Ming had a daughter in the United States. With her husband’s travel and long absences from home, she’d sidestepped female infanticide, the deliberate killing of newborn female children. This changed her game plan. She wanted to reside in the US and own the property of her deceased husband. With her parents dead, and one son, she was free to establish a home in the US. She could at least see how her daughter was faring in the States. Walker understood. For although different circumstances, he was able to see his son grow up. Family mattered, and Ming Chang knew it better than most.
Cheng Li touched base with Sydney and confided the new attorney for Ming Chang was Robert Lewis. A meeting was scheduled at Sydney’s office for the following Tuesday morning. She asked to be kept informed about Liu Chang’s probate.
The meeting was an easy one. Robert Lewis had looked over Liu Chang’s will and decided it was legally sound. Undoubtedly, he’d put his mistress on the same receiving level as his spouse, and that was a problem for the grieving widow. What could they do to make this go away?
Since Nancy Lynn was renting from Sydney at a much-reduced rate for the metro area and receiving high income as an actress, maybe the condo could be a token of goodwill. He doubted Nancy Lynn wanted to return to the home where her lover was murdered.
After talking with Nancy Lynn, if she agreed, he’d suggest the condo as a peace offering. In the meantime, he informed Lewis the grieving widow was suspected of instigating a hit on her earlier. It would be best if she accepted the administration of his will and return to Beijing.
Lewis informed him she planned to spend time in the US, much like her husband. Cheng Li said fine, but the mastermind behind her husband’s assassin hadn’t been identified. And, she wasn’t ruled out as a suspect in his killing. She might want to return to China and never look back.
Lewis said, “I’ll take it under advisement.”
Cheng Li knew it was a done deal. Ming Chang would understand her desire to live in the US was over. She did this to herself. He’d wait for Lewis’s confirmation before moving forward. Nancy Lynn would have the condo—to sell, live in, or whatever she desired. Liu Chang’s will would be administrated according to his desires.
He received confirmation from her attorney, Lewis, that she was on a flight home. He called Sydney to let her know it was over—the grieving widow was gone. She quickly called Capt. Thomason to relay the message.
Ming Chang had one last stop before boarding the plane for Beijing. She’d figured her timing down to the minute to accomplish the deed before departure. Her last wish in life was to see Ai and one day meet her. With her husband and his philandering out of the way, she wanted a fresh start, and Nancy Lynn and Sydney Jones had robbed her of the chance. Jones she’d deal with later. Her husband’s whore would realize her mistake today.
She’d mailed her weapon of choice to the herbalist living in Atlanta’s Chinatown. He’d been resourceful in providing a deadly concoction for her cheating husband.
She took an Uber to the International Market District and purchased a wig like Sydney’s bob hairstyle before picking up her weapon and holster. She knew the weapon well. The telescoping sliding knife, a Kershaw Ripcord, a sheath and knife that partially retracts into the handle with a cap on the piercing tip of the blade. The belt hanger grasps the retracted blade and pulls fully open when unholstering. A unique, compact, fixed blade alternative, easy to carry and shield from view.
Nancy Lynn’s address was easy to pinpoint. Her name and address were in eye view on Cheng Li’s desk. She quickly memorized the location.
Completing the finishing touches on her wig and makeup, she was ready to see the juni, the whore. She packed her bag for the trip to the airport and called Uber. The driver accepted the extra $100 to wait for her to say goodbye to a friend before continuing to the airport.
He parked the car and she took the elevator to Nancy Lynn’s floor. As the elevator ascended, she slid her fingertips to the leather holster and released the knife’s protective cap. She rang the doorbell and turned her back to the entrance, hoping she’d think it was Sydney. When she opened the door, Ming Chang withdrew her razor-sharp blade and plunged it into her heart. Nancy Lynn fell backwards, and Ming closed the door and took the staircase out of the building. The bloody blade was in her holster and she needed to dispose of it before going through airport security. She asked the driver to pull off at the next exit so she could use the bathroom, it was an emergency. He complied.
She went into the bathroom stall and took wipes from her bag and cleaned the weapon. She cut the holster in shreds with the sharp blade and wrapped it, retracted, in a paper towel and pushed it down into the overflowing trash bin. The holster fragments, she flushed. Now she was ready to board the plane for Beijing.
She promised the driver no more stops. He smiled. Arriving at the front airport entrance, he quickly popped the trunk and unloaded her suitcase before saying goodbye.
Ming Chang went smoothly through airport security, noting her plane’s departure would be on time. In minutes she was boarding her first-class seat for the long trip home. Luckily, she’d remembered to buy a novel, Primed for Revenge, to make the time pass faster. When she felt the plane pulsating for takeoff, she smiled. Soon she’d be out of American airspace with half of her mission accomplished. Sydney Jones was next, and with her security detail, she might need to hire a professional assassin.
Sydney called Nancy Lynn to see if she was ready to celebrate. The wicked witch was gone. Capt. Thomason called to give her the good news. Chang boarded the plane and it had taken off for Beijing. Hopefully, they’d never see her again.
Nancy Lynn didn’t answer her cell phone and Sydney decided to give her a few minutes before calling back. She was probably in the shower. She waited and still no call back, so she tried her again.
She decided to go over and see if she was at home and her phone wasn’t charged. She drove over like a madwoman, not knowing what to expect on her arrival. She hoped she hadn’t started using drugs, like one of the movie stars she associated with.
She parked her car next to Nancy Lynn’s in the garage and took the elevator up to her floor. She still had a key to the condo in case of emergencies, since she owned it. She knocked and there was no answer. The door was locked, and she took her key and unlocked it and froze. There in the entry lay Nancy Lynn with her crimson-red blood circling her body. With shaking fingers, Sydney called Capt. Thomason and stepped outside the door so as to not contaminate the crime scene, and waited.
Within minutes, the place was crawling with agents. She gave her statement to the agent in charge and left the building. Thomason saw her sadness and knew she’d lost a friend. He’d just pulled his security off her after verifying Chang was en route to the airport. He’d bet she was the killer, or the mastermind behind it. She’d left the States leaving a blood bath in her wake, with no evidence directly tying her to the murder of Nancy Lynn.
He’d moved too quickly. His agent responded that the Uber driver picked her up and put her suitcase in the trunk. He pulled him off the detail, thinking she was headed straight to the airport. This one was on him. He should’ve ordered the agent to follow until she’d boarded the plane. This woman was slippery, and he’d bet not her first kill. He could save agents time. They’d never find the weapon used in the murder. She’d dumped it where she knew it would be picked up and dumped in a landfill, leaving no trace.
He knew sooner or later she’d come after Sydney, the woman whose firm cost Ming the benefit of US property ownership and a way to live in the United States without incident or question.
He had a large slate. Being captain, Thomason couldn’t pull all his resources to protect Sydney Jones. Although with her political ties, if they knew she was in jeopardy, it would change everything. As a friend, he knew she’d never go for it. She’d never use her friends or allies for her own gain, even if it meant life or death.
Sydney was trying to process the murder of her friend, Nancy Lynn. She felt responsible for not protecting her. She was the one who told her the wicked witch was gone. And Nancy Lynn opened the door to her killer, the witch.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Soldier of Fortune
Sydney sat on the sidelines and watched the US and Chinese government play political volleyball in the extradition of the Chinese technology leader, Su Geming. The US government wouldn’t easily give up, for his company was involved in terrorism against American companies.
Although no longer involved in their lawsuits, she wasn’t taking any chances after Daniela’s kidnapping. She was slowly recovering from the incident, now only visibility upset when seeing a related news bulletin. She continued voicing a trip to Barbados would be calming for both her and David, adding with her extended family, there would always be plenty of people around in case they were followed.
Sydney gave it some thought and decided a trip home for Daniela might speed up her healing. Taking time away from the office with her caseload proved to be difficult. She’d have to schedule time away in a couple of months. If this was what it took to get her back to normal, it’d be worth it.
She began making plans at the office to lessen her workload for the extended trip. When completed, she’d tell Daniela when they were leaving. She’d booked their flight and accommodations in Barbados. This time, she rented a villa in a residential community with secure access to and from their lodging.
The days dragged by as she sorted through the pile of paperwork on her desk to complete before leaving. In her absence, the CEO, McNally, would assign new cases to the staff attorneys as they were awarded. She probably should’ve taken a leave of absence sooner, right after her best friend, Nancy Lynn, was murdered. But time was always of the essence in the cases she was representing. Exactly one week to the day of their flight, she told Daniela to pack her and David’s suitcases for the trip. The nanny lit up at the news and hurriedly began sorting clothes for their getaway.
In the Caribbean, Walker was tracking incoming flights to Barbados and picked up on Sydney’s date of arrival. She’d rented an oceanside villa for a month. He was surprised she’d taken the time away from the office. There was probably more to her vacation than enjoying the beach and the laid-back, leisurely lifestyle of the island. He began investigating the parameters of the residential community for security measures.
On his computer monitoring program, he noticed a last-minute booking of a flight the same day by a mercenary he knew by name. Coincidence? He thought not. Even if Sydney should best him at his game, Capt. Thomason wouldn’t be able to make it go away. Barbados had its own laws and she’d be tried for murder, a hanging offense.
His adrenaline was pumping, wondering if he should warn her or hang back and be ready to protect her and the household. He decided whoever was gunning for her would attack regardless of her location. Although it was easier to get through security in Barbados than the US, they’d come for her, and keep coming until the contract was executed.
He’d not had a minute’s peace since meeting her. Adding her son, a spitting image of himself at that age, heightened his concern for their safety.
At his laptop, he quickly clicked on the website where former military picked up jobs as soldiers of fortune. He tapped on one for a hit in Barbados using an anonymous handle to inquire about the details. Sydney Jones’s image quickly appeared with information about where she was staying and her traveling companions. To claim the substantial reward, a picture of her dead body was required, along with instructions for receiving payment. The money was to be wired from Beijing. Whoever put out the hit had a backup plan in case the first attempt was unsuccessful.
He logged out of the site and planned to go back later and track the owner who posted the hit. For all he knew, it could be coming from the Chinese government. He’d step lightly before diving into the dark net to identify the source. She’d arrive within 24 hours, and it didn’t leave much time for him to prepare for her safety.
After nearly five hours of flight time from Atlanta, Sydney arrived at Sir Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados with her son, Daniela, and Len, their bodyguard. Since the increase in murders had tripled in the first quarter, security at the airport had heightened. Her and Len’s guns were checked and transported in hard-sided TSA-approved lockable cases. She didn’t envision any problems with their collecting their cargo and being on their way to their oceanside villa.
Len hailed the resort’s minibus to transport them and their excess luggage. He’d then pick up their car rental for their personal use while on the island. Daniela’s mood had become lighter the closer they’d gotten to her home. Sydney had given her the first night off to reconnect with family and enjoy being home. She’d spend time with David and cook something he loved.
The kitchen pantry was stocked in advance with his favorites, and daily deliveries of fresh produce were ordered. She’d made outings with David to the market to select fresh seafood and protein. She tried to get into the vacation spirit and into the relaxed Caribbean mode. She sipped on her slightly stirred Barbados cocktail made with light rum, triple sec, and pineapple juice, and began creating something special for their dinner.
Having grown accustomed to having a bodyguard present didn’t deter her enjoyment with her son. She was glad he didn’t seem to notice their traveling companion was always with them. He’d never known anything different.
With the clock ticking off the seconds to Sydney’s arrival, Walker dove deep into the dark web. Developing his skills as a hacker had its merits. He wanted to get in and get out with the name of the source of the hit on Sydney without detection. He got what he was looking for and knew it was related to a case with Sydney’s firm. Now, he wished he was on a first-name basis with Capt. Thomason, but it’d blow his new identity.
He had to do something, for this killer wasn’t stopping until she was dead. He might be able to keep her safe in Barbados, but when she returned to Atlanta, an assassin would be waiting. The killer had superior tech skills and was tracking Sydney’s moves, but how? He knew from his own hacking no one was looking at her cell phone, laptop, and home security system. But where was the information of her whereabouts coming from? The mole was somewhere within her organization. The only plausible answer was someone had something to gain from her demise. But who, and why?
He knew Sydney. She bent over backwards to help others and promote her staff. He’d seen it with his own eyes. Why would someone close betray her trust? The memory of Judith Garner danced across his mind and he shook his head thinking of her thievery and illegal shenanigans.
Sydney was settling into the peaceful swing of the Caribbean. Taking Daniela’s advice, she’d ordered a delivery of homegrown coffee, called Dawn Patrol, from Wyndhams Bajan Crafted Roasters on the island. She sipped the delightful breakfast blend while enjoying the view of the crystal-clear, turquoise waters of the Caribbean. She smiled. This could be something she could grow accustomed to. A satellite office in the Caribbean came to mind, and just as fleetingly, left. She’d not want to work here, for sooner or later, it would spoil the lighthearted feeling she had now. Dealing in others’ dirty laundry left a stench. The idea of living at a scenic getaway was spoiled. She’d enjoy her time away from the office and the laid-back lifestyle while away and leave it at that.
She awakened David for a day of playing on the beach in front of their villa and later an outing to the wharf. He’d love seeing the fishing boats and their catches of the day.
Later they could park, then walk to the shops and restaurants in Bridgetown. When looking online before the trip, she’d been surprised the cafes and even street vendors were Zagat-rated by diners, making it easy to mark popular ones to visit. David would like ordering from the street vendors where he could see the meal prepared. His curiosity about his surroundings was a positive trait she hoped to expand on d
uring their vacation.
Daniela had introduced him to the Bajan cuisine, and he reminded Sydney of Walker with his hearty appetite. She made him his favorite macaroni pie she’d watched Daniela make for him, a favorite kid-friendly Caribbean dish.
David was ready to play on the crystal-white sandy beach and swim in the ocean. She was glad of his swimming lessons in Atlanta. Although never out of her sight and within reach, he could enjoy the tropical azure waters. They played in the sand and built a sandcastle with a moat to keep away the bad men from their fort. They frolicked in the tropical, clear-blue water, releasing the sand from their swimsuits, and laid on the lounge chairs provided by the villa and soaked up the sun. David examined the seashells he’d collected and tried talking and poking the creatures out of their shells. At lunch, they went to the cottage, a stone’s throw from the ocean, and ate.
Later, they took a trip to the marina. The saltwater fishing fleets were arriving at the docks loaded with their catches of the day. Being on the wharf energized David. He wanted to see the big fish and meet the boat captains, whom he called pirates. He got his wishes and saw the saltwater haul caught by the local fishermen. She bought his favorite—flying fish.
She looked up the recipe online for fried flying fish with spicy gravy, taking it down a notch by removing the hot-scotch bonnet peppers for David’s palate. It was a good choice, for it was the national dish of Barbados, usually served with coucou, a creamy mixture of cornmeal and okra, or even yams and bananas. A cooling accompanying dish for spicy recipes. Tonight, she’d make the traditional coucou using Daniela’s simple recipe she’d made at home.
Daniela would return the following morning from her family’s home and have ideas for David’s daily activities. She was not opposed to him meeting her family, as they were close. With Len accompanying them, Daniela could show David the sights around Bridgetown and share the history of the island. She was aware she’d taught him words from her language, Patois, a local dialect spoken in Caribbean cultures, a mix of British English and West African language. Sydney wanted her son to have a broad worldview, and this was part of his education.
Chance Page 12
