Free Descent from Xanadu by Harold Robbins Page B

information also has it that Mitsubishi plans to ship the steel to my bridge project in Malaysia on those ships’ sea trials. After that the vessels will be turned over to you for the remainder of the cost you and they have already agreed on.”
    The Chinese was silent for a moment. “How much are they planning to charge you for shipping your steel?”
    “Eight hundred thousand dollars.”
    S. Yuan Ling nodded. “Very clever, these Japanese.”
    Judd nodded back. “Very clever.”
    “Would you agree to four hundred thousand dollars?”
    “Yes,” Judd said.
    “We have a deal.” The Chinese held out his hand. “May I invite you to lunch aboard the yacht?”
    “I apologize,” Judd said. “I’m running a bit late for some other appointments. May I have the honor another time?”
    “Of course,” the Chinese replied. “Any time.”
    Judd swam to the Riva. A sailor held out a hand and helped him aboard. Judd turned to the Chinese still swimming and waved his hand. He turned to the sailor. “Let’s go.”
    Slowly the Riva reversed engines and moved away from the swimmers, then swung in a wide circle. The helmsman opened the throttle full and the speedboat raced back to shore.

11
    The limousine pulled up next to the plane. Sofia and Ginny stepped out. “I’ll have everything brought to your cabin,” Ginny said.
    “Thank you.” Sofia smiled. She touched her head, a tinge of nervousness came into her voice. “Do you think he’ll like the way I look?”
    Ginny laughed. “If he doesn’t, he has to be crazy.”
    “That was the first time I’ve been in a beauty parlor in five years,” Sofia said. “I didn’t even recognize myself in the mirror.”
    “You look just fine,” Ginny said. “Stop worrying.”
    “It cost a fortune.”
    “Not to him,” Ginny said. “Now, go ahead. I’ll bring up your clothes and you can put on one of the new things. He’ll be knocked out.”
    Li Chuan was in the lounge when Sofia entered. He bowed slightly. “Was your shopping trip successful, Doctor?”
    “Very much so, thank you,” she said. “Is Mr. Crane aboard?”
    “He’s in his cabin, getting a massage,” he said. He held out his hand to Sofia. “It has been a pleasure to meet you, Doctor.”
    “You’re leaving?” she asked.
    “Yes,” he said. “I have to get back to the office and the plane is leaving for the States at eight o’clock.”
    She glanced at her watch. It was seven o’clock. “That’s in one hour,” she said in surprise.
    He nodded. “Mr. Crane told the captain to hold until you return.” He paused for a moment; when he spoke again it was in Chinese. “I did not mention to him that we have met before.”
    She looked at him. His eyes revealed nothing. “Thank you, Comrade,” she replied, also in Chinese.
    He spoke quickly. “I think he would be more confident about you if you told him about your work with Mao, rather than if he has to discover it through his security check.”
    She nodded, without replying.
    “Also, if he should mention anything about the pharmaceutical deal, I would be grateful if you could pass his comments along to me.”
    “Yes, Comrade.”
    He switched back to English. “I hope we will meet again, Doctor.”
    “I hope so, Mr. Li Chuan,” she said, also in English. “And again, thank you for your help.”
    She watched him leave the lounge just as Ginny entered with two porters carrying the packages behind her.
    ***
    The telephone next to her bed buzzed softly. She pressed the rheostat so the light dimmed. “Yes,” she replied huskily.
    “I’m sorry,” Judd’s voice came over softly. “I didn’t want to awaken you.”
    “That’s all right,” she said. “I didn’t realize that shopping was so exhausting.”
    “Was it fun?”
    “Much to my surprise, yes,” she said. “By the way, thank you for all the lovely things.”
    “I want to do it.”
    “Did you have a good massage?” she asked.
    He seemed to hesitate. “Yes. Would you like