He must understand the problem before then.
“Ever heard of the Dniepr-Donetsk basin in eastern Ukraine?”
He shook his head.
“In the 1950s the area was abandoned as a prospective place to drill.
“How do we know that the survey team in the 1950s wasn’t just wrong, and there was oil there all the time?”
“It happened again. On the Kola Peninsula, in northern Russia. Another place that had no prospect of production—under the fossil fuel theory. Yet the Russians drilled down seven miles and hit methane gas. No one ever believed that methane would be found that deep in granite rock. The fossil fuel theory would never support the finding, but the gas was right where Sokolov predicted.”
“And now Washington is finally interested in all this.”
“With a vengeance. This could change the world balance of power, which explains why Karl Tang is interested. Ivan’s right. Tang’s a threat to us all. If he assumes control of China, the destabilization across the region, across the globe, will be enormous. Especially if he has unlimited oil at his disposal.”
“President Daniels wants Tang stopped?”
“Actually, Cotton, we want him dead.”
He understood the enormity of the statement. America did not
But it happened.
“And you’re hoping the Russians do the deed?”
She shrugged. “Enough that I forced myself into their business. Ivan wasn’t happy to see me. Bad enough that Sokolov was alive, he sure did not want us involved.”
“How did he know about me?”
“From those two couriers, is my guess. When the one brought that note to your shop, his men were watching.”
She’d left something out. “And where were you?”
“Watching too. He informed me about your meeting at Tivoli only after you were already on your way there.”
“So you already knew some of what Ivan told you back in the cafe?”
She nodded. “I did. I figured we’d have a talk.”
“What did you know about Cassiopeia?”
“I had no idea she was being tortured.”
He believed her on that one.
“We’ve done the math, Cotton. If Tang becomes premier, he will undo fifty years of hard-fought diplomacy. He thinks China has been mistreated by everyone and he wants retribution. He’ll reassert Chinese dominance any way and every way he can. Right now, we keep China in line thanks to its foreign energy dependence. We maintain a sixty-day oil reserve, and Japan keeps a hundred. China has barely ten days’ worth. A naval blockade could easily choke the country into submission. Eighty percent of China’s imported oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz or the Strait of Malacca. Those are a long way from China, and we control both.”
“So they behave themselves, knowing what we could do?”
“Something like that, though the threat is never voiced. Bad form, when dealing with the Chinese. They don’t like reminders of weakness.”
He was glad not to be a diplomat.
“If Tang has unlimited oil available to him,” she said, “we’ll lose what little leverage we have. China practically controls the world currency markets now, and they are the number one lender to us. Though
“Which makes Russia nervous.”
“Enough that they just might take Karl Tang out.”
Okay, he was convinced. This was serious.
“I know you may think me foolish. But believe me, I’ve hedged my bets. I’m not relying on Ivan 100 percent. Still—”
“You need a little more help.”
“Something like that.”
“I assume that means we have to find Sokolov before Ivan does. And Cassiopeia seems the fastest route in.”
She nodded. “Let’s play the Russian’s game and find her. If Ivan can stop Tang along the way, then that’s good for us. If not, I need your help getting Sokolov away from them.”
He knew the score. Even if Tang prevailed and seized control of China, if the West had Sokolov, one bargaining chip would be replaced by another.
“I just hope Cassiopeia can hold out until we get there.”
TANG GLANCED OUT THE HELICOPTER WINDOW AS THE CHOPPER rose into the night air. He caught sight of flickering bursts of light from the Pit 3 building and realized the remaining cache of Qin Shi manuscripts was burning. Only a few moments would be required to vaporize every silk and turn brittle bamboo into ash. By the time any alarm was sounded, nothing would remain. The cause? Electrical short. Faulty wiring. Bad transformer. Whatever. Nothing would point to arson. Another problem solved. More of the past eradicated.
What was happening in Belgium now concerned him.
The copilot caught his attention and motioned to a nearby headset. Tang snapped it over his ears.
“There is a call for you, Minister.”
He waited, then a familiar voice said, “Everything went well.”
Viktor Tomas, calling from Belgium. About time.
“Is Vitt on her way?” Tang asked.
“She escaped, exactly as I predicted. However, she managed to knock me out cold before she left. My head aches.”
“Can you track her?”
“As long as she keeps that gun with her. So far the signal from the pinger inside is working.”
“Excellent forward thinking. Was she glad to see you?”
“Not particularly.”
“You need to know that Pau Wen is receiving a visit, as we speak. I ordered a strike.”
“I thought I was in charge here.”
“Whatever gave you that impression?”
“I can’t ensure success if you override me. I’m here, you’re not.”
“I ordered a strike. End of discussion.”
A moment of silence passed, then Viktor said, “I’m headed out to track Vitt. I’ll report when there’s a development.”
“Once you have the lamp—”
“Not to worry,” Viktor said. “I know. Vitt will not be left alive. But I do it my way. Is that acceptable?”
“As you say, you’re there, I’m here. Handle it
