Two Minutes to Midnight

by R. J. Patterson

  “You’re right, Hawk,” Blunt said. “I doubt he’s doing this so he can put you in his sights and shook you. This might not be the kind of set up to kill you; however, he’s definitely setting you up for something. And whatever it is, it won’t be good.”

  “I’ll figure out something,” Hawk said.

  “Your life depends on it this time—as does Colton’s.”

  Hawk nodded as he closed his eyes.

  What are you up to, Karif Fazil?

  Hawk fell asleep, contemplating the question that would surely haunt him in his dreams.

  * * *

  HAWK AWOKE WITH A NUDGE from Alex. He rubbed his eyes and shielded them from the sunshine streaming through the window.

  “What’s going on?” he asked.

  “Welcome back, sunshine,” Alex said. “I wasn’t sure if you were ever going to emerge from your beauty sleep. For a while I thought we were gonna have to find a princess to kiss you.”

  “I was sleeping that hard?”

  “We went through multiple time zones along with three rough patches of turbulence, one of which rattled loose a cupboard door in the kitchen and resulted in a pile of dishes sliding across the cabin floor.”

  “And I didn’t wake up?” Hawk asked.

  “You didn’t even stir,” Alex said. “I was quite impressed.”

  “Guess I was due for a long sleep.”

  “You’re still not as sound of a sleeper as Gayle over there,” Blunt said, pointing with his eyes. “She fell asleep before you did—and she’s still out.”

  “Are you sure you weren’t pumping some aerosol version of Ambien through the ventilation system?”” Hawk asked.

  Blunt smiled and patted Hawk on his shoulder. “Wake up quickly because it’s time to get to work.”

  “Where are we?”

  “In Moroccan air space,” Alex said. “Time to make the call.”

  She handed Hawk the phone as he sat up straight. He rubbed his eyes once more and took a swig from the bottled water situated in his seat’s cup holder.

  “Here it goes,” he said.

  He pushed the send button and waited for a response. After three rings, a man answered the call.

  “Is this Mr. Hawk?” the man asked.

  “It is.”

  “Take down the following coordinates.”

  The man proceeded to list a string of numbers, which Hawk scratched down onto a scrap piece of paper.

  “Give those coordinates to your pilot,” the man. “That should get you to the Marrakesh Airport. Once you arrive, taxi to hangar number thirty-seven. Remain in the plane until we call you. A refueling tanker will refill your tanks and prepare you for the next leg of your journey. Understand?”

  “Roger that,” Hawk said before he hung up.

  He tossed the phone back to Alex before standing and striding toward the cockpit. He knocked on the door and handed the coordinates to the co-pilot.

  “Change of plans, men,” Hawk said. “We need you guys to put this bird down in Marrakesh. You have the numbers in case you need them.”

  The two men nodded and looked at Hawk.

  “We’ll be there in less than ten minutes,” the co-pilot said.

  Hawk returned to his seat and reported the status back to the rest of the passengers.

  “You ready for this?” Alex asked.

  “We’re about to find out, aren’t we?”

  Once the plane touched down, the pilots maneuvered the jet to the assigned hangar and waited. As promised, a tanker rushed up next to the plane and started the refueling process.

  “Think this is going to be some kind of game where Fazil sends us all over the world?” Alex asked.

  “It already is.”

  Gayle was wide awake at this point and on edge. She dipped into her purse and pulled out a flask, throwing back a few shots before slipping it back inside. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and leaned forward in her seat, straining to see out the window.

  “What’s going to happen next?” she asked.

  “They’ll let us know what to do,” Hawk said. “Just try to relax.”

  “I just want Tommy home,” she said, tears welling in her eyes. “I want this whole thing to be over with.”

  “You’re in good hands, Mrs. Colton,” Alex said. “Don’t worry.”

  Gayle’s phone rang, and she answered it immediately.

  “Hello,” she said.

  “Give the phone to Brady Hawk,” a man on the end said loud enough that they could all hear it.

  She complied.

  “What’s next?” Hawk asked.

  “Take the money, and place it on the cart being delivered in front of the door of your plane,” the man said. “Then drive the cart east along the edge of the tarmac until you reach a giant white x. Once you reach there, open the suitcases to show us the money. Once we see the money, we’ll signal for you to step away from the cart and come toward our plane. At that time, we’ll release Mr. Colton.”

  “Sounds easy enough.”

  “One more thing, Mr. Hawk.”

  “What’s that?”

  “No weapons. We’re watching you, and if we see you so much as pretend like you’re going to draw your gun, you’ll have a bullet in your head and be dead before you hit the ground. Understand?”

  “I understand,” Hawk said, “but also understand this: Gayle Colton is coming with me. She’s not going to wait to see her husband.”

  There was a brief pause and some murmuring.

  “We will allow it,” the man said before he hung up.

  Hawk handed the phone back to Gayle and explained the protocol as he understood it. Once the stairs were lowered, Hawk helped Gayle down them. He began loading the suitcases of cash onto the baggage cart Al Hasib dropped off nearby, while Blunt and Alex remained in the back of the plane and out of sight. If Al Hasib happened to notice the other Firestorm team members, Hawk warned that it could set off a gunfight.

  After he finished loading the vehicle, Hawk flashed a quick salute to the pilots and wheeled the cart in the direction given to him by the Al Hasib agent. With each hangar situated about 300 meters apart, Hawk had some time for a few last-minute words with Gayle.

  “It’s going to be over in just a few minutes,” Hawk said, placing his hand on top of Gayle’s.

  She looked at him and forced a smile.

  “You know, I always resented you and what you stood for, Brady. You were the constant reminder of Tommy’s indiscretions, his moral failings. Every time I saw you, I wanted to punch you and then punch Tommy. And even after I found out that you weren’t the result of one of his affairs, I couldn’t see you as anything else. But I don’t feel that way any more.”

  Hawk smiled and squeezed her hands.

  “You’re a good woman, Gayle, especially for sticking with Thomas. I can’t imagine he’d be an easy man to be married to.”

  “No, he’s not. But he’s mine, and I still love him, despite all his faults.”

  “Nobody’s perfect, but I hope he’s become more tame in his old age.”

  She nodded. “He has. We dealt with the past and moved on. It wasn’t easy, but it’s helped me realize how much I appreciate him.”

  “For what it’s worth, he always treated me well when I was younger. And as much as he’s done some irksome things lately, I would certainly never let him twist in the wind, especially at the hands of Al Hasib.”

  “Thank you,” she said. “I know I’ve been hysterical, but I’m glad this is almost over.”

  Hawk decided to let Gayle live in her dream world. He suspected they were only getting started.

  “Looks like we’ve almost arrived at our destination,” she said, pointing to the freshly painted white x on the tarmac.

  Hawk slowed the cart to a halt and then climbed out. He glanced around and noticed Colton’s plane lurking in the shadows of the next hangar.

  “Do you see your husband’s plane in the hangar over there?” Hawk asked.
>
  She craned her neck to see into the unlit building. “Are you sure? It’s so dark.”

  “I’m sure. I’m going to hold the money up in that direction.”

  Hawk proceeded to open the cases and turn toward the hangar. He hoisted stacks of cash and pointed inside. One by one, he went through the four suitcases in the same manner until he saw some men emerge from around the corner of the hangar. They motioned for Hawk and Gayle to walk toward them, just as had been explained on the earlier call.

  Hawk and Gayle walked about a hundred meters, Gayle clutching Hawk’s arm and staying close. Another cart toting a trio of guards raced out to the location where Hawk had left the suitcases. Hawk glanced over his shoulder at the men before returning his gaze forward. The other men near the hangar gestured for Hawk and Gayle to stop.

  “What do you suppose is the problem?” she asked.

  Hawk looked behind him at the guards transferring the suitcases from one cart to the other.

  “You don’t think the bank shorted you any money, do you?” he asked.

  “No, of course not. I told them that every dime had better be there. Do you think that’s what’s going on?”

  Hawk shrugged. “I’m not sure, but whatever it is, I don’t like it.”

  He surveyed the scene cautiously, feeling naked without a weapon. If Karif Fazil wanted Hawk eliminated, this would be the prime moment. And while Hawk held firm to his belief that Fazil wanted to first gloat with a victory on U.S. soil, the assassin wondered if he’d been overconfident in assessing the psyche of Al Hasib’s leader.

  Hawk and Gayle remained frozen as they waited for the next actionable moment. A half a minute later, Thomas Colton staggered out of the shadows and walked toward them. He appeared as if he’d undergone a severe interrogation or two. Colton wove back and forth as he moved toward them, his attempts at moving in a straight line resulting in a wobbly path. Gayle shortened the distance by ignoring the orders to stay put and raced toward him.

  Hawk watched as one of the guards raised his weapon.

  Please, don’t shoot.

  The guard relented when the baggage cart rolled to a stop in front of his line of sight. A pair of guards jumped in the vehicle and zoomed toward Blunt’s plane. Everything happened so fast, but Hawk saw the situation unfolding as if it were in slow motion.

  He hustled over to Gayle, who tried to hold up Colton on her own. Neither one of them were doing well, Colton unable to stand and Gayle unleashing a stream of tears.

  “I need your phone,” Hawk said to Gayle.

  She sniffled and dried her eyes before digging into her purse for her cell. After a brief search, she held it up just as it began to buzz.

  “Well, what do you know?” she said, blissfully unaware of what was happening.

  Hawk took the phone and answered it.

  “This wasn’t part of the deal,” Hawk said as he answered.

  Karif Fazil was on the other line. “I think you are getting everything that you were promised. Sorry that it doesn’t meet your expectations.”

  Hawk watched as the guards stormed Blunt’s plane. Seconds later, the engines began to whine in a high-pitched sound until they were roaring.

  “My expectations were that we would make an exchange—Thomas Colton for the cash.”

  “If there is one thing I have learned in life, it is that things do not always go as you expect them to, Mr. Hawk. So, now that I have your attention, we need to talk. I’ll be in touch soon.”

  Hawk narrowed his eyes as he watched Blunt’s plane zoom down the runway, gaining speed before the jet lurched skyward.

  CHAPTER 7

  Zagros Mountains, Iraq

  KARIF FAZIL HELD HIS PALM flat so Jafar could peck at the spread of breadcrumbs. Fazil’s pet bird bobbed its head up and down, scarfing down every piece until Fazil’s hand was clean, devoid of even a scant morsel. Against the far wall in the Al Hasib hideout, Fazil watched the security camera footage of Hawk holding a phone as he stood helpless in front of a hangar at the Marrakesh airport.

  “What do you think, Jafar? Should we give him a call back?” Fazil asked aloud. “I would be willing to bet that the suspense is killing him.”

  Jafar fluttered away to his perch across the room.

  With a smug grin, Fazil dialed the phone number Hawk had just called from. Fazil watched as Hawk furrowed his brow while studying the screen.

  “This is Hawk,” he said as he answered.

  “Brady Hawk, it is truly wonderful to hear your voice again,” Fazil said.

  “I’m not in the mood for games.”

  “What a shame,” Fazil said. “You’re so good at them.”

  “Like the one I schooled you in when you were in New York?”

  Fazil moaned and then continued. “As much as I hate that you foiled my brilliant plan, I have to give credit where credit is due. You figured out a way to thwart my scheme, and it was quite an ingenious idea at that. I thought I had everything covered, but I learned a valuable lesson that day: Never underestimate the power of a good partner. It is essential to success.”

  “So you kidnapped my partner to even the playing field?”

  “That is one way to look at it, but I’m viewing this situation in a different light.”

  “How so? This looks like a pretty simple hostage situation to me.”

  “Actually, I’m putting into practice what I learned. After much thought and reflection on what went wrong in New York, I realized that my efforts were not supported with a good partner, merely good soldiers. There is a difference I now understand.”

  “If you’re going where I think you’re going with this, you can stop right now and dream on. It’s never gonna happen.”

  “Do not be so hasty to reject my offer,” Fazil said. “I have spent considerable time pondering what might happen if we joined forces instead of fighting against one another.”

  “It’ll be a cold day in Hell before I ever help you do anything.”

  “I would caution you, Mr. Hawk, against making such blanket statements, especially when the person you love the most and the man you look to as a father figure are both being held captive by Al Hasib forces.”

  “If you lay a hand on her, I swear I’ll—”

  “You are also not in a position to make threats. In American parlance, I believe the phrase is I hold all the cards.”

  “I don’t care what cards you’re holding, you can shove up them up your ass. I won’t be manipulated to do your bidding. The two prisoners you temporarily hold will prove to be your downfall. It was a bold move, Karif, but one you will regret for eternity in Hell.”

  Fazil laughed heartily. “Such boldness and courage and passion. It’s why we’ll make a great team.”

  “Perhaps there is a language barrier between us. So let me clear this up for you once and for all: I will never partner with you.”

  Fazil shook his head and chuckled. “Oh, but I think you will. You are full of the American bravado, but it will not get you far in a negotiation. And that’s what we are doing here.”

  “A negotiation? This sounds more like you trying to give me an order.”

  “Call it whatever you wish, but you will do what I ask.”

  “I swear you are either deaf or stupid.”

  “I could say the same about you,” Fazil said. “Perhaps you fail to understand the gravity of the situation facing Alex once she arrives. My men are—how can I put this delicately—rather deprived in certain areas of their lives. Giving themselves over to a cause as great as the jihad waged by Al Hasib means certain pleasures must be sacrificed. But if you continue to refuse my invitation to work for me on this upcoming mission, I would not hesitate to give them a reprieve, if you understand what I mean.”

  “I clearly understand what you mean, and I can promise you that I will scatter your ashes to the four winds after this is all over, regardless of what happens with Alex and J.D. while they’re in your custody.”

  “I can assure you tha
t they’ll be well taken care of,” Fazil said. “And based on your answer, I’m glad that you have come around to see things my way and have chosen to embark on this mission.”

  “And what exactly is this mission?”

  “I want you to help me kill Noah Young.”

  Hawk laughed. “You are insane, aren’t you? Do you honestly believe I’m going to kill the president for you?”

  “Not kill the president. Help me kill the president.”

  “This won’t end well, even if you succeed.”

  “Perhaps not, but I’m betting it will end better than my last attempts at seeking revenge on U.S. soil, if for any reason other than you won’t be there to stop me this time.”

  “You know I can’t do this.”

  “Can not or will not? There is a considerable difference. From what I can see, you look completely healthy and capable of doing what I need to be done.”

  “And what do you hope that I’ll be able to do for you?”

  “I will send you the information you need in due time. Until we speak again,” Fazil said.

  He hung up and watched the feed as Hawk seethed, storming around the hangar, looking as if he wanted to hit something. Fazil couldn’t help but laugh when he saw Hawk slam him fist into the side panels of one of the planes parked just inside.

  “See Jafar,” Fazil said looking across the room toward his bird, “I told you Mr. Hawk would eventually come around.”

  CHAPTER 8

  Washington, D.C.

  NOAH YOUNG WOULD’VE PREFERRED to meet with the blackmailer at Camp David or any other site along the campaign trail. Potentially explosive news surrounding such a meeting could be kept under wraps much easier away from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. But with the election nearing and his campaign advisors recommending Young stay in Washington to tend to business and present a picture of experience and strength from the White House, he complied.

  The procedure for sneaking the man into the White House was rather simple. He posed as an aide for one of a handful of senators Young was scheduled to meet with that morning. Such protocol wasn’t out of the norm as aides sat in on meetings that weren’t sensitive in nature oftentimes. No one even raised an eyebrow or asked who the man was as he followed closely behind Sen. Milton Delaney.