Page 134 of The Last Kingdom

“And the purpose of your visit to this amazing castle on this winter’s night?”

“I want to offer you a choice.”

He was intrigued.

Ming reached into his pocket and removed a mobile phone. The older man stabbed the screen with his index finger and brought the phone to his ear.

“Please stand by,” Ming said, then he hit a button, surely for mute.

He waited for the man to make his pitch.

“I anticipated you might be difficult,” Ming said. “I have two men stationed outside the apartment where Fräulein McCarter stays while in Munich.”

Ming paused, allowing his words to settle in.

“We’ve been busy today,” Ming said. “After your visit to the state library we ascertained whom you met with. A witness told us that when you left the reading room, after meeting with such a respected attorney, you pocketed an envelope. We can only assume that your visit there related to what is happening here, and that what you were given is there, on the desk.”

Cotton stayed silent.

“So here is your choice,” Ming said. “You may either provide me the original cipher text, or my two men will kill Fräulein McCarter.”

“As I said, I ate it.”

“Come now, Mr. Malone, do not insult my intelligence. You have an eidetic memory. Which you just made excellent use of.”

“Nice to know my reputation precedes me.”

“Your reputation is quite impressive,” Ming said. “Especially your involvement in our internal affairs a few years ago.”

He shrugged. “Just another day at the office.”

Ming chuckled. “Quite right. But back to your choice. And let me add something to the equation. If somehow you do not care if that old woman dies, then I will kill her and find someone else you do care about. Perhaps Cassiopeia Vitt? Or your son?”

They’d done their homework. He would have expected no less. And he had no reason to doubt that this man would do exactly as stated. Chinese intelligence was noted for its ruthlessness. But he wanted to know, “Where’s Koger?”

“He and two old friends are in another part of the castle,” Ming said. “Becoming reacquainted.”

“So you made a deal with the Scythe?”

“Luckily for us both, our interests temporarily aligned.”

He realized that he’d found the head of the serpent and that it was going to be difficult to leave without some sort of bloodshed, preferably not his. Was the threat to McCarter’s life real? He had to assume that it was.

“All right,” he said. “I know the deciphered message.”

“That information would be most appreciated,” Ming said. “But, of course, we have to know it is correct. So you will come with us as we discover that for ourselves. If you are wrong, then”—Ming motioned with the phone—“something unfortunate will occur. Do we have an arrangement?”

“Doesn’t look like I have a choice. Besides, I’d like to see what’s out there too.”

Ming brought the phone back to his ear. “Stand by. If I do not check in with you personally every hour from this point on, do what we discussed.” The man ended the call. “I am hoping we can both act civilized.”

“Of course. Why not.”

But he had no illusions, realizing that once this man had what he wanted, he and McCarter were both dead.

The trick would be to stay a step ahead.

Chapter 76