Eye for an Eye by Ben Coes Read Free Book Online

dose of your own medicine,” said Dellenbaugh, laughing. “Now stand up like a man, take your skates off, and get the hell out of here.”
    DeGray slowly sat up. He looked around for sympathy but found none.
    “Does this mean … can I come back?”
    “Absolutely,” said Dellenbaugh. “Just not between the hours of five and six on Saturday mornings. If you do, I’ll have one of the agents put a load of buckshot in your ass.”

 
    6
    RESIDENCE OF THE PREMIER
ZHONGNANHAI
BEIJING
    The black sedan carrying Fao Bhang passed through Xinhua Gate. A four-man watch of armed soldiers needed only for Bhang’s driver to lower his black-tinted window a few inches to see whose limo it was; Bhang’s drivers, a rotating group of three, were all known to the guards at Zhongnanhai.
    At the front entrance to the premier’s residence, Bhang was escorted by a soldier down a long hallway, its walls decorated with murals. At the end of the hallway was a set of closed double doors, where another soldier stood. Upon seeing Bhang, he turned and knocked.
    “Send him in,” came a voice from inside the room.
    The soldier nodded at Bhang, then opened the door and showed Bhang in. As he went to shut the door, Premier Li called out.
    “Stay inside the room,” he ordered to the soldier.
    The soldier followed Bhang in, shut the door, then stood at attention just inside the door.
    The room was a library, its crimson red walls lined with books. Premier Li was seated on a maroon sofa, beneath a chandelier. Across from the sofa were two leather chairs.
    Li was dressed casually; a button-down beneath a green cashmere V-neck sweater. He stared at Bhang as he entered.
    “Premier Li,” said Bhang, bowing before him. “My humblest appreciation for seeing me on such short notice.”
    Li said nothing. Instead he glared with a blank, seething anger at Bhang. He did not ask Bhang to sit down. Understanding the signal, Bhang stood between the two chairs, across from Li.
    “What happened?” asked Li curtly, in a manner that contained what could only be described as controlled fury. “You destroyed a little girl’s birthday today, Bhang?”
    “I am here to apologize,” said Bhang, in a soft voice. “I am most sorry. I have all ministry resources trying to determine what vile creature played such a mean-spirited joke.”
    “Joke?” Li yelled. “He had an ax in his skull! An ax! Covered in blood! Who would do such a thing?”
    “I did not send it, so I don’t know,” said Bhang. “This was a cruel strategy employed by China’s enemies for God knows what reason. Perhaps to do what is occurring right now, to foment anger among the leaders of our government. But I will find out who did this, sir, and justice will be brought to them.”
    “My granddaughter had to be sedated,” said Li. “My wife is distraught.”
    “And for this, I am deeply sorry. Sometimes, it would seem, the world in which I live and work, a world of secrets, spills over. It’s not something I chose.”
    “Who was this dead man?”
    Bhang remained silent.
    “Who was this man?” bellowed Li.
    “I’m here to apologize,” said Bhang. “There is nothing more I can say, with all due respect, sir.”
    “I am ordering you to tell me who this dead man was,” seethed Li.
    Bhang returned Li’s angry glare with a calm, kindly expression.
    “Mr. Premier,” said Bhang, “there are aspects to every job that do not necessarily bring clarity or edification to the world. This question would fall into a category of what I would call unnecessary detail.”
    Li sat back, considering his next words.
    “You’re not going to tell me?” he asked, taken aback, his voice rising. “What have you exposed China to, you insolent bastard? Your arrogance knows no boundaries, Bhang.”
    Li pointed at the soldier. The soldier, standing at the door, looked nervously at Li. Then he reached to his holster and removed his gun. He targeted it at Bhang.
    Bhang registered the sight of the muzzle,