Morning at the Ritz had been busy. Ms Myna didn't open shop and tasked me and Gyn first thing with cleaning the kitchen and pantry. The arrival of Lorne Order must have brought that on, because everything involved with muffin making was to be removed from the bakery. It took three trips on the scooter to haul all muffin trays from the Ritz to the scrap yard.

I knew it wasn't easy for Ms Myna to let go of her muffins, but what can she do? Later that morning, she and Loren went to Barter & Winks Bancorp to lock all her recipe books in safety. She also told us not to wait for them, as she and Loren had some errands to do.

We finished cleaning in the afternoon. Gyn looked extra tired, as she kept yawning while I prepared something to eat. I also noticed she had dark circles under her eyes. She only looked lively as I served her a large bowl of chicken fried rice.

"You look like a panda." I teased. "You collected bets for a fight last night?"

"No. No fight." she replied in between spoonfuls of rice. "I couldn't sleep with all the noise that gwailo was making."

"Bruce Buchanan? He's still alive? I thought he already got his tongue cut out."

"Nope. KanBo said he met the old man."

Meeting the old NoLuk champion fighter would mean more broken bones than Bruce could count but at least he's not getting minced any time soon. I silently wished him luck.

"You think Ms Myna can recover from this?" Gyn changed the subject, pointing at the very spacious kitchen. "You think she'll close the Ritz?"

I sensed the worry in her voice, but all I could do was assure her. "This is a big bakery, Gyn. People don't eat muffins all day. We'll just bake other types of bread. And if ever Ms Myna locks up the Ritz, we'll go back to the Duck and restart the Do- All Jins."

What I said seemed to appease her worries. She nodded and smiled as went back to eating. I was about to get another serving of rice when the telephone rang. I was expecting it would be Ms Myna calling but it wasn't. It was none other than the Irish Clan boss.

"Mrs. McGinty. This is AJ speaking. How may I help you?"

"First of all let me congratulate you on your win the other night, AJ. You've been a thorn in my husband side for quite a while now and I owe you for that."

"It was all good sport, Mrs. McGinty. Nothing more. But I'll hazard a guess you didn't call about prize fights."

"Yes. You're right. And please call me Lulu. It just happens that I received information that Madame Yu has in her possession one of mine named Bruce Buchanan."

"Oh, Bruce! I met him at the Dancing Duck, Miss Lulu, and by the looks of it, he's one step away from getting sent home in a cardboard box."

"And I don't want that to happen. I want him alive and whole. I sent some of my boys to retrieve him, but they got banged up as they made a mistake of crossing territory lines. I know you've heard whispers about me breaching the treaties, AJ, but I won't have that happening under my watch. Which is why I called you. I wish to request a meeting with Madame Yu. "

Hearing her say that she has no intentions of starting another gang war was a big relief. I told her the sooner they meet, the better.

"I'll come alone only if you, AJ, are at my side. Otherwise I will have to bring my right hand man. I will not enter NoLuk territory unprotected."

I knew who she was talking about. "No need to bring him, miss. Bringing Brody Delaney will only raise unnecessary tension. I'll make sure you're safe."

She immediately set to meet me at the Sheriff and Horse Monument in BG Park within an hour.

*********

Ms Lulu allowed me to drive her Deusenberg to Chinatown. Tension was coming off her in waves, making the 20 minute ride feel like an eternity. I slowed down the breezer as we entered the paifang.* She looked at me nervously when men began to approach the car. One man walked to my window. It was Wong, a fellow fighter and one of the street marshals.

"I'd recognize this breezer anywhere. Only three of them roam the big apple and only one of them is brilliant red. Evenin', Mrs. McGinty. AJ." The man tipped his hat. "I trust you bring no trouble tonight?"

"On my father's grave."

"Then I'll hold you to that." Wong waved his men away and gave us free pass. I noticed her relax a little as I let the car glide through the streets of Chinatown. Soon enough, we were parked in front of the Dancing Duck. I went around to open her door.

"Ready, miss?"

She nodded and followed me as I led her inside the tea house. We found Madame Yu in her usual spot in the kitchen, this time preparing spring rolls.

"You look like a lotus flower about to bloom this evening, ahpo." I greeted.

"Keep saying that, Jin, and you'd be looking like my husband."

"As handsome as him?"

The old lady scoffed. "No, I mean as dead. What are you doing here, boy?"

"I brought you a guest, ahpo."

Madame Yu raised her eyes to see Lulu McGinty standing in her kitchen. The old lady suddenly changed from the gentle grandmother to the respected Tong boss. I knew the younger woman felt it. She seemed to stand straighter as the madam rose from her seat to greet her.

"Just the woman I've been wanting see. Welcome to The Dancing Duck, Louise McGinty. It's been a while. Tea?"

"Yes, please. Lovely seeing you again, Madame Yu." Lulu curtsied.

"Yes. You should visit more often. Jin, would you kindly make our guest some tea?"

I prepared two cups of tea and served it to both women. The old lady lit her pipe and motioned Lulu to take a seat. "I will not beat around the bush. I have a young man here named Bruce, and I know you came to take him back."

"Yes, Madame. I would like to bring him home tonight, if possible."

"Of course. But he is not unharmed, just like your men who tried to bring trouble to to old Lee's establishment. You know the rules for trespassers."

Lulu nodded. Her men would have done the same if a NoLuk wandered in Oh Aces territory without pass.

"I hope you are taking these offenses seriously, Louise. I know the death of your husband shook the foundation of your organization but this is not a time to show weakness." The old lady blew a thin stream of smoke. "There are rumors that you are trying to expand territories. If one of your advisors whispered it in your wet ears then I suggest you put him in his place the moment you get home. Because, dear girl, if you try and start something as foolish as this war of yours, I'll happily finish it for you. I fight for mine and I'll take what you think is yours."

The old woman spoke in a cold and calculated tone I've never heard before, I must admit that the hair on the back of my neck stood on its ends. I had no idea if it had the same effect on Ms Lulu, but I could tell she believed what the madam said.

"And that's why I came here, madam, as a sign of good will and trust. I came alone to assure you that no territory takeovers will occur under my helm. I do take the offenses my men have committed against you seriously, and I will deal my own brand of discipline as needed. You can be sure of it. You have no enemy in me, Madame Yu. I will not start a war between our groups. You have Louise McGinty's word."

The madam looked the younger woman in the eye, searching for hints of treachery and deceit. Convinced she saw none, she nodded and ordered me to go and get Xiao. I searched upstairs and found him on the rooftop playing mahjongg with other goons. By the time we made it back to the kitchen, Lulu was already learning the basics of making spring rolls.

"I'm here, ahpo." Xiao said.

"Ah, yes. Can you please bring Bruce Buchanan here? Louise McGinty is to take him home tonight."

Xiao bowed and went upstairs. He came back with Bruce slung on his shoulder. The poor sap has been unconscious since noon. Lulu requested that he be loaded into the Deusenberg.

"I will not hold you any longer, Louise. You better head home already. Take care of your people however you see fit." The madam said as she walked her out of the kitchen. "You have no enemy in me, dear girl, as long as you keep your word."

"You have my word, madame," Lulu smiled. "I swear it."

With that, the old lady gave her a wave then returned to her task of making spring rolls. I took my leave with the old lady as she shooed me away and ordered me to escort our guests safely out of Chinatown.

I found both passengers already settled in the car. Only when she viewed the paifang on the rearview mirror did Ms Lulu truly relax.

"I guess it's mission accomplished, miss."

She smiled. "More than mission accomplished, AJ. One major problem crossed off my list. I owe you one. But for now, let's head home. I'll take over driving when you drop by the Ritz."

I revved up the breezer and let it fly through the streets. "Sounds good to me."