“Creed’s got something he wants to talk about right now.”
Chapter 52
Khalil drove slowly down the avenue, instructing Omar to look to the right at the next intersection, “The Jewish center should be right down that road, one block over.”
They reached a light and stopped, Omar craning his head to get a glimpse of the center. He didn’t see it, but he did see a healthy number of police and temporary barricades lining the sidewalk. He said, “That’s it alright, but it looks like tomorrow it’ll be shut down for traffic.”
The light turned green and Khalil continued on, saying, “Won’t matter for us. We have the passes to get through. Getting out might be a little tricky, but once we’re clear of the perimeter, it’s a straight shot to the airport on the presidential freeway.”
Omar said, “What about roadblocks? That place is going to be chaotic after the hit.”
Khalil said, “That’s why I’m the one driving. I’m the only member on the team who’s been to Buenos Aires. If we hit any roadblocks, I’ll figure out a way around them, but I’m counting on the diversion drawing away most of the police. Once that car bomb goes off, half the city will converge on it.”
“Where is that happening? The Ghost has kept that close to his vest.”
“That’s because he doesn’t know. He asked me to find the spot on this reconnaissance, using my knowledge of the city, and I’m leaning towards further south on the freeway. Block anyone trying to come up that way while we escape.”
They reached the avenue named after President Arturo Umberto Illia—a main artery in the city—and instead of heading north to the airport, Khalil went south, saying, “Keep an eye out for an exit ramp or something else that might be used as a staging point for the diversion.”
Within a mile, the freeway ended and they entered an enormously broad avenue that looked to be eight or nine lanes wide, anchored with bus lanes on either side and split down the middle with islands full of flowers and towering palm trees.
Khalil said, “Oh wow, I forgot about this.”
“What is it?”
“It’s called July Ninth Avenue, named after Argentina’s Independence Day. I haven’t been here since I was a teenager. It’s supposed to be the largest boulevard in the world, and it’s perfect.”
“Why?”
Khalil did a U-turn at the next light, heading back to the freeway and saying, “Plenty of areas to park, a lot of congestion, and a rich target environment. We set it off here, and it’ll block access to the President’s Avenue route to the airport.”
They reentered the freeway heading north, riding in silence. Eventually, Khalil said, “How confident are you that our team will be able to escape from inside the Jewish center?”
Omar chuckled, saying, “Are you thinking about how long to wait?”
Khalil took the exit for the Jorge Newbery International Airport and said, “Actually, yes. They’re supposed to call me after the attack, but I don’t know how long to wait. If it goes wrong, I want to leave before I’m captured as well.”
“They’ll make it out. Even if they fail in the mission, they’ll make it out, or you’ll know they didn’t because you’ll hear a large explosion.”
Khalil drove around the south end of the runway, following the signs to general aviation. He said, “Why is that?”
“Because they’ll be strapped withshahidvests utilizing reverse triggers. The battery packs for the cameras are actually Semtex, and once they’re armed, they will go off if they release pressure on the detonator.”
Khalil parked, fascinated by the plan. He said, “So if security tries to shoot our men after the attack, the shooter will also be committing suicide?”
“Precisely. The Jew dogs don’t have the courage that we do. Our team will make it back onto the street. You just need to make sure you’re there to get them.”
Khalil became lost in thought, imagining the courage it would take to execute such an operation. He was brought out of his reverie when Omar opened the door, startling him. Khalil said, “How long is this going to take?”
“I don’t know. An hour or two. I just need to finalize the transaction, giving them all the information for the manifest and completing in advance whatever customs and immigration forms are needed so we can leave as soon as we arrive.”
Khalil said, “You’re going through the commercial system? I thought this was some Pasdaran magic. How can you trust that?”
“They’ll never make the connection. The plane will be chartered to Brazil, but once in the air, we’ll direct the pilot to Ushuaia.” Omar smiled and said, “The pilot will do what we say, I promise, and once we’re there, we’ll disappear.”
Khalil said, “I’d rather take my chances getting back to my people in the Triple Frontier.”
“Up to you. You coming with me?” Omar asked, nodding towards the building entrance.
