Page 99 of Zero Hour

“What concert?” Ryan cut in.

Anna pulled up an event schedule. “It’s part of the Independence Summer Festival. Main act goes on at six. Some young rock band,Midnight Riot. Their warm-up act isThe Outlaws.”

“Midnight Riotis awesome,” Ryan said. “I’ve never heard ofThe Outlaws, though.”

Something stirred in Jasmine’s memory. A conversation from Amir’s house.

She closed her eyes, reaching for the moment.

“I’ve never heard of them,” Riad had said.

Amir had laughed. “It doesn’t matter. They’ll be famous after this.”

“Oh, my God. I think that’s it.” She told Anna what they’d said.

She paled. “When was this?”

“At Amir’s house, before I met Patrick. But I don’t know if?—”

Anna was already typing furiously, pulling up a layout of the National Mall.

She keyed into the comms. “Pat, we’ve got a new lead. The Independence Summer Festival. Jasmine remembers Al-Jabiri and Riad talking about the bands.”

Ryan kept his eyes on Anna while Jasmine turned back to the database of terrorist affiliates.

Then, she stopped cold.

It was her.

Dark headscarf. Kohl-lined eyes. A glare like burning steel.

Jasmine’s stomach twisted. She knew that face.

“Anna!”

Anna lifted a hand, still on comms.

“I’ve found her!” Jasmine shouted.

Anna spun, her gaze snapping to the screen. “You’re sure?”

“One hundred percent. I’d recognize those eyes anywhere.”

Anna’s voice dropped. “Ameera Mousa. Born in the U.S. to Iranian parents. Husband’s serving time in ADX Florence for terror-related charges. She’s on a watchlist, but low risk.”

Ryan frowned. “Wait, so the government just keeps tabs on people like this?”

“As many as they can,” Anna said. “There are too many to track all the time. Some slip through.”

Jasmine’s hand tightened around Ryan’s. She couldn’t stop touching him, she was so glad he was alive. A deep graze ran along his cheek, but he was whole. Safe. Physically, at least.

She knew better than most—some scars ran deep.

Anna straightened, all business. “Great work, Jasmine. I’m sending this to Pat now. Go grab some food in the break room.”

Ryan perked up—because teenage boys could eat in any crisis.

Jasmine stood, but as she stepped toward the door, she heard Anna say, “Last known address is Anacostia. Sending the details now.”

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