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Chapters (37)
  1. Praise
  2. Also by
  3. Title Page
  4. Copyright Page
  5. Dedication
  6. PART I
  7. CHAPTER ONE
  8. CHAPTER TWO
  9. CHAPTER THREE
  10. CHAPTER FOUR
  11. CHAPTER FIVE
  12. CHAPTER SIX
  13. CHAPTER SEVEN
  14. CHAPTER EIGHT
  15. CHAPTER NINE
  16. CHAPTER TEN
  17. CHAPTER ELEVEN
  18. CHAPTER TWELVE
  19. CHAPTER THIRTEEN
  20. CHAPTER FOURTEEN
  21. CHAPTER FIFTEEN
  22. CHAPTER SIXTEEN
  23. CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
  24. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
  25. CHAPTER NINETEEN
  26. PART II
  27. CHAPTER TWENTY
  28. CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
  29. CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
  30. CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
  31. CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
  32. CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
  33. CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
  34. CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
  35. AUTHOR’S NOTE
  36. Teaser Chapter
  37. About the Author

Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018

Copyright © 2021 John Gilstrap, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”

All Kensington titles, imprints, and distributed lines are available at special quantity discounts for bulk purchases for sales promotions, premiums, fund-raising, educational, or institutional use.

Special book excerpts or customized printings can also be created to fit specific needs. For details, write or phone the office of the Kensington sales manager: Kensington Publishing Corp., 119 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018, attn: Sales Department; phone 1-800-221-2647.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

PINNACLE BOOKS and the Pinnacle logo are Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

First Kensington hardcover printing: March 2021
First Pinnacle paperback printing: December 2021

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

ISBN: 978-0-7860-4664-5

Printed in the United States of America

Electronic edition:

ISBN: 978-0-7860-4665-2 (e-book)

Dedication

To Joy

PART I

PART I

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER ONE

MCCREA CHECKED HIS WATCH AS HE PRESSED THE SMARTPHONE against his ear. Ten-fifteen. He knew she was home, and he’d give her three more rings before he kicked in the door. Finally the connection clicked. He started talking before the other side had a chance to speak. “Is this Victoria Emerson, U.S. representative for West Virginia’s Third Congressional District?”

“Who is this?”

He recognized her voice and heard the annoyance. “Please respond to my question,” he said. His tone sounded as urgent as he intended.

“Yes, it is,” she said. “Now, who is this?”

“Major Joseph McCrea,” he replied. “CRIMSON PHOENIX is active. This is not a drill.”

A moment of silence on the other end. “CRIMSON PHOENIX?” Her voice trembled. “Not Crimson Shield. CRIMSON PHOENIX?” The difference meant everything.

“Yes, ma’am, CRIMSON PHOENIX. I am here to escort you to safety.”

“You’re here?”

“I’m standing on your front stoop. Please open the door for me so I don’t have to open it for you. My way will be too loud for the neighborhood at this time of night.” He heard footsteps from the inside. A chain slid, and the door opened a crack. Even though he could see only an eye and a cheek, he recognized the face that had been made famous on so many talking-head shows.