BLOOD DRAGON by Freddie Peters (books to get back into reading .TXT) 📕

“Did you or Ollie say anything to Turner?” The two glasses of Scotch had arrived. Randy took his, cradling it in both hands for a moment.

“We didn’t for a while. Until Ollie discovered that Jared was going regularly to Sichuan in China.” Randy took a gulp. “That’s when we realised that he had already committed to transferring our technology. In exchange for which he was being shown the site of the factory … I mean the newly formed company’s factory that would be producing the drugs he and his father had in mind.”

“Which drugs would those be?”

“Antidepressants, opiates … lots of the types of medication sold to the US in large quantities … But we also suspected they had the intention of producing more complex drugs at a fraction of the price they otherwise would cost if produced in the US …”

“And that increased the dependency the US has on China when it comes to its supply chain.”

“That’s right … but Jared didn’t care. Sichuan is a new area for development as far as China is concerned. There are plenty of qualified people but not enough jobs for them.”

“Can’t they go somewhere else to find a job?”

Randy shook his head. “Not under Chinese rules. You’re stuck in the region or province in which you were born and trained. If you move anywhere else you become an illegal worker.”

“So, the Chinese government was being generous with the terms of the deal.”

“That’s right … Ollie spoke to a friend of his. He didn’t mention her name but she had been doing some research about China. From what he said, she was looking for her father, an artist who disappeared quite a few years ago. He came from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. She was hoping to find out what had happened to him.”

Jack gazed at the glass in his hand, swirling the amber liquid around.

“Did she find anything?”

“I don’t think so, but Ollie thought she might be able to help us once he explained what was happening. However, he never got the chance.”

Randy looked exhausted all of a sudden. Jack’s time zone hopping was also catching up with him. The two police officers had reappeared. They spoke to the receptionist who looked nervous. It seemed it was not the end of the affair.

“Wait a minute.”

Randy looked puzzled, still nursing his glass.

“I just need to ask the receptionist something.”

Jack moved without hurrying to the reception desk. “I’ve lost my room card. I hope there has been no issue with the hotel security. I saw two policemen leaving just now.”

The receptionist straightned up. “The incident is under control, Sir. No need to be alarmed.”

“I’m on floor five.”

“That’s okay. We are only concerned about floor eleven.”

“Good to know.” Jack was issued with a new card. He returned to the corner of the lounge in which Randy was still sitting.

“Let’s go to my room. We can decide tomorrow if the US consulate is a safe enough place for you to stay.”

A flash of concern came over Randy’s face.

Jack smiled. “That’s okay … you are my guest. You get the bed and I get the bathtub.”

* * *

“Your text said you had news.”

“Yep …” Harris was calling him from his car and the reception was breaking up. “My CIA contact has located Randy Zhang.”

“In one piece?”

“Very funny … but yes. He confirmed Turner Junior and senior are doing a deal with China but one that we may not be able to stop.”

Pole grunted. He had walked away from his office, in need of a breather and a cup of tea. It was not uncommon for him to think about cases whilst on a stroll in search for a cup of good brew. This time he had gone a little further away from the Yard. The Café Conte was rather full of tourists but Pole had managed to find a single armchair at the back of the long room.

“Just as Marsh was starting to bite.”

“Hang on.” Harris paused and the reception became clearer. “The biotech Ollie and Randy were developing is something they thought they should present to the US government.”

“You mean it needed to be controlled because of its potential ramifications?”

“That’s the gist of it … my contact couldn’t be more specific but I’m due to speak to him tomorrow morning … well, his morning, my midnight.”

“I’ll get things going at my end. It might be that we don’t need the Chinese connection after all.”

“I’m all ears. What have you found?”

“Not yet substantiated by evidence, but the Turners have a connection with the production of opium in Afghanistan.”

“A Russian connection?” Harris grew serious. “Afghanistan is my area. What do you need?”

“The name of the Cartel that operates in Herat province. The drug squad is finding it pretty difficult to pin them down.”

“I’m not surprised … ex KGB or FSB … you don’t find them … they find you. They are untraceable, at least not with simple police resources … No offence.”

“None taken. I’ve got a pretty good team and they’ve got nowhere.”

“Do I feel perhaps … an exception.” Harris had returned to his joyful self.

“A recent addition to their team. Perhaps expendable … I’m working on that.”

“Call me back at the end of the day. You’ll have your answer about Afghanistan.”

“Will do.” Pole scanned the room. No one was looking in his direction. He felt happy to continue. “Now about the burner phone … I need to get Ferguson off my back.”

“And Ms Wu’s. I’m aware of that.” Harris’ voice had grown serious once more. “We’ve created a trace of calls that leads to the right address. The one we stormed ten months ago. Your team should be able to pick it up without a problem.”

“That’s a little slim.”

“Pole. I know my job. It would be slim as you say.” Harris interrupted himself but came back on. “Give me another day and you’ll have the record of a purchase of that particular burner phone in a shop near the address the C-T squad stormed