Tong gestured at the IV still in her arm. “Am I on any painkillers?”

  “Yes.”

  “How strong?”

  “Strong enough that it’s letting you do things you shouldn’t.”

  “Cut it in half.”

  “What? You’ll be in agony.”

  “Maybe, maybe not. But we’ll never know, will we, unless we try.”

  “I’ll have to talk to the doctor first.”

  “You do that, and tell him I want to speak to him as soon as possible.”

  The nurse turned toward the door. “Oh, where’d this cutie come from?”

  Tong looked toward the door. A teddy bear sat on the table holding a small red velvet box. “When did that get here?”

  “If you don’t know, then I certainly don’t. Someone must have delivered it while you were asleep.” She picked it up and brought it over, giving him a squeeze. “He’s so cute.”

  Tong smiled, her problems momentarily forgotten. She pulled the card out from the red bow around his neck and flipped it open.

  Sonya,

  I saw this little guy when I was buying your flowers. I was going to bring him tomorrow, but couldn’t wait.

  Nathan

  P.S. You’re a cute sleeper.

  Tong smiled and the nurse regarded her. “Another love letter from the hero?”

  She nodded. “What do you know about him?”

  “Nothing. Apparently, he’s the guy who put an end to things, but he’s refused to speak to the press.”

  “So, he’s not a glory hound.”

  “Apparently not. The only thing he seems to care about is you. You’re a lucky woman.”

  Tong sank back into the pillows, holding the bear to her chest, the small box digging into her skin. She opened it and giggled. Inside were two miniature teddy bears, one in a blue ribbon, one in a pink, their paws sewn together, and he had used a marker to put an N on the boy bear’s ribbon and an S on the girl’s.

  She held it up for the nurse to see, and she laughed as she headed for the door. “Oh, girl, you’ve either got the most romantic man in the world or the cheesiest. Either way, he could be a keeper.”

  “Maybe.” She rolled onto her side, closing her eyes, and hugged the bear, a smile on her face as her heart raced with the excitement of a teenage girl. And prayed these romantic overtures were those of a confident man merely wanting to make it clear to her that he liked her, rather than a desperate man chronically single for a reason. Whatever his flaw was, she just hoped it was something she could live with, because she was tired of being alone, tired of pining after Leroux, tired of living life at a standstill. Her eyes grew heavy.

  She was just tired.

  31 |

  Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau Beijing, China

  Kane had found the key to success in any Hail Mary operation such as this was confidence. That confidence didn’t have to be genuine, merely projected. He was quite confident this plan was going to fail and that he was going to die a horrible death. But to the outside world, he was supposed to be there and listened to, though actually, that was Chan’s role. He was doing all the talking, and it was odd to see the voice he had known for years coming from a face two decades younger.

  The young officer behind the desk reviewed the piece of paper Chan had handed him. “I’m going to have to have this verified, sir. I’ve received no word about a prisoner transfer.”

  “You do whatever you need to do, Lieutenant, but in the meantime, take us to her.”

  “I’m afraid I can’t do that, sir. She’s in interrogation now.”

  Kane took an intimidating step forward, having said nothing since walking through the door.

  Chan held a hand out, stopping him. “Lieutenant, I’m not going to tell you who this man is. You don’t want to know who this man is. It terrifies me that I know. If he speaks, then it’s too late for you. He works for the Ministry of State Security, Special Division.”

  The lieutenant’s eyes bulged. “Special Division?”

  “Yes. You know what that is?”

  The young man nodded.

  “Then you know whom he reports to directly.”

  “The-the president?”

  “Exactly. So, who do you think sent him here?”

  The lieutenant gulped, setting the forged transfer order aside. “Come with me.” He rose and buzzed them through, then led them to a side door. He swiped his pass then pulled open the door after a click sounded, a small red light in the scanner turning green. He led them down a long corridor, numbered doors on either side, some open, some closed, shouting, crying, screaming heard the entire way.

  This was everything the reports had indicated.

  The briefing notes Kane had read on this place indicated it was where the Chinese took locals for interrogation. Foreigners were taken elsewhere and treated quite differently, the torture more psychological than physical. Here, however, where they didn’t care about some foreign government or Amnesty International complaining, the gloves literally came off.

  A woman’s voice cried out and a pit tortured his stomach as he recognized it as Bing. Chan inhaled sharply but maintained his cover as they continued to follow the lieutenant down the corridor. The young man stopped in front of a door. “She’s in here, sir.”

  Kane had been paying attention to the markings on the doors, each interrogation room paired with an observation room. He pointed at the door, giving an inquisitive look to the lieutenant, who shook his head, rapidly answering before Kane used any words, no doubt remembering Chan’s warning.

  “I don’t think there’s anyone observing, sir.”

  Kane flicked a finger at the door and the young man swept his pass then pushed the door aside, revealing an empty room with a two-way mirror exposing the horror on the other side. Kane pushed the young man through the door then followed him in, Chan on his heels.

  “As you can see, sirs, there’s your prisoner. Like I said, she’s been under interrogation since she arrived. Do you want me to interrupt them?”

  Kane reached out and snapped the man’s neck, gently lowering the body to the floor. He removed the man’s pass as Chan stared through the glass, wincing as his beloved wife was mercilessly beaten. Kane drew his weapon and fit a suppressor in place. “I’ll do the shooting.” He opened the door, finding the corridor clear. He took several steps to the interrogation room, swiped the confiscated pass, then pushed the door open. He stepped inside, putting two rounds in each of the men responsible for this atrocity.

  Chan rushed past him as Kane closed the door, retrieving the men’s wallets and IDs. They might prove useful later, and Langley was always eager to get their hands on the latest paperwork, just in case new security measures had been implemented.

  “Please stop, please,” sobbed Bing.

  Chan dropped to his knees in front of his wife, taking her hands. “It’s me, my love.”

  Bing wept. “Oh, no, they got you too?”

  “No, I’m here with a friend. We’re getting you out of here. Can you walk?”

  She sniffed, staring at the disguised man through swollen eyes. “Is it really you?”

  “Yes. Can you stand?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Well, let’s try.” He took her hands and lifted her to her feet. Her short legs wobbled and she nearly collapsed.

  “I’m sorry, Husband, I can’t.”

  “Then I’ll carry you.”

  Kane glanced over at them. There was no way Chan could carry his wife very far. He handed his spare weapon to the man. “You know how to fire this?”

  “Of course.”

  “Then don’t, unless it’s absolutely necessary.” He kneeled in front of Bing, pressing on her ribs. “Can you breathe?”

  Bing nodded.

  “Tell me if it hurts. Keep breathing as deep as you can.”

  She did as told and Kane completed his inspection of her rib cage. Nothing appeared broken, a couple of winces suggesting she might have bruising. The key was her ability to breathe and tolerate the pain she was about to endure.

  “I’m going to carry you over my shoulder. It’s going to be uncomfortable. It might hurt a bit where your ribs are bruised, but it means we get out of here in sixty seconds. Are you good with that?”

  “Just don’t touch my bum too much. You might make my husband jealous.”

  Kane grinned at her then exchanged a relieved smile with Chan. That was the woman he had come to know over all these years, her sense of humor wonderful. He patted her cheek gently. “I don’t know. It’s a wonderful piece of ass. I might not be able to help myself.”

  She giggled. “Husband, leave us.”

  Chan rolled his eyes. “I’m beginning to regret I came here to save you.”

  “To save my wonderful ass.”

  “Are you ready?” asked Kane.

  She nodded.

  “Okay, here we go.”

  He picked her up and slung her over his shoulder. He handed the pass to Chan who opened the door.

  “We’re clear.” Chan held the door aside as Kane rushed through the door, sprinting down the hall, Chan on his heels covering their escape. Poor Bing whimpered with each step, but it would soon be over if they could just get through this door before someone noticed them on the cameras.

  They reached the end of the hallway and Chan scanned his pass. The door clicked, the indicator changing to green. He pushed the door aside. An alarm sounded, somebody having spotted them. Chan hopped over the half-height wall as shouts erupted. Kane twisted, propping himself up on the edge of the gate, swinging his legs over.

  “Halt!” shouted someone behind them.

  Chan spun, raising his weapon. He fired two shots and Kane cursed as four men emerged from the opposite side of the reception area, toting Type 81 assault rifles. He took them out with four practiced rounds. Chan tried the doors but they were locked. Kane fired several rounds into the glass but it merely splintered.

  “Assault rifles.”

  Chan rushed over to the tangle of bodies. He grabbed one of the rifles and tossed it to Kane then retrieved one for himself, spraying gunfire at the security personnel scrambling into action. Kane emptied the mag into the lock, weakening the mechanism, then booted it several times before it finally gave way. Chan continued to fire, screaming in rage at what had been done to his wife, before tossing the spent weapon aside.

  He followed Kane through the door and they sprinted across the parking lot. Chan opened the back door of the rental Tommy had arranged for them. Kane gently placed Bing in the back then Chan climbed in with her. Kane slammed the door shut then jumped behind the wheel. He started the car then put it in gear, hammering on the gas, firing several rounds at the door as security personnel finally dared to pursue them.

  He blasted through the gates, the guards chasing after them briefly. He lost them in the light overnight traffic of Beijing. They only had minutes to switch vehicles before the extensive camera network picked them up. He glanced in his rearview mirror. “How’s she doing?”

  “She’s alive.”

  “Give her the Tylenol.”

  Chan cursed, apparently having forgotten they had prepped for this possibility. He grabbed a bag from the floor as Kane guided them toward their transfer point where Tommy would override the cameras, creating a dead zone.

  “Two minutes.”

  “Copy that.”

  Kane checked the mirror to see Chan holding a water bottle to his wife’s lips as she swallowed down the painkillers. They had stronger stuff than Tylenol, but they couldn’t risk giving her anything without knowing the true extent of her injuries. Hopefully, in less than an hour, the edge would be taken off her pain.

  Kane tapped his phone, sending the prearranged signal to Tommy who, if he was doing his job right, would disable all the cameras for the second time tonight. He entered the China World Mall and descended into the underground parking. He parked on the second level then helped Bing out, carrying her to their transfer vehicle, this time cradling the tiny woman in his arms. He glanced down at her battered face and wished he had been able to make those responsible suffer more than the double taps had. At least they were dead, so they couldn’t do this to anyone ever again.

  Unfortunately, there were millions more indoctrinated into the party’s way of thinking that would take their place. China already was the dystopian future portrayed in too many movies, and had to be stopped before they became too powerful. Right now, their only Achilles heel was their economy. If the West could divest itself entirely from the Chinese economy, the world might stand a chance.

  He grabbed the keys he had left behind the tire in the event they all hadn’t made it out, then helped Bing into the back seat. Within minutes, they were back onto the streets of Beijing, heading for a final transfer point, the flashing lights of police cars and other security vehicles, most heading toward the chaos they had left behind, keeping his pulse pounding. It was only a matter of time before roadblocks were set up, and it was a miracle they had gotten this far. He just prayed that things continued to break their way.

  He had no desire to die in China.

  32 |

  Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau Beijing, China

  Duan flinched at the blaring of an alarm, followed soon after by several popping sounds. Pan sprang from his chair and hauled the door open, disappearing into the corridor as more gunshots rang out, confused shouting joining the cacophony of sounds. Something was going on, something completely foreign in China. He could see people assaulting a police station in America, but not here. It had to be a rescue attempt. It had to be Kane coming for him, but there was no way in hell he was leaving without his family.

  He rose and peered out the door. Several people were poking their heads out like he was, fear in their eyes, the braver ones heading toward the fight. He sucked in a breath and squared his shoulders.

  Act as if you’re supposed to be here.

  He stepped into the hall and strode in the opposite direction of the gunshots, his jaw clenched, a scowl forced where a trembling lip demanded to be. A few people glanced at him, but nobody said a word. He stepped aside as two armed men raced past him. He reached the end of the hall and opened the door to his right, crying out in relief at the sight of his family cowering on the floor. His wife rushed into his arms and he held her tight.

  “Is everybody all right?”

  Tearful heads bobbed.

  “Good. Now, I need everybody to be brave, everybody to be quiet, and everybody to do exactly what I say. We’ve only got a couple of minutes at most. Understood?”

  More head bobs.

  “Then follow me.” He poked his head out into the corridor, finding all attention still directed toward the gunshots. He pushed open the door at the end of the corridor, relieved it wasn’t locked. He beckoned his family through, cringing at every whimper, at every sniffle. He gently pressed the door closed behind them and looked around.

  They were in an office area, but no one was in sight. The gunfire from the front had stopped, so they didn’t have much time. He spotted an exit sign and led his family toward it, pushing open the fire door. An alarm sounded but it was drowned out by the security siren. He led them out the back of the building and toward the street, uncertain as to where to go, but certain he had to get as far away from here as possible then contact Kane.

  Only the Americans could help them now.

  33 |

  Kane’s Off-the-Books Operations Center Outside Bethesda, Maryland

  Fang opened the door to Kane’s operations center. “It’s just me!” she announced, sealing them back inside. “Any word?”

  Mai poked her head around the corner, flashing her a smile as Tommy replied. “We’re still waiting to hear.”

  Fang hung up her jacket and joined the couple in the nerve center of the off-the-books complex. “Waiting to hear what?”

  “Whether or not they’re still alive.”

  Fang cursed. “Are you telling me they went in?”

  Tommy held up his hands. “Hey, don’t shoot the messenger. Chan didn’t want to wait and frankly, I don’t blame him. If it were Mai, I’d have gone in.” Mai squeezed Tommy’s shoulder and he reached up, patting her hand.

  Fang sighed as she dropped into one of the spare chairs. “You’re right. I was just hoping to get back before they started the op. What’s the last communication we have?”

  “The second signal to take down the cameras in the parking structure where they were doing the first switch.”

  Fang smiled. “Really? That means they survived the rescue.”

  Tommy scratched his chin, folding his arms. “Hopefully, but we don’t know who sent the message and how many were in the car.”

  “Can you check the cameras?” asked Mai.

  “No, I disabled them, remember?”

  She smacked her forehead. “Sorry. This spy stuff is all new to me.”

  Fang crossed her legs under her. “The next phase of the extraction was to switch vehicles again.”

  “Are there any cameras there?” asked Mai.

  “No, it’s a dead zone, which is why it was chosen.” Fang checked her watch. “If they’re on schedule, they should be approaching the next transfer point within a few minutes. That’s the key one. If they can make it past that point, they should be free and clear.”

  “Let’s hope so,” sighed Mai. “I don’t think my heart can take much more of this.”

  Fang chuckled. “This is nothing. Just imagine if you were listening to it live, or worse, watching it. There’s nothing more exciting or nerve-racking or terrifying when it’s people you care about.”

  34 |

  Beijing, China

  Kane turned right, heading toward their most critical exchange point. He glanced over his shoulder at Chan. “Time for you to come up front.”

  Chan leaned forward, picking up a pair of six-inch stilts that he described as the most torturous device ever invented by man, though the sometimes-necessary pain was worth it, since it added half a foot to his height and would eliminate him from most suspect pools if the police were searching for a six-foot tall man.

 

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