Flood Tide (Dirk Pitt 14)

"An uphill battle on any front," said Pitt thoughtfully. "If Shang has forces within our own government working against your efforts, it will make all your jobs that much tougher."

"Nobody here thinks it will be a piece of cake," said Monroe formally.

Julia jumped in. "Aren't we overlooking the fact that besides being an international body smuggler, Qin Shang is a mass murderer. I experienced his ruthlessness firsthand. There is no counting the untold numbers of innocent people and children who lie dead because of his greed. The atrocities his henchmen have committed under his direction are hideous and monstrous. He deals in crimes against humanity. We must put an end to the slaughter, and quickly."

For a long moment no one said a word. Every man at the table knew of the horrors Julia had witnessed and suffered. Finally, Monroe broke the silence.

"We all understand your feelings, Ms. Lee, but all of us are working under laws and regulations that must be followed. I promise you that every possible effort is being made to stop Qin Shang. As long as I am at the helm of the INS, we won't rest until his operation is destroyed and he is arrested and convicted."

"I can safely say that goes for Mr. Hill and myself as well," added Davis.

"Not good enough," said Pitt quietly, turning every head.

"You doubt our resolve?" asked Monroe indignantly.

"No, but I totally disagree with your methods."

"Government policy dictates our actions," Davis said. "All of us must work under guidelines set by the American justice system."

Pitt's face went dark as a midnight sky. "I saw for myself a sea of dead on the bottom of Orion Lake. I saw the poor wretched souls locked up in cells. Four men died protecting Julia and me-"

"I know what you're driving at, Mr. Pitt," said Davis. "But we have no evidence directly linking Qin Shang to those crimes. Certainly not enough to call for an indictment."

"The man is shrewd," said Harper. "He's shielded himself from direct involvement. Without solid proof that he is in some way responsible, we can't nail him."

"If he's laughed in your face every step of the way," said Pitt, "what makes you think he's going to suddenly play dumb and fall into your waiting arms?"

"No man can defy the far-reaching investigative powers of our government indefinitely," said Hill earnestly. "I promise you that he will be tried, convicted and sentenced quite soon."

"The man is a foreign national," said Sandecker. "You arrest him anywhere in the United States and the Chinese government will raise every kind of hell with the White House and State Department. Boycotts, sanctions on trade goods, you name it. No way are they going to let you take their fair-haired boy out of circulation."

"The way I see it, Mr. Hill," said Giordino, "you whistle up one of your CIA hit squads and eliminate Shang neatly and cleanly. Problem solved."

"Despite what many think, the CIA does not do assassinations," said Hill testily.

"Madness," muttered Pitt. "Suppose Shang's hit men were successful last night and killed Julia and me. You'd still be sitting here claiming you didn't have enough cold evidence to indict the man who ordered our murders."

"Unfortunately, that's the way it is," said Monroe.

"Qin Shang isn't about to

stop there," Julia said in frustration. "He fully intends to kill Dirk. He said as much at his party last night."

"And I informed him that it's only fair that we play by the same rules," said Pitt. "He now thinks I've hired a team of assassins to take him out too."

"You threatened Qin Shang to his face?" Harper asked incredulously. "How could you dare?"

"It was easy," Pitt answered casually. "Despite his wealth and power, he still puts his pants on one leg at a time the same as me. I thought it might be nice if he looks over his shoulder like the rest of his intended victims."

"You're joking, of course," said Monroe, scorn in his tone. "You don't really conspire to murder Shang."

Pitt answered in a smooth voice. "Oh, but I do. As they say in the old western movies, it's either him or me, and next time I intend to shoot first."

Monroe looked worried. He looked across the table at Hill and Davis. Then he focused on Sandecker. "Admiral, I called this meeting in the hope of enlisting Mr. Pitt in cooperating with our operation. But it seems he has become a loose cannon. Since he is under your authority, I strongly suggest you give him a leave of absence. Peter here will arrange for his protection in a safe house on the coast of Maine."

"What about Julia?" demanded Pitt. "How do you intend to keep her safe from further harm?"

"Ms. Lee is an agent with INS," said Harper in an official tone. "She will continue to work the case. A team of our agents will stand guard over her movements. I guarantee that she will be safe."