The Shadow Walker by Michael Walters

three manly sports, as we call them. But every day we become more part of the global community.”
    â€œDo you want that?”
    Nergui shrugged. “What I want is neither here nor there. Compared with the vast majority of people in this country, I am a global citizen. I’ve lived in Europe and the US. I’ve traveled regularly across Asia, the Middle East, Australia. I can see all the benefits of the changes that are taking place here. But I also see many losses.”
    â€œWhat kinds of things?”
    â€œWell, the losses are obvious. We’re losing our traditional ways of living, of thinking. We’re losing traditional family ties. This country has been through many changes over the last century. Things are improving now, but these are still difficult times. We have the potential to be a wealthy, successful economy, but we live in poverty and we are surrounded by predators. Not just Russia and China, but the West, too.”
    â€œPredators?”
    â€œMaybe I exaggerate. But I think not. I’m a patriot at heart, probably all the more so since I have traveled so widely. Most of my fellow countrymen take this country for granted. They have seen nothing else. They complain about the government. They complain about the police. They complain about the economy. All very understandable. They have been through difficult times. But I think they do not realize how much they could still lose.” He laughed suddenly. “I am sorry. We start to talk about soccer, and immediately I plunge you into despair.”
    â€œYou get used to that,” Drew said, “supporting Manchester City.”
    Nergui laughed appreciatively. “I’m sorry,” he said again. “I am being selfish. You must be tired and I just sit here rambling on about the state of our nation.”
    â€œIt’s very interesting,” Drew said, honestly. He found himself wondering again about this man’s role and rank, and also, for the first time, wondering about his background. Mongolia had been, in effect, a satellite of the USSR until the beginning of the 1990s. It was unlikely that Nergui had risen to a senior role in the police without being part of the previous regime, particularly since the Communist Party, with its newfound enthusiasm for democracy, had remained in power here for much of the past decade. Drew’s understanding was that the police, in its current civilian form, was a product only of the mid-1990s, so it was likely that Nergui’s career had been formed in the government militia.
    â€œWell, we will have more time to discuss such things this week, no doubt. I am at your service as your host. But, equally, please tell me if you desire time to yourself. I know how oppressive such trips can be.”
    â€œThank you,” Drew said. “So what’s on the agenda for tomorrow?”
    â€œWell—” Nergui waited while coffees were placed before them. “You have your meeting with the ambassador at ten?” Drew nodded. “You saw the embassy as we passed—just a few minutes’ walk away. There’s probably not much point in your coming to police headquarters till after your meeting, so we can arrange a car to collect you from there once you’re finished.”
    â€œI don’t know how long the meeting’s likely to take, I’m afraid. Probably just half an hour’s courtesy chat, but you never know.”
    Nergui smiled. “The ambassador will assume you know things he doesn’t. Which is no doubt true, but not about this case—he’s been kept fully informed. He’ll also want to make sure you know which side you’re on.”
    â€œI’m not aware I’m on anybody’s side,” Drew said.
    â€œWe don’t even know what the sides are,” Nergui agreed. “Buthe will remind you, very discreetly, that the British Government is your paymaster, just in case there should be any—conflict of