Jake was shocked. How would yards of cotton and polyester fund the three-million-dollar ransom to save Jenny and Gracie? This couldn’t be the large shipment of cash Newman had told him about just a few hours ago.
After one of the workers backed the box truck within a few feet of the container, Park ordered the unloading to begin. The men quieted and began the arduous task of unloading the multicolored rolls of fabric, encased in clear plastic, each numbered on the outside in four-inch figures. Park’s two bodyguards stood at the ready. Though weapons weren’t visible Jake assumed the men were well armed.
Jake and Park stood off to the side as Park carefully watched each roll come off the truck. Two men would awkwardly grab a roll and toss it into the box truck, where the third man restacked it. To Jake each roll was identicaclass="underline" six feet wide, a foot in diameter, fifty feet long when unrolled. Park was anxious, mumbling with each roll that was removed. Jake noted the frustration but said nothing.
It was a warm afternoon and sweat was pouring off the men as they moved the rolls of fabric from the container to the truck.
“You guys want something to drink?” asked Jake, knowing Tommy kept a refrigerator full of beer and soda in his office.
The men didn’t respond and Jake wasn’t sure if they understood English. Park didn’t seem anxious to translate and before Jake could ask a second time, Park pointed to a roll of fabric and hollered, “That one.”
The two workers holding the roll looked at Park. Park repeated his declaration in Korean. The men stepped toward Park and placed the roll in front of him. Satisfied after examining the number, he ordered the men to deliver the fabric roll to the office.
Jake was as confused as the workers.
Once inside the office, the men placed the roll on the table next to the desk. Park ordered the workers to return and continue unloading the container. He instructed the Green Hornet and Kato to remain in the hallway.
Jake pulled out two Cokes from the refrigerator. “Do you want me to give them anything to drink?”
Park offered a dismissive backhanded wave as he closed the door. Jake popped the top to his drink and took a long sip as Park ripped at the thick clear plastic encasing the roll of fabric. Unable to tear it and seeing Park’s frustration, Jake whipped out the switchblade from his rear pocket, the blade springing open. The crime boss smiled as Jake easily cut the wrapping.
“Why rolls of fabric?” asked Jake, still trying to come to grips with the criminality of this latest act.
“Imported fabric is a customs violation if it’s out of quota. It carries a civil not a criminal penalty. I wanted to minimize the risk of getting this shipment through the Mexican ports and into the United States.” Park paused, then said, “I still do not know who kidnapped my daughter and granddaughter. Someone from our community, maybe even someone from the inside. I can trust no one, not even my own people.”
Jake started to speak. “Mr. Park, I would never—”
Park interrupted. “Jake, I trusted Tommy. He died trying to save me. Now I must trust you. You knew nothing about the contents of this container, only that I was bringing it in, just as you had done for me before.” Park, still focused on the rolls, said, “Now, help me unroll the fabric.”
“Mr. Park, I don’t understand.”
“Unroll the fabric.” It was an order, not a request.
As Jake and Park unrolled about twenty feet of the six-foot-wide fabric, allowing it to fall to the floor, they came upon stacks of hundred-dollar bills wrapped neatly, several rows deep.
Jake was genuinely astonished. “What the…”
Park held up a bundle. “These are Supernotes. Counterfeits made in North Korea.”
Jake grabbed a bundle and held it up to the light. It even had what appeared to be a genuine Federal Reserve wrapper. Removing a single bill, he examined it closely. “I’ve heard about these. They look perfect.”
Park nodded. “They almost are. This is how I will get back my Jenny and Gracie.”
Jake looked confused. “You’re going to pay the ransom in counterfeit bills?”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t that dangerous?”
“Why? They won’t be able to tell the difference and neither can the banks. Whoever took my family will not be any wiser as to the legitimacy of the currency.”
Jake cautioned, “But if they get caught with the bills, it could come back on you.”
“As long as my daughter and granddaughter are safely returned, it doesn’t matter. I will get my money back.”
Jake considered asking how. Instead he said, “Is there enough here to pay the ransom?”
Park nodded. “There are three hundred packets of ten thousand dollars each. That’s three million, just like the ransom demand.”
Jake understood. “That’s why you think someone within your organization is in on the kidnapping. The kidnappers knew about this shipment and the exact amount.”
Park said, “It seems a little too convenient the ransom is for the amount I just received.”
“Who knew about the Supernotes?”
“Tommy knew the money was coming in but didn’t know it was Supernotes. I told him I was bringing in the money to buy certain hard-to-get items for shipment back to Korea. He and my superiors in North Korea are the only ones who knew of this shipment and the amount.”
“Your superiors. Who are they?” Jake asked.
Park pondered the question for a moment and said, “They are the people who sent me this container and its contents. They are expecting me to purchase certain items with this money. I will tell you more when the time is right.”
“Why did Tommy know about the amount of money in this shipment?”
“I had to trust him because I needed to make sure this container arrived. I was unwilling to chance having it shipped through the Port of Long Beach. I knew I could get it safely into Mexico but had to be guaranteed it would clear the border in San Diego. You successfully brought in my previous container and I knew from Tommy you brought in a container for him and two containers for Yeong. You proved your value and reliability.”
Jake took a sip of the Coke. “So I guess I was hanging out if this didn’t make it across the border.”
“You passed. That is all that matters.”
Jake said, “So other than those overseas, no one but Tommy and you knew the contents of this container.”
“You are correct, Jake, but no one overseas would be behind this.”
“Why would you say that?”
“I am the purchasing agent for some very difficult-to-obtain items needed in North Korea to fulfill their obligations to others.”
“And you’re going to buy these items with Supernotes?”
“Yes.”
“So what are you supposed to buy with this cash?” queried Jake casually.
Park looked long and hard at him before responding. The North Korean intelligence officer’s life had become decidedly more complicated in the last seventy-two hours. He needed a replacement for Tommy and decided on the spot the “round-eye” could be trusted.
“I not only import goods. I’m also in the export business and I need your services for both,” said Park.
“What do you export?” asked Jake.
“The three million was sent here to buy advanced magnetic-suspension centrifuges and special electronic switches and equipment.”
“I don’t know much about electronics, but if the money’s right I’m in.”
Park smiled. He understood avarice and said, “I have been told that the parts are for manufacturing what the American military calls permissive action links — PALs. I need a Caucasian to buy this equipment here and elsewhere to deflect suspicion.”
“What’s a PAL?” asked Jake, hoping all this was being picked up on his miniature recording device.