Page 148 - Brokenclaw - John Gardner

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They descended over the sea, coming down on to another white H, and Bond

saw that there was a little Bell helicopter waiting to take on joy-riding
passengers. Then, with a start of surprise, he saw, pulled up near their landing
place, the long stretch limo in which they had travelled from Salinas. Frozen
Stalk Pu lea
James Bond OO7 - printing disabledned against the hood, smoking as he watched them land. James Bond OO7 - printing disabled
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Once the helicopter had settled on its pad, the pilot indicated he would stay
with the machine until they were ready to leave. ‘How long this all going to
take?’ the pilot asked Ding in a slow effort at pidgin English.
‘How long?’ Ding flexed his hard muscles. ‘You ask how long Mr Abelard,

Ai?’
‘It depends. Shouldn’t be more than fifteen to thirty minutes.’ Bond made it
as casual as possible. Then Ding nudged him.
‘In car,’ the large hoodlum ordered.
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‘You do know the instructions?’ Bond asked quietly.
‘ ’Course I know. We no come into bank. Just wait. That what the
Brokenclaw one tell me.’
They had arrived at the limo and Frozen Stalk was holding the passenger

door open in an exaggerated manner. ‘I take wherever you wan’ go, sir.’ He
gave a toothy grin as he spoke.
Bond reasoned that these two were on their real home turf now and were out
to show him who could give the orders. He took one pace back from the car.

‘Okay, I want to be certain neither of you even try to get into the bank with
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me. If you do try, then I fear your master is going to be extremely angry. There
might even be broken heads. It’s essential you don’t show yourselves, so I
think I’ll walk and you can follow me in the car.’

Ding and Pu looked at each other, and then at Bond.
‘Suggest you get in car.’ Ding pushed hard against Bond who had to turn his
body slightly to avoid the Chinese coming in contact with his back and
therefore feeling the hard lump of the pistol.

‘I warn you, if you make any mistake, it will not go well for you.
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Particularly if I do not return with the money.’
Ding nodded his understanding. ‘We watch, that is all. Now, where you wish
go?’

‘You drop me off at Beach and Hyde, near the Cannery. And, even if the
cops try to move you on, you stay parked on Beach. Got it?’
‘Not going to financial district?’ Pu chimed in.

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