Yeah, I had a theory, such as it was. Trouble was making it fit with so many connected players. I eliminated all the women except for Chinatown's Wai Yu and Gyn, neither really a strong candidate.

Wai Yu might have orchestrated something but it would have to be mob related not personal and this reeked of personal.

I ran down the list of guys and checked off Billy, Buck and AJ; they didn't ring any alarm bells with me. That left Brody Delaney, Bruce Buchanan or somebody else in the mob . . . like Officer Hiram Smith. I underlined his name heavily.

I needed to talk to Buchanan and that meant a trip to Chinatown, if he was still there. I decided my glowing reputation had no currency there so I hedged my bet with a call to an old friend, Hunk Bellows.

If I was going to walk into possible trouble I wanted some of my own handy.

***************

As soon as I stopped the car we were surrounded by bland, menacing looks. I glanced at Hunk and he winked. What a feeling! We got out of the car and stood together. My face was still a little bruised and looked angry. Hunk just grinned at the crowd and they seemed uncertain.

"Madame Wai Yu. Ask her if she'll see Tres Gunn."

One of the group took off at a jog into a building guarded by two stone temple dogs. A minute later he reappeared, beckoning.

"Please sit, Mr. Gunn . . . and your friend too."

"Thanks for seeing me, Madame-"

"Wai Yu is fine, Mr. Gunn."

"Okay. Uh- my friend prefers to stand." Hunk gave her a charming smile.

She lit her pipe and nodded. "So, what do wish to speak of, Mr. Gunn?"

"Bruce Buchanan." Her eyes closed a little as she studied me. "I know he's here, I just want to talk to him."

She didn't deny or agree. "What does Bruce Buchanan have to offer you?" The pipe smoke drifted up in a lazy spiral.

"Information on the killing of Shamus McGinty." I blinked in surprise as she turned and spat on the floor.

"Gweilo!"

"Excuse me?"

"McGinty is a sworn enemy to the Tong."

"Uhm- was . . ."

The eyes closed even more and WaiYu set her pipe aside. She called something out and one of our reception committee appeared like magic.

"Take Mr. Gunn and his friend to their vehicle."

"So, what about Bruce Bu-"

"Good day, Mr. Gunn. Perhaps another time."

***************

Well, Bruce was a bust so that left Brody and that meant through Lulu. Cedrick's smile vanished when Hunk appeared behind me; he seemed to have lost some confidence considering Hunk had half a foot on him.

"What's this, Tres, are you back for trouble?" Lulu stood in the backlight of the window and the dress, looking black until I entered became a scarlet red that seemed painted on.

"Nope, just on our way back from another call. Hunk, say hi to Louise McGinty then you and Cedrick go out and play."

"What do you want, Gunn?" Lou sounded annoyed but a little awed at the amazing smile from the departing Hunk.

"I want to talk to Brody and you can tell me where he is."

"What for?"

"I have a few ques-"

"I mean, why should I?"

"Because I want to find out what happened to Shamus. Don't you?"

"Is Caroline Grace trying to cover her pretty backside?"

"How did you- oh- oh, I get it. Barter. I might have known."

"There isn't much I don't know about what goes on in this town."

"Yeah, I gather, except what I'm here about."

Her eyes flashed and she wrapped her arms about herself.

"Lou, I'm trying to be on the level here." I gave her the edited version of my theory and watched her sag a little, leaning back on the window sill. "The Tong wouldn't say if Bruce was there or not. Either way I wasn't going to know. So I need to talk to Brody."

Her face closed for a moment and I wondered what she was hiding.

"I knew there was supposed to be a deal with Darkly and Grace but I- I didn't know about the double cross."

"Well it really never happened before he was. . ." I stepped aside as she found her way to the sofa and sat like a tossed jacket.

"C'mon, Lou. Where is he - Brody?"

"I have to think about this . . . I'll- I'll call you."

Door closed. No use arguing with her, never ever worked before.

"Okay, can you answer me this - honestly, does Hiram Smith work for Brody?"

"Who?"

"The cop. Billy's partner." At the mention of Billy her head snapped up and her look was feral. "I think he's the guy that did this," I touched my face. "I would like to know for sure before I pay him a visit."

"He's on the payroll," Her voice was so tiny I had to lean down to be sure of what she said, "Shamus had several sources inside the police."

I stood up and clicked my teeth together. I knew it!

"I want you to go, Tres."

I squeezed her shoulder. "Thanks for this, Lou. I owe you . . . you uh- you'll still call about Brody?"

Her nod was resigned and she covered her face with her hands. I left.

***************

"What are you doing tonight, Hunk. I need a witness for a visit I want to make to a copper."

He raised a thumb the size of an eggroll and grinned.

"Good. I'll pick you up at eight."