de could envision them strutting from the
wings to model their outfits by turning around once, then moving across the
stage to make room for the next contestant.
The male announcer eventually came back on stage to say that there would be
a brief pause as the votes were counted and introduced another display of Mandi
Steele video footage with thunderingly loud, dramatic music.
"Bogey on camera three," said Donna Carter's calm voice in Cade's earpiece.
"The upstairs hallway. He came in through a side door and he's heading for the
escalators. Computer says he's a ninety-five-plus face-match. Blue backpack,
jeans, yellow shirt, white sneakers. He's wearing a 'staff' badge."
"Everybody stay tight," Alan said unnecessarily, "He could be a diversion."
"Another bogey... and another match," said Carter. "Again from a side door.
Computer says he's definitely Mohammed Nassir from the red list. Blue shirt,
green backpack. Jeans and gray sneakers. Another 'staff' badge."
As the escalator carried the men into view, Pierce said, "The blue backpack
belongs to one of the two Hassans on the orange list. His other hand's empty, so
he's going to have to reach into the bag. Same with Nassir."
The men on the escalator stepped off at the bottom and walked together for
only a few paces toward Bartow's door before Hassan said, "I will meet you
later. I must sit with some friends," and changed course toward the middle
doors.
"Hassan's heading for Cade," said Bartow. "Looks like we get Nassir. Evans,
do it."
"Copy," said Evans as he and Pierce stepped from concealment behind a table
with a tall cardboard display and ran toward Nassir and Hassan.
Hassan broke into a run and reached under his baggy shirt as he approached
Cade's duty station. Cade drew his Glock and prepared to take him down if
necessary as he watched Pierce approach Hassan from the side, but Pierce
launched himself to land on Hassan and bore him crushingly to the floor over
twenty feet from Cade's doors.
Cade stayed in his doorway and looked to see how Bartow and Evans were
faring with Nassir as Pierce struggled with Hassan. They weren't faring well.
Evans had rushed Nassir, but Nassir had hopped into the air and kicked him
in the face, then landed facing Bartow and dropped flat, kicking at Bartow's
leg.
There was a loud, sickening snapping sound and then Nassir was on his feet
again and veering right for Cade w