Rise of a Terrorist

By Joseph Muratore

Rise of a Terrorist is an E-book thriller with a multitude of action scenes. It’s the fourth book in an E-book thriller based on a collection of stories on terrorism by Joseph Muratore. They continue to use the same basic characters within a Secret Ant-Subversive Agency better known by the Acronym SASA. An agency that’s independent from the FBI and the CIA. It was organized to strictly counter terrorism within the United States, both from home grown “Lone Wolves” to overseas terrorist groups. SASA’s function is to match wits with all of the terrorist groups such as the Sunni Muslim terrorists, Al Queda in the Arabian Peninsula, ISIS and its attempt at creating a Caliphate, in Syria and Iraq, or Syria’s Nusra Front even Nigeria’s Boko Haram. They also take on the Shiite jihadists led by Iran’s proxies such as Hezbollah or the swaths of terrorists in Lebanon, or Yemen. SASA and the Agents within its Agency are led nationally by a SASA Chief John Bennit. They are Headquartered in Fort Meade, Maryland . The main character is from the Boston SASA office. He’s Carl Downey, an Agent like no other in the world. His intuition, and ability to think a few steps ahead of his terrorist adversaries has made him an enemy to the terrorist world that intends on destroying the United States. Carl Downey realizes he cannot always stop a terrorist attack from succeeding, and he has his share of problems attempting to achieve that goal, but he feels if he can reduce the damage and death that the terrorists can and do produce than it’s worth any amount of effort. Rise of a Terrorist is not only action packed, but it brings into play a new SASA function. SASA Agent Karen Beals is charged to gather information and openly profile Muslims within America. This story “Rise of a Terrorist,” Is based on a collection of stories on terrorism by Joseph Muratore that continue to use the same basic characters. The other novels are, “Cyber Attack,” Shabahh The Phantom Terrorist & Dual Mission.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Oct 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9781483559681

Book preview

Coming

CHAPTER ONE

A New Beginning

Inside of a Washington, D.C. hotel room, Karen Beals, opened her eyes. A glimmer of sunshine peeked through the drawn window drapes. She immediately felt Carl Downey’s scarred but warm and muscular body touching against hers. She smiled, as he pressed slightly closer to her.

Are you ready to get up? she asked

I am up. came the reply.

She had to laugh at his remark. She had just reached over his body while sliding her hand down his six-pack abs. It came to a halt when she felt the reason for his answer.

Karen teased, I meant ready to start the day,

Now it was his turn to laugh as he answered, What do you think?

Karen commented, How about we shower first so we can start fresh after last nights activities. Then you can teach me another of your egotistical classes on love making.

Carl groaned. He knew Karen was referring to a statement he’d made several months before in Houston, Texas, when she had said to him,

Carl you really know how to make a woman feel like a woman. And he’d answered, I could teach classes on it. At the time his wise crack had really pissed her off and typical of Karen she didn’t forget much. Now here she was throwing that statement back at him with a velvet dagger.

Carl was so much wiser now. He loved having Karen in his life. He smiled inwardly before stating,

No more classes Karen. I’ve retired from teaching those classes. I’m a one-woman man now. In fact instead, I’ve decided to become a writer. I’m planning to write a ‘happily ever after’ romance novel involving you and me

She responded.

You couldn’t have answered any cornier than that.

Or hornier. He replied.

With that answer the thought of jumping into the shower ended for Karen.

She replied, Forget the shower let’s get started on ‘chapter one,’ of that novel of yours.

Two hours later Karen and Carl were showered, dressed and packed. They were preparing to check out of the Park Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C. when Carl’s cell phone began to ring. It played his phone ring tone to the tune of, Macho, Macho Man. Karen rolled her eyes and noted, ‘for a smart guy sometimes he’s oblivious to things.’

Carl answered, Carl here.

Carl I’m glad I reached you. This is Bennit is Karen still with you?

Chief why are you calling me on my first day off?

Chief John Bennit was the head of The United States Secret Anti Subversive Agency, better known by the acronym of SASA.

Carl Downey and Karen Beals were both SASA Agents.

Carl was an Agent assigned to Boston.

Karen was an Agent assigned to Houston.

Agent Carl Downey and Agent Karen Beals met in Houston during an attack by a terrorist known as Shabahh.

Carl had been assigned by SASA Headquarters in Fort Meade, Maryland to personally track Shabahh down. But Shabahh had slipped away in Houston, continuing a reign of terror across the United States before eventually escaping.

Shabahh ended up in West Central Africa. There

Shabahh formed and led an extremist jihad Muslim terrorist organization. Those jihadists were considered very deadly and dangerous, to the long-term safety of the United States. SASA decided to assign Agent Carl Downey to continue to track down, and kill or capture Shabahh to stop the jihad.

Shabahh had to be stopped at any cost.

The problem was, Agent Carl Downey had resigned from SASA in a dispute with his previous SASA Chief.

In order to convince Carl to return to SASA he was offered an unusual opportunity. He’d be given all of the support required, that would make it possible for him to track down Shabahh, something he desperately wanted to do. At the same time SASA would allow him to carry on a Dual Mission to track down a civilian, as a personal favor to Karen Beals. She’d now become more than a fellow Agent to Carl.

Houston SASA Agent, Karen Beals, had become the woman that he’d unexpectedly fallen in love with.

Carl had eventually completed his Dual Mission with varying but overall satisfactory results. He’d recently returned to the United States just a few days previously.

Carl made a personal request that Karen be on hand to greet him upon his arrival at SASA Headquarters.

She was more than very anxious to see him as well.

Chief John Bennit arranged their meeting. Both Carl and Karen had, as soon as it was feasible, left the SASA headquarters to rekindle their love affair. They checked into the Park Hyatt Hotel in nearby Washington D.C.

Now here it was less than 24 hours later and SASA Chief John Bennit was on the phone speaking to a perplexed Carl Downey.

Carl and Karen were expecting to be on a two-week vacation, or leave of absence as Bennit termed it.

Carl repeated his question, Chief what the hell are you calling me for?

Bennit answered,

Hold on Carl. Why do I have to continually remind you that I’m your friend first, and your SASA Chief whenever it appears to suit you?

Carl had to laugh at Bennit’s response. He had worked as an Agent, with John Bennit for years, before Bennit was promoted and became his SASA boss in Boston. Recently, Bennit was appointed as the SASA Chief, overseeing all SASA Agents from their headquarters office in Fort Meade.

Carl thought, ‘He’s right we have always been friends first.’

Before Carl could respond to Bennit’s crack he had continued speaking,

I asked you is Karen still there with you?

Yes she is. Why?

Well if it suits Karen, I’m sure you’ll be pleased to know I’ve arranged a transfer for her to the Boston SASA Office.

Carl was totally surprised by that news.

Hold on Chief, I’m putting my phone on speaker so Karen can hear this too. Okay, now repeat that for her.

Karen, I’ve arranged to transfer you to our Boston Office, if you’re willing to go. You’re familiar with our Agent-In-Charge there Loreen Thompson. She has specifically requested you to fill a new position we’re opening up there.

Karen interrupted, A new position?

Chief Bennit replied,

Yes. We’re establishing a new position. It’ll require us to place a SASA Agent as a liaison, to establish and head a team that will be specifically focused on terrorist profiling. We’ve checked the backgrounds of several SASA Agents and yours popped up as the most logical. Your personnel records indicate you have a Masters degree in Psychology from Houston University.

Carl in a surprised voice interrupted, You do?

That’s a requirement to put up with you. Karen replied.

Bennit interjected, Cut the crap guys this is serious.

He continued,

As I was about to say that makes you enormously valuable. It would enable us to fill that slot with an extremely qualified person. I don’t know if you can even imagine how difficult it’s been to find a resume, that includes a SASA Agent with field experience in terrorist activity, a Masters Degree in Psychology, and person who presumably would enjoy moving to Boston. To us that makes you the ideal candidate for this position. If you’re willing to accept the job.

Karen looked over at Carl. She had to be sure he was ready to be with her full time.

She laughed out loud when she noticed Carl’s reaction.

He was standing there with his hands folded in a mock prayer position, while he was whispering, Please, please.

She emphatically answered, Chief when do I start?

As soon as you can wrap up your personal details in Houston and arrange to get on up to Boston. Loreen’s anxious. She’ll be ready and waiting for you whenever you feel you can comfortably get there. The sooner you can the better from her point of view. By the way Carl, Loreen would like you to give her a call. She’ll fill you in with the details. Now enjoy your day guys and I’ll be talking to you soon.

Bennit hung up his office phone. Carl took his phone off speaker mode and shut off his cell phone.

Karen was all smiles. She immediately hugged Carl tight. This is big. she said, It’s a big step for both of us.

Carl was as pleased and excited as Karen, but some of his reasons were somewhat different from hers.

Yes he wanted to spend every day with her. In fact, the way he was feeling toward her right now he didn’t even think a lifetime would be enough.

He reflected, ‘I can’t believe this. Me, Carl Downey, the reputed handsome, egotistical man, feels he’s ready to settle down. I’m more than smitten by Karen, I’m in love with her.’

He and Karen continued to hug, while he thought,

‘I still find it hard to believe that I’m ready to mend my ways for this woman, me the bad boy womanizer. I guess it does make sense though. It isn’t that she’s just attractive, or a great lover, but she’s my equal in brains and balls in a very feminine way. There’s no longer any doubt in my mind, this is the woman I should spend the remainder of my life with.’

With those thoughts racing through Carl’s head, he had another reason to be excited about Karen being transferred to the Boston SASA office. He knew her new job, as a terrorist profiler, would mean she’d be working inside of the office with Loreen. It would eliminate most of the day-to-day risks on her life that a SASA Agent in the field has to face nearly every day. He knew she’d be safer as a profiler, and safe is where he wanted her to be.

Karen looked up into Carl’s coal black eyes and asked,

What in the world are you thinking? Your entire 6’4 frame is squeezing me so hard you might crush me."

Carl smiled.

I’m was thinking even though you do have a Masters Degree in psychology I can probably still live with you.

I was hoping to keep that a secret while I manipulated and molded you. But now, since that cat’s out of the bag, do you want to come to Houston with me? It’ll help speed up getting my affairs in order so I can complete my transfer.

How many affairs do you have going on at one time?

Cut the shit you know perfectly well what I mean. We have a lot to discuss and since you know Boston so well maybe you can suggest the best area for me to live in.

Carl laughed,

The best place Karen is wherever our apartment will be located, as long as we’re together.

Karen smiled,

I thought that but I needed to hear you say it.

No reason for any trepidation Karen, I love you.

Carl continued,

The happiest person beside ourselves in Boston will probably be your new boss, Loreen Thompson. Remember when I left on my last mission, she moved into my apartment at Lexington Gardens, in the Wollaston Beach area of Quincy, just outside of Boston. Now I can offer her to stay there. We’ll need more room than that place provides.

Yeah, I heard she was living at your apartment what was that all about?

She was living in an apartment in nearby Dorchester when her brother and sister-in-law had a fire at their house. She invited them to move in with her. Supposedly it was temporary, but you know how those things go. Whatever! She was so cramped, and since I knew I wouldn’t be around for a while, I offered her to live in my place, until I returned. At the same time she’d be watching over it for me. It was a win, win for both of us. You’ll soon see she’s one of the nicest and smartest people you’ll ever deal with. Not to mention that through Loreen’s efforts, along with those of her SASA Office staff, she’s saved my ass quite a few times.

Karen queried,

Then what about us, any plan or place in mind?

Yes, I have an apartment in mind. It’ll be somewhat larger and really convenient to your new office. It’s expensive but the two of us can swing it.

Karen smirked,

Are you after me for my money?

Wow, that degree of yours was worth every penny. I can’t put anything past you.

Karen hugged Carl again.

I’m so happy for us.

Carl just squeezed her in return.

Once their embrace ended, Karen took a few moments to unpack her computer and rebook her previously arranged scheduled flight to Houston by adding Carl to her itinerary.

She ordered Carl’s airline ticket and arranged seating.

Carl checked them out of their hotel room, by using the hotel’s computerized TV checkout option.

A short while later Karen and Carl were at the Ronald Reagan/Washington National Airport getting ready to board a flight together to Houston, Texas.

The flight to Houston seemed quick to both of them, as they chattered about a number of things and possibilities that their new lives would probably entail.

When the plane touched down at the George Bush Airport in Houston, Carl couldn’t resist saying to Karen,

Wow! That flight just flew by.

I may have to reconsider living with you if those are the types of jokes you’re going to impose on me. She laughed.

No I promise you, they can be worse, he added.

After retrieving their luggage, Karen decided their first stop would be to the SASA Houston headquarters, in Texas, to speak with the SASA Agent-In-Charge, Ed Lowden.

Karen phoned him.

Agent Lowden was obviously aware of Karen’s impending transfer. He had already prepared the necessary paperwork for Karen to fill out and sign.

He and Karen discussed her impending new situation. Agent Lowden was sorry for himself and his team, to see Karen transfer to Boston. Although he knew she’d be the perfect SASA Agent to head up a terrorist profiling team. He also commented how pleased he was that she and Carl had received SASA permission to remain in a relationship.

In a few hours all of Karen’s paperwork was completed, and the social amenities between Karen and Carl with her former SASA Agent co-workers was over.

She had been pleasantly surprised, when Ed Lowden informed her that once she packed her personal items at home, he would arrange to have SASA ship everything to Boston at whatever address she designated.

Lowden also informed Karen that with her permission he’d arrange to have a Real Estate agent place her house up for sale, pending her final approval. If there were any items she didn’t want sent to Boston she just had to identify them and he’d liquidate them for her.

This was to Carl and Karen just another example of the amazing efficiency that was typical of SASA. The fact that Agent Ed Lowden was such a class act, made it very easy to feel that everything would be handled in a timely and satisfactory manner.

Later, a short taxi ride brought them to Karen’s house.

For the first few moments inside of her home she just wandered about touching things. Carl sat on the couch just patiently watching her.

Finally she turned to Carl and smiled. With tear filled eyes, but happiness in her heart, she walked over to him and took him by the hand into the bedroom.

Let’s give this house a going away present. She said. She reached over and began unbuckling Carl’s pants.

After a gentle but passionate love session they lay side-by-side just talking. They discussed plans that they knew may or may not be what they’d finally end up settling on.

Eventually, Carl decided, whether he was on leave of absence or not it was time for him to get out of bed. He had to make the call to Loreen that Chief Bennit said she had requested him to do. After all, he had to keep in perspective that Agent-In-Charge Loreen Thompson was not only his immediate supervisor, but she was now Karen’s as well.

Karen commented to Carl, While you’re phoning Loreen, I’ll contact my bank, my financial advisor and my attorney. I’ll see what’s necessary for me to do to get my financial affairs in order, before I transfer to Boston.

Carl phoned Loreen on her personal SASA phone hotline. She answered immediately,

Carl, I’m glad you called, Are you alone?"

He replied, I’m with Karen but she’s in the other room.

Good, make sure you’re not on speaker I don’t want her hearing this.

Carl’s danger antenna went up. He asked,

What’s up?

I’m not one hundred percent sure of anything Carl, but we’re receiving a lot of chatter from some very dangerous and undesirable people. Your name has been mentioned several times. It appears from what my computer specialists can gather that there are a few teams of terrorists heading towards the United States. Boston in particular is one area they’ve picked up on. I can only assume you’re the target. I’m guessing they’re more than likely seeking revenge on you, for the disruption you caused their jihad organization during your recent mission to West Central Africa.

Carl replied,

Loreen that’s really no revelation to me. I assumed they’d come after me. I guess I didn’t kill enough of the extremist Muslim bastards when I was over there. What does surprise me is that they’re already on the move to the states. When I arrive in Boston this info will definitely help me. It’ll make me more aware of my surroundings. That should take a little edge off of any surprise they’re planning.

Loreen commented,

Carl it’s not just the Boston area you’ll have to be aware of. You know my local college computer experts, the ones you endearingly call Geeks, are good at what they do. So whatever they find and report while surfing the cyber networks like the web, twitter, face book or even phone chatter, etc., it’s usually credible. They’re constantly tracking everything they can find on terrorists everywhere. Now one of my guys feels he’s decoded a mention of Houston in that chatter. So it appears that it’s somehow possible they’re already aware of some of your everyday activities. If we find out anything specific I’ll call you immediately.

Carl replied,

Your Geeks are more than credible to me Loreen, they’ve helped me out of some tight spots before. Thanks.

Loreen answered,

Carl on a lighter note I know you’re returning home soon with Karen. I can’t wait to meet her face to face. We’ve spoken on the phone before, but it’ll be nice to finally meet her. I’ll be packed and out of your apartment before you guys get back.

‘’Loreen that brings me to some additional pleasing news that we have to discuss. I’m sure you’re aware Karen and I will be living together in Boston. Candidly, my former apartment that you’ve been caretaking for me isn’t going to be large enough. In addition I really want her to live closer to the Boston SASA headquarters on State Street….."

Loreen excitedly interrupted him,

Are you suggesting I can remain in your apartment?

Yeah but this means now you’ll be paying the friggin rent for a place I haven’t even seen in months.

Loreen was so excited she snorted and laughed,

Carl you just granted me my first wish on my list of three wishes.

Well that’s one Loreen, I have no plans to grant your next two whatever they are.

Now even I’m happy you’re home. Loreen teased.

Carl heard some people talking in the background. There were a few loud voices.

Loreen quickly stated,

I’m busy Carl, I’ll see you when you get back here.

Loreen hung up. Carl shut down his cell phone too.

Karen walked into the room just as Carl was ending his conversation with Loreen.

Finished your call with Loreen? Was it anything of major importance? she asked.

No not really. Just the usual bullshit.

Well good. My calls went much easier than I expected too. My Attorney and Financial Advisor have completed the trust fund for me that I requested. They’ve transferred into it, the money that I received from my financial windfall. They’ll be sending my final paperwork, and any information that I’ll need going forward, to the SASA office in Boston. Later I’ll give them a permanent Boston residential address.

Carl knew Karen had received a financial windfall, but he also knew it was a subject she didn’t wanted to speak about. He was happy she’d placed it into a trust fund. Now it was hers and hers only to control. Her little joke about him being after her money would now comfortably remain a joke. All he wanted from Karen was her love in return for his.

What’s next on your agenda? Carl asked.

Just a few visits to some friends and relatives. I’ll pack my personal items. Then we’ll be on our way to Boston. In fact, I’ll take the time now to book our flight tickets to leave in three days, so there’ll be no dilly dallying on my part.

That was another trait of Karen’s that was similar to his that Carl loved. She did things in advance of when they needed to be done. He liked to use the word pre-crastination to describe that trait.

True to her word, three days later Carl and Karen were walking into the airport terminal at the George Bush Airport in Houston, to catch their mid-morning flight to Boston.

The first thing they were required to do was to report to the airport security office in order to identify themselves as SASA Agents, and to receive approval to carry their service revolvers on board the aircraft.

A background check, and a computer fingerprinted ID confirmed their identity. That enabled them to receive the necessary paperwork and clearances from the Office of Homeland Security. They were upgraded to first class seats.

An escort allowed them to by-pass the normal security checkpoint directly into the concourse departure area.

After they’d cleared security and were casually walking down the concourse to their departure gate #21, Karen turned to Carl and stated,

It’ll be nice flying in first class. Now go on ahead of me, I’m going to stop in the ladies restroom to freshen up a bit.

Yeah I’ll probably make a quick pit stop too. I may even buy a newspaper and some candy at the newsstand. Everything else first class will take care of. But whichever one of us gets to our gate area first just save two seats.

Carl did stop at the newsstand. He grabbed a local newspaper and some candy. He was waiting in line to pay, when he noticed two men that looked very much like they were from the Mid-East. He wondered, ‘is it because my danger antenna is in high gear that I’m profiling these people? Of course I am and why not? I’ve been warned I’m a terrorist target. Like it or not, right or wrong, these people are the face of terrorism in my mind.’ Carl had to also remind himself that he was in Houston, a city with a big footprint in the world of oil and oil refineries. That was one of the key reasons that Houston had the fifth largest Arab population in the United States both in local workplaces and Universities.

Carl noticed one of the men he’d profiled purchased the last New York Times newspaper, while the second man he’d profiled purchased a local Houston paper. The second man he also noticed was wearing a very expensive Omega Speedmaster watch. He noticed it because it was a watch that Carl had been admiring for a while now, but he couldn’t quite get himself to spend that amount of money.

Carl tried to shake the feeling that he was being watched and stalked at every turn. He definitely didn’t want Karen to pick up on his feelings. He knew it’d make her apprehensive and uncomfortable. He didn’t want to do that to her. Carl paid for his items and exited the newsstand.

As Carl approached gate #21, he saw Karen waiting.

She noticed him too and gave Carl a little nod. When he got closer she whispered,

See how obedient I am. I saved two seats for us.

Carl sat but didn’t offer a smile. He gave no response.

Karen looked at him and immediately knew something was bothering him. She decided to wait until he was ready to discuss it. Inwardly she was hoping it wasn’t anything that reflected on her going to live with him in Boston. She couldn’t bear that type of news at this point. Her woman’s intuition told her, ‘no, he loved her. It had to be something else, something that he couldn’t discuss yet.’

Carl sat passively for a moment. When he approached Karen he noticed the man he’d profiled at the newsstand. The one that was wearing the Omega Speedmaster watch was sitting across the way from Karen. He was still clutching his local Houston newspaper, and holding a carry on bag. Carl also noticed the other man that he’d profiled walk by. He dropped his newspaper. The watch wearer picked it up and handed it back to him. It took an instant, but Carl noticed the man with the Omega watch was now holding a New York Times newspaper. They had switched newspapers but why?

Carl was riveted on the situation. Without an explanation he stood up. He faced Karen and whispered,

Keep your eye on the man across from us with that New York times newspaper. I’ve got someone I have to follow. I’ll be back soon. Carl took his carry on bag with him.

Karen was a skilled SASA Agent. Her training kicked in.

She didn’t utter one word to question Carl’s request. She discretely watched the man in question, and waited for Carl to return.

Carl noticed the man now carrying the Houston newspaper also had a carry on bag. He walked into a nearby restroom. Carl walked into that same rest room as well. The man he’d followed in there was now washing his hands.

He had placed his newspaper on the sink beside him.

A third man that Carl hadn’t noticed before, a man with an obvious limp using a brass-handled cane, hobbled into the restroom. Right or wrong this man too fit Carl’s terrorist profile. He watched him limp over to the sink. He picked up the Houston newspaper that the other man had just placed there. Carl noticed that the third man with the cane also carried a similar carry on bag as the other two men. With the Houston newspaper now in his possession he hobbled into one of the commode stalls. The man that Carl had initially followed into the restroom walked out without his newspaper.

Carl followed. The man that had just dropped off his newspaper in the rest room returned to the gate #21 area. He sat away from the man with the Omega watch.

Carl in turn did not go back to sit with Karen. He sat several seats away from her. Karen showed no reaction to Carl’s choice of seats. ‘Good girl.’ Carl thought. ‘With luck that brief period when I sat next to Karen earlier will go unnoticed. Hopefully the three men I’ve been watching and following won’t realize that Karen and I are together.’

Carl was now of the opinion that his overly anxious feelings about his life being in danger was probably not a fact. He now believed they had no clue who he was.

To Carl that was a reassuring thought except he knew they were up to something. What they were up to he didn’t know, but whatever it was it couldn’t be good. The problem was there was nothing he could accuse them of. They had cleared security and were only guilty of trading newspapers. Carl knew there was more to it than that, but what?

For the next half hour Carl sat with his newspaper opened in his hands while barely perusing it. His main focus was on what he considered three suspicious men. The man with the cane was also now seated in the gate #21 departure area. The three men sat separate from one another waiting.

Karen sat reading or pretending to read her Kindle, until the terminal public address speakers announced,

Attention please! All passengers departing for Boston on flight 240, leaving from gate #21, we will begin pre-boarding shortly. We’ll be boarding first class passengers first, followed by those needing assistance and passengers with young children. All other passengers please remain seated until we call your rows for boarding. Thank you.

Karen glanced over at Carl. He shook his head no.

When the first class passengers were called to board both Carl and Karen remained seated.

The suspicious man with the limp and brass handled cane boarded with the passengers needing assistance.

The second and third suspects that Carl had profiled boarded the plane in the next two groups separately.

Carl immediately walked over to Karen. As briefly as possible he explained his concern about the intentions of the three passengers that had just boarded the flight to Boston. He couldn’t describe them, other than to say one had a cane and she had watched another one of them for a brief period. He instructed her to board to take her first class seat, but he would attempt to be reassigned to a seat deeper into the cabin with the coach passengers. He also told Karen to keep her SASA cell phone handy. A SASA cell phone has many features that cannot be found on a standard cell phone.

Carl instructed Karen as to what he anticipated could happen, and what he expected her to do in case of an emergency. Karen’s emergency action plan was to be immediately initiated, if Carl buzzed her phone.

Both Carl and Karen boarded the plane. Once inside the first class area Carl was near the pilot and the cockpit. He wasn’t visible to the coach fare passengers in their cabin.

The head flight attendant came over smiling and welcomed Carl and Karen into first class.

Carl discretely flashed his SASA Badge and asked to speak to the pilots. The attendant immediately complied.

The American public was very familiar now with SASA.

They knew if SASA was involved terrorism could be in play. Unlike the FBI, which mainly followed domestic criminals, or the CIA, which dealt mostly with foreign governments and agents, SASA had been formed to keep America safe from terrorists worldwide. All of the agencies overlapped and worked with one another as needed. SASA however was the only agency with a Directive from the President and Congress whose mission could override any other police powers.

When the attendant informed the pilots a SASA agent wished to speak with them Carl was immediately ushered into the cockpit. Karen took her assigned first class seat.

Carl explained to the pilots his concerns about the three suspicious men he’d observed. He emphasized that at this point they were only concerns, but he requested that the pilots keep the door to their cockpit locked and remain inside of the cockpit throughout the flight. If an emergency should arise, or if an attendant should ask them to unlock their door, or if threatened by strangers, they were not to respond to any of those requests. They were instructed to instead declare an emergency and land at the nearest airport.

The aircraft’s Captain who had formerly been a U.S Air Force pilot immediately grasped the situation at hand.

The Captain added,

I’m guessing you’re onto something. We have a member of the Saudi Royal Family, a Prince on board as one of our passengers. In fact he’s sitting up front here in first class.

Carl’s eyes lit up. That’s it that’s my missing piece.

Carl immediately exited the pilot’s cockpit; he asked the head flight attendant to lock the door.

Carl then took the cockpit door keys from her.

Next, he took the head attendant aside and instructed her, If anyone should demand the keys to the cockpit tell them you don’t have the keys, maybe the Air Marshall does.

Carl then asked the head flight attendant,

Are there any open seats in coach toward the rear of the plane that I could possibly be re-assigned to?

She looked over her seating chart and stated,

There are a couple available. She showed him the chart. Carl selected row 58 with an open aisle seat.

Carl took the cockpit keys and handed them to Karen.

As Carl made his way back to his newly assigned seat in row 58 he took notice of where his three suspects were seated.

He muttered to the flight attendant as he trudged back there, I nearly missed this flight because of a last minute call from my longwinded boss.

He doubted that anyone was paying attention to his jabbering excuse, and he knew that. But somehow it made him feel better to think maybe it would have some effect as to why he was so late getting to his seat.

Carl sat in his row 58-aisle seat and buckled in.

Almost immediately