“Confirm the operational purpose of Directive four zero nine B,” I said, keeping my voice short and low as an elderly library patron wheeled a book cart past the booth glass.

“Directive four zero nine B covers emergency officer extraction and asset protection,” Captain Keller replied without a moment’s hesitation.

“Command headquarters validated the seal at midnight.”

I held the receiver firmly to my ear and rested my left elbow on the narrow metal shelf under the coin slot.

“What’s the exact transport timeline?” I asked.

“Target arrival at Elmwood Lane is set for zero five zero five on Thanksgiving morning,” Keller said.

“Three duty transport vehicles will leave the staging area at four forty-five a.m.”