Spyder Web

55

After completing his call, Kang walked over to the bar where Parnell was fixing himself a drink. Roe, who had been unusually pensive throughout the exchange, stood at the window, staring blankly at the hazy London skyline. Yakushev had warned her about Kang, and now Roe wondered if this ruthless PRC agent would live up to his reputation for violence. Roe’s question was answered by the metallic sound of an Uzi being readied to fire.

‘There is just one more item of business before I leave. It is regrettable, but I cannot permit either of you to live with knowledge of this operation. Such a breach of security would be unacceptable.’

Parnell’s drink fell to the floor as the threat of Kang’s betrayal became clear to him. ‘This is outrageous! We have an agreement, and we have fulfilled our end. You have my word as a gentleman that this transaction will remain in our strictest confidence.’

‘Your word as a gentleman, Parnell?’ Kang parroted back with a laugh. ‘The days of honor and chivalry in England, and China, are long past. This is business, nothing more.’

Kang placed his briefcase on Parnell’s conference table and opened it. From inside, he retrieved a thick file folder. Parnell recognized it as one of his ‘special’ reports.

‘This is a copy of the information that you supplied to our mutual acquaintance, Wu Zhusheng.’ Kang fanned the report dramatically, showing extensive red marks on several sheets of the document. ‘Unfortunately for Wu, the information in this report contains significant errors. These errors were discovered too late for Wu to salvage his considerable investment in this project. My government has also withdrawn its support for several of Wu’s ventures, leaving his company financially ruined. Wu arrived in London this morning to face those he feels responsible for his losses. After “murdering” the two of you, Wu will return to his hotel room and “commit suicide.” We’ve left Wu where he will be found in a day or two.’

Kang tossed the sheaf of paper in an arc around the floor. ‘These documents, found in this office with your bodies, will provide a plausible explanation for your deaths.’

‘I don’t think it’ll be quite that simple, Kang,’ Roe announced calmly as she stared out the window.

Kang was momentarily stunned by the use of his real name, but he quickly regained his composure. ‘What problem do you see with my plan?’

‘Actually, I see several problems surrounding this building right now. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the authorities have closed off the area.’ Roe spoke in deliberate, measured tones to emphasize the gravity of Kang’s plight. ‘If you kill us, you kill any real chance of escaping with the ciphers.’

For the first time, Kang’s stony composure cracked, revealing a sense of fear and uncertainty. Roe was telling him the truth: The streets below the office tower were empty, barricaded by police. The helicopter he’d seen earlier took up a new position near the tower. A net was being cast and Kang could feel it drawing closed around him.

‘What are you offering in return for your life?’

‘A way out,’ Roe replied. ‘We all need to get out of the country as quickly as possible, but first we need to get out of this building. There’s one route that doesn’t appear to be blocked: the marina. Ian’s got a fast boat that should buy us some time and distance. We can figure out our next steps later, but right now, I think we should get moving.’

Mosley watched the scene in Parnell’s office unfold through his binoculars. ‘Something’s happening over there. The Chinese have just pulled their weapons. Kang’s at the window; I think he’s spotted the ground teams.’

‘Probably sensing a double cross.’ It was a risk bringing in the police, but they had to be sure that the area was completely sealed off.‘Looking Glass to all teams. Proceed with caution. Subjects are armed and aware of your approach.’

One by one, the teams acknowledged Axton’s directive. They’d lost the element of surprise. Hopefully, their superior numbers would be enough.

Kang turned to Parnell. ‘Is what she says true? Can you get us out of here?’

‘Let me check the river,’ Parnell replied. He joined Roe and Kang at the window and studied the winding Thames below. Kang’s men kept their weapons trained on Parnell and Roe, awaiting their orders. ‘Alex is right. It’s clear as far as I can see, nothing but barge traffic and a couple of tour boats. If they don’t block the river between here and the coast, I can get us out to international waters. Can you do anything from there?’

Kang knew that at any time there were several Chinese freighters near European ports. ‘It’s possible. Let’s go.’

On Kang’s orders, his men lowered their weapons against Parnell and Roe but kept them ready. As they exited the suite, they saw two SAS soldiers in the corridor rushing toward them.

‘Back inside!’ Kang ordered as his men opened fire.

The corridor began to fill with the smoky scent of gunfire. The SAS soldiers drove Kang’s men back into the suite with short bursts from their submachine guns. Exposed as they were in the wide corridor, the soldiers pressed their attack, knowing it was the only way for them to stay alive.

Kang also quickly grasped the tactical situation. ‘You’—he pointed to one of his men—‘open fire down the corridor. Shoot wildly to keep those soldiers pinned down.’

The man did as he was told and, exposing only the barrel of his weapon, began spraying bullets in the direction of their pursuers.

‘Those soldiers are pinned down with no protection. Finish them,’ Kang ordered his other man.

The two Asians leapt into the corridor, each picking a target and firing their weapons on full automatic. Hot brass casings spiraled through the air as they emptied their clips of ammunition into the prone soldiers, who had closed within twelve feet of the suite door. One of the soldiers managed to fire a short burst, grazing one of the Asians, before several bullets transformed his face into a bloody pulp.

When the Asians’ weapons were empty, the corridor became eerily quiet. Parnell and the others felt a slight ringing in their ears from the loud bursts of sound that had accompanied the violent exchange.

‘Good work,’ Kang congratulated his men as they snapped fresh clips of ammunition into their weapons.

Kang turned from the carnage and noticed the counters on the elevators increasing toward their floor. ‘More soldiers are coming. Which way out?’

‘Upstairs,’ Parnell replied, stepping over bloodied bodies in the stairwell. ‘We’ll use the residents’ express elevator.’

‘Move!’ Kang barked, and his men complied.

The condominium level above Parnell’s office had six elevators instead of the five available on the office floors. The elevator must have been nearby, because the doors opened almost immediately after Parnell hit the button. The fugitives boarded the elevator car as Parnell punched in the access code for the marina level. The second team of SAS soldiers reached the twelfth floor just as Parnell’s elevator car sped past.