“I believe you know an attorney named H. Daniel Reid.”
“But of course, he handles many of my legal affairs. I can assure you it is all on the up-and-up,” said Park, taking a casual sip of the cheongju.
Jake flashed a wry smile. “Mr. Park, I am aware of your reputation and I have spoken with Reid. I know it’s not all on the up-and-up, but I’m not here to discuss your criminal enterprise.”
Park took another sip of his drink. “Then what is so important we need to meet in private?”
“Reid contacted me the other day. He hired me to kill someone.”
“And you are capable of doing such a thing?” asked Park, as if contract killings were on par with real estate transactions.
“Yes, but that’s not important—”
“Then what is important?” asked Park, interrupting Jake.
“He hired me to kill your daughter,” said Jake.
Park’s reaction was more sedate than Jake expected. The crime boss slowly turned toward the wet bar and poured another drink. He took a sip, then just as slowly turned to face the FBI agent. He eyed Jake as if trying to determine how much to reveal to the visitor. “Did he give a reason for wanting my daughter dead?”
“Yes, sir, he did,” said Jake, acting cautiously but eager to get to the meat of the undercover meeting.
“Is she carrying his child?”
“You suspected?”
“Yes, I suspected. Now, why did you come to me?”
“Sir, he offered me fifty thousand dollars to kill Jenny. He wants it done next week while she is in Las Vegas handling business for you. He’ll be at a legal convention in Hawaii. I have no issue with killing anyone but I don’t kill children, born or unborn. Also, once he identified Jenny and I realized she was your daughter, I knew this was a task requiring the utmost discretion. I know what an important man you are in this community. I thought you might like to buy the contract and who knows, maybe in the future we could do business if you would ever need me for such services.”
Park opened the top drawer of his desk and pulled out a Cartier tricolor gold cigarette case identical to the one Reid and Yeong carried. He opened the container and offered a cigarette to Jake, who shook his head. “These are the Indigo, a most popular brand in Korea.”
“No, thank you. That’s a beautiful case, though. Reid and Yeong have similar ones.”
“I gave them as gifts but apparently one recipient has betrayed me.” Park paused briefly, as if debating whether to enlighten him. “My daughter has had many problems, not all of her own making. Her husband died a year ago and she has lived with us ever since.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Jake.
“To compensate for her pain she has spent far too much time masking her grief in nightclubs and other such unwholesome places. Her mother and I recognize she must grieve in her own way, so we have been tolerant of her actions.”
“It’s not easy being a widow and a mother,” said Jake, who understood loss.
“Oh, she is not a mother, at least not yet. Gracie is not hers. As you may have determined in the short time you have been here, Jenny has little to do with Gracie, who was my other daughter’s child. Lily and her husband were killed tragically the same time Jenny’s husband died. We have provided for my daughter and for Gracie, as you can see. Perhaps we have overcompensated.”
“Your love is apparent, Mr. Park.”
“My daughter has assisted me in some of my business dealings but seeks too much reward for far too little effort. She views me as her personal ATM machine.”
“I’m sure once the grief dies she will appreciate all you and your wife have done,” offered Jake.
“One might hope. She has become quite fond of the nightlife in the Korean community. Apparently she partied once too often with my attorney.”
Park then removed a cigarette, tapped it on the case, and placed it in his mouth. He looked at Jake, waiting for him to make the next move. The undercover agent was confused until he realized Park expected him to light the cigarette. Reaching deep into both pockets, Jake withdrew empty hands.
Park nodded toward an object on the desk, but rather than prolonging the moment, Park picked up the gold Tiffany antique lighter shaped like an owl. He popped open the head and lit the cigarette.
Jake watched with an apologetic grin.
Park took a long drag before removing the cigarette from his mouth and slowly blew out the smoke. “You would sell Reid out for fifty thousand dollars?”
“I will kill him for fifty thousand dollars.”
Park nodded, placing the cigarette back in his mouth. After a quick puff Park asked, “If you are so quick to break faith with my attorney, how do I know you won’t play me? Maybe even going back to Reid in an attempt to renegotiate the contract on my daughter.”
Jake smiled and walked toward the wet bar. “Maybe I’ll take that drink now.”
Without saying a word, Park walked to the bar and poured him a drink, refilling his own glass as well.
Jake took a small sip, then said, “Mr. Park, I’m a pragmatic man. Reid, on the other hand, is a street-hustling shill whose law degree legitimizes his three-card monte act. Since he doesn’t have the fortitude to pull the trigger or do the honorable thing, he seeks out mechanics who can fix his problem. My contempt for his kind is long-standing. He needs to go down on principle alone. I view it as pulling one more weed from the garden of life. You, however, command great respect and lead an enterprise only a fool would challenge. Reid’s a fool who chose to fight a losing battle. I don’t need many friends but I certainly don’t side with losers.”
Park smiled and lifted his glass to Jake. “You have chosen wisely.”
“Are you buying out the contract?”
“You will do wise not to harm my daughter and soon I will reward you with suitable compensation. As to H. Daniel Reid, I will see to it the problem is resolved. You need not trouble yourself. I was aware of your meeting with my attorney and I will handle it.”
“Aware?”
“My men observed you meeting.”
Jake smiled. “The homeless man.”
Park nodded.
“I presume both the Green Hornet and Kato were on the pier,” said Jake.
Park smiled. “Yes, but don’t assume they are cartoon characters. They provide many services and do so quite well.”
“Such as standing in the hallway guarding my Glock and keeping an eye on Tommy.”
Park smiled as he handed Jake a business card with his cell phone number. “I think we may need to speak again soon.”
Jake offered a sincere smile. “Sir, it is an honor to meet you. I look forward to a long and prosperous business relationship.”
Park simply nodded.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
A third security guard was entering Park’s home as Jake retrieved his firearm, the now-empty magazine, and a handful of bullets. By the time he got out the front door, Tommy was already entering his car.
Jake headed toward the Lexus and stood by the driver’s-side door as the two men stared at each other across an uncomfortable silence. Tommy finally rolled down his window and snapped, “I don’t want to talk here.”
“Okay.”
“Follow me in your car.” It was an order, not a request.
The four men and one woman in the Honda Pilot watched Tommy and then Jake leave the crime lord’s residence. As they were parked in the shadows and down the street from the house, their presence went undetected by either man. Tommy was blinded by his anger, and Jake was forced to concentrate on following the black Lexus as Tommy sped out the driveway.
After the cars turned at the stop sign at the far end of the block, Kareem Abdul, the assassin-bartender, eased forward, parking the Pilot just beyond the range of the security cameras. The three Arab men from the mosque who accompanied Kareem on the mission were in the backseat. The windows were down and all five welcomed the cool night breeze. Tensions were high and the diluted smell of nervous perspiration lingered.