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“The criminal stuff is the bedrock, but it has evolved into a nontraditional organization with foreign affiliates and legiti, real estate, movies, pha So contaerous products”

“Does the Pyramid leadership have a human face?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, it has three The company is said to be run by a set of triplets”

“That’s an unusual arrangement”

“Not when you consider the extent of their ee treasury, an ars at its comovernangs in every est crianization in China, possibly in the world”

“How do you fight so like that?” Zavala asked

“With great difficulty Asian criual, and flexible Advances in travel and colobal scale We can s and nibble around the edges of their financial empire, but they’ve been impervious up to now”

“What has changed?”

“They are up against the only ene to put Pyramid out of business”

“Wait a second, didn’t you say the government supported the Triads?”

“That’s history There’s a huge gray area bethat is legal and what is criovernment hadn’t clamped down before this because the Triads produce money, keep order, and are patriotic”

“Why the sudden change of heart?”

“The Chinese military has been in business with the Triads for years Pyra it political overniven Pyramid too much power They’ve put thousands of corrupt officials froan to push after the safety scandals China lives on its exports And anything that threatens them threatens the stability of the country and therefore its rulers

“Tell me about the triplets,” Zavala said

“Notto rank rather than names But they usually have someone to serve as their public face Pyrauy named Wen Lo No one has ever seen the other two triplets Triads are usually decentralized, but Pyra its leadership, which also has the government worried” She paused “Now it’s e the bathysphere?”