Tom Cain - Carver

It was the Guoanbu that had supplied Choi with the seed money for his commercial empire, and they had also used him as the front-man for placing a two-billion-dollar investment in the Zorn Global fund. In Beijing’s eyes, this was an extremely worthwhile investment, both because there was a very good chance that Zorn would succeed in generating a massive return on their money, and because the methods by which he operated — principally aggressive, highly leveraged short trades that profited from economic downturns — were deeply damaging to western economies. The West might be unwilling to accept that it was in a fight to the death with China for domination of the next few hundred years of world history, but Beijing was very much at war.

Choi, like Razzaq, saw no need to share any of his underlying thinking with Ginger Sternberg. Just as she had only cared about the money he had offered her to keep him informed of Razzaq’s activities, so his discussions with her never strayed far from the practical consequences of the information she provided.

‘I presume you will supply me with a description and photographs of this man, Samuel Carver. But for now tell me this: how good are his chances of success?’

‘Very good, in my opinion,’ Ginger replied. ‘After all, Zorn’s own head of security is plotting to have him killed. He’s bound to leave gaps in his boss’s protection.’

‘So you say, but you and I both know not to take anything at face value. Leave Razzaq to one side for the time being. How dangerous is Carver himself?’

‘Extremely dangerous, that’s why he was hired. He was a highly decorated officer in the British Special Boat Service, and his record as a private operative is outstanding. I assume your superiors know, even if you do not, that he was responsible for the death of President Gushungo in Hong Kong last year…’

She was pleased to see by his frown that this was news to Choi. She had the advantage over him for once, and wanted to rub it in: ‘It happened on Chinese territory, after all.’

‘I thought Gushungo was killed by jewel thieves,’ Choi countered, his outward equilibrium swiftly restored. ‘If I recall correctly, there were several million dollars’ worth of uncut diamonds in the house. They disappeared at the time he was killed.’

‘I am sure that is the impression Carver intended to give. But he now holds a five per cent stake in a mine sold to foreign investors by Gushungo’s successor, President Patrick Tshonga. He didn’t have to pay for those shares. They were his reward for a job well done.’

Choi looked thoughtful. Gushungo had been the dictatorial president-for-life of the southern African state of Malemba. Under his rule, a fertile country, rich in natural resources, had been reduced to a state of crippling poverty, barrenness and starvation. When the nations of the West increasingly shunned the Gushungo regime on the grounds of its relentless disdain for its people’s human rights, Beijing saw a vacuum to be exploited for its long-term advantage — and sought to cultivate a friendship with the old despot. With his death, and replacement by a democratic, UN-approved leader, that opportunity had been lost.

‘If Carver killed Gushungo then he is certainly a man to be reckoned with. But he is also a man who has caused my government considerable inconvenience. If he kills Malachi Zorn and thereby wrecks his investment fund, he will have dealt us a second blow. That is clearly unacceptable.’

Ginger smiled. ‘Yes, I would think so…’

‘Has Carver revealed how he plans to undertake his mission?’

‘No. He refused to have any further communication with Razzaq once the deal was agreed, and the initial fee deposited in his account. Razzaq put him under surveillance, of course, but he managed to lose the men who were tailing him. Since then, however, a delivery boy has been seen taking food to his apartment, so we assume he’s in Geneva.’

‘Unless that is a smokescreen.’

‘Yes,’ Ginger agreed, ‘it could be. But he will certainly have to be in London some time tomorrow, I should think.’

‘You do not know where he will be staying?’

‘I’m sorry, no.’

‘It does not matter. We will find him.’

‘That may not be easy. He goes to great lengths to remain undetected. His phone calls go through a number of relays and different numbers; he regularly uses satellite handsets so as to avoid the usual means of tracking via mobile network cells.’

‘If he uses a satellite phone that only means that he can be pinpointed with absolute precision.’

‘If you have access to the satellites through which his calls are routed, yes.’

‘My point exactly,’ said Choi. ‘So, we can assume he is somewhere in London. What were the parameters of his assignment?’

‘Primarily, to kill Zorn before the public launch of the Zorn Global fund.’

‘Which is when?’

‘Friday evening. It was also specified that the killing had to be public: something that couldn’t be missed.’

‘A news event…’

‘Exactly.’

‘I presume that you provided him with Zorn’s itinerary. What public appearances is he making?’

‘A few media appearances,’ Ginger said. ‘But those will be in closed studios, or within the grounds of the house Zorn has rented. Carver has the plans of the house, but I don’t expect him to strike there.’

‘Where do you think he will strike?’

‘Wimbledon. Zorn is going to the tennis on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I made a point of emphasizing that, and putting the idea firmly in Carver’s head. He will certainly want to prepare his operation as well as he can in the limited time available, so I don’t expect him to do anything until Wednesday.’

Choi nodded. ‘I agree. This is already an extremely tight schedule. He will not want to rush it any more than he absolutely has to. That is how mistakes are made. So… Wednesday or Friday… thank you very much. That is very useful.’

‘And my money?’

‘Will be deposited in your account as always.’

‘With a bonus if you succeed in killing Carver?’

‘I don’t believe I mentioned any such possibility.’

‘Of course not.’ Ginger fixed him with a brittle, humourless smile. ‘You didn’t have to. And I don’t have to say that I will expect a success fee in the event that the attack on Zorn is prevented… However it’s prevented.’

‘Noted,’ said Choi. ‘And now I’m sure you must be busy. My people will show you out.’

Choi watched Ginger Sternberg as she left the room. She was undeniably attractive for a western woman, and it amused him to see the arrogance with which she used her sexuality, presuming that no man could resist her. It would, he thought, be enjoyable to turn the tables on her one day, so that she was the one who begged and pleaded. That had not, he imagined, happened very often in her life, if at all. She had great power, and it had corrupted her and made her lazy, very much like the West itself. Both would be made to grovel.

First though, he had to deal with Samuel Carver. It would give him great face if he were seen to dispose of a man who had been the cause of such irritation. He would, of course, seek guidance from Beijing, but he had no doubt what his instructions would be. Samuel Carver had to die so that Malachi Zorn might live. And he, Choi Deshi, would personally ensure that the task was accomplished to his superiors’ satisfaction and his own personal glory.

The Old Town, Geneva

Carver spent the twenty-four hours following his deal with Razzaq deep in thought. He ran through possible identities and disguises; spent hours memorizing the junctions and landmarks on key roads; compared a number of indoor and outdoor locations; and considered all the many different ways of ending a human life at his disposal.