Operation Norfolk by Randy Wayne White Read Free Book Online

look around. I hear some of the aboriginal tribes are still pretty much unspoiled by contact with the outside world.”
    The CIA agent said, “What?” as if not expecting anything but a mechanical answer. “Yes,” he added, “that does sound interesting.” And that was the end of the pleasantries. Getting down to work now, the agent said, “You have been briefed on General Con Ye Cwong’s business operations?”
    Hawker said, “A little. I know what he does, but I don’t know how he does it—not that I really care. All I need is detailed data on his base of operations, help in getting there, and then I’ll be happy to cut you and your men loose.”
    The man said, “I wish it were that easy, Mr. Hawker. I know that you’re used to working alone, and I know you prefer to take the direct approach. I’m not saying you don’t do your homework. If you weren’t bright and accomplished, you wouldn’t be here.”
    Hawker said, “Then what do you mean?”
    The man said, “I mean that Cwong is not just some common crime boss. He’s not anything like those mobs you dealt with in New York and L.A. Cwong is more like a …” The agent paused, seeking just the right words. “He’s more like a king, a dictator. He demands—and receives—absolute loyalty from his people. To some of them the man is like a god. They look on him as one of the great leaders in the history of Vietnam—one of a handful of men who brought the United States of America to its knees. His people will fight to the death to protect him and his operation. And, as you can guess, Mr. Hawker, that kind of loyalty manufactures tremendous problems for people in our field to overcome.”
    Hawker said, “In other words, you have very little specific data on Cwong because his people are so loyal they can’t be bought. Or they’re so terrified of Cwong, they’re afraid to take the chance.”
    â€œSee?” said the agent. “Your dossier says you’re smart, Mr. Hawker. You catch on very quickly. And you’re right—to a degree. But Cwong is involved in drug marketing in a big way. And I don’t care how strict your rules about loyalty are—when you begin dealing with drug users you’re vulnerable, because drug users have only one loyalty, and that’s to their addiction. That’s the big chink in Cwong’s armor. We have detailed data on the way drugs are moved from his island to stations nearby and then put onto boats and planes for Hawaii and then the continental United States.”
    â€œBut that still doesn’t get me onto the island with Cwong,” Hawker protested.
    â€œIt’ll help. See, there are two major drop stations within twenty-five miles of Cwong’s little paradise. And we’ve been able to compile plenty of data about both of them. We now know the exact expected time of drug shipments to both of the stations, how many boats are coming, and how many of Cwong’s men are expected to be on the boats.”
    â€œSo what?” said Hawker. “That still doesn’t help me get next to Cwong. And that’s what you want, isn’t it? You want me to hunt down Cwong and kill him, right?”
    All three CIA agents looked uncomfortable. The spokesman said, “Frankly, Mr. Hawker, we don’t know the specifics of your orders. And we don’t care. Our own orders say we’re supposed to provide you with all possible assistance in getting you onto the island. That’s the end of it.”
    â€œAnd what about helping me get off the island? Your orders don’t say anything about that?”
    Under the vigilante’s steady gaze, the agents now appeared even more uncomfortable. Looking somber, the first man said, “We will, of course, help you off the island … if you survive. I hope no one gave you any illusions about this operation being