Jake was unapologetic. “I didn’t mean to dishonor you by bringing a weapon into your residence. I have enemies who might strike at any time… so when we leave, I would like to have the bullet your man removed from my pistol. I may need it.”
“No offense is taken. I understand. And of course you may have your bullet… when you leave.”
The preemptive strike of revealing the weapon prevented a pat-down, which might have uncovered the recording device. He might not have been armed during the conversation, but it was being preserved for posterity.
“Tommy has told me a great deal about you,” said Park.
Jake smiled. “He has told me little about you but I am aware of your importance in the community.”
Before the conversation expanded into the area Jake wanted to explore, Gracie, the little girl, now dressed as a ballerina, came dancing into the office performing a make-believe ballet for her grandfather.
As she completed her performance, she curtsied. Her grandfather applauded wildly. “Gracie, that was beautiful. You are a most excellent dancer.”
Soo Min and Tommy applauded as well and Jake reluctantly joined in with what could only be described as mild enthusiasm.
Gracie floated over to Jake, a Caucasian giant to this diminutive four-year-old. “I’m going to be a ballerina. Will you dance with me?”
Before agreeing, Jake looked toward Park for permission. He wasn’t quite sure what was proper protocol and typically didn’t care. He was portraying a crook, not a diplomat, but asking permission seemed like the right thing to do. Gracie saw him seeking approval. She turned toward her grandfather and with the eyes of youthful innocence asked, “Papa, can he dance with me?”
Park smiled, pleased the visitor had sought permission. He nodded in agreement toward Jake.
Gracie let out a faint squeal and grabbed Jake’s hand. For the next several minutes the two danced around the floor, the now-uninhibited undercover agent and the crime lord’s granddaughter. The tough-guy persona was buried for the length of an imaginary song.
Tommy seemed to enjoy the scene almost as much as Mr. Park, only Tommy’s reactions lacked the sincerity of the crime boss. Tommy loved seeing the round-eye making a fool of himself.
As the youthful ballerina extended the dance beyond an imaginary song or two, it became apparent the performance was as much an excuse to avoid bedtime as to entertain her grandfather. After a few too many sashays around the spacious office, Soo Min looked to her husband. “It is time for bed.”
Park then gave the order to Gracie. “It is time for you to go to your bedroom. Jake and Tommy and I have business to discuss.”
Gracie agreed without an argument. She bowed to Jake and when he kneeled down, the young ballerina gave him a huge four-year-old hug. She then ran over to her grandfather and gave him a hug and a kiss.
Soo Min and Gracie walked down the hallway, hand in hand, the younger swaying to another imaginary song. Gracie kept turning around, waving to Jake with her free hand.
“My granddaughter likes the tall American.”
Jake smiled, a genuine smile. “I think your granddaughter is pretty special.”
Park instructed one of his security guards to close the door, but before he could, Jenny brought in a tray with three cups and a steaming pot. “Father, may I offer you and your guests some tea?”
“Yes, of course. Though I suspect my guests might want something stronger than tea,” said Park.
Jenny provided an impish grin. “Do I need to remind you what the doctor said?”
“Tea is fine, Mr. Park,” said Jake as Jenny poured the tea and offered cups to her father, Jake, and Tommy, but not the two security men.
“I understand you were able to assist with a container of valuable watches that arrived the other day,” said Park.
Jake nodded.
“That is good,” said Park. “And I understand we have another container arriving soon.”
“Yes,” said Tommy.
“And you are helping us get that container past the customs officials in San Diego.” It was a statement, maybe even an order, rather than a question.
Jake smiled. “That’s what I do.”
With his daughter still in the room, Park continued the conversation, inquiring more into Jake’s background. The undercover agent provided the basic legend he invented detailing his investments. He downplayed his criminal history, as most crooks would in any initial meeting. Jake had been at this long enough to know how much to reveal, often like a first date, just enough to keep the suitor interested.
“Father, would you like me to stay?” asked Jenny.
“No, we are fine, thank you, unless you would like to stay?”
Jenny shook her head as she made her way to the door, closing it on the way out.
Park waited until she left the room before he rose and slowly ambled to the wet bar. With a conspiratorial smile he offered both visitors a drink. Though the men declined, he poured himself half a glass of cheongju, the clear rice wine that served as Korea’s answer to Japanese sake. He held up the glass and said, “My daughter does not have to know about this.”
“Sir, we don’t wish to take up a lot of your time. I need to discuss something very important,” said Jake.
Taking a sip of his drink, Park said, “We are here to do business; please speak. Tell me why you’ve asked to meet me.”
Without breaking eye contact with Park, Jake said, “It might be better if we talk alone.”
“I don’t think that is necessary, unless you don’t trust the man who introduced us,” said Park.
Jake looked at Tommy. “I trust him as much as I trust any man who deals in smuggled goods.”
Mr. Park let out a hearty laugh and pointed to the two henchmen serving as security guards. “Maybe everyone should leave and allow me to speak with the visitor in the privacy of my office. Please take his weapon with you.” Looking at Jake he said, “You may retrieve your toys on the way out.”
Jake shrugged as if to say, “No big deal.”
“Sir, if you don’t mind I’d like to stay,” insisted Tommy.
Park looked at Jake, then back to Tommy. “It’s your associate who asked you to leave. Maybe you should have worked out the logistics before you came.”
“I’d like to stay,” said Tommy, defiantly looking at Jake.
“Tommy, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Let me talk with Mr. Park alone. After the discussion, if he wants me to share our conversation I certainly will, but this matter is personal.”
“But I don’t want to leave,” said Tommy, attempting to regain a position of strength after being slighted by Jake.
“Tommy, your friend has a point. I will listen in private to what he has to say, then I will decide how much to share.”
As Tommy headed to the door, he turned briefly and corrected Park. “He’s a business associate, not a friend.”
Tommy still didn’t trust Jake and carrying the concealed weapon into Park’s home only fueled his anxiety. The young Korean criminal entrepreneur had spent more than a year cultivating a relationship with Park and he feared Jake was about to undo all that — perhaps intending to cut him out of the action.
As the two security guards escorted Tommy to the hallway, he glared at Jake. When the trio reached the doorway, the larger of the two guards said, “Mr. Park, we will be standing outside the door in case you need us.”
Park nodded without saying a word. As the door closed, Park gestured toward the bottle of Chung Ha, Korea’s most popular brand of cheongju, but Jake again declined the drink.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
“Mr. Park, this is a somewhat delicate situation and I hope you understand I come with the best intentions.”
“Go on.”