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"To tell the truth, Colin, it's the first
time I've ever worn one. When I was at school, they were looked on as a bit of
a joke, and later on we all wore designer clothes. This morning, when I was
packing up my mother's clothes, I found half a dozen which I'm sure she hadn't
worn for many years. They fitted me perfectly, which for a cheong-sam is very
necessary."
    He was
admiring the high mandarin collars and the soft blue silk which flowed over her
contours. At the same time, he was thinking that Lucy Kwok was a very practical
young lady, perhaps even hard-hearted. After all, her mother had been brutally
murdered only two weeks ago, and here she was wearing her clothes.
    It was
as though she read his thoughts.
    "I
know it must seem a little strange, but I was close to my mother and she would
have approved." She smiled at him. "In fact, I wore it because of
you, in acknowledgement of your understanding of our Chinese languages and
culture. It is also why I invited you to eat at the Dynasty restaurant tonight."
    The
policeman looked slightly uncomfortable.
    "Of
course, I appreciate it. I've heard of the exquisite food, but I could never
afford it, not even on a senior policeman's salary."
    Mischievously,
she said, "So now you're worried that you'll be seen there and
investigated by the Independent Commission Against Corruption."
    Very
seriously, he said, "Lucy, you must understand that in my particular
position I have to be very careful. As soon as I received your invitation this
morning, I sent a fax to the head of the ICAC, informing him where I would be
dining tonight and who... and who'd be paying the bill."
    The
surprise showed on her face.
    "Are
you joking?"
    "Definitely
not. I even insisted on an acknowledgement of my fax, which came back ten
minutes later."
    Her
drink arrived and, as soon as the waiter left, he continued, "Understand
that the Triads know me as their enemy. Last year, they managed to obtain my
account number at Lloyd's bank in London and paid three million Hong Kong dollars
into it, without my knowledge. Fortunately, as soon as I started working in the
Anti-Triad section, I took precautions. For the last three years, copies of my
bank statements, both in London and here, have been sent automatically to the
ICAC
    "I'm
impressed," she said. "And the only bribe I will ever offer you is
that of friendship. I'm sure the ICAC cannot object to that. Anyway, I don't
have a lot of money. It seems that my father spent most of his wealth on his
research... but tonight I will be extravagant...shall we go for dinner?

Chapter 07
    The
first confrontation took place at thirty-five thousand feet, above the middle
of the Atlantic Ocean. The private jet was a state-of-the-art Gulfstream IV.
Its configuration was a crew-quarters, just behind the cockpit, then a galley
and service area and, behind that, a dining area and then a lounge. At the back
was a comfortable, en suite state cabin, together with two smaller cabins
containing three bunks each.
    The
two-man cabin-crew had produced a gourmet lunch, and then Michael and Ruby
retired to the lounge area and played cards. Creasy and Gloria Manners stayed
at the dining-table.
    "What's
the programme in Brussels?" Gloria asked.
    "It's
a question of consultation," Creasy answered. "I have a friend there,
called Maxie MacDonald. Rhodesian born and bred. During the War of Independence
there, he fought in an elite unit called the Selous Scouts. They infiltrated
what we used to call the Terrorist Organisation and what they used to call the Freedom
Fighters. It happens that he operated in the area where your daughter was
killed, and knows it intimately. I know how to take care of myself in the
African bush, but compared to Maxie, I'm a novice. For a few months, I was
attached to the Selous Scouts, but operated mainly on the other side of the
country adjoining Mozambique. Maxie and I are good friends. We've worked
together over many years. I have good contacts in Zimbabwe, but his are