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The elevator rose like a rocket and Pitts ears popped three times before it slowed and the doors finally opened onto the richly furnished anterooainville Maritime Lines inc

Before he stepped out, Casio paused and reprogrammed the elevator circuitry with his transmitter Then he turned and stepped out onto the thick carpet

"We're here to speak with Min Koryo," Casio announced mundanely

The woman eyed them suspiciously, particularly Pitt, and opened a leather-bound journal "I see nothing in Madaainville's schedule that shows any appoint"

Casio's face furrowed into his best hurt look "Are you sure?"

he asked, leaning over the desk and peering at the appointment book

She pointed at the blank page "Nothing is written in-" Casio chopped her across the nape of the neck with the edge of his pal the desktop Then he reached inside her blouse and extracted a vestpocket 25-caliber automatic pistol

"Never know it to look at her," he explained, "but she's a security guard"

Casio tossed the gun to Pitt and took off down a corridor hung with paintings of the Bougainville Maritinized the Pilottown, and his weary expression hardened He followed the brawny private investigator up an intricately carved rosewood circular staircase to the living quarters above At the top of the landing Casioa bathroom

She earing silk lounging pajamas with a kimono top

Her eyes winened and in a lightning reflex she lashed out with one foot at Casio's groin He anticipated the thrust and shifted his weight ever so slightly, catching the blow on the side of his thigh

Then she flashed into the classic judo position and hurled several rapid cuts at his head

She would have done e to an oak tree Casio shook off her attack, crouched and sprung like an offensive back co off the line She spun to her left in an irace but was knocked off balance by his shoulder Then Casio straightened and sh her defense with a vicious left hook that nearly tore off her head Her feet left the floor and she flew into a five-foot-high Sung Dynasty vase, breaking it into dust

"You certainly have a omen," Pitt remarked casually

"Lucky for us there's still a few things we can do better than they can"