“We understand the need for tight security,” Jack said. “We’ll just have to work around your protocols as best we can.” Jack stood. “See you later, Paul. Have fun.”

“You do the same.”

Paul spoke to Bai. “Might as well get my feet wet.” He opened up his desktop as Jack headed back to his office.

Bai pointed Paul to the file containing the general ledger—the controlling document that contained all other subledgers and accounting files pertaining to all financial and nonfinancial data of Dalfan Technologies. Paul’s focus was on the financial side. He opened up the first big file folder labeled “Assets.” There was a lot of work to do, and not much time to do it. But his mind was somewhere else. He sighed.

“Something wrong, Mr. Brown?”

“Any chance we can grab a cup of tea before we get started?”

Bai stood. “Follow me.”

—

Jack was looking forward to not being monitored by Lian or anyone else from Dalfan, but just as he sat down in his executive chair, there was a knock on his glass door.

Jack turned around. Crap.

“Feng,” the man said, offering a small, crooked smile of yellowed teeth. “I’m the vice president of Dalfan operations.”

Feng reeked of stale tobacco. He was the oldest employee in the building Jack had met so far. He wasn’t in the conference room earlier. He carried a tablet in his left hand.

Ryan stood and offered his hand. “Jack.”

“I’m here to give you a general overview of the corporation. We will review its organization, facilities, and personnel, and I will answer any questions you might have.”

Jack forced a smile. “Great. Let’s get started.”

Jack opened up the Dalfan desktop with his passcode fob as Feng tapped on his tablet. They spent the next few hours reviewing organizational charts, personnel records, operating budgets, and facility locations around the city—including an FBO hangar at nearby Seletar Airport. By the time they finished reviewing all of these documents it was lunchtime.

“Will you be joining us in the dining room?” Feng asked, standing.

“Not today, but thanks.” Jack stood, too.

Feng frowned. “That’s disappointing to hear. I’ll let Ms. Fairchild know.”

Of course you will, Jack thought. “See you after lunch.”

—

It had been a long first half of the day for Jack and Paul, but productive. Their biological clocks were still messed up and they were both beat and famished.

Jack half expected a fight from Lian when he confirmed that he and Paul wouldn’t be eating with the Dalfan employees, but instead she suggested a good local restaurant about ten minutes away.

Jack asked, “Will you be joining us?”

“I think you can handle the chili shrimp without my assistance,” she shot back. “But don’t be surprised if you have a few friends nearby.”