Black wind

The assassin was not accustomed to people speaking belligerently to Kang, and most certainly not a woman. While his face remained expressionless, a piqued intolerance oozed from his gaze.
    “Aren’t you overlooking your own business interests?” Dirk said to Kang, deflecting the tone. “Your industrial profits won’t continue to accrue if the almighty state Workers’ Party suddenly takes the reins.”
    Kang smiled weakly. “You Americans, always the capitalists at heart. As it is, I have already arranged the sale of half my holdings to a French conglomerate, with payment in Swiss francs. And when my homeland is reunited, who better to help manage the state control of South Korea’s industrial resources than myself?” he said arrogantly.
    “A tidy arrangement,” Dirk replied. “A pity there won’t be a nation around that will be interested in purchasing the ill-gotten goods of a totalitarian regime.”
    “You forget China, Mr. Pitt. A huge market in and of itself, as well as a friendly conduit for funneling goods to the world markets. There will, of course, be a business interruption during the transfer of power, but output will quickly recover. There is always a demand for inexpensive, quality products.”
    “Sure,” Dirk said sarcastically. “Name me one quality consumer product that ever came out of a communist country. Face it, Kang, you’re on the losing end of a new global authority. There’s no longer room for warped despots who screw their own countrymen for personal wealth, military might, or grand delusions of greatness. You and your buddies in the north might have a few laughs along the way, but, at the end of the day, you’ll all be steam rolled by a concept foreign to you called ‘freedom.” “
    Kang sat stiffly for a moment, a long look of annoyance settling over his face. “Thank you for the civics lesson. It has been a most enlightening meal. Good-bye, Miss Pitt, good-bye, Mr. Pitt,” he said coldly.
    With a glance to the side wall by Kang, the guards were instantly upon them, pulling the two to their feet. Dirk had thoughts of grabbing a dinner knife off the table and having a go at the guards but
    was dissuaded when he saw Tongju pointing a Glock pistol at his chest.
    “Take them to the river cave,” Kang barked.
    “Thanks for the warm hospitality,” Dirk muttered at Kang. “I look forward to returning the privilege.”
    Kang said nothing, nodding at the guards instead, who forcibly pushed the pair toward the elevator. Dirk and Summer glanced at each other with a knowing look. Their time was short now. If they were to make it out of Kang’s grasp alive, they would have to act soon.
    The immediate problem was Tongju and his Glock 22. Any resistance would be futile while the assassin kept his gun aimed at them, as there was little doubt he would use it without hesitation. Tongju followed the four guards as they herded Dirk and Summer to the elevator, his pistol still drawn. As the doors slid open, two pairs of hands shoved them forcefully to the rear of the elevator. Tongju barked something in Korean, and then, to Dirk’s relief, remained standing in the dining hall with one of the guards, a menacing look of satisfaction on his face as the elevator doors slid shut.
    The elevator was cramped with five bodies in it, which would work to their advantage. Dirk glanced at Summer and nodded ever so slightly, his sister acknowledging the silent message with a quick wink. She immediately grabbed her stomach and groaned, leaning forward as if she were about to vomit. The nearest guard, a chunky man with a shaved head, took the bait and bent down slightly toward Summer. Like a cat mistakenly pouncing onto a hot stove, she suddenly sprang her body upright, jerking her knee into the man’s groin with all the might she could muster. The man’s eyes nearly burst out of their sockets as her knee hit home and he doubled over in agony, a shriek of pain quivering from his lips.
    Summer’s move was all Dirk needed to neutralize guard number two. As all three guards’ attention turned initially to Summer, he launched an uppercut that connected squarely on the man’s jaw, nearly
    lifting him out of his shoes. Dirk watched from inches away as the man’s eyes rolled to the back of his head and he slumped to the floor unconscious.
    Guard number three took a small step back as the fighting broke out and attempted to raise the muzzle of his rifle at Dirk. Summer reacted by grabbing the