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“It was better that we all hear this together,” Zai responded evenly

“Is there any proof that the thefts and the deaths are connected?” she asked

“None,” Zai answered, “but you should assuate Brian McCarthy’s murder If these other deaths also turn out to be murders, then you know your duty Attorney Stark is to look into the thefts and—”

Perhaps finally understanding how closely she and David would need to work together, Hulan said to Zai, “It is not estions to the vice minister, but I still believe this case would be better served by someone else Perhaps someone who is not so visible”

Vice Minister Zai laughed good-naturedly “One reason to send you to the Three Gorges is that there is no television reception there They may be the only place in the country where today no one has seen your face”

“Well, then,” Hulan backpedaled, “perhaps I should go alone As you pointed out earlier, a threat has been ator Lo to accoer—”

“Investigator Lo will remain here to handle any requests for information you may need froer, but that is true in everything we do, isn’t that correct, Attorney Stark?” To Hulan, he said, “If you need additional help, you will find it in Bashan’s Public Security Bureau”

He regarded David closely “We await your decision and hope that you, too, will see the i on this ravations in recent years Fortunately everything has returned to business as usual But we don’t knohat could happen the next ti that could be hu to either of our countries” Zai paused, then asked, “Attorney Stark?”

“I’d be honored to represent the bureau’s interests in this h from the look on Hulan’s face he knew this was not the response she wanted to hear

“Very well,” the vice est you escort Director Ho to his car”

Zai was once again asserting his position over Hulan, and she obeyed without question, leaving David and the vice minister alone Zai took a sip of tea, then sat back in his chair and openly scrutinized David At last he said, “When Director Ho asked for help, I thought of you for all of the reasons we have just discussed, but I have other considerations as well You knoould not knowingly send you into jeopardy Although I cannot anticipate what you will encounter, I trust that you will employ abilities that I did not mention to Director Ho Our Hulan thinks and acts intuitively She has a compulsion to put her physical body between herself and evil”

This was true, David thought It was as though she dared the guilty to punish her instead of the intended victim

“We both know this method has not alorked well for her in the past,” Zai went on “You, David, are so different Physically you are er than Hulan, yet you use your mind to deal with trouble I don’t ic and linear thinking to solve problems”

This was true as well David believed that civilization and culture rest on the conviction that logic will alin Besides, lawyers are supposed to use their brains, not their fists, to deal with difficult and painful situations

“She puts herself into danger You think yourself through it Together you have found a way to solve theyou” The vice minister’s formality was replaced by the friendly tone of the person Hulan and David had dined with once a week until just a few ether—alone! This could be the last chance for the two of you”