Point of Contact

33

Paul had checked the Hendley Associates portal several times last night and early this morning, but Gavin hadn’t yet responded. Even when Gavin wasn’t in the office — which was rare, because the man had no social life — he was known to check his messages frequently. Either he was ill or unable to access his machine. Either explanation was a disaster from Paul’s perspective. He checked again one last time on his smartphone before they arrived at Dalfan, just in case.

And there it was. The text from Gavin he’d been waiting for. Sort of.

At least Gavin was online. Paul messaged, Can you talk?

A second later, Gavin responded:

Without a second’s hesitation, Gavin typed back:

Paul sighed.

“Must be important,” Jack said. “You’re texting a dictionary.”

Paul shrugged, poker face in place. “That project I was working on before? Just a couple follow-up notes.”

“It’s late back home.” Jack checked his watch. “Almost eight o’clock. You’re working whoever’s on the other end of that text pretty hard.”

“That’s the idea,” Paul said, as they pulled into the underground garage at Dalfan headquarters.

Jack and Paul entered the Dalfan building, followed the usual security routine, and headed for their offices.

Jack hadn’t slept at all the night before, feeling certain he was under observation even though he had no evidence of it. It was like when someone talked about lice. It didn’t matter that the lice infestation happened across town or even in the previous year; just the thought of the nasty little vermin made him start scratching his scalp.

The idea of his privacy being violated really pissed him off, but the thought that Lian and her team assumed that Jack and Paul were thieves made him even angrier. There wasn’t any question in his mind that Lian was behind the break-in. His anger compounded by his lack of sleep, Jack was livid when he and Paul showed up at Dalfan that morning.

Jack spotted Lian in Yong’s office, the two of them engaged in what appeared to be a heated conversation. Jack’s plan was to read her the riot act this morning about the break-in. He was certain it was one of her security people that searched their place. The only reason he could come up with was that they were probably trying to find out if Jack or Paul had stolen any valuable secrets. He still wasn’t convinced they hadn’t planted any surveillance devices, either — and probably for the same reason.

Judging from the energy she and Yong were throwing off behind the closed glass door, Jack decided to postpone his confrontation with Lian for the time being.

Since she was highly distracted at the moment, it was the perfect time for him to go and check out the warehouse that Paul told him about last night.

Paul was just sitting down at his desk when Bai appeared, bleary-eyed and yawning.

“Long night?” Paul asked.

“My cousin’s birthday party. I think I drank a little too much, but lots of fun and lots of pretty girls. Lah.”

“Feel free to take a nap. I’m just sitting here, working.”

“I might get a cup of coffee. Do you want something?”

“No, thanks.”

Bai stepped out of the door just as Jack stepped in.

“I’m heading over to the warehouse now. You want to tag along?”

“I’ve got plenty to do here, but thanks.”

“I’ll call you if I find anything.”

“Be careful, Jack.”

“Careful? Why? We’re talking about a case of bad bookkeeping, not an Al-Qaeda bomb-making factory.”

“Just watch your back.”

“You, too.”

Lian was still talking to her brother when Jack walked past her door. They locked eyes for a moment, but she didn’t stop speaking to Yong as Jack marched away. She did, however, pick up a phone.

Jack approached the security desk. Park was on the phone and standing at the security desk, towering over the young woman who manned the station. He glanced up just as Jack was passing through.

“Do you need anything, Mr. Ryan?” Park asked.

“Nah, I’m good. Thanks.”

“Going somewhere?”

Jack flashed a smile. “Aren’t we all?” He pushed against the security door to leave, but it was locked.

Jack turned around. Park was smiling at him, the phone still in his hand.

“Tell your boss I don’t need a babysitter. I’m just taking a drive.”

“I’m happy to drive you to wherever you want to go.”

“I’ve got my own car.”

“It’s not an easy city to navigate.”

Jack’s foul mood suddenly boiled over. He stormed over to Park and got in his face. The ex — ROK marine didn’t flinch. They stared daggers at each other. The young woman they were standing over was afraid they were going to throw punches. “Eh, guys?”

Jack took a deep breath, realizing he’d lost control. He took a step back. He pointed at the phone still in Park’s hand. “Let me talk to your boss.”

Park bounced the phone in his hand like he was weighing it before finally handing it to Jack.

“Listen, Ms. Fairchild. Me being followed around isn’t part of the deal. I’m heading out and I don’t want or need anyone to tag along. Is that clear?”

“Perfectly,” Lian said on the other end of the line. “May I ask where you are going?”

“Sure, you can ask.”

Lian waited for him to tell her, but soon realized he had just made a joke at her expense. “Fine. But be sure to obey all traffic laws. Our police force is very efficient.”

Jack was going to say something else smart-ass, but he thought better of it. “Thanks for the warning.” He slapped the phone receiver into Park’s wide hand.

“Someday I think you and I are going to have a little talk,” Park said.

Jack grinned. “I’ll use small words.”

Jack pushed on the exit door again just as the electronic lock clicked open, and headed for the elevator that would take him to the underground parking facility.

Park waited for the elevator door to close before he punched a speed-dial number and issued instructions to one of his team waiting in the garage.