Assignment to Disaster — Edward S. Aarons

Sam Durell heard it first at K Section of the Central Intelligence Agency: Calvin Padgett had disappeared. He had vanished from his guarded quarters, slipped past the MPs, got beyond the barbed wire, eluded the radar screen, escaped the 'copter patrol, and disappeared.

From Washington, D. C., the orders poured out: "Assign Samuel Durell. Tell him to find Padgett, stop him, gag him. If necessary, kill him. Durell has four days to accomplish assignment."

Ninety-six hours for Sam Durell to track down the one man who knew everything about our missile and satellite program.

It was the tough agent's toughest assignment.