Free See You in Saigon by Claude Bouchard Page B

more quickly if
it’s warmer.”
    While Chris and
Dave added firewood to the glowing embers, Washington, Jonathan and Leslie
started splashing the flammable liquids around the space.
    “Leave a bit in
each container,” said Washington, “And set them down here and there with the
tops off.”
    “That’s it with
the flammable stuff,” Leslie announced, setting down a quarter-full bottle of acetic
anhydride. “What else?”
    “Crank open the
valves on those propane tanks,” Washington replied, “And turn on the burner
valves but make sure they don’t fire up or we’re toast, and I mean it. I’ll be
done in a second.”
    From his pocket,
he pulled a six inch length of string to which a small device was attached on
one end. Inserting the device into the nearly empty canister of ethyl alcohol
at his feet, he secured the other end of the string to the canister’s spout
with a wad of chewing gum.
    “We’re good to
go,” he announced.
    “Our ride is
coming down the road,” Chen replied from outside.
    They hurried out
of the barn, closing the door to contain the increasing vapors and propane.
    Outside, the guard
was back on his bench, staring at the wrong end of his own gun which Chen had
appropriated. A grey Toyota Sienna, their ride for the evening, waited with
Chuck Whittaker at the wheel and Brian Kelly literally riding shotgun. As the
others began piling in, Leslie stopped by Chen, an open switchblade in hand.
    “Get up and turn
around,” Chen said to the guard.
    “What will you do
to me?” asked the guard, his voice shaky with fear.
    “We’re setting you
free. Now get up,” Chen ordered. “We have no time to waste.”
    The guard stood
and turned and Leslie sliced through the zip tie binding his wrists as Chen
continued. “Now, get on your motorbike and get as far as you can heading that
way. This place is about to explode.”
    Needing no second
urging, the young man rushed to the side of the barn and was already racing
onto the dirt road as Leslie and Chen were climbing into the minivan.
    “We’re in. Go,”
Leslie called out, sliding the door shut as the vehicle started to move in the
direction opposite that which the guard had gone.
    “How long before
it blows?” asked Whittaker.
    “That all depends
if something sparks it before I do,” Washington replied as he pulled out his
mobile. “I’d prefer to get a little farther if we can.”
    They raced down
the road in silence for another moment before Washington said, “Let’s find out
if this thing works.”
    “I want to see
this,” said Whittaker, bringing the vehicle to a stop.
    As they all turned
to look behind them, Washington tapped on his phone, sending a signal to the
electronic sparking device dangling in the ethanol canister in the centre of
the barn. Instantly, a huge ball of fire lit up the night sky, followed by a
boom as the sound reached them. Mere seconds later, several other fireballs
appeared and multiple explosions were heard
    “I believe we’ve
succeeded,” said Whittaker as he stomped down on the accelerator. “Let’s get
the hell out of here.”
    “Great work,
everyone,” said Jonathan as he pulled out his mobile. “I’ll call it in.”

Chapter
10 – Monday, October 21, 2013
     
    Hanoi, Vietnam,
early morning
     
    “ Who called
you?” Scorpion demanded, fighting the urge to heave his phone against the train
he had just climbed down from, “And how did he even get your number?”
    “He didn’t give me
a name and I don’t know how he got my number,” Thao replied. “All he said was
the lab in Tây Ninh was gone and it was their way of showing you they were
serious. I drove over right after he called to see what was going on.”
    “How bad is the
damage?” Scorpion asked.
    “He wasn’t
kidding, boss,” said Thao. “The lab is gone. They blew up the barn and
everything inside it. It was still burning when I got there but the place was
levelled. Some locals where putting out a few small fires in the