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all.”
     
    ***
     

 
    Chapter 6
     
    The three armored Mercedes swept out of the Presidential Palace at precisely 0700 hours. They left the Al Ras Akhdar peninsula with a police escort, flashing past the Emirates Palace hotel and the expensive foreshore developments. Their escort cleared the morning traffic with wailing sirens and flashing lights.
    Tariq’s father, Hussein Ahmed, was in the first limousine. As security adviser to the Emir, he always travelled with a police escort.
    Hussein sat upright, watching the modern buildings flash past. His features were emotionless, resembling an ancient statue battered and worn by the windswept desert. The white robes and keffiyah added to the likeness.
    On the seat opposite, facing the rear of the car, was Hussein’s head of security; the man responsible for turning his evil intentions into outcomes.
    “Have you heard from Yussuf?” asked Hussein.
    “No. He will contact me once it is done. I gave him strict orders to remain undercover until it is complete. He has never failed us before.” The man checked his watch. “The bomb will go off today as planned.”
    “The Americans are still at the clinic? Even after my son chose to warn them?”
    “Yes. I thought they might all flee, but two chose to remain.”
    Hussein continued to look out the window, idly watching the palm trees flash past. “These two are CIA?”
    “Yes, this is what my sources inform me. These Americans are arrogant; they think they can find us. It will prove to be their downfall.”
    “Hmmm.” Hussein returned his attention to the scenery outside the limousine as the convoy crossed the Mussafaha Bridge. From the top of the span he could just make out the industrial sector, five kilometers away.
    He almost missed the distant flash and the angry black cloud that rolled up into the clear morning sky.
    “ AllahuAkbah ,” he whispered.
    A few seconds later the Mercedes shuddered as the shockwave of the blast washed over it.
    Hussein's man snapped his eyes to the window, a look of concern on his face. It took him a second to realize what had occurred.
    “Impeccable timing,” Hussein said with a cruel smile. His subordinate turned back to face him, eyes shining with excitement.
    “Two less of Satan’s puppets.”
    They were interrupted by the whine of an electric motor. The soundproof divider that separated them from the driver of the vehicle lowered. “Sir, there has been an explosion in the Mussafaha Industrial estate. Our escort is recommending we return to the palace for our own safety.”
    The security head looked to his boss, who just shook his head, smirking.
    “We will continue to the airport as planned.”
    Hussein waited for the divider to slot back in place before speaking. “I think the time has come to deal with my son.” 
    “It is sad that Tariq does not join his father in Jihad.”
    “He has been corrupted by the infidels and become one of them. We have watched him for long enough. Make the necessary arrangements.”
    The convoy continued to the airport, sirens wailing as it streaked down the highway. On either side, palm trees and bushes flashed past, occasional gaps in the greenery revealing glimpses of the encroaching desert.
    Six kilometers from the airport, they swept under the 16th Street overpass. The police escort failed to notice the battered Toyota Landcruiser accelerating down the ramp that joined the highway. It merged with the inside lane and continued to gather speed, gaining on the convoy.
    The security detail noticed the vehicle as it overtook traffic, edging towards the them, lane by lane. The rear most Mercedes broke formation, horn blaring, racing forward to position itself between the speeding four-wheel drive and Hussein's vehicle.
    In the back of his limousine, Hussein was thrown to one side as the driver reacted. The co-driver had the window down in a split second. The chatter of his submachine gun filled the interior of the car.
    Bullets shattered the