>>How many should I expect? I will be at the arch at 1800. That gives us three hours to work out details. Is that satisfactory or do you have a different plan?<<

Song Ai turns to Fu Shing, who is reading from a tablet. He looks up at her and his face is livid and getting more so. “That bastard Ving Sung. He is already sending people out to my business interests and telling them of the changes. His thugs have already trashed several smaller shops and I do not know what to do. All of my remaining security team is here in the casino along with as many soldiers as I can gather, which is precious few, thanks to the fear that Ving Sung and Rick Wu have put into them. Speaking of Ving Sung, I have information that he has disappeared after a shoot-out at his club. His chief of security has issued a statement that his boss is recovering from a minor wound after he personally shot and killed three of the attacking soldiers. No one is coming out directly, but it is thought that I sent the assassins.”

He looks at his chief of security. “Did I send the assassins, Song Ai?”

Ai laughs and shakes her head. “No, Fu Shing. I did not order the death of your rival. He and Rick Wu will certainly say that, though. Since Ving Sung was not apparently seriously wounded, it is even possible that he or Rick set it up to look like you did it and failed, thus lending even more credibility to their claims that you are past your prime and need to be replaced.”

Fu Shing shakes his head. “Too many more days like today and I will start thinking I am too old for this, too.” He looks sharply at the woman next to him. “Do you think I am too old, Ai?”

Song Ai, takes his head in her hands and kisses him. “No, Shing, you are not too old until you think you are. You are still vital enough to do the right thing when shown the path. It will not be easy and you will meet stiff resistance, and some of it will be from your mother and grandmother.”

He raises an eyebrow and nods. “The Red Dragons. Yes, we will need to mollify them.”

Song Ai nods at her employer’s tablet. “You keep gathering data. I will return shortly. I will leave someone in charge of your security while I am gone. When I return, I will be bringing some people with me. The mercenaries I spoke of.”

Fu Shing shakes his head. “I am still not certain that I wish this to happen, Ai. Using foreign mercenaries is not traditional.”

Ai laughs. “Neither is dying, Shing. And these people are quite resourceful. Besides, your personal guard is down several men and these will make up the difference. And then some. Once they are finished, they will be gone. Trust me on this, Shing.”

He nods and Song Ai leaves the room, making sure that the security detail is in place before she walks out the door of the casino.

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