A Stacked Deck

by S. H. Linden

part 8 of 10

Hong Kong Beach and Polo Club

Workers were busy setting up tent pavilions. Stable boys were feeding polo ponies and groundsmen were raking the polo field. Two black mini-buses pulled to the curb and teams of armed British Security Guards dressed in suits, with lapel microphones and red-coded lapel buttons emerged and fanned out around the polo field and premises. Men who worked for the stadium put up a rope cordon around the field. It read: POLICE LINE ** DO NOT CROSS.

All the activity was now geared for the afternoon match.

* * *

Government House

The prime minister was on a balcony overlooking Stanley Bay. He was in a bathrobe looking fit and relaxed. An aide was laying out the prime minister’s polo outfit.

“Beautiful day for polo,” the prime minister said.

“I’m glad for you, sir.”

A maid came into the room with a pot of tea and some biscuits. She put the tray on a table near some windows, then she and the aide left the room. The prime minister poured a cup of tea and went out to the balcony again. He sipped his tea, then put the cup down and pulled out a note from his bathrobe pocket. It read: Be Careful. — K. C. Lung.

* * *

Faust’s Hotel Room

Faust, wearing rubber gloves, was at his desk. He was working on one of the riding whips he had bought at the polo shop. In front of him was a set of strong needles, and beside them, a small bottle labeled: Ricin Poison.

Faust dipped each needle into the poison, then placed them on a sheet of white gauze. He took a wire cutter and shortened each needle and inserted them carefully into the tip of the whip with the help of a pair of pliers.

In a short time, there was a deadly little round ball of poisoned needles at the end of the whip. Faust checked the whip’s balance, then carefully wrapped it in cloth. He put both whips in a small round case and laid the case on top of an Army I.D. card.

* * *

Repulse Bay Hotel

The hotel had a beautiful view of the beach and bay. A few people were already out swimming. Inside the hotel the elevator door snapped open and Faust, dressed like a bellboy, pushed out a breakfast cart. He slowly pushed the cart to room 211, then knocked on the door.

“Yes?” came a voice from inside the room. “Your breakfast, sir.” Faust said, with a Cockney accent.

Major Trevor Brown opened the door. He was dressed in polo pants and had the look of an athletic military officer. “I say, old chap. I think there’s been some mistake...?”

Faust looked at the bill and showed it to the Major. “That’s funny, sir... It says right here... room two-eleven.”

Major Brown looked at the bill and confirmed it said room two-eleven. “Would you mind if I used your telephone, sir? I’d like to call kitchen and find out where this bloody breakfast is going.”

Major Trevor Brown laughed and opened the door wider. Faust stepped into the room and the door closed.

* * *

Hong Kong Beach and Polo Club

A large crowd walked toward the polo club on a sunny afternoon. Men were selling programs, people were waiting in line to buy tickets at the turnstiles. British security men were watching the crowd closely, and Chinese uniformed police were patrolling the grandstand with rifles slung over their backs.

In the paddock area Mai Ling was dressed as a groom. She was brushing down a polo pony that Faust was going to ride in the afternoon match.

* * *

Portable Rent Toilet

At the portable rent-a-toilet marked for men, Nino emerged dressed as a plainclothes security man. Tony Janeway was waiting for him outside and dressed the same way as Nino. Both men were carrying sport bags and were soon lost in the crowd.

* * *

A Taxi

A taxi pulled to the front of the club. Faust stepped out carrying his mallets, boots and a small bag. He walked through a gate marked Members Only and showed an Army I.D. card to an English security man. The card belonged to Major Trevor Brown, Royal Fusiliers, with Faust’s face on the card.

The security man studied the card and Faust closely. Then he started rummaging through the boots, the bag and polo equipment. He was about to open the whip case, when Faust dropped his riding boots and several items. He made a clumsy and comical scene trying to pick up everything at the same time.

“I’m terribly sorry, old chap. Let’s hope I do better on the polo field,” Faust said.

The security man laughed and helped Faust pick up the items. He had completely overlooked the whip case.

“Have a good game, sir,” he said. He patted Faust on the back, then went over to check the I.D. of another polo player. Faust moved into the club house and disappeared from sight.

* * *

A Box Seat

In a diplomatic box at the polo club, the Governor General was seated, talking with the French Consul-General, and the German Consul to Hong Kong. Their wives were alongside them. In the background an announcer was talking to the crowd.

“Number three for the white team, the world class international, Eduardo Duran, from Buenos Aires, Argentina!” The crowd clapped approval.

* * *

The Press Box

In the press box, newspaper reporters were typing away at their stories, and at the center of the table the announcer was talking to the stadium crowd. “And number four for the blue team, from Mexico City, Paco Gonzales!” The crowd clapped again. “Let’s give a big hand to these players for coming around the world to support your local charities.” Again more applause.

Back at the diplomatic box, the French Consul looked at his watch. “Isn’t it unusual for Stan Bellman to be late for an event?”

The German Consul leaned over his large wife who was trying to drink a flute of champagne. “Ja, this American diplomat loves to stand out in the crowd.”

The Governor General smiled at the comment, but seemed intent on watching all the action before the game started. “I understand he’ll be across the way with his banking friends...”

“Maybe he’s looking for a job?” the French Consul said.

“Probably. When this BOFAD scandal is finished, I’m sure there will be many openings,” the Governor General replied.

To be continued...