Chapter Fifteen
I heard her heels clicking, then she came into my view. She wore a close-fitting, black belted, sleeveless yellow dress, black gloves, and was hatless. She seemed a little less poised than usual as she quickly crossed to Kong So-ra's table.
'Sorry to be late, So-ra', she said, a trifle edgily. 'I was held up in the traffic, then I had trouble parking the car'.
'You poor dear. I wondered what had kept you', Kong So-ra drawled, glancing at her watch. 'You've just time for a tea, Su-mi. Then we must get down to Wonju'.
Kim Su-mi said hesitantly: 'You think it's worth the trip?'
'Definitely', Kong replied lazily. 'From what I hear, the dealers' ring will be there in full force'.
As their conversation proceeded it became apparent that they were going to Wonju to attend an auction of antique furniture. If I'd hoped to catch something that would give point to the note which had brought me to World Cup Buk-ro 48- Gil I was disappointed. Their talk had no more significance than the gossip you overhear from the seat behind you on a bus.
I'd been staring into the mirror - and, of course, the inevitable happened. Su-mi turned her head in my direction, frowning; then her face lit up with a smile of recognition.
'Who's that?' Kong So-ra said sharply as I slid off my stool and crossed over to their table.
'Hello, there!' I exclaimed. 'This is a surprise!'
'Yes, isn't it?' Su-mi said, a shade sceptically, I thought.Then she turned to her companion. 'So-ra, this is Mr Moon. We met in Shanghai'. She glanced up at me. 'Kong So-ra - my business partner'.
Kong returned my greeting with a cool nod. As though sensing that her indifference had made me feel an unwelcome interloper, Kim Su-mi said quickly:
'Do sit down, Han-sang'.
I pulled out a chair from the table. 'I hope I haven't interrupted anything', I said, as I sat down.
'A Board meeting', Su-mi said, with mock severity. 'The Annual General Meeting of Kim and Kong'. She laughed. 'It's just our morning tea break, Han– sang. Our gallery is only round the corner, you know'.
I brought out my cigarette case. 'No, I didn't know. But . well, I'm glad it is!'
Su-mi smiled at me appreciatively. 'Isn't this rather out of your way? I haven't seen you in here before'.
'It's the first time I've been here. The offices of an engineering firm I used to do business with are just down the road', I said, offering her a cigarette. 'One of our creditors, I regret to say. I thought I'd drop in here for a tea before seeing their accountant at eleven'.
Kong So-ra stood up abruptly. 'If you'll excuse me, I have to get back to the gallery'.
Getting up, I said, rather stiffly: 'I'm sorry if I'm in the way'.
Su-mi put out a restraining hand. 'Do sit down, Han-sang. We're going to Wonju to see some antiques. There's no need to start for ten minutes'.
'I'll see you at the shop then, Su-mi, Kong So-ra said, and with a forced smile at me she left.
'Poor So-ra', Su-mi sighed, taking a cigarette from the case I'd laid on the table. 'You have haven't seen her at her best, I fear. It's this Doyle thing. She's terribly worried over the publicity - thinks it will harm our business'.
'It'll blow over', I said as I lit her cigarette. 'I shouldn't let it get you down'.
'I won't. But the business means so much more to So-ra than to me'. She watched me light my own cigarette. 'You see, I'm not dependent on it - that is, not financially'.
'Oh - yes', I said off-handedly. It was not a subject I could pursue, much as I should have liked to. 'As I seem to have disrupted your tea break', I went on, 'can I order you one now?'
'No, please I really mustn't keep So-ra waiting. She's anxious to be there for the start of the sale'. Her eyes rested on my face. 'But I'm glad to have seen you, Han-sang. As a matter of fact, I tried to get you on the phone before coming here'. She glanced over at the girl polishing the tea urn. 'It's not convenient now, but I must have a talk with you, Han-sang, as soon as possible'. Suddenly she looked defenceless, almost forlorn.
I said quickly: 'What time will you be back from Wonju?''This evening, about seven, I imagine'.
'Then why not come round to my place for a drink when you get back?'
After a few moments' hesitation she nodded. 'All right, Han-sang. I'll do that. Expect me at seven-thirty'. She reached for the ashtray and slowly ground her cigarette in it. She stood up. 'And thanks a lot, Han-sang'.
I stood looking after her as she went past the window. I thought she must have been educated at one of those schools where the girls learn development by walking about for hours with books balanced on their heads. Deliberately I expelled her more glamorous aspects from my mind and wondered what it was she wanted to say to me.
A telephone ringing behind the counter reminded me of the tea I'd left there untouched. I went across to my stool, sat down, and lifted the cup. The tea was tepid, and I was about to call the girl over when I saw she had the telephone receiver to her ear.
'Oh, I am glad you're better, sir', she was saying in a servile tone. 'All the regulars have been asking after you .'
Half listening to her monologue I'd decided to skip another tea and ask for the bill, when she laid the receiver down and hurried across to the pile of mail on the counter. From this she drew out the buff envelope, tore open the flap, and took out a catalogue.
I looked down at it casually, then my eyes riveted on the gaudy cover. It was an auction catalogue.
After a glance at it the girl hastened back to the telephone. 'That's right, sir', she said. 'It was an auction catalogue in the big envelope'. There was a pause while she listened. Then, with a final, 'It'll be ever so nice to have you back, sir', she hung up.
I paid my bill and went out into the street. There was no reason at all why a man called Jaw-long who ran a Chinese bar shouldn't receive an auction catalogue - there were at least twenty Chinese antiques in the place. Equally, there was no reason why he shouldn't have a facsimile of Doyle's Chinese doll in his window. Yet the doll plus the auction catalogue possibly added up to more than a coincidence. But as far as I knew it was the only Chinese bar in Seoul. All the same, I wanted Na's reactions to this development.
I strode briskly along the street to find somewhere quiet to make a call.