Red Shark

Jefferson’s jaw tightened, but Radford was past it, saying, “As far as we can tell from satellite IR and laser imagery, nothing’s changed on Matsu Shan. However, we spotted that chopper from the Sugun — it’s parked on Matsu Shan. We also found the Sugun. She’s on a racetrack about a hundred miles off the China coast at Fuzhou, killing time, we presume, waiting for Jin to fly back from the meeting. We’ll keep you updated on her movements.”

“Anything new on the other dude, like how he got to Matsu Shan?” Jefferson asked.

Fumiko said, “We think he was met by Wu Chow Fat in Taiwan and ferried to the island aboard the White Dragon. But our surveillance is inconclusive. There’re just too many vessels and too much traffic in and around Fuzhou to pick out Fat’s junk from all the clutter.”

“How did he get to Taiwan?” Scott asked.

Fumiko said, “We just don’t know. JDIH has monitored flights into Taipei, but I was told by my director that no one suspicious was seen arriving via a scheduled flight. And there’s been no private charters. Well, I take that back, there’s a Taiwanese movie star who has her own jet. She arrived yesterday.”

“Were there any unscheduled flights to Taiwan?”

“Only one in the last forty-eight hours, from Tokyo to CKS. A ToriAir 737 filed a last-minute flight plan to deliver a cargo of electronic switching gear for transhipment to Iran.”

“What’s ToriAir?” Scott asked.

“A Japanese air cargo service. They’re trying to compete with UPS and FedEx in the Far East, but it’s a loser.”

“And there were no passengers aboard that 737?”

“I was told just the regular flight crew.”

“What about a ship from Japan?” Jefferson asked.

“It wouldn’t be practical, Colonel. It would take too long, plus there’s no regular passenger service from Japanese ports to Taiwan, so we’ve ruled it out.”

“So how did this guy, whoever he is, get to Taiwan from Japan and then to Matsu Shan?” Scott said.

“Hell, what’s it matter?” Jefferson said. “We’ve got our orders, let’s go.”

“I agree with McCoy,” Radford said. “How he got there is purely academic. What’s important is that we find out why he’s there. Later we can retrace our steps and see what we missed. In the meantime, I’ve asked Director General Kabe to redouble efforts to identify him. Ms. Kida is still working with them on that.”

“Sir, any update on how many people are on that island?” Scott said.

“Um, we’re working on that, too. Recounting heads. Fair enough?”

“Yes, sir. We’ll have that open channel ashore from the sat com. I’d appreciate an update as soon as you get it.”

“Anything else?”

“That PLAN Kilo. Where is she now?”

“Yes, the Kilo.” Radford consulted a document. “We think she’s north of the Formosa Strait.”

Deacon spoke up. “Sir, do you have any information that we can use to plot her track?”

“Yes, we do, Captain. It’s not terribly accurate, but I’ll see that it’s uploaded to the Reno immediately.”

“Anything you have will do, sir.”

“McCoy?”

“No, questions, General. The clock’s running.”

“Scott?”

“McCoy’s right. It’s time to go.”

“Very well. I spoke with the president. He’s confident the mission will succeed. And so am I. Please convey that to your men.”

“Yes, sir, we will. Thank you.”

Radford signed off. Jefferson and Deacon, lost in their own thoughts, peeled away from the video monitor.

“Jake.” Fumiko looked at him across space, her beautiful, almond-shaped jade green eyes sparkling. “Take care of yourself and your men.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll call when I get back.”

* * *