Chapter Four: Two Blood Samples in a Silver Bell

The notary had barely opened his case when the steel shutter crashed down. The temperature plunged. White vapor flooded the room. Someone had remotely locked them inside. “Your people?” Yutang raised her gun. “Whoever wants both of us dead doesn't care which is genuine.” Zhiwei tapped the insulated wall. Salt had weakened the rivets on the seaward panel. She removed the bell's steel clapper and drove it into a seam. Outside, Linchuan restored emergency power and talked her around the refrigeration pipes. She heard every word, yet feared his voice was about to lose all meaning. With fifteen seconds left, she confirmed the Shiguang purchase.