Luke, a voice said. The voice was deep and gruff, with the slightest hint of a Southern twang. Luke knew the voice all too well. It was Don Morris, his old boss at the Special Response Team.

Luke ran a hand through his hair. Yeah?

Did I wake you? Don said.

What do you think?

I wouldnt have called you at home. But your cell phone was off.

Luke grunted. Thats because I turned it off.

We got trouble, Luke. I need you on this one.

Tell me, Luke said.

He listened as the voice spoke. Soon, he had that feeling he used to getthe feeling that his stomach was in an elevator rapidly descending fifty stories. Perhaps this was why he had quit the job. Not because of too many close calls, not because his son was growing up so fast, but because he didnt like this feeling in his stomach.

It was the knowing that made him sick. The knowing was too much. He thought of the millions of people out there, living their happy lives, blissfully unaware of what was going on. Luke envied them their ignorance.

When did it happen? he said.

We dont know anything yet. An hour ago, maybe two. The hospital noticed the security breach about fifteen minutes ago. They have employees unaccounted for, so right now it looks like an inside job. That could change as better intel comes in. The NYPD has gone nuts, for obvious reasons. They called in two thousand extra cops, and from where I sit, its not going to be nearly enough. Most of them wont even get in until the shift change.

Who called NYPD? Luke said.

The hospital.

Who called us?

The Chief of Police.

He call anybody else?

No. Were it.

Luke nodded.

Okay, good. Lets keep it that way. The cops need to lock down the crime scene and secure it. But they need to stay outside the perimeter. We dont want them stepping on it. They also need to keep this away from the media. If the newspapers get it, its going to be a circus.

Done and done.

Luke sighed. Assume a two-hour head start. Thats bad. Theyre way out ahead of us. They could be anywhere.

I know. NYPD is watching the bridges, the tunnels, the subways, the commuter rails. Theyre looking at highway tollbooth data, but its a needle in a haystack. No one has the manpower to deal with this.

When are you going up there? Luke said.

Don didnt hesitate. Now. And youre coming with me.

Luke looked at the clock again. 1:23.

I can be at the chopper pad in half an hour.

I already sent a car, Don said. The driver just called in. Hell be at your place in ten minutes.

Luke placed the receiver back in its cradle.