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CHAPTER 2: THE SWITCH

Security footage came in fast.

Within minutes, a technician pulled up the video from the check-in area. Brooks watched intensely as the screen replayed the moment.

There it was.

The boy sitting alone, swinging his legs nervously.

A man in a gray jacket sat beside him.

Casual.

Calm.

Invisible in the crowd.

The man smiled, said something to the child
 and then, in one smooth motion, switched the backpacks.

Brooks felt his stomach drop.

“Zoom in,” he ordered.

The image sharpened just enough to catch a glimpse of the man’s face.

“Send this to every unit,” Brooks said. “Lock down all exits.”

Meanwhile, the bomb squad approached the bag with robotic precision. The terminal held its breath.

The boy clung tightly to Brooks’ arm. “Am I in trouble?” he asked, his voice shaking.

Brooks knelt down, meeting his eyes. “No, kid. You did exactly what you were supposed to do.”

Rex sat beside them, calmer now—but still alert.

Minutes felt like hours.

Then finally—

“Device confirmed,” came the voice over the radio. “Improvised explosive. Active trigger.”

Gasps spread through the officers nearby.

“But we’ve got it contained.”

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Relief flooded the air—but it didn’t last long.

Because the suspect was still inside the airport.

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