'The Wolf of Harbin'

Chapter 20

How many nicknames does Harbin have? For many visitors today, it's the "Ice City" due to its magical Ice and Snow Festival. On the other hand, because of the shape of Heilongjiang, Harbin is also known as "The Pearl on the Swan's Neck". Foreign migrants in the first quarter of the last century city referred to it in ways that romanticised it, recalling their homes thousands of miles away: "The Moscow of the Far East", "Oriental St Petersburg" and "The Paris of the Orient". For some, Harbin was known by its cultural life calling it a "City of Music". Most immigrants in those early years described it as a 'boomtown'. However, its other nicknames – "The City of Eros" and "The Chicago of the East" – suggest that there was another, darker side to Harbin altogether.

The afternoon of the second day of the Jewish festival of Hanukah: Monday, 14 December 1925

It was lunchtime. He and Irek had spent the morning ferrying bags up and down the stairs whenever guests checked in or out of the hotel and, when it was quiet, they'd also helped to clean rooms. One of the two bellhops always had to stay near reception in case there was a guest checking-in early, so he spent lunch with Leon though he'd forgotten to bring any food with him. Repulsive as he was, he knew Leon could definitely be of help. Wolf had been right. Leon would, for certain, know about any young girls in the hotel and Alexei the head porter had said Leon got along well with Kaspe. He needed to see Kaspe about the pink diamond wrapped and safely tucked in his pocket. With Leon's help maybe he could hit two rabbits with one shot?

"Leon, have you seen any young girls staying at the hotel? Russian girls." Leon who'd been grumbling about a French couple and the small tip they'd handed him immediately perked up... young girls were definitely one of his favourite subjects.

"Yes, there's a few. A toff called Vladimir always keeps a few girls 'ere. He brings gentlemen to see them." Leon smiled as he paused to relish this little bit of information nodding his head to show his approval. Had Meyer eaten anything, Leon's words would have made him throw up; he couldn't help but think of poor Mary up there with Vladimir bringing 'gentlemen' to see her. But he had to focus and think. He couldn't help her unless he used his brain and hateful though he undoubtedly was, he needed Leon's help.

"Are they on your floor, Leon?"

"Oh, yes, they always goes up to the top floor...out the way they are up there. There's two girls up there now. Nice young ones, I think."

Leon changed the subject and soon left for a smoke, something he seemed to do quite regularly during the day when no one was watching. This was the opportunity Meyer had been waiting for. From the kitchens he re-entered the main lobby of the hotel and doubled back up the extravagantly carpeted stairs to the top floor. Having spent the morning working the top floor with Leon, he knew exactly where the girls had to be kept. The top floor had a quieter wing where he and Irek had taken no bags. There were three doors round the corner at the end of the corridor. Was he going to have to knock on all of them?

He tried Leon's trick first and listened at the doors. No sound from the first. No sound from the second. This didn't mean anything, though. Unless the girls talked to themselves he realised this wasn't likely to help much. However, there was a sound of distress coming from the final room. A girl was crying so feebly it sounded as if she'd almost no life left in her. Meyer knocked gently and a little voice spoke in what he guessed was Polish. He was relieved it wasn't Mary. The girl sounded like she'd nearly given up hope. Was she another girl that Vladimir had 'married' and brought to Harbin? He apologised for scaring her; she sounded frightened enough already. Instead he knocked on the door opposite.

"Who's that?" It was Mary's voice all right. There was no mistaking the strength and the anger. But now he'd found her what was he going to say? Sometimes, he realised, you just ended up saying the first (and most gormless) thing popping into your mind:

"Room service," he replied, raising his hands at the stupidity of the reply. What was he going to do next?

"You don't sound like Leon." There was a suspicious pause of a few seconds. "Well, whoever you are, you're going to have to open the door if you're coming in!" Once again Mary was locked in a room yet sounding far from a damsel in distress. And once again Meyer realised he was outside feeling foolish. However, it was impossible not to be at once amused and impressed by her strength of character. She really was incredible! But what could he to do to help her? Of course she was locked in but this time he didn't even have a key. How stupid he'd been! He should have brought up some of the keys for this corridor. But hold on there was a way. He did have a knife. Now how had Leon opened the door down the hall? What did he say? 'Stick the blade in gently and then once you feel it click,' and it was suddenly open and he was inside.

It was lunchtime but Mary still wasn't dressed. She stood there in her nightgown, made of some silky material, hair brushed and face made up. Maybe she'd been about to put on clothes? She looked astonished to see him. Then smiled and said softly with a smile, "Have you come to save me again?" Adding even more softly, "Meyer." He couldn't say how pleased he felt to hear her speak his name.

But what could he say to her? He'd rushed up here like a hero but what had he actually been planning to do? What had he been thinking he would say when he got there; maybe deliver some line like a hero in the movies? While he stood foolishly pondering his next move, Mary took control. It was obvious he was a long way short of any plan. Instead she beat him to saying the necessary and only words in such a situation: "Don't worry, Meyer. It will be alright." These were supposed to have been his words. It was the Trans-Siberian all over again. Wasn't he supposed to be the one comforting and saving her?

She continued, and he realised she sounded more like an older sister now. "I'm so grateful and flattered you want to help me but there's not much you can do. I've got nowhere to run and you know what Vladimir's like. You're taking a big risk just being here." She paused and looked thoughtful. "I know you said you were bringing room service." he nodded. "There is something you can do for me...I don't suppose you happen to have any food with you do you?"

"You're hungry?" She nodded smiling and the green of her eyes took his breath away momentarily. This was something he could do to help her - something practical he didn't need to be a hero to perform. "I'll be back soon with some food."

"You're very brave." She gave him an encouraging smile then stood on tiptoe and kissed him again, like before, lightly on the lips. She squeezed his hand. "Thank you but do take care. You don't know the sort of things Liu does to people who cross him."

"Liu?"

"Not met Liu, yet? Lucky you. He's Vladimir's boss. Believe me; you don't want to run into him. In Chinese his name means 'to kill'. It just about says it all! Vladimir on his own can be quite nice but don't mess with Liu."

"I thought it was Hyo who was the one to avoid. He was guarding you the other day...He's built like a mountain." He attempted a smile.

"Hyo's a giant but he's actually very gentle. He only works for Vladimir because of his sister...she's also one of Vladimir's girls up at the big house. Oh, it's a long story, Meyer, but Hyo has to work for Vladimir. It's not by choice."

"The big white house with the red turret on the corner of Cossack and Exchange?" She nodded. He knew it well. Vladimir had sent for him only a few days ago.

"Go now, it's dangerous." Once more she squeezed his hand and pushed him out, exactly the same way she'd done on the train. And so he left, pulling the door to and wondering if he'd accomplished anything in his efforts to help Mary.