Chapter Ten

Somewhere Over the Ocean

"So, let's make sure we're on track here. You've spent the past year in hiding from the Da Nang Boys in Fort Carson, living out of a trailer and spending your time in a bar. Do I have that straight?"

Colin nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, that pretty much covers it."

"Except for the part where you killed at least a dozen of my men, who were trying to bring you into protective custody," the black-suited man interjected from across the table.

"Yeah, aside from that," Colin agreed sheepishly. "I suppose if I said you guys all look alike, it would only rub salt in the wound, wouldn't it?"

"It would," Wu Zi agreed. "But let's consider it water under the bridge. You're here now, and that's what matters. Although, I didn't anticipate such an eclectic entourage."

Colin grinned. "Yeah, I just kind of collect friends from all over."

"Regardless," Wu Zi pointed out, "they are loyal, and that speaks volumes in their favor."

"Yes, it does," he agreed. "So," he began again, changing the subject, "where are we going, anyway?"

"You've attracted too much attention in San Andreas," Wu Zi informed him. "We're going to have to kill you."

Colin tensed. Wu Zi seemed to sense his reaction and smiled. "I think you misunderstand. You're not going to die, but we have to kill Colin Fox."

Colin relaxed, but only a little. He was still confused.

"The Yakuza and the Da Nang Boys will not stop hunting you until you're dead. We're simply going to appease them by giving them a body," Wu Zi elaborated.

"But why are they after me?" Colin demanded. "I disappeared after the explosion in San Fierro Bay last year. I've been underground since then. I'm not a threat to them."

"Actually, you are, Colin," Ken piped up as he stepped out from behind a curtain toward the back of the cabin. "You see, Tommy never signed over control of his businesses in Vice City to Hai and the Da Nang Boys, so their hold on Vice is based on pure force. Tommy Vercetti's estate is still intact."

"What estate?" Colin asked. "Without the businesses, what is there to be had?"

"Do you remember the night you got arrested, Colin?" Wu Zi asked.

Colin nodded. "Yeah. We were out at the docks, picking up a box from some Triad members enroute to Liberty."

"Tommy never told you what was in that box, did he?" Wu Zi realized.

Colin shook his head. "No. No, he didn't."

"The Triads had been working for the past few months on perfecting the process of minting untraceable U.S. dollars. It had been done in the past, but required large machines and conspicuous amounts of space to process the bills. The Triads had created a small, portable minting press. It was in that box."

Colin's eyes widened. "You're kidding me."

Wu Zi shook his head. "I assure you, I am not. Aside from the money it could create, the press itself was worth a hundred times its weight in gold. Tommy could have increased his empire exponentially without ever having to own another business, but he refused. He insisted on diversification. He wanted the minting press as his ace in the hole, his backup."

"He must have been psychic," Ken jumped in. "That's exactly what it ended up being. Even without the mansion, or any of his property, Tommy Vercetti's estate is still worth at least fifty million dollars."

Colin whistled. "That's a lot of money, but it still doesn't explain why they want me dead."

Ken glanced at Wu Zi and pulled a folded document from the inside pocket of his suit coat. He unfolded it and slid it across the table to Colin as he spoke.

"Because you're the heir to Tommy Vercetti's empire."