On the boat, Courchene looked at Morgan’s letters and patiently translated. “I wonder who wrote these for him. Only a handful of Cree speakers in my battalion. There’s one guy besides me working on Hong Kong Island. I wonder who’s there with Isadore Davis Wong in Sai Kung?”

CHAPTER 45NOT A DREAM

October 12, 1942

Dear Izzy,

My poor cousin, I got a letter from you dated September 12, put in my hand on September 13 by a skinny Chinese kid with eyes like an old man. He said he was a “little devil,” whatever that means, and told me to look for a guy called “Ga-Chan.” That’s what took so long. I had no idea who this person was. Well, I finally found him, or I wouldn’t be writing to you. Though you may see me before you get this letter. We had a little adventure together to rescue that girl who used to sing with your band, Emily Mah, from her mad-dog husband. And then “Ga-Chan” kindly translated your letters back into English for me. His actual name is William Courchene, and he’s a Métis guy from Canada. He fought here with the Winnipeg Grenadiers, who were in Jamaica right before the war. It’s a small world!

What risks you take, dear fool, to write to me in such times. You should stay in hiding and stay safe. I can’t imagine what the military police would do to you if they found you.

I been a fool myself. Well, not a fool—Brother Du Bois’s dream is a dream of freedom and love. But I got eyes in my head. I can see that what’s been happening on this poor, cursed island is not the unfolding of a beautiful dream.

I’m with your bandmates, Tanaka and Emily. Emily’s not doing so good, but Tanaka’s fine. We’re coming up to look for you, along with Emily’s sister and some other expats. I won’t say more, as I don’t think these notes are the safest way to communicate, even coded. But you sound so desperate, cousin, and I don’t want you to worry. Unless of course you get this letter, but don’t see me before or shortly after it arrives. Then you’ll know something’s happened. If that’s the case, please don’t come looking for me. Don’t risk yourself.

But I think we’ll be together under the moon and stars again, my cuz.

Love from your cousin,

Morgan

CHAPTER 46CHEUNG PLOTS REVENGE

October 13, 1942