Part 9 (1/2)

21.

It was a hard, ugly room, full of hard ugly people, not even the high-end designer furnis.h.i.+ngs could hide that fact. Karyn walked in. Took a look around, noted the angular deco floor lamps, the heavy oversized office desk, and the triple glazed patio windows looking out to the ocean. ”You are really going to have to work on your back of house experience when your people take over the world Calista.”

Calista Johnston pulled her silver cigarette case from her handbag and said smoothly, ”Our people all ready rule the world Karyn. Our purpose is merely to liberate them from the shackles of Big Government. You of all people should understand that. She extracted a cigarette, thoughtfully, from the case and fired it up with a hot burst of butane.

”She's packing a weapon, you know that don't you?” blurted Congo his face burning with barely concealed loathing. ”Probably wearing a wire too.”

Calista Johnston took a pull on her cigarette. ”Please, Ted. Ms. Kane here works for the United States Government, of course she carries a weapon, although I cannot imagine why, when she is surrounded by friends.”

Congo opened his mouth to protest, then thought better of it. He paused, then said, ”I should go through her bag at the very least, she...”

”Really, Ted. I strongly urge you to mind your manners. Ms. Kane-Karyn, is our guest. Still, I suppose a tenacious nature is a prerequisite of your profession, is it not?

Congo took a step back, his eyes popping with anger.

The distant sounds of Deng Tao's voice, booming over the public address system, filtered into the room, mixing seamlessly with the heady atmosphere of nicotine and testosterone. Congo eased back reluctantly, positioning himself by the door, whilst his thuggish cronies monopolized a set of grey plastic- stacko chairs. The goons looked uncomfortable, like they would rather be home watching the big game, or drowning down suds at the local strip-joint, rather than baby-sitting some rich old lady and her schmantzy government pal. Karyn took a look at each of them in turn, making sure she could pick them out in a parade, if she ever got the chance. If being the operative word, because she was now working this gig as above the line as it was possible to be, without her cover being blown wide open.

Watching Calista Johnston pace the window, Karyn knew the old-girl was rattled, she had to be, with the bullet-riddled remains of the Honolulu police department's most personable detective splashed all over her private parking garage.

Karyn leaned on the edge of the oversized office desk, hearing the m.u.f.fled applause of the distant crowd, as they soaked up Deng Tao's Power and Freedom routine. Frankly, thought Karyn, she had heard enough. It was like the midget millionaire, or billionaire, or whatever the h.e.l.l he was, had figured himself as the new G.o.d of some hok.u.m hybrid of politics and religion. All that bull about empowerment and freedom would never cut it in the real world. There had to be an angle to this guy, a dirty little secret that went beyond the happy- clappy horses.h.i.+t.

The room went silent.

Silent for a long time.

Every one waited, then waited some more. The security guards were exchanging glances now, like they had somewhere else better to go. Congo meanwhile, loomed by the door, his arms folded in a furious knot. He was a hard guy to like by the look of him, but Karyn figured he must have some redeeming features tucked away underneath that ugly exterior. Maybe he had a mom, or a dog, or a penchant for community outreach?

Karyn puzzled over the possibilities Staring at him all the while. He didn't like being looked over. He glared back at her, a hard scowl cutting his brow, his nostrils flaring with barely concealed hate. At length, Karyn pointed at him and said, ”I know what it is-You got yourself a female supervisor-don't you, Congo? What is the matter with you, she treat you like the office b.i.t.c.h or something?”

Congo took a sudden step forward.

But Karyn was ready. ”You need to watch that att.i.tude you are carrying buster. A hair-trigger temper like that could lead to injury-serious injury.” Still leaning against the edge of the desk Karyn gave Congo a cool look, like she could bust him in half any time she wanted.

”You want to keep your big government mouth to yourself Kane, we don't like your kind out here.”

”That so,” said Karyn, her voice flat and deadly.

There was the sound of prolonged applause from the ballroom now, and a building wave of ecstatic cheers. The final encore had been made. Deng Tao was on his way. Next, a backstage meet and greet and limos to the after-show. Karyn sniffed. The whole scene was getting a little too dramatic for her taste. She smiled quietly to herself. Maybe this moneybags mastermind would be able to throw some insights her way regarding the Tex Johnston murders?

-Footfalls approaching along the corridor.

-A crowd of excited voices.

-The sound of cameras rattling on auto-wind.

The door opened and there he was-Deng Tao.

He stood in the doorway for a moment, blinking in the scene, then gave a bland enigmatic smile that oozed duplicity.

”Ms. Kane, how wonderful to meet you at last,” oblivious to anyone, but Karyn, he reached out to shake her hand.

Karyn let the hand hang for a three-count. It was tiny and manicured, almost womanish. Finally, she reached out and the hand enveloped hers. Deng Tao's hand was soft and moist, but the grip was firm, reinforced quickly by a second grasping little hand, closing in around the first, boxing her hand, in a show of a.s.sertiveness. She stared into his eyes. An endless darkness yawned back at her, cold and unfathomable. Here was a man with the pathological need to control. Grasping her hand, she felt as though Deng Tao were s.n.a.t.c.hing at her soul so that he might turn it over in his tight, moist little hands, to consume at his will.

”I have heard much about you,” said Karyn. ”I understand you work for the government?” said Deng Tao, his light reedy voice, clipped and businesslike.

”I work for the people of the United States of America.”

”Deng Tao nodded, ”And it is in that key respect that we differ Ms. Kane, for I am a servant of the whole of mankind.”

”So I hear,” said Karyn. ”That is a pretty wide const.i.tuency.”

”On the contrary Ms. Kane, mankind is already united. It is the narrow worlds of politics and religion that draw division.”

Karyn nodded. ”That is a cute sentiment, but I am here to oversee a murder investigation.”

”A murder investigation Ms. Kane? I don't know whether to be shocked or excited,” said Tao, a ripple of amus.e.m.e.nt ran out amongst his followers.

Karyn gave Tao a flat look, ”Murder is no laughing matter Mr. Tao. The deaths at Senator Johnston's apartment were highly suspicious.”

Tao pantomimed concern, ”You are quite right Ms. Kane, a most terrible affair. I understand from the television news that the poor senator was involved in a quite unsavory liaison and took his own life as a result.”

”You own a television network, don't you Mr. Tao.”