Colonel Pham had been reticent since joining them at the airport in Sai Gon and had not spoken at all since leaving Da Nang. As they neared the center of the small town of Que Son he seemed to awaken. Looking intensely to their front, he tapped the driver on an arm, directing him to halt at the edge of the road in front of a boxy cement building that housed the Que Son District Headquarters.

Just outside the building, two squat, hard-looking little men were waiting for them underneath a huge red communist flag. The car stopped right next to the two men. Colonel Pham burst from it, leaving Condley and Muir still inside, and began an intense discussion with the district government officials. Watching the older man’s sudden vigor, an enormous respect washed over Condley.

“He’s taking no prisoners,” mused Condley.

“Excuse me,” asked Muir, “but aren’t they on the same side?”

“Not on this one. This is sort of like ‘you bet your life’ for Colonel Pham, Professor. That’s why he came up here with us. Ha Noi wasn’t happy about our request, and he’s on the hook personally if things go wrong. If we embarrass the government, he loses big face. If we were hiding a second agenda that’s more explosive, he can count on either retiring or going to jail. So he’s got to help us and at the same time not lose face with them.”

“What’s he saying?” asked Muir as the two caught bits and pieces of the conversation from inside the car.

“Basically, he’s telling them he’s in charge,” said Condley. “And that he wants the no-bullshit, exact fucking truth.”

“Da, honcho obah dare!” laughed Ngoc the driver, pointing at Colonel Pham. “VC khong thich, say America numbah fuckin’ ten!”

“What does he mean, number ten?” Muir seemed confused.

“Number one is the best,” chuckled Condley. “So use your imagination.”

“Numbah fuckin’ ten thousand,” decided Ngoc, laughing greatly as he watched the three men conduct their intense debate. Then suddenly he retreated inside his mask, staring straight ahead again as Colonel Pham climbed back into the car.

“Di theo duong nay!” said the colonel firmly, pointing straight ahead, and Ngoc immediately pulled back onto the road. Looking behind him, Condley saw that the two men were following them in another four-wheel-drive vehicle.

The colonel remained silent for several minutes as they took the road through Que Son and back into the countryside. His tension was palpable. For a moment Condley regretted having put him into such a dilemma. Then finally Colonel Pham turned back to Condley. His face was determined, his eyes bright with challenge. He gave Condley an ironic but victorious grin.

“They have something to show us,” said the colonel, speaking in Vietnamese. “But they will want a reward.”

“Do they have the guy?”