Tiger by the Tail (36 page)

“There is that, although I doubt that there are many situations that pose that sort of problem to you.”

“I have not run into one yet, but there is always a first time,” Mike said. “However, that does bring up the question of once Cong has delivered this large shipment of weapons, what am I supposed to do with him? It seems that the simplest solution would be the application of three cents worth of lead accelerated to the appropriate velocity.”

“Although you and your fellow American cowboys may prefer that sort of vigilante justice, we must have the general taken alive. He must stand trial and serve as an example to others in the military and the country that this sort of behavior will not be tolerated.”

“And China certainly wouldn’t want to be seen as a country that simply ‘disappears’ its problems, would it?” Mike asked.

Fang didn’t blink at that. “We are trying to change certain aspects of how we are viewed by the rest of the world, yes. You may be called to testify on what you saw.”

Mike shook his head. “I’m not really big on that sort of thing. How about if I provided you with video corroborating what went down?”

“Would you be willing to sign a statement attesting to what you saw as well?”

“I’ll have to think about that. I’m not that up on international law. Hell, would that even carry any weight in your court system?”

“It would at his court-martial.”

“Again, I’ll have to get back to you on that.”

“And once again, it would seem that our fates are intertwined, if I may use a staple of Chinese folklore. This time I cannot make you do as I wish—”

“As I recall, Fang, you didn’t the last time we met either. Our goals happened to be mutually aligned, that’s all,” Mike replied.

“So, I can only ask. Will you do this for me and my country?” Fang asked.

“Throwing in China is a bit much, but I’ll give you the same answer I gave back in Hong Kong. I’ll see what I can do.”

“What more can I ask for?” The lieutenant stood up. “Thank you for the beer.”

“If things go well, we may have an Asian distributor who could roll it out in your neck of the world sometime in the next year. That way you won’t have to hunt me down the next time you’d like some.”

“I will keep that in mind. Hopefully I will have the chance to repay your generosity the next time you’re in Hong Kong,” Fang said.

“We’ll see.” Mike saw the lieutenant down to his boat and watched him sail off until the boat was just a speck on the horizon.

Vanner came on deck to join him. “Everything go all right with the Asian fuzz?”

“As good as expected, although one of the girls will need to review how witness testimony works in China, particularly in regards to court-martials.”

“How’s that again?” Vanner asked.

Mike detailed his conversation with the police lieutenant. “Too goddamn many eyeballs on us every step of the way. Not to mention Fang popping up in the oddest places.”

“Yeah, like way the hell out here,” Vanner said. “We’re not exactly anywhere near his jurisdiction.”

“Exactly. He’s the riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma that Churchill spoke of. Something’s definitely not quite right about that guy, but I’ll be damned if I can figure out what,” Mike said.

“So, we’re still dancing to the tunes of two masters?” Vanner asked.

“For the time being. I expect that to change once we dump Cong, however.” Mike turned to head below. “One more thing. About ten miles east of us is the general’s yacht.”

“Yeah, it’s hard to miss on radar.”

“Good. I want you to have the captain shadow it. If it moves, stick with it. Try not to be obvious about it, of course.”

“Keep your distance, but don’t look like you’re trying to keep your distance. Should I order the captain to sail casual?” Vanner asked with a smile.

“Something like that.”

* * *

When the patrol boat was a good ten miles away, Fang Gui went below to report in. Setting a pair of headphones on his head, he called in on a scrambled satellite feed, but not back to the Hong Kong Police Headquarters. Instead, he contacted his own handler at the Third Bureau in the MSS in Beijing.

The conversation was short. “I have just met with the American again.”

“And?”

“I believe he will continue to follow our target’s trail.”

“He told you this directly?”

Fang stifled a sigh. “He can be . . . obtuse in these matters. As before, he did not come right out and confirm exactly what he was going to do.”

“However, he did accomplish what you had asked, even if he made the Hong Kong police look foolish in the bargain.”

“Yes. If he is also answering to the U.S. government as we surmise, then I see no reason that he would suspend his investigation now.”

“And afterward?”

“Given the instructions I received about this man back in Hong Kong, no matter what happens with the general, unless this Jenkins is killed during the operation, we will be forced to let him go while holding sensitive information about one of our high-ranking military officials.” Fang chose his next words carefully. “However, from what I understand, that is the least of the information he seems to possess about our country.”

There was a long pause before his handler answered. “Unfortunately, you are more correct than you know, and that is how this matter shall remain. Remain in the area pending the conclusion of the operation.”

“Yes sir. One question, if I may.”

“Go ahead.”

“Is the operative from Second still on site?” In a rare display of cross-Bureau cooperation, the Second and Third Departments were working together on this case. Although he was unable to confirm it, Gui was sure that the Chinese woman who had been apprehended with Jenkins and his group was the mole. After all, she was the only Chinese woman with them, which made the supposition easy.

“Yes, she is. Why? Has she contacted you directly?”

“No, I was just wondering if there were any new directives regarding her. For example, I was never informed about her status on this assignment.” Fang was politely asking who was supposed to be in charge of this investigation, her or him.

“There has been nothing new that I am aware of. You are to maintain overwatch of the various shipments tied to Cong and let the American continue his efforts. If a change in directive comes along, you will be informed. Third out.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Seven hours later, Mike, Adams, Jace, Katya, Soon Yi, and the twenty-five Keldara chosen for this mission, including all of Team Jayne and most of Inara, pulled into the driveway of the small trucking company where Cong had told him to meet.

Daria had done an amazing job on short notice. She had picked up two Toyota Hilux Vigo extended-cab pickups with rear bed covers. For Mike’s command vehicle, she had found the Thai version of the Ford Expedition, called the Everest. All of the vehicles had four-wheel drive, and were less than a year old. Because of the slow sales season, she had paid just under ninety million kyat for all three. They also all had the steering wheel on the right-hand side, even though Myanmar had switched to the right-hand rule of the road in 1970.

The team vehicles were a pair of olive-green M35A2s, the same ones as those Team Jayne had used in Phuket. Although these were much older than the smaller trucks, the dealer had showed her the maintenance records from the seller, a bankrupt cargo delivery company. They had also provided a written guarantee that the trucks would be good for another five years, although Daria said she thought that might have been entirely due to the short skirt she had worn to the purchase meeting. Initially skeptical, Mike and Adams had taken a look at the engine, transmission, and other visible parts, and they had all looked okay. Plus, the price couldn’t be beat—forty-five million kyat for the pair.

They had picked up the vehicles that afternoon and immediately loaded the men, weapons, ammo, and gear. They’d selected enough for a five-night run, figuring two days there, two back, and one extra day for friction. Just getting out of the city took almost three hours—and that was during a non-rush hour time of day. They had just made it to the rendezvous point on schedule.

Cong and his people were ready and waiting for them. He had ten brand-new Mercedes-Benz cargo trucks filled to capacity with the weapons and ammunition. A white Lexus SUV was serving as Cong’s private transportation, with another SUV holding the rest of his personal guard. The sun was just starting to set as Mike, Adams, Jace, and Soon Yi met with Cong to discuss the proposed route.

“We’re staying on the main roads, all well-traveled highways that shouldn’t give us any problems,” the general said. “I want a vehicle scouting the road at least two kilometers ahead of the main unit, so they can radio back if they encounter any problem. Any questions?”

Mike shook his head. “My men will travel in four-hour shifts, then break while we switch out drivers at the front and back, which will keep them more alert. I expect you’ll want to be traveling from just after dawn to just after dark, not counting today, of course. I’ve been looking into the conflicts in any areas we’ll be passing through, and they seem to be more to the north and west.”

Cong nodded. “You are correct, but I cannot be certain that other groups have not gotten word of this shipment. It would be a tremendous prize for any of the various rebel groups in the country. However, we have you and your teams to ensure that that doesn’t happen.”

“Right. Now that we’re all assembled, why don’t you give us our final destination?”

“Not just yet. I will notify you when the time is right.”

Mike’s jaw worked, but he didn’t say anything else as they all went back to their respective vehicles.

“You still cool with this?” Adams asked.

“Bit late to back out now,” Mike replied. “As I figured, everyone’s going to have to stay on yellow alert for the next two or three days. Pass the word down.”

Mike and Adams had worked out the driving schedules for their various teams to give just about everyone a chance behind the wheel. The forward vehicle was under strict instructions to report in to him directly every ten minutes.

Mike and Adams did one more walk-around to make sure everything on their trucks was lashed and secure, and that the teams knew to keep their eyes and ears open. Then, with Edvin and Vanel in the lead scout truck, the convoy pulled out onto the road.

* * *

In the Toyota’s passenger seat, Vanel sat very still, trying to keep an eye on everything around them at once. Away from the city and after sundown, the night was deep, with a three-quarter moon providing scattered silver light in between the heavy clouds.

Vanel’s job was to navigate using his tablet and its turn-by-turn directions. He flicked at the screen with his finger, following the oddly named roads to their destination. “What do you think of this country?” he finally asked Edvin.

His teammate shrugged. “Hot. Damp. Flat. This rain every day . . . I could not put up with that for long.”

“Strange, isn’t it?”

Edvin didn’t look over, just grunted. “I’m sure the people who live here would think our own valley just as strange.”

“I suppose.” Vanel stared out the window at the dark landscape whizzing past. He made sure his weapon was at hand before calling in for the first time. “Inara Four to Mal.”

“Go, Inara Four,” the Kildar replied.

“All clear.”

“Roger that.”

And that was that. Vanel leaned back in his seat, mentally counting down the time to the next check-in.

Even on this main road, the farther they got from the city, the sparser the traffic got, until the only other vehicles on the road were large tractor-trailers and the occasional car or truck. Vanel was prepared for anything, even crazed guerillas on elephants charging them, for he had seen the huge beasts while driving through the city. But except for the six radio checks, the next hour passed in mind-numbing monotony.

Well, I guess everything is not guaranteed to end in a firefight
, he thought.

Edvin glanced over at him. “You might as well relax. Nothing is going to happen this evening.”

“How do you know?” Vanel asked.

“We are still too close to Yangon. Any rebel forces would strike farther away from the city. That way they protect themselves from the army, as well as delay the response from the army forces if they do strike us.”

“Oh. Of course.” Slightly nettled that he had not thought of that himself, Vanel took a deep breath. “I just do not wish to disappoint the Kildar, that’s all.”

“Do not worry, Vanel, you are not doing that. Your skills are fine, all you need now is experience. Soon you will be able to feel how a situation is going to play out simply by trusting your instincts. Sometimes they can tell you more than all of the training in the world.”

“Yes, but . . . how will I know which to rely on?” Vanel asked.

“As I said, experience will teach you that. Don’t get me wrong, nine times out of ten your training will win out, and it will be correct. But every once in a while, your gut will insist on something. When it does, you would be wise to heed it, or at least take another look at the situation you are in, for the belly does not often lie.”

“I will remember that, Edvin. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, but I tell you this as much for me as you. If knowing these things helps keep you alive, then it helps you to keep the rest of the team alive. It is simple as that.”

* * *

The next two days passed in a blur of tropical scenery and a lot of collective sitting on asses. Mike’s take on the route had been right; the main highway was simply too open a target for anyone to risk assaulting a convoy on it. And even if someone had wanted to take on the large convoy, they would have been spotted by the point vehicle in enough time for the others to mount a preemptive strike. Other than a roadblock caused by an overturned lumber truck, there was a distinct lack of danger.

Passing unmolested through the country, they reached the small city of Pyin U Lwin by late afternoon of the third day. As they approached the outskirts, Cong radioed Mike to call back his scout vehicle and pull off to the side of the road before entering the city.