“We don’t know specifically. But we did find traces of a virus strain that is of some concern to our ministry. It is the same virus that caused an outbreak in a village to the north. The person who caused that epidemic was from Shanghai.”

“Quite the coincidence,” said Ming.

“Even more, the person was employed in a security capacity by Pyramid Trading based here in the city. And, almost unbelievably, Pyramid owns this building.”

“I think I know where you are going with this, Fong. It’s well known that the Army operates a string of brothels in partnership with Pyramid. But there’s no connection to this,” he said with a wave of his hand.

“I understand that, Colonel, but perhaps you might want to reexamine your partnership when I tell you what else we found in the building: the remains of dozens of human beings, discovered in a crematory. We think they had been used in the experiments.”

Ming’s reaction was one of combined fear and revulsion, fear that his name had been linked to Pyramid, revulsion over the experiments.

He stared at the building, trying without success to imagine the horrors within its four walls.

“Thank you, Minister,” he said. “I shall look into it and take the appropriate steps.”

“I hope so,” Fong said. “This is not good for China. Whoever is responsible must be brought to account, but it must be done quietly.”

“I am in complete agreement with the need for discretion,” Colonel Ming said. “And I think I know exactly where to begin.”

Unknown

NUMA 8 - Medusa

CHAPTER 22

DOOLEY GREEN LOOKED UP FROM THE OUTBOARD MOTOR he’d been repairing at the end of the dock and his mouth widened in a gap-toothed grin when he saw the young Asian woman coming his way.

“Afternoon, Doctor,” he said. “Going to take another crack at that pink bird?”

Dr. Lee tapped the zoom lens of the digital camera hanging from a strap around her neck.

“Yes, Dooley. You know how determined I am to get a photo of that beautiful roseate spoonbill.”

“Spoonbills can be cagey all right,” he said. “Kayak’s waiting for you. I’ll fetch your gear.”

Dooley put his screwdriver down and got a kayak paddle and flotation vest from the boat shed. He and Lee walked along the beach to where a light blue fiberglass touring kayak sat on the sand with its bow partway in the water. Lee slipped her arms through the vest and snapped the buckles, then eased her slender body into the cockpit. Dooley handed her the paddle and pushed the craft into the water.

“I’ll probably be back on the mainland by the time you get back, so just put your gear in the shed. Good luck with that spoonbill,” Dooley called out. “And watch out for Granddaddy ’Gator.”

Lee acknowledged the warning with an airy wave of the paddle.