5:55 p.m.
Morgan heard the sound of cracking glass behind him as he saw the bullet burrow itself in Soroush’s left shoulder, splashing the window behind him with a curtain of red. It was followed by two others, taking out Zubin.
Morgan lunged for Soroush, knocking him against the train’s window, but he held tight to the gun, trying to bring the muzzle against Morgan’s head. Morgan brought his head down hard against Soroush’s nose. This knocked the Iranian back and Morgan grabbed at the gun with his left hand, pinning it against the train window. In close quarters, he felt something hard against Soroush’s hip.
Knife.
Morgan swiveled, opening up space for him to reach for Soroush’s holster, but lost his hold on the gun. He pulled out the knife as Soroush swung the Beretta back around against Morgan. Morgan plunged the knife upward, deep into Soroush’s neck. He gurgled, face contorting in fury, struggling to bring the gun up to hit Morgan. The gun dropped first from his slack hand, and then he fell to his knees and landed facedown on the floor of the train car.
Someone opened the door to the outside, letting a blast of cold air into the car.
“On the ground!” said a man in full tactical gear. Morgan kneeled as he saw others moving down the length of the train.
Morgan knew the drill. He put his hands on the back of his head and lay prone against the corrugated floor of the train car, a piece of gum trampled into flatness inches from his face. He was handcuffed while he sensed the movement of the Iranian President being ushered out by heavily armed men.
He grinned against the cold train floor.
Checkmate, asshole.
6:05 p.m.
“How was that for a day out with your old man?” Morgan asked his daughter.
Alex, riding next to Morgan in the ambulance, cried through a smile. She looked haggard, about as bad as he felt. Her short brown hair was thick with sweat, and she had dark bags under her eyes. Her left ear was bandaged. “You troll,” she giggled.
“Did you call your mother?”
“I did,” said Alex. “She said she was worried sick. She’ll meet us at the hospital.”
“How about a steak house instead?” asked Morgan. “I’m starved. Tell the driver. If we turn around now, we might still make it to Peter Luger in time for dinner.”
“Much as I’d like to,” she laughed, “the government guys were pretty adamant that you needed to go to the emergency room.”
“Wouldn’t want to contradict the US government, now, would we?” Morgan lay back and closed his eyes. “Do you know anything about Lisa Frieze?”
The ambulance swayed. “Peter said she’s in ICU, but stable,” she said. “I guess they’re saying she’ll make it.”
“She’s a tough one,” said Morgan. “I’ll give her that.”
“And what about me?” Alex asked. “I think I’ve earned some extra privileges today, haven’t I?”
“Are you kidding? After today, you’re not leaving the house again until you’re forty.”
They laughed, and then sat in silence together in the swaying ambulance until sleep overtook them.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First I want to thank my beautiful and patient wife, Lynn, who has been the driving force behind my writing career from the beginning. She had the foresight to believe in my storytelling ability, is always willing to listen to all my ideas, and has kept me motivated over the past five years. Lynn, without you Dan Morgan would never have made it to the page.
I need to express my gratitude to my dear friend, Dr. Rodney Jones, who has been one of my staunchest supporters for the past four years. He has been a sounding board for many of my ideas, and has read some of the early manuscripts. He traveled with me to New York to do research on this novella,
Twelve Hours
. He has also attended all of my book launch parties and has been at many of my library presentations. I am truly honored to have him as a friend.
Thank you to Dan Brucker, manager of Grand Central Tours. He took us on a two-day tour, showing us many of the secrets of Grand Central Terminal, along with some of the sublevels and secret track that went from Grand Central to the Waldorf Astoria, and much more. Dan, you are amazing!
My appreciation to Special Agent Chris Sinos, from the FBI Office of Public Affairs in New York, for all your help and information as to how the FBI responds to a terror attack as part of a first responder team.
Thanks to both Dan and Deb Sullivan, owners of my local independent book store, The Book Oasis, in Stoneham, Mass. They have been a huge help getting my books out to my readers, both in their shop and at many of my library events.
A special thanks to Mayur Gudka, my webmaster and social media consultant, who has made my life so much easier; and to Sky Wentworth, my local publicist, who has been with me for five years, preparing press releases and arranging for radio and newspaper interviews. You are both valued members of my team and true friends.
Thank you, Lisa Frieze, who I am lucky enough to have as a huge fan. She has not only reads all of my novels but also had beautiful custom cakes decorated with the likeness of the front covers of
Silent Assassin
and
Black Skies
for each of the launch parties. She also started an international fan club for me and developed a website for it. Since we happen to live in the same Massachusetts suburb, we have met several times and have become good friends.
I am extremely grateful to have such a wonderful team at Kensington Publishing. Michaela Hamilton is not only the best editor I could possibly hope for, she has also become a trusted friend. I can’t thank Adeola Saul, Arthur Maisel, Alexandra Nicolajsen, and Michelle Forde enough for all their hard work and the invaluable guidance they have provided. Thank you to Steve Zacharius, owner of Kensington, for your vision with the company and for accepting me as part of the Kensington “family.”
To my first and only agent, Doug Grad, thank you for all your hard work, persistence, and excellent advice. I consider myself very lucky to have you representing me.
I would also like to recognize and thank bestselling authors Lee Child, John Gilstrap, Mark Sullivan, Meg Gardiner, Michele McPhee, Ben Coes, and Hank Phillippi Ryan for taking the time to read my manuscripts and provide quotes for my books.
I would be remiss not to acknowledge everyone who has bought my books and thank them for being faithful readers of the Dan Morgan thriller series. Without your support I could not continue to write. I always enjoy meeting you at conventions and other events.
Finally, I want to thank my partner in writing and creating my novels, Caio Camargo. He has helped me to translate my stories and characters to the printed page. Again I am fortunate that someone who started out as a consultant is now a dear friend.
I hope all my friends know that like Dan Morgan, I feel that one of the most important attributes in someone is loyalty. . . and I will always be loyal and grateful to them.
E-PINNACLE BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2015 Leo J. Maloney
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
PINNACLE and the P logo are Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.
First electronic edition: March 2015
ISBN: 978-0-7860-3612-7