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John filled them in on the situation. “Don’t bother sending messages to the front anymore. If anything, I want you to broadcast what we know to each of the surrounding communities. All towns within a twenty-mile radius should take what supplies and weapons they can and head here. There’s strength in numbers and it looks like the Chinese are heading this way.”

Both men nodded.

John was out and down the hall when he heard the radio crackle to life. A second later, Henry came charging after him. “Sir, you better come quick. I’ve got Reese on the line.”

Chapter 36

“Got myself all but a handful of miles from Dyersburg when I caught sight of those Chinese tanks barrelling along Interstate 40,” Reese said, and paused briefly before exhaling the smoke from one of his awful Russian cigarettes.

“Where are you now?” John asked.

“Don’t wanna say exactly, just in case someone’s listening in. I will tell you an older couple was nice enough to take me in and the gentleman’s got a ham radio running on batteries in a back room. Says he’s listened in to Henry’s broadcasts and sends him bits and pieces of information here and there.”

John was tapping his finger on the table. “So I’m guessing you weren’t able to find the boys?”

“I tried, John. Maybe if I’d had a truck I coulda made it in time. But judging by what I’m seeing now, my guess is I’d be stuck in this mess maybe worse than they are.”

“You did your best,” John commended him. “I’m sorry I had to send you at all.”

“They’re some of ours, John. I’d do it again if need be.”

“Can you give us any more information on what you’re seeing over there?”

“I watched that road for a good hour or more and spotted at least ten mechanized infantry battalions roll by one after another. I’m sure most of the roads heading east are clogged with enemy troops. But I will say, I haven’t seen any Russians.”

“We have it on good authority that they’re further north,” John told him.

“Well, listen, John, I don’t wanna be the bearer of bad news, especially if I don’t have all the facts to back it up, but this couple I told you about who took me in, they been in touch with some of the military folks over in Dyersburg and the rumor is the Chinese are building special camps behind enemy lines. Closest one’s not far from Jonesboro. If the boys were captured alive, then my guess is that’s where they took ’em.”

Diane gripped John’s shoulders, no doubt fighting to keep herself together.

“What’s your best guess on how long we have before the Chinese arrive?” John asked.

“I’d say you’ll see them by this time tomorrow, give or take a few hours. All depends on whether the fuel can keep pace with their advance.”

“What about you?”

“Me? I’m gonna keep off the main highways. If all goes well I should be back in a day or so. It’ll be radio silence for me till I do though.”

“Roger that. See you then and Godspeed.”

“If those Chinese grunts beat me to Oneida, do me a favor and grab me a pack of Zhongnanhai from the first corpse you see, would ya?”

Henry took the headset. “That Reese is one sick puppy, I tell you.”

John smiled, but there was no joy in it. The thought of Brandon and Gregory being sent to that camp was hard to fathom. He had a sudden and overwhelming urge to speak with Huan again. Perhaps there was some bit of information about the camps she hadn’t given him before. Something that could help them put together a rescue plan.

Chapter 37

“There’s nothing else I can tell you,” Huan said flatly, her handcuffed arms pulled against her chest as she sat opposite him in the interrogation room.

Part of him had hoped to hear she’d been lying about the terrible things going on in the camps. That she’d been using it to frighten and demoralize the citizens of Oneida. Whether she sensed his motives for asking or not, John couldn’t tell one way or another, but she could feel the despair in his voice.

“You promised that if I cooperated you would hand me back to my people.”

“I said I would help you see your children again.”

“I’ve taken you as a man of your word, John,” Huan said. “I want you to see that I am being open and honest with you.”

“So far you’ve given me no reason to doubt you.”

“There is one more piece of information I’ve been holding back. By giving it to you now, I hope you will see that I’ve fulfilled my end of the bargain.”

“Go ahead,” John told her. “Every useful bit of intelligence you provide us only makes it easier to help set you free.”

She nodded, her features tightening as she spoke. “Our Russian allies were not the only ones who had agents in towns and cities across America.”

John shook his head. “What are you saying? Are you saying your government planted a man like the Chairman in Oneida?”

“Not like the Chairman. Someone far more subtle.”

For the first time, John wasn’t sure what to think about Huan’s claim. Then something else occurred to John which made her story seem even less believable. “Oneida isn’t nearly as multicultural as Knoxville or Memphis. I don’t think we have many here of Asian descent.”

She began to look pensive. “Who said I was talking about an Asian? Unless you’ve already ferreted them out, my government has a mole in Oneida, I’m afraid. We haven’t heard from the agent in days. I don’t have any more information for you other than that and the call sign by which they are known: Phoenix.”

•••

John was reeling over the implications of what Huan had told him as he left the interview room. No sooner had he closed the door behind him when three men in military fatigues headed his way. A single star on the lead man’s zipper line signified he was a brigadier general.

“You Mayor John Mack?” the general asked gruffly. His hair was light brown and styled in a classic taper cut, his mouth curled into a grimace.

“That’s right,” John replied. The man’s nametag read Brooks. “What can I do for you, General Brooks? I take it you just arrived.”

“I understand you folks have a Chinese POW on the premises.”

“We do. Her name is Huan, least that’s what she says. She was flying over Oneida in a Z-10 when she was shot down. The gunner didn’t make it.”

“Don’t be modest, John. The word from your man Moss is that you shot down that gunship with a Stinger.”

John nodded, not sure where this was heading. “I’ve already questioned her,” he told them. “And I’ll be more than happy to relay what we’ve learned so far.”

“You’ll forgive me if I sound out of line,” General Brooks said. “But these two gentlemen behind me will be taking over the interrogation from here on in.”

“I don’t know. I’ve built a relationship of sorts with the prisoner. She’s provided us with information in exchange for certain assurances. I wouldn’t want to go back on my word.”

The two men behind the general were smirking and John didn’t like that one bit. “I see what’s going on here,” John said. “You think we’re a bunch of country bumpkins. I’m not one to pull out my resume, but you should know I was a commissioned officer with the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Iraq. Detainment and interrogation were part and parcel of what we did on a daily basis.”

Brooks’ expression changed at once. “Then you understand how important it is that we have a go at questioning her.”

“I won’t say no,” John said. “But I’m letting you know I’ve given her my word and I wouldn’t want her to clam up if she sees your men and assumes she’s starting again from square one.”