Read Online Descent from Xanadu by Harold Robbins - Free Book Online Page B

it,” she said seriously. She put down the papers. “We’ll have to find time to bring you into a hospital for three days.”
    “The next weekend in Boca Raton,” he said. “We’re due there anyway.”
    “In the meantime there are several tests I have to perform. They won’t take much time.”
    “You’re the doctor,” he said. The telephone beside his chair rang. He listened for a moment. “Send him up,” he said.
    He turned to Sofia. “That’s Li Chuan, he’s Asian sales manager for Crane Pharmaceuticals.”
    She rose from her chair. “I can return to my stateroom if you want to be alone with him.”
    “Meet him first,” he said. “He gave Ginny a selection of shops to check out when we land in Hong Kong.”
    Li Chuan came into the cabin and Judd made the introductions. Sofia smiled. “Thank you for your courtesy.”
    “It’s my pleasure.” He bowed slightly.
    She looked at Judd. “Will I see you ashore?”
    “I’m sorry,” Judd apologized. “I’ll be very busy.”
    “I understand.” She nodded to Li Chuan and left the cabin. The no smoking and the seat belt signs went on as she entered her stateroom. She slipped into her seat.
    Ginny opened her door and came into the stateroom. She glanced at the seats around her. “Mind if I keep you company?” she asked.
    “Not at all.”
    Ginny took the seat opposite and clipped the belt. “Li Chuan has given me a list of some very interesting shops.”
    “I really don’t want to see any of them,” Sofia said.
    Ginny smiled. “Mr. Crane thinks you ought to collect a complete wardrobe.”
    “His ideas and mine are very different. Clothes are not that important to me.”
    Ginny laughed. “Get them anyway,” she said. “He’s the kind of man who wants his own way.”
    “Is he like that in everything?”
    Ginny nodded.
    Sofia looked out the window. The wheels were beginning to touch the ground. A moment later the big plane was running smoothly along the runway. “I don’t know how the pilot does it,” she said. “You don’t even know it when the plane lands.”
    “That’s one of Mr. Crane’s rules. If he feels the wheels touch, the pilot had better have a damn good excuse or start looking for another job.” Ginny rose from her chair. “Shall we be ready to go in fifteen minutes?”
    “Fine,” Sofia replied.
    ***
    As the door closed behind Sofia, Li Chuan asked, “Your Dr. Ivancich is Yugoslavian?”
    “Yes,” Judd said. “How did you know?”
    “I’ve heard the name. She spent time with Mao Tse-tung until he died. There was also a rumor from his wife and others of the Gang of Four that she killed him.”
    Judd was silent. Then he looked out the window. “We had nothing on her computer checkout about that.” He turned back to Li Chuan. “Think you can find something out about it for me?”
    “I can’t tell yet,” the Asian said. Then he laughed. “In the meantime, don’t let her give you any pills.”
    Judd also laughed. “I don’t think I’ll have any problems about that.”

10
    Judd looked out the window. Below he saw Sofia and Ginny enter the limousine. The telephone rang again.
    Merlin was on the receiver. “Judson is calling you from San Francisco.”
    “Put him through,” Judd said. There was a click. “How are you, Judson?”
    “Good, Mr. Crane. I have some information about the steel for the Malaysian bridge.”
    “Tell me.”
    “Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will give you the steel for six million less, but there’s a kicker. They want you to use their shipping line. That will up the cost about eight hundred thousand.”
    “That’s just from one pocket to another,” Judd said. “Do you have any other ideas?”
    “You’re in Hong Kong,” Judson said. “If you could arrange a meeting with S. Yuan Ling. He has the largest cargo shipping line in the world. And most of his ships have been built for him by Mitsubishi. He has the clout to save us a few bucks.”
    “Last I heard,” Judd said, “he