They were in the west building, on the fifth floor. He glanced over at his wife, who slept soundly, the candle-light playing over her face.

A knock came at the door. Huang frowned and answered it.

There stood Pan, a flashlight in one hand, a pistol in the other. "Step out here onto the balcony," he said.

"Pan, what is this?"

"You know what this is."

"No, I don't."

"I went back to my quarters and began thinking, and I realized that your little deal with the police has given me the perfect opportunity."

Huang shook his head. "I don't believe you."

Pan raised the pistol even higher. "They will think you were accidentally shot by the police or by one of Fang's guards. Your family has no money for an autopsy. There will be no investigation."

"Pan, listen to me. If you fire that gun, everything will be ruined. Is killing me worth that much to you? Think of your own sons. And remember, if you didn't have doubts, you wouldn't be talking to me."

Pan stepped forward, the pistol poised over Huang's forehead. "This is the only way I can save face with the council."

"No, it's not. When this is over, I will leave, okay? There is no reason to shoot me."

Pan's breathing grew labored, and Huang could almost hear the gears grinding in the man's head.

"Pan, go back to bed."

Fang stood outside Xu's door, his flashlight beaming at the floor. The row of fifth-floor balconies was otherwise dark. He tried to get in touch with Sergeant Chung, who'd once more failed to respond. What was that fool doing now? Huddling inside to smoke a cigarette? Fang was a few seconds away from going down there to beat the man with his cane.

He checked his watch. The power should be back up soon, and that was good. The rain, thunder, and lightning strained his eyes and made his bones ache. Just across the balcony, the building's roof sagged as chutes of water funneled down and tumbled five stories to the muddy courtyard below.

After calling once more into his radio, Fang decided to check in with his snipers. No response from the first.

But the second man's voice came tight with exertion: "Captain, I think I've spotted someone along the south ridge. Another sniper, maybe. Need time to confirm, over."

"You find out who that is."

"I will, sir."

Fang immediately called out to his first team of guards in the east building. After a long pause, only Sergeant Keng, the guard posted outside Admiral Cai's door, responded. Fang demanded to know what was happening with the others, but Keng was not sure. He could only see the courtyard from his vantage point.

Fang rushed along the balcony and toward the staircase. He ordered one of Sergeant Chung's men to come up and assume his position, but again, his order was met with static.