The Project 01 - White Jade

me.
    I feel threatened. So I write this letter to you, although it may be just the foolish act of an old man.
    I have placed the book in a safe place . If it does hold a clue to the secret of immortality or a key to the emperor ' s treasures, it is a dangerous thing to have in one ' s possession.
    Do you remember, when we used to have our s ummer time together at the old mine, when you were a child, the special place you found to secret away your most precious things ? That is where you will find the book .
    My dear Selena, if you are indeed reading this, please know that you have always been a source of joy and delight for this old uncle of yours.
    With all my love, Uncle William

    They read the letter again. Selena sat rigidly in her chair. Carter watched her. It was an old habit, watching. It told him things. Right now it told him Selena was wound up tight. C lose to her uncle, he thought, but she wasn't going to let anyone see it. How she really felt.
    He knew what that was like.
    Harker said, " Do you know what he was talking about? The place he hid the book? "
    Selena's voice was controlled, neutral. " My family found gold in California in 1850. There's a house at the old mine property. In the front yard there ' s an ore cart full of rocks from the mine. When I was a child I hid things under the rocks. That must be where he put it . I ' m surprised he didn ' t put it in one of his safe deposit boxes. "
    " No safe deposit box keys have turned up. " Harker twirled her pen.
    " He had at least three. "
    " The FBI searched his office and home. We ' ll check with them. "
    " If they have the keys, they know what ' s in the boxes. " Nick looked at Harker. " I ' ll ask Jordan when I talk with him. "
    " Do that. Then I want you to go to California with D octor Connor and retrieve that book . Does that work for you, Selena?"
    " A nything that helps."
    "Why do you want me along?" Carter said.
    " They didn't get the book. If they think Selena has it t hey might go after her. I want you to keep an eye out." She looked at her watch and turned to Selena. " It ' s too late to get a flight today. We ' ll book one for tomorrow. What airport, Selena? "
    " Sacramento . The mine is only an hour away . "
    " We ' ll arrange a car. "
    Carter said, " We can use mine. It's already there . " He 'd flown out of Sacramento . His truck was in the long term lot at the airport.
    " Good. H ook up with Jordan before you go . Call me after you find the book. We ' ll search the rest of these files and follow up. "
    " What do I tell Jordan ? "
    Harker tapped her pen on the desk. " T ell him about the financial accounts . W e ' ll keep the book to ourselves for now. There ' s no need for the Bureau to know about it. "

Chapter Four

    Earlier that same day, Colonel Wu Chen was sitting in a secluded red leather booth at the Happy Family restaurant in San Francisco.
    Muted sounds drifted up from the street below. The only other customer was a n old man across the room reading his newspaper. The smell of rice, pork and noodles mingled with the murmured conversation of waiters huddled in a corner. Wu sipped his tea. He took a bright red carnation from the vase on the table and twirled it in his hands. He thought about his conversation with the General.
    " Tell me about this book. "
    Yang ' s wet voice had echoed through the satellite link.
    " The American obtained it in Bhutan . The book concerns the First Emperor . It is a medical text with a formula for a draught of immortality. T hat is why I contacted you. "
    T he General was always interested in anything to do with the First Emperor and his quest for immortality. Wu needed to keep General Yang happy.
    " What is the name of this book? "
    " The American said it translates as ' The Golden Garuda' . "
    Wu heard a sharp intake of breath. When Yang spoke again, his voice was controlled . Wu sensed his excitement.
    " I have an assignment for you. "
    " Sir. "
    " I require the book. Obtain it and d eliver it to me. " There was a pause. Wu waited. "The American is rich?"
    "Yes, sir. He has great wealth."
    " A ccess his financial accounts . T ransfer the funds to the account numbers I send after this conversation. "
    " Yes, sir. Are there any restrictions? "
    " Use any means necessary. Make sure there are no complications after. "
    " Yes, sir. "
    " Inform me when you have succeeded. "
    Wu toyed with the flower and sipped his tea. The book hadn't been in Connor's home. T he niece must know where it was. His