Page 110 of The Killer’s Mark

‘I understand. Ordinarily I wouldn’t, but I’m in trouble and I don’t know where else to turn.’

‘What’s happened?’

‘The Red Chamber has taken the girl.’

‘The one you brought to my restaurant in Hexham? The one who didn’t want honey in her tea?’

‘That’s right. Esmerée.’

‘And the Red Chamber have her?’

‘They have.’

‘Why?’

‘Her mother, Océane, was one of their concubines. She murdered her benefactor. They want her back and they think I know where she is.’

‘I take it you don’t?’

‘Esmerée hired me to find her a few days ago. I’m no further forward. I have forty-eight hours to bring her to them.’

‘I don’t see how I can help, Mr Poe. My son and I told you everything.’

‘I know you did, Xiang,’ Poe said. ‘But I need you to call Kai Jin’s mother again.’

‘She won’t contact her son for you, Mr Poe. She says it is too dangerous. And because I know these men, I must agree with her.’

‘You said she is from an honourable family.’

‘I did.’

‘But what her son is doing is not honourable.’

‘He’s paying for the mistakes of youth.’

‘The Red Chamber aren’t what they claim to be, Xiang. Far from it. I need you to relay this message to Kai’s mother.’

‘What message, Mr Poe?’

‘There is no pot of gold at the end of the concubines’ rainbow. The Red Chamber pocket their share of the cash. They murder the girls. Skin their feet and mount her son’s tattoos. Esmerée’s mother found out about this and killed her benefactor in order to escape. The Red Chamber think she fled with evidence, evidence that would put them behind bars for the rest of their lives. That’s why they’re desperate to find her.’

‘And they think you know where she is?’

‘They do.’

‘Why?’

‘I don’t know. But that’s irrelevant. They’ve given me forty-eight hours to make the swap – Océane for Esmerée.’

‘And you think Kai is involved in the murders of these women?’

‘I’m hoping he isn’t. I’m hoping he’s still the decent man he once was. If he is involved, then Esmerée dies. If he’s unaware of the women’s fate, then maybe he’ll find the courage to call me.’

Xiang said nothing for nearly a minute. Eventually he said, ‘I’ll go and see Mrs Jin, Mr Poe. I’ll explain that staying quiet is no longer the honourable thing to do. That there are bigger things at stake than Kai’s gambling debts.’

‘And please do tell her that if her son is unaware of what happens twenty years after he tattoos the concubines’ feet, I’ll do everything I can to help him. She has my word.’

‘I’ll leave now.’