“What do you do here?” Tom asked.
“I’m the head of what you would call CIA paramilitary operations. The official title is Chief of Covert Action, which allows me a lot of flexibility. Far East Division is more than happy to give me my space. I run a few special projects but mostly manage our assets on the ground, though being here in Saigon has naturally led to relationships I can leverage in support of the war effort.”
“Like recruitment?”
“Something like that.”
“Are you the chief of station?”
“No. The COS works out of Saigon Station in the embassy. It’s the largest CIA station in the world right now. Agency has the top three floors. I try to keep my distance. He’s got a bigger job, more political, and has to constantly deal with State. I have a different mandate.”
“What do you want with us?” Quinn asked.
“First, I want to express my sincere condolences on the loss of your teammate.”
Quinn nodded.
“Jack told me he’s arranging transport for you to Kontum and that you will be notifying his family.”
“That’s right,” Quinn said. “I recruited him out of Polei Kleng near Kontum in ’66. I’ve met his wife and son. It’s only right that I tell them.”
“I’ve offered the Agency’s assistance if you need it. Air America flight. Anything you need.”
“Why?”
“As you know we work hand in hand with SOG; targeting, assets, strategy. If I’ve got the assets and can help, I will.”
“Thank you.”
“Now, about the prisoner. We have identified him as Phúc Trân, a colonel in NVA military intelligence. Did you see the documents from his satchel?”
“No, we just turned it over to MI and the interrogators,” Quinn replied. “What was in it?”
“Maps of American bases in Quang Tri, Hue, and Da Nang.”
“All in the North,” Tom said.
“Yes. It also contained three red envelopes with messages inside.”
“What did they say?” Quinn asked.
“Lam Nut Bau troi, Rung chuyen Trai Dat,”Tom whispered.
“That’s right. How did you know?” Serrano asked.
“He kept mumbling that phrase the entire flight down here. Like he was in some sort of trance.”
“The envelopes also had lists of names,” Serrano continued. “Still working on it, but each list of names corresponds to the areas surrounding Quang Tri, Hue, and Da Nang.”
“Who are they?” Tom asked.
“From what we have ascertained, they appear to be Catholic clergy, teachers, people working for the provincial government, and a few merchants.”
“A hit list?”
“I would suspect.”
“Why just in the North?”
