Angel in the Full Moon. Don Easton

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early to meet the van.

      Eventually, Bi

n pulled up to the appointed location and carried his bicycle up onto the sidewalk while Linh carried the plastic bag containing her clothes.

      “Forty minutes early,” said Bi

n.

      “I do not think the American lady will be happy to see me,” sniffled Linh.

      “And why not?” asked Bi

n, although he knew what the response would be before he asked.

      “I have no gift to give her.”

      “We do not have the money for two gifts. The pearl necklace cost much money. It is worthy of being a gift from the both of you.”

      “Maybe H

ng forgot to say so.”

      “Do you really think she would do such a thing? Leave her little sister out?”

      Linh put her head down and said, “No. I do not think that.”

      “There is something you have to give that is much more precious than a stone from some oyster,” said Bi

n.

      “What is that?” asked Linh with surprise.

      “Your smile, little one,” answered Bi

n sincerely. “I would not trade your smile for all the pearls in Ha Long Bay.”

      Linh tried to frown as she looked up at her father, but there was a twinkle in her eye and she soon smiled and giggled.

      At nine years old, some might have found her mixture of baby teeth and adult teeth somewhat less than attractive, but to Bi

n it was a beautiful smile.

       chapter six

      The next day Jack identified the three Asians from the party and did background research on them while Laura looked into the backgrounds of the two men they referred to as Mister Porsche and Mister Jaguar.

      Jack discovered that the three Asians were Vietnamese brothers who were the owners of two massage parlours. One massage parlour was called The Asian Touch and was one-third owned by each of the brothers. Their given names were

c was also the sole owner of the Orient Pleasure, the establishment to which the Russians’ cellphone was registered.

      H

u and Tho did not have criminal records, but Jack learned that the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit had encountered one of the brothers on an investigation two years previous.

      Jack told Laura the information and she groaned.

      “What’s wrong?” he asked.

      “I’ll never keep these guys straight,” she said.

      “I think the important one to remember is

c,” said Jack. “He owns part of what his brothers have, plus the Orient Pleasure, where the Russians’ phone is registered. He’s also the one with a criminal record.”

      “So it’s

c and his brothers.”

      “For now. Incidentally, if you ever read or hear their names someplace, the Vietnamese put their family name first, followed by their middle name, and then their given name. Formally, they address each other by their given name. I would be known as Taggart, Bruce Jack, and if formally addressed, would be called Mister Jack.”

      “Okay, Mister Jack, so neither of the two brothers have any criminal history?”

      “No convictions, but Th

o was the owner of a couple of rental properties where the Vietnamese tenants had grow-ops. They were taken down two years ago by CFSEU.”

      “Doesn’t take these guys long to learn about B.C. bud,” said Laura.

      “How are you making out with Mister Porsche and Mister Jaguar?” asked Jack.

      “They are both well known,” replied Laura. “No convictions, but I just got off the phone with Drugs. Mister Porsche beat an importation charge a few years ago when he tried to smuggle a boatload of hash into B.C. He beat the rap in court by claiming that the dope was on its way to Alaska and that a storm blew them into Canadian waters. The judge said there was no intent to commit a crime in Canada. Mister Jaguar is a major cocaine dealer but has never been caught.”

      “Jag and Porsche work together?”

      Laura shook her head. “Not as far as any records show. They appear to be independent of each other.”

      “Our Russians are the common denominator,” declared Jack.

      “I’ve also checked for criminal records on the rest of the partygoers,” said Laura. “Lots with criminal records, but all minor stuff. Low-level drug dealers, that type of thing.”

      “I think our Russians were just throwing their version of an office party,” said Jack. “I doubt that any of these people are really their friends.”

      “So where do you want to go from here?”

      “For now, concentrate our time on the Russians. If we lose them, then we’ll work on

c as a backup.”

      “Sounds good.”

      “I’m going to give VPD a call and see what they have on these guys. The Asian

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