Description: Chapter Header 53 |

Operations Center 2, CIA Headquarters
Langley, Virginia

 

Leroux shook his head as his team kept firing updates at him, the map lighting up with additional icons representing local law enforcement converging on the Burj Khalifa.

But that wasn’t what concerned him.

It was the hotel security heading for Bravo Team’s position.

“Bravo-One, Control. You’ve got locals en route, ETA less than five minutes. You’ve got hotel security on its way to your floor now. Less than one minute before they arrive, over.”

“Armed?”

Leroux peered at the display showing men in a combination of uniforms and business suits, too many preparing weapons. “Affirmative.”

“Can you delay them?”

Leroux snapped his fingers at Child who threw up his hands. “I can’t stop their specific elevator!”

“Then stop them all!”

“But how will our guys get out?”

“Just do it!”

Child hammered some keys and the security cameras quickly revealed the results as buttons were jabbed by those now trapped inside the high-speed elevators.

Leroux smiled. “Good work. How long will that hold them?”

“Maybe two minutes.”

Leroux activated the comm. “You’ve got two minutes, Zero-One.”

“We’ll take them. I’ve got a phone you need to trace.”

“Now, or can it wait until you’re clear?”

“Can’t wait.”

Leroux pointed at Tong. “Get on it.”

Tong took over the conversation, the subject phone dialing into a secure local number in Dubai that she was tapped into. “I’ve got what I need, Zero-One.” She worked her magic and cursed as she looked up at the main display. “A call was just placed to a phone in the city.” She pointed. “Blue icon, heading for their location now.”

Leroux frowned. “Cameras?”

Child brought up the traffic camera feeds, a convoy of half a dozen SUVs racing into view then just as quickly out of it. “That can’t be good.”

Leroux agreed. “No, it can’t.” He activated his comm. “Zero-One, Control. You’re about to have more company.”