The Whole Truth (A. Shaw 1)

“To find answers to complicated questions,” Feng said. “The Chinese too have an interest in such problems and solutions. We are not all heartless polluters and people who put lead in children’s toys, gentlemen,” he said, attempting a weak smile.

“Did The Phoenix Group make any money for you?” Shaw asked.

“We did not do it for money.”

Shaw looked around at the elaborately decorated interior of the office. “This building must be worth, what, thirty million pounds?”

“It has been a good investment. But as I said, money is not our chief concern. We, my partners and I, we are good businessmen. We make lots of money in other things. The Phoenix Group was our way of doing some good. Giving back, I think you say.”

“And you have no idea why anyone would have wanted to attack this place and kill everyone?” Royce asked, the skepticism in his voice unmistakable.

“None at all. I was most distressed when I heard. Most distressed. I… I could not believe that such a thing could happen. The people here were scholars, intellectuals. They work on issues of water usage rights, globalization of world economies, atmospheric warming due to carbon-based fuel use, energy consumption, matters of international financial assistance to third world countries, political dynamics. Benign intellectual subjects, gentlemen.”

“Anna Fischer wrote a book on police states,” Shaw pointed out. “That hardly qualifies as a benign intellectual matter.”

“Ms. Fischer was most excellent at her job.”

“You knew her?”

“I knew of her.”

“Had anyone here met you before?” Shaw asked quickly.

“We, my partners and I, prefer to keep a low profile. But we received regular reports.”

I’m sure you did, Shaw said to himself.

“Have you found any evidence that will lead to the people who did this?” Feng asked anxiously.

Royce shook his head. “No fingerprints, no shell casings, no trace at all, I’m afraid.” He did not mention the video feed.

“That is most discouraging.”

“But we did find one thing of interest, Mr. Feng,” Royce said. “Would you care to see? It’s a real eye-opener.”

CHAPTER 55

ARON LESNIK WOLFED DOWN HIS SANDWICH and drank his coffee in large slurps. Part of Katie was disgusted by his eating habits, and part of her was sympathetic. He must be terrified, she thought. Terrified, probably broke, and obviously hungry.

Lesnik wiped his mouth and let out a small sigh. He caught her staring at him and his features turned embarrassed. “Thank you for food.”

“You’re welcome. Do you mind if I use this?” She pulled out a mini-recorder.

“No. I tell you, but I don’t want people to hear me.” He looked around nervously. “I am scared.”

She put the recorder away. “Okay, I’ll just write it down.”

He relaxed and sat back.

“Now tell me everything you saw and heard,” she said.

Lesnik’s story only took a very few minutes. He’d been interviewing with an older man named Bill Harris on the second floor.

“Why weren’t you killed then?” Katie asked sharply.

“I go to the bathroom down the hall from his office,” Lesnik explained. When he was coming back he heard shots and screams. He ducked into an empty room, saw the copier machine, and climbed in. He heard more screams and shots. He listened to people walking nearby. He thought they would find him. He told Katie he was convinced he was going to die. He had to interrupt the story several times to drink some water and calm down. Katie’s pen flew across the page as she recorded everything he said.

“Then what happened?”