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Back Point of Contact Save as PDF
Chapters (83)
  1. Cover
  2. ALSO BY TOM CLANCY
  3. PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS
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  83. What’s next onyour reading list?

Yong stood and extended his hand. “I’m glad we had this little chat today, gentlemen. It’s always good to clear the air.”

Jack shook his hand. “Just a few more days, Mr. Fairchild, and we’ll be out of your hair.”

“Hopefully an uneventful few days. If you’ll excuse me, I have a lot on my plate this morning,” Yong said with a dismissive wave.

Jack and Paul left, looking for Lian. Jack was beginning to think that Paul was right all along—maybe they should just sign off on the damn paper and get out. It seemed now like they were only spinning their wheels.

PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA

Chairman Choi Ha-guk’s wide desk was empty except for an ashtray. Unlike his predecessor’s, the chairman’s office was spartan. Its only adornments were a plain couch, two chairs, industrial carpet, and bookshelves neatly stacked with technical books in three languages. He sat stiffly in his low-backed chair in a cloud of smoke across from Deputy Ri, the head of the General Services Administrative Directorate.

“Why hasn’t it happened yet?” A Gitanes cherry-tipped in the chairman’s yellowed fingers as he took another drag.

“I have every confidence in the Bulgarian. He’s proven himself utterly reliable in the past.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“There are unanticipated security measures to be overcome. But he assures me they will be overcome.”

“When?”

“Soon.”

“We’re running out of time.” Chairman Choi stabbed his butt out in the crowded ashtray. “You’re running out of time.”

“But there is still time, and the software my department has written is flawless.”

The chairman opened a desk drawer and pulled out a fresh pack of cigarettes. He slid his thumbnail beneath the cellophane wrapper, thinking. “I’m giving you direct command of any foreign RGB units you may have need of.”

“Director Kang will object, and I—”

The chairman cut him short with a raised finger. “This operation takes precedence over all others. I will inform Director Kang myself.”

“Thank you, sir.”

The chairman offered the blue pack to Ri. “Cigarette?”

Ri hid his surprise. He nodded and took one. “Thank you.”

The chairman slid his Zippo lighter across the desk. Ri lit up. They smoked in silence for a few moments, until a curt nod from the chairman ended the meeting.

40

SINGAPORE

Lian took Jack and Paul on a tour of her city, starting with historic Emerald Hill and its restored colonial splendor, then over to the colorful Arab Street in the Muslim quarter, featuring the gold-domed Masjid Sultan Mosque, hipster boutiques, and street art. When she noticed Paul’s limp getting worse, she waved off on a walking tour in the Cloud Forest and instead drove them around Orchard Road—Singapore’s version of Rodeo Drive.

They ended their brief tour at a hawker food center—a kind of mini mall for Singapore street food.