The Dragon and the Needle (12 page)

They held hands and then were all but in each other’s arms, as Mike said firmly, ‘For God’s sake, let’s stop this unhappiness and doubt about each other, or it will bring us to disaster. Listen, Eleanor. I’ve fallen deeply in love with you. I have never met a woman like you before, and had no time for anything or anyone except my work. You can trust me. You must do that. Tell me about your husband, tell me about Dorman! Surely you can understand I’ll do all I can to help and protect you.’

A sudden feeling of relief came over her. Then she did cry as his words of love registered and as he gently held her by her shoulders. She told him that the moment they had met she had felt for the first time since she had lost her husband,
that love had entered her life again. He wanted to take her in his arms to comfort her, and never leave her. She pressed her fingers to his face, to prove to herself that she was not dreaming. They sat in the museum, hand in hand, and then kissed. Later, slowly and softly, she took him into her confidence, explaining Ah-Ming’s threats to her, and as far as she could tell, who he was, that he was the person who told her Chen was still alive.

Then Mike said pressingly, ‘But what makes you think that he can throw some light on Dorman’s death?’

‘Because he knew that you were a close friend of Dorman, and you both were active colleagues, searching for the causes of ENDS. He said he had recently received written evidence.’

Mike was now straining every nerve to keep calm. Was this the first real breakthrough? But what about Eleanor? What the hell was going on? How close she must be to danger! Supposing this man had murdered Dorman?

‘Give me some more details, Eleanor.’

She replied, ‘He spoke as though he had come into possession of Dorman’s own ideas about Oriental medicine. He said that Dorman had heard a lot about my work in acupuncture, that alternative medicine might be playing a role of some sort in the deaths throughout the world …’

Mike interrupted, ‘He must have got the briefcase Dorman had with him at the time of his death!’

‘Perhaps. He said he knew about your work at Sussex University, that Dorman had spoken to you about me …’

Mike’s reaction brought fear into her mind again for he cut in, ‘The more you tell me, the more I feel that the police are the ones to handle all this, even MI5.’

‘No! No! You must hear me out!’ Eleanor exclaimed, regretting that she had gone so far. Mike was already defining possible actions too sharply.

And to make matters worse, the man she had seen before was approaching them, obviously intent on speaking to Mike.
He was smiling at her, but a few yards away spoke up and said to Mike, who had his back to the man, ‘I thought I would see how things are.’

Mike, already alarmed at the sudden return of pallor to Eleanor’s face, turned to his bodyguard, saying impatiently to him, ‘You can see how things are! I’m speaking to a friend.’

‘I’m sorry, sir. I’m only checking.’

As the man swiftly moved away from them and out of sight, Mike explained who he was.

‘Your bodyguard!’ Eleanor spoke softly. ‘I thought he was. We’re both in danger, aren’t we?’

‘Yes,’ Mike said. ‘Apparently, we are.’

Eleanor’s voice was full of emotion, as she said, ‘As far as Dorman’s briefcase is concerned, I know nothing, nor am I ever likely to find out. But what is vital, if we care about our safety, is that no one, absolutely no one, must be told about this discussion we’re having.’

‘But Eleanor, part of all this is the need to have bodyguards – for you as well as myself. If Dorman’s death was caused by people you know, then we must use that information immediately.’

‘And if we do,’ she insisted, ‘disaster could follow very quickly!’

‘But why will that happen?’

‘Because we are not dealing with just one death, but many, many deaths. I understand why you want Dorman’s killers brought to justice, but let that happen in good time, as it will.’ She slowly spread her arms in a wide arc, as though to embrace the Oriental antiquities in the vast museum. As she brought her hands together as if to pray, she said, ‘Listen to me, Mike. If you want me to trust you, you must trust me as well.’

‘Agreed.’

‘I believe that China might well be behind these mystery deaths and …’

Mike’s mouth went dry as he interrupted with, ‘If you believe that …’

‘Listen and trust me,’ she quickly shot back at him. ‘When I was in China I leant many things that the West could not, and still cannot, conceive possible. For example, in medicine, did you know that moxabustion increases the number of red corpuscles and haemoglobin?’

‘What’s moxabustion?’

‘It consists of applying combustible cones of powdered leaves of
Artemisia vulgaris
. They are placed on the skin and ignited. They are extinguished when they have burnt down to the skin.’

‘Leaving burns?’

‘It is removed before burning. The heat restores the flow of Yin and Yang, when the needles have needed a boost.’

‘Yin and Yang,’ Mike said, ‘the law of the opposites.’

‘Yes,’ she smiled briefly, ‘you’re learning. Now listen! While I was in China I learnt of the inner struggles of the people, and of the agents sent in by the West to split and divide them. The leaders were determined to preserve unity, to achieve victory for the way of life, for the Tao, for China.’

‘But to the West, the Tao is surely a sign of backwardness.’

‘But not to the East!’

‘So where is this leading us, Eleanor? What has all this to do with Professor Dorman and ENDS?’

‘This is where the Oriental mind has more depth than we often imagine it has … they would probably say that the mouse does not come out at the invitation of the cat. When the United Nations, America and its allies, took the tough line with China, they only succeeded in forcing the Far East to close their ranks against the rest of the world.’

‘That’s history now,’ Mike said. ‘Are you suggesting that Oriental medicine is what we should be worrying about?’

‘Not just worrying about it, but understanding all its implications!’ Eleanor exclaimed. ‘And as far as I’m concerned …’ she paused as two people strolled past them, then she said, ‘as
far as I’m concerned, even a bodyguard won’t be of any help to me.’

Mike was shocked. ‘What exactly do you mean by that?’ he asked.

She paused again, answering slowly, ‘I mean that if you imagine for one moment you can use anything I’ve spoken about here, like for instance telling the police or anyone, they will find out and kill me.’

It was almost more than Mike could stand. It had stopped raining. Pale sunshine was shining through a nearby window and the shadows cast by the ancient figures around them added to his anguish.

‘They will kill you,’ he said. ‘I don’t think that I’m going to let you out of my sight ever again!’

She smiled, and spoke with care, saying, ‘You must promise not to repeat to anyone what I have said so far!’

‘Of course, I promise.’

‘Or for that matter,’ she added, ‘anything else I might say.’

‘Agreed,’ Mike said.

At that moment, she felt the clouds around her had lifted. At last she could unburden herself to the man she loved.

‘And I promise you, Mike, to help you all I can in finding the causes of ENDS.’

Mike took her hand in his. ‘So you better tell me everything, everything,’ he repeated.

Any remaining barriers between them dissolved as they began to talk freely to each other.

Mike arrived at the Ministry of Health at close to half-past ten. He had telephoned the Minister earlier saying he had overslept and would be about an hour late for his appointment. The Minister had sulkily replied that the delay was annoying. Mike had swept the Minister’s attitude aside by telling him that he had something of great importance to discuss. That
was enough for the politician: had Mike got on to a new approach? Would Question Time in the House be easier for him as a result?

Since his meeting with Eleanor in the Oriental Gallery of the British Museum, Mike had changed. Now the problems were not only ENDS and Dorman’s murder, but also the need to protect Eleanor. He had spent most of the night trying to work out in his mind what to say and, even more importantly, what not to say to the Minister. As he walked thoughtfully down the long corridor towards the Minister’s office, he knew he was ready to put forward his next moves.

He sat down and faced the Minister. He was determined to keep control of events. Mike needed that determination, for the Minister from the outset adopted an aggressive attitude, leaning forward with his elbows on the desk and speaking quickly.

‘I’m disappointed you’re late, Doctor. I’ve got a hell of a day ahead, there’s not much time I can spare. So keep it short. What progress have you made?’

The tactlessness behind the question was enough to make Mike even stronger. He controlled himself and replied, ‘You don’t seem to realise, Minister, that what I have to say is in no way determined by what you call progress. As I said to you on the phone, I have something of great importance to discuss with you.’

‘In other words, that you’ve made progress?’

‘You can put it like that if you wish.’ Mike paused for effect and went on, ‘And if you really want effective progress you must trust me to go my own way.’

‘I’m not interested in what way you go and …’

Mike cut in, ‘I think it wise for you to listen to what I have to say.’ He looked hard at the Minister and went on, ‘I propose to work alongside a colleague, following a possible link with the Far East. Any discussion as to the details cannot be divulged to you and …’

The Minister’s face went red at these words. He pushed his writing pad forward, interrupting Mike, saying defiantly, ‘I would like to remind you, Doctor, that you are supposed to report your progress to me!’ His voice got higher. ‘What exactly is it that you are unable to divulge to me?’

‘I cannot say any more than I have told you. And I do not have to report anything to you. Your job is to keep what I am doing out of circulation and to keep the politicians quiet. That is the thing of great importance that I came to tell you. I’m surprised you haven’t heard from someone else already.’

‘Are you trying to bully me? To threaten me? And what exactly do you mean by “someone else”?’

‘I can give you a number to call, if you so wish.’

‘What sort of number?’

‘Very high level.’

The Minister sat very still at his desk, staring at Mike. Was the doctor trying to bluff him? Who the hell did he think he was? The more he stared at Mike, the more he noticed that the doctor appeared restless. At this moment, Mike did indeed feel disturbed. His head was hot and he felt slightly giddy. His restlessness was not lost on the politician who thought perhaps the doctor was losing his grip on events. For a brief period Mike had wondered what was the matter with himself, but as suddenly as his giddiness had appeared, it disappeared.

‘Minister!’ Mike spoke the word sharply. ‘You can call this number.’ He handed the Minister a card. ‘I am surprised they have not called you. Please do that. Now!’ Mike stood up and walked over to a window, then turned around to face the Minister who had not moved. The colour was rising again in the politician’s face as Mike called across to him. ‘Will you please do as I tell you? Or shall I do it for you? It might even help you in terms of what you say to the House.’

The Minister made the call. The more he listened on the
telephone, the more his attitude changed. Mike returned to sit down opposite him, and he saw a vain, ambitious man assume an air of cooperation. He was adept at survival. Mike watched to see how he would handle a very awkward position. Considering his embarrassment, Mike thought the Minister behaved tolerably well.

‘I understand now, Doctor,’ the Minister said. ‘At least, I know the important part I have to play in all this.’ He smiled and finished by saying, ‘It might even be enjoyable in the House: especially, I think, hoodwinking the Opposition, knowing that I’m doing it with official blessing.’

As Mike left, the Minister shook his hand warmly and said, ‘Good luck! Perhaps, one day, the world will be grateful to you.’

Back in his flat Mike felt strangely comforted, as if the future was more hopeful. He now had more control of events that lay ahead. Then suddenly, the giddiness began to return. He hurried across to his sofa and lay down just in time. Thoughts rushed through his mind half-subconsciously, as he recovered his strength of will and purpose. What the hell is wrong with me? he thought. He was always fit, with no health problems. The giddiness gradually disappeared as he took deep breaths and exhaled slowly. He knew that severe tension can have a serious effect on the lungs, sometimes lowering their ability to take in sufficient air and oxygen. He was under a great deal of tension. Perhaps all he needed was paracetamol and rest for a while?

As he sat up, his telephone rang. Eleanor’s voice was the best tonic Mike could have had at that moment. But as he spoke to her she knew from the tone of his voice that something was wrong.

‘Mike, I’ve got a lot to tell you. We must meet soon, but you sound different. What’s the matter?’

‘It’s nothing. I’ve been feeling strange.’

‘What is it?’

‘Probably need a short break. Tension, that’s all,’ and to take away her anxiety about him he added, ‘Probably worrying about you too much. A paracetamol will sort me out.’

‘Have you taken one yet?’

‘No, I was just about to have one … hold on a moment.’

‘Mike!’ She spoke loudly to hold him on the line. ‘Don’t take one.’

He laughed. ‘Why not?’

‘Look, Mike, are you OK to come over to me now? I’m in my office.’

‘Yes, of course I am.’

‘Then come across immediately. If I can’t help you, then you can take the damned paracetamol.’

Mike laughed again. ‘Good God!’ he exclaimed, ‘are you going to needle me?’

‘Probably. It depends on what I find.’ And with impatience she added in a firm tone of voice, ‘Stop wasting time. Come over now!’

There was a short pause and then he said, ‘OK, I’ll be with you very soon.’

Mike entered Eleanor’s reception room followed by his bodyguard.