The 731 Legacy by Lynn Sholes Read Free Book Online

other countries. Wait until you hear this list. They span the globe, owning property in the UK, Russia, Poland, France, Greece, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Japan, and Australia. And that's not all. They have holdings in Brazil, China, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, and the Netherlands."

    Ted turned from the traffic and gave her a sly smile. "Let me guess. Their only tenant in each country is T-Kup Tech."

    "Correct. This whole Calderon thing smells bad, Ted. Literally and figuratively. I can't tell you what it is or why I feel that way other than my gut says something ain't right in T-Kup land."

    "Could be nothing more than a coincidence?"

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    "You really believe that?"

    He rubbed his forehead. "Read me that list of countries again."

    She did.

    He smacked his lips then nodded. "Sounds like a list of the U.S. allies in World War Two. Except for Japan. That's the only one that doesn't fit."

    "Interesting. I'm going to make a mental note. It might mean something to us later."

    "Maybe. Anyway, right now you don't have much to grab on to. Don't make it your life's work, but dig some more. Shake a few bushes and see what falls out. Maybe it's time for us to take a look at T-Kup Technologies in the cold light of dawn."

    As they crossed Central Park West heading back to SNN, Ted said, "Where did John wind up going?"

    "Some out-of-the-way strip of land between Moldova and the Ukraine called Transnistria."

    "Never heard of it."

    THE PATH

    Moon walked alongside the General Secretary as they wandered through the gardens of his palace near Wonsan on the Sea of Japan coast. She had traveled to the east coast by rail that afternoon at his request—the subject of the meeting not disclosed to her in advance, only that it was important.

    The night breeze chilled her as it swept in off the ocean. Even the heavydurumagi she wore over her clothes didn't keep the frosty air at bay. Hidden in the foothills of Mt. Kumgang, the replica of the Loire Valley Chateau de Blois was surrounded by 8,000 acres of heavily patrolled forest. From the path below the mansion, she saw the Wonsan city lights in the distance.

    "We have closed the satellite lab in New York City, Dear Leader," Moon said. "We moved it to a new location in a neighboring state. I ordered there be nothing left behind that could lead the authorities to believe it was anything more than an electronics manufacturer's warehouse."

    "We will trust your orders were followed." He did not look at her, and that caused a hairline fracture in her normally granite confidence. She had been warned many times over the years that if he chose not to make eye contact, he harbored resentment or anger. She hoped that he was simply preoccupied with other matters of state.

    They came to a bend in the path. A waist-high wall protected them from a rocky precipice that dropped into the darkness.

    "No plan is immune to failure, Dr. Chung," he said as he gazed out over the wall toward the distant city. "Even one as exquisitely planned and

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    meticulously executed as yours."

    "Dear Leader, I fully realize—"

    He held his hand up. "I know you do, Dr. Chung." His voice was almost a whisper. "We sympathize with your tremendous task and marvel daily how you manage to accomplish so much. It is a mountain of an undertaking for anyone—
    even someone of your unquestionable talents and abilities."

    Moon sighed silently, thankful that he was not upset. "Thank you, Dear—"

    "But from time to time, we all must come to the realization that we require a little extra help."

    "I don't understand. My team is working without regard to their own needs to make this a reality. I can't imagine who I could add to my staff that would increase our chances of success anymore than those whom I have handpicked over the last year."

    A bead of sweat ran down the spillway of her spine at the threat of losing control of the project. "My scientists bring with them years of unquestionable knowledge in the field of