Assignment: Peking — Edward S. Aarons

“Durell? Sam Durell?”
Sam stood silent and motionless.
“Sam, please answer me. It is quite all right. You can answer.”
Sam heard a scratching sound, a faint click of metal on metal. There was quiet, sustained breathing.
The voice called again.
“Major Shan! Shan Tze Peng!”
“I am here,” said Durell.
“Mr. Shan, I will get you out of here. I shall save you!”

Sam knew the words were a lie. He smelled danger. It was death breathing outside his door. Someone had already betrayed him. Someone who knew he was wearing another man's face. Someone Sam Durell had trusted for a long time…maybe even loved.

The slant-eyed stranger in his mirror looked back at him with growing horror…