SevenLunch was served to the swelling throng in the courtyard: the musicians, professional mourners and ritual keepers were quickly outnumbered by a throng of townspeople who had come to pay their respects. Along with crowds of local Chinese, John could see that many of California’s leading citizens — the mayor and prominent businessmen such as Hector de Vile and Basil Stockton — were there along with his brothers, Sebastian with deputy Hale and Nathan with his betrothed, Graysie. Selina Chung and her daughter Lily hovered close to Nathan and Sebastian. Both had the dazed, startled look of someone in shock. The only notable absentees were the comprador’s two sons, Chung Ji Ming and Chung Ji Zeng. He couldn’t spot Zeng in the crowd, and he was sure Ji Ming wouldn’t be there.
He felt a stab
