Assignment: Afghan Dragon — Edward S. Aarons

“YOU'RE CAUGHT IN A NUTCRACKER, SAM, BETWEEN THE RUSSIANS AND CHINESE.”

It was supposed to be a routine assignment. Nothing dangerous. Nothing sticky. Just track down the famous missing Afghan Dragon -- a national treasure worth in the neighborhood of five million dollars.

The neighborhood was very rough, though. The missing Dragon had become a cause celebre. The Middle East had a brand new powderkeg. And Sam was sitting right on top of it.

Durell was not happy. Someone was using him as a patsy. Someone had betrayed him. Someone on his own team.