The thought made her frown. Maybe it would take several lifetimes of mercy, but she didn’t have that long. She needed a way out now.
The major’s lower lip trembled even more. “Guardian Inspector,” he said in a weasel tone, “I would like to show you something if I may?’
“Stay in your chair. Tell me this something instead.”
He nodded meekly and perspiration appeared on his face. “I have uncovered a fact the Chairman might find significant.”
“Have you filed it?”
The major shook his head.
“Why have you waited to inform your superiors about this knowledge?” she asked.
He looked down at his desk. “I’m due back in China. I leave in two days, in fact. I-I had planned to report this directly to Police Minister Xiao.”
He’s lying. There is something else going on here.
“Well, what is this significant something?” she asked. “Hurry up and tell me.”
He glanced up at her. The cunning was plain in his eyes. Yes, this one thought he was very clever.
“I will trade you the information,” he said.
Shun Li couldn’t help but grin. She had heard similar words so many times that it seemed impossible he believed it would work. Still, today…today, she would be merciful. She had to be careful, though. The major might have hidden recorders.
“I don’t understand this talk of trades,” she said, while looking at him significantly, letting him see she was trading. “I have personally come to inform you of tasks well done. Headquarters is pleased with your efforts.”
He grinned at her, and his eyes shone with newfound hope. He even took his protecting hand away from his jaw.
Shun Li found herself smiling in return. She smiled enough to let her lips part and reveal the tips of her teeth. Mercy felt good. Usually, she would have made the offender squirm and plead for his life. Today, she gave him hope, even though he was a pig of a drug addict and he had lost his better judgment. He deserved a nasty end, but not today because her conscience needed balancing, needing purging from its excessive bloodletting.
“You were saying,” she prompted.
“Yes, yes, I was going to personally tell Police Minister Xiao that I have discovered two pieces of vital information for the war effort.”
“Tell me now. I will decide how vital this information is.”
“Yes, of course.” He cleared his throat. “Firstly, I have discovered that there is but a single American Behemoth manufacturing plant.”
“This is true?” she asked. The Behemoth tanks were a nightmare, although they had remained hidden during the summer and fall offensives. It seemed inconceivable to her the Americans only built them in one location, as the tank had struck Chinese Command as a war-winning weapons system.
“It’s an amazing thing,” the major agreed. “But I have clear proof it is true. I have also discovered where the single plant lies: in Denver, Colorado.”
Hmm. She could see why the major wanted to be the one to show this to Xiao. This was incredible news. Still, how true was it?
“What proof do you have?” she asked.
“May I open my drawer?”
“Do so,” she said, although she dropped a gloved hand onto the butt of her holstered pistol. If the major brought up a weapon, he would die.
Slowly and carefully, the major opened a drawer, taking out a folder. He opened it, turning the papers to face her, and he began to explain how he had stumbled onto the information.
Shun Li craned for a look. Soon, she nodded in appreciation. This was incredibly vital news. The Behemoth tanks had gone a long way toward defeating the Californian invasion earlier this spring. She knew Army High Command dearly wanted to know where the Behemoths were hiding. If China could knock out the sole manufacturing plant—
“The Police Minister will welcome this news,” she said.
“I give you this prize,” he said, sliding the folder across the desk to her.
A thought struck. Had this prize come to her because she was being merciful? Maybe she could use this news to help her escape her fate as a tired Guardian Inspector. Maybe she could maneuver herself back into a post in China. With this, she might be able to maneuver onto the Police Minister’s staff in Beijing.
Shun Li picked up the folder.
“I would also like to give you this,” he said, “The transcript of the interviews.” He opened another drawer and slapped down a thicker folder.
“Are any of the prisoners still alive?” she asked.
“Alas, no, each one perished under questioning.”
Shun Li shook her head. Often, this was the sign an interrogator had lost his touch: when his prisoners began to expire under his ministrations.
“I assure you it couldn’t be helped,” he said.
“Of course,” she said. “I will write that in my report.”
The major smiled. “May I say, Guardian Inspector, that this—”
His words failed as she drew her pistol. He looked at her openmouthed. He must be wondering what she was going to do. She was giving him mercy. Headquarters had decided he must die. There was no escaping the decision. Her mercy had been in letting him think—these last few minutes of life—that he was going to live. Her mercy was in making his last moments enjoyable by thinking he could barter with Death.
“I thought we had a bargain,” he whispered.
“We did and we do,” she said, aiming at his forehead and pulling the trigger three times.
He smashed back, with three neatly placed holes smoking in his forehead.
Shun Li waved her pistol in the air to clear the smoke. Behind her, the door flew open and the first enforcer thrust the carbine through the opening. When he saw her, he relaxed.
Picking up the two folders, Shun Li tucked them under an arm. “Take him to the incinerator,” she said.
The enforcers let her pass. Afterward, they hurried into the major’s office. She headed for the surface. Here was priceless information indeed. Yes, she must get this to Police Minister Xiao tonight.
As she increased her pace, Shun Li frowned. It was funny, but giving mercy didn’t make her feel any better. Why was that? Likely, mercy was highly overrated and this proved it.
How can I escape my fate? I must discover a way before they send someone to kill me.
-4-
The Map
Master Sergeant Paul Kavanagh leaned forward in his chair, accepting an enlarged photograph of a three-star Chinese general.
“Was this him?” Captain Anderson of SOCOM asked.
Paul squinted at the photograph. The Chinese general had strong features, with his military hat tilted slightly.
“I think so,” Paul said. He slid the photograph back onto the desk. It was the fourth photo Anderson had shown him.
“Hmm,” Anderson said. He checked an e-reader on the desk. “This is General Cho Deng.” The captain tapped the screen and continued reading. “Well, look at this,” he said shortly. “It appears Deng led Fifth Corps: five pursuit hovertank brigades. They’ve played a key role in several of our worst encirclement battles.” Anderson tapped the screen again, reading further and beginning to nod. “Deng’s hovertanks have driven deep on occasion, creating chaos in our rear areas. I wonder what he was doing on the Arkansas River.”
“Probably hauling supplies,” Paul said.
Anderson looked up. The second floor room was in SOCOM HQ for Army Group West. It was spacious, with a photograph of President Sims and a large American flag hanging on the wall. Behind the captain’s desk were several computers. He was a medium-sized man with a small black mustache and a prosthetic right hand and forearm. When he moved its fingers, the fiber-mechanical hand whirred softly. Anderson had fought as a second lieutenant in Alaska, losing the hand and forearm during the Chinese drive on Anchorage.