Клайв Касслер - Typhoon Fury

“Understood. Were you able to find any information about the Magellan Sun ? Murph and Eric could only trace ownership to a Hong Kong shell corporation called Tai Fong Shipping and that it sails under the flag of the Marshall Islands.” Registering a cargo ship under a flag of convenience was common, and the Oregon herself often hoisted a Liberian, Panamanian, or Iranian flag on her jackstaff to maintain her anonymity.

Overholt shook his head. “Sorry. The only thing we can add to what you already know is that it was owned by the Chinese government before it was sold to Tai Fong.”

“Then we’ll have to assume everyone on board is a member of Locsin’s insurgency.”

“I think that would be wise.”

“In Ocampo’s debriefing, did he mention recalling anything about what they’re off-loading?”

Overholt picked up a piece of paper and scanned it. “He did remember a few words about parts for something they are manufacturing, and one word in particular stood out. Weapon .”

“It makes sense that the Chinese would be shipping weapons to them.”

“Or they’re building one.”

“You mentioned the U.S. naval base. They could be planning to attack it.”

“All the more reason to find out what Locsin is up to.”

“Then I’d better get moving.”

“One final thing before you go. Our meteorologists report that a tropical storm has formed to the east of the Philippines. They’re calling it Hidalgo. It’s headed your way, but it’ll be a few days before it arrives. However, they’re estimating that it’ll pick up strength by the time it makes landfall.”

Juan shook his head and gave Overholt a wry smile. “Typhoon Hidalgo?”

“Looks like it, my friend.”

27

MANILA

“This is a bad idea,” said Raven, who was at the wheel of a tiny rental car. Even at nine-thirty at night, traffic was chaotic, though not as thick as the daytime mess.

Beth didn’t look up from her phone. She was glued to the dot that intermittently appeared on the screen. “You said that already. Turn here.”

Since the bayside U.S. embassy was on the left, the only way to turn was right. “I wasn’t sure the ‘bad’ part had registered.”

Ten minutes ago, the tracking signal from the transmitter hidden on the eagle finial had suddenly come alive again right there in Manila. With Juan and the Oregon gone, they had no backup. After Beth’s brush with death the day before, Raven thought she might be hesitant to take more risks, but Beth was so intent on finding the paintings that she brushed off the risk. Raven had reluctantly given in, with Beth’s agreement that they would pull back at the slightest hint of danger.

“We’re not assaulting a fortress,” Beth said. “We’re just going to take a look. If it seems like a good chance that the paintings are at the location where we’re headed, we’ll wait and call in the cavalry. Consider this a first look. What do you call that in the military?”

“A reconnaissance mission.”

“Right. This is just one of those.”

“That’s what we were doing when we went to check out Ocampo’s chemical lab. I’d like to remind you it’s now a smoldering pile of ash.”

Beth flashed her a smile and gave her a thumbs-up. “You’ve done a great job so far. Keep up the good work.”

Raven just sighed in response. She could take care of herself. It was protecting someone else that was the tricky part, especially if they were intensely focused on another goal like Beth was. The pistol digging into her hip gave her some comfort, but the men they were facing weren’t like anything she’d come across before. She’d keep her head on a swivel in case this was a trap.

They drove another few blocks until Beth said, “The building on the left. We’re here.”

Raven stopped the car at an open space by the curb and stared up at a set of three luxury towers next to a brightly lit multistory structure, fronted by a semicircular drive with palm trees and manicured topiary. The sign on the front of the building read “Robinsons Place Manila.”

“This is a shopping mall.”

Beth looked up from her phone at the multiple advertisements for stores and restaurants inside. “Oh, yeah. That’s weird.”

“You sure this is it?” Raven had been expecting to be directed to some run-down industrial area where an ambush would be easy to execute.

Beth checked the phone again and nodded. “The signal keeps popping up every minute or so inside this building.”

“Not in one of the towers?” An apartment would have been a more likely place for it to be but impossible to check without careful planning.

Beth, exasperated, shoved the screen toward her. Raven pursed her lips when she saw the dot in the center of the mall.

“Let’s go,” she said, putting the car in park. “Stay close to me.” She opened the door and stood, scanning the street around them. Couples going to the movies, groups of teens out on the town, and families coming home from a late dinner crowded the streets. No one seemed to be paying particular attention to them, so Raven motioned for Beth to come with her.

Beth joined Raven as she crossed the street. “I think you meant to say, ‘You’re right, Beth. How could I have doubted you?’” Raven scowled at her. “Because this doesn’t seem right.”

“Why not?”

“Why would the signal be dead for days and then suddenly reappear in the middle of a Manila shopping mall?”

“I don’t know. That’s what we’re here to find out.”

The unknown was the worst enemy for someone on a protective detail. Raven didn’t know the layout of the mall, and there was no explanation for the abrupt renewal of the signal. She would have called this off if she didn’t think Beth would have gone in anyway. At least they were in a public location full of witnesses.

Once they were inside, Raven was happy to see that the upscale mall wasn’t quite as packed as it would have been during the day. It would be easier to spot anyone who looked out of place.

The four-story-tall central atrium was awash in light, its pristine white walls complementing the stone floor’s colorful rectangular pattern. Raven guided them to a bank of escalators. She wanted the advantage of height.

When they reached the top level, they had an expansive view of the atrium, and they also had multiple escape options if it came to that, Raven having already identified several emergency stairways.

“Where exactly was the signal?”

“Juan told me it’s only accurate to fifty feet,” Beth said, “but the last time it was activated, it was coming from somewhere in this atrium.”

They looked down at the many clusters of chairs that had been placed there for the convenience of weary shoppers. In one cluster, a couple of dazed parents watched their toddlers running around in circles. In another, college-age kids were laughing and fiddling with their phones. Some isolated patrons were even napping on the seats.

In all the groups, one man stood out. He sat alone in a corner cluster of chairs, alert, and watching each passing customer as if he were a leopard sizing up which prey was worth taking down. His suit couldn’t hide the muscular build that Raven had noticed in the rest of Locsin’s men, and his bald head reflected the lights like a shiny Christmas ornament.

She nudged Beth and nodded to the man.

“Is that him?” Beth wondered.

“Does he look like he’s shopping for bath towels?”

“It looks like he’s waiting for someone. You think he’s expecting us to show up?”

“I don’t know,” Raven said. “We’ll keep an eye on him, but let’s get some cover by that pillar in case he glances up this way.”