The Brotherhood of the Rose by David Morrell Page B

called Deep Snow, the purpose of which was to destroy the flow of Russian opium. In 1966, Kilmoonie had resigned from the military and joined the CIA. In 1976, he'd entered a Cistercian monastery. In 1982, he'd rejoined the CIA. The combination of religion and politics seemed unusual, but Father Janin could empathize since he himself had combined them. Still, what troubled him was that all three men were connected in different ways with the opium' traffic.
    And one other connection. When the American had mentioned that in 1965 he'd come here with a crushed face, ruptured appendix, and fractured spine, the priest had remembered the American's escort-the same Chinese now in this buildingchin Ken Chan.
    Coincidences bothered him.
    Chris stood on the rectory's porch as rain drummed on the corrigated metal roof. He still couldn't see the graveyard. Next to him, Chan leaned on the railing, facing outward. Though the safe house wasn't bugged, they used the noise from the rain to prevent their conversation from being overheard. They'd chosen a windowless corner. "Two things," Chan said.
    Chris waited. "You must leave here quickly. Joseph Malenov is -in a room upstairs," Chan said.
    Chris understood. In their profession, what was said was seldom what was meant. Discretion was the rule. For Chan to speak even this directly was unusual. Chris quickly made the connection, filling the gaps between Chan's statements.
    He was shocked. The basis of their way of life was adherence to strict codes, the most extreme of which was the sanctity of an Abelard safe house.
    Chan intended to commit the cardinal sin. "It's never been done," Chris said. "Not true. While you were in the monastery-"
    "You've been keeping tabs on me."
    "I saved your life. I'm responsible for you. During your stay in the monastery, the code was broken twice. In Ferlach, Austria. Then again in Montreal."
    Chris felt a chill. Chan's gaze never wavered. "Then the world's gone crazy," Chris said. "Isn't that why you left it? Because the monastery offered a code with honor?"
    "No. Back then, the profession still had rules. I left because I failed the profession. Not the-other way around."
    "I don't understand."
    "I can't explain. I don't want to talk about it. If the sanction's lost its meaning, how can we depend on anything else?" He shook his head in dismay. "Nothing's sacred."
    "Everything gets worse," Chan said. "Six years ago, what I plan would have been unthinkable."
    "And now?" Chris asked. "Since precedent has been established, I feel free from obligation. Malenov is mentally diseased. These past few months, he's increased the opium traffic beyond tolerance. He has to be stopped."
    "Then kill him outside," Chris insisted. "He's too well guarded then."
    "But you'll be hunted."
    "By them all." Chan nodded. "Everyone. The Snow Leopard has his tricks."
    "The odds," Chris said. "If everyone's against you... Ferlach, and then Montreal? What happened?"
    "To the violaters? They were found, and they were killed. And so will I be killed. In time. But I will stretch the time."
    "I ask you not to do this."
    "Why?"
    "Because I feel responsible to you."
    "The debt is mine. I interfered with what you understand as fate. But I must face my own. As I grow old, I must prepare to die with what you Westerners call dignity, what I call honor. I must face my destiny. Too many years I've waited for this chance. The opium is wrong. It has to be stopped."
    "But the KGB will only send another man to replace him."
    Chan clutched the rail. "Not Malenov. The man is evil." Sweat drenched his face. "He has to die."
    Chris felt distressed by Chan's directness. "In the morning, I will leave."
    "But I can't wait that long. The Russian leaves tomorrow."
    I need important information from the priest."
    "Then get it soon. What I want, our friendship won't be overlooked. The coincidence of our meeting after all these years will seem suspicious. Fate, my-friend. I didn't save your life so long ago to have you