than ever so that the various factions will have money for arms.”
Lee nodded politely in agreement.
“And our Chinese friend, Mister Wang, appears to be doing well?”
“Yes,” replied Lee.
Hui Wang was originally from Hong Kong, but had moved to Vancouver. His role was similar to Goldie’s, except that he oversaw the distribution of ecstasy and methamphetamine, or crystal meth, as it was known on the street. Wang had also insulated himself well and owned a restaurant and a specialty store that sold imported bamboo furniture. Both served to give him an aura of respectability, as well as launder his money.
“You have done very, very well as our emissary in Canada,” said The Shaman.
“Thank you,” replied Lee, trying unsuccessfully to read what The Shaman was thinking.
“As you are aware, there is a position I need to fill at home. It is unfortunate that my most trusted employee, in essence, the vice-president of our organization, succumbed to heart failure.” The Shaman paused to swallow more orange juice.
Lee waited. He was not offended that he was not the most trusted employee. At least, not yet. The Shaman compared their organization’s protection to the skin of an onion. Comprised of numerous layers, the closer you came to the heart of the company, the more scrutiny and tests there were to ensure ultimate protection.
The Shaman placed his glass down and turned to Lee and asked, “Would you like to return and fill that position? To once more live under the same roof as your family?”
Lee’s broad smile gave his answer before his words announced, “It is my dream!”
“Then it shall be.”
“When do you foresee this taking place?” asked Lee, trying to contain his glee and maintain the proper dignity in his voice.
“That is the problem at the moment,” replied The Shaman. “I have a candidate in mind to fill your position at the investment company, but the person I am considering is not experienced in the commodity market like you are. With the rapid expansion of our influence here, I think we need to separate the two ventures. What we need to find is a suitable replacement for you to oversee our eastern commodity distribution.”
Lee nodded. He knew the commodities referred to were heroin, ecstasy, and methamphetamines.
“Canada is a different culture compared to our European and Asian markets,” continued The Shaman. “Now that you have set up the proper framework, I think it is better to have someone who was born to this culture or has lived here for many years to replace you. Such a person would know who to recruit in Canada and would also be more familiar with their family history.”
Lee knew that “family history” meant the personal knowledge of who and where families lived — knowledge that would ensure the strict obedience of new employees if they did not wish any harm to befall their family. He thought briefly about his own wife and their two daughters. He had seen little of them since working in Canada. Of course, their safety is not an issue. My loyalty is absolute … and I have brought them great prosperity.
“Providing, of course, that such a person existed and was qualified,” continued The Shaman. “If you have a potential candidate, then I would suggest that after the appropriate security checks, some testing and training, six months would be appropriate for you to leave Canada.”
“I have such a person in mind,” said Lee.
“And would that be Mister Wang? He came to Canada as a young man, and with his associates he undoubtedly has connections across North America.”
Lee shook his head. “Mister Wang has eastern connections through the Big Circle Boys and the Sun Yee On triad, but, like Mister Wang himself, they seem reluctant to conduct business with Westerners. I do not believe Mister Wang is ready to advance to my position. In my opinion, he still associates too closely with individuals who could arouse police curiosity.”
“Do all his
Lee nodded politely in agreement.
“And our Chinese friend, Mister Wang, appears to be doing well?”
“Yes,” replied Lee.
Hui Wang was originally from Hong Kong, but had moved to Vancouver. His role was similar to Goldie’s, except that he oversaw the distribution of ecstasy and methamphetamine, or crystal meth, as it was known on the street. Wang had also insulated himself well and owned a restaurant and a specialty store that sold imported bamboo furniture. Both served to give him an aura of respectability, as well as launder his money.
“You have done very, very well as our emissary in Canada,” said The Shaman.
“Thank you,” replied Lee, trying unsuccessfully to read what The Shaman was thinking.
“As you are aware, there is a position I need to fill at home. It is unfortunate that my most trusted employee, in essence, the vice-president of our organization, succumbed to heart failure.” The Shaman paused to swallow more orange juice.
Lee waited. He was not offended that he was not the most trusted employee. At least, not yet. The Shaman compared their organization’s protection to the skin of an onion. Comprised of numerous layers, the closer you came to the heart of the company, the more scrutiny and tests there were to ensure ultimate protection.
The Shaman placed his glass down and turned to Lee and asked, “Would you like to return and fill that position? To once more live under the same roof as your family?”
Lee’s broad smile gave his answer before his words announced, “It is my dream!”
“Then it shall be.”
“When do you foresee this taking place?” asked Lee, trying to contain his glee and maintain the proper dignity in his voice.
“That is the problem at the moment,” replied The Shaman. “I have a candidate in mind to fill your position at the investment company, but the person I am considering is not experienced in the commodity market like you are. With the rapid expansion of our influence here, I think we need to separate the two ventures. What we need to find is a suitable replacement for you to oversee our eastern commodity distribution.”
Lee nodded. He knew the commodities referred to were heroin, ecstasy, and methamphetamines.
“Canada is a different culture compared to our European and Asian markets,” continued The Shaman. “Now that you have set up the proper framework, I think it is better to have someone who was born to this culture or has lived here for many years to replace you. Such a person would know who to recruit in Canada and would also be more familiar with their family history.”
Lee knew that “family history” meant the personal knowledge of who and where families lived — knowledge that would ensure the strict obedience of new employees if they did not wish any harm to befall their family. He thought briefly about his own wife and their two daughters. He had seen little of them since working in Canada. Of course, their safety is not an issue. My loyalty is absolute … and I have brought them great prosperity.
“Providing, of course, that such a person existed and was qualified,” continued The Shaman. “If you have a potential candidate, then I would suggest that after the appropriate security checks, some testing and training, six months would be appropriate for you to leave Canada.”
“I have such a person in mind,” said Lee.
“And would that be Mister Wang? He came to Canada as a young man, and with his associates he undoubtedly has connections across North America.”
Lee shook his head. “Mister Wang has eastern connections through the Big Circle Boys and the Sun Yee On triad, but, like Mister Wang himself, they seem reluctant to conduct business with Westerners. I do not believe Mister Wang is ready to advance to my position. In my opinion, he still associates too closely with individuals who could arouse police curiosity.”
“Do all his
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