Chapter 4

 I hopped out of a cab while Shen and a group of Chinese men stood huddled together watching me. Their faces looked solemn. I approached the group with a nod and shook hands with each man as Shen made the introductions to the few I didn’t know.

We entered Wong’s Chinese Palace and walked through the crowded dining room and into a larger room that contained a conference table with chairs around it. I lagged behind and watched the men take their seats with swift silence. Shen motioned for me to join them as the group spoke in their native language. Although I was studying Mandarin, I was still weak at it and they were speaking far too rapidly for me to follow the conversation. My buddy did his best to keep up with the flow of the conversation, while translating the important aspects of it for me.

“There have been rumors about forced slavery and prostitution for months, but no one has been able to prove it,” he explained. “There is a house in Poughkeepsie where they are supposedly sent to before they are shipped off.”

“That’s unbelievable!” I exclaimed.

I’d heard rumors as well, but I hadn’t put much credence behind them. I sympathized with the families of these poor victims, but what did that have to do with me? Why was I called there? Although tempted to voice the question, I simply nodded and allowed him to continue.

“Yes, but very real,” he said. “It has been an age old problem that never seems to go away.” He paused, raising the suspense before continuing. “We believe they have Dao-Ming.”

“You’re kidding. Why her?” I asked.

I knew instantly how foolish my words sounded, but Shen seemed unbothered and continued.

“Dao-Ming is beautiful,” he said softly. “Her mother entrusted her to the care of Madam Jiǎ. In China, Madam Jiǎ is well known for helping refugees into the states by smuggling them. She has many connections and has made a fortune from it.”

“Smuggle?” I mused aloud.

“Of course,” he replied. “As in other countries, there are many people in China who cannot find a good job to support their families so they sneak into more desirable European countries or here to the United States. They indenture themselves to a business owner who is looking for cheap labor and who does not mind breaking the law. You will find them working in restaurants or other types of businesses to pay back the expense of getting them here. While they are working off their debt, they look for a way to stay and become a legal resident.

“These traffickers take advantage of this. They trap many of the immigrants before they can make it to their destination and sell them to the highest bidder. The traffickers believe no one will miss their captives because they are smuggling themselves in. It is a well-known risk many take.” He was silent for a moment before continuing, “Dao-Ming was coming here legally. Her mother was only using the services of Madam Jiǎ because Dao-Ming and her mother always depended on her father to arrange these things. They felt Madam Jiǎ was knowledgeable and skilled in what was needed. They hoped she would be able to make things happen smoother and faster for Dao-Ming. Madam Jiǎ is very expensive, but also very good. She is old and we didn’t realize she was very ill, so her assistant took over for her. We do not know if the assistant is part of the scheme or just stupid. The authorities have her in custody, but we do not have our hopes very high. So many Chinese go missing each year and are never found. It is big business. It is very big business.”

“I thought that stuff died when modern technology came into play,” I said.

Shen shook his head slowly. His face mirrored his painful worry.

“It only made it easier for them,” he explained. “You can actually shop for a servant or a sex slave online now. It is all underground, but if you have the code words, you can find the information. Unfortunately, it is hard to get these words. Only the richest people in the world are given them. Even then, I am told they change constantly to stay ahead of the authorities.”

I heaved a sigh as I asked, “What do you plan on doing?”

“I am catching a train for Poughkeepsie in one hour,” he replied. “Are you with me?”

Our eyes locked in silence while the men continue with their conference. Over the years our bond had tightened. We truly were like brothers. Of course I was with him. He need not even ask. The conversation around the table grew more and more intense. One of the men shouted while pounding his fist on the table, but we didn’t flinch as I slowly nodded my head in silent communication.

“There is one more thing you should know, before you say yes,” he said in a voice that was low and thick.

“Shoot,” I replied.

I was a little startled by the cadence of Shen’s voice and the sudden darkness of his eyes.

“The men we will be chasing are notoriously evil men,” he said hesitantly.

“Well, I have to agree with you there. The slime buckets are probably...” I began.

Shen gripped my arm for emphasis as he continued, “They are not just slime buckets, they are killers. Some say they are not human, but vampires.” He paused while my face contorted in disbelief. He’d expected me to balk at such a tale like he had at first, but after the stories his uncle and his uncle’s closest friends told him, he could no longer dismiss the rumors and added that possibility to the mix. “Human or not,” he continued, “This is a very real business for them and they will not like us coming to stop them. Men have gone before us and disappeared without a trace. It is possible we may not return home.”

It all seemed so surreal; almost like an episode of Law and Order or even the X Files. I welcomed the oxygen I took in when I filled my lungs before nodding my head to indicate I understood. I may not have believed the dramatic story I was being fed, but there was no mistaking that my friend needed me and that was enough. Whatever lay ahead, Shen and his uncle had become like family and I wouldn’t let them down.