Red Shark

“The Chinese,” said the president, “are not stupid. And didn’t the Reno rough up one of their subs?”

“Yes, sir, but we’ve done it before and they never kicked,” said Friedman.

“And what about the White Dragon? Scott reported that they annihilated her, vaporized her, I think he said. You can’t hide that.”

“No, sir, you can’t. But Scott confirmed that there was nothing to tie us to her sinking.”

“Nothing but that Kilo trailing them.”

“So we play dumb,” Friedman said. “The Chinese can’t prove anything.”

The president rose, went to the doors, and looked out at his wife toweling off after her swim. “All right, I’ll buy that — for now,” he said over a shoulder. “Paul, you’ll have to work both sides of the street on this one. If Beijing starts asking questions, tell them what you tell Ambassador Hun.”

“Sir, the Chinese ambassador is a bigger prick than Hun.”

“Agreed.” The president turned. “Karl, what’s the next step?”

“As soon as the Reno arrives in Japan, we’ll have a chance to assess the intel package Scott found on Matsu Shan.”

“It’s pretty thin stuff, you said.”

“Yes, a single DVD but better than nothing. Scott will liase with the JDIH.”

“In Tokyo?”

“Yes, sir. Their people are busting their chops to come up with someone we can tie to Marshal Jin.”

“Think we can trust the Japanese on this one?” Friedman said.

“Paul, they’ve worked with us so far,” Radford said. “If it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t even know about Matsu Shan. I don’t understand what your problem is.”

“They think the guy who met with Jin is a Japanese national, and they get squirrelly when one of their own people is involved,” Friedman said. “It won’t surprise me if they bail out on us or simply tell us they won’t cooperate.”

“Nonsense. I know DG Kabe, and he’s committed to helping us. They have a huge stake in stopping Jin from threatening war. They’re right in the middle if something goes wrong. Hell, the PM is at our feet over the missile agreement.”

The president waved a hand. “Forget the agreement. Do what you think best, vis-à-vis the DG, Karl, but keep him on our side. The NKs have upped the vitriol and we may not have much time left to head off disaster. What’s on your mind, Paul?”

“A small thing, but maybe a big thing.”

“Well?”

“I seem to remember seeing a report — Karl, you might be able to confirm this — that Scott’s ex is currently in Tokyo with a Navy captain Rich Sterling, our military attaché accredited to the Japanese Self-Defense Force.”

The president frowned. “Scott’s ex. What of it?”

“Sir, I don’t think it’s a good idea for Scott and his ex-wife to get together at a time like this.”

“Christ, Paul, leave it to you to think about Scott’s domestic arrangements.”

“Sir, someone has to think about it. Scott will have enough to do and doesn’t need any distractions over there.”

“My God, Paul, what makes you think Scott will hook up with his ex-wife? Besides, that’s his prerogative. I mean, who are we…” The president hesitated. “Karl, what do you think?”

“Sir, Paul’s right, Scott’s ex-wife is over there, shacked up with Sterling. But I don’t see a problem with that. Scott’ll be working with Ms. Kida, at JDIH. She’s perfectly capable of keeping his attention focused where it belongs.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” asked the president.

“It means, sir,” said Radford, “that she’s smart and quite a looker.”

“Ah, I get it.”

Radford gave the president a thumbs-up.

25

Pyongyang

“He asks to see you, Dear Leader.”

Marshal Jin, tired from his round trip to Matsu Shan, put aside his breakfast of steamed chicken, rice, and kimch’i and turned his attention to General Yi. “What does he want to see me about?”

“A private matter. He would not elaborate.”

Jin drummed his fingers on his desk, careful not to disturb a paduk — Korean chessboard and pieces — while he studied Yi’s pitted face. “I have no interest in hearing Kim speak of his private fantasies.” He gave Yi a swift appraisal, saw something flicker behind the general’s icy mask of restraint. “You may speak freely, Comrade General.”

“With deepest respect, Dear Leader, I believe Kim wishes to discuss with you certain understandings he had with the United States.”