Hawk studied the bomb. “Tell me what I’m looking at here.”
“It’s complicated,” Colton said. “So listen carefully.”
* * *
FAZIL LOOKED AT HIS WATCH. The automated voice alerted the passengers to the name of the upcoming station.
“Next stop: Washington Square.”
One more minute until Al Hasib becomes a name on the lips of everyone in the world. One more minute until the Americans regret killing my brother.
A satisfied smile swept across Fazil’s face, but the grin vanished when the train jerked to a stop in the middle of the tunnel.
“Just great,” mumbled a man. “More construction delays in the tunnels.”
“Probably because of that damn parade,” griped another woman.
“It’s getting to the point that it’s faster to walk,” a man standing behind Fazil chimed in.
Fazil pulled his phone out of his pocket and noticed he didn’t have a signal, which was typical for being stuck underground. He turned to the man behind him. “How far away from the platform are we?”
“Maybe another thirty seconds or so on the train.”
“What about on foot?”
The man’s eyes widened, and he leaned back from Fazil, studying him up and down.
“Do you have a death wish? You’d be a fool to try and run through the tunnels.”
Fazil glanced at several of his men who’d boarded the train with him.
“What are you guys?” the stranger asked. “Part of some flash mob? Man, I hate those things.”
“Rest easy, my friend. We’re part of no such thing.”
Fazil pushed his way past the man and through the crowded train car until he reached the back door. He forced it apart, squeezed through the opening, and broke into a sprint.
* * *
HAWK SNIPPED ONE OF THE WIRES and breathed a sigh of relief when nothing happened.
“You’re doing great, Hawk,” Colton said. “Just relax.”
“What’s next?” Hawk asked. “And how much time do I have?”
“You’re going to sever the blue wire next.”
Hawk’s hand remained steady as he pinched the designated line and cut it with the scissors from his pocketknife.
“Alex wants you to know that she’s got the subway system stopped, but Fazil’s train was only one block from the platform.”
“In other words, if he got off the train, I won’t have much time.”
“That’s the assumption around here,” he said. “The FBI has dispatched a dozen agents to Washington Square, but there’s no guarantee how much time we have left.”
Hawk wiped his brow with the back of his hand. “Just keep telling me what to do.”
* * *
FAZIL SKIDDED TO A STOP when he saw several flashlights combing the darkness in front of him.
He climbed between a couple cars near the front and made his way to the opposite wall. Easing along toward the platform, he ducked into a maintenance hatch and waited for the flashlights to pass. He peered through the glass portal in the door and watched until the agents were hidden on the other side of the train.
Creeping back out into the tunnel, he gently shut the door and walked several meters before breaking into a sprint again.
“Look! Over there!” one of the agents shouted.
But Fazil knew it was too late. He had a huge head start and only needed to make it to the top before they did.
Without warning, the lights in the tunnel powered back on and the train began rumbling down the tracks behind him.
Fazil pumped his arms, knowing this was his moment for glory.
“Allahu Akbar!” he said to himself as he ran.
By the time he reached the station, the train was less than a hundred meters behind him.
Fazil scrambled up onto the platform and raced toward the stairs, jumping over the turnstiles and through the confused crowd of passengers awaiting the next train’s arrival.
Hustling up the steps, he reached the top and realized his cell signal was at full strength. He quickly redialed the number with his right hand, while his left thumb was depressed on the detonator linked to the phone. After ringing once, a connection was made and a green light flashed on the device in his left hand.
“This is for you, brother,” Fazil said.
He pulled his hand off the device and waited to hear an earth-rattling explosion north of his location.
But nothing happened.
“Come on,” Fazil said as he pushed the button again and again.
Still nothing.
* * *
HAWK COLLAPSED next to the suitcase once he severed the final wire.
“It’s finished,” he announced.
Colton relayed the message, and Hawk listened as a raucous celebration occurred in the background.
“I knew you would do it,” Alex said.
“You wrestled that earpiece away from Colton fast,” Hawk said.
“He doesn’t need it now. I think he’s going to celebrate with a few drinks and try to forget this ever happened.”
“Well, New York City would’ve been a mess without you, too. I knew you would think of something creative to buy me some time.”
“That’s all you needed, wasn’t it?” she said. “Just a little bit more time?”
“I need to start realizing that any time I have is precious.”
“Yeah, you’re not invincible, though it sure does feel that way sometimes—just not when you’re forced to disarm a nuclear weapon in the middle of Manhattan during a Veteran’s Day parade.”
Hawk stood and looked toward the street. Another float rolled by, packed with more oblivious veterans.
“This would’ve been a disaster.”
“Let’s not worry about what could’ve been,” she said. “I say we join Colton and let him buy us some drinks.”
Hawk grunted. “We’re not done yet.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Fazil. Where is he? We can’t let him get out of the country, much less the city.”
“Hang on,” she said. “I know he was spotted at Washington Square Park a few minutes ago. Let me see what I can find out.”
Hawk paced around the pile of suitcases and shook hands with the agents there, thanking them for their assistance. He realized just how vital each person’s contribution was or else he would’ve been vaporized.
“Just got a report,” Alex said. “And I’m afraid you’re not going to like it.”
“What is it?”
“Fazil is gone.”
“What do
