Brooklyn outside the ruins of a collapsed seven-story residential building.
The Brooklyn Police Department had already cordoned off the entire area. Firefighters were scrambling through the rubble, trying to pull survivors from the wreckage.
Lynn Hall stepped out of his black Chevy and flashed his credentials. The officers waved him through, lifting the police tape so he could enter the scene.
As soon as Lynn arrived, a middle-aged man who had been directing officers outside the building jogged over to him.
"Boss "
That's how he greeted Lynn.
Ordinarily, FBI agents rookies or veterans would refer to someone of Lynn's rank as Sir or Supervisor. But not his people.
Those under Lynn Hall's direct command all called him "Boss." After all, since becoming Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge, Lynn had gone out of his way to secure benefits and backing for his team.
The title made it clear: these were his people.
"What's the situation on site?"
Senior Agent Sean Brooks straightened up and began his report. "Boss, about thirty minutes ago, we received a call from Brooklyn PD said the building had been hit by an explosion."
"When we arrived, the entire structure had already collapsed. Cause of collapse has been confirmed: a specialized explosive destroyed the main support beams."
As they walked together toward the site, Sean continued, "We located the blast's origin point first floor, one of the corner units "
"There was no secondary explosion?" Lynn cut in.
"None, sir. Just the one. But it was powerful enough to bring the whole building down."
"That's why I'm convinced this wasn't just some regular bombing. It fits the profile of a terrorist attack."
Sean lowered his voice and glanced toward the media clustered behind the police lines. "Boss… you remember the L.A. incident from two years ago?"
"Middle Eastern extremists used a similar device to collapse a residential building then exploited the chaos to launch an indiscriminate assault on civilians."
"This setup matches that one almost exactly. But so far, no sign of any suspects."
Lynn nodded grimly.
Reaching the blast zone, he crouched and examined the scorch marks and fractured support pillars. Then he turned to Sean.
"Lock down the surrounding twenty blocks. Shut down all subway lines running through the area."
"Got it."
"Also, notify the Port Authority. Have them increase security on all Brooklyn bridges, tunnels, shopping centers, and train stations. If this is a terror plot, those are the likeliest next targets."
Lynn stood up and shot a glance toward the gathering media just beyond the barricades.
"What's the casualty report from the precinct?"
"Still being compiled," Sean replied.
"Have the Critical Incident Response Division take over. No public statements on fatalities until we get full confirmation. Meanwhile, have Cybercrime start running background checks on every registered tenant."
Sean nodded. "Understood. But, Boss containing the casualty numbers from the press is going to be tough. These vultures"
"Someone will offer them a little 'advice,'" Lynn said coolly.
He wasn't worried about the press. He had bigger problems.
"This couldn't have happened at a worse time. We've got a brand-new mayor, the election just wrapped, and our division chief was at that gala less than an hour ago. Hell, some of the President's senior advisors are still in the city."
"You really think this was random?"
Before Sean could respond, Lynn's phone buzzed.
He checked the screen and raised an eyebrow. "Speak of the devil it's the Director."
He stepped aside to take the call.
A few minutes later…
"Tell everyone we're on overtime tonight. Have PD coordinate with Fire and Emergency Services. I want this area cleared and secured ASAP."
"Yes, sir!"
Sean immediately pulled out his phone and began issuing orders.
---
One Hour Later
FBI New York Headquarters
Lynn Hall's Office
"Boss, we've finished combing through all the tenant records."
Sean entered and handed Lynn a thick file.
Flipping through the pages, Lynn asked, "Any terrorist groups step forward to claim responsibility?"
"Not yet. But we did ID the tenant whose apartment was the blast origin. He was Number Three in the Numbers Gang."
"The Numbers Gang?" Lynn scoffed. "You mean that crew of coke-slinging bottom-feeders?"
"Yeah, them."
Lynn skimmed the file. "So this wasn't terrorism?"
"Hard to say, sir. The gang's leader was gunned down a few weeks ago accidental or maybe not. Since then, Number Two, a guy named Eric, has been battling it out with Number Three Bruno for the top spot."
"And the bomb went off in Bruno's apartment."
"Exactly. I think Eric's involved."
Lynn nodded slowly. "What about surveillance footage? Anything from the 48-hour window before the blast?"
"We've got one possible suspect caught on a nearby traffic cam. But they were fully covered, head to toe. No facial recognition hits."
Lynn stood, grabbing his coat from the back of his chair. "The Director wants this case wrapped up in three days. We've got a lead let's move."
"Yes, sir!"
---
Thirty Minutes Later Eric Camp's Neighborhood
Several black Chevys pulled up silently on a dimly lit residential block. Armed agents in full tactical gear, wearing FBI patches, waited for the go-ahead.
"Boss," Sean whispered, "intel says Eric Camp's inside right now, along with seven of his guys. Let me and the team handle it. These street-level punks aren't worth your time."
Lynn lit a cigarette and exhaled slowly. "Fine. Keep it clean."
"Always do."
Sean opened the door and motioned for his team to move. Like shadows, they disappeared into the darkness, advancing on the building.
A thin trail of blue smoke drifted out through the half-cracked window.
Lynn watched calmly from the car as Sean's team moved into position.
A flashbang shattered the silence, followed instantly by the sound of breaking glass and splintering wood as the agents stormed in.
Seconds later, the gunfire stopped.
Sean's voice came over Lynn's earpiece: "Target secured."
Lynn flicked his cigarette to the pavement and crushed it underfoot.
Time to finish this.
He stepped out of the vehicle and headed toward the building.
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