Day 6: May 20, 0600 Hours, Daylight Saving Time
Washington Capital Beltway, Virginia
KHALIFAH LEFT THE Washington Capital Beltway, Interstate 495, onto the ramp to the George Washington Parkway heading southeast toward DC. He changed lanes several times, slowed, sped up, and constantly watched for any possible surveillance in the few headlights behind him. Halfway to the Chain Bridge that spanned the Potomac into the Capital, he pulled to the roadside and let all visible traffic pass him before continuing on his way. Along the route he made mental notes of his surroundings, turns, and exits, and he continued to seek out any threats following him.
Satisfied he’d had no surveillance, he maneuvered through the turns for Chain Bridge and reversed direction, returning to I-495 and continuing his dance the remaining forty miles to Baltimore.
There, he repeated his surveillance detection tactics, reversed direction twice, and wound his way to the Inner Harbor.
Before beginning the long trip home, he parked in an alley just off restaurant row and strolled through the lit streets and walkways, taking careful note of the security cameras and vehicle barriers protecting the pedestrian streets around the Inner Harbor.
As he passed a Baltimore Sun vending machine, the front page caught his eye. A collage of photographs filled the top fold. Each had a horrific scene—bodies in the street, burning cars, a mosque in flames. The caption above the photographs read, “President Calls for Calm.” He inserted several coins and withdrew a newspaper.
The story below the fold said it all. Across the country, mobs had taken to the streets to protest the string of terrorist bombings. Smaller, lesser-known copycat events had begun around the country. In St. Paul, Minnesota, a sniper had killed three Muslims walking to morning prayer. A car rammed the front door of a small, remote mosque in Canton, Ohio, and burst into flames. In Tempe, Arizona, a series of mail bombs were caught on their way to Middle Eastern neighborhoods.
Fear had turned to anger. Anger had turned to revenge. Revenge had vanquished reason.
Khalifah tucked the paper under his arm. Even he had not considered these consequences. Perhaps there was another million in his future.
Operation Maya was ahead of schedule.
His reconnoitering concluded, Khalifah returned to his SUV to make the long, circuitous drive back to Winchester.
The Inner Harbor was beautiful and full of tourists this time of year. It was perfect for his surprise.