The Curse of the Dragon God Read Online Free PDF

asked.
    The Professor’s sensitive fingers reached forward slowly and touched the tiny object in Eden’s palm. “Zhang Sen will know for certain. Every one of Sen’s diamonds contains a watermark, undetectable to the human eye. If this diamond bears that signature, then I think it’s safe to assume the stolen jewels are ending up in some very dangerous hands. Which is precisely why he wants us there tonight.”
    “Mr. Sen wants us there to protect the diamonds?” Will asked.
    “Actually, Will, it’s Mr. Zhang,” the Professor replied. “Sen is his first name. Traditionally, the Chinese surname comes first. And to answer your question, no, we’re not there to protect the diamonds. We’re there to protect one diamond. A diamond called the Eye of Fucanglong. It is one of the largest, most precious diamonds in the world, found fourteen centuries ago and placed in the eye of a golden dragon. It is the jewel in the crown of the Zhang Diamond empire.”
    “Hence the big shindig,” Shane observed.
    “The new Zhang Diamond Tower here in San Francisco is now complete, and the corporation is in the first phase of its expansion into the United States market. This event signifies the coming together of two great cultures, two unsinkable economies. What better occasion to unveil the Eye of Fucanglong to America? What better way to begin a multibillion-dollar international business venture than by showcasing the company’s greatest treasure and putting it on display here in America for all the world to admire?”
    “Or steal,” Eden added.
    “Why does he need us to help?” Jake asked. “Doesn’t he have his own security team to keep an eye on the Eye—so to speak?”
    “Sen is a very old friend of mine—we went to Oxford together. He has voiced concerns that the recent spate of thefts from his collections could be the work of someone within his own organization.”
    “He thinks it’s an inside job?” Will asked.
    “He’s not taking any chances. Which is where we come in. If Sen has a concern for the Eye of Fucanglong, then we’ll do everything in our power to safeguard it against those who may want to get their hands on it.”
    “I hate to say it, Professor, but I’m not so sure it’s the diamond they want to get their hands on,” Eden added. “Whoever’s stealing from Zhang Sen is trading the diamonds for weapons on the international black market.”
    “What kind of weapons?” Jake asked.
    “Bombs. I think the diamonds are being used to fund some sort of terrorist act.”
    “Are you sure?” the Professor asked.
    “I’m positive. I saw two devices before the dealers made off with them. Professor, they were zidium bombs.”
    “Zidium?” the Professor breathed. “My God! Are you sure?”
    “I’ve never seen one before, but I know what I heard and I know what those things can do.”
    “What the hell’s a zidium bomb?” Will asked, his eyes glancing nervously from Eden to the Professor.
    “I’ll explain later.” The Professor’s tone was cool and collected, but not without a hint of urgency. “Shane, as soon as we get to the party, find us a copy of the guest list as well as a company staff listing for Zhang Diamonds. We need to know everybody who’s invited, everybody who has any kind of connection with Sen, every employee who has ever worked for him. If this is an inside job, we must find out who these people are immediately. And more importantly, what they want.”
     
    “They want power. It’s the curse, you see.” Zhang Sen finished examining the small stolen diamond Eden had given him and put it down on the table with a heavy-hearted sigh. “And yes, this is one of mine.”
    Suddenly a cork popped like a gunshot and the champagne flowed, its bubbles filling up Sen’s glass, although, right now, celebrating was the last thing on his mind. The waiter turned and left, closing the door to the mezzanine boardroom behind him, completely shutting out the sounds of the party that