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Operations Center 2, CIA Headquarters
Langley, Virginia

 

Leroux’s heart pounded as he watched Sherrie expertly navigate the streets of Dubai, Tong providing her with updates and guidance as they monitored the actions of the locals. Fortunately, for now, there appeared to be little ahead of them, though there was no way they were going to reach the extraction point.

They were going to be caught.

There was no doubt of that.

The question was who would catch them.

Honest police, or those on the payroll of the man pulling the strings, a man they assumed was in the convoy of SUVs.

We need to know who he is.

“Any luck tracing that phone?”

Child shook his head. “It’s a burner. Unfortunately, they didn’t get stupid on that front.”

Leroux cursed. If they knew who he was, they could perhaps apply leverage, yet until they did, they were powerless to do anything but hope Plan C worked.

“They’re almost in position,” said Tong, covering her live mike.

Leroux rose, stepping closer to the displays, the locals finally getting their act together, deploying other units in a bid to cut off the fleeing suspects of what they were treating as the first terrorist attack on their pride and joy.

The Burj Khalifa.

His eyes darted over to the pulsating icon indicating Sherrie’s destination. It was tantalizingly close, though several police units were about to get in their way. He turned to Tong. “Do you see that?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Get them around it.”

“I might not be able to.”

Leroux spun toward Child. “Can they redeploy?”

Child shook his head. “It’s too late.”

Leroux cursed.

Come on, sweetheart, you can do it!