Brink of Chaos Read Free Page A

nervously. The Aussie grabbed Han’s fake press credentials badge hanging around his neck and studied it. “
South Korean Weekly Journal
?”
    Han nodded again.
    “Never heard of it. Must be small.”
    Han said, “Very small. Just started.”
    “Well, you’re not exactly competition for me, I guess, so I’ll do you a favor. I’ve got a hunch where we can get up close, get in JoshuaJordan’s face for a quick Q&A. I’ve scouted out the church. I think I know which route he’s taking. Follow me.”
    Han brightened. “Great idea.” He slipped his hand into his coat pocket until he touched the smooth lignostone surface of his handgun. “I would like to get up close. You know … get right in Joshua Jordan’s face.”

TWO
    Joshua and Ethan walked down a corridor that led to the back parking lot of the church. Ethan walked a step ahead, checking corners and intersecting hallways as they went. He told his mentor, “The back exit’s coming up.”
    From behind a voice called out. A security guard trotted up. “Colonel Jordan, let me escort you.”
    Ethan turned and cut in. “Not necessary, thanks. I got it covered.”
    The security guard stopped, still looking at Joshua, who had a cautious look on his face.
    Ethan lowered his voice and flashed a grin. “Josh, really, I got this. I know we’re in South Korea,” he said with the mock cadence of a school teacher, “which is right below North Korea, and I know you’ve got some nasty history with the North Koreans. But I’m your security guy on this trip. I’ve checked the route. Let me earn my salary here, okay?”
    Joshua studied his assistant for a moment. Then he nodded to the security guard. “Thanks so much for your help. We’ll take it from here. God bless.”
    The security guard smiled, waved, turned, and headed out of sight.
    As the two men continued down the hallway, Ethan thought of something. It had been on his mind for a while, but it was touchy. Now seemed like a good time.
    “So, Josh, I was going to mention something. I’ve got this friend back in the States. He knew pretty much everything that had gone on, you know, how I’d been interested in your daughter, and about thefact that Debbie eventually gave me the heave-ho, telling me that she didn’t think it would work out between us. Well, when I told him I’d been hired as your personal assistant, he thought I was crazy. He told me this kind of arrangement would never work. He said, ‘How can you ever hope to impress your boss, when your boss knows his daughter told you to buzz off?’ Which got me thinking …”
    “About what?”
    “My working for you. You have to admit we have a pretty unusual working relationship.”
    Joshua stopped in the hallway and studied Ethan’s face. Then he said, “Actually I think you’re missing something.”
    “Oh, yeah?”
    “After Debbie told you that it wouldn’t work out between the two of you, I wondered why in the world you would still want to work for her dad.”
    “That’s easy,” Ethan responded. “Despite everything, you’re still one of my heroes. I always wanted to work for the best. You’re it.”
    “You’re giving me a big head,” Joshua said, giving Ethan a pat on the shoulder. “Let’s get moving.”
    Ethan picked up the pace and trotted ahead. He came to an exit door, pushed down the bar handle, and swung it open. Ethan was now out in a private parking area that was blocked off from the public lot by a toll gate at the other end. He had the plastic pass key to swipe at the gate, and he craned his neck to survey the area, first looking to his left. The parking lot that was empty except for their rental car. Then he turned to the right but jumped a little to see two men standing against the church building, next to the open exit door.
    Han Suk Yong was standing off to the side, a little behind the Australian.
    “Sorry,” Ethan barked, “this area’s restricted. You both have to leave.”
    The Australian journalist lifted