Lu Zheng erased all traces of his presence on the computer and silently left Allen Artworks, checking into a hotel.
The next day, with photos of the two undercover cops posing as smugglers, Lu Zheng went invisible and returned to Allen Artworks.
…
Half a day later.
“Hahaha, are those two idiots from the LA police?”
“Clearly, yes.”
“They came to pitch us without even the basics prepared?”
“Obviously, they don’t know our background or the rules of this trade.”
“As long as there’s no solid evidence, we’ve got three congressmen and a senator backing us.”
“Plus eight professors and twelve famous artists as honorary guests.”
“Hahaha!”
“Alright, stop laughing. First, we need to figure out why the LA police came knocking.”
“Because of customs? Did one of our partners get nabbed?”
“Then it’d be the FBI coming, right?”
“Unlikely. The FBI and CIA get a cut of our profits.”
“Our partners don’t enter through LA, do they?”
“Unless…”
“Interpol?”
“They tapped the LA police through Interpol’s network?”
“That’s the only explanation.”
“Then it’s no big deal. We’ve got no criminal record in LA. They can’t get a search warrant.”
“And our foreign contacts are single-line. They don’t know our other channels or networks.”
“All our public business dealings are legit.”
“And we pay taxes on time.”
“So, what’s there to worry about?”
“Hahaha!”
“Just to be safe, pause the private auction next week.”
“Fine, fine, Jack, you’re too cautious. Since it’s all good, how about drinks at the bar tonight?”
“Absolutely!”
…
Meanwhile, Lu Zheng was on the phone with Lin Wan.
“The two cops found the USB that appeared out of nowhere. The precinct’s verified its contents, and they’re applying for a search warrant for Allen Artworks.”
“To avoid leaks, it won’t wait till tomorrow. At the latest, by five this afternoon, the police will show up.”
“When you act, leave some artefacts besides our country’s, or it’ll be too obvious.”
“Oh, and I checked the data. Many of our artefacts have already been sold. Interpol’s Beacon Country branch will keep tracking them.”
…
At five o’clock, before Allen Artworks’ staff could leave, the LA police took over the building.
But when they opened the vault at the back, everyone felt a heavy daze and passed out.
…
“Mission accomplished.”
Three days later, in a Chinese restaurant deep in Chinatown, Lu Zheng and Lin Wan were eating.
Lin Wan smiled. “Three days ago, after everyone was knocked out by a stun grenade, the eighteen most valuable items in the vault were stolen.
It’s initially suspected to be a rival of Allen Artworks, including the plan to deliver their illegal data to the LA police.
Allen Carter named three companies. The LA police are now coordinating with local precincts where those companies are based to continue the investigation, determined to recover those eighteen treasures.”
Lu Zheng nodded, popping a braised pig’s trotter into his mouth, chewing as he said, “Good luck to them!”
Lin Wan shook her head, chuckling. With Lu Zheng’s skills, short of flying, he was practically a mythical figure from ancient tales.
Healing, flying swords, invisibility, illusions, water-walking, even producing rare fruits to create martial arts masters like in novels.
With him acting, no one in Beacon Country would notice a thing.
As long as he didn’t want to be exposed, no one in the world would suspect such a superhuman existed.
And Lu Zheng was even calmer and more low-key than she’d imagined.
“I thought you’d show off some extraordinary tricks in front of them,” Lin Wan said.
Lu Zheng shook his head, smiling. “Like you told me before, it’s pointless. At best, it’s just messing with them. Skeptics would think they’re fools, and believers might stir up something dark. With so many witnesses corroborating the same story, it’d seem credible.”
Lin Wan nodded, moving on. “The theft at Allen Artworks is a separate case, but the smuggling case from China is closed.
With the data and ledgers as proof, the Chinese artefacts still in the vault have been handed to the embassy. How they get back is up to them.
So, my mission’s done. I’ve been given the rest of my last vacation, plus three extra days as a reward for this.”
Lu Zheng grinned. “That’s great news.”
Lin Wan smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. “So, where are we going to have fun?”
“Miami.”
Lin Wan raised an eyebrow. “To check out bikini babes?”
“Nope.” Lu Zheng shook his head. “We’re going shipwreck hunting.”
“Shipwreck hunting?” Lin Wan looked baffled. “What shipwreck?”
“Looks like the LA police didn’t share everything with you,” Lu Zheng laughed.
“Stop teasing, spill it! What shipwreck? Treasure?” Lin Wan’s eyes gleamed.
Sure enough, no one could resist the allure of adventure and treasure hunting.
“I found it in the CEO’s computer at Allen Artworks.”
Lu Zheng opened his phone, showing Lin Wan the document.
“Spanish New World treasure? The largest fleet in history? The San Miguel?”
Lin Wan gasped. “Estimated at 300 million USD?”
“One big score, and we’re set for financial freedom,” Lu Zheng whispered, leaning in. “You in?”
Lin Wan’s eyes flashed. She shrank back, leaning close to whisper, “Have you scoped it out? Is it solid?”
Lu Zheng nearly stumbled at her slick criminal lingo.
“Solid!” Lu Zheng nodded. “The stuff’s real, and the search area’s small. Even if we don’t find the San Miguel, there are a dozen other wrecks down there.”
“Alright!” Lin Wan nodded decisively, whispering, “Let’s do it!”
They locked eyes and high-fived.
“Smack!”
