He helped her slow her breathing. He glanced at the timer strapped to her chest, 4:47:01, it said.
‘What happened at the ladies?’ he asked.
She swallowed. Haltingly, she explained how it happened.
‘A man... he was wearing a cleaner’s uniform. He knocked on the door, said he was just bringing in a vase of flowers.
‘I said, “Okay, come in.” I was surprised when he came in with his cleaning trolley. But before I knew what was happening, he had me in a chokehold. I passed out.’
She was sobbing again. Steel wiped her tears and encouraged her to continue, ‘He gave me smelling salts. When I came to, I was already here, dressed in my wedding gown. And I had this strapped to me. He said he would detonate it if someone else other than you came to defuse it.’
She reached up to touch his face. ‘He said he’d prove that he’s better than you.’
He listened to her narrative, but like any Alpha male, he was already thinking of another angle. How did he get hold of our wedding gown?
Bianca sensed it, knowing the man she married. She explained without being asked, ‘I took my gown to the dry cleaners yesterday....’
He sighed. That’s better, he thought. Better than if the creep had managed to get inside their house to obtain the gown.
They were silent for a minute. Her vision narrowed, she was in a state of panic. ‘Promise me,’ she repeated, ‘that if you can’t defuse it that you will walk away. Promise me.’
He looked at the electronic timer, 4:30:55 it said. The bastard wants this to play out long and hard.
He gazed at her lovely face. ‘I only promised you Eternity. That’s what I promised you.’
That wasn’t what she wanted to hear.
‘Sarge,’ he said.
‘Yeah, Easy.’
‘I’ll focus on the bomb... you guys find the bastard.’
‘On it, Easy ... on it.’
IN FRONT OF CITY HALL, with the eyes of the world watching, Steel and Bianca squatted down. Just the two of them. From afar, they looked like lovebirds with no time for all others. As though the world began and ended where they sat.
He began to study the bomb.
In the back of his mind, he already knew that the bomber was from his past. No one from his present called him ‘Thomas’ anymore. He was either Tommy, Easy, Steel, or Tom depending on their relationship with him.
NOT FAR FROM WHERE they sat, someone from Thomas Steel’s past was watching.
And he was feeling triumphant.
4: Quandary
THE SCENERY AROUND THEM couldn’t have been more pleasant. Trees surrounded New York City Hall. On a bright summer day, such as today, the greenery made strolling in the park, hand-in-hand, inviting, but here they were sitting face-to-face on the hard concrete in front of City Hall. She smiled at him, to reassure him that she was fine.
He looked at her tenderly and said, ‘Had you not married me, you wouldn’t be here.’
She studied his hands, her most favourite part of him, kissed them and said, ‘I’ve no regrets. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. And again. And again.’
The Team heard it in their comm links and felt heart-broken for the couple.
He fell silent; the timer on her chest said 4:15:01. Time was indeed ticking by, yet he hasn’t done a thing for her.
This is precisely where this bastard wants me. Helpless. Not in control.
The sprocket of his brain started to turn. Bianca queried him, ‘Tommy, what are you thinking?’
Tommy.
He peeled his eyes away from the timer. No one in the world called him Tommy, ever. She had told him once, when they were cuddled in bed, it was a hybrid of her two most favourite words, ‘Tom and yummy.’
Reaching up to stroke her face, he said, ‘What made you say that?’
‘I can hear the wheels in your head spinning, what is it?’
She knows me too well.
‘I just thought this is what he wants, whoever he is. This is where he wants me to be, pinned down and unable to do anything. I can’t form a tactical approach with my Team. He knew I couldn’t, wouldn’t, leave your side. If someone else takes my place, it might well be the excuse he needs to trigger the bomb. Hell, I can’t even set up the jammer.’
Yamamoto jumped up as soon as she heard Steel mention jammer. Why hadn’t I thought of that?
Stupid! Bloody stupid, she berated herself. Lane smiled tightly as she rushed out to the Truck; the Wii One didn’t have to be told.
Thoughtfully, Steel said, more to himself, ‘There’s a way. There’s always a way.’
He looked down on the ground as he tapped the wire cutter against the concrete surface thinking, formulating a plan. He noticed a piece of fabric, picked it up with a pair of tweezers. ‘Does this belong to you?’
‘No,’ she said, ‘that’s part of his uniform. I ripped his breast pocket right off as I fought him. I must have been clutching it in my hand.’
His eyes widened, ‘I have a plan.’
‘Tell me, Tommy? I don’t want to be in the dark.’
‘I need to be with my people, but I don’t want you to be by yourself, we need April and May here to help us, are you okay with that?’
She brightened up, ‘Yeah, I’d like them to be with me.’
‘May will stay with you. April will help us sniff him out; she has a good nose.’
She nodded slowly; every movement she made caused her vision to swim. Steel noticed, ‘I’ll get food and water. What would you like?’
‘I’d love to have some Thai... it’s too early for lunch, I know.’
‘For my Munchkin, anything.’ Then, he paused suddenly, searched her eyes as though he was trying to figure her out. ‘Don’t do anything stupid because I would be angry with you forever. I would be,’ he repeated for emphasis. ‘You've got to trust me.’
‘Okay,’ she said trying to sound buoyant.
‘Promise me?’
‘Promise.’
A ONE-THOUSAND-FOOT perimeter had been set up in all direction.
Itching to be back by her side quickly, he accelerated into a sprint towards the Command Truck. He turned back once just to make sure Bianca was still there, not that she had anywhere to go.
He got there in less than a minute. Lane met him, eager to find out what was on his mind. The Team gathered around.
‘Sarge, this is outside the square, but we need April and May.’
Lane nodded, ‘I hear you, buddy. Anything. We don’t have to stick to the tried and tested.’
‘Thanks, Sarge,’ he turned to Knight, ‘Here’s the house key, get the girls.’
The newbie was about to take off, when he called him back, ‘Knight, May...’
‘...is blind. I know. We’ll be here before you know it.’
Turning to Yamamoto, he said ‘Wii, I need to set up the jammer.’
The NYPD has in its arsenal a radio frequency (RF) jammer that blocks radio, cellular and satellite voice communications. It implements a jamming wave to block data reception of wireless networks. It could also be used to eliminate surveillance signals with video feed from the ground and air-based reconnaissance devices.
Yamamoto, the Wii One, smiled and said she had already done it.
Steel was pleased to find a portable jammer on wheels already rolled out, connected it to a DC battery power, antenna exposed, and the activation switch turned on. There would have been several of them sited strategically. They were in business.
RF jamming was instantaneous, blanketing an area the size of a football field with radio interference to hinder the use of radio controlled bombs. On the downside, it also hindered communications.
Yamamoto stated the obvious, ‘But Easy, this means our comm links would be useless.’
He nodded, ‘Yeah, we win some, we lose some.’
He scratched his head; it meant that he and Bianca would be isolated from his Team unless they could find some way to communicate, ‘Yamamoto, get me a bi
no, does anyone here know Morse code?’
He had in mind using Morse code signal flag. It would be tedious but under the circumstances, it was that or yell at the top of their voices. Or, do the Chinese whisper. On top of that, they had to look for flags. They weren’t part of their bomb disposal and disarmament arsenal.
Martin said he could sign. ‘My sister is deaf. I’ll go with you and translate for you. And we’ll find another one to sign for the Team.’
Steel smiled, ‘Good thinking. Okay, find another sign interpreter.’
The young rookie turned on his phone. Bugger, no signal. He looked at Yamamoto, who shrugged her shoulders. Martin sprinted towards the Command Truck, parked fifty metres outside the jammer’s range to make a call.
‘Kearns, I need you to source a tent. It’s going to be sweltering soon; she’ll fry out there. And while you’re at it, could you get us food and water, please. She’s asked for Thai. She likes Pad Thai noodle with chicken.’
He took his wallet out to pay for the nourishment. Kearns shook her head. ‘Just get her out of there.’ Her eyes said, no ifs and no buts.
‘Thanks. I will,’ he replied with conviction.
He turned back to the rest of his Team. ‘Look for the building supervisor, janitor, anyone. We need to find the cleaning trolleys, dust them for prints, maybe he’s in the system. April can help us narrow it down to the cart he used.’
Yamamoto piped up instantly, ‘I’ll look for the super.’ She turned on her ass, not wasting a second to wait for an answer.
Not long after everyone had gone to attend to their task, Lane and Steel walked back to the Command Truck.
Martin was coming out of it just as they got there, ‘A friend’s coming to assist,’ he informed them, ‘and there’s a call from SWAT Team One.’
The fully-equipped Truck that doubled as their communication hub had everything they needed to get their job done, including high-end computer and communication devices.
Sam Logan, SWAT Team One’s Team Leader, was on the line. His snipers were manning the roof around the perimeter.
Lane took the handset, ‘Yeah Logan, what’s up?’
‘I’ve someone claiming to be the bomber on the line.’
Lane and Steel looked at each other.
Logan transferred the caller. The Fearless Leader took control and started with the usual introduction, ‘This is Sgt Dylan Lane of the NYSP Bomb Squad. Who am I talking to?’
The man sniggered, ‘I’m not interested in talking to you. I’m interested in Thomas Steel.’
‘I’m afraid he’s not available; you have him sitting with the victim remember.’
The bomber was angry and disappointed. Slowing his speech to make his point clear, the caller said, ‘Don’t you lie to me, Sgt Dylan Lane. He’s in there with you, so ...Put. Him. On. The. Line. Or. His. Wife. Dies!’
The men exchanged glances. He’s watching.
Lane gave the phone to Steel. ‘This is Thomas Steel of the NYSP Bomb Squad Unit. Who am I talking to?’
The bomber-incognito went ballistic, raving mad, for some unexplained reason. His voice pitched higher, ‘Who am I? Who am I? Well, guess who. I’m the one you cheated out of my science award. I’m the one you denied! Now I will show the world that I’m better than you. That I deserved the prize, not you. NOT YOU.’
Steel stared at Lane with a puzzled expression. Puzzled, yet as calmly as he could, he said, ‘Sir, I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
Really, cross my heart.
He had no idea what the man was rapping on about. Genuinely at a loss, he said, ‘Sir, would you kindly refresh my memory?’
‘You’re saying you don’t remember me?’ The man sounded so tightly wound that any second now he could spring out of his box.
‘No, Sir, I don’t remember.’
‘WRONG ANSWER!’
He bellowed so loudly everyone listening jumped.
‘This will help you remember. After this, you will always remember me.’
Suddenly there was an almighty explosion, followed by pandemonium, and unrestrained screaming from terrified onlookers.
Lane and Steel raced each other out of the Truck and watched helplessly as people trampled on one another to get away from the scene. Patrol officers rushed to guide them out of harm’s way.
Yamamoto was momentarily frozen clutching the arm of a man. They watched smoke rise off their left flank, just outside the jammer’s range.
Bastard, they thought grimly.
When she recovered, Yamamoto addressed the building supervisor she had found. ‘Stay here, trust me, you’re safer here than anywhere else.’ The poor old guy was shaking like a leaf.
CONCERN FOR HER WELL-being made him do it; adrenaline did the rest. Steel ran to Bianca, who was curled up on the ground in a foetal position.
‘Bianca, Bianca.’ He didn’t realise it, but he was screaming her name, unsure if she had been hurt.
He sprinted so fast he could have raced Usain Bolt and out-run him. ‘Bianca,’ he caught a movement as she shifted. ‘Are you okay?’
She tried to sit up but wobbled. He held her close, stroked her hair and whispered, ‘I won’t leave you again.’
She laid her head on his chest, not caring anymore if the world ended in the next minute. She was beyond tired and beyond scared. She was in shock.
He repeatedly stroked her face, ‘Talk to me, Munchkin. Talk to me.’
She mouthed the words without sound, ‘I’m scared.’
‘It’s okay to be scared. It’s okay. I’m here,’ he said. ‘Am not leaving you again.’ It tore his heart to see her vulnerable, fragile and wounded, ‘Everything will be fine.’
Minutes passed, he murmured, ‘Do you remember the first movie we watched together at my place?’
She smiled, ‘An Affair to Remember.’
‘Play a quote game with me, Munchkin.’
A tear rolled down her face. Here they were in life and death situation, and he’s trying to keep her mind off the danger. ‘You start,’ she said.
He adjusted himself and pretended to be Cary Grant looking at Deborah Kerr, who played Terry McKay in the movie.
‘Here goes, ready,’ he said with a smile. ‘But you have such an honest face.’
She replied, ‘I have?’
‘I can trust you, can't I?’
‘Yes, I suppose so.’
‘Good, come with me.’
‘Yes, but the Captain has an honest face too! Why can't you tell him your troubles?’
Young Yamamoto’s eyes twinkled as she listened to the loved-up couple. I didn’t know; it’s so cute, that movie; I’ll get that tonight.
JUST THEN, FROM THE corner of his eye, he saw two beautiful dogs running towards them. April, a retired K9 bomb-sniffer they adopted early in their relationship and May, a blind-from-birth Yorkshire terrier.
April was clutching a leash attached to May’s neck in her mouth. Steel got up instantly, talking to himself, ‘Cool it now, Mom can’t play.’
They didn’t need to be told. April stopped and barked from a distance, alert to the smell of chemical strapped to Bianca’s chest.
April stopped moving for a moment. Steel encouraged her, ‘It’s okay, Mom’s okay.’
She gazed at her Mom with those beautiful golden orbs before walking slowly towards them, leading May along. Bianca knelt to meet them and gave them both a back rub.
Once again, Steel was in a dilemma; he must take April to his Team. As Bianca soothed the canines, he paced back and forth behind them, wracked with indecision.
In the end, it was Bianca who told him to go, ‘Tommy,’ she said, ‘Go with April. I’ll be fine.’
He knelt on one knee and said, ‘I’ll be right back, I promise.’
He kissed her, patted May, who had been standing quietly next to Bianca, ‘Watch Mommy.’
The little dog wagged its tail. ‘Good girl.’
He and April raced back to join the Team, just as
Kearns was returning with food, water, and a tent.
Steel asked Knight, who was familiar with the canine, ‘Take April and the building super with you, find the cleaning trolleys.’
He offered the piece of cloth from the bomber’s clothes to April; he hoped there was enough scent on it for the dog to work on. Then handed it to Knight, ‘She’s got a good nose. Good luck.’
He turned his attention to Kearns, ‘Thanks,’ he said.
He took the items to Bianca and returned a second time for the tent. For now, the least he could do was to make her comfortable.
LANE LIAISED WITH THE cavalry. SWAT Team One had, at last, triangulated the location of the blast to the possible range of a trigger switch; and, cross-referenced that information with where the bomber could also have eyes on the Truck.
EASY MOVED BIANCA AND May from the concrete ground to the grass area beneath some trees. It would remove them from prying eyes and the cameras trained on them.
He erected the tent. When he was done, he looked at the timer. It said 3:10:16.
Close to an hour had gone
He closed his eyes and prayed.
5: George Lee and the Dead Man’s Switch
THEY MADE THE MOST of the situation and tried to enjoy their shared meal. He encouraged her to eat, using the chopsticks that were provided, but more important to him was her water intake. He wanted her to drink as much as she needed.
He was conscious of the fact that she could hurl the food out later. Stress would do that to anyone. The tension will eventually get too much. She was perhaps aware of it, too, for she slowly chewed every mouthful before swallowing and ate very little of it.
They felt weird, for lack of a better word, that they were sharing a meal at such a time as this. Hopefully, not their last, neither dared to express the morbid thought that crossed their minds.
May stood by Bianca, unperturbed. Now and then, the faithful canine would nudge her out of her reverie, not letting her go down that road.
May had a sense of smell as keen as April’s, but, not being a trained bomb sniffer, she had no fear of this thing that was strapped to her Mom. To her, it was just something that smelt of marzipan.
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