"From somewhere," Ashfaq replied, his fingers flying across the keys to trace the signal. "The detonator is linked to a heartbeat sensor. If your pulse goes too high, or if it stops, the countdown accelerates."

"I see it, Ashfaq. He’s used a bridge circuit. If I cut the red-herring, the pressure trigger takes over."

Over the radio, he heard the cheers of the command center, but Ashfaq’s voice was the only one that mattered. "He’s gone dark, Sayeed. He escaped. But we have his signature now."