A Loyal Character Dancer

the bureau, and there was not a single picture showing Li engaged in policework.
     
    “Of course it is. And a very important job too. The Chinese government is determined to keep the smuggling of humans under control. The Americans must not have any doubts about it. We must convince Inspector Rohn that we are doing our best. She may raise all kind of questions, and we’ll let her know as much as we can. It takes an experienced officer like you to handle the situation. There is a line, needless to say, between the inside and the outside.”
     
    “What can that be—the line?” Chen interrupted, grinding out his cigarette in the crystal ashtray shaped like a swan.
     
    “Inspector Rohn may be skeptical, for instance, about the passport process. A certain amount of bureaucracy may exist in our work, but it’s like anywhere else in the world. No point making a big deal out of it. We must keep in mind the unsulliable image of the Chinese government. You will know what to say, Chief Inspector Chen.”
     
    He did not know what to say. It would not be an easy job to convince an American partner when he shared the same doubts. He would have to move as carefully as if he were treading on thin ice. Politics. Chief Inspector Chen had had enough. He put down his cup.
     
    “I’m afraid I cannot take the case, Party Secretary Li. In fact, I came to discuss another investigation with you. A body was discovered in Bund Park this morning. The wounds on the body suggest it may be a triad killing.”
     
    “A triad killing in Bund Park?”
     
    “Yes, both Detective Yu and I have reached the same conclusion, but we have no clue yet as to which gang is responsible. So I’ll be focused on investigating this homicide case. It could damage the image of our new Shanghai—”
     
    “That’s true,” Li cut him short. “It may well be a matter for your special squad, but Wen’s case is far more urgent. The Bund Park case can wait until after Inspector Rohn leaves. That won’t delay matters too long.”
     
    “I don’t think I am a good candidate to take charge of Wen’s case. Someone from Internal Security or the Foreign Liaison Ministry would be more suitable.”
     
    “Let me tell you something, Chief Inspector Chen. This is the decision of the ministry in Beijing. Minister Huang himself recommended you for the job during the teleconference.”
     
    “Why, Party Secretary Li?”
     
    “Inspector Rohn can speak Chinese. So Minister Huang insisted that her Chinese counterpart must not only be politically reliable, but speak English as well. You are an English-speaking young cadre with experience in escorting Westerners.”
     
    “Since she speaks Chinese, I don’t see why her partner here has to be an English speaker. As for my experience, I have worked only as a representative of the Chinese Writers’ Association. That was totally different—we discussed literature. For this job, an intelligence officer would be more qualified.”
     
    “Her command of Chinese is limited. Some of our people met her in Washington. She did a good job escorting them, but for the formal meetings, they had to hire a professional interpreter. We believe you will have to speak English most of the time.”
     
    “I’m honored that Minister Huang has thought of me,” Chen said slowly, trying to come up with some other official-sounding excuses. “I’m just too young and inexperienced for such an assignment.”
     
    “Do you think it is a job for an old-timer like me?” Li sighed, his baggy eyes sagging in the morning light. “Don’t let your years slip away without accomplishing something. Forty years ago, I liked poetry, too. Remember these lines by General Yue Fei? Do not waste your youthful time doing nothing / until you’re white-haired, / regretting in vain.”
     
    Chen was taken aback. Li had never before spoken of poetry with him, much less recited lines from memory.
     
    “And there was another criterion discussed in the ministry meeting,” Li continued. “The candidate should present a good image of our police force.”
     
    “What does that mean?”
     
    “Isn’t Inspector Rohn quite presentable?” Li took up the picture. “You will present a wonderful image of China’s police force. A modernist poet and translator, with an intimate knowledge of Western literature.”
     
    This was becoming absurd. What was really expected of him? To be an actor, a tourist guide, a model, a public relations