Branigan

Branigan's New York City upbringing by middle class, immigrant parents starkly contrasts with Arsalan Fattal's Lebanese childhood. The son of an Israeli mother and Irish father, Branigan was raised to honor and protect American freedom and security; raised in Lebanon by his radicalized Muslim uncle who became his adoptive father, Arsalan's mission threatened everything Branigan revered.

Enter A'dab Alam a-Din. Her life was horrifically altered when she lost her twin brother during an Israeli attack on her Lebanese village. Her adoptive Jewish parents helped mold her life as she grew up in The City. A chance encounter with Branigan at the World Trade Center during the 1993 bombing greatly influenced their paths in life.

Branigan was too humble to consider himself a hero, but his dedication to fight terrorism, help people, and certainly save lives, made him one. He didn't have a job. He had a mission. That dedication was the impetus for him to delve deeply and tirelessly into a terrorist plot for which he had no factual evidence, all the while haunted by the memory of the beautiful, dark-haired woman with eyes that penetrated his soul.

Branigan must make a critical choice once he is face-to-face with the terrorist.