The Emperor's Tomb

“He’s in Gansu now,” his aide reported. “We have no eyes or ears at that location, but it’s not necessary. We know his next destination. Lev Sokolov has been missing for the past two weeks. Tang’s emissaries found him yesterday in Lanzhou. The minister is flying there.”

“We have men in Lanzhou?”

“Five. Ready.”

He recalled what Pau Wen had said. Find Sokolov. He is the person who can explain the lamp’s significance. “I want Sokolov taken before Tang gets him.”

“It will be done.”

“I’m on my way back.” He already held a reservation on a flight leaving Brussels, which he’d confirmed on the ride from the city. “It will be fifteen hours or so before I’m there. Send whatever you learn on Sokolov and Zhao by e-mail. I’ll be able to access it while en route. I want to know how they are connected and why Tang is so intent on them both.”

Beyond the open doors he spotted Pau Wen strolling through the courtyard, headed his way.

“I have to go.”

He ended the call and hid the phone.

The older man entered the room and asked, “Have you enjoyed another look at my wonders?”

“I’m more interested in the lamp.”

Pau had given the artifact to one of his men upon their arrival. “I’m afraid it was scarred from the fire, and the liquid it contained is gone.”

“I want to take it back to China.”

“Of course, Minister. You may have it. I only ask that you keep it from Karl Tang. I also have some disturbing news.”

He waited.

“Tang conducted a virtual meeting with members of the Ba a few hours ago. Quite a gathering, I’m told. They are preparing for their final assault.”

He decided he’d had enough of accepting what this man said on blind faith. “Where is Tang?”

Pau appraised him with a curious glare. “A test, Minister? To see if I speak with authority?” The older man paused. “All right. I understand your skepticism, though after what happened at the museum I had hoped we were making progress. But it is good to be cautious. It will keep you alive much longer.”

“You haven’t answered the question.”

“He’s at an oil exploration site, in northern Gansu.”

Exactly what his aide had reported.

“Did I pass?”

“What assault has begun?”

Pau smiled, pleased at knowing he’d been right. “The Ba is again alive, after decades of self-imposed sleep.”

“I’m leaving for home.”

Pau nodded. “The lamp is packaged and ready.”

“And you still have no idea of its significance?”

Pau shook his head. “Only that Minister Tang and Cassiopeia Vitt both wanted it. There is writing on the outside. Perhaps it’s significant. Surely you have experts who can interpret it for you.”

He did, but this old man was lying and he knew it. No matter. A war awaited him in China, and he was wasting time. He did need to know, “What happened at the museum?”

“Three bodies were removed. I assume one of those was my brother. Miss Vitt and two other men were brought out by the authorities.”

“What will happen now?”

“For you, Minister? Nothing. For me, it means Cassiopeia Vitt will be returning here.”

“How do you know that?”

“Years of experience.”

He was tired of this man’s pedantics, knowing now that the dull face and clever words were a mask for a callous, calculating mind. Pau was an expatriate who’d obviously interjected himself, once again, into Chinese politics. But Pau was in Belgium, a long way from the fight. A nonplayer. He was curious, though, on one point. “What will you do when Vitt returns?”

“Perhaps it’s better you not know, Minister.”

He agreed.

Perhaps it was.

THIRTY-FIVE

MALONE RUBBED HIS WRISTS AND ALLOWED THE CIRCULATION to return. The police had bound them too hard. Perhaps they were pissed about the museum, thinking him the culprit? But they were wrong. The culprit was standing a few feet away beside his new benefactor.

“You told me you worked for Karl Tang and the Chinese,” Cassiopeia said to Viktor.

“I do. But I’m there because of the Russians.”

Malone shook his head. “Same as in Central Asia. Working for us, them, then us, then them. Hell, I don’t see how you keep it straight.”

“I’m a talented individual,” Viktor said, adding a smile. “I’ve even worked for her.” And he pointed at Stephanie.

Stephanie shrugged. “I used him on a couple of freelance assignments. Say what you want, but he does a good job.”

“Last time, he almost got us killed,” Malone pointed out. “I went in there blind, thinking he was on our side.”

“I was,” Viktor added.

“Is good agent,” Ivan said. “Is close to Karl Tang, right where we want him.”

Which explained how Ivan had such square-on intelligence about what was happening to Cassiopeia. But Malone had to ask, “What did you need us for?”

“Tang involved you,” Viktor said. “I told him to leave you alone.”

Ivan shook his head. “I not ask Stephanie to get in my business. Her idea, not mine. I hire Viktor for job. He do job well.”

“Sokolov’s son is the important thing,” Cassiopeia said. “He’s why I’m here. And I need to get going.”