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Back Point of Contact Save as PDF
Chapters (83)
  1. Cover
  2. ALSO BY TOM CLANCY
  3. PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS
  4. 1
  5. 2
  6. 3
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  83. What’s next onyour reading list?

Dr. Fairchild stiffened in his chair. It was clear to Jack the two men had had this conversation before.

“I trust Weston Rhodes and the board.” He turned to Jack and Paul. “Barring any unforeseen mishaps, the merger will be going through shortly, and that’s my final decision.”

“My understanding is that the agreed-upon stock purchase price is substantially higher than the current market price,” Jack said, trying to drain the tension out of the room. He looked at Yong. “Your family will be very rich.”

Dr. Fairchild nodded. “My legacy to my children. What else is the duty of a father than to provide for his heirs?”

So that’s the real reason you’re doing this, Jack thought. He wondered if Dr. Fairchild had some health issues. Something to look into later.

Lian checked her watch. “Excuse me, Father, but it’s late and our guests are probably tired. I should get them to their residence.”

“Of course. How thoughtless of me.” Dr. Fairchild stood. The others followed suit. “I’ve enjoyed our conversation very much, gentlemen. I hope you’ll be my guest here again soon.”

“We look forward to it. Just as soon as we get our work done.”

The Dalfan CEO smiled. “Excellent.”

16

Lian and Park, her South Korean bodyguard, pulled inside the electric gate and into the driveway of a newly constructed two-story home in a newer and more crowded neighborhood. It was much closer to the Dalfan corporate headquarters near Changi Airport than Dr. Fairchild’s mansion was. The rain had stopped.

Lian’s bodyguard helped Paul and Jack unload and carry their luggage into the foyer.

“It’s a modest house,” Lian said, “but it has all of the modern amenities. We keep it available for visiting guests like you.”

“We’re honored,” Paul said.

Lian pointed at the umbrella stand. “Feel free to use those. It’s monsoon season now, you know.”

Jack had checked the weather before packing, but clearly Paul hadn’t, judging by the stunned look on his face.

“Yes, we know,” Jack said, covering for Paul.

Outside, the home was mostly stucco and glass, with a sloping red-tiled roof—obviously influenced by the architectural style of traditional homes like Dr. Fairchild’s. He had laughingly described the style of his home as “tropical Tudor-Elizabethan.”

Lian gave them a quick tour of the place, including separate bedrooms with private bathrooms, a fully stocked kitchen, satellite television, and high-speed Wi-Fi.

She opened the back door and led them to a detached garage. She activated the automatic garage door opener and handed Jack a set of keys.

“The Audi TT is a company vehicle, completely at your disposal. Of course it has a satellite GPS system, should you need it.” Lian pointed at the far wall, where two bikes were chained up. “Sometimes it’s easier getting around on one of those than driving.”

“You’ve thought of everything.”