Twisted Linen Read Free Page B

more than a few words out. It is
obvious Yiguan understands English, and more importantly, he
doesn’t need Simon’s advice on how to hide wealth from a desperate
world. Yiguan interjects and addresses his response to the Chinese
woman. After a pause to find the right words for her translation,
she conveys the message to Simon.
    “Mr. Yiguan only liquidates currency, not
genuine stores of wealth.”
    Simon and Grace quizzically gaze back at the
Chinese woman. A moment later Grace breaks the awkward silence.
“And the remainder of our agreed payment?” she asks, pushing their
transaction forward.
    “Of course,” the woman says as she picks up a
briefcase and lays it on the table.
    Grace looks at Simon as if to hint, “This
can't be gold.”
    The case is much too small, too light in
weight. Grace opens the case, and as expected, it's full of only
Chinese cash.
    “I am sorry, but we specifically agreed on
allocated bullion. Fiat currency is not acceptable.”
    Grace closes the case and pushes it slightly
back toward the woman.
    “Mr. Yiguan was unable to secure the
remaining gold, so he graciously doubled your payment,” says the
woman, as she gently pushes the case back toward Grace.
    Grace asserts, “Our contract was very clear,
so with all due respect...” But before she can finish Yiguan
angrily interjects in broken English.
    “Wood yu wrather get pay in dead US
dollar!”
    The gravity of Yiguan’s interjection is
obvious to Simon, and he tries to diffuse what may become an
explosive situation.
    “May I remind you, we had an agreement and we
delivered on our part of the deal?” he calmly remarks with hands
held out in a manner of peace and respect.
    Grace has had enough. She reaches for the cup
and declares, “The deal is off.”
    The Chinese woman’s soft face turns deadly as
she snatches a handgun hidden under the tabletop.
    “Our deal is closed!” she says, pointing the
compact SIG .45 pistol at Grace.
    “Easy…” Simon pleads.
    The situation is rapidly unraveling like a
runaway spool of twisted linen. In a calm manner, Simon reaches for
Grace’s arm and slowly stands, gently lifting her to her feet. He
then slides the briefcase off the table and accepts the
payment.
    “We thank you,” Simon says with a head nod to
Mr. Yiguan. Then with a nod to the Chinese woman he continues, “And
we will accept your payment.”
    Grace is livid and Simon knows it, so he
slightly squeezes her arm, signaling his desire to abort. Grace
responds with narrowed eyes, a clear but nonverbal challenge to his
decision.
    Simon turns to offer Mr. Yiguan a final
farewell, closing their transaction with an ancient Chines proverb:
“The emperor may be rich, but it will not buy him one extra
year.”
    Mr. Yiguan grows a haughty smile in response,
but it quickly changes into a sneer as he ponders the translation
and then wonders if Simon is mocking him. The proverb proclaims
that your business and money are not the most important things in
life; they are temporal things that will all be left behind at
death and all your wealth, if you could take it with you, would not
buy a single paving stone in the streets of Heaven.
    Simon and Grace leave at gunpoint while a
wary Mr. Yiguan reclines in his chair, propping his feet up on the
lounge table.
     
     
    * * *

 
     
     
    6
    Fiat Currency

     
    Simon and Grace wait just outside the Prince
Spa for the elevator to arrive. Grace can’t take the silence any
longer.
    She prods with a sarcastic question, “The
emperor?”
    “ It’s a
Chinese proverb,” Simon responds. “Given the situation, I
thought it was fitting.”
    Grace is obviously not impressed so Simon
tries to ease her frustration.
    “We’re going to figure this out,” Simon
assures her.
    BING! The elevator door opens and a
frustrated Grace barges in ahead of Simon.
    “But this puts our ‘bug-out’ to Tahiti on
hold,” Simon adds.
    “Oh, no. We’re going, but you might not get
your yacht.”
    Simon sympathizes