Death Minus Zero Read online

  There were many meetings Chan had to chair as he met and discussed what would be done when they took over Zero. In Chan’s mind it was never if they took Zero over, it was always when, so strong was his conviction he would succeed.

  He traveled around to his meetings by one of the Gulfstream jets assigned to him as part of his military commission, and it was on these interminable journeys that he pursued his affair with Jui Kai. He had long been attracted to the beautiful young woman, and she, it seemed, reciprocated. He had no idea she was simply playing the part she had cultivated and Chan was her target. After their initial meeting, it was easy for her to continue in her role. Kai had known that if Chan had a weakness it was for a pretty face and everything that went with it. He had a string of conquests behind him and, once bitten by the promise of interest, was easily seduced. If the high command knew of his peccadillos, and they most likely did, they made no comment. Someone like Xia Chan had strong emotions, and his attraction to the opposite sex, as long as it did not interfere with his work, was viewed as a minor flaw.

  Over the weeks Chan and Kai met on a number of occasions as he took increasing flights to his string of meetings. Her willingness to return his attentions flattered the man. He made sure she became a permanent member of his flight crew. It allowed them time alone together and Chan used those meetings to entertain his young admirer. He was not an unattractive man. In his early forties and in excellent physical shape, he possessed a strong sexual drive and his trysts with Kai allowed him to demonstrate this to the younger woman. Kai, for her part, endured the liaisons and displayed the right amount of satisfaction to keep Chan happy.

  Jui Kai took the intimacy in her stride. She was not particularly enjoying what happened, but her long training had forearmed her. The role she had undertaken had from the start implied that sexual liaisons might occur. She took it on board and when it happened she put up with the indignity. Her one consoling consideration was that Chan, though virile, was not an adventurous lover. It was straight, unimaginative sex. For that she was grateful, glad that Chan had no perverse demands.

  She was his attentive romantic partner and used whatever chances she saw to gain the knowledge she needed to pass on to her US base.

  The detailed information Kai gathered, mainly due to the listening mechanisms she had planted in Chan’s clothing and briefcase—tiny devices developed by the electronics department of her agency—had revealed his deep involvement in the Zero operation. On a number of flights where she had served as flight attendant Chan had been in the company of military personnel and the Zero plan had been discussed a number of times. The data recorded by Kai had been transmitted to Washington and deciphered by the linguistics teams there.

  They’d learned of the increasing Chinese interest in Zero once more, which only served to further the interest of the intelligence community. The listening posts scanned every pickup source they could, from internet to Echelon, scanning and recording scraps of chatter coming to and going out of China.

  Despite the earlier suggestions of something happening, the data came too late and the agency was caught off guard. They had believed something was brewing, but their attention had failed to grasp the closeness of the operation.

  Saul Kaplan had been taken before it was realized the Chinese were already well into their plan. Incoming information stopped being transmitted in the days before Kaplan was kidnapped, catching everyone by surprise. By the time alerts were being sent out, the abduction had already happened.

  * * *

  “WHAT IS SHE doing here?” Zhou had asked on Kai’s arrival at the house, ignoring any kind of protocol. “She is nothing but a flight attendant.”

  “Very clever of you to have noticed, Yang. To answer your question, she is here as my guest. My guest. As such, she will be treated with respect. I asked her because she will provide me with the conversation I miss. A brief distraction from what we are doing here.”

  “I do not—”

  “Yang Zhou, please do not force me to remind you who is in charge of this operation—complete charge. I do not have to explain myself to you. Whether you like Miss Kai or not is something that does not interest me.”

  “Your safety is my concern.”

  Chan smiled. “My dear Yang Zhou, do you think she has come here to harm me? Perhaps you should search her to see if she is carrying a weapon. The young lady had no idea I was going to bring her here, so I doubt she has a devious plan she intends to carry out. Perhaps you would like to follow her around the house? No? Then I am going to sit over there with her and have a drink and talk. Just keep me informed about Dr. Melier’s progress.”

  Chan returned to where Kai was standing near the fire, watching him with a faintly amused smile on her lips.

  “Your bodyguard does not care for me,” she said. “I am sure he believes I will teach you bad habits.”

  “Zhou does not care for anything but his work. I suppose that should please me, but at times he becomes an irritant. Devotion is one thing—obsession is another. Although I must admit I do have something of an obsession myself, Jui Kai.” Chan offered her a seat. He sat across from her. “Let us not concern ourselves with Zhou. I would rather spend my time with you.”

  “I must admit to being a little embarrassed by all this attention. I am just a flight attendant. Flattered, of course, that you pay me such an honor, but I feel out of place here. I much prefer when we can be alone. Away from prying eyes. Even though it has to take place in the confines of your aircraft.”

  “I will not allow that,” Chan said. “I insist that you enjoy yourself. In fact I will make it an official order. And stop being so coy. I know you are playing one of your little games. Not that you will find me ungrateful for that.”

  Jui Kai saw the smile on his lips as he spoke. Chan was making an effort to lessen her discomfort, so in her role as his subordinate she made a play of lowering her gaze and returning his smile.

  “Then I will do as my superior requests,” she said. “May I get you another drink?”

  “Just a small one. I must not allow myself to have too much. Our work here is of great importance so I must devote much of my time to it.”

  “Of course. I am quite happy to enjoy the comfortable surroundings and wait until you are free.”

  “But nevertheless, we will eat together tonight. That I promise. In the meantime feel free to look around. My only word of caution concerns the room down the hall. You will find it guarded. No one is allowed to enter. Apart from that, the house is yours to enjoy.”

  Jui Kai found his words ironic.

  Looking around and listening were matters she hoped to achieve. She thought about the high-tech sat phone in her pocket and hoped she might get the chance to send a message. She thought of Yang Zhou. Whatever she did would need to be done with care. If she was caught, her situation would alter drastically. Chan’s bodyguard would react quickly if he suspected her of anything underhanded. He looked more of a real threat each time she was in his presence. She would need to be on her guard around him.

  “To return to your comment about our relationship being tied to that aircraft—I am considering how we can be together more often. Outside your duties during my flights. Give me time, Miss Kai, and I will resolve our problem.”

  “I did not say it was a problem, Xia. Just that being restricted to the plane does not give us as much time as I wish for.”

  “I can make things happen, Kai.”

  Xia Chan felt good saying that. It was true.

  He was Colonel Xia Chan of the SPD. He could make things happen.

  Kai watched the increasingly heavy snowfall.

  “Don’t worry,” Chan said. “We will be safe here. I am sending three of my people to the nearby town in the morning to increase our food supplies in case we do become stranded. You see, Jui, I think of everything.”

 
; A little while later Kai excused herself to go to the bathroom. Behind the locked door, she took the chance to send a coded text, informing her base of the situation. There was little she could do herself. If the snowstorm continued, she was going to be as cut off from the outside world as Chan and his group.

  * * *

  THE SNOW CONTINUED through the night. The fall was constant and, aided by the ever-present wind, snow piled up around the house.

  As much as Chan wanted to be with Jui Kai, the way matters were developing with Kaplan, his night was spent observing Melier’s treatment. He contented himself with the knowledge she was here in the house, and her presence pleased him. There would be time later for him to be with her.

  Kai was forced to remain in the background, watching and listening to the events taking place. There was little else she could do for the present. She had managed to send her text and all she could do now was wait.

  She slept fitfully in one of the empty bedrooms. She rose once she heard increased movement and refreshed herself in the bathroom before making her way to the kitchen and helping herself to a hot drink.

  When she returned to the lounge again she found it deserted. The fire was burning, throwing welcome heat across the room.

  Some time later Chan appeared. He looked tired, having spent most of the past few hours observing Melier at work. He had found the session interesting but tiring. He wanted results and he wanted them quickly. His earlier promise that Melier should have as much time as possible plagued him. It was immature of him to expect speedy results, he knew it, but the need to please his masters in Beijing forced him to expect too much, too soon.

  He had arranged for a three-man team to prepare to leave, taking one of the large SUVs and setting out to collect the provisions they might need if the severe weather maintained its grip. A minor matter, but a necessary one.

  He checked the deployment of the sentries patrolling outside. He knew they were not happy, now the weather had become so bad, but he remained indifferent to that; everyone had his duty and would be expected to perform it.

  He spoke with Yang Zhou, who had inexplicably teamed up with the nearly silent Bolo; the pair prowled the house like a pair of Rottweilers.

  Chan had a brief conversation with Kai, apologizing for the fact he was having to pursue his operations rather than spend more time with her. As usual, she was accommodating and told him she would wait until he was free.

  Still, Chan experienced a feeling of disquiet. He did not know why.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Valens’s phone vibrated and she took the call. Though disguised, she recognized the caller ID as her contact at the agency assisting their investigation of Saul Kaplan. Following a brief greeting, she listened to the update from Price.

  “Okay, we’ll handle it,” Valens said. “This could be a direct threat aimed at Zero Command. Thanks for the intel.”

  “Watch your backs,” Price warned. “It looks as if there is a leak. If the perp thinks he’s been made, he might decide to make a fight of it.”

  “Noted,” Valens said before she hung up. “If it’s true, I look forward to getting my hands on that son of a bitch.”

  Valens collected Brandon and they headed out of doors, going for their SUV.

  “You drive,” Valens said.

  “Be nice to know where we’re going.”

  “Larry, you want everything to be made so easy for you,” Valens said. She allowed him a leery grin then gave him the address. They drove out of the base, Brandon following the route displayed on the GPS.

  “Don’t these people understand the concept of the internet and having their banking details looked at?”

  “They always believe they’re the exception,” Valens said. “Rosen has taken the bait, accepted the money and tried to hide it. Like most, he’s not as smart as he thinks he is.”

  “What amount are we talking about?”

  “Totals up to almost a quarter mil in his account.”

  “And he never imagined that would be spotted?” Brandon shook his head. “It’s like he wants to be caught. He’s made it too easy. Almost takes the fun out of it.”

  “Don’t get too sloppy. Sometimes these things turn around and bite you on the ass.”

  “Listening to your delicate turns of phrase is so uplifting, Agent Valens.”

  “Comes with experience.”

  They reached Rosen’s address twenty minutes later. It was a small house on a quiet residential street. Being midmorning, it was quiet. No parked cars apart from those in driveways.

  During the drive, Valens had contacted Detective Zeigler. He had agreed to keep his team out of sight initially, while Valens and Brandon made first contact.

  “Pull over,” Valens said while they were still a distance away.

  When the car stopped, Brandon turned off the engine and they sat studying the area.

  “You have that look in your eyes,” he said. “Tell me what I can’t see.”

  “Nice quiet street,” Valens noted.

  “Does that have to mean trouble?”

  “Not necessarily,” Valens said.

  She opened her door and got out of the SUV. As Brandon followed, catching up with her long stride, he noticed she had opened her coat and had her right hand resting on the butt of her issue pistol.

  That, he decided, did not bode well.

  A small lawn fronted the house and ran alongside a concrete drive where a three-year-old Ford sat. Valens laid a hand on the hood. It was cold. She flicked a signal for Brandon to check the side and rear of the house. She took the front door, drawing her Glock as she passed the window. The blind was down, so she was unable to see inside.

  “Doesn’t have to be a warning sign,” she said quietly to herself.

  The front door was closed. Valens spotted the bell push. When she pressed it she heard the faint chime inside. They waited. Nothing happened. She hit the bell a second time.

  Be patient, Claire.

  Her cell vibrated in her pocket. She checked it. A text from Brandon: Come around back. Not good.

  Brandon was waiting at the door, Glock in his fist. The look on his face told Valens she would have been waiting a long time for someone to answer the front door.

  The back door led into the kitchen.

  A body lay on the tiled floor. Facedown. The back of the man’s head was a shattered mess. Among the splintered bone and torn flesh the mass of the bullet-impacted brain could be seen. A large blood pool spread across the tiles from under the side-turned head.

  “Damn,” Valens swore.

  Even through the glass of the door she could recognize Harry Rosen’s face. She pushed her pistol into the holster and reached into her coat to pull out latex gloves, working them on. She tried the door and found it unlocked. She pushed it wide. Before she did anything else, she took out her Glock again, nodding to Brandon. They cleared the door quickly, staying well clear of the body.

  Valens keyed her cell and told Zeigler he could move in.

  Brandon worked his way around the edges of the kitchen, moving to the door leading through. He vanished from sight. Valens looked around the kitchen. Nothing out of place except for the body. She crouched and put fingers against the side of Rosen’s neck. No pulse and the flesh was already cooling.

  Brandon said, “Clear.”

  Valens stood. She wished things were, but in reality the day was far from being clear.

  Zeigler and his team appeared.

  * * *

  DETECTIVE JERRY ZEIGLER, hands deep in the pockets of his topcoat, stared around the living room of Rosen’s house.

  “Nice place,” he said.

  Valens smiled. She knew that statement was far from what Zeigler was really thinking. This was the second time they had met recen
tly, and, as with the first time, a body was involved.

  Behind them the kitchen was full of Zeigler’s investigative team. They were checking for evidence. Measuring. Photographing. Taking down every detail that might help in them reach some kind of conclusion.

  “Are we going to have the same dance, Agent Valens? Please tell me it isn’t so. No disclosure? No names?”

  “As far as I’m concerned, Jerry, this is all yours. Harry Rosen is a civilian. Murdered in his own home on your turf.”

  Zeigler glanced around. “Let me find a chair to sit in. I’m not used to shocks like that this early in the day.”

  “I told you last time,” Valens said. “When the time comes I would hand over to you.”

  “So what else can you tell me?”

  “Rosen was a civilian contractor working at the base. He handled computer maintenance. Been doing it for almost a year. Good worker. Did his job, came and went. Never any problem.”

  “But something was off?”

  “While we were running checks following the recent incident, it was found Rosen had been getting large cash deposits into his bank account. Way above anything he could earn from his day job. We came to have a talk with him. The rest you know.”

  “Looks like somebody didn’t want Rosen saying too much. My instincts are telling me you left something out, Valens. It’s been a good visit up to now. Do not spoil it.”

  “I can tell you the money Rosen received came from a suspect source.”

  “Hmm...”

  Valens smiled. “You have a sharp nose, Jerry. The money came via routes we sourced back to a foreign agency. We believe it has a connection to the previous matter.”

  “Your dead Air Force guy and his missing passenger?”

  “It’s becoming extremely complicated.”

  “So complicated you can’t let me in any further?”