Blood at Yellow Water Read Online Free

ministers,
officials, mining employees and journalists?
    Jake wondered what to do. Should he tell the
local police, the secret service, the Australian Federal Police
(AFP)? Would they believe him from overhearing such a short
conversation in a foreign language? What would be the motive for
such a terrible action of devastation?
    He went back to his table and said goodnight
to his father and Lizzie who were in the process of leaving. Bill
shook his hand and Lizzie gave him a big hug.
    “We’ll let you sleep in till 9 am in the
morning and take you out to Lizzie’s special place. Bring Shoni if
she wants to come.”
    Jake sat down and waited for Shoni to finish
her work, pondering what action to take if any. He picked up his
phone and tapped in the mobile number of Jim Williams. Williams had
reached the rank of colonel in the Army when he resigned to join
the staff of Malcolm Crichton, the Minister for Defence.
Subsequently he was appointed to the Australian Embassy in Tokyo as
Defence Attaché. He maintained close contact with the AFP and the
Australian Security Information Office (ASIO). Jake had had a few
run-ins with Williams in the past and disliked his arrogance but
couldn’t think of anyone else he could tell about the conversation
he had overheard with the Chinese. He knew Williams was already at
the Yellow Water Resort and involved in the security arrangements
for the conference.
    Fortunately Williams answered his mobile
immediately. Jake explained what he had heard. Williams listened
intently to his story and then responded
    “What the hell have you been drinking
Stafford? You really think these people would be planning a major
hit like that from a pub in the middle of nowhere? This is all
bullshit!”
    “But I heard these guys talking about an
explosion at a uranium plant.”
    “What you probably heard was them talking
about another explosion at the refurbished uranium plant at
Fukushima in Japan. They’ve just had an accident in the maintenance
area which caused a minor explosion. Stop worrying us about
conspiracy theories and get on up here where there is real work to
be done.”
    After a few more terse words Jake hung up
feeling frustrated by Williams’ reaction. His respect for him
dropped even further.
    He looked up to see a smiling Shoni standing
in front of him.
    “Are you all right Jake, you look
worried?”
    “No I’m fine, just tired and a bit sore.” He
stood up and his hip gave way where he had hit the bar stool in his
fight with Blakey and his cronies. Shoni grabbed him under the arm
and helped him straighten up.
    “Come on, I will help you walk to your
cabin.”
    They walked to the cabin, Shoni supporting
him. Jake said “Would you like to come in for a quick drink? I
always carry Japanese green tea with me.”
    Shoni smiled as she nodded assent as they
entered the cabin.
    Jake shuffled around the kitchen, pulled out
a packet of green tea-leaves and started making a brew. He asked
her whether she knew anything about the Chinese men he had seen but
she shook her head. They talked for a long time, sipping their tea
before they both started getting tired. Shoni stood up to go. Jake
took her in his arms and wished her good night and kissed her
gently on the lips. She kissed him back and suddenly they were in a
deep embrace. His weariness dropped away as he felt her body
through the thin cotton of her dress. He led her towards the
bedroom and laid her gently onto the bed.

CHAPTER TWO
    SATURDAY - BEIJING
    5,000 kilometres away in Beijing, the Chinese
Minister for Defence, Zhang Wei, was having lunch with General Lui
Chen in a corner of the dining room of the Grand Palace Hotel.
General Chen had recently lost favour with the Politburo and had
been forced out of his position as head of China’s military.
Nevertheless he maintained considerable influence and was a close
and loyal colleague of the ambitious Minister.
    Zhang was sipping his third cup of green tea
after a sumptuous meal.
    “Is all