The Lucky Dragon
, Hong Kong
The
restaurant is easily located and appears to be a very popular place to eat. As Spencer, Sam and Julie enter the building, they see that it was packed with patrons. They are quickly approached by a hostess.
"May I help you?" she asks in English.
"We are looking for a man named Lau Chang," Julie says.
"I don't know a Lau Chang. Can I offer you a place to sit?"
"We were told to meet Mr. Chang here," Julie explains. "Are you sure you've not heard of him?"
"Perhaps he hasn't come yet. You are welcome to have a seat and wait, maybe order some food while you wait," the hostess offers.
Julie casts a questioning look back to Sam and Spencer. Spencer answers with a shrug. "May as well," Sam answers.
"Very well," Julie says to the hostess.
The hostess begins leading the group toward the back of the restaurant when Julie asks for them to be placed by the window. Once they were seated, Julie orders Jasmine Tea while they wait. Even though they are all hungry, eating isn't an option.
"Let's hope dropping Lau's name gets us somewhere," Spencer comments once the hostess leaves.
"We'll know soon enough," Julie says looking around the restaurant. "This was the last place Sarai was supposed to have been."
"If she was taken from here, it doesn't look like a fight took place," Sam comments.
"Are you saying she went voluntarily?"
"No. All I'm saying is if she put up a fight, there should be some sign of damage here," Sam replies defensively.
"We are professionals, we don't draw attention to ourselves unlike some agencies," Julie spats venomously.
"Oh, so you think just because no one has heard of you guys for however many damn years that you all are perfect? Let me tell you something sister a—"
"Whoa! Ladies, please," Spencer says intervening. "We're on a mission, remember?"
Julie and Sam look at each other; an embarrassed look crosses both their faces.
"You're right Spence," Sam says apologizing.
"Yes, but we'll finish this conversation after the mission," Julie states, not willing to fully back down.
By then their waitress appears with a tea kettle and four cups. She smiles she places the items on the table. "Mr. Chang will see you shortly," the waitress says before she leaves.
"Well it looks like it may work in our favor after all," Spencer remarks.
"I'd like to believe that, but it looks like we have company," Julie says looking out the window.
Sam and Spencer turn their attention in the direction Julie is looking in. The street is beginning to line up with police cars.
"Coincidence?" Sam asks rhetorically.
To answer her question, five Hong Kong SWAT vans pull up. SWAT and police begin exiting their vehicles taking up defensive positions and drawing their weapons. At once they turn their guns in the direction of the building. The group knows it isn't pure coincidence.
"Maybe they are here for someone else," Spencer says looking around for an exit.
"You are surrounded. Come out, leave your weapons at the door and hold up your hands," the police chief says over the bull horn. "If you continue to hold your hostages, we will use force."
"I think that answers the question," Sam says.
Julie pulls her gun out from her jacket, catching Spencer's attention. The patrons of the restaurant begin murmuring amongst themselves not quite sure what to make of the current situation.
"What do you plan on doing?" he asks.
"Fighting our way out of here," she answers matter of factly.
"What happened to if we get caught the passports and papers will get us out of it?" Sam asks.
"Look at them! They think we're holding hostages. If they don't know already they will know soon that we aren't Chinese. If we're lucky they'll shoot us on site rather than charging us with espionage then killing us."
"How can we be so sure they're here for us?" Spencer asks hoping for an answer different than what he already knew.
Julie doesn't answer. In fact she is staring out the window. "Julie?" Spencer asks. "Julie? What is it?"
She points out the window in the direction of the police chief. He is currently arguing with another man dressed in a casual suit. The argument appears to be pretty heated and after a few minutes it ends with the casually dressed man walking toward the entrance of the
Lucky Dragon
. "That's Victor Lupescu. He's supposed to be dead."
"It's been my experience that those that are supposed to be dead usually turn back up," Spencer remarks sarcastically.
Julie snickers at the comment. "Regardless, he's half the reason of why we're here."
Victor walks through the door as if he owned the place. After the door closes behind him he looks around searching until his eyes fall upon Julie.
"Julie Branon," he says with his arms spread out toward her. "It's a good thing I got wind of this mess."
"Why the nine hells have you not checked in and let us know you were alive?" she asks angrily walking in his direction.
"Come now, we don't have time to make discussion about it right now," he answers grabbing her elbow and directing her to the back of the restaurant. "Your friends too."
