Phoenix Agenda

clutches of the Phoenix. Now, they regrouped at a secure facility in a secluded par

ealing a glance at him. He could sense her apprehension,

ck in his chair, "what do y

anger. "You lied to me," she spat. "You pro

get you on our side," he said. "And let's be honest, if we had

, but she said nothing.

voice calm and measured

inued. "The Phoenix lied to you too. They promised you t

e. "And what makes you think I'

riend," he said. "And right now, the Phoenix wants both of us dea

lders slowly dissipating. "Fine," she said. "But know this: the mo

ghtly twisted. "Believe me, I w

nt Marks. "So, w

x has gone underground," he said. "But we have

ed. "And that means we need to understand how they operate, w

?" John asked, his eye

s," he said. "You know their organization inside and out.

words, a slow smile spr

aid. "I'll tell

ng their structure, their members, and their operations. She gave names,

. Despite his initial mistrust, he found himsel

n grim. "Thank you, Annette," he said. "T

she said, her voice low and intimate. "Because if it do

itched, but he

sion in the room. "We have a plan," he said. "A

world, marking several ke

e," he added, pointing to a location in northern Africa, "is their headquarters. We need to

ready racing. "And how d

"With a little help from our friends," he said. "We've bee

Agent Marks said. "We're talking about Interpol, the CIA, the Mo

enix anticipate ou

t's where you and Annette come in. You'll be the spear

ette, both of them reading the d

of burning planes and bodies flashing across t

egotiation or mercy. The Phoenix had sent a message to the

D.C. was a hive of activity. Agents and analysts worked around the c

tional law enforcement agencies. The invite list was a who's who of the world's top investigators: the head of MI6, the di

wn for its rich history of espionage and intrigue. John Mitchell woul