Page 116 of Clive Cussler's Quantum Tempest

“Why?”

“To restrain you, of course. It was that or chain you to the bed. This seemed a more pleasant alternative.”

Nighswonger’s eyes narrowed.

“You’re not my doctor.”

“No, but I am your savior, if you cooperate.”

The door opened again. Square-jawed Agent Tu entered the room. He had arranged for Nighswonger’s transport from the hospital to this secret facility. He took up a position in the corner, his large-caliber pistol barely concealed beneath his ill-fitted suit coat.

“You’re MSS.”

“Very perceptive.”

“I have nothing to say to you.”

“I have a few questions for you. Please answer them truthfully and I can make you comfortable.”

“Go to hell.”

“You are already there.”

Peng smiled as the woman’s face flooded with panic.

Peng pulled back the cloth on the steel cart, revealing three syringes on the stainless steel tray. He let her study the needles.

“Now do you remember the car wreck?” Peng asked.

Nighswonger turned her head aside, and stared stone-faced at the ceiling. A single tear fell from the corner of her bloodshot eye.

“Yes, of course you do. It’s all coming back now, isn’t it?” Peng lifted one of the syringes, and plunged its needle into the IV access port.

“I have just administered a newly developed drug, Zhenqing-7. It’s a biochemical compound ten times more effective than Pentothal, otherwise known as a truth serum. In a moment, the compound will take effect and I will ask you a series of questions. You will answer those questions truthfully because the drug will make you answer them, and there is nothing you can do to resist telling me the truth. Understood?”

A few moments later, the brain-altering compound took effect. Emily’s hardened features softened as her eyes dulled and her mouth fell open.

Peng sat on her bed and took her hand in his, patting it like a father comforting a frightened daughter.

“What is your real name?”

“Emily,” she whispered in a raspy voice.

“Nighswonger?”

“Yes.”

“Excellent. And you were formerly a biomedical researcher at the Lawrence Livermore National Lab?”

“Yes.”

“But now you are a member of the Guardian organization, correct?”

“Yes.”

“You were with a man named Aidan Scally. Was he a Guardian as well?”

“Yes.”