Red Tide, стр. 16

“Yes. And there’s a bounty on your head. Five-thousand American.”

“Shit, I’m worth more than that.”

The woman smiled for the first time. “You were lucky. Datu hates the government. And the people in his village hate the government too.”

“And you?”

“I’m here, aren’t I? My name is Marikit. I’m a doctor. How does your leg feel?”

Suddenly Greer realized that the pain had disappeared. “I feel good. The pain is gone. What did you do?”

“I drained half a gallon of pus out of your wound, put in half a dozen sutures, and shot you full of ampicillin. Which is all I have. Take it easy for a few days, and voila, you’ll be ready to go.”

“Go where? I would call for a ride, but Datu told me not to.”

“And Datu is right,” Marikit replied. “The government is quite good at locating downed pilots. They claim to have captured three in the last few days.

“So, the best thing you can do is let Datu put you in touch with the underground. They can send you south to Indonesia. That will take a while however.”

Greer nodded. “Tell me about those pilots. Where are they?”

Marikit shook her head. “Don’t even think about it.”

Her expression softened. “Jayson, there’s something you need to know.”

“What?”

“You were on the aircraft carrier Concord. Is that correct?”

Greer felt something akin to cold lead trickle into his stomach. “Yeah … Why do you ask?”

“It sank,” Marikit replied. “The Chinese are very proud. Their TV networks play footage of that moment twenty-four hours a day.”

Greer closed his eyes. How many of his fellow sailors had died? Hundreds? Or thousands? He felt sick. “And the other ships? What about them?”

“The Chinese claim that all but two were destroyed.”

Greer opened his eyes. “Seriously?”

“Yes.”

Tears began to flow. He wiped them away. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Marikit replied. “I understand.”

The visit ended shortly after that. And contrary to Marikit’s advice, Greer’s thoughts turned to the captured pilots. He couldn’t save the Concord. Maybe he could save them.

***

The city of Sanya, Hainan Island, Southeast China

The celebratory dinner was held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Sanya which, in the interest of security and privacy, was entirely reserved for President Enlai, Premier Lau, and their respective retinues. The Mandarin was located on Coral Bay, where visitors could snorkel, or lie on the beach.

But, except for the old men who were paid to rake the sand each day, the beach was mostly populated by members of two different security organizations. The MSS (Ministry of State Security) personnel were there to protect Enlai, and uniformed officers of PAP (People’s Armed Police Force) were equally determined to guard Lau. And while outwardly civil toward each other, a feeling of barely contained hostility hung in the air.

The problem was baked into the system. Technically Lau, as Premier, outranked President Enlai. But since 1993 China’s top leader had been allowed to simultaneously serve as president, the leader of the party (as General Secretary), and the commander-in-chief of the military (as the chairman of the Central Military Commission).

That enabled Enlai to carry out different duties under separate titles. For example, as president, Enlai was the one who met with foreign dignitaries. As Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Enlai issued orders to the military, and as the General Secretary of the Communist Party, Enlai controlled it as well. All of which made Lau angry.

As one hundred and thirty-seven people sat down to dinner in the hotel’s main meeting room the air was thick with suspicion, envy, and hostility.

Because of his position as Premier, Lau was seated at the head of the main table facing east. Enlai was on his right. Lesser officials sat to either side of the table in order of precedence, with the lowest of the low being located at the west end of the beautifully set table—by the service doors. Hot tea was served, immediately followed by appetizers, and soup.

Conversation was stilted and for good reason. Enlai suspected that Lau was plotting a coup. And Lau had every reason to fear that Enlai would have him killed before he could launch a coup.

While good for China, Admiral Wen’s victory over the Americans had strengthened Enlai’s position. He could distract the population from the appalling number of casualties in India, by launching a propaganda blitz on the victory in the Philippine Sea.

“So,” Enlai said, as the main courses began to arrive. “How’s your family? Did your son get into Tsinghua University?”

Tsinghua was the top ranked university in China. And the answer to the question was “Yes.” Something that Enlai was almost certainly aware of. That meant the question was a threat rather than a question: “Consider what will happen to the members of your family if you try to replace me and fail.”

Lau forced a smile. “I’m pleased to announce that he did. And how is the home in Shanghai coming along? Is work going well?”

Threat, and counter threat. As China’s Premier, Lau had the means to not only withdraw the permissions required to construct Enlai’s third home, but to review his taxes, and those of family members too. Maybe the Enlai family had nothing to hide. And maybe sows would learn to climb trees. Enlai paused with chopsticks halfway to his mouth. Their eyes met. “Be careful,” Enlai said. “Be very, very careful.”

“I will be,” Lau replied. “Please pass the Hong shao rou.” (Red-fried pork.)

***

Luzon Island, the Philippines

Two days had passed since Marikit’s departure. Greer was feeling better, so much so that he could walk, albeit at a slow pace. And Datu wanted him to leave.

Greer understood. He was a threat to the village. And the last thing he wanted to do was bring the government soldiers down on members of the underground.

With help from Datu’s adult daughter Lita, Greer got dressed. The outfit consisted of a long-sleeved barong tagalog, worn over trousers, with dress shoes. “We have to hide as much of your skin as possible,” Lita said. “And tell a story.”

“What story?” Greer wanted to know.

“This story,” Lita replied, as she gave him