Donovans 02 - Jade Island

favorable opinions,” Kyle said neutrally.
    She shrugged. “Of course. It’s no different here. That’s why corporations and associations make political contributions. Someone new gets elected, selected laws are bent or changed, a few new sources of wealth open up.”
    “Or old—very old—sources are winked at. Gambling, prostitution, drugs, whatever society has outlawed that people want.”
    Lianne glanced sharply at him. In the glittering wash of fine rain and colored lights that was Seattle at night, his expression was unreadable.
    “The Tangs aren’t some kind of Chinese mafia,” she said curtly.
    He glanced at her. “Sensitive subject?”
    She blew out an impatient breath. “Only if you read Hong Kong newspapers.”
    “I don’t.”
    “Well, I do. The new regime in Hong Kong is carrying on as though the name Tang is synonymous with gangster. The Suns, of course, walk on water, never have impure thoughts, and—”
    “Their farts smell like rose petals,” Kyle finished.
    Lianne made an odd sound and then laughed out loud. “You’ve got the idea.”
    “I assume we’re talking about the Suns of SunCo?”
    “Yes.”
    “From what Dad and Archer say, SunCo is a real comer on the international trade scene.”
    “Only because they have systematically cut off the Tangs overseas,” Lianne said bitterly, “with the full blessing of the new Hong Kong regime and the old mainland China regime.”
    “Nothing personal, sweetheart. Just business.”
    “It’s personal to me when I see a very fine, very familiar piece of jade with SunCo’s name on it instead of—” She broke off abruptly, not wanting to talk about the Neolithic blade. It might lead to questions about Farmer’s jade burial shroud. She wasn’t ready for that yet. She had to be fully in control when she confronted her not-quite-familytonight. Thinking about the burial suit made her stomach clench. “When you lose out, it feels personal.”
    “Losing is always personal,” Kyle said easily.
    “Some times are more personal than others.”
    “Like the Neolithic blade SunCo donated? Or the stunning coup that Farmer pulled off by displaying his own personal jade burial suit to a roomful of jealous connoisseurs?”
    Lianne shrugged and said nothing.
    “Do you believe that Farmer really managed to get his hands on the Jade Emperor’s Tomb?” Kyle pressed.
    “On the basis of the jade burial suit?”
    “Yes.”
    Lianne started to say no, then realized that her answer would raise more questions. “I don’t know.”
    “What do you think?”
    She closed her eyes. “I think whoever sold Farmer that suit will have a lot of questions to answer.”
    “Because of the cultural-theft laws?”
    “Among other things.”
    “Such as?”
    “Provenance is always a question, isn’t it?”
    “Yeah. Where do you think the jade suit came from?” Kyle asked.
    “I don’t know.”
    “You got a good look at it. Is it real or a modern fake?”
    “A fast look is hardly enough to make that kind of decision.”
    “I’m not asking for a sworn document. Just an opinion.”
    “Why are you badgering me?” Lianne asked tightly. “I’m not the one who has the suit. Farmer is. Grill him. ”
    “I don’t have a barbecue big enough.”
    Kyle glanced in the mirrors. There were cars behind him. The light in front of him was yellow going to red. He gunned the BMW and shot through the intersection.
    No one followed.
    For a time, there were no sounds except for the occasional swipe of windshield wipers, a distant siren, and the swish of tires over damp pavement. Kyle was curious about what Lianne was thinking, but didn’t ask. The flat lines of her mouth and eyebrows told him that her thoughts weren’t especially happy. Her silence told him that she wasn’t going to talk about it.
    With a throttled curse he pulled into the valet parking area of the Towers and turned off the engine.
    “Wake up,” he said. “We’re here.”
    Blinking as though she really had been sleeping, Lianne looked around, surprised that they were already at the hotel. “Sorry. I’m not keeping my end of the bargain, am I?”
    “What’s that?”
    “I’m supposed to be teaching you about jade, but…” She waved her hand and shrugged.
    “I’ll just add an extra hour onto your tab,” Kyle said, checking the mirrors one last time.
    Still no one following. Or if they were, they were too slick to spot. It would be interesting to see if he and Lianne picked up anyone