“I’m happy to say that my work became no longer necessary with the end of the Cold War, but, from the sound of it, you’ve been digging into my past.”

“I know more about you than your closest friends, Zavala and the Trouts. I have studied your house on the Potomac via satellite. I know what kind of music you listen to, what kind of philosophy books you read. But some of your life is hidden in the shadows, which gives me hope.”

“Hope for what, One? You’re almost completely immobile. The best you can look forward to is being hired as a hat rack.”

“But you could change that, Austin.” The voice had become as soft as a snake rustling through grass. “My pharmaceutical company developed the virus, and, given some time and direction, they can work on an antidote to neutralize the effects of the toxin. I would reward you beyond your wildest dreams.”

“Seeing your Triad wiped off the face of the earth is the only reward I want.”

A flash of anger came to the staring holographic eyes.

“I could squash you like an ant, Austin.”

“You could, if you could lift a finger. So long, One. The toxin will keep you alive for a long time. Have a good life.”

Austin’s finger was poised over the button that would have ended the transmission.

“Wait! Where are you going?”

“After dealing with you and your brothers,” Austin said, “I need a long, hot shower.”

“You can’t leave me all alone like this.”

The plea could have been genuine, but it made no difference to Austin. He felt only revulsion toward the freakish figure.

“Then I’ll make a deal with you,” he said. “Tell me where you are and I’ll relay the information to the Chinese government. You can take your chances with them.”

After a moment, the triplet reeled off an address in Hong Kong.

“Thanks, One. Now I’ll give you some good advice. Forget any thoughts about bribing your way out of this. The government is appropriating all your assets. You have nothing to offer them.”

“I will kill you, Austin. Somehow, I will find a way.”

“Good-bye, Dragon Lady.”

“Wait!”

Austin pushed the button to halt the projection. The words came out of a formless cloud of dancing motes. It was a woman’s voice.

“Come back!”

Zavala, who was standing off to the side, muttered something in Spanish.

Austin realized that he was soaked with sweat. Even separated at a distance of thousands of miles, he had never been so close to pure evil.

“I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds,” he murmured.

Zavala overheard him.

“What was that, Kurt?”

As if awakening from a dream, Austin said, “It’s a quote from the Bhagavad Gita. It popped into my mind just now. Did you jot down the address that thing gave me?”

Zavala held up a sheet of paper.