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that, the old days. I see that you have kept up with the times as I have. Do you think that back then we could have functioned in this high-tech world we now live in?”
    Li looked around the room and smiled. “I think so, Charles. Now, let us speak of pleasantries. Tell me about the three lovely young ladies upstairs and the thorn in your side named Jack Emery; not that Mr. Emery is a pleasantry, but perhaps we can arrange it so he
becomes
a pleasantry. In the interests of true love, of course.” Charles laughed as Li poured more whiskey into his glass.
    A long time later, Li apologized. “You look to me as if a nap is in order. I have been a selfish host wanting to hear everything that has happened in your life. Forgive me. We have all evening to talk.” He ushered Charles to the door. A petite woman with coal-black eyes and hair to match appeared out of nowhere to escort Charles to his suite of rooms.
    Charles knew the moment the door closed behind him that Li would be working to finalize tomorrow evening’s plans. The thought pleased him. They were in safe hands.
    The small dinner party took place on a multilayered terrace filled with hundreds of brilliant flowers. The only light came from colored Chinese lanterns. The food was simple but superb: Peking duck, wontons and fresh snow peas. The dessert was rice cakes drizzled with honey and powdered sugar. The wine was American in honor of Li’s guests. The conversation was light, almost bantering, as the women asked questions about China. Li in turn asked questions, subtle to be sure, but Nikki knew that she and the others were being grilled by a master. Charles had nodded ever so slightly to assure her it was OK to answer the questions.
    It was a warm evening so the girls wore sleeveless sundresses. Charles and Li wore pressed khaki shorts with knee socks, white shirts and ties. It was formal yet informal. The women chatted about the gardens as Charles and Li descended two layers to a terrace below them with brandy and cigars, a courtesy the girls appreciated because they hated cigar smoke.
    “Did you see those dresses Mr. Li sent to us? Fantastic,” Alexis said.
    Yoko agreed. “Do you think I will look good in lavender?”
    “Honey, you are going to be a knockout. I’ll do your makeup. You will be more beautiful than the…What do they call the woman who is getting engaged at the party tomorrow night?”
    “Prospective bride, I guess,” Nikki said. “I think Charles said she is going to college in the States but came back here to have a traditional Chinese wedding. One old family marrying into another old family. Doting parents on both sides. In other words, the wedding of the year, and not at all unusual to have American guests. Which we are. Perfect cover. Mr. Li is a personal friend of the bride’s father and is related to the groom’s mother by way of his deceased wife. When Mr. Li told both families he wouldn’t be able to attend because we were visiting him, both sets of parents insisted he bring us along. And that’s all I know, other than that Mr. Li was able to get all our papers in order lickety-split.”
    “John Chai is a woman-chaser,” Yoko said, her lips tight with anger. “And he prefers American women over…over his own kind. I read that in the dossier Charles put together for us.”
    “I think that lets me and you out, Yoko. You’re his kind and I’m black. Guess who that leaves? Oh you lucky, lucky girl, Nikki.”
    “Shut up, Alexis. How did we get on to this anyway? We were talking about our gowns. Mine is a sizzling red. Tonight I am going to be one hot chick! When, and only when, you see steam coming out my ears, intervene. I think I should play hard to get, don’t you?”
    “Absolutely!” Yoko said. “Men do not like to be ignored. My husband told me this. It has to do with their ego. This is true, is it not? As a weapon it is wonderful to know. Do you think all women know this?”
    “I think so,” Nikki replied,