Vengeance

64 WASHINGTON, D.C.

Lonnie Mixell checked the side mirrors of his van again, searching for any indication that his plot had been discovered and law enforcement was closing in on him. It was an instinctive precaution, which he considered an unnecessary one, confirmed again by his latest observation — he spotted only standard traffic. Everything had gone according to plan so far, culminating with the preparations for this morning’s trip.

The van he was driving was properly marked and loaded with fifty pounds of C-4. He was also wearing a different disguise — one he had specifically chosen for today’s occasion — another prudent precaution. He’d been wearing his previous disguise for the last week traveling in and out of Woodmore, where the odds of his discovery were low. Today, however, he’d be evaluated by professionals up close, and he couldn’t take the chance that his previous disguise had been compromised.

Completing this morning’s charade was the new identification card in his wallet, matching his new face and the van markings. He carried no weapons with him, since he would likely be searched. Rather, he carried no typical weapons. His cell phone was all he needed, plus the app he had loaded that would send the signal to all thirty-six wireless detonators. Only a single task remained.

In the distance, his destination appeared through a break in the District’s buildings.