* * *
HAWK DECIDED TO LAY LOW for a couple of days after he’d infiltrated Fortress Security. Severely injuring one of the thugs Ackerman had sent after Hawk wouldn’t exactly endear himself to the company’s boss. But Hawk had come to the conclusion that his work was done. He’d yet to contact Alex and find out how her operation went, but he decided the best move for the time being was to regroup and form a plan to get out of the Middle East. Oman had provided cover at a time when he needed it most, but he was growing weary of being watched everywhere he went.
Oman’s public library system was almost non-existent, but he decided to venture to the university in Muscat and figure out a way to communicate with Alex. The results of her plan would have to dictate his next steps.
On the campus of Muscat University, Hawk attempted to blend in as best as he could. Though the students were overwhelmingly Omani, the faculty members were diverse. Based on the frequent visiting members, an American walking around between buildings wouldn’t draw the same kind of attention such an action would anywhere else in the city.
Hawk bought a brief case on his way downtown to serve as a prop while at the school. Though he’d been the recipient of many long glances elsewhere, nobody on campus paid him any attention. Upon arriving at the library, he talked his way past one of the librarians. Hawk claimed that he’d lost his faculty card, convincingly enough that the man at the desk gave him a temporary username and password to log into the computers.
Hawk logged into the joint email account and sent Alex a message, inquiring about how things went. He also asked if she was online at the moment. Passing the time by catching up on current events, he logged back in a half hour later to find that Alex had responded. Her note included a detailed report on her phone conversation with Michaels and how she delivered the information to her reporter friend.
By employing a family friend, Alex explained how she set up a drop on the L train in Chicago as a way of protecting everyone involved. She told Hawk that the reporter reached out to her after receiving the information and promised that he’d write a story within the next couple of days.
Hawk smiled as he read the message. He wrote her back and shared his desire to leave Oman since they’d accomplished what they needed to with Michaels. Since nothing was left for him in Oman, Hawk shared how all he wanted to do was get back west, preferring to wait out Michaels’ demise somewhere in Europe.
“I haven’t seen a Bollywood movie in ages,” he wrote. “And I think I know just the person to watch one with me.”
She responded by letting him know that she would contact Blunt and they would establish a rendezvous point.
“Isn’t telecommuting amazing?” Hawk wrote in his final message. “I’ll look forward to hearing from you.”
Hawk walked toward the library exit, thanking the man at the reference desk before leaving. Once the warm air blasted Hawk as he stepped outside, he couldn’t help but smile. Fortune had smiled favorably upon the Firestorm team. A prideful and sloppy Michaels had sealed his own fate. In a matter of days, living in hiding would be a distant memory.
However, as Hawk walked back home, he continued to be bothered by the fact that Michaels might still intend to sell weapons to terrorists. Stirring up conflict might still be his way of dodging scrutiny. Hawk considered the possibility that Michaels might dismiss the allegations and claim his victories over terrorist groups as his reason for why the American people should still vote for him. His ability to spin any negative news had become almost legendary. Pundits marveled at the way voters extended grace to a man, who, time and time again, had proven to be anything but trustworthy. But polls showed people felt safe with Michaels in the White House, which proved to be an insurmountable attribute.
Hawk dismissed his concerns as paranoia, choosing to dwell on other topics during his long walk home. Topics such as Blunt’s whereabouts, Alex’s safety, and the Texas Longhorns’ position in the latest Associated Press poll were all welcomed in his mind. As long as Hawk didn’t have to consider the possibility that their plan would ultimately fail, he was fine.
Upon arriving at his apartment, Hawk fixed a quick dinner and devoured it in less time than it took to make it. He finished his evening by contemplating his email exchange with Alex on the roof.
Leaning forward on the railing, he watched the lights of Muscat twinkle in the distance. The glow of a city still hard at work illuminated the horizon, reducing the chances of seeing any stars. Though returning to civilization relieved Hawk, he missed the overhead masterpiece provided in the sky soaring over the Al Hajar Mountains. Devoid of light pollution, the canvas that stretched from horizon to horizon had been a pleasure to observe each evening after the thankless task of navigating grumpy customers across challenging terrain. Hawk didn’t miss the work, but he couldn’t deny how much he enjoyed unwinding beneath the glorious beaming stars each night.
A smile swept across his face as he remembered the pristine beauty while appreciating Muscat’s own unique display. But that smile ended abruptly when he felt the blade of a knife jammed dangerously into his back.
“If you want to live, you won’t make another move,” the man said.
CHAPTER 11
Brighton, England
ALEX GLANCED AT THE CALLER ID on the phone.
