The Lost Codex by Alan Jacobson

FBI profiler Karen Vail and DEA agent Roberto Hernandez are an item. Out for a romantic dinner in DC. On their post-dinner stroll, the unmistakable sound of gunshots echo off nearby buildings. They dash to the victim and a quick pat-down reveals a badge; FBI. They quickly scan the area. They hear someone running fast. They give chase. The runner turns, bringing up a handgun. Robby and Karen both fire and are blown back by a massive concussive blast.

The front of the building he was headed for is heavily damaged, but the runner is no more. Suicide vest. A search of the building finds a bomb factory. A deranged nut? A sleeper cell? The beginning of an organized assault on US soil?

Next day. Another bombing.

Karen is brought into a shadowy OPSIG group, which is a multi-agency cooperative set up to act rapidly with minimal supervision. Hector DeSantos (head of OPSIG), Aaron Uziel (aka 'Uzi,' Israeli, FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force), and Mahmoud El Fahad (Palestinian, CIA clandestine service) are put together. They chase a clue to another safe house, but are a step behind. The master planner for an offshoot of Hamas, al Humat, Kadir Abu Sahmoud taunts the team. The team realizes that this battle is on two fronts. First are the immediate attacks. Second is more political. Muslim families in the West are averaging six children per family while Western families average two. With patience, the Muslims know that Sharia law will come via the vote. In a generation or two, Muslim voters will dominate. And they understand patience. They've been fighting this battle for over 800 years since The Crusades.

Off to NYC where each day is another attack. Some even target the team more than the citizenry. Uzi is naturally suspicious of Fahad because not only does ethnic history come into play, but every time there is an attack, Fahad has disappeared to 'check with some sources.' At issue is a text from Biblical times that could be more important than the Dead Sea Scrolls. Known as the Aleppo Codex. And its been found and its content and prophesies could impact all religions, not just Christianity.

Further clues take the team into England (completely off the books, along the lines of 'the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions' off the books). And of course, London is the next site of attacks. Then it's off to Palestine. as they close in on Sahmoud.  The word is that al Humat not only has a line on a nuclear device, but it has arranged its entrance to the US via the drug tunnels set up by Mexican drug cartels. Now that's a frightening collaboration.

Jacobson presents parallel plots. The at-a-sprint chase of Sahmoud and the underlying question of Fahad's loyalties. The Codex is actually a minor issue. Jacobson delivers at the pace of an Uzi on full auto. It's a hard to put down adventure. OK, there are some issues that stretch credibility. They may be pretty obvious, but if you'll give those a pass Jacobson takes you on a satisfying  thrill ride. Per Jacobson's website, this book is a consolidation of two of his continuing characters: Karen Vail and the OPSIG group. Based on numerous reference to a prior harrowing mission in the UK for both Vail and DeSantos, I think I just might have to check it out.

ECD