“I speak symbolically, of course. As to your father, his fate was largely up to his own ineptitude. A bomb on a plane? The very height of incompetence,” she added in disgust.
“I wonder how you know that it was abombthat brought the plane down? Nothing about it was ever reported. And you were in prison at the time. And I never said a word.”
Masuyo said smoothly, “What else can bring down a plane in such a way? And now I must turn my attention to thebusiness.”
“Come now, Mama. Take some time to rejoice. This is what you have been dreaming about ever since gaining your freedom. Well, I have now realized your dream for you. I do not require thanks, only seeing my mother do something she was created for. And your masters will surely enshrine you in some hall of pride when you are dead and buried.”
Masuyo barked, “You make flippant remarks over such an important matter? You think this will be an easy task? I am no longer a young woman. I have been through much hardship. I have lost my husband and all of my children save you. And you are now clearly a complete disappointment to me.”
“Not a complete one, Mother. I vanquished my siblings, as you desired me to do. As you forced me to do.”
“How dare you say that I had anything to do with their deaths? That was you, Daughter. Only you. I do not care what that idiot of a woman might have told you.”
However, now Masuyo did not look as confident. Indeed, she gazed at her daughter with something akin to. . .fear.
Steers stared back for a moment of intimidating quiet. “Hirokosan never once lied to me. Never once. There areveryfew I can say that about. So what she told me, I believe. All of it.”
Masuyo regained her imperious look. “And where is she now? Tell me that. She has abandoned you. She was probably fearful when I returned. Fearful that I would once more talk sense into you, ridding you of her inane influence. For all I know she killed herself.” Masuyo tried to appear triumphant but the look of unease was still in her eyes. “She is gone, Victoria. Your old nanny is finally gone. And it is for the best, trust me.”
“You are wrong, Mother. Hiroko-san is right here with me.” Steers touched her chest. “She will always be with me, right up until the moment I draw my last breath.” Steers bowed and said, “I wish you to receive all that is coming to you, Mama.”
“I trust you will now be going off with that. . .man.”
“What man?”
“You know perfectly well that I am referring to Dillon Hope. I have seen how you look at him. A Westerner. Are you mad!”
“Forgive me, Mama, but you married an Englishman.”
“I married him to further the cause of mymission. I never loved the man. Never. This may be hard for you to hear, but it is the truth and it’s high time you heard it. But I have also seen how Dillon Hope looks at you. He is smitten, Victoria. If you do not see that you are blind.”
“And you do not want men to be attracted to me?”
“I want the right kind of man to be attracted to you.”
“He saved my life.”
“After perhaps endangering it.”
“The plot to kill me in Hong Kong is resolved, Mama.”
“Meaning what!”
“Meaning I know who was behind it.”
The two women once more paused their conversation to gaze at one another.
“And what will you do with that information?” asked Masuyo quietly.
“As I said, it has been resolved.”
“You worry me, Victoria. You are acting erratically. That will not serve you well in the days ahead.”
“We will have to see about that, won’t we?”
“Do you plan to go off with this man Hope?”
“What if I do?” said Steers.