The Profit Motive, page 19
part #2 of Sterling and Mason Series
Jie felt he’d entered another world. To his left stood a row of expensive-looking cars, gleaming in the sunlight. On his right a garden teemed with greenery and blossom and behind it an ancient-looking stone-built mansion. Jie followed the heavy through wide wooden doors into a cool, dark hallway that smelt of wood polish. The man knocked on a door on his left, opened it and gestured to Jie to enter.
“Inspector, welcome,” the voice of Yán Fú boomed.
Jie’s eyes grew accustomed to the dim light and he bowed to his host.
“You wanted information,” Yán Fú said. “What do I get in return?”
“A man killed four policemen. Until we find him, the police presence in the city will become oppressive. Once we catch him, we can relax.”
Yán Fú frowned. “This man you want isn’t part of any family.”
“I’m sure he isn’t, but we have to check all avenues.” Jie didn’t trust his host but had already concluded the man they wanted wasn’t part of the organised crime syndicates in the city, or if he was, he’d acted alone.
“So once you find him, we get left in peace?”
Jie knew saying yes was the best chance of getting information, but losing the Englishman still weighed on his conscience. “We think he’s also kidnapped a foreign visitor, an important man. We need to find him, too.”
“You don’t want much, do you?”
“It’s not beyond your capabilities to get the information.”
Yán Fú smiled. “No, and it wasn’t beyond my capabilities to discover you’ve been suspended.”
The door to the room opened and the man with the scarred face appeared.
Jie’s insides churned. Nobody knew he was here. “I still need to find these two men.”
Yán Fú stared at Jie, who held his gaze, then the gangster chuckled. “I will expect something in return, Inspector. I need to make calls. Wait outside.”
Jie bowed and followed the scarred man to the exit. Out in the courtyard, Jie extracted a cigarette with trembling hands and, striking a match, lit it. Yán Fú would be sure to demand a high price, far more than a disgraced ex-inspector could hope to raise. But he couldn’t go back inside and say, “I’ve changed my mind”. Jie sighed and took in a lungful of smoke; there’s no point in worrying.
CHAPTER 30
Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China
Adam sat at the desk in his room, the phone pressed against his ear. “Why the hell are you insisting on pretending your dad’s still alive?”
“Rong was playing games,” Kate said.
“You’re certain, are you?”
“Yes! Tang hesitated before she translated Rong’s claim. She obviously disagreed with him.”
“There are other explanations, don’t—”
“Are you suggesting I’m deluded?”
“I’m suggesting you’re not thinking straight. You’ve put so much effort into finding him, you can’t—”
“If I wish to be psychoanalysed by an amateur, I’ll let you know.”
Adam stopped himself snapping at her. “What do you want to do now?”
Kate hesitated. “I’ll see you in the lobby in five.”
As he rode down in the lift, Adam seethed. Byron waited on one of the large sofas at the side of the lobby, his back to the lifts. Adam joined him.
“You don’t look happy.”
Adam didn’t want to betray Kate’s confidence. “We’re running about letting Eggen set the agenda. I think what she’s been through has affected Kate’s judgement.”
“You know her better than I do, but she’s the boss, Adam. Provided she doesn’t take any unnecessary risks, we do what she says.”
“I don’t appreciate being talked about,” Kate said from behind them.
Adam jumped. How much had she heard?
She strode in front of them and asked Byron, “Where’s Eggen?”
“He sent Byron a text saying he wasn’t coming but did he fancy meeting up for a drink later.” Adam stood, and Byron did the same.
“I didn’t ask you.”
“Adam and I work together,” Byron said. “That means we share information. If he’s concerned about anything we discuss it, and vice versa. You have a problem with that?”
She held Byron’s gaze, but Harry’s arrival diffused the tension.
“Miss Hetherington.” Eggen’s Australian accent cut through the hum of conversation in the lobby.
“Good afternoon, Max, shall we go?”
“Where are we going?” Adam transferred his irritation to the Australian.
Eggen frowned. “To meet the guy who gave us the location of the van.”
“You reckon you’ll still find him after what happened?” Byron said.
Eggen ignored him.
“It’s a reasonable question,” Kate said.
Eggen pouted, but answered. “He said he’s no idea who started the fire.”
“Who was in the back?” Byron said.
A look of panic crossed Kate’s face as she waited for the answer.
“All he knows is where they kept the vehicle,” Eggen said.
“So why are we seeing him?” Adam said.
Eggen hesitated before speaking to Kate. “He can tell us who took Mr Hetherington, but he wants more money.”
“Smells like a scam,” Byron said.
“You got a better idea?” Eggen stepped toward Byron, chin thrust forward.
“For God’s sake!” Kate said. “Do I have to bang your heads together? We’ll go, but I want guarantees before he sees any money. How much does he want?”
“Ten thousand, US,” Eggen said.
Byron laughed.
“I’m not sure I can get that on a Saturday. Do you know, Harry?” Kate asked.
“Sorry, Eric deals with finances.”
“Have you seen him this morning?” Kate glanced about the foyer.
Before Harry could answer, Adam spotted Jie walking across the lobby. “Inspector, why don’t you join us?”
Jie appeared to have aged since yesterday, not surprising after what had happened. He saw Eggen and frowned. “Good afternoon, Miss Kate.”
“Inspector, how may I help you?”
“I need speak with you...” He gestured, including everyone but Eggen.
“Wait outside for us, Max,” Kate said, ignoring the man’s scowl. “Please join us.” She invited Jie to the sofas and the five of them sat.
Jie fidgeted with nicotine-stained fingers, so Adam passed him an ashtray, and he gratefully lit up, blowing the smoke away from them.
“I heard you’d been suspended, so why are you here?” Kate said.
Jie reddened, looked around before leaning in and speaking in a low voice. “Man who shot my men also try kill your father. He…” Jie struggled to find a word.
“Do you want Harry to translate for you?”
Jie thanked her and, through Harry, he explained he now believed someone had deliberately run Oliver down and the attack was linked to another hit-and-run two weeks earlier.
“Who was the other victim?” Adam asked.
“Wen Nie, do you know name?” Jie asked Kate.
“I don’t think so. Do you recognise the name, Harry?”
“Sorry, no,” Harry answered in a quiet voice.
Jie said, “He worked at a factory.”
“Red Dawn?” Kate said.
Jie chuckled and spoke to Harry in Mandarin. “I thought so but no, it was a dirty place but they made your - our,” Harry corrected himself, “products. He recognised the logo from your business card.”
Kate sat forward. “That’s the factory Dad visited. When exactly was Wen Nie killed?”
“Twenty-second of last month.”
“The day after the email arrived.” She told Jie about it. Harry looked shocked as he translated her words.
“Business tough,” Jie said in English, bringing his fists together, “but why kill?”
“Whoever’s behind this is making millions,” Kate replied. “If we found out, we would immediately stop it.”
“Have you considered who it might be?” Harry seemed as eager to find out as Jie.
Kate smiled. “I’ve done nothing but since we received the email.”
“Do you have an idea?” Adam asked the policeman.
“Yes, but need evidence and my boss…” Jie tailed off.
“But now they’ve suspended you, you’re not bound by the rules.”
Jie gave him a sad smile. “Yes.”
The silence stretched, then Byron said, “But why are you here? I doubt your superiors would thank you for working on the case while suspended.”
Harry translated and Jie’s gaze flicked between Adam and Byron before fixing on Adam. “You two are soldier?”
“Close enough,” Byron said.
“I lose four men and…” Jie groped for a word then spat some Mandarin at Harry.
“He’s lost face,” Harry said.
“Yes.” Jie nodded. “I help you find Mr Oliver and you help me find killer.”
Adam waited for Kate to tell Jie the news about her dad, but she studied the policeman with a hopeful expression.
“What’s involved?” Kate asked.
“We might have to break law. It could be dangerous.”
Adam held Kate’s imploring gaze and found himself saying, “I’m in.”
Byron hesitated a second, then said, “So am I.”
Adam peered past the headrest and over Harry’s shoulder, trying to see where they were going. Jie had an address from his contact and Kate had decided to investigate it first, leaving Eggen’s operation until later. The car swayed over another pothole and Kate lurched against him, her body stiff, as if she was desperate to avoid contact. Byron sat in the front and Jie behind him.
Harry drove like an overly cautious old man, making Adam’s hands tingle with impatience. Despite the air conditioning, sweat trickled down his neck. They passed a police car outside a noodle shop and the driver stared at Byron. Adam stiffened. Being stopped for any reason would be a disaster. The weight of the Type 77 automatic Jie’s dodgy friend had produced pulled against his jacket. It wasn’t a powerful weapon, Zhang used a nine, but they hoped not to have to do any shooting.
Jie’s plan seemed simple but his last operation hadn’t turned out well. Jie leaned into the gap between the front seats and muttered instructions. Harry didn’t reply but pulled off the highway into a narrow lane. Three more changes of direction later, they stopped.
Jie spoke and Harry translated, looking pale but composed. “The house is round the next corner. Are you ready?” he said to Adam and Byron.
Adam checked the automatic and Byron said, “Let’s go.”
Jie spoke again, Harry nodded and got out of the car. He straightened his courier’s jacket, supplied by Jie’s mate, and made sure he had the package and clipboard. He led the way down a deserted lane and stopped outside a pair of gates with a wicket in the left leaf. Adam’s heart pounded and he checked for cameras. Byron signalled him to take up his position, his face expressionless. The years melted away and a sense of calm overtook Adam.
Harry pressed a bell which sounded in the distance. Nobody answered, so he rapped on the gate, the sound echoing off the walls. A voice responded, high and querulous. Adam didn’t place it with the man who’d almost shot him. The door opened and Adam leaned into the gate, reducing his profile. If the guy stuck his head out, he’d see them, but Harry remembered what they’d told him and stood tight against the opening.
The two men exchanged words and from Harry’s posture Adam guessed he was speaking to someone shorter. He’d memorised the phrase, ‘He’s not here?’ in Mandarin, not the words but the pattern of the sound, and he listened for it now.
Harry said, “Ta buzai zheli?” and stepped back.
Byron moved first, charging through the opening, gun drawn, Adam close behind. A young Chinese man cowered before them.
“On the floor!” Byron ordered as Adam scanned the small courtyard.
A shrill shout from Harry and the young man complied.
A narrow door at the far end of the yard stood open and Adam checked it. Kitchen units on the left, smell of stale cooking, dirty dishes in the sink. He charged in; beyond it an open door to a living room, the sofa covered in bedding. Next a bedroom, the bed neat and an open holdall full of clothes beside it. Stairs led down from behind the sofa. A dark hole, light switch on the wall and a long fluorescent tube flickered into life. A workshop with a bench along the far wall, computers and circuit boards scattered on it. The rest of the room an untidy jumble of boxes and electrical appliances. In the far corner, a basic shower room smelling of drains and mildew.
“All clear,” Adam shouted and returned to the others.
Byron towered over the young man cringing on the floor in the corner of the living room. He addressed Harry, standing beside him. “Ask him his name and where we can find Zhang.”
“There’s someone else staying,” Adam said.
Harry translated. “His name is Danny, but he said he doesn’t know where Zhang is.”
Byron glowered at him. “Not good enough, Danny. When did he last see him?”
“This morning, he went out early.”
“Where did—?”
The bell rang, making Harry jump. Byron leaned down and grabbed Danny by the collar. “One noise and I break your neck.”
Danny nodded and Byron lowered him to the floor.
The bell rang again and someone kicked the door.
Danny shouted a warning before Byron could stop him.
Kate wanted to go along with the others, but Byron had insisted she stay in the car with Jie. Still seething at Adam for discussing her with his friend, she wondered what else he’d told him. Jie was fidgety and got out, lighting a cigarette before he’d left the car. She should ask him why he’d said the body wasn’t Oliver.
He tapped on the window. “I see how they…” He groped for a word. “I check.” Kate followed him out. The humid heat enveloped her like a damp blanket. “You stay,” he commanded. “Two minutes.”
She got back inside, grateful for the coolness and watched him round the corner. A figure walked past the car and stopped. The man stared, but she was used to her looks arousing curiosity. Before she could react, he rushed at the car, a gun in his hand and snatched the door open.
Kate offered him her handbag. “Here, take my money.”
“You drive,” he said.
She wasn’t going anywhere. “I haven’t got the key.” She had to keep him talking until Jie came back. “Please take this.” She held out the bag
He studied her then, without a change of expression, knocked the bag out of her hand and punched her. Her head snapped back, her vision flickered. Numb with shock, she opened her eyes, blinking away tears. He shoved the gun into her face, grabbed her shoulder and pulled her out of the car. Blood filled her mouth and dripped down her top as she stood swaying. Pain spread from her nose.
He pushed her toward the driver’s door. “You drive!”
With trembling hands, she opened the door and he changed his grip, fastening fingers round the back of her neck. The keys hung from the ignition and he pushed her into the seat, slamming the door and getting into the back before she had time to react. A cold hard tube jammed into her neck.
“Go now or die.”
Heart tripping so fast she feared it would burst, she turned the key. The engine roared into life. “Where to?” She heard herself ask, her voice distorted by her bunged-up nose.
“Back.”
She engaged reverse but didn’t dare look round and, relying on the mirrors, she shot back, passing a turning.
“Stop. Go there.” The gun jerked toward the side road.
She stopped and engaged drive. Blood dripped into her lap and her nose throbbed. Figures appeared, running toward them.
“Quick!”
He shoved the pistol into her neck and she drove. The man spat directions at her and she soon lost track of their location. After five minutes she gave up checking the mirror for signs of pursuit. Would Jie have reported her missing? They were acting on the wrong side of the law and he might not risk getting arrested. Even if he did report her missing, her kidnapper made sure they kept to the side roads, so they were unlikely to be spotted. Panic made her nauseous.
Gaps appeared between the buildings lining the road and the traffic thinned, bringing back unwelcome memories. The image of the burning van returned, vivid and frightening. The fact this wasn’t a regular kidnapping sank in and the perilousness of her situation hit her. This was the man they were looking for: Zhang. The man who’d tried to kill Oliver.
“Slow!” Zhang said, pointing to the right. “There.”
She turned the car into a narrow lane bounded by scrubland. Ahead, a makeshift bridge appeared over a narrow gorge, two rusty metal trusses separated by thick timber planks. Kate stopped, unsure they’d take the weight.
“Go!” Zhang prodded her.
“It doesn’t look safe,” she said.
Zhang laughed. “You think you safe now?” He jammed the pistol into her neck, forcing her head forward.
Kate fought her urge to resist, knowing, even if he didn’t shoot her, he would hurt her. She braced herself and eased the car over the narrow crossing. The planks sagged and creaked as they drove over them. Buildings appeared in the distance, growing bigger until she saw an office block with a factory behind it. Wooden sheets covered the doors and windows of the bottom two floors. Zhang directed her to drive down the side of the building. They stopped in front of a roller shutter which looked as if it still worked.
“Give me keys.” Zhang held his hand out between the front seats.
She could stab him in the eye with them but, seeming to read her mind, he ground the pistol into her neck.
He snatched the keys. “Get out.”
He followed, gripping her and pressing the pistol into her neck the whole time. She stood looking at the shutter. Was this where Oliver was being held? The pistol moved off her neck and her world exploded into blackness.
