Reluctantly, Hasho Baku stood as well. “Jon spoke too bluntly and rudely,” he said, “but I agree with him. I think the chances of repealing the laws against jade are too small to be worth the effort of creating this association, and the changes you propose will only create division between Green Bones.” He saluted Dauk Sana and Kaul Hilo. “I respect your intentions and I won’t stand in your way, but I think it would be best if we all return to our own cities and not try to dictate what other Green Bones do. That way, we can all remain friends.” He nodded to everyone else around the table, then departed the house with his own men.
Cory expelled a loud breath. He scrubbed a hand through his hair and slumped back in his chair with a rueful frown. “Well, that could’ve gone better.”
“We knew there would be holdouts,” Tod said. “The rest of us are with you, Cory.”
Migu Sun said, “I’ll speak privately to Hasho later. I believe he’ll come around if he starts to see that what we’re hoping for can be accomplished. At least we know he won’t oppose us or cause trouble, and his people in Evenfield can be counted on to be discreet with their jade. As for Remi . . .” The old Green Bone sighed. “I’ll talk to some people that I know in Resville. Maybe they can bring him back to the table.”
Anden had remained silent during the vociferous exchange, as Hilo would’ve expected him to, but he felt a little hot and sick, as he had after walking out of the Blue Olive nightclub. “Jon Remi can’t be persuaded to give up any of his power.”
“Andy’s right,” Hilo said. “It’s too bad that Remi was born on this side of the ocean. A man like that, who stands up for himself and can command others—maybe if he’d been raised and trained as a proper Green Bone, he could’ve been a good Fist. But fate makes us who we are and can’t be changed.”
At the tone of finality in Hilo’s voice, Dauk Sana sucked in a breath. She left her seat and lowered herself next to Hilo’s chair. “Kaul-jen,” she said anxiously, “there’s no excuse for Remi’s rudeness to you as a visitor, much less a Pillar! No one could blame you if you took offense and felt the need to respond. But for the sake of peace, and on account of the friendship you’ve shown to our family, please let those of us here in Espenia handle it, as it’s our problem.” She pressed Hilo’s hand. “And if we can’t, then we’ll disavow all of those Green Bones in Resville, and work with the police to stop them.”
Migu Sun nodded solemnly, but the younger Green Bones in the room looked a little stunned. It hadn’t occurred to them as quickly as it had to Dauk Sana that Hilo might respond to Remi’s insults with swift retaliation. The widow was begging the Pillar to stay his hand. If No Peak sent its Fists into Resville to kill Remi and go to war with his gang, it would surely attract more negative attention from the police and the public. For a powerful Janloon clan to murder Espenian citizens, even criminals like the Snakeheads, would undermine the influence of the Kekonese Association of Espenia in its crucial formative stages. Remi might even be expecting an attack now, Anden thought. He might be eager for a chance to go up against old country Green Bones and grow his own reputation.
Hilo was silent for a moment. Then he took Dauk Sana’s hands and stood, smiling as he pulled her up with him. “No Peak has people and businesses in Espenia, but this isn’t our country. As a guest, I wouldn’t want to do anything that creates trouble for my friends or goes against the goals we share.” Hilo spoke to everyone in the room. “No Peak will stay out of Resville, as we have so far. You have my word as Pillar.”
Sana’s shoulders came down in relief. “Thank you, Kaul-jen.” She touched her clasped hands to her forehead. “I only wish Losun-se were here to thank you as well.”
The meeting ended on that somber note. The other Green Bones broke apart to converse in small groups in the foyer and kitchen. Hilo and Anden offered their final condolences to Sana and Cory, accepted respectful salutes and well wishes for safe travel, and took their leave.
In the taxi on the way back to the Crestwood Hotel, Hilo sat back and tapped out a cigarette, the last one in the box. He rolled it between his fingers but didn’t light it. “You were quiet back there, Andy. And you’re being quiet now.”
Anden said, “You told me yesterday not to make my opinions so obvious.”
“You’re bothered by Remi,” Hilo inferred. “Was what happened today a surprise?”