Phoenix Agenda

pering through the Nevada hills. Inside the max

surface, a pla

d rock that stretches as far as the eye can see. It is a place of isolation a

e desert was not a hind

a spider's web. They dug tunnels beneath the desert sands, their path hidden

iftness of desert foxes. The escape tunnel opened directly into the back of a waiti

It wasn't until seven minutes later, when they star

ling, but it was already too late. The Phoenix leaders were go

he international security community. Agencies across the gl

fuming. He'd been so close to shutting down the Phoeni

rowled to his team. "Before

s vast, and the P

e streets and alleyways of Europe's most notorious cities, from the slums of Naple

lead, from dusty villages in the Sahara to the bustling

sing month, the t

gh," John growled, hi

thless interrogator. A man with a dark past and a steely gaze that

ed, his eyes fixed on a map of the world. "

nding a ripple of tension through the air. His methods were unorthodox, his t

business. He marched into the interrogation ro

nd chained to their chairs, looked u

almost sadistic glee. "Oh boys," he said, his voice l

asking simple questions ab

rgei Ivanov upped the ante. He leaned in clo

and calculating, "I've heard some pretty

at the Phoenix had committed. "Do you know what we do to men who c

aled, his eyes darting

hink you're strong, don't you?" he said. "You t

ping open the lid to reveal a set of shiny, silver too

r, his eyes glued to the tools. "What...what are you g

g whisper. "I'm going to show you what ha

from the box. He held it up to the light, watching the bl

he said, his voice as cold as ice. "An

hang in the air, t

gan to sweat. "Wait, wait!" he pleaded. "I'll

d what about you?" he said, turning his attentio

or help. But the first operative was in no mood to help. "I'm n

o, the fake defiance, the bluffs and double-bluffs. Bu

his face a mask of steely determination. Ser

low and dangerous, "it se

pale and sweaty