Chapter Four
In the immediate aftermath of the failed interrogation by Mason Lancer, certain high-level Chinese espionage officials became aware of the depths of Colby's betrayal to their cause. As a result, certain lower-level officials had paid for their failure to recognize him as a triple agent with their own lives. One of those lower level officials had been sparred execution, but having witnessed the death of his comrades vowed that the traitor, whose actions had given rise to such results, should himself meet a similar fate.
That individual, despite the initial stigma, managed to rise up the ranks in the two years following the "Colby Granger Incident". Now in a position of great authority within the Chinese espionage machine, the motive remained and he had the means to carry out the retribution he craved.
During the time Colby was under surveillance, a number of assassination plans were considered. They varied from an ordinary mugging and shooting (planned for one of Colby's regular runs) to a convoluted, overly complex car accident to be orchestrated on his drive home from work. Both were abandoned as neither could assure the desired end result. Also, under strict orders from those higher up to ensure that "it look like an accident" and thus potentially avoid a messy international incident, the number of witnesses and left over evidence had to be minimal. Therefore, the disappearance and presumed drowning in a surfing accident seemed ideal.
To the official in charge, it was too tempting to ignore. Visioning Colby struggling for air, being forced further and further from the surface by an assailant wearing the flag of China, now knowing why and by whom he had been targeted just before he breathed his last breath made the official in charge giddy.
Having discovered from their surveillance that Colby spent most days off surfing in the early morning hours, the plan began to take form. Like most surfers, Colby had a preferred spot. So the location was easily scouted and the assassination team was even able to stage several mock run-throughs under the cover of darkness. On this particular morning, Colby's first day off in the past several weeks, there was little doubt of his routine. Of that, he did not disappoint.
Now, as Colby sat languidly atop the board, bobbing rhythmically with the water's movement below, beneath him someone was waiting. As they watched his legs withdraw from the water and his arms appear on either side of the board, paddling forward, the long awaited plan was finally put in motion.
