Tiger by the Tail (49 page)

“I see. And the whereabouts of General Cong?”

“Also unknown. After I got done preventing that coup, I got the hell out of Myanmar and laid low for a couple of days to make sure the government or the army wasn’t coming after me next.” Most of that was true, including his statement about Cong’s whereabouts.
Besides, those sharks should be halfway across the Bay of Bengal by now.

“Well, you do not have to worry about that. Representatives from my government have already been in touch with the Myanmar government regarding this matter. They have been informed that any attempt to arrest you or otherwise hold you accountable for anything that happened will bring severe repercussions from my government.” Fang smiled. “We didn’t even have to mention the unlawful reactor they have in their possession. That will be kept for another time.”

“Well, then, sounds like everyone’s happy,” Mike said.

“Under the circumstances, I would say yes.” Fang pushed his chair back and stood up. “However, and I hope that you will not take offense at these words, once you have left this area of the world, it may behoove you to let a few years go by before returning.”

“Oh, believe me, I’ve had enough mai tais and tropical flowers to last me for a decade, at least.” Mike stood up and extended his hand. “Have a safe trip back to Hong Kong, Lieutenant.”

Fang shook his hand and nodded slightly. “And may you have a pleasant journey home as well.” He walked to the door and left, leaving Mike to finish his coffee and stare out at the calm, blue-green waters of the port.

Overall, it had been a
very
profitable voyage. Mike had already contacted Chal about an even larger load of gems he had to cash out, and the preliminary estimate was that he’d be clearing about ten million dollars. That was in addition to the payment they’d received from Arun Than on the previous gems. Then there was the ten truckloads of weapons, ammunition, and equipment that he’d “rescued” from the army. The weapons and ammo had been cached in a hidden location—the former pirate base—until Mike could secure a ship large enough to haul all of it away.

And that is the best part of all
, he thought as he picked up his coffee cup and sipped again.

About a mile offshore, a very distinctive black and gray superyacht lay at anchor. If he squinted, Mike thought he could see the workmen busy making repairs to the boat. He smiled at the thought of sailing that beauty wherever his heart decided to take him—once a few niggling details were worked out, of course.

His smartphone rang, and Mike leaned back in his chair as he answered it.

“Hello? Arun, my friend, how are things? . . . Yes, I know you weren’t expecting to hear from me so soon, but I am sure that the matter I am calling about is a trifling one for a man with your skills . . . You see, I seem to have come into possession of a rather large yacht . . . Yes, it was quite a deal—the previous owner couldn’t wait to be free of it . . .

“As a matter of fact, the papers are somewhat nonexistent at the moment, and that’s where I thought you might be of some small assistance . . .”

* END *