Summary

Ned Swain regrets his decision to try to quit cigarettes as he gathers intelligence with his older comrade, Nigel, for the U.S. Central Security Service, the most elite and highest-ranked clandestine military outfit. The CSS is tasked with building and maintaining the world’s best intelligence and cyber-defense apparatus in the world. Their security agents are known as Bluebirds (from their security contracting firm called Bluebird), and Nigel has been unnerved by Leila’s presence at a security station. Nigel has ordered that pressure be stepped up on Leila following her mass e-mail. It is revealed that her two minders are not actually Zeya’s men, but two monks who command great power among the people. Ned is ordered to pick out Leila’s driver for an assassin. Ned finds Aung, but tells the hired assassin that the person believed to be...