The Hammer of God

Near the aircraft, they lifted the case, kicked over the hamper, and rested it on the hamper’s side. Number 1 opened the case and methodically armed each part of the firing circuits in the exact sequence. The Russian legends and Cyrillic markings on the bomb, long since translated in his head, posed no challenge. Then he removed a lead separator, which kept the volatile nuclear isotopes relatively safe during transit. He dialed a timer to five minutes. Satisfied that this was done, he pulled a pin from a switch guard. There was no longer a physical obstruction in the way of the switch handle’s path.

“For Allah, for my people, for my father and my sisters, and with my brother moving my hand, let the Caliphate begin.”

He threw the last switch.

“The Ambassador to the U.N., her staff, Undersecretary of Commerce, and SCIAD.” The head of the Secret Service read off the short list of administration assets in New York City to the President and his COS.

“Are they all safe and in secure environments?” The Chief of Staff asked.

The Ambassador is at the U.N. and has her detail. The Under Sec is now at the Fed Dep and secure. Quarterback, er, SCIAD and Mrs. Hiccock are presently unaccounted for.”

“What does Bill’s detail report?”

“Well, sir, I am sorry to say that Mr. Hiccock left the hotel without notifying his detail.”

“He’s a science nerd and he gave your top-notch agents the slip?”

“With all due respect, my men were essentially escorting him. We had no threats, no actionable intelligence. As you know, the weakest link in any protection plan is the protectee. If they don’t play ball, short of physical restraint, there isn’t much we can do. Unless the President orders us to close-cover the protectee as a national asset, then we remove the possibility of them exercising any discretion on the level of protection.”

The COS waved him off. “Okay, okay. Don’t quote me the manual chapter and verse.”

“What about Mrs. Hiccock? I personally ordered protection for her. Can’t we find her by calling them?”

“There’s been some sort of hostage scenario occurring in New York. We’re getting more intel now, but even the NYPD doesn’t have a clear picture yet.”

“First the radiological bomb in the station and now a hostage taking? What’s the FBI think?” the President asked.

“They’re just getting this also. We’re talking the last 30 seconds, sir.”

“Find the Hiccocks. I want quarter-hours on this. You brief me, Bob.”

They were going up First Avenue when Bill’s cell rang. “Agent Burell, have you found out anything?”

Bridgestone tried to glean the gist of the call.

“And you are pretty certain that this is golden? Okay, thanks and sorry you had to do that.” Bill ended the phone call.

“What are we dealing with, Mr. Hiccock?”

“Agent Burrell learned that they do have the nuke and are planning on an airburst over midtown from the copter. You were right; the hospital was the cover for the radiological signature.”

“How did the lady come to this knowledge?”

“She had to cut him a few times and threaten to take away his ability to procreate, but he ain’t dead.”

“We should buy her a drink if we survive this afternoon.”

The Chief of Staff hurriedly entered the room. “Mr. President, Bill Hiccock on the line.”

“Bill, where are you?”

Bill’s voice filled the room from the speakerphone. “I’m in midtown Manhattan. Bridgestone and I are in hot pursuit of a news helicopter that may be the delivery method of the suitcase nuke.”

“Another suitcase nuke? What makes you think that, Bill?”

“Could be the same one, sir. Dr. Quan Li confirmed the Persian Gulf spike was weaker than the refinery spike. The attack on our ship was intended to fail and appear like we sunk the suitcase nuke as well. It was just a low-level radiological device. Everything, including the seemingly premature announcement taking credit, was all deception. Thanks to your order covering her, Agent Burrell has derived intelligence to support that they have the loose nuke in the city and are planning an airburst.”

“Airburst? How can they pull off an airburst?”

“Bridgestone’s trail led to a movie company that rigged up a copter and we’ve just observed it landing at a hospital in Manhattan. They could be transferring the nuke now, sir.”

“What do you need, Bill?”

“Opinions, sir. Do we shoot it down or do something else? I’m afraid we may only have a few minutes, if that much.”

“Got it. Bill. I’m switching you to the Sitch Room. Ray and I will hustle down. Meanwhile, our military guys and nuke experts are there. Start without me.”

The President put the phone on hold.

Ray picked up the other phone and ordered the call directed to the Situation Room, nine floors below. When he hung up, he asked the President, “Why did you choose not to tell him that his wife might be involved in the hostage scenario?”