Better than calling 911

» Kahala

The imam pulled Bodhicita Guzman from the van roughly and dragged her into the house spitting puke particles and crying uncontrollably.

Another door closed behind her.

She was dead. Or soon would be. Painfully dead.

Exiting a cab out on Kahala Avenue, Kamasami Khan had the same opinion. This was the estate shared by Bodhicita's former lover Fon Du, head of the local Te-Wu, the Chinese secret police. Now, with four of his men arrested earlier outside Jefferson Hall, he knew that he'd been betrayed. And he had to know that it was Bodhicita who betrayed him. He'd take it personal.

It was Khan who had sent Bodhicita off for that final night of deceit with specific instructions and a five-part time-release mickey, which included truth serum. So Khan felt responsible, more so because Bodhicita was the second Lama Jey Tsong Khapa's eternal consort.

Beyond that, his family had been in the lama protection biz for centuries, and he didn't want Te-Wu torturing Bodhicita to get information that could be used to harm Lama Jey.

Angry as Fon Du must be, and embarrassed, they would not be taking their time with her. So minutes mattered.

Leader, as he was, of the clandestine Free Tibet Warrior Society, whose success depended entirely on secrecy, Khan was prone to avoiding cops. But this was not one of those times, not with his FTWS brothers and sisters spread thin protecting the lama. But he'd met a good cop earlier today, one equally committed to protecting Lama Jey.

Khan punched in the number of Quinn Ah Sun's cell.

Quinn answered on the fifth ring. He and his HPD solo bike detail were just then depositing the lama and his retinue at their Waikiki hotel. "They're heading through the lobby now. After what happened, he's as calm as ever. What a cool kid. Anyway, delivered safe and sound. That why you're calling?"

"Bodhicita's in trouble. Somehow Te-Wu saw through her nun disguise. You know the rabbi and the imam who said they travel together? Chinese agents. She got into a van with them, and they took her to their Kahala estate, locked the gate behind them. I'm there now. I figured if I called 911, even if the call got through, they'd think I'm a nut. So I'm calling you."

"Good work, Khan. My guys and I are on the way, and I'll make a call to our hostage team. Gimme the address."

Khan did.

"What're you doing now?"

"Looking for the nearest path down to the beach. I want to see what things look like from the other side."

"Keep your phone on."

Khan jogged down a sandy path, turned right onto the beach, saw his target.