The China Files

Nathan Davis couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He was an Army Ranger again, recalling what he learned in 11 years of training. He knew he had to get this information to the right people. He forced himself to breathe slowly and deeply to relax his taut muscles. Li Non was forgotten.

Chairman Tzu created a silence that begged to be filled but Bowers couldn’t or wouldn’t answer. Perhaps he was unable to find the words to defend his and others’ actions. He sat without moving as if waiting for someone else to make the next move. He looked weak and he seemed to know it.

Chairman Tzu recognized his reaction and wanted to relieve his anguish to help the American save face.

“We have another meeting scheduled tomorrow morning, Mr. Secretary. I suggest we relax for the remainder of the evening while we think about what was said here tonight. When we are fresh in the morning, we will continue our discussions. Hui Ying, will you please signal for the transportation and we will go to the Year of the Rat Club where it is more comfortable and private.”

Secretary Bowers didn’t know what to do. Actually, he did know but he had lost that option when the Chinese documented illegal wire transfers to his offshore bank account in the Cook Islands two years previously.

These agreements would be positive for him, as long as he wasn’t exposed. After all, the Chinese influenced the right American corporations and provided cash to the right political party. What could he do except go along?

There was one thing he needed, though. Chairman Tzu mentioned it earlier and Bowers would remind him about it tomorrow. It was time to open a foreign bank account with a large security fund. What had started out as an adventure had turned into a nightmare. He wasn’t sure when it was going to end; he knew he needed to be prepared.

The group rose and filed out the door, each showing the others his good mood. As Bowers walked down the stairs and stepped into the cool air of the San Francisco night, the warm sweat under his clothes chilled him. His knees shook.

The pressure to cooperate with the Chinese came from all areas of the administration, even the First Lady, and it made him do things he never dreamed he would do. To turn back now was impossible. Knowing he couldn’t control the situation, he was determined to enjoy the evening and see what he could do in tomorrow’s meeting. He decided to focus on the short term.

Chang Zi would help him through the short term.