Red Mandarin Dress

media attention, I believe my story will get more. And I also have some wonderful pictures for the story. One of them was published in China Photography , entitled ‘Mother, Let’s Go There.’ It was taken in the year of—let me think—oh, sometime in the early sixties.”
    There was a pause on both ends. The mention of the picture had popped out of nowhere, like a wild card pulled suddenly from under the table. Jia’s failure to respond immediately bespoke itself.
    “Wonderful pictures,” Chen repeated, deliberately, like a card player.
    “What pictures do you have? Not just the one in the magazine?”
    It could be the first sign of Jia’s wavering. Whatever pictures Chen had, Jia should have questioned their relevance. Yu took out a cigarette, tapping it on the coffee table, like an engrossed onlooker at the poker table.
    “A professional photographer usually uses rolls of film before choosing one particular picture for publication.” Chen didn’t give a direct answer. “At dinner, I’ll show them to you. It won’t take long, and you’ll definitely have time for your case tomorrow.”
    “So you are sure that it won’t interfere with the trial tomorrow?”
    “Yes, I give you my word.”
    “Well, where then?”
    “I’m still looking for a quiet restaurant, so we can talk undisturbed. My secretary is making calls. Let’s meet at Henshan Hotel around five. I have a meeting there this afternoon. There are a number of restaurants in the area.”
    “I’ll see you at the hotel.”
    Putting down the phone, Chen said to Yu with unconcealed excitement in his voice, “I knew those pictures would be irresistible to him.”
    Yu knew nothing, except that Chen knew much more. “But why meet at the hotel first instead of the restaurant?”
    “He might not come if I told him the name of the restaurant. I set it up this way for the sake of shock to Jia.”
    Whatever shock Chen had in mind, he started dialing again, the phone still on loudspeaker.
    “I have to ask a favor of you, Overseas Chinese Lu.”
    “Anything you want, buddy.”
    “Do you know the owner of the Old Mansion on Henshan Road?”
    “Yes, Big Beard Fang. I know him.”
    “Reserve a private room there for me tonight. Make sure that it is one that looks out into the back garden. I have to meet someone there. It’s important. A matter of life and death.” Chen added, “It will probably be a long talk. I’ll pay for everything, overtime and any extra services.”
    “No problem. If necessary, the restaurant will stay open all night. I’ll take care of it.”
    “Thank you so much. I know I can count on you, Overseas Chinese Lu.”
    “It is a matter of life and death after all—as you said.”
    “Also, as a gourmet chef, think of some cruel, slow-tormenting dishes.”
    “Wow—that sounds more and more exciting. You have the best man for the job, Chief. I’ll come up with a banquet of them. Really cruel and cool. I’ll be there too.”
    “I’ll see you at the restaurant, then.”
    “Cruel dishes?” Yu said as Chen turned toward him, wiping his forehead with a towel.
    “I was unnerved by a cruel course at a banquet recently. Tonight his nerves need to be rattled as well.”
    “You were sick?” Yu said, confused again.
    “I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.” Chen said, as if in afterthought, “Peiqin talked to an eating girl last week.”
    “Yes, I included a cassette tape of it in one of the packages I sent to you.”
    “I listened to it. She was so clever, making the eating girl tell a story. That gave me the idea of telling a story to Jia.”
    Yu decided to ask no more questions, looking at the clock on the wall. The chief inspector could be annoyingly mysterious. So far he hadn’t said a single word about his disappearance. But Yu had to hurry over to Jia’s office and be waiting outside. Yu couldn’t afford to let him out of sight from now on, not for one minute.
    As Yu picked up his jacket and got ready to leave, he got another surprise. There was another knock on the door, and this time it was White Cloud who came in.
    “What can I do for you, Chief?” she said to Chen while flashing a smile at Yu.
    “Do you still have the red mandarin dress?” Chen said. “The one we chose at the Old City God’s Market.”
    “Of course. You bought it for me.”
    “Go to the Old Mansion Restaurant this evening and carry the dress with you. Do you know where it is?”
    “Yes. On Henshan Road.”
    “Good. Can you