The Whole Truth

CHAPTER 54

“WE NAMED THE COMPANY after the Chinese phoenix, the Feng Huang,” Feng Hai said as they sat in an office off the main foyer. “In Chinese mythology the phoenix stands for virtue, power, and prosperity. It was also said that the bird represented power sent down to the empress from above. You might know that Feng means male phoenix.”

“And Feng is also your surname,” commented Shaw. Unlike the West the Chinese put their family name ahead of their given one. So Hai was the man’s first name.

Feng nodded. “That also gave me the idea, that is correct.”

“And the connection The Phoenix Group has to China?” Royce asked.

“It is simply a Chinese company doing business in London, like many others.”

“Your employees seemed to think a wealthy American from Arizona owned it,” Shaw noted.

Feng shrugged. “Rumors, obviously.”

Shaw said, “I think it was more than that. I think it was a deliberate cover.”

Royce sat forward while Feng glared at Shaw. “So it was basically a think tank that studied global issues funded by you and your partners? That was the business model?”

Feng nodded.

“And you set it up for what reason?” Royce asked.

“To find answers to complicated questions,” Feng said. “The Chinese too have an interest in such problems and solutions. We are not all heartless polluters and people who put lead in children’s toys, gentlemen,” he said, attempting a weak smile.

“Did The Phoenix Group make any money for you?” Shaw asked.

“We did not do it for money.”

Shaw looked around at the elaborately decorated interior of the office. “This building must be worth, what, thirty million pounds?”

“It has been a good investment. But as I said, money is not our chief concern. We, my partners and I, we are good businessmen. We make lots of money in other things. The Phoenix Group was our way of doing some good. Giving back, I think you say.”

“And you have no idea why anyone would have wanted to attack this place and kill everyone?” Royce asked, the skepticism in his voice unmistakable.

“None at all. I was most distressed when I heard. Most distressed. I… I could not believe that such a thing could happen. The people here were scholars, intellectuals. They work on issues of water usage rights, globalization of world economies, atmospheric warming due to carbon-based fuel use, energy consumption, matters of international financial assistance to third world countries, political dynamics. Benign intellectual subjects, gentlemen.”

“Anna Fischer wrote a book on police states,” Shaw pointed out. “That hardly qualifies as a benign intellectual matter.”

“Ms. Fischer was most excellent at her job.”

“You knew her?”

“I knew of her.”

“Had anyone here met you before?” Shaw asked quickly.

“We, my partners and I, prefer to keep a low profile. But we received regular reports.”

I’m sure you did, Shaw said to himself.

“Have you found any evidence that will lead to the people who did this?” Feng asked anxiously.

Royce shook his head. “No fingerprints, no shell casings, no trace at all, I’m afraid.” He did not mention the video feed.

“That is most discouraging.”

“But we did find one thing of interest, Mr. Feng,” Royce said. “Would you care to see? It’s a real eye-opener.”