Death Minus Zero. Don Pendleton

are complete. You will be able to leave within the next hour.”

      Xia Chan allowed himself a brief smile. He acknowledged the call and put down the phone. He leaned back in his padded chair, going over the details of the forthcoming trip in his mind. Finally he picked up the phone and spoke to one of his aides.

      “Call the airstrip and tell my pilot to be ready when I arrive. He can be advised of our destination now so he can key in his route. Tell him I need to leave as soon as possible. I will need to speak to the group again before I leave. Tell them the meeting will continue shortly. Then come into my office.”

      The aide was a thin, prematurely balding young officer. He always appeared nervous in Chan’s presence.

      “You know what to do?”

      “Yes, Colonel.”

      “No mistakes. No one is to leave with any written notes. We keep everything in-house. If you find anything it must be burned. You understand?”

      “Yes, Colonel. It will be done.”

      When the aide had gone, Chan retired to his private quarters, where he changed from his uniform and dressed in a smart suit, shirt and tie. He stepped into soft-soled black shoes, already polished to a high shine. He checked the expensive attaché case sitting on the floor. It contained his passport and documentation and a fully charged sat phone. There was money and credit cards—not that he expected to need them, but it was always a wise move to have such things handy.

      He left his office and made his way to the conference room where his team was waiting. He stood at the head of the table as they all turned to face him.

      “As I told you earlier, the man Kaplan is now in our hands and I am leaving shortly to fly to the rendezvous where the American will be held while he is interrogated. Yang Zhou will accompany me. While we are away, I want the facility made ready. Check everything and then check it again. I want all systems up and ready when I return.” Chan stared from face to face. “I hope this is fully understood. No excuses. The facility must be ready when I return with Kaplan.”

      The discomfort around the table was noticeable. That pleased Chan. He needed the team fully focused. No wavering.

      “We will not let you down,” Major Ling said.

      “I am pleased to hear that, Ling. In your case I hope nothing goes wrong, because I am leaving you in charge. All of you will report to Major Ling. Is that understood? While I am away he is responsible. He acts for me and his orders will be followed.”

      Major Ling remained silent, aware of the responsibility and just as aware of what would happen if he failed.

      “I must be excused to collect my things, Colonel,” Yang Zhou said.

      “Very well. In my office in twenty minutes.” As Zhou left, Chan returned to face his team. “We must make this work. If we wish to take control of Zero, our efforts must be doubled. You will remain at your stations day and night. Ling, you will arrange for food and drink to be delivered to you. Bedding is to be provided. I give you the authority to use my name. If anyone raises objections, simply refer them to me. Understood?”

      “Yes, Colonel.”

      Chan took Ling aside. “This is your opportunity to make your mark,” he said. “Do not fail yourself or me. There is much riding on this project. If we succeed, we bring a great deal of glory to China. Important eyes are on us, Ling. You understand?”

      “Yes, Colonel.”

      “All the electronic equipment must be fully readied. When I return with Kaplan, I am confident he will be ready to comply. His input will be vital and must be matched by the setup. Make sure all is prepared.”

      Ling nodded.

      Chan left the conference room and returned to his office to find Zhou already there.

      “The car is waiting for us,” Zhou said.

      They went outside where the official car was idling. An aide stepped forward to open the rear door. “Your luggage is in the trunk, Colonel,” he said.

      As soon as they were seated, the car pulled away and drove out of the grounds, picking up the near-deserted road. Neither man spoke. They both had their thoughts to deal with, and small talk was not a skill either had learned.

      The drive to the isolated military airfield took just over a half hour. Sitting on the runway was a sleek Gulfstream G650. Powered by twin Rolls-Royce BR725 turbofan engines, the executive jet had a cruising speed of around 560 mph, with a ceiling of 51,000 feet. It would cruise 7000 nautical miles before needing refueling. Chan had exclusive use of this luxurious aircraft and had used it many times. The Gulfstream had civilian markings and a logo for a company that existed only on paper, based in Hong Kong. The crew wore smart nonmilitary uniforms and the young woman who welcomed them aboard was fresh-faced and attractive. She guided them to their seats as their driver brought the luggage on board.

      The woman’s name was Jui Kai.

      Chan knew her very well. On an extremely intimate level. His involvement with her had been ongoing for some months. Her natural beauty and her entrancing personality charmed him. He enjoyed her company immensely.

      “It is good to see you again, Colonel. It has been some time,” the young woman said, playing the game for the plane’s crew. “I hope you enjoy the flight.”

      “I am certain I will, my dear.”

      Zhou studied the Gulfstream’s well-appointed interior with a jaundiced eye. “A very expensive toy,” he stated.

      “But necessary,” Chan said.

      “If you believe so,” Zhou said.

      Jui Kai moved away to the rear of the jet, where the galley was located.

      Zhou mumbled something about it being a long flight as he pushed his way to a seat.

      “Look on this as an adventure,” Chan said. “We may be witnesses to China’s greatest success in the field of espionage.”

      “Just because we have this gweilo does not mean we yet have his secrets,” Zhou said.

      “Foreign devil? Ever the pessimist, Yang Zhou.”

      “I prefer to call myself a realist. Nothing is won until the race is over.”

      “Very good,” Chan said. “But I have a good feeling about this, Zhou. I don’t deny we have much work ahead of us. From what I have learned about this man Kaplan, he may be difficult to break. Which in itself offers a challenge.”

      Jui Kai appeared again from the galley.

      “May I offer you both a drink? Colonel? Mr. Zhou?”

      “A glass of very decadent American whiskey would be pleasant,” Chan said, smiling.

      “Mr. Zhou?”

      Zhou managed a sharp nod. “The same,” he said. “With ice.”

      “Ice?” Chan said. “What a disrespectful way to treat good whiskey.”

      Zhou slumped into his seat and stared out the side window.

      The Gulfstream began to move as the pilot increased power. It held position at the end of the runway, the engines building until there was sufficient power to speed it along the tarmac and into a fast rise.

      Minutes later they were at cruising altitude.

      Jui Kai brought the drinks, handing them to Chan and Zhou. “Please call me if you require anything further.”

      Chan nodded. He smiled at the young woman. An expression of familiarity. Extreme familiarity. He sometimes found it difficult to control his feelings in her presence.

      “When do we eat?” Zhou asked. He was so concerned with his stomach he failed to notice the looks exchanged between Chan and Kai.

      “Whenever