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“I did like the expression on Zhong’s face when he realized the gun he gave you was no longer empty.”
“You should have seen the look on Jimmy Su’s face when he saw David Yao alive and kicking, literally,” Eddie said. “He must have thought his own men betrayed him and didn’t kill Yao as ordered.”
“Well, you can go back to being yourself, and Yao’s remains will be ‘discovered’ in about a week when the Navy gets rid of the body. If anything, Zhong will think the triad got back at him for his betrayal.”
“You know, I think you should keep some of those tattoos,” MacD said, pointing at Eddie’s neck. “The dragon looks pretty awesome.”
“No, thanks. I’m washing them off as soon as we get back to the Oregon.”
“Speaking of which,” Linc said, “we should get going. I don’t want to be here when the Vietnamese find out what we’ve done to their train system.”
“Good point,” Juan said. He called Hali. “Is the RHIB still where we left it?” They had pre-positioned the rigid-hulled inflatable boat before the mission started, prepped for a quick getaway should one have been required.
After a moment, Hali replied, “Thanks to Gomez’s drone, we’ve got eyes on it. It’s still hidden in the bushes by the river’s edge.”
“Then tell Max to lay in a course to Guam.”
“He says we’re ready to go when you are.”
“Thanks.” Juan hung up and said, “Let’s get moving. I’m starving.”
They got out of the train car, which had traveled twenty yards onto the trestle. He saw Eddie peering over the side at the water far below.
Juan stopped next to him and smiled. “Aren’t you glad we didn’t have to go to Plan D?”
Eddie nodded and grinned back at him. “I think a nice hike down the slope is going to be much more relaxing than jumping from a moving train.”
13
THAILAND
“What are you doing?” Udom demanded.
Trying to keep my hands from shaking, Beth Anders thought about saying as she hunched over the painting with armed men surrounding her. Instead, she said, “I’m checking the edges of the Manet.”
“Why?” asked Tagaan, who she’d learned was Filipino. He was holding the bronze eagle finial, which was apparently his. She tried to stay far away from him since he smelled of rancid garlic.
“The paintings stolen from the Gardner were cut out of their frames, which are still hanging in the museum. High-quality scans were made of the remaining canvas borders so that they could be matched up with the paintings to verify that they were the originals. It’s as unique as a fingerprint. I have a contact at the Gardner who gave me a copy of the scans.” She held up her phone and showed them the image. The magnified edge was clearly visible. “Although the painting itself could be forged, it would be virtually impossible to duplicate the color pattern and weave of the sliced canvas edges.”
After she examined all four sides of the painting in various spots, she had no doubt the painting was the one that had been stolen. In any other scenario, she would be shaking from excitement at holding such a rare and valuable piece of lost art instead of trembling with fear.
She must have gone on too long because after a few more minutes Udom growled, “That’s enough time. Tell us your conclusions.”
She stood up and looked at Raven, who nodded almost imperceptibly for her to go ahead. Udom looked at her expectantly, while Tagaan seemed to have no concerns about what she’d say.
“After carefully inspecting the painting, I must conclude that it’s the original.”
“You are certain?” Udom asked.
“No doubt.” She showed him when the scans matched up with the painting’s edges. “See? They line up exactly. This is definitely Chez Tortoni by Édouard Manet.”
At his instruction, Udom’s men lowered their guns, and Beth had to prop herself on the desk to keep from keeling over in relief. He handed her a wad of hundred-dollar bills, which she put in her purse without counting.
“
As we agreed, five thousand dollars,” Udom said. “We may ask you to perform this service again in the future, so I expect you to keep quiet about this.”
Tagaan stepped forward. “What is your estimate of its value?”
