Solomon's Gold

CHAPTER 54

Nick called Elizabeth.

"It couldn't be much worse. There's another container of sarin. The prisoner's name is Amin. He doesn't know where the gas is, but he told the imam the third man plans to blow himself up and release the gas in Times Square."

"You're certain about this?"

"As certain as can be. There's no reason for Amin to lie. The cops want to close down the square, but the mayor won't give them permission. He's an idiot politician. He thinks the threat is overrated, and he doesn't want to scare the tourists. He's afraid he'll be accused of being a racist if he lets the cops go after anyone fitting Dayoud's profile."

"Dayoud?"

"Dayoud Sassani. He's the leader of the cell."

"Do we know what he looks like?"

"Amin is working with a sketch artist now, so we'll have a better description soon."

"What do you want to do?"

"Everybody's concentrating on Times Square," Nick said, "but I've got a bad feeling about it. The reason the third man wasn't in the apartment was that he'd gone to the store. We found a bag with broken bottles of juice in it on the stairs, one flight below the apartment. He must've heard the shots and got out of there as fast as he could."

"And?"

"That means he knows he's on his own. He has to figure we'd find that map when we searched the apartment. If I were him, I'd pick another target. He's not stupid. Why go where half the police force, the FBI, and everyone else is waiting for him to show up?"

"I see your point," Elizabeth said. "At least it's Saturday. The financial district is closed, all the banks, the big office buildings are mostly shut down. It eliminates a lot of potential targets."

"He'll pick someplace where there are a lot of people," Nick said. "Someplace like Rockefeller Center."

"You think he'll do it tonight?"

"Yeah, I do. I think he'll go get the sarin and head for wherever he thinks he can do the most damage. I'd say within the next few hours. Much later than that, the crowds start to thin out."

"We have to narrow down the possible targets," Elizabeth said.

"Maybe Freddie can help. He can analyze the possibilities a lot faster than any of us."

"That's an excellent idea. Stay on the line."

Elizabeth put the phone on speaker.

"Freddie, have you been monitoring the conversation?"

Yes, Director.

"Do you understand the situation?"

A terrorist is at large in New York City with a container of sarin and a bomb. Nick's assessment is that he will release the gas and detonate the bomb within the next few hours. You anticipate a significant loss of life.

"That's correct. Our problem is that we do not know what this man will choose for a target. I would like you to analyze possibilities and suggest targets with the highest probability. Can you do that?"

Processing.

"Freddie is working on it, Nick."

"I heard him."

I have analyzed the possibilities. Would you like to know the results?

Elizabeth sighed. "Yes, Freddie, I would."

The most effective use of sarin occurs in a contained environment. It is twenty-six times more lethal than cyanide. Minimal exposure of a few seconds can result in permanent neurological damage. Longer exposure guarantees termination of life.

Elizabeth was impatient. "We know that, Freddie. Please tell us about potential targets with the highest probability."

The subway system of New York presents the best opportunity for effective dispersion. Probability is ninety-six point three percent. Other potential targets fall to less than eighty percent.

"New York has an extensive subway system. Is there a particular location that has a high probability for selection?"

In what part of New York? The system extends through all boroughs.

"Manhattan. We have to make an educated guess."

There are four locations with high probability in Manhattan. Each is a junction where passengers have a choice of boarding several different lines. In order of probability, they are Grand Central Station at 42^nd St., Union Square at 14^th St., Lexington Avenue at 53^rd St., and Times Square at 42^nd St.

"Did you hear that Nick?" Elizabeth asked.

"I wrote it down, Director."

The time is now 19:12 hours. Probability of detonation and release of the gas before 21:00 hours is ninety-nine point eight percent.

"That gives us less than two hours," Nick said.

That is correct.

"You'd better get going," Elizabeth said.