“No, but somebody does. A couple PRC State Security agents we’d been tracking in Louisiana just disappeared.”
“Louisiana?” Stuart said, struggling to make sense of what Gilmore was saying. “What were they doing down there?”
“Remember when the FBI busted that Chinese agent in New Orleans?”
“Could be a coincidence,” Lantis said.
“Perhaps. We’re checking to see if there’s a connection with the recent death of a Vietnamese shrimper with the same last name.”
Stuart removed his glasses and rubbed his temple with the stem. “How could that possibly relate? Isn’t Tran about as common a name as Smith?”
“It’s a long shot, but we can’t ignore blackmail.”
Gilmore’s answer didn’t help, so Stuart took another tact. “You said Valiant Crane might have been compromised.”
“Last week a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman released a statement citing a specific incident they could only have known about through our Valiant Crane intercepts.”
“Couldn’t they have found out through another source?” Lantis asked.
“It’s possible.”
Stuart considered the scenarios. “Have we detected any change in the PRC’s communication patterns?”
“None.”
“Alright, keep working it. And Bryce, I want to be notified immediately if there is any imminent danger to our people.”
Gilmore gave an affirming nod.
“Is that it on the Spratlys?”
“No. We’ve got confirmation on the Drummond Island raid.”
“Let’s have it.”
“We have intercepts from the Chinese referencing something they’re calling the Assassin’s Mace. We’ve linked it to the nuclear forensics we ran on the material collected by the Constant Phoenix flights.”
“One and the same.”
“There’s no doubt. The Chinese pulled their people off the nearby islands and sent a HAZMAT team to Fiery Cross.”
“Do they know we’re behind this?” Lantis said.
“There’s no indication they do, but if they figure out our Air Force WC-135 is flying air sampling missions, they could put two and two together.”
“Good point,” Stuart looked at Lantis. “Dan, tell Sheldon to recall the mission. I’ve got enough to convince me we’ve taken their nuclear card off the table. Anything else?”
“Something’s going on in the Con Song Basin.”
“Damn, Bryce,” Stuart said sinking back into his chair. “You’re killing me.”
“Believe me, I wish it were better. The Vietnamese just lodged a protest with Beijing. They’re demanding an explanation from the Chinese about the actions of one of their seismic survey ships.”
“I knew about that. Sheldon briefed me. Vietnamese gunboats forced the Chinese ship out of the area. Is Beijing prepared to do anything?”
“Until yesterday, I wasn’t sure.”
“What’s changed?”
“The PLAN is preparing to arbitrate their claims.”
“Interesting word choice.”
“Indeed. Straight from the South Sea Fleet Commander. Beijing is putting the region’s capitals on notice that any further interference in China’s operations in the South China Sea will be viewed as ‘irresponsible and reckless actions that will have grave consequences.’”
“Hold up a sec, I want Justin in here. Dan, would you ask Mary Allus to chase him down?”
While they waited, Stuart slid open his desk drawer and pulled out his bottle of TUMS. He shook out a couple pink tablets and popped them in his mouth. “What else have we learned?”
“Sheldon informed me the PLA is preparing to reinforce their outposts on Tizards Bank and Whitman Reef.”
“Have––”
Before Stuart could continue, Brown appeared through the Oval Office’s side door.
“Pull up a chair, Justin. You need to hear this. Go ahead, Bryce.”
“Beijing is preparing to reinforce their installations in the Spratlys.”
“I’m not surprised,” Brown said. “The Chinese don’t believe we can restrain the Nationalists. They’re citing Taipei’s Hsiung Feng II cruise missile and the rhetoric from the Nationalists’ Democratic Progressive Party about promoting independence.”
Stuart cocked his head. “The Nationalists? We were discussing the Vietnamese.”
“The real danger is Taiwan,” Brown replied.
“What’s the Agency’s read, Bryce?” Stuart asked.
“Taiwan could be the spark.”
Stuart drew a counter-clockwise spiral on his notepad. “Justin, your recommendations.”
“For starters, they have to cancel their Han Kuang exercise.”
“And if they don’t?”
“Then we could all be in for a great deal of trouble,” Brown said.
“What’s the script?”
“Defense of the main islands. Countering a Chinese blockade of Itu Abu.”
“Do we know Beijing’s intentions?”
“My bet is if the Nationalists don’t change their posture, Beijing could well resort to force,” Gilmore answered.
“I need to place a call to Zhu,” Stuart said. “Short of someone doing something really stupid, we may still have some room to maneuver out of this mess.”
Chapter 43
PACO MARKET
ESTEVO DE PACO, MANILA
18:23 WEDNESDAY 23 JULY
Curiously, there were few people on the street. Those remaining cast long waving shadows across the building fronts. Lynne suppressed a shudder. Even the urchins who had accosted her before were nowhere in sight. This was not what she had bargained for.
Jack’s call had come as a complete surprise. The surveillance photos, bank statements, and other incriminating evidence left no doubt in her mind. Atencio was an agent for the Chinese Ministry of State Security.
The Agency had irrevocable proof of Atencio’s and Cruz’s complicity including substantiating the transfer of one million dollars from one of Beijing’s shell companies in Hong Kong to the personal accounts linked to the two men. She was to ensnare Atencio and take down their network that had infiltrated the Lakas CMD party.
She only asked one question after Jack had detailed the operation. “Does Montalvo know?” “Yes,” was the cryptic answer. She should have asked more.
She ducked under the drooping tarp in front of the market and entered the empty warehouse. Her footsteps echoed within the cavernous space, the quiet unnerving after the riotous bargaining of the locals during her first visit. The few remaining vendors intent on closing up their stands cast her only a cursory look.
Her eyes came to rest on the four-tiered clothes rack, the gay colors dulled in the dim light. She exhaled. “Raul?”
“In here.”
A single low-watt bulb illuminated the room. Her eyes accommodated to the dark and focused on Atencio. “I thought you were in––”
“They did not have enough evidence to detain me.”
“Are you okay?”
Atencio studied her, then pulled up the left sleeve of his Barong.
She gasped at the angry circular burns tattooed along the length of his forearm.
“Let us just say that my release was predicated on pleading guilty to a contrived offense and by making a false statement implicating my associates.”
“You were tortured.”
“The turds of NICA and the PNP interpret the law differently than in your country.”
Lynne knew of the accusations against the National Intelligence Collecting Agency and the Philippine National Police by multiple Human Rights organizations, but....
Atencio continued before she could reply. “In the coming days, it will come down to the survival of the fittest. I have survived and have unfinished business. The Chinese will––”
“The Chinese?”
“They too have tired of Montalvo and the meddlesome Stuart blocking our attempts to secure a joint gas project
and an agreement on joint fishing rights in the water we share with the Chinese people. Agreements that will ensure our country’s future. Foreign Minister Yang Po was within a hair-breath of securing an agreement with Minister Cruz before we were arrested.
Lynne struggled to keep her face impassive. Her right hand unconsciously felt for the outline of the wire hidden beneath her belt. I have to pull him out.
Atencio followed her hand, his eyes hardening. He saved her the trouble. “Events are in play that within days will secure our rightful place in all of Asia.”
Lynne sat immobilized, stunned at what Atencio then revealed of Beijing’s plans, but it was his mention of Taiwan that left her shaken. Her fears of Armageddon were about to be realized.
Atencio shoved his chair away from the table, spilling the plate of lumpia onto the floor. “Unfortunately, it is with sincere regret...” He gave a sad shake of his head before continuing. “I once considered you a friend, but you will not be a witness to these momentous events as they unfold. The story of our struggle would have made you famous.” He motioned to a darkened corner of the room.
Lynne’s eyes darted to the corner. A man she hadn’t seen emerged from the shadows.
“Yes, Ms. Lynne, you know...shall I say, where the bodies are buried and you must join them.” He gave a jerk of his head to his accomplice. “Seize her!”
She screamed as the man grabbed her arms, forcing them behind her. Her plastic chair toppled with a clatter to the floor as he yanked her to her feet.
“Search her. She’s probably wired.”
Lynne gasped in pain. “Raul, what are you doing?”
“What I must.” He searched her face, then whispered in her ear. “No one will come for you.”
She let out a piercing scream and tried to twist free. The other man ripped open the front of her blouse and forced his hand into her bra.
Atencio grabbed her around the waist, lifting her off the floor and slammed her down on the stained concrete, straddling her. “You may make this easy or not. It is your choice.
Lynne thrashed out with her legs, twisting out of his grasp. “You bastard!”
The roar of automatic weapons gunfire erupted from the alleyway before either man recovered. The side door of the room burst open. A man clad in black tactical gear swung his MP-5 at Atencio’s accomplice cutting him down with a lethal head shot. He changed his aim point.
Atencio struggled to his feet, pulling Lynne in front of him.
Two more men sprang into the room, the second covered by his partner’s shoulder. The first sprinted forward and flattened both Lynne and Atencio with a fierce cross-body block.
Lynne untangled herself and rolled away. She recognized her rescuer’s face. “You?”
“Yeah, the market place.” He offered his hand and helped her up as his partner bound Atencio’s wrists and ankles with flexicuffs. He smiled. “I also played tight end in college.”
She tried to collect her wits. She recognized the partner. The old man? “How did you know?”
“Counter-surveillance,” he said, leading her to the door. “We gotta get you out of here. You can thank Jack later.”
Chapter 44
THE FAIRMONT HOTEL
13:35 FRIDAY 25 JULY
Dan Lantis tried to ignore the incessant chatter emanating from one of his luncheon mates. He was about to silence the man when a Secret Service agent approached.
The agent leaned forward and spoke quietly to him. “There’s a call for you, sir. You’ll need to take it in the van.”
Lantis folded his napkin, hoping the others didn’t notice the tremor in his hands. Despite eighteen months on the job, these calls were something he hadn’t grown used to. The White House Communications Office wouldn’t call just to inquire if he was having a nice day.
He was escorted to the Fairmont Hotel’s basement parking lot and ushered inside the communications van where he was handed a red-colored handset.
“Lantis.”
Grim faced, he listened to the report. “Yes, yes. Do we know any more? No? Thank you.”
He replaced the receiver and addressed the Army Warrant Officer seated next to him. “I need to speak with the Secretary of Defense.”
In a moment, the officer handed him the telephone. “Mr. Payne, sir.”
“Sheldon? This is Dan. Have you heard?”
“Our information is pretty sketchy.”
“Any signs of a Chinese response?”
“Possibly. I’ve just been passed a FLASH message transmitted by the Victorious. She’s Impeccable’s sister ship.”
“What’s she doing out there?”
“Recording the acoustic signature of the PLAN’s new Jin class ballistic missile submarine. They were intercepted by a Chinese destroyer south-east of Hainan Island and forced to alter course.”
“Can they do that?”
“There wasn’t much the Master could do. We’ve directed him to leave the area.”
“Can we get air cover?”
“That’s the President’s call, but Seventh Fleet has alerted Washington to put a package together.”
Lantis checked his watch. Nearly two. “We’re scheduled to return to the White House.”
“I don’t know the President’s schedule, but we need to meet.”
“Gotta go. He’s here.”
“I saw you get pulled out,” Stuart said as he approached the van. “Anything serious?”
“The Pentagon just received a FLASH message from the Victorious. She may be in trouble.”
Stuart pulled up short. “What happened?”
“A Chinese destroyer forced her to break off surveillance. Sheldon believes it’s connected to the Nationalist’s Han Kuang war games.”
Stuart threw his overcoat into the back seat of ‘The Beast.’ “Ride with me.
“This fits with what the CIA fed us from Manila.”
“Lynne?”
“Yeah.”
“We’ll talk on the way back.”
Chapter 45
THE SITUATION ROOM
18:00 FRIDAY 25 JULY
Stuart took a moment to gauge the mood of his staff. His eyes came to rest on Valardi. Richard’s face was drawn, ashen. The other’s appeared to be holding up better. “Sheldon, bring us up to speed.”
“At 1300 hours local, the Nationalists fired four Patriot missiles. Three of these hit target drones representing PLA aircraft. One missed. They followed the missile test with jet interceptor exercises conducted near Chinese airspace.”
Valardi stirred. “Don’t you think that’s unnecessarily provocative?”
“I’d venture to say that will be Beijing’s response. A miscalculation could prompt them to strike,” Payne answered.
“What about —?”
Gilmore wasn’t in the mood for questions from Valardi and cut him off. “We may have already seen it.”
What color was left, drained from Valardi’s face. “Seen what?”
“The initial reports we’ve received from Beijing and Taipei are mixed, but it appears one or more Chinese fishermen have been killed off Quemoy Island.”
Brown looked up from his laptop. “That fits with a report that just came across on ABC. The Chinese are claiming the slayings were the result of an unprovoked attack.”
“You’re ahead of me,” Gilmore said. “What do you have?”
“ABC is reporting Taipei’s Maritime Patrol Directorate General released a statement saying he was not aware of any boarding incident off Itu Aba Island and if that were the case, it had to be the work of Vietnamese pirates.”
Valardi recovered enough to pose a question. “You believe him?”
“They’re covering,” Brown answered.
The certainty of Justin’s response surprised Stuart. “Really?”
“Their statement also said that criminal elements have been cutting the nets and seizing the catches of Taiwanese fishermen near Macclesfield Bank. Perhaps the Chinese vessel was attacked by them.”
“Macclesfield Bank?” Gilmore said. “Where the hell is that? I thought the Chinese said Quemoy Island.”
Brown held up a hand. “Hang on until I finish reading. Okay, the Nationalists just issued a retraction. They’re now saying their first report was in error. The fishermen off Quemoy were using explosives to fish in violation of established agreements.”
Valardi, like everyone else at the table, was scrambling to piece things together. “At least that’s plausible.”
“The report we received at Langley said the fishermen ignored an order from a patrol boat enforcing the exercise restricted zone to stop and leave the area. When the sampan refused to acknowledge, warning shots were fired.”
“That’s probable,” Brown admitted.
“One of these rounds could have hit a fisherman,” Payne added.
Stuart shook his head. “Are we sure we’re talking about a sampan and not a Chinese naval vessel?”
“That’s a possibility, sir,” Lawson said.
“God damn it, then what is all of this about Macclesfield Bank? I thought we were talking about Itu Aba or Quemoy Island?”
“Yes, sir. The Macclesfield Bank is almost equal distance between the PLA’s installations on the Paracels and the AFP base on Pagasa Atoll. Itu Aba Island is about one hundred miles south of Pagasa.”
“Bob, Itu Aba is a long way from Quemoy.”
“Over five hundred miles, sir.”
“This is hardly the time to not have our facts straight. Somebody get me a damn map.”
Lawson knew the President rarely swore and sought to calm him. “I suspect Beijing is just as confused, sir.”
“That’s my point,” Stuart said as Payne spread out a chart of the South China Sea on the conference table.
Have we heard anything from the Chinese Embassy?” Stuart asked.
Valardi looked around the table and answered for all of them. “No, sir.”
Brown shifted through a pile of intercepts and pulled one.
Stuart looked at him. “Go.”
“Following the Nationalist’s report, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said that when the fishing boat attempted to leave the area, bandits opened fire and boarded. The spokesman said the Agricultural Ministry has jurisdiction of the fishing grounds near Itu Aba. They’re dispatching several vessels to investigate.”
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