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He knew that mineral oil only caasoline—in the West’s 19th century—a long time after Qin Shi He’d also noticed the sodium-vapor lamps, their bulbs not of the size and shape currently in use These were older Larger Ware at maybe twenty-plus years, and wondered about the last time they were lit
The detail of the topographic floor raphy of the south and west illustrating radually flattened into fertile plains Forests were represented by trees carved fro tees He assumed the plinth in the center stood where the imperial capital had been located at the time of Qin Shi, not far from present-day Xi’an
Two pops disturbed the silence
Gunshots Behind him
Froone
He stopped his advance, as did the two brothers
Another pop sounded
He turned and rushed back toward the shots
MALONE WATCHED AS THE FIRST VICE PREMIER, KARL TANG, and two other nized the face from photos Stephanie had provided Viktor had surely known that his boss would be nearby, which explained both the other helicopter and why he’d so generously offered to create a diversion
“That was close,” Cassiopeia said
If the threethem would have been impossible He and Cassiopeia would have been exposed, and he’d already decided to kill the twoseparately
“Who’s shooting?” Cassiopeia asked
“I don’t know I’lad they are”
FIFTY-EIGHT
NI HEARD THE TWO SHOTS AS THE MAN IN THE DOORWAY FIRED at hied off the walls, causing him to duck and shield his head Clearly the er, intentionally aih
He was not going to be so generous He leveled his gun and squeezed the trigger
But the one
His bullet, like the two before, found only stone, ricocheting off the walls, causing him now to drop to the floor
He sprang to his feet, without using either hand for leverage, and bolted for the exit A quick peek around the doorway’s edge and another bullet caainst the wall Why was theto hit hi?
He recalled what the prehter did not crash It was shot down by a helicopter, piloted by a foreigner, authorized to fly by Minister Tang
Was this the man?
TANG FLED THE MAIN HALL AND REENTERED THE FIRST ANT
ECHAMBER Viktor appeared from one of three darkened archways that led out, his back leading the way, gun pointed behind him
“I found Minister Ni,” Viktor said
Tang ht Both brandished their guns, while he held a semi-automatic
“Is there any other way out?” Tang asked
Viktor shook his head “Only through here”
MALONE WATCHED THE UNFOLDING SCENE WITH INTEREST
“What do you think is happening?” Cassiopeia asked
She hadn’t been privy to Stephanie’s briefing, so he explained “The ”
He caught a glimpse of a fourth man now inside the antechamber Viktor He should have known
“You think it’s Pau Wen they are after?” she asked
“Could be But he seemed to have anticipated this warm reception”
“Thatdoesn’t like”
“Which makes that person our ally”
“So let’s help”
CASSIOPEIA GRIPPED THE GUN, READYING HERSELF MALONE slipped to one side of the plinth, she to the other Luckily, the jade table had been positioned diagonally, which offered them more protection
Malone stood
“Hey, assholes,” he called out
Tang, Viktor, and the two men whirled
Malone sent a bullet their way, obviously not to hit anybody but to attract their attention Which worked All four retreated froht