Free Fall

Sixty-Eight

Washington, DC

Southbound on the Red Line Metro, Robert Cole closed his eyes and took another breath while mentally reciting what had become his mantra since boarding the train.

If they give me the chance I can show them how to stop the breach.

The train eased into Van Ness and, as he’d done at each previous station, Cole looked at his phone to see if he was connected.

He was.

He was going to check news sites, but first he went to his photos, almost smiling back at his wife who smiled at him from the screen. Staring into her eyes, he could almost hear her voice, inhale her scent and feel her skin.

I’m going to fix everything. This is my fault. I’m going to find Veyda before she hurts any more people, or the police hurt her. She’s sick and she needs help. I swear to you, Elizabeth, I’ll fix it.

The train began to roll out of the station and Cole quickly checked the news. He went to the Washington Post’s online edition.

Shock shot through him.

His photograph, Veyda’s and that of a young man he didn’t know were displayed together under a breaking news banner:

FBI Hunts for American Trio in London Plane Tragedy.

Cole read the short news story before he lost his internet connection. His hand shook just as the train jolted and he lost his grip on his phone. It fell to the floor of his crowded car and he caught his breath. The woman seated next to him reached down and retrieved it for him.

“Thank you,” he said, relieved the internet link had been lost.

“No problem.” She smiled.

His heart racing, Cole put his phone in his pocket and subtly surveyed the car’s commuters. They were reading, sleeping, talking, or looking at nothing. No one was looking at him. At least, no one that he was aware of.

Cole lowered his head, took documents from his briefcase and pulled them close to his face, pretending to read.

Take it easy. Take another breath. Remain calm. I just have to get to L’Enfant Plaza station and NTSB headquarters. It won’t be much longer.

Cole exhaled.

Then somewhere before Cleveland station, the train slowed in the tunnel before coming to a complete stop.

Cole’s heart slammed against his rib cage.

Two uniformed police officers had entered his car and were headed in his direction.