Dragon Key by Don Pendleton

Author:Don Pendleton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Worldwide Library
Published: 2014-11-08T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

General Wong was nervous, but he knew better than to express this to Chen. The Triad leader was his only chance to keep this situation contained. And the old bastard knew it.

The son of a whore has me by the testicles, Wong thought. He adjusted his pants at the unpleasant thought and picked up the cell phone, scrolling down to Chen’s private number.

Last night Wong had been informed about the “abduction” of the American spy, and he needed to make the proper notifications to the Politburo this morning. The Standing Committee would be summoning him soon, and when they did, he’d be able to tell them that he’d recovered the American, and the foreign agents who’d taken him, by killing the contingent of soldiers. It would be unfortunate that all of the foreigners had perished during the recovery operation. You couldn’t interrogate dead men.

Hopefully, Chen’s assassin had obtained whatever information they needed from the American, Tressman.

Regardless, it was time to see how things were progressing. He pressed the button for Chen’s number.

It rang several times, and Wong glanced at his watch. It was 0500. Early, but still reasonable enough to give him time to prepare.

Finally, Chen’s voice came on the phone, sounding as fresh as someone who was wide-awake. Wong had no time for formalities. “I’ve been waiting for your call. Did your men get the American?”

“They did.”

Wong felt a wave of relief. “What have you found out?”

Silence.

“Are you there?” Wong asked.

“There has been a slight complication,” Chen said. He paused, as if enjoying the silence and the anxiety he knew it must be causing Wong.

“Complication?”

“After we seized him, several of my men were killed by an American agent who took the prisoner.”

“What?” Wong was flabbergasted. “How could the Americans manage that?”

“Apparently they are more resourceful than we anticipated,” Chen said. “But do not be concerned. A wise man plans for every convolution.”

“What does that mean?”

“I have the situation well in hand,” Chen said.

“Well in hand?”

“Of course, Comrade General.”

Wong hated it when Chen called him that. There was condescension lurking behind his obsequiousness. The Triad leader’s soft chuckle came over the phone’s speaker like the ticking of a clock—a clock connected to a detonator.

“And what am I supposed to tell the Committee when they summon me this morning?” Wong asked.

“Tell them your men were assassinated by some mercenaries believed to be employed by the Americans,” Chen said. “The spy was already interrogated and is of little importance now. There is something else you must do. Something more pressing.”

Wong bit his lower lip as he pulled a cigarette out of his pack and lit it. “What is that?”

“Are your men standing by to arrest Han Son Chu this morning?”

“Yes,” Wong said. “The Committee directed it, but they are to wait until after the American movie star leaves.”

He heard Chen’s soft chuckle once again. “Excellent. Here is what you must ensure happens.”

* * *

BOLAN GLANCED AT his watch and told Herbie to drive around the block again. He’d slept

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