“You sonofabitch,” Blunt said with a growl.
“One of my analysts came to me with an opportunity, suggesting we use you unknowingly in this op.”
“What if it hadn’t worked?”
Frazier smiled. “We knew it would work the whole time, but there were other backup plans in place just in case something went sideways. We certainly weren’t anticipating the show that Peterson put on though, that’s for sure.”
“Now when you say working withterrorists, what exactly do you mean by that?”
Frazier took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly. “Well, at this point, all we know is that this person of interest has contacted a liaison from Al Hasib. The plan is to sneak one of their operatives into the country very soon to work with a sleeper cell.”
“Do you know where they plan to strike or what they plan to do?”
“Nothing yet. We’re still gathering more intelligence, but we know something is going to happen very soon.”
“How soon?”
“Maybe within the next week or so. It’s going to happen before the election, which I think is the point.”
“That bastard Peterson wants to invite an attack just before everyone goes to the polls to assure a victory. What an idiot. He’s already steamrolling Young, if the polls are to be believed.”
“It seems like overkill to me, too,” Frazier said. “But maybe Peterson is making a plan to loosen the defense purse strings when he gets into office. He does have quite a number of big financiers in the tech industry given his background. I’m sure they’re all hoping he sends a few contracts their way.”
“Or maybe he just wants to make sure he doesn’t choke like he did in that California senate race about a decade ago when he blew a fifteen point lead with a week to go and vowed to never enter politics again.”
“Whatever his reasoning, we need to stop him before this attack comes to fruition and hundreds of innocent Americans die.”
“And arresting me helps you how?”
“There have been whispers going around the Beltway for a while now about a joint venture between the NSA and FBI to arrest a high-profile political figure,” Frazier said. “This will quell those rumors and hopefully make our target more comfortable than he should be. Perhaps he’ll make a mistake and we’ll be able to catch him.”
Blunt leaned forward in his chair, signaling his full interest in the situation. “You need to be proactive on this,” Blunt said. “Sitting back and hoping someone will make a mistake is a good way to watch another tragedy occur.”
“I didn’t mean to imply that we’re not actively pursuing the target, just that we’re still gathering the intelligence we need to make an arrest.”
“Arresting him is the last thing you need to be concerned with if what you think is going to happen will occur. You need to stop the threat first and foremost. Worry about compiling enough evidence to put him away in federal prison later.”
“That’s not how we work, J.D. You ought to know that by now.”
Blunt sighed. “Don’t I know that all too well. It’s why you have to have people like me to do the dirty work. We may not always operate within the confines of the law, but we snuff out threats and save lives, all while protecting the good name of the United States of America to the world abroad.”
“And we appreciate what you’ve done, but we’re going to handle this one our way,” Frazier said as he started to place the folders back in his briefcase.
“I need to make a phone call,” Blunt announced as he stood.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t let you do that.”
“This is important, Justin. If you don’t let me do this, those innocent people you’re so concerned with just might die like you fear.”
“We’re already on it. You don’t need to worry about it.”
Blunt narrowed his eyes and pointed at Frazier. “No, you don’t understand. You and your little army of eavesdroppers aren’t going to be able to stop what’s about to happen.”
“We’re sticking with our plan. Injecting any other players into it endangers our success.”
“Success is making sure there aren’t body parts splattered all over a city street. Now, if you’ll let me make a phone call, I’ll get someone here who can put your mind at ease and catch this terrorist scum. What’s really going on here? I have a feeling you’re not telling me everything.”
Frazier sighed. “Okay, I wasn’t be completely straight forward with you.”
Blunt sat back down. “What is it, Justin?”
“We have reason to believe that the terrorist is actually already here in the country. More precisely, we believe he’s already in New York planning his attack.”
“In that case, you really do need me to make this phone call.”
“Who are you so desperate to reach?”
“Brady Hawk.”
“And where is this Mr. Brady Hawk?”
“Since you’re finally being completely honest with me, I might as well tell you the truth—I have no idea where he is.”
“In that case, Mr. Hawk won’t do us much good, will he? Just leave it to us. You do your part by staying put so we can ferret out the rat.”
Blunt nodded, but he wasn’t in agreement.
CHAPTER 23
Kumzar, Oman
HAWK HELD ALEX’S HAIR BACK as she leaned over the side of the boat. The combination of a rich meal the night before and choppy waters led to an upset stomach that could only be solved one way. When she finished puking, Hawk handed her a towel followed by a bottle of water. She thanked him before easing into her seat and hoping the worst was over.
A half hour later, the captain slowed the boat down and eased into the fledgling port of Kumzar. The northernmost settlement in Oman happened to be located on an island at the edge of the Strait of Hormuz. The captain explained to Hawk and Alex that the people were generally friendly and welcoming to tourists.
“But we’re not tourists,” Alex said to Hawk in a whisper.
“If we
