Son of Heaven (48 page)

He touched her arm. ‘This one…’

‘No!’ someone nearby bellowed, trying to push through to grab at Wang. ‘Leave her be!’

Wang backed off a step or two, almost bumping in to one of them, even as two of his guards interceded, using the butts of their guns to club the man to the ground.

‘Take her!’ Wang ordered, his heart beating fast. ‘And that one, too.’

They dragged the pair of them away.

Those surrounding him were watching Wang now, a shared look of hostility in their faces.

Wang sniffed. ‘Enough for now…’

He backed away, letting his guards force a way back through the crowd.

It was a start, anyway. Another thirty or so they’d not have to bother processing.

‘Load them up,’ he said to the captain of the guard as he passed him. ‘We’ll do it now. Get it out of the way.’

The man bowed, his face a blank, then barked out orders to his men.

Yes, and maybe I’ll have her
, he thought, looking back at the one he’d selected at the end – the one with the lazy eye. Wang smiled.
Better than that…
I’ll tie her husband up and have him watch us at it
.

Like he’d done with the two crippled women last night. Kuan Yin! That had been good! He grew hard simply thinking about it.

And then, later on, he’d contact the Ministry and let them know what he had done – what he’d
achieved
.

Wang Yu-Lai turned, drawing up his silks so they would not be soiled, then hurried towards the craft.

Jiang Lei yawned, then stepped out from the tent.

It was a fine, clear day, the air crisp and chill.

‘Can I clear the breakfast things, Master?’ Steward Ho asked, hovering close by.

‘Of course…’ Jiang glanced at him, took a step away, then turned back. ‘Ho… have you seen our friend this morning?’

‘Our friend…? Ah, Cadre Wang, you mean?’

‘Yes… the good Cadre… have you seen him?’

‘Not for an hour, General. He left.’

‘Left? But he’s not due anywhere.’

Jiang frowned. What in the name of the gods was he up to now?

He was tempted to leave it. After all, it was quite pleasant without the Cadre here, following him about, making his nasty little comments. But if Wang Yu-Lai wasn’t here making trouble,
he was making it elsewhere.

He called out. ‘Ma Feng… get the men together. I want to reconnoitre.’

Jiang didn’t know where Wang had got to, but he could guess.

The camp. He had to be at the camp.

And if he was?

Jiang let out a sigh of exasperation. He looked to Ho again. ‘An hour, Ho… you’re sure?’

‘He crept away at dawn, General. Why… should I have told you?’

‘Yes, Ho… when it comes to Cadre Wang you tell me
everything
.’

Ho bowed low. ‘Forgive me, Master…’

Jiang shook his head. What was that bastard up to now?

He turned, not quite sure what to do, then hurried across to the communications tent. ‘Li Fa,’ he called, addressing the young technician at the desk as he stepped inside.
‘Connect me with the holding camp. And no delays or excuses. Anyone who attempts to stall me will be in severe trouble, make that clear. I need to know –
at once
– if Cadre
Wang is there.’

Li Fa bowed, then turned and made the connection. He made his request. A moment later he turned back, looking up at Jiang.

‘He was there, General, only he left five minutes back.’

‘Put me in touch with the craft directly… Now!’

If this was what he thought it was, he’d have the man tried in the field, then stripped and flogged for his insubordination.

Only Wang had anticipated him. He was flying blind, with a full communications blackout, as if he was on a special mission.

That confirmed it for Jiang. The only question now was this – was it done at Wang Yu-Lai’s own discretion, or was he following the orders of his Masters at the Ministry? If the
latter, then Jiang might find it difficult prosecuting a field trial against the man.

‘Curse the little fucker!’

He left the tent. Ma Feng and his squad were waiting there just outside, their heads bowed.

‘Come,’ he said, heading across to the landing pad, the men falling in behind. ‘Let’s hope we’re not too late.’

Jake slumped down onto the bed, all of the hope he’d carried away from that meeting with Jiang Lei crushed by what he had seen that morning.

That – that other odious little cunt – was the real face of China. That son of a prick, with his self-important sneer and his callous disregard for life.

He had no illusions as to what would happen now. The only hope he had was that it would be quick. That that dung-ball didn’t toy with his friends. Didn’t ‘get off on’
torturing them.

When he’d seen poor Jack clubbed to the ground by the guards he’d wanted to throw himself at them, to fight them to the death. Only what would it have achieved? He knew, from what
Jiang had said, that that was what a lot of these guards wanted – the excuse to wipe them out. To
not
have to do their job properly.

And then there was his family. The promise to Tom. If he’d fought them, then they’d
all
have been killed. Peter and Meg and Cathy and Beth… and Mary.

He closed his eyes and groaned. Poor Becky. That poor darling girl, whose only earthly flaw was her lazy eye. How did she deserve that? Why should some bastard be allowed to come along and take
her away just like that? If there was any justice…

Only there wasn’t. Not one single fucking shred of it.

Jake looked up, saw Mary standing there, staring at him, her own eyes desolate.

‘I thought you said it was going to be all right…’

He lowered his head. ‘I know,’ he said quietly, apologetically.

‘So what was that?’

Jake shrugged. He didn’t know. And maybe Jiang Lei didn’t know. Maybe this was how they behaved behind his back.

Mary sat down beside him, took his hand. ‘One thing, Jake. We’re going to live through all of this, yes? We’re going to do everything we can to survive. For the
children’s sake.’

He looked to her, then looked away again. He hadn’t yet told her about the fake identity. About the trouble he was possibly still in.

‘I’ll try,’ he said, squeezing her hand. ‘You know I’ll try, only…’

‘Only what?’

He took a long deep breath, then shook his head. ‘Nothing,’ he said, hoping it would never become an issue. ‘Only nothing.’

Jiang Lei pointed, almost jumping up out of his seat as he did.

‘There he is… There’s the bastard! Set us down, Pilot Wu, right bang on top of him!’

Ma Feng looked to his colleagues and made a face. They had never seen their general so angry. Where had the mild, considerate man they knew gone? And who was this demon who had taken him
over?

Jiang turned to the men. ‘You will take him and bind him, understand? And if he struggles, I give you permission to slap him, yes?’

The men seemed delighted by that order. ‘Yes, General Jiang!’ they said as one.

‘Good… then let’s hope…’

A fusillade of shots rang out. Jiang leaned forward, trying to see what had happened, then gave a sharp intake of breath.

Jiang slumped, he physically slumped, back into his chair.

Some men were just plain evil…

Yes, but he would have him now.

As the craft set down, not twenty metres from where Wang stood, on the ramp of his security cruiser, Jiang Lei barked an order.

‘Arrest that man, Ma Feng… I want him roped!’

Ma Feng and two others jumped down and ran across. As they did, so Wang’s men made to intercede.

‘And if they try to stop you, shoot them!’

Li and Cho backed away at that, leaving Wang Yu-Lai exposed. Ma Feng grabbed him roughly, almost pulling him off his feet.

‘My lord,’ Wang protested, clearly angered by this treatment. ‘What have I done to deserve this?’

But Jiang Lei was having none of it. He was furious. ‘Get him inside!’

Jiang looked across, to where the bodies lay, grieved by the sight. This was not the way. This only made their job harder, not easier.

Inside, as Wang sat there, head bowed, his hands tied with rough cord, Jiang raged at him.

‘What do you mean by this? Who gave you the order to do what you have done?’

Wang Yu-Lai looked up, glaring at Jiang Lei. ‘I was merely doing what you ought to have done!’

Jiang stared at him, astonished by the man’s impudence. ‘You presume to tell me
my
business, Wang Yu-Lai? To tell me what
I
ought to be doing?’ Jiang shook his
head, knowing now that he had no course but to try him and deal with him as harshly as he could. ‘
I
am Tsao Ch’un’s general… his chosen man. And what are
you?’

Wang laughed. It was the oddest sound, considering the trouble he was in. Jiang frowned, not understanding what might have caused such a reaction.

Had the man lost his senses?

Jiang calmed himself, then spoke again, clearly, like he was talking to a wilful child.

‘What you have done, Wang Yu-Lai, is a most serious breach of discipline. I intend to try you, here and now. And if I find you guilty, which I will, I shall have you flogged and sent back
to your Masters in a box. Do you understand?’

Wang looked up, meeting his eyes. He seemed strangely unconcerned, unmoved by Jiang’s words.

‘Oh, I understand, General Jiang… I know what you’d
like
to do… only if you try
me
it will come out…’

‘
What?
’ Jiang let his impatience shape his reaction. ‘What in the gods’ names are you talking about?’

‘About Reed. About the list.’

Jiang stared at him, utterly deflated by his words. How had he found that out? Was there a spy among his men? Or had one of Wang’s creatures overheard something?

Whichever, he would find out. Would rack them all, if he had to, until he had his answer. But for now he had a bigger problem, for if it came out that he had meddled, giving the man a false
identity to keep him from investigation by the Ministry, it would be he, more likely, who’d be on the end of a severe punishment.

There was only one thing he could do now. Only one thing that might save him. But first he must deal with the odious Wang.

‘Ma Feng!’ he called, his eyes never leaving Wang Yu-Lai.

‘Yes, General?’ Ma Feng said, rushing in, head bowed.

‘Take this one somewhere safe. Bind him and gag him and keep a guard on him day and night. And don’t let anyone talk to him. I don’t want him getting any messages out, have you
got that?’

‘Yes, General.’

‘But you can’t…’ Wang began.

Jiang turned and slapped him. ‘I know you, Wang. You think me a soft man. Well, you will find out now just how soft I am.’

He looked to Ma Feng. ‘Take him. And if he tries to escape, shoot him.’

Jake was resting when they came.

Peter came and shook him awake, then stepped back, pointing towards the man who stood there in the doorway.

Jake sat up, then, seeing who it was, quickly stood, lowering his head.

‘Jiang Lei…’

The Han came across, signalling to his guards to stay where they were, in the doorway.

‘
Shih
Reed… I’m sorry, but you’ll have to come with me. I am afraid that your existence is a known fact. The Ministry will want to talk with you. And I…
well, I must follow the formalities now.’

It was what Jake had feared. To come so close. Now they would have him. Now they would finish what they’d begun all those years ago. He sighed and looked down.

‘What you did… I appreciate that. It was a kindness on your part. But my family…’

‘Will be well looked after, I promise. No harm will come to them.’

‘And you?’

Jiang Lei smiled. ‘I must fight now to save myself.’

The smile faded. Jiang looked down. ‘Your friends… I am afraid I came too late to save them.’

Jake groaned.

It was what he’d feared. Even so, it was still hard to hear it confirmed.

Jiang Lei met his eyes, his own sorrowful. ‘I am so sorry… But I promise you this… That man will pay for what he’s done. It is not our way, I assure you. He is not
typical of us. But there are many like him, and The Thousand Eyes uses them whenever it can. I might try to disguise it and call it necessity, only that isn’t true. It is an evil, and I
apologize,
Shih
Reed. This isn’t how it was meant to be.’

Jake smiled and took the man’s offered hand.

‘Say your farewells,’ Jiang said. ‘You have half an hour.’

Jake bowed his head, Han fashion. ‘Jiang Lei… Thank you…’

He watched the Han leave, then looked down thoughtfully. Was there still a chance? Probably not. Once he was in their hands that was it.

The Thousand Eyes… how apt it was. How very Chinese…

Later, by the light of a scented candle, Jiang Lei sat at his desk, writing the letter.

It was cold inside the tent. Much colder than it had been these past few nights. Winter was coming. You could feel it in the air. Even so, he did not summon Ho to bring a heater.

Earlier on, he had contacted an old friend, in Pei Ch’ing, who had agreed to be his intermediary; to hand deliver the message. For this had to be done discreetly or not at all. Were it to
be sent through official channels, it would have no chance of reaching the one to whom it was addressed. It would be lost, or delayed, its purpose blunted.

Even as it was, it was a great risk. One did not write such letters every day. Then again, one did not often come to such a cusp, such a turning point, in one’s life.

It was all his fault. He realized that now. It was he who had put Wang in charge. He who had given him the taste for it. Was it any wonder that such a sadistic little pervert should want
more?

No. And so he shouldered the blame. Set it all down for Tsao Ch’un to read, humbling himself in words before him, even as he asked the great man a rare favour, begging him to remember the
great services he had done him.

Done willingly, of course, with no expectation of reward, yet if he was in any small way valued, then…

Jiang stopped, the ink brush hovering in the air above the sheet, wondering just how to phrase it.