"Did you show him the drawings of Hwang?"
"Yes, along with a few others as a control. He was fairly certain the man resembled one of Hwang's drawings. That strengthens the possibility that Dr. Lee's manuscript has some connection with the other murders."
And it makes it even more imperative that Nate come up with something on the assassin, Burke thought. He had a feeling this Hwang Sang-sol was going to complicate matters for him before it was all over. In reply to his final request, Yun gave him the name of a former National Police officer now working as a private detective.
Jerry immediately contacted the investigator and arranged for a quick but thorough background check on Song Ji-young. He was anxious to get a secretary in place. There was a lot of work to be done, and he wanted to have an answer for her early the following week.
Late that afternoon, the phone rang as Captain Yun sat at his desk feeling unusually weary after a day that had wound up in a singularly unspectacular fashion. He hated meetings with a passion. That was no doubt the source of his weariness. They were boring. The speakers unbearably long-winded. After the session with the taxi driver, about all he had accomplished for the day was to query the police computer on the name Song Ji-young. At least it meant good news for Burke Hill. The person the computer turned up was obviously not the young lady he was interested in. This one had a string of arrests for petty theft and hooliganism, no college degree, and her age was listed as forty-five. Considering the way the day had gone to this point, it was no surprise when he answered the phone and found himself greeted by a voice that instantly struck a sour note. The strident voice of Prosecutor Park.
"Well, Captain, did your little trap succeed in snaring the suspect in those long-suffering homicide cases?"
Yun was not surprised by the call, nor was he surprised that his first impulse was to hang up and pretend the connection had been broken. He knew his grace period had about run its course. It was time, as the Americans liked to say, to put up or shut up. "The surveillance has proved unsuccessful," he said, working hard to keep the animosity out of his voice.
"You indicated there was an additional route that might be taken, which you would discuss when the time came." Park paused for dramatic emphasis. "The time, I would say, has arrived, Captain. I shall be looking for you in my office tomorrow morning at nine. And, oh yes, I suggest if there are any additional homicides in the morning, you request that they be handled by someone else. Your calendar appears to be quite full."
Yun replaced the phone and glared at it. Hill had promised to call first thing in the morning, if anything turned up. He would just have to wait and see. And hope.
Taesong, South Korea
Chapter 30
Mitch Steele gazed out the window at the large paved parking area with its freshly-painted lines. Beyond it, the ground began a gentle slope toward the hills, where the sun was fading in slow motion. The area had been newly landscaped, with grass and shrubbery filling spots where construction vehicles had scarred the earth. At least on the outside, the Taesong Nuclear Power Generating Facility was ready to go. He turned back to his desk and consulted his checklist. The electrical testing under "no load" conditions had gone well. All instruments had been calibrated. Hydro testing of the liquid and gas systems was completed. Under the functional tests, everything had performed as designed. The "hot-ops" check had put all equipment under hot operational service conditions. The zero power test was now under way. After loading the fuel rods, physics testing of the reactor core would measure operational parameters and assure the safety of the system. So far the news had been mostly good. For that he was thankful. The Korea Electric Power liaison who had replaced the ubiquitous Chi at the end of the summer was a real hard-ass. It wasn't that the project manager had any thoughts about trying to cover up problems. He just didn't like to be hassled.
They would soon start the final phase, power testing. The plant would "go critical" and operate at various power levels, with steam dumped to the condenser through the turbine by-pass system. It would culminate with the plant running at 100 per cent power for several days. He had guaranteed to have it ready to go on line by Christmas, and by damn he'd do it or die of a ruptured ego.
He wondered idly what had happened to Chi. No one seemed to know. At least the only thing anyone would tell him was he'd been transferred. Why or where was anybody's guess. They had become fairly close. He was a little surprised he hadn't had a phone call or at least a postcard.
Steele had heard from some of the Korean engineers that the company was already diverting considerable amounts of power around the system to make up for a reduced load at the Kanggu site. He suspected that meant part of Kanggu's megawatts were being directed to some new project, though he had no idea what it might be.
He glanced up at the calendar on the wall. Another weekend had rolled around. Ever since the project had gone on a seven-days-a-week schedule, he'd had difficulty keeping up with what day it was.
Before going to bed, Burke called Nate and inquired if he had anything to report on Hwang Sang-sol.
"I'm having dinner at the Federal Club this evening," Highsmith said. "General Palmer is to get the information to me. I'll go by the office and fax it to you before I head home. It should be around noon your time."
"I hope it's good news for the Captain. He's really being helpful. What about the book manuscript?"
"I'm afraid I only have bad news there. Dr. Lowing has gone to Europe to attend a conference and then make a series of talks. He'll be visiting several universities on the continent and in England. They don't expect him back for nearly three weeks."
Burke frowned. "Couldn't a secretary, or someone around the foundation, locate the manuscript for us?"
"I'll check, but I doubt it. These professors guard their manuscripts like Fort Knox takes care of its gold. Those things can mean big money. Especially if they get a book approved for use in schools. Chances are he has it at home. He's a bachelor, lives alone."
Three weeks. A guy gets himself murdered over a manuscript, and it's three weeks before anybody can try to find out why. If he were Yun, he'd be damned frustrated about it. Since it appeared to be linked to the conspiracy against highly pro-American Koreans, there was also the possibility that it could be connected to the Amber Group's investigation. He had no proof, but he couldn't shake the idea. Still, he was too tired to sort it out now. All the lifting and climbing and toting at the office had left him feeling as though he'd been put through a strenuous workout. He realized his walking might be great for the respiratory and circulatory systems, but it did nothing for a lot of muscles he hadn't stretched for a long time. They'd be sure to let him know about it in the morning.
The mystery of Dr. Lee's missing book was still on his mind as he dozed off. He would recall it only vaguely when he awoke, but he dreamed about a predatory animal that killed writers and ate their manuscripts.
Prosecutor Park Sang-muk was due in the Minister of Justice's office later in the morning to discuss a case of particular interest to the government. He was concerned that the Yang and Yi homicides might come up as well. Puffing furiously at a Turtle Ship, he saw Captain Yun walk in and gestured silently with his cigarette at the empty chair.
He glanced at the watch strapped tightly, uncomfortably so, about his beefy wrist, then looked back at Yun. "At least you're on time today."
"Begging your pardon, Prosecutor Park," Yun said calmly, a dispassionate look on his face, "I have always been on time for our conferences. The last time I was not late; I was simply unable to be here at all."
Park shifted his bulky torso in the oversize chair, resembling a large balloon bobbing in a breeze. "Never mind." He did not intend to let the detective put him on the defensive. "Tell me how you plan to go about capturing this murderer."
Noisily clearing his throat, as though the words might have become stuck there, Yun said almost as a confession, "The alternative I mentioned was to make a request of the NSP to provide any infor
mation they might have. The man goes by the name of Hwang Sang-sol. He is a merciless killer available for an assortment of despicable activities."
The normally brash, confident prosecutor's puffy jaws sagged and his eyes took on a hollow look. "The NSP?"
"I suspect the NSP knows him quite well. I'll ask the director of our bureau to make the request through the Minister of Home Affairs."
That prospect put Park into a rapid recovery mode. He didn't relish the idea of sticking his rather prominent nose into the treacherous quagmire known as the Agency for National Security Planning, but he had even less desire to face the Justic Minister with word that a rival bureaucracy was probing into national security affairs. If anything of that sort were required, it should be done on his own turf. His minister was a real stickler for keeping a close rein on the National Police.
"That would be better handled through the Minister of Justice," said Park, his face settling into a more normal scowl. He lifted the stub of his Turtle Ship from the dragon's head ashtray and milked it for one final puff. "He should have considerably more clout with the president and the prime minister."
"Then you will let me know when you have the information on Hwang Sang-sol?" Yun asked.
"Yes, of course." Park nodded with a guarded look, put off a bit by the investigator's unexpected agreement.
Since it was Saturday, Jerry had told his staff to rest up from the dual effects of jet lag and the office move-in. He wanted them ready for a shotgun start on Monday morning. Burke enjoyed a leisurely late breakfast, reading through the morning newspaper as a diligent waiter kept pouring the coffee. He saw no need to hurry. It was a beautiful fall day, the sky ablaze with a bright ball of a sun that had diminished the morning chill by the time he walked over to the Worldwide office. He found Jerry putting the finishing touches on some of the sophisticated gadgetry supplied by Kingsley Marshall from the CIA's inventory. Included were an electronic sweeper, a gadget to detect telephone line taps and a device installed beneath the windows that would distort sound waves, rendering them unintelligible by the time they reached the large glass panes. The Amber Group chose to use the branch manager's office for a secure room, and this device would prevent any eavesdropping from the outside. Jerry had also brought over one of the fax/scrambler machines, along with an additional supply of encoded floppies. It sat on the corner of his desk.
Burke had been there only a short time when Nate Highsmith called. He sat at Jerry's desk and activated the scrambler.
"Did General Palmer come through for us?" Burke asked.
Nate laughed. "You would have thought we were a couple of graying operations types meeting on a Moscow street at the height of the Cold War. Just before leaving the club, he told me he had an article he thought I might be interested in reading. Handed me a folded copy of the Army Times. When I got back here, I found it crammed with photographs and a typed report."
"On Hwang Sang-sol?"
"Right. Your policeman's artist did a great job. I'll fax the photos in a few minutes. You can see how close they match. The report gives the full pedigree on Mr. Hwang. The Agency says his real name is Suh."
"Are we cleared to give the info to Captain Yun?"
"Yes, it's been sanitized. We didn't want to put it in writing, but you can tell him unofficially that Hwang's employers have included the Agency for National Security Planning. I wouldn't come right out and tell him this came from the FBI, but you can imply whatever you like."
"I'm sure he'll be so happy to get it he won't give a damn where it came from. Did you have a chance to check on Dr. Lowing's manuscript?"
Nate's voice took on a note of regret. "They didn't know anything about it at the Foundation. They expect to hear from him in the next week, however. I asked them to have him give me a call."
"I guess that's the best we can hope for," Burke said.
After they had finished their conversation, Nate transmitted the report and photos via the facsimile machine. Burke looked them over, then called Yun at the police station.
"Mr. Hill," the investigator said, "I was going to call you. I'm happy to report that your secretarial applicant has no record here."
No doubt Jerry would be quite happy also, Burke thought. But he would have to await the private investigator's report before offering her a job. "Thanks much, Captain," Burke said. "I have something here I think you'll find quite interesting. It's a full rundown on your man, plus some recent photos."
"Excellent!" said Yun. "Shall I come by your office?"
Chapter 31
Captain Yun arrived within fifteen minutes. Although Burke wanted Jerry Chan to meet him, this was clearly not the time. The Captain would no doubt be quite unhappy to learn that Burke had shared his confidence with someone he would take for nothing more than a public relations agency manager. Jerry had conveniently stepped out to a nearby tabang for coffee.
"Let's go into the manager's office," Burke said. "He'll be gone for awhile."
Yun looked around as he took his seat across the desk from Burke. The slight change in his expression was enough to suggest the Captain thought this a luxurious layout compared to his modest cubicle at the police station. He confirmed it with the brief comment, "Nice office."
"Jerry thinks so. Our manager I told you about. Sometime before I leave, I want to introduce you two. I think you'll like him."
"I would be pleased to meet him," Yun said.
Burke spread out the photographs of Hwang Sang-sol on the edge of the desk beside the Captain. "Here's your man. I understand these were taken recently by an intelligence service in Japan. They thought they had him trapped, but he got away."
Yun bent over the pictures. One showed the slippery assassin sporting thick hair and a mustache. In others, he appeared with short hair, wearing glasses. From the expressions on his face, it was obvious he had been completely unaware of the photographer. Since the photos had been blown up to capture the essence of that face, little of the background showed. There were hints of a Japanese setting around the edges, however.
"Could I get copies of these?" Yun asked.
"Those are yours."
"Well, thank you. Thank you very much." Yun appeared elated.
"Here's the report on him," Burke said, handing over the sheet Nate had sent.
Captain Yun sat back and read down the page slowly.
Personal Background of SUH TAE-HUNG
Suh Tae-hung, age thirty-five, is a native of Cholla Province in the Republic of Korea. University educated, he speaks English, Chinese and Japanese fluently, in addition to his native tongue. He was trained as a member of the ROK Special Forces and is highly skilled in the martial arts, the use of all types of weapons and explosives, close combat tactics, use of stealth and concealment, methods of evasion and escape.
After discharge from the military in 1981, Suh was involved with two former Special Forces comrades in the robbery of a courier in Pusan which netted $50,000 in cash. One of the robbers was captured and led police to the planned rendezvous, where Suh and the other subject were trapped and arrested. Suh escaped the following day. The first robber testified in court against his accomplice, who received a lengthy prison sentence. The informer received a light sentence but was found murdered shortly after his release. Though no evidence exists to tie the murder to Suh, it can safely be assumed that he was responsible. For reasons unexplained, no current warrant exists for his arrest, leaving him unlisted by Interpol as a fugitive.
Suh is believed to live in Hong Kong, although British authorities have been unable to pinpoint his hideaway. He is known to have carried out criminal and espionage assignments for a number of countries as well as illegal organizations in South East Asia. He can only be contacted through a series of cutouts, which are changed frequently. A master of disguise, he has used numerous aliases and precisely forged documents. He is well financed. A ruthless assassin, he kills easily and without remorse. Some authorities consider him the most dangerous terrorist since Carlos the Jaka
l.
(NOTE: The foregoing information is considered highly sensitive and should not be disseminated outside of official law enforcement channels. Although believed to be completely reliable, it cannot be attributed to particular sources.)
Yun looked up from the sheet, his face like chiseled stone. "From this, I would say Mr. Hwang, or Suh, definitely does not know I am the man looking for him. Or else I would be dead."
"He's a lethal bastard, no question," Burke said. "I would suggest you be very careful about how you follow up on that information."
"You can be sure I will."
"What do you make of the part about no existing warrants?"
"That's the first thing I intend to look into. I don't like the implication."
Burke leaned forward, his elbows on the desk. "I was told one other little tidbit, which, for obvious reasons, was left out of the report. It seems that Mr. Hwang or Suh, whatever you choose to call him, has been retained in the past by the NSP."
The Poksu Conspiracy (Post Cold War Political Thriller Book 2) Page 20
