Page 95 of No Time Off

“We…we can’t take off,” the pilot protested. “Those cars are blocking our path. They’re signaling for us to open the door.”

“No. Don’t open it.”

“Sir, we can’t leave, and we can’t stay in here. They’re showing me a badge and insisting I open the door. We are required to follow the instructions of law enforcement. I’m doing it.”

Shi peered through the window and noticed that the SUVs were ones that had been provided to the local police by China. The ungrateful peasants!

Shi’s jaw clenched. “Fine. Open the damn door,” he spat. “Just make sure they know this is a diplomatic Chinese aircraft and they may not board without my permission.”

“Yes, sir.”

The door opened slowly and, as if summoned by a cruel twist of fate, Slash stepped onto the plane. His eyes were hidden behind a pair of dark sunglasses, but his cool demeanor was a stark contrast to the anger that burned in Shi’s chest. Out the door, Shi could see three local police officers with hands on their pistols. The pilot backed into the cockpit without a word and closed the curtain.

Shi rose slowly from his seat. “You have no right to board this plane. I’m protected by diplomatic immunity. I demand you get off at once.”

A slow smile spread across Slash’s face. “You and your bluster. Do you even understand the scope of the situation you’re in, Shi?”

“I’m warning you, get off this plane now or you’ll cause an international incident.”

Slash shrugged and took a step forward and another, casually resting his forearm on the seatback. “I guess it’ll have to be the incident. Your little coup failed miserably, and your words regarding the Cook Islands, and other islands in the region, have spread. I know you’re familiar with Kiribati. Well, just a few minutes ago, the president of Kiribati, Karu Ata, called therealprime minister of the Cook Islands, telling her his Parliament has now officially severed all formal relations with China. They’re expelling all Chinese officials and forbidding their return. And guess what, Shi? Your name is on that list. And, because of your massive failure, now New Zealand and Australia will be discussing new security measures with several other island countries in the region to see if they would like to ‘reconsider’ or ‘review’ any arrangements they may currently have with China. Oh, I assure you, China’s arrangements throughout the entire region are now being carefully reviewed in those countries in which you’ve established similar programs. I’m sure your description of the integrity and independence of those countries, and how cheaply they have allowed China to manipulate them, will certainly inform that review.”

Shi’s hands fisted in anger. He wanted more than anything to hit Slash directly in the face. But it was three against one, and he didn’t think the pilots would step in to help him.

Slash looked at Shi with something close to pity. “Do you think Mother China will be conducting a similar review ofyourefforts? If so, I’m afraid you’re not going to be popular.”

Shi felt his stomach turn. “You can’t touch me,” he repeated. “I have immunity.”

Slash shrugged. “Maybe you do, but maybe you won’t. We’ll have to see, won’t we? You have immunity unless China withdraws it. Now, why might China withdraw that? Perhaps if their esteemed diplomatic representative in this region was found skimming millions for himself—funneling money from hardworking Chinese nationals and businesses on this island—they might not be so tempted to protect him. Let someone else make him pay for his crimes.”

Shi pressed his lips together but said nothing.

“On the other hand, maybe they won’t withdraw immunity,” Slash continued. “After all, isn’t your president leading a highly public anticorruption campaign? And sadly, you can’t get more corrupt than this affair right now. It’s already all over the news in multiple countries. But of course, China wouldn’t just torture and throw you in jail because the Cook Islands told them to do it. No, they’d need some hard evidence of misdoing, or perhaps a confession? Oh wait, maybe they accidentally received an audio file of you describing all your entrepreneurial activities in the region. So, maybe they won’t waive the immunity. Perhaps they’ll use the same interview chair that you had prearranged for me.”

Shi was so angry he shook, but that seemed only to amuse, not intimidate, Slash. Instead, the hateful American stepped forward, lowering his voice so Shi had to lean forward to hear it.

“I’m sure your bosses will be disappointed to find out just how much you’ve been stealing from them. You see, Jiang Shi, the crude phrases you used to describe your bosses and the people with whom you’re working won’t endear you to them. So, while I’m happy to escort you onto a plane with the rest of your staff that will take you straight back to China and into those welcoming arms, it won’t be this one.”

Shi seethed with anger. But he could say nothing. The noose was tightening.

“Oh, there’s a funny thing about diplomatic immunity that even a professional like you may have forgotten,” Slash continued. His voice was so calm, so self-assured, Shi wanted to throw up. “It just prevents you from being prosecuted for a crime. It doesn’t guarantee you free access to move around, or even luxuries. Furthermore, it doesn’t proscribe how long someone may be detained or under what conditions while the investigations into a crime are undertaken. All these points are being made with Mr. Chen right now, so, unless I’m mistaken, he’ll soon be offered a swift and safe return to China in exchange for his knowledge of the accounts where you’ve been depositing your gains. I’m confident he realizes you’re a loser and a liability and there is no benefit to him in protecting your personal accounts. Agree?”

“You’re bluffing,” Shi growled, but even to himself, the words sounded hollow. He felt as if he were suffocating.

Slash shook his head and gave Shi a pitying look. Shi had to resist the urge to leap forward and claw the sunglasses off Slash’s face. “I’m not bluffing, and you know it. I don’t have to. You’re not leaving on this plane, Shi. The prime minister of the Cook Islands has already made arrangements for you. She’s not releasing you—or your staff—until you’ve handed over all the accounts where you’ve stashed your illegally gained money. It’s a small price to pay for the trouble you’ve caused. I have no doubt they’ll see this as a nice compensation for China’s so-called investment in their islands. Oh, and in case you think you did a good job hiding those accounts, Shi, you didn’t. You and I both know you really didn’t.”

Shi couldn’t be sure Slash knew where his all accounts were hidden. But even if they didn’t know, he doubted his bankers would stay bought when they felt the heat from the prime minister and potentially New Zealand officials. The walls were closing in, his options narrowing with every passing second. Slash was already steps ahead of him, and his toes were sinking farther into the sand with each passing wave of revelation.

“So, then, and only then, will the prime minister allow you and your staff to return to China—without your money and as a political embarrassment.” Slash’s expression softened, but only slightly. “However, I’m offering you a deal. How would you like to go somewhere other than China? This location would protect you from the people in China who may not be pleased with your actions, but only if you cooperate. Since you personally cannot waive diplomatic immunity—only your country can—you’d have to defect. And if you defected, you’d still be subject to prosecution for any crimes you may have committed against the US. If convicted, the accommodations may not be quite as luxurious as those to which you are accustomed, but you can weigh it against what you might imagine your government in China has planned for you, considering you’ve set them back at least a decade or more in the Pacific region. The choice is entirely yours.”

Shi didn’t want to hear it or even entertain it, but he knew what awaited him in China if he went back. Execution would be too easy after what he had done. He would suffer. A lot. And he and Slash both knew it.

“What choice?” Shi asked between clenched teeth.

“A one-way ticket to the US and perhaps a reunion with your brother.”

“My brother is a traitor.”

“And so are you, Shi.” Slash stuck the final knife in and twisted. “You aren’t going to get a third chance in China, and we both know it.”

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