Ian Hamilton - The wild beast of Wuhan

“Michael called me this morning,” Marcus said. “We talked in detail about his problems. I think he needs your help.”

“Daddy, I’ve just met him, and then only for two minutes.”

“He’s your brother.”

“Until a few days ago he was only a name.”

She saw the pain in her father’s eyes and felt her cheeks flush in shame.

“He wanted me to help him. I can’t. It’s beyond my capacity. He needs you.”

“What do you think I do?” she asked.

“I don’t live in a bubble in Hong Kong. I know who Uncle is, and was. And things are said about you — some of them alarming, some of them more complimentary. Michael is my oldest child. When I die, he will become the head of this family. I need you to respect that. Right now he’s at risk and he’s put most of his assets at risk. I don’t want to watch my oldest child lose his future.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Help him.”

“How?”

“Call him and he’ll explain.”

“But you know what happened?”

“I know enough to understand that he needs your help.”

“I’ll call him,” she said quietly.

Marcus leaned down and kissed his daughter on the forehead. “It’s always been my dream to bring my children together. I regret that it’s under these circumstances.”

“It’s a family and a structure that you created,” she said.

“I haven’t always been wise.”

The three women were standing where Ava had left them. Jennie looked pointedly at Ava as she walked back towards them. She saw in her mother’s eyes that Marcus had confided in her. Jennie mouthed, Momentai? and Ava knew that her mother stood with him.

Ava gave a slight nod and mouthed, Momentai.

“I was serious about dinner tonight,” Ava said to Jennie.

Her mother glanced at Maria and Mimi. “I think I’d rather have your father to myself tonight, and I think your friends would like to have you to themselves as well. Now off you go with them. We can talk later.”

When Marcus rejoined them, Jennie reached for his hand. “The girls need to leave for the city,” she said. “We should go home.”

Ava watched as they walked towards the escalator that would take them to the parking garage, her mother still holding on to his hand. His head was turned in her direction, talking. Her eyes never left his face. She couldn’t remember a time when they had seemed closer.

“Time to go home, girls,” Ava said, leading them towards the exit.

The three women got into the back of the limousine, Ava in the middle, Maria with her arm looped through hers, and Mimi’s chin resting on Ava’s shoulder, a wide grin on her face.

“You haven’t stopped smiling since I’ve arrived,” Ava said. She felt Mimi nudge her gently in the ribs. “You’re really going to live in Leaside?”

“Yes.”

“With all those young professionals and their nannies?”

“That’s the plan — including the nanny.”

“You’re pregnant?” Ava blurted.

“Absolutely.”

“I hope Derek’s asked you to marry him,” she said.

“He has.”

“Geez, what have I started?”

“Everything,” Mimi said, punching Ava’s arm.