It’s the deadliest poison known to man. He’s the only one who knows its true power. She’s the only one who can stop the evil. The chase is on. . . . Number-one bestselling author Iris Johansen showcases one of her most fascinating characters yet, pitted against one of the most ruthless killers, in a novel that will make you forget to breathe. . . .   Catherine Ling was abandoned on the streets of Hong Kong at age four. Schooled in the art of survival, she traded in the only commodity she had: information. As a teenager, she came under the tutelage of a mysterious man known only as Hu Chang---a skilled assassin and master poisoner. As a young woman, she was recruited by the CIA and now she is known as one of their most effective operatives. Having lived life in the shadows, Catherine is aware of the wobbly moral compass of her existence and even more aware of just how expendable she is to those she deals with. When her old friend Hu Chang creates a formula that’s not only deadly but completely untraceable, the race begins to be the first to get it. With rogue operative John Gallo also on the hunt, Catherine finds herself up against a group so villainous and a man so evil that she may not survive in her quest to protect those she cares about: Hu Chang and Luke---the son who was stolen from Catherine and only recently brought home safe. Using all of her formidable skills, Catherine Ling proves the age-old belief that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Iris Johansen is at her page-turning best in this novel that takes you from the corridors of Langley to the alleyways of Hong Kong and the darkest places of the human soul.   IRIS JOHANSEN is the New York Times bestselling author of Eve, Quinn, Bonnie, Chasing The Night , Eight Days to Live , Blood Game , Storm Cycle (w/Roy Johansen),  Silent Thunder  (w/Roy Johansen), Deadlock, Dark Summer , Pandora's Daughter , Quicksand ,  Killer Dreams , On The Run , Countdown , Firestorm , Fatal Tide , Dead Aim , No One To Trust  and more. CHAPTER 1 Sai Tam Island, China   “WHERE THE HELL ARE THEY?” Venable, deputy director of the CIA, had his binoculars focused on the small cottage in the valley below. “Special Ops were supposed to go in from the rear fifteen minutes ago and take Hu Chang out of there.” “It’s a difficult job,” Agent Gregory said. “The place is surrounded by mercenaries. You told Special Ops they had to get Hu Chang out alive.” “You’re damn right. We have to know how much he told them and what he gave them.” Besides the fact that Catherine Ling, who was one of his best agents, would kill Venable if he allowed it to be bungled. She and Hu Chang had some kind of history. Even Venable wasn’t sure exactly what it was. But, dammit, it wasn’t Venable’s fault that Hu Chang had gotten into this mess, and the CIA was having to pull him out. Not that he wouldn’t have had to go after him anyway if the story Venable’s informant had told him was true. A potion that complex and dangerous had never been invented. It probably wasn’t true, but why else was Hu Chang down there being tortured to make him talk? Venable couldn’t take the chance. “There they are,” Gregory said as he went to the back of the helicopter and threw open the door. “We should be out of here in ten minutes.” Shots. The door of the cottage flew open and four men in Special Ops gear ran out. And in the middle of the group was a slim, dark-haired man in a torn tunic. Hu Chang. “ Yes. ” Venable watched as the Special Ops men fired back over their shoulders while they headed for the woods. Men were streaming out of the cottage. More shots. Then Hu Chang and the special team had disappeared into the trees. “They should reach the helicopter in three minutes,” Gregory said. “I’ll go tell the pilot to be ready to lift off.” Three minutes passed. Shots. No Special Ops. No Hu Chang. Another four minutes. Venable began to curse. Justin, the Special Ops commander, burst out of the trees and was climbing the rocks toward the helicopter. “Is he here?” he called. “I told him where you were in case we got separated. I can’t find him.” “What?” “I can’t find Hu Chang. When we reached the trees, he slipped away from us. One minute he was there, the next he was gone. He’s not here?” “No, he’s not here.” “Then I’ll go back for him.” Shots. More men running from the cottage to the woods. “No, get your men back to the helicopter. You’re outnumbered. Just lay down protective fire to keep anyone away from the helicopter.” “What about Hu Chang? He was my mission, dammit.” “Evidently he didn’t want to be your mission,” Venable said. “And I’m not going to lose any of your men because he endangered you by this stupidity. We’ll give him ten minutes, then we’re out of here.” “They’ll surround the area around the helicopter. He won’t be able to get through.” “That’s his problem. Go get your men.” *   *   * PAIN. The bullet had entered Hu Chang’s side, piercing flesh and muscle. The pain was blunt and brutal. He