The Memoirs of Cordelia Chan

Compared to one of Sensei Toguwara's grading sessions it was a walk in the park. That is not to say it was not difficult, and by Sunday evening when we left I was exhausted. I fell asleep in the cab to the airport, and again on the flight. I didn't even notice when Mcallister didn't take the exit off the freeway to take me home, but drove straight to his place. In fact, it was only when I found myself in the hot tub with Sumito that I actually woke up.
"There's a drink on the side, that will restore your energy." She said. Looking into my eyes, she continued "Did you actually sleep at all? Clint says that a number of the other Sensei said you didn't."
"No. I couldn't. I did manage to meditate for about 5 hours each night though."
I took a slug from the drink. It was exceedingly refreshing. "What's in it?"
"Family secret. Are you hungry?"
"Yes"
"Come through to the kitchen when you're done. There's a spare robe on the back of the door."
As she got out the tub I remembered, what Mcallister had said to me at the Dojo.
"Clinton said he caught you in the shower on Sunday. I take it you're back to normal relations."
"He did and we are. I'd like to speak with you about what happened, but not now. It's late and we're both tired."
She put on her bathrobe and slipped out the door.I lay back in the water and sipped the drink. I was actually starting to feel human again. Climbing out I put on the robe, and went in search of the kitchen.

Training for the rest of May reverted back to the two nights a week it had been previously, and I was able to catch up with the backlog of collage work. Certain other aspects of my life also sorted themselves out. Choi became a regular Sunday afternoon visitor, and Sutomi and I saw each other every other week, on a Saturday to go shopping. I'd spent nearly a year at college and hadn't managed to find myself a boyfriend, although I had succeeded in setting up a Dojo and locating a Sensei.

At the beginning of June, Mcallister changed the Dojo class roster. Bujikan classes for 10 ^th to 1 ^st Kyu remained Tuesdays and Thursdays. Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings Tai-Chi classes were introduced. Monday Nights became Bujikan classes for 4^th Kyu through to 4^th Dan, and every other Sunday Morning was reserved for Bujikan weapons training and Spirit Mastery. He also notified the class that there would be a grading session at the Dojo on the 1^st weekend in July.
This disrupted my schedule, especially as I had exams looming in 3 weeks. Since I needed the money from teaching the Tai-Chi classes I had to drop attendance at the Thursday class and was unable to attend the Monday and Sunday classes at all.
Sutomi started attending the Saturday morning Tai-Chi, class which made it easier for us to go shopping. It also started something else. We'd gone back to my apartment after class to freshen up before going shopping. I'd made tea whilst Sutomi had a quick shower. I'd taken my tea and gone to take a shower my self. As I stood under the water, the door had slid back and Sumito had stepped in behind me. "Show me slowly what you did last time we were in the shower together " she said, sliding her hands around my waist.
"It's too crowded in here. Let me finish and then I'll teach you, although I should really be teaching Clinton."
She moved her hand and applied light pressure with her nails. "He does not need to know."
"Sumito. If you want me to teach you then you must agree to teach him. And don't ever do that to me again. "
She left me in the shower to finish. As I turned the shower off, I head the apartment door slam.

She was in class the following week. She waited until all the others had gone and then approached me. She held two beautifully wrapped boxes in her hands, "Please Forgive me if I offended you Li Feng. These are for you."
I carefully opened the presents. One contained expensive perfume and the other bath oils. I hugged her." Come on. Lets go somewhere more comfortable"
So Sumito became the third person to learn of the book and its secrets. For a while she also became my lover, and I still see her on occasion. Both of us, whilst comfortable with each other, have a greater preference for a man who knows what he's doing. Unfortunately my mother was right; most of then require a considerable amount of teaching.

The exams came, and went, and with them the long wait for the results. I went back to attending the Thursday class, and joined the Monday class for the summer, bringing the number of students to 4. Mr Lee found me a job working in a Martial Arts and Army Surplus supply store, which I tolerated for 2 weeks before walking out. I was out of work for a week before finding a waitressing job in a Japanese restaurant. I quickly worked out that two of the girls were overcharging customers and fiddling the takings, and that one of the barmen was in on the deal. It took the owner nearly two weeks, to notice that takings were always up, when I was in. When he asked me about it it told him that his observation was incorrect and that takings were always down when I wasn't in.
I came in the following day to find I was working alone and that I was now responsible for hiring replacement staff. It was a long day, and I wasn't paying particular attention as I left. I didn't notice the ex-barman come up behind me until he was reaching round in front of me to grab me by the neck. He never completed the move. As he sailed into the trash cans I noticed he wasn't alone. I threw a kick at one of the other two, but he blocked it. The other one rushed me but he was just a little too clumsy and just a little to slow. I side stepped, and spun, kicking him as he went past and propelling him into the alley wall. Unlike in the movies, he didn't get up again. With what he thought was my exposed back to him, the other one tried to kick me. As the kick came up, I grabbed his foot, turned, and brought my elbow down on his knee. There was an audible crack and the leg went limp. As he started to scream, I punched him under the jaw, and the sound died. I turned my attention back to where the ex-barman was picking himself up off the ground. He had a knife in his hand. "Bad move." I said. He slashed at me. The blow was slow and I avoided it. He slashed again, and then a third time. As he slashed, I backed away a little and to his left. As he slashed for the fourth time I judged him sufficiently off balance. As the knife went past I stepped in, grabbing the arm, and bringing it down against my knee. He screamed and the knife fell out of his hand. I hit him under the jaw, and the screaming stopped.
By now, the back door of the restaurant had opened again and Mr Sagamoto, the owner was standing watching me. " That may not have been a good move. Li Feng."
"Why?"
"He's Yakuza. It will be bad for us both now"
"Don't worry Mr Sagamoto. I can take care of myself. Now I need to make a phone call."
I went inside, pulled a card from my purse, and dialed Detective Sun's number. He arrived, with a squad car and ambulance about 15 minutes later. He took a statement from me and one from Mr Sagamoto, and said he'd be in touch if he needed anything else.
We had a visit the following day. I was serving another customer, trade had picked up considerably since I'd started, when they came in. Mr Sagamoto dropped what he was doing, and escorted them to the best table in the house. He beckoned me over and told me to take them their drinks. As I approached the table, the elder and best dressed of the three spoke. " Thank you Miss Chan. Please sit down."
"I'll stand thank you."
"But I insist"
The two goons moved,as if to stand. I hit the one on the right, and he slumped back. The suit shook his head and the other one, sat back down. "Ok. You can stand "
"Thank you. " I said, reversed a chair, and sat on it. "What can I do for you."
"I want you to come and work for me."
"And what happens if I say no?"
"Nothing. This is not the movies. What personal problems my employees create for themselves are none of my business unless it impacts on me, my honor, or my reputation directly."
"And if I were to say yes."
"Then I can put your talents to good use."
"I have no use for my talents other than in the manner I've used them so far. I decline your offer."
"A pity. Now if you'll bring us lunch that will be all."
I stood and went to the kitchen for an ice cloth to wake sleeping beauty. Their first course was ready and I took them that as well. The rest of their lunch passed without incident and they left, leaving a handsome tip. After they'd gone Mr Sagamoto came over to me and asked me what Sato had wanted. I told him. "Not good news. I think he likes you."
"Well I'm afraid he's going to be disappointed then."
The rest of the week passed without incident. I saw Sutomi on Saturday, and Choi on Sunday. Choi was quite taken aback when I told her the story and told me to be careful. I told her to stop worrying, but she had set me thinking. After she'd gone I phoned my mother and told her the story. After I got about half way through I could hear her repeating bits of it to someone else in the room with her, although I couldn't hear their responses. After I'd finished she told me not to worry, but to be careful. At the time I thought it a little odd that she'd hadn't done her nut but forthcoming events were going to suggest a possible explanation.

It took me three days, to confirm that I was being followed. The tail was always there, and always at a distance, and always disappeared, only to reappear later, if I tried to confront it. It wasn't until the Thursday night after class that I found out who the tails were. I was about two thirds on the way back to the apartment when I noticed a car following me. As I turned the corner of the block it drew alongside, and stopped. Two Orientals, possibly Japanese, got out. One was discretely pointing a gun in my direction "Mr Sato would like you to have dinner with him."
He gestured in the direction of the rear door of the car.

Despite any impressions you may I have gained about me so far, I was not about to argue with a man with a gun and get my self shot. Sun Zen only recommends engaging in combat when you have a better than even chance of winning. I would wait until the odds returned in my favour. I got into the back and slid across behind the driver, one of them got in beside me and the other got in the front. As the car pulled away I notice movement on the other side of the street. My tails were on the move.
My abductors got as far as the end of the block before we were hit from the left by a pickup. I managed to use the head of the goon in the back to stop my elbow as I was thrown across the car. I didn't hear the crack or notice he'd stopped moving. As I recovered the doors were pulled open, and several guns pointed in. A oriental female's upper torso appeared in the rear of the car on the drivers side and spoke in Cantonese, "Are you okay Miss Chan?"
"Yes. I think so "
"Good, Then if you'd care to get out of the car you are free to go. Please be quick about it."
She took a step back, and then spoke to the oriental on the opposite side of the car. "Is he dead?"
"Yes."
As I got out of the car, she switched to English and spoke to the driver. Tell your boss that Miss Chan is to be left alone." She nodded to the guy standing level with the front passenger. There was a single gun shot. "I take it I have made myself clear."
She switched back to Cantonese. "Miss Chan, you were not here, and not in the car. You didn't see anything. Now go home."
I didn't know who she was but I was not about to argue. As I moved away, a black BMW drew up and they all got in. As it sped away I could hear the first police sirens. As I entered the apartment block, the telltale flash of police lights, illuminated the foyer.

I was in the bath when the door buzzer went. "Who is it"
"Detective Sun, Miss Chan. Open Up."
I got out of the bath and put a robe on. "Come on Cordelia, I don't want to have to break the door down"
"All right I'm coming. I was in the bath."
I opened the door, and he came in. He had two officers with him. " Get dressed Cordelia you're coming with us."
"What's this about Huo-Jin?"
"It's Detective Sun, Miss Chan, and you know what this is about. I have witnesses that place you getting into and out of the car. I also have a body which has your hallmark all over it. Now save me the trouble of arresting you and get dressed." I walked into the bedroom, where he could see me and slipped off the robe. He turned away. I dressed and walked back into the living room. " Shall we go "

He put me in an interview room and went to get two coffees. "Ok Miss Chan. Why don't you tell me exactly what happened."
"I don't know what your talking about."
"Look Cordelia this is serious. I'm not playing games here. You were seen getting into the car. You were seen getting out of the car. And we've got enough forensic to place you in the car. So start cooperating.
I said nothing. "Okay. Have it your way. I'm arresting you for the murder of Omezo Yamoto. You have the right to remain silent and refuse to answer questions. Anything you do say may be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. If you decide to answer questions now without an attorney present you will still have the right to stop answering at any time until you talk to an attorney. Do you understand?
"Yes.My attorney is Bill Roth of White Plains, New York. Either let me go or put me in a cell. I have nothing further to say."
He stood up. I could see he was extremely annoyed. "Take her away"
I was taken to the cells, and left on my own for the night. At shortly before 9am I had a visitor. She was a redhead of average height and build, in what I guessed were her late 40's. " Miss Chan. I'm Mary Ecart. I was at Law School with Bill Roth. He's asked me to handle your case. Are you okay with that?" I nodded. I was cold, hungry, and desperately need to go to the john. "Have they read you your rights?"
"Yes."
"Do you understand the charges against you?"
"Yes"
"Have you been treated okay?"
"Yes"
"Is there anything you need before we start?"
"Use of a restroom and some breakfast would be nice."
She banged on the cell door. When the guard appeared she said "Miss Chan needs to go to the rest room, Alone! She would also like something to eat. Additionally I would like a coffee, and the use of an interview room."
He opened the door, and gestured for me to follow him. He stopped outside a door and said." In you go, don't take all day, and don't make me come in after you."
I went inside and freshened up. He took me upstairs and showed me into an interview room where Mary was waiting. There were coffee and doughnuts on the table. I sat down and picked up a doughnut.
"I think you should tell me exactly what happened, and don't leave anything out. I can't defend you if there are things you don't tell me."
It took about an hour to go through everything. She kept stopping me and asking questions, until eventually she knew the whole story since I'd started at the Jade Dragon. She went outside and came back a few minutes later, followed by Sun. He put a pair of tapes in the tapes deck, and pressed record. He asked me if I was prepared to tell him what had happened after I left Dojo last night. I said I was and told him the story as Mary and I had discussed it. I'd left the Dojo as usual and walked home. As I neared the apartment a car had pulled up, and two gentlemen had got out and asked for directions. I didn't know the location they were looking for, so they'd got back into the car and driven off. As I reached the apartment I'd heard a crash and looked up the street to see they'd been hit by another car, but it was too dark to see anything else. I'd gone inside, and run a bath. He'd then asked me a whole load of other questions, some of which I answered, but most of which, Mary had interrupted with "My client declines to answer that question."
After about an hour, he switched the recorder off. "Li Feng I cannot help you if you won't help yourself by telling me what really happened. The guy's arm you broke in the alley was Sato's nephew, the other two were supposed to be his bodyguards. We fished their bodies out of the bay yesterday. Now tell me what really happened."
I looked at Mary and she shook her head. I said nothing. Sun hit record again. "Would your client consent to taking part in a lineup?"
I looked at Mary. "Your decision." she said. " It wouldn't harm your defense if you did. "
"Yes. "
"If you'd come with me then."
He took us downstairs. As we entered the room I took a look at the other girls. None of them really came close. For a start none of them had green eyes. I said as much to Mary, but she told me not to worry. It took over an hour to get through the lineup. Sun had me moved to different positions in the line half a dozen times. I was then taken back up to the interview room.
When Sun came in he was angry again. "I don't know who your friends are but I'd be very careful if I were you. Tampering with a witness is a very serious offence."
"And so is making unsubstantiated allegations. As you are aware detective, my client has been in custody since last night."
Sun looked at Ecart. "Your client is free to go. It seems the witnesses were all mistaken as to the identity of the person in the car. They thought I'd been asking if they knew you or had seen you about, which of course they would have, wouldn't they."
"What about your forensic evidence?" I asked
"Circumstantial. Mrs Ecart here made that clear especially in light of the incident at the restaurant. You didn't tell me about that."
"You didn't ask."
"Oh get out, before I charge you with wasting Police time."
As we left the building, Mary said to me "He fancies you you know." I looked at her dumbstruck. " Haven't you noticed the way he watches you, or the fact he's always agitated around you. "
Now that she had pointed it out, it was obvious, but I'd been too pre-occupied to notice. All I could manage was " Oh. ". She smiled at me." Don't worry about the bill its all taken care of. Nice meeting you Cordelia." She gave me her card and then hailed a cab. As she got in I managed "Thank you Mary.".