I took a deep breath as the gate to Chinatown loomed near. My thoughts were still racing on what just happened. What in the world were Xiao's men doing with those goons? And why would they want Lulu McGinty dead? Or was it her they wanted gone? Were we the targets? Who would benefit in icing a baker and a singer?

I slowed down the car as Wong and his men approached. He let out a low whistle as he saw the bumper.

"Aiiiah! AJ! What did you do to this beauty? And what happened to your head?"

"Long story, Wong. I'll tell you about it later. I have to see Madame Yu now."

"Sure. Go on ahead. But I don't think you'll be able to see her, though."

"Why not?"

"She's sick."

"Sick? That lady is old but she never gets sick."

"I know. I haven't seen her yet, but KanBo said she has a high fever. How about you come back tomorrow? Let her rest for the night."

"No. She needs to hear what I have to say now. Is Xiao in?"

"Yeah, he's in the Duck. Why?"

"Let's just say I miss him real bad. I need a favor from you, Wong."

"Psshh..." He smiled. "We're thicker than blood. Just say what you need."

Wong and his brother Ming operated an auto repair shop, and specialized in restoration with all original parts. He took a look at the extent of the damage and said it can be fixed by tomorrow afternoon. After a quick negotiation, he told me to park the Duesenberg in their shop, and that he'd send me the bill later.

I made my way to The Dancing Duck on foot. The tea house turns into a gambling den at midnight, hosting high rollers and hard lucks alike. The amount of people made it easy to sneak in. I saw KanBo in his usual spot handling all the money but I didn't see Xiao in the throng. What I did see were men who were fiercely loyal to him prowling the tables. Old Heng was one of them. He saw me come in, and greeted me with a slap in the back.

"Jin, m'boy! Fancy a little gambling tonight?" The old man grinned, his eyes curiously trained on the my forehead.

"Nah, gramps. I just thought I could stay here tonight."

"Ah, I see! Had a fight, huh? Did she do that?" He whispered, pointing at the wound with his lips. "You can't let that dame henpeck you."

"What?!"

"You're not even married yet..." He said as a matter- of- factly. "You can't let her have her way all the time, boy. You have to stand your ground!"

"No one's henpecking me, old bean. I got this while closing up at the Ritz."

"Uh- huh. Sure. Sure." He let me go with a smirk and returned to patrolling the tables.

How I was received answered some of my questions. The ambush was all Xiao's doing and Lulu McGinty was who he was after. Wong wouldn't have taken the car without question if the madam ordered the hit; and Heng, one of Xiao's confidants, would have been surprised to see me alive if they I was their target. All I needed to do was tell all of this to Madam Yu.

I reached the madam's quarters in no time and knocked gently on her door. Instead of an answer I only heard a whimper from inside. I turned the door knob but it was locked. The old lady never locks her door. Something was wrong. I wanted to get KanBo for the keys but the whimpering grew louder, I knew I had to do something now. With a few well focused kicks, the door gave way. It opened to Madame Yu, deathly pale, on the floor, and lying in a pool of sick.

I quickly ran to her. She was barely conscious but relief washed her face when she recognized who I was.

"I'm here ahpo. Don't worry." I lifted her up to the bed and dampened a small towel. She fell asleep as I wiped her clean. She was burning with fever and I knew I had to get her to the hospital. I wrapped a warm blanket around her and carried her downstairs. As I opened the door that led to the dining area, KanBo was there waiting.

"Good you're here." I said. "Get your keys. We're taking her to the hospital."

I loaded Madame Yu to the backseat of his car and went upstairs to get a few change of clothes for the old woman. KanBo was still there, motionless, with a strange look in his face.

"Bo? What are you doing? Your aunt is sick. She needs to see a doctor. Let's go!"

He didn't move a muscle. The NoLuks began to gather around him, blocking the way out to the street. Old Heng stood guard by the main door. Even Wong was there. Men came from outside and walked to where KanBo stood. It was Xiao, joined by a few Irish goons I've fought before.

"You should have left her to die in peace, Jin." Xiao smirked as he played with his talibong.

"What the hell is this KanBo?" I asked, refusing to acknowledge Xiao's assumed authority. The old lady's nephew couldn't look me in the eye. He remained quiet.

"What's it look like to..."

"Quiet, Xiao. I'm not talking to you." I gave him and his goons a warning look. "Well, Bo? Answer me. You'll betray flesh and blood for these men? They put you up to this?"

I expected to see a hint remorse in his face but what registered was anything but. He began to grin.

"No." KanBo scoffed. "They didn't put me up to this. Call this a take over."

"What? Why?!" I couldn't find any sense in what he was saying.

"That hag was too old fashioned. She was content selling scorched rice and hosting pot luck fights... She's a joke, AJ. The NoLuks have no future under her. I'm merely taking steps to ensure that we do. Starting by getting rid of her and forging real partnerships with our neighbors."

"What about Lulu McGinty, huh? Her husband? That Mexican, for Pete's sake! You thought of that too?"

"I couldn't care less about that Mexican, and someone from their side must have volunteered to do Shamus in. Lulu McGinty was our first real... joint venture."

"Couldn't you wait for your turn? She was going to leave everything to you!"

"When, AJ? Twenty, thirty years? I've been feeding her poison for months and all she's had is a fever! I had to jack it up after she met with Lulu McGinty!"

"You should have known a knife to her heart was faster!" I've had enough. Without warning, I let my fist fly to his face. It instantly broke his nose, causing him to stagger and howl in pain. His goons were quick to react. Xiao shielded KanBo from further injury and ordered his men to deal with me. I started attacking everyone, breaking knees and jaws where my fists and legs could reach. The furniture was also helpful, as chairs make very good nun chucks.

I spotted KanBo with Xiao in the middle of the room and ran towards them but something solid struck me at the nape. My knees instantly buckled. It was Old Heng, and he used all his weight on his staff to pin me to the ground. He shook his head to tell me not to do anything stupid. My head still spun as KanBo approached.

"I was going to offer you a spot, AJ. I could use a good man like you, but I see where you really are her pet. Tsk... What a waste. You know what to do, Heng."

The pain in my head had subsided when KanBo started walking away. I took advantage when the old man relieved some pressure from his staff. With one quick swipe, I pulled it free from his hands and brought it down with full force on his clavicle. The old man cried in pain as the bone cracked.

I regained my composure and went after KanBo. I swung the staff and hit his legs, causing him to land on his back. I poised the staff to stab him through the heart when a two shots rang out. Pain seared through my chest, and as I looked down, I saw blood paint my white shirt red. I slumped to the ground as my knees lost their strength.

That 'ought to do it," I heard one of the Irish goons say. "You guys should have done it when he walked in."

KanBo stood up and punched the goon in the gut. The man keeled over at the strength of the blow.

"Don't ever meddle with how we deal with things. Do anything like this again, and I'll chop both of your hands and feed them to you."

The goon backed off in surrender. KanBo began barking orders.

"Xiao, take AJ and the old woman. Tie him up just to be sure... Load them both in McGinty's car. Have one of your Irish friends drive it to the old rail road tracks. Make sure somebody sees him driving." He then turned to Wong.

"I want you to follow them Wong, but be inconspicuous. Once you both get there, finish them off. Do what you need to make it look like McGinty's men did it. Make it messy. If you do this right then we won't even have to worry about that broad. They'll hang her for this."

Both men nodded and did as they were told. I fought hard to stay conscious but closed my eyes when Xiao walked over to tie my hands. The pain in my chest doubled as he started dragging me across the floor.

Wong already had the Duesenberg parked out front. Soon enough, me and the unconscious Madam Yu were being driven around town in the dead of night. I knew my time's up. The last thing I saw was Loren's beautiful face, laughing in excitement with her hair blown in disarray by the cool night wind.

******

"AJ! AJ!" Wong said in a hushed tone, tapping my cheek repeatedly. "Wake up, AJ." I felt him cut my hands loose and pulled me into a sitting position. He then brought out his bean shooter and loosed some lugs on the front seats. The noise snapped me out of stupor.

"Stay awake, AJ." Wong said as he pressed a scarf on the wound in my chest. I bit my cheek to keep myself from shouting. "They think I killed you already." He gave my cheek another tap and handed me his knife. "Pay attention AJ. Wait for at least five minutes before you start the car. Do you hear me?"

"I hear you Wong, but I don't think I'll last five minutes." My voice didn't feel like my own.

"Well you have to! I've seen you pull through worse. Put pressure on the wound while you're waiting. I'll drive away as fast as I can. You and ahpo lay low if you ever get out of this alive. Good Luck."

I watched as Wong climb on the waiting car and drove away. He was right. I've been in tighter spots before. I can get out of this situation. I had to tend to my injuries first. I tore pieces of Madame Yu's blanket to bind my wounds tight. I then turned my attention to the old lady. She was still burning up and her breathing had become more shallow. I had a sinking feeling she wouldn't make it through the night.

I let a few more minutes pass before I hot wired the Duesenberg. I drove into the city, driving on the side streets to avoid attention. It took quite a while but we finally reached one of the places where I'm sure we'll be safe, the Ritzy Muffin.