COLONEL NGUYEN STRODE TO the back of the barn. There was no need for stealth this time; they undoubtedly knew he was coming and he knew exactly where they were. All he had to do was follow the noise of the hammers, the chain saws, and the electric drills.
There was no longer any pretense that Pham led a secret resistance; the ground swell of support he had received since the torching of the Truongs’ home gave him the confidence to act openly.
The largest inner room of the barn was used as a storage and construction facility. Today, the large swinging double doors were closed, and Pham and one of his followers stood guard outside.
Colonel Nguyen tried to push past them without comment, but they closed shoulders and blocked his passage.
“Let me through, Pham,” Nguyen said.
“I regret that I cannot,” Pham replied. His face was stony and impassive.
“I want to know what you are doing in there.”
“And I would like to show you. But under the circumstances, how can I? You have made it clear that you oppose me.”
“I oppose bloodshed, if that is what you mean. I oppose the wasted loss of lives. And families.”
“As do I,” Pham said solemnly.
“Don’t you see you’re leading all of Coi Than Tien on a path of destruction?”
“I believe I offer Coi Than Tien a chance to live with honor. Where we choose to live.”
This was pointless. They had had this debate a thousand times, and he had yet to make the slightest dent in Pham’s thick head. “What are your men doing?”
“We are … building,” Pham said.
“That much I know already. What are you building?”
Pham’s lips remained closed.
“Is it for the parade?”
Pham’s eyes widened in reaction to the last word.
“For weeks now, you have been extremely well informed about ASP’s activities, both past and future,” Nguyen said. “What is your source of this information?”
“I am more interested in learning how much you know, Colonel Nguyen.”
“I know you plan some sort of disruption. A surprise.”
“A warning,” Pham replied.
“You are so eager to issue warnings, yet you yourself have ignored all those we have been given.”
“What warnings?”
“What happened to Nhung Vu was a warning. What happened to your grandmother was a warning. Don’t be a fool!” He shoved Pham aside and started for the door. As he fumbled with the latch Pham’s partner pushed him back. He stood between Nguyen and the door, fists raised.
Pham scrambled back to his feet and positioned himself behind Nguyen, sandwiching him in. All three waited to see who would make the first move.
Colonel Nguyen felt his entire body stiffen. It was a familiar reaction; even subconsciously, he was preparing for combat. “Do not presume to fight me,” Nguyen said, barely audibly.
“You leave me no choice,” Pham answered.
“I would not welcome combat with my own people.”
“Nor I. It is possible that a warrior such as yourself would be able to defeat both me and my companion. But remember—there are twenty more of us just inside these doors.”
Nguyen had to remind himself that this boy was not the enemy, not really. He had to control his temper. A fistfight in the barn would accomplish nothing.
“I beg you to reconsider,” Nguyen said. “For all our sakes.”
Pham repositioned himself in front of the doors. “I am afraid that once again I must decline. Please go.”
Colonel Nguyen slowly pulled away from the barn doors.
“You will see, Colonel Nguyen,” Pham shouted as he departed. “One day you will see that I was right. Tomorrow will begin a new era!”
Yes, Nguyen thought as he walked into the harsh glare of the noonday sun. That much he believed.
Starting tomorrow, everything would change.