Mukaro Mission Redux

Book 5 of the Burnham series begins in the aftermath of the terrorist incident in Virginia's Shenandoah National Park (Book 4, Lone Wolves). Frank Burnham has just tracked down and killed Vasili Shomov, the retired Russian Spetsnaz operative who had been recruited by al Qaeda. In the tradition of "no good deed goes unpunished", Burnham now finds himself under Federal investigation because he has been able to do what the American intelligence organizations have been unable to. But he also has another problem. A Cuban assassin, working at the behest of the Nicaraguans, has been ordered to assassinate Burnham in retaliation for a deadly incident in Nicaragua in 1983 (Book 3, Venganza). Using intelligence provided by the Cuban spy Ana Montes, a star analyst for the DIA, the assassin stalks Burnham waiting for his chance, but time is running out.

All charges are finally dropped by the Justice Department. The facts of the case are too explosive for a public trial. In a quid pro quo deal, Burnham gets his freedom but has to agree to work for the CIA as a contractor. Even though they have been embarrassed, the CIA wants his demonstrated expertise in the growing war on terror. As their more experienced leadership understands, this war will be brutal and savage and Burnham is unique; he's "off the shelf ready".

Burnham is soon leaving the US for his home in southern France for some much needed R & R and to await a mission for the CIA. The assassin has little time to execute his orders. But for some time, the FBI has suspected that Ana Montes is a Cuban spy. The FBI decides to use Burnham as bait to flush out her and the assassin. Luckily for Burnham, they nab the assassin just before he completes his mission.

After he returns home he decided to take a vacation with his lover Anna Guerin. They return to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe where they fell in love the previous year (Book 1, The Jackals Feed). But once more Zimbabwe is simmering with intrigue just below the surface. Rumors are circulating that the President, Robert Mugabe, might be assassinated or forced from office by a coup. Because of his deep experience with Zimbabwe, Burnham is pressed into service to help the local CIA Chief-of-Station figure out who the conspirators are and the possible political ramifications if they are successful. Plots and sub-plots abound and old scores are settled the only way that Burnham knows. Along the way he learns that his old friends, General David Khumalo and his brother Colonel Benson Khumalo, are conspirators in the plot to eliminate the President. So is Elgin Banks, a former American war-hero who is now a super-rich and powerful businessman in Zimbabwe with close ties to the corrupt politicians. And slippery, power-hungry politicians always have their own agendas.

Burnham recruits the beautiful Cheryl Miller, Elgin Banks' personal secretary, to spy for him. She's fed up with the corruption in Zimbabwe and her boss' equally corrupt business dealings. But sparks fly between the two; Cheryl Miller is one beautiful, smart and gutsy woman. Burnham's loyalty to Anna Guerin is put to the test.

The day finally arrives. President Mugabe's fate will be decided at Mukaro Mission. Few remember that he survived an assassination there in 1980, but Burnham and Benson Khumalo do. They were there. Burnham couldn't care less if Mugabe is assasinated, but all is not as it seems. Despite being pursued by PISI, the Zimbabwe version of the Gestapo and the hostility of the American Charge d'Affaires who wants him thrown out of the country, Burnham has to race through the African night to try to save his friends from betrayal.