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“Vice Minister Zai assures ether in the past on matters sensitive to the state,” Ho stated evenly

David hadn’t expected Zai’s naone to considerable lengths to check out David’s credentials

Then Ho dropped his final boate Brian McCarthy’s death So, in addition to looking into the thefts, I’d like you to represent the bureau’s interests if it’s discovered that his or any of the workers’ deaths are connected to Site 518”

Ho pushed his chair back and stood “We have an appointment at the Ministry of Public Security at three o’clock You can inform me of your decision to take the case after you’ve heard what the

vice minister has to say”

When David and Director Ho were ushered into Vice Minister Zai’s office, Hulan was already there David reo when he had first entered this roo Hulan, the woman who had disappeared from his life seven years previously From that moment of supreain

Now he felt conflicted It seeation, but this whole setup was suspicious Why throw theain after so many years? What was it about this case that required the two of them? Just as Ho after? Not topulled away fron, David knew that much Their eyes met briefly, and he read profound wariness in hers It put him at ease to know that she picked up on his caution too David had heard enough Chinese bureaucrats obfuscate or lie or try to paint so in rosy hues when the colors of the situation were as dark as mud that he never believed every word that was spoken Only speak one-third of the truth Hulan had taught him that

True to personal form and social custom, Zai had retreated beneath a veneer of bureaucratic authority, which was exactly what David expected Fa less than formal In the center of the roo each other with a little table between them Tea was poured Waterarettes were offered Coh all of this Whatever e were now deeply hidden, but he wondered if she too was thinking of that day five years ago when he’d walked into this office What did she see when she looked at him now?

Zai s “Attorney Stark, Inspector Liu,” he began, falling back on forht the two of you together in hopes that you can once again help China by using your special skills In the past, Inspector Liu has not let political correctness influence her reasoning, while Attorney Stark has always understood the i secrets Inspector Liu carries with her a badge of governet people to answer your questions for the very reason that you do not carry a badge You have not crossed any politically difficult lines in the past As a result, no one has lost face”

“Keeping things to ourselves is what American lawyers are trained to do,” David said

“Which may be particularly important in this situation” Zai shifted his attention to Ho “Director, have you told Attorney Stark about McCarthy’s death?”

When the director nodded, Zai said, “Good Now I hope you will explain to Inspector Liu a little bit about your other problems”

After Ho repeatedartifacts, Hulan asked, “But why are you so interested in what happened at Site 518? Haven’t several sites along the river been looted?”

“Looted and vandalized,” Ho admitted ruefully “Most of the people who do this are not sophisticated We call the, and in many cases they’ve broken ans have been arrested They’ve been sent to prison or labor camp for terms of one to fifteen years”

“What about the artifacts that aren’t broken?” Hulan asked