have squeezed the computer remailing service to get Morrison's ID, no
big deal, but knowing Ventura was on the case was a little more
impressive. That meant they were working this one hard. Well they
should be, too.
'A very useful vehicle design,' Morrison said.
'That's it? Just the design? No hardware? No wheels, motor, no
chassis?'
'Any electrical engineering student could build you the hardware, Mr.
Wu. Only I can show you how to make it work.'
'I see. And how much are you asking for this... design?'
'Four hundred million dollars.'
Wu chuckled.
'A hell of a used car.'
'Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back.'
'Uh-huh. And what proof do we have that you can deliver?'
Morrison smiled.
'Proof? Next time you're in the old country, take a trip to visit the
villages of Daru and Longhua and ask the survivors there how things
have been lately.'
Wu glanced at Ventura, then back at Morrison.
'Are you sure you want Luther here to hear the details?'
'I have no secrets from Mr. Ventura.'
Wu nodded.
'Very well. Anybody with good intel connections, such as Luther has,
could have gotten those two names. How do we know you aren't running a
scam?'
'What would it take to convince you?'
'Well, you could give us the technology, allow us to test it, and then
let us pay you.'
Morrison laughed, and after a moment Wu joined him.
'Just a thought,' Wu said.
'Try a different thought.'
Wu rubbed at his chin and pretended to do that. Ventura picked up his
pistol and lightly pushed the muzzle against the back of his seat,
pointed at Wu. If the man made any sudden moves, the Chinese were
going to need themselves another purchasing agent--and at the least,
the rental company was going to have to put in new seat covers.
'All right, then. Try this: Let's take it for a little test spin,
shall we? Kick a few tires, rev the engine, drive around the block.
This time, we pick the destination. If it works there as it did in Dam
and Longhua, then we would be very interested in your vehicle.'
'At my price?'
'It seems reasonable--assuming nobody else will be driving the same
model anytime soon?'
'They won't be.'
'How, ah, big is this car? How many, ah, passengers are we talking
about?'
'There is a point of diminishing returns. With more power, I could do
more, but the limit right now is a circle about ten miles across.'
