Death Minus Zero

by Don Pendleton

  Valens took a breath, considering what she was about to say. Zeigler was a solid guy. He was a cop ready to do his job, and drawing him in a little further might get Valens more information.

  “Detective Zeigler—Jerry—if I lose my job over this I will blame you. Right now my investigation is stalling. So I will give you what I can. The kidnap victim is Saul Kaplan. Works out of the base where I’m assigned. He heads a department involved in work that comes under the umbrella of national security. The project is vital to the country’s defense capability and we are in the know that the people who took him are attempting to coerce him into giving away his knowledge.”

  Zeigler took in what Valens said with a weary smile.

  “Makes a change from the usual crimes I deal with. What can I do?” Zeigler asked. “I don’t suppose you want to tell me exactly what it is this Kaplan is working on?”

  “No can do, Jerry. My generosity with giving away information has to stop there.”

  “Dumb of me to ask.”

  Larry Brandon joined them. “One of your techs says he’s pretty sure the slug is a 9 mm. It’ll be confirmed when he gets the autopsy done.” He glanced at Valens. “How is this going down?”

  “Local police will run the main investigation and we’ll work our part in tandem.” Valens sensed Brandon might come up with an objection. “As I explained to Zeigler, this is an urgent case, so any help they can offer will be gratefully received.”

  * * *

  BRANDON COULD HAVE said something, but he had noticed the expression in Valens’s eyes so he stayed silent. Regardless of her slipping over the official line he could see she was doing her best with a difficult situation. Brandon understood Valens’s driving force. She had been through a bad enough time on the earlier incident. It could not have been enjoyable for her to be faced by a similar occurrence.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Switzerland

  By morning, with the snow still falling, the house was essentially isolated. There was a thick blanket of white over everything beyond the window and Saul Kaplan had tried to fix his attention on the fall, but Melier was doing things close by and distracting him.

  “I hope you are not going to say this will hurt you more than it hurts me,” Kaplan said.

  “Then I will not,” Melier said.

  He held out a hand and Nan Cheng passed him a hypodermic.

  Kaplan watched with concern in his eyes. He winced slightly as Melier inserted the slender needle into his arm and depressed the plunger. As the contents were injected into his arm, he felt a slight burning sensation that caused him to take a quick breath.

  “Unfortunately for you,” Melier said, “this is the first of many, I am afraid. Unless you wish to end this and give me the information I require.”

  Kaplan ignored him, focusing on the snow falling beyond the window at the far end of the conservatory. He imagined the flakes touching his skin. Cool and so light they had no weight to them. He tried to push aside the warm flow of the solution Melier had put in his body, but it was difficult to dismiss it so easily. It was almost as if he could track the course of the chemical as it traveled. Could feel the insidious way it crept up to his brain, fingering its way into the core of his being. He sensed movement at his side and saw Dr. Melier move into his line of sight. The man’s expression was neutral as he stared down at Kaplan. Beyond Melier the rest of the room had become a soft blur, everything slightly out of focus. Kaplan blinked his eyes. It made no difference.

  “Please do not try to fight the effects, Kaplan. It will not help,” Melier said.

  Kaplan wanted to speak. When he tried, his speech was already slurred, his mouth not obeying. Confused thoughts overlapped inside his head. He wanted to tell Melier to go to hell—he found he was unable to form the words. Coherent thought was slipping out of his head. He attempted to concentrate, to make sense of what was happening. Nothing happened. He might have panicked but he couldn’t understand why he wanted to.

  “Is...it...working?”

  Nan Cheng’s voice came from a distance. Although Kaplan managed to make out the words, he failed to understand what they meant.

  Melier nodded. “Far quicker than I expected.”

  “So much for his resistance.”

  “I believe Kaplan’s intellect is allowing the chemical to be absorbed faster. His brain is able to interpret the chemical signature so much quicker because it needs to learn what is happening on a higher level. If it goes on this way, Kaplan will find himself overwhelmed, even though his brain function operates on a speedier level.” Melier felt a surge of excitement. This was working far better than he had hoped for. “Pass me the second dose,” he said.

  As Cheng picked up the syringe, he glanced at Kaplan’s rigid expression. His eye moving back and forth as he struggled to resist.

  “Is it safe to give him more so quickly?”

  “I assessed the dosages during my trials,” Melier said. “My results told me a follow-up injection into healthy individual was not liable to create any untoward effects. Kaplan is an excellent subject.”

  Cheng watched as Melier delivered the second injection. Reaction this time was slower in coming.

  Kaplan’s body curved up off the couch, eyes wide. A sheen of perspiration glistened on the taut flesh of his face. He began to mumble in a low monotone, his words meaningless. Cheng moved closer, but Melier reached out a restraining hand.

  “Leave him,” he said. “This will pass.” He led Cheng across the room. “We must leave him while the chemicals work on his nervous system. He will rest, and when he wakes he will be ready to talk to me. Answer my questions.”

  * * *

  “YOU REMEMBER ME? Dr. Melier. We spoke earlier.”

  Kaplan looked at him, eyes searching Melier’s face. His expression was bland. Empty. He ran his tongue over his dry lips.

  “I’m thirsty.”

  “Bring him some water,” Melier said.

  Cheng tipped cold water from one of the insulated jugs and handed it to Kaplan. He drank hurriedly, spilling some water down his front.

  “Not so fast,” Melier advised.

  Kaplan held out the tumbler for more. This time he drank slowly until the tumbler was empty.

  “Better?”

  Kaplan nodded.

  “Good. Now, where were we... Oh, yes...you were giving me details of the encryption codes for Zero. The operating procedures.”

  Kaplan faced him, brow furrowing as he made to recall what he had supposedly been telling Melier.

  “I don’t remember...”

  “Take your time, Saul. There is no rush.”

  Kaplan slumped against the chair back and stared over Melier’s shoulder at the falling snow.

  “It must have been falling for a long time,” he said. “The ground is covered quite deeply. How long have I been here?”

  “A while, Saul. Now let us go back to what you were telling me about Zero’s codes.”

  Melier looked across at Cheng, then at the recording device, as if to convince himself it was still operating. Cheng nodded gently.

  Over the next couple of hours Melier spoke quietly to Kaplan. His voice was low, coaxing, drawing words from the American. His persuasive tone had a soothing effect on Kaplan, who kept reaching across to gently rub the spot on his arm where he had taken the hypodermic needles as he responded to Melier’s questions.

  When Kaplan showed signs of fatigue, Melier allowed him to rest. Kaplan closed his eyes.

  “Pause the recording,” Melier said.

  Cheng did so. He shook his head as he looked from Kaplan to Melier.

  “It is amazing. He shows no resistance to your questions. Answers most of them without a struggle. And his vital signs are giving normal readings.”

  “More
than I had hoped for at this stage,” Melier said. “Tell Chan we have some answers he might be interested in. I believe he is going to be extremely pleased at what we have learned so far.”

  * * *

  WHEN CHAN ENTERED the room, Melier presented him with the digital recorder.

  “What you have been waiting for,” he said. “Only a small amount of data, but enough, I believe, for you to attack the Zero system.”

  “My congratulations, Dr. Melier. My faith in you has not been wrong.” Chan glanced at the resting man. “Will he be able to give you more?”

  “I believe so. Now he needs to rest. Later I will administer more of my formula and talk with him again.”

  “If you will excuse me,” Chan said, “I must deliver this to my technician. He is as anxious as I to make some headway.”

  Chan made his way through the house to the room that had been designated for the purpose. It was equipped with high-end electronics, the computers extremely powerful and the internet connections of the highest caliber.

  Seated at the main station was Tien, the man Chan had selected himself many weeks previously. Tien was considered one of the brightest techs available. He swung around in his chair when Chan came into the room.

  “Something for you, Tien. What we have both been waiting for.”

  He passed over the digital device. Tien, young, his eyes bright with anticipation, took the recorder and quickly made the connections that fed into his tower. His fingers flashed across the keyboard, inputting instructions.

  The monitor in front of him flashed alive, codes and numbers scrolling across the screen. Chan understood very little of what he was seeing. He held back his impatience as Tien continued manipulating the on-screen display. Finally he sat back and laid his hands on the desktop.

  “What are we waiting for?” Chan said.

  “To see if Zero accepts the input. The codes from Kaplan should integrate with the mainframe on the platform. It may take some minutes. At this moment it is all down to the two operating systems. Mine and Zero’s.”

  “If you have a few minutes to spare,” someone said behind Chan, “there is something important you should be aware of.”

  Chan turned and faced Zhou.

  “What are you talking about, Yang Zhou?”

  Zhou held up a slim black device. “This,” he said. “An extremely efficient signal tracker. It can locate any cell phone being used.”

  “I gave orders that no calls be made,” Chan said.

  Zhou raised the tracker.

  “Then let us see who has defied you. Shall we?”

  Something in the almost triumphant expression on Zhou’s face told Chan he was not going to like the answer.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Jui Kai had learned that much of her time during an assignment would be spent simply observing. It was something she had forced herself to accept. Making sudden, impulsive moves would more likely lead to her exposing herself than to achieving anything of use. Resigned to waiting for Chan, she relaxed in the comfort of the lounge chair, stared at the fire in front of her and thought about her consignment.

  Since taking on her shadowing of Colonel Chan, that need had grown. Over the past months, since her deliberate action at making herself always available to him, Chan had become more amenable. That worked in Kai’s favor. He called on her frequently, and always when he took yet another of his flights. The man had an involved lifestyle, taking him back and forth across the country for endless meetings and discussions. Since becoming the man in charge of the Zero affair, his workload had increased. Kai took advantage of this, making herself totally available when he wanted to see her, and his influence meant there were no problems in her life.

  In the fairly regimented Chinese society, Jui Kai was able to move around freely. That suited her needs, because being able to come and go meant she had free time for reporting to her control, keeping them up to date.

  Even Jui Kai had had no idea about the plan to kidnap Saul Kaplan. The matter had been kept very secret; Chan had kept the operations close. There had been no hint of anything untoward even when she was with him. She had to give him full marks for remaining silent in that respect. The first time she’d learned about the abduction was during the flight to Switzerland; she had overheard the colonel and Zhou talking.

  Zhou had seemed alarmed at the way Chan discussed the operation in front of her. Chan had simply waved away his displeasure.

  “The deed is done, Zhou. Please do not worry yourself.”

  As she’d returned to her position in the galley, Kai had already worked out how to pass on the information, knowing she could not risk using her cell phone while they were in flight. Once in her room at the hotel, she’d sent a short text to her US contact, advising that she would follow up with additional information if and when she gained any.

  It had come as an unexpected surprise when Chan had sent his car to pick her up from the Swiss hotel. She’d gathered a few things, made a quick change of clothing and gone quickly down to the waiting car. It had already started to snow as the car left the hotel and followed the road that led into the surrounding landscape. Kai had had no idea where the car was heading and, though curious, she’d asked no questions so as not to arouse any suspicions with the driver.

  Arriving at the isolated residence, she’d known immediately that Chan had chosen well. If this was where he had brought Kaplan he had picked the right place. There were no other houses anywhere near. The place was surrounded by wooded areas, the terrain behind the mansion rising in a series of slopes to the snowcapped mountains. Kai remembered hoping there would be a signal for her phone if she had the chance to send out a location.

  Chan had been his usual charming self, making her feel welcome. The interior of the house was stylish, well appointed and expansive. In fact the only fault was in the shape of Yang Zhou; the man exuded hostility. He’d made no secret of the fact he hadn’t approved of her presence, but Chan had overruled his objections.

  The logs in the fire pit crackled, breaking into her thoughts. Kai shifted and slipped her cell from her pocket to check the signal, relieved to find the bars were at maximum level. She always made sure the phone was kept fully charged, too.

  Slipping the phone back into her pocket, she stood and crossed to the wet bar to add ice to the tumbler. It allowed her to pass the arched opening that gave access to the passage beyond.

  Zhou was there, talking to the man she knew as Bolo. They showed no indication they had noticed her, but their presence was simply enough to alert her.

  For a moment she wondered if they had seen her check her phone. She dismissed the idea. She had been on the far side of the wide lounge, her back to the arch and hidden by the rear of the armchair. Despite that, she reminded herself to be wary in their presence and not give them any reason to become suspicious.

  Kai returned to her seat and sat back. She had to admit it felt good, seated before the blaze in the hearth while beyond the double-glazed window the snow continued to fall; the Swiss certainly knew how to protect themselves from the extremes of the weather.

  She felt herself becoming slightly drowsy, and started when Chan suddenly appeared at her side, his approach silent on the thick carpeting.

  “I believe you could become used to this comfortable life,” he said, taking the armchair close by. He held a filled tumbler in one hand.

  Kai smiled. “It would be easy,” she said.

  “We should take advantage of it while we can.”

  “That sounds as if everything could change quickly.”

  “The needs of the state come first,” Chan said. “But not for some time yet. I have arranged for a meal to be brought here for us.”

  “You spoil me.”

  Chan smiled. “Let me enjoy these small pleasures, Jui Kai.”

 
; “Of course.” Kai sipped her drink. “I could not help but overhear your conversation on the plane. This man, Kaplan? He is important to our country?”

  Chan drank. “He has information that could be of great use to us. I decided to bring him here where we would not be disturbed while we talk to him.”

  Kai raised her glass. “Then I wish you success, my dear Chan, in whatever you do.”

  “At least my time here will be spent in your enchanting company.”

  Kai indicated the heavy snowfall. “That may be a long time.”

  “Something we had not anticipated,” Chan said. “Though at this time of year, and this being Switzerland, perhaps a little insight might have been called for.”

  Kai laughed, partly for Chan, but just as much for herself. If they became cut off here, her opportunity to let her US control know became more of a reality.

  That need became paramount when Zhou came into the room and called Chan to his side, speaking quietly. Kai deliberately pretended to concentrate on the snowfall beyond the window, though she was able to see the reflection of Chan and Zhou. The low murmur of Zhou’s voice reached her in the otherwise silent room and she picked up on a little of his conversation.

  “Melier...needs...speak with you,” Zhou said. “...Urgent...breakthrough...with Kaplan...”

  “Excuse me, my dear,” Chan said, returning to her.

  “Business first,” Kai said, her tone casual.

  Chan followed Zhou from the room, leaving Kai alone. Though not entirely alone. She spotted Bolo still in the passage, standing motionless.

  As solid as a block of granite, she decided.

  She recalled the names Zhou had used.

  Melier, the chemical interrogator.

  More significant was Kaplan.

  Here in the house. Under Chan’s control, with Dr. Melier attending.

  Not, Kai realized, a very good combination.

  Saul Kaplan had the Zero data inside his head.

  And Dr. Luc Melier stole information from inside human minds.

  And they were all here, heading for a shutdown on travel if the weather stayed the way it was.