."
Sun-Yu looked anxious but took the order. When he left I told Alex what Bosley had said. "Viral containers, and a quarantine as far as Chinatown," she said thoughtfully.
"I think I know what it is." Before I could finish my thought Mingmei was at our table. She looked sad and tired but just as pretty as before.
"Miss Dylan," she said then introduced herself to Alex. Alex shook her hand. "My brother told me that you were here. I wanted to tell you myself. My father could do it but he is quite upset himself about the whole situation."
I felt confused, "what situation?"
"There were complications last night." Mingmei's bottom lip quivered. "I did what I could to help Anthony. The internal bleeding was so severe and ..." she paused.
"What are you telling me," I asked loudly but I didn't care who heard.
"Anthony died at twenty two minutes after four."
"No, No, No," I repeated over and over as she continued. "If he had been brought here sooner, perhaps I could have helped him," she said and quickly added, "I'm not saying it is your fault."
I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. I refused to cry in front of Mingmei. "I feel your loss, Dylan," she said as if we were old friends as she placed her hand on my shoulder. "I loved him too."
I shrugged her off angrily. "I want to see him."
"You can't," she said calmly.
Alex who had been quiet through out our exchange said, "Why can't she?"
"Unfortunately due to the nature of Father's medical business we have to dispose of any bodies right after they expire."
"Dispose of them? Where do you dispose of them? Take them to the dump?" My voice was attracting attention of those around us including Fahid Mahubabi.
"Please Ms Dylan, calm down. They are left on the doorstep of the morgue or a hospital. I don't know where he was taken but his body is someplace safe."
I didn't wait for Mingmei to say anything else; I didn't wait for Alex either. I jumped up and left the table and ran out the door to my car. I breathed a small sigh of relief that the tow truck driver didn't return and tow it just because I wasn't Alex. I got into my car and drove off. I wasn't sure where I was going but I had to get away from the Chinese restaurant.
*****
I must have slept after Mingmei left me. I felt pretty good actually and managed to eat the bowl of cold cream of wheat that was left for me. It tasted awful but it took care of the hunger. I looked around the room and for a way out. There were no windows so I would have to go through the door. I knew I wasn't better but I didn't want to stay anywhere Mingmei was, it was too dangerous.
I unhooked my IV and tried to get out of bed. I was much weaker than I thought I was. I lay back down and closed my eyes. When I opened them Dr. Wong was standing at my bedside.
"You removed your IV. Why?"
Reaching over to the small table to my right I grabbed my notepad and pen. "Want to leave."
"Ah but you can't leave until better. Mingmei will say when that is."
"You're my doctor. I want to leave."
"I know I never stop you before but before you never so badly hurt. You need time to rest. You receive good care here and be good as new. But I must be going. I'll check on you later," he said reattaching my IV.
He left the door open and I heard voices in the hall. "So Dr. Wong, do you think it went well?" The voice was that of a man and tinted with an unfamiliar accent.
"I don't know that is my daughter's expertise."
"Yes, your daughter. She was upstairs with a young woman who was making quite a scene. I really don't need attention drawn to the fact I am here or what I am doing here. So far I have not been very impressed with your operation."
"I am so sorry sir, but once again I am just a medical doctor, the 'operation' as you call it is hers but I will let her know of your concerns."
Then I heard Mingmei. "I hear your concerns and the woman upstairs is gone. I'm sorry for the commotion but the plan has worked and is working beautifully. I have just heard that it is perfectly contained and the subject can't pass it on outside the zone. Once the bugs are out of the zone which is five miles, approximately from the sender virus, which is the original one I coded, they quit multiplying."
"How much will this cost me?"
"For you Mr. Mahubabi, only ten million. You were a good customer in the past so consider it a discount deal."
"And the cure?"
"The cure is priceless. It is sold in single serving doses for a million a capsule."
"That is robbery!"
"And what you are committing is murder. Yes, I'm supplying the weapon but you will be the one pulling the trigger."
I moved wrong and started to lose my pen. As I reached for it to stop it from falling on the floor I bumped the cereal bowl off instead. It landed with a clatter. "Some silent assassin I was", I said berating myself in my mind.
"Who else is here," yelled Mahubabi.
"Just an associate. He won't be a problem." said Mingmei and I heard her footsteps coming toward my room.
*-*-*-*-*
We left the house, hopped in the car and Alex put the top down. It was a beautiful autumn California day, the air was warm but not overly hot, the sky was a crystal clear blue. I slid in a mix CD I had gotten from Max and we started singing along to "Solsbury Hill" by Peter Gabriel. When we got within five miles of Chinatown the way was blocked by police cars and the officers were working hard to divert traffic around another direction. As we reached the designated turn around point Alex yelled, "Hey." The officer turned our way. "What's going on?"
"I can't tell you exactly but this whole area is being quarantined. My understanding is a chemical truck over turned but hey, I'm not high enough for anyone to tell me anything," said the officer irritated. Alex looked at me and I knew what she was thinking so as she turned down the detour I called Bosley.
"Hey Bos, It me."
"Hey Dylan, what's up?"
"That's what we were hoping you could tell us. Can you check the traffic reports and see if you can find any information about an over turned chemical truck?"
"Sure why?"
"They are rerouting traffic and said that was the problem but Alex and I have a feeling that isn't the case."
"Sure I'll check into it. I'll call you back when I know more."
"Thanks Bosley."
"No prob," he said hanging up.
"Bos agreed to check he'll call us back when he knows something."
"Good, and its only another few miles to the restaurant."
We entered Chinatown about ten thirty. Funny how it looked completely different in the daylight with people out milling about, walking their dogs, shopping, just going about their daily business. I saw my car and it was being towed. "Shit! I must have parked in a no parking zone last night and not realized it."
Alex stopped the car and I ran over to mine. "You cant take my car."
"Can and will," said the massive tow truck driver. He was a large man, his gut hung over his waist band of his jeans, his white polo shirt with his name and the name of his towing firm embroidered on it was yellow from wear and perspiration stains and looked like he had heard them all.
"Look I wasn't in any condition to drive last night and my friend," I said motioning to Alex who gave him a fluttery wave and a flirty look, "gave me a ride home." He looked at Alex who was making eyes at him then back at me. "Come on don't I get a little slack for being responsible and not driving home drunk?" Ok I lied but I didn't need my car towed.
"Yeah okay," he said and lowered my car back to the street. He unhooked the wench and set my baby free, then sauntered, yes, he sauntered there is no other way to describe how he was walking, over to Alex's car. "Here sweet thang, if you, or your friend, "he hastily added me onto it, "ever need help, blown tire, your battery is dead or something, give me a call." He reached his thick fingered hand into the car holding a business card between his index and middle finger like he was a suave James bond type.
Alex took the card and stuck it in her cleavage, then patted it and said, "I will and I'll keep your card in a safe place." With that she pulled up and parked right in front of mine in the no parking zone." He gawked at her boldness but she blew him a little kiss and he hopped in his tow truck and drove off.
"Ewww, how could you stand to do that?"
"Easy, I just imagined he was someone else," she said laughing.
"Come on," and we walked over to Wong's Chinese Palace Restaurant. "So front door," I asked looking at the busy eatery, "or rear?"
"Let's go in the front way and see where that gets us."
Inside of the main restaurant looked much nicer than the back kitchen area we had seen the night before. I was your standard Chinese restaurant, decorated with black wooden tables and chairs, red upholstery a bit of rattan and lots of dragons in gold. I nudged Alex with my elbow and shook my head in the direction of a table in the back corner.
"Hey it's Kung-Fu,"
I rolled my eyes, "His name is Sun-Yu, but that isn't who I mean. Isn't that man in the corner Fahid Mahubabi?"
She looked again. "Let's take a seat." We slid into a booth behind a small cherry tree where we could see but not be seen. Alex glanced back over, "You know I think you are right. What is a Indonesian mobster doing in a dirty little Chinese restaurant like this?" Just then my cell phone rang.
"Hello? Oh Hey Bos."
"I got that info you wanted. You ready?"
"Yes what did you find out?"
"There was an overturned chemical truck."
"Oh there was." I said loud enough for Alex to hear.
"Yeah but you ought to hear what it was carrying."
"What?"
"Apparently normal Aluminum Chloride but the police found several viral samples and one was broken. They keep expanding the quarantine radius. Right now it's four miles any direction from the accident site. Charlie's source tells me that they plan on stopping the quarantine five miles out."
"Thanks for the info, Bos." I hung up and was about to tell Alex when our waiter arrived.
"You two," Sun-Yu said.
"We're just here for lunch, two bowls of won-ton soup and two egg rolls; do you want egg rolls, Dylan?"
"Egg rolls would be good. And fortune cookies."
"And tea."
Sun-Yu looked anxious but took the order. When he left I told Alex what Bosley had said. "Viral containers, and a quarantine as far as Chinatown," she said thoughtfully.
"I think I know what it is." Before I could finish my thought Mingmei was at our table. She looked sad and tired but just as pretty as before.
"Miss Dylan," she said then introduced herself to Alex. Alex shook her hand. "My brother told me that you were here. I wanted to tell you myself. My father could do it but he is quite upset himself about the whole situation."
I felt confused, "what situation?"
"There were complications last night." Mingmei's bottom lip quivered. "I did what I could to help Anthony. The internal bleeding was so severe and ..." she paused.
"What are you telling me," I asked loudly but I didn't care who heard.
"Anthony died at twenty two minutes after four."
"No, No, No," I repeated over and over as she continued. "If he had been brought here sooner, perhaps I could have helped him," she said and quickly added, "I'm not saying it is your fault."
I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. I refused to cry in front of Mingmei. "I feel your loss, Dylan," she said as if we were old friends as she placed her hand on my shoulder. "I loved him too."
I shrugged her off angrily. "I want to see him."
"You can't," she said calmly.
Alex who had been quiet through out our exchange said, "Why can't she?"
"Unfortunately due to the nature of Father's medical business we have to dispose of any bodies right after they expire."
"Dispose of them? Where do you dispose of them? Take them to the dump?" My voice was attracting attention of those around us including Fahid Mahubabi.
"Please Ms Dylan, calm down. They are left on the doorstep of the morgue or a hospital. I don't know where he was taken but his body is someplace safe."
I didn't wait for Mingmei to say anything else; I didn't wait for Alex either. I jumped up and left the table and ran out the door to my car. I breathed a small sigh of relief that the tow truck driver didn't return and tow it just because I wasn't Alex. I got into my car and drove off. I wasn't sure where I was going but I had to get away from the Chinese restaurant.
*****
I must have slept after Mingmei left me. I felt pretty good actually and managed to eat the bowl of cold cream of wheat that was left for me. It tasted awful but it took care of the hunger. I looked around the room and for a way out. There were no windows so I would have to go through the door. I knew I wasn't better but I didn't want to stay anywhere Mingmei was, it was too dangerous.
I unhooked my IV and tried to get out of bed. I was much weaker than I thought I was. I lay back down and closed my eyes. When I opened them Dr. Wong was standing at my bedside.
"You removed your IV. Why?"
Reaching over to the small table to my right I grabbed my notepad and pen. "Want to leave."
"Ah but you can't leave until better. Mingmei will say when that is."
"You're my doctor. I want to leave."
"I know I never stop you before but before you never so badly hurt. You need time to rest. You receive good care here and be good as new. But I must be going. I'll check on you later," he said reattaching my IV.
He left the door open and I heard voices in the hall. "So Dr. Wong, do you think it went well?" The voice was that of a man and tinted with an unfamiliar accent.
"I don't know that is my daughter's expertise."
"Yes, your daughter. She was upstairs with a young woman who was making quite a scene. I really don't need attention drawn to the fact I am here or what I am doing here. So far I have not been very impressed with your operation."
"I am so sorry sir, but once again I am just a medical doctor, the 'operation' as you call it is hers but I will let her know of your concerns."
Then I heard Mingmei. "I hear your concerns and the woman upstairs is gone. I'm sorry for the commotion but the plan has worked and is working beautifully. I have just heard that it is perfectly contained and the subject can't pass it on outside the zone. Once the bugs are out of the zone which is five miles, approximately from the sender virus, which is the original one I coded, they quit multiplying."
"How much will this cost me?"
"For you Mr. Mahubabi, only ten million. You were a good customer in the past so consider it a discount deal."
"And the cure?"
"The cure is priceless. It is sold in single serving doses for a million a capsule."
"That is robbery!"
"And what you are committing is murder. Yes, I'm supplying the weapon but you will be the one pulling the trigger."
I moved wrong and started to lose my pen. As I reached for it to stop it from falling on the floor I bumped the cereal bowl off instead. It landed with a clatter. "Some silent assassin I was", I said berating myself in my mind.
"Who else is here," yelled Mahubabi.
"Just an associate. He won't be a problem." said Mingmei and I heard her footsteps coming toward my room.