Capítulo 672: Chapter 672: This is Absurd
There were no major difficulties smuggling art out of Iraq.
The U.S. military inspected every cargo leaving Iraq, but shipments linked to Black Bear were the exception.
I boarded a private jet and left Iraq, arriving safely in London, UK.
"Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok?"
As we finished the simple immigration process, someone was waiting for us.
I heard a somewhat awkward but clear voice calling my name.
"That's me, Kim Mu-hyeok. But who are you?"
The man calling me was smartly dressed, looking every bit the typical British gentleman.
He handed me his business card and requested a handshake.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Jack Hill, Director of the British Security Service. It's an honor to meet someone so well-known."
I exchanged a light handshake and checked the business card Jack had given me.
The sleek black card printed with his name and title as Director of the British Security Service stood out.
"You can just call me Charlie. Why is the head of MI5 looking for me?"
If MI6 oversees foreign intelligence, then MI5 handles domestic matters.
Their roles resembled that of the CIA and FBI in the U.S.
But why would the head of an intelligence agency be waiting for someone like me…?
'Ah, it must be because of the London attack.'
While making a deal with Jessica, I had tipped off that after Spain, the UK would be targeted next.
It made perfect sense for MI5's director to approach me regarding preventing terrorist activities in mainland England.
I guess he was curious about how a mere businessman could possess such information.
However, I had already devised a plan. I knew when, where, and who would initiate the attacks, but I couldn't figure out how they contacted Al-Qaeda, so I tasked Black Bear with monitoring them.
I wasn't foolish enough to label myself a suspect just because I had foresight without any concrete evidence.
"Thank you, Charlie. May we have a brief conversation?"
I checked my wristwatch and nodded. I had a little time before my next appointment.
"I can spare about an hour. I have a prior engagement, so I can't stay long."
"An hour, you say… All right. Please follow me."
I followed Director Jack as he walked toward a small office on the airport premises.
Inside was just a desk and several chairs.
"If we had more time, I'd take you somewhere nice for our chat, but unfortunately, we have to settle for this place."
His small talk was amusing. I sat down with a friendly smile.
"The place doesn't matter. What's important is the conversation we have."
"Right. Content is what matters, not location. Now, let's get to the point since we're short on time."
"Go ahead. I'm listening."
"I've been informed by the American intelligence that Al-Qaeda plans to launch an attack in the UK after Spain. Is that true?"
Just as I suspected, he was inquiring about the terrorism information.
"Yes. I don't have the exact timing or suspects yet. However, the information we've acquired confirms that the target is indeed the UK."
"Are you certain? That Al-Qaeda is planning an attack against the UK?"
"The UK is America's most important ally. So targeting the UK isn't unusual. From the Afghanistan War to the Iraq War, Britain has played a pivotal role alongside the U.S."
The reason Al-Qaeda targeted Spain was due to its involvement in the Iraq War.
Thus, targeting the UK, which sent troops to both Afghanistan and Iraq, wasn't unreasonable.
"Due to colonial policies in the 20th century, a significant Arab population resides in the UK. It would be more bizarre if there were no supporters of Al-Qaeda among them. If I were Al-Qaeda, I'd utilize someone from within instead of sourcing from abroad for the attack."
There was another reason I remembered the planned attack in the UK so clearly.
The day it was supposed to occur was the day after London was selected as the host for the Olympics.
It would be a shocking event dampening the festive atmosphere in Britain.
Additionally, the G8 summit was also taking place in the UK, so a terrorist act in the heart of London would send shockwaves worldwide.
"If it's someone from within…you mean they will use someone currently residing in the UK."
"That's what we've deduced so far. As I mentioned earlier, we still haven't confirmed the precise date or identity of the attackers. However, I'm sure an attack will occur. It's the British government's duty to use this information to prevent the terrorism, not mine."
"That's true. Immigrants are probably the issue."
While not as extreme as the U.S., the UK also had a significant immigrant population.
Monitoring all of them would present administrative and political challenges.
Ignoring manpower shortages aside.
So one could hardly claim that the British intelligence could pinpoint suspects.
"Charlie, if you get precise information, could you hand it over to us? Not to the U.S., but to us."
"Hmmm…"
I swallowed my thoughts, deliberately prolonging my response.
"It's true that the U.S. and UK are allies. However, receiving such critical information from the U.S. would be akin to incurring a political debt."
Jack sounded almost desperate as he continued trying to persuade me.
Matching his earnest gaze, I smiled slightly with one corner of my mouth drawn up.
"Well, I did business with the U.S. and gave them information in return. What happens next is beyond my concern."
"But…"
Jack's lips quivered urgently. I raised my hand to silence him and continued.
"If you want to gain information from me, the UK will need to offer something in return. If one party gives something, the receiving party also needs to provide compensation. As you know, I'm a businessman, and my principle is to avoid doing favors without reciprocation. It's up to you to consider what the UK can offer me."
Give and take. I fundamentally adhered to the principle of transactions.
A situation where one party solely gives without receiving cannot last long.
If kindness continues, the receiving side will believe it's their right. They will keep asking, and eventually, the giving side becomes exhausted.
"A transaction…is there anything the UK can provide?"
"Well, that's something for you, Director Jack, to figure out. If the terms seem favorable to me, I'll consider it; if not, I'll decline."
Having information was my biggest strength. I had no intention of selling that weapon for cheap.
Using it, I managed to bargain in relations with the U.S. and cultivate a friendship with the Russian Tsar.
"If it catches my interest, I'll think about letting the UK know before passing the information to the U.S."
I checked my wristwatch and said,
"I think it's time for me to leave. Next time you come to visit, make sure to bring something along."
"Charlie, if you have something you want, say it."
"Something I want…what could I possibly desire? Ah, should I play the patriot? Would you be able to procure me the gold earrings from the Silla period displayed in the British Museum?"
"Huh? What kind of nonsense…"
Jack looked horrified. I understood very well how absurd my statement was.
"You clearly understand. What you are saying to me now is the very definition of absurd. Aren't you the head of an intelligence agency? Yet you don't know what I want and what kind of deal you're proposing?"
"…"
I stood up without hesitation and declared,
"An hour has passed as we agreed. Bring me what I want, and I'll supply information in return."
"Charlie, this is a matter concerning the lives of countless Brits."
Jack desperately pleaded, invoking the lives of British citizens.
I couldn't care less. I smirked at him.
"Is the UK a country that shares information when it comes to the lives of foreign nationals? Don't you also act based on what politically benefits you? And working for the intelligence agency, it seems like you don't know me well. I'm not driven by emotions; I'm a businessman chasing profits. Emotional appeals mean nothing to me."
"…"
"If you don't want to incur a political debt with the U.S., make a deal with me. Moreover, the British intelligence has a history of being disrespectful to me."
My distrust towards the British intelligence stemmed from a previous conflict.
When I recall that time, just being here with him was already a significant concession.
Jack's face went rigid under my cold rebuke. No one had likely faced such accusations directly.
"Holding the lives of British citizens hostage won't grant you leverage over me. I mean, if I hadn't shared any information with the U.S., would the UK have known about the impending attack?"
Historically, the UK hadn't detected signs of terrorism until the very day it occurred.
"I hope for a more constructive meeting next time we meet. Until then, I'll take my leave."
I turned away from Jack and left the airport.
As I stepped out of the airport, it was pouring rain.
"Isn't it funny, Manager Ma? Back when we were working in the UK, they pressured us so much, and now they come asking me for information before the Americans. Is it lack of conscience or arrogance…?"
Manager Ma, having opened an umbrella, held it over my head as he replied.
"If a terrorist strike occurs, they might find their positions at risk. They claim the lives of citizens are at stake, but individuals like them don't value the lives of others. They would probably pull off an attack with complete confidence. Back when I was in mercenary service, it was common for the UK to clean up after their own mess. The same could be said for the U.S., though."
Well, they say if something strange happens in world history, tracing it back usually points to Britain.
It seemed Manager Ma had been thoroughly disillusioned by the UK's behavior during his mercenary days. Hearing his candid remarks made me chuckle.
"You're right. Both the U.S. and the UK are cut from the same cloth. I wonder if we will make it to our meeting on time."
As Manager Ma held the door open for me, I checked my wristwatch again.
Despite my concerns, we arrived just in time for our appointment.
"Charlie. Long time no see."
"Chairman Murdoch. It's been a while."
The person I was supposed to meet today was Murdoch. I greeted him while shaking hands.
"I hear about you every time."
"I also hear about you, Charlie. You seem to be busier than ever."
We exchanged warm pleasantries as we entered his mansion.
Murdoch showed interest in the wrapped object that Manager Ma carried with him.
"What's that? It looks like a frame…"
"I'll show it to you later."
Even after promising to reveal it later, Murdoch peeked at Manager Ma's arm with curiosity as he led us to the reception room.
The reception room was already set up with food.
"Charlie, I did not prepare any British food out of respect for you. Instead, I arranged French cuisine."
"So you don't enjoy British cuisine either?"
"Haha! How can I enjoy it if I'm forced to?"
Murdoch laughed heartily as he took a seat and gestured for us to follow.
"Please take a seat. I've specially invited a famous chef to prepare this meal."
I sat down with Manager Ma.
In the meantime, Murdoch filled our glasses with wine and slid them toward us.
"This wine is also prepared especially for you, Charlie."
Murdoch explained with pride the type of wine he had selected. He certainly was a man of many words.
I inhaled the aroma of the wine as I listened.
"It indeed smells great."
"I'm relieved to hear that. I put a lot of thought into choosing the wine."
The meal paired with the wine was quite pleasant.
During the meal, we shared updates on how his business was progressing and what I had been up to.
Despite the dawn of the internet age, his influence in the media world remained strong.
As we finished the lengthy discussion, I complimented him once more.
"Thanks to you, I had a delightful meal."
"I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it."
Once we finished eating, he summoned the servants to clear the table.
In no time, the table was cleared, and the butler brought in green tea for dessert.
"Butler, don't let anyone come in now."
"Yes, Chairman."
The bowed butler exited and firmly closed the reception room door behind him.
In the spacious reception room, there were only Murdoch, Manager Ma, and I left.
"Manager."
After placing the frame on the table, Manager Ma removed the cloth that had been tightly wrapped around it.
"Murdoch, do you recognize what this is?"
Murdoch was well-versed in art.
Surprised by my question, he rose from his chair, his eyes widened.
"Charlie, where on earth did you find this?"
He didn't disappoint as he immediately recognized the painting I had brought.
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