Page 118 of Clive Cussler's Quantum Tempest
“The Nexus.”
“Nexus? What is the Nexus?”
“Leaders.”
“How many are in the Nexus? Who belongs to it? Where are they located?”
“Don’t know.”
“If you don’t know who the leadership is, how do you know it’s not a CIA operation? Or FSB?”
“We attack…everyone.”
“Can you tell me all of the attacks you have participated in? Places, dates, objectives?”
“Yes.”
Peng glanced over at Tu. The agent pulled a Sony digital voice recorder from his pocket and handed it to Peng.
“Please proceed.”
Nighswonger spent the next ten minutes providing specific mission details from her past operations.
Peng fought the urge to strike the helpless woman as she confessed to over a dozen attacks that resulted in the loss of millions of dollars of state property and valuable Chinese lives.
“And that’s all you can remember?”
“Yes.”
Peng held up the voice recorder and Tu pocketed it for later transcription and dissemination.
“Any other names you can think of? Any Guardians you haven’t already mentioned? Friends? Allies of your organization?”
Emily blinked hard, trying to fight against the serum that was beginning to wear off. Her teeth clenched.
Peng stroked her forearm, and cooed soothingly. “Emily, don’t fight this. If I’m forced to give you another dose, youwilltalk. But the risk to your sanity would be very grave. I don’t want that. Neither do you. Just give me the name, and then you can rest.”
Nighswonger’s clenched jaw softened, and her lips parted.
“Only saw her…once.”
“Go on.”
“We call her the Huli Jing.”
“The Fox Spirit. A shape-shifter. A spirit of deception.”
Nighswonger smiled fondly. “Yes.”
“Tell me about her.”
“Beautiful. Brilliant. With special knowledge. A true believer.”
“What is her nationality?”
“Chinese.”
Peng lifted an eyebrow, surprised and curious.
