page13 (2/2)
“And you?” he’d asked
“I like them, too I want a comfortable life”
That comment had stuck with hiovern do Mao had preached a pride in poverty Trouble was, nobody believed that anymore
Pau bent down and, in the garden sand, sketched two characters
Ni knehat they meant “Revolution”
Pau stood “More accurately, ‘withdrawal of the mandate’ Every Chinese dynasty justified its rise with that phrase When the Qing dynasty fell in 1912, and the last emperor was forcibly removed, this was hoe referred to that historic event In 1949 Mao stole Chiang Kaishek’srepublic It is time for another withdrawal of the mandate The question is ill lead that effort”
He stared at the older ator within hi like the politician—the leader—he wanted to be
“Communism has outlived its historical role,” Pau said “Unchecked econoer support it There siovernment to its people The demise of the Soviets proved that flaw clearly Now it’s happening again Unemployment within China is out of control Hundreds of ’s condescension, like Moscow’s decades ago, is inexcusable Minister, you must realize that the same nationalism that comforts the Party today could well hurl China into fascism tomorrow”
“Why do you think I a for power?” he spit out “Do you think I want that? Do you think the people who support me want that?”
“But you have discovered a problem, haven’t you?”
How did this sage, whom he’d met only today, know all that troubled him?
“Moscow’s collapse frightens you,” Pau said “How could it not? But we are different We are better suited to living with contradictions Our rulers have long proclaialists, yet no one ever questioned that dichotomy And unlike Russians, most Chinese do not lack for the necessities of life, or a few gadgets in their honorant Even with all of our flaill not commit political suicide So your dilemma is clear How do you persuade a billion and a half people to discard the norm and follow you to the unknown?”
He waited for the answer to that question
“Pride, Minister Such a si to that could well be your answer”
THIRTEEN
COPENHAGEN
MALONE SAT AT THE TABLE IN THE CAFÉ NORDEN, NESTLED close to an open second-storyOutside, Højbro Plads vibrated with people Stephanie Nelle and Ivan had also found chairs Ivan’s two minders were downstairs, at one of the exterior tables
“The toreat here,” he told them both
Ivan rubbed his belly “Toas”
“Then by all means, let’s avoid that,” Stephanie said
Malone had known Stephanie a long tients at the Magellan Billet She’d created the Justice Depa
rt twelveto the table a special skill Malone’s had been a career in the navy, where he rose to coerous situations His law degree froetown, and ability in a courtroom, only added to his résumé Stephanie’s presence here, on this beautiful day in Den but trouble Her association with Ivan co with the Russians
Only when necessary
And he agreed
The café tables were crowded, people drifting up and down fros He wondered why they were talking in public, but figured Stephanie knehat she was doing
“What’s going on here?” he asked his former boss
“I learned of Cassiopeia’s involveo I learned about the Russian’s interest, too”
He was still pissed about the two murders “You killed those tas after so we’d have no choice but to deal with you,” he said to Ivan “Couldn’t let ht?”
“They are bad people Bad, bad people They deserve what they get”
“I didn’t know that would happen,” Stephanie said to him “But I shouldn’t be surprised”
“You two acquainted?” he asked her
“Ivan and I have dealt with each other before”
“I not ask you to help,” Ivan said “This not involve America”
But he realized Stephanie had interjected herself into their business practicing the old adage Keep your friends close and your enemies closer
“Cotton,” she said “Cassiopeia has involved herself in soer than she suspects China is in the , the first vice pre, the head of the Communist Party’s anti-corruption depart this battle, which is rapidly escalating into a war Like I said, I beca further, we found Ivan was also interested—”