Eagle in The Wind

This is a story I started to write before 9/11 2001. After the tragic events of that day I decided I could not continue on with the story, I will finish this at some point, in fact I have actually looked at going back and doing this recently. I guess I am waiting for the proper inspiration ( or at least that's what I keep telling myself... enjoy and tell me what you think.


Chapter One

Asad was looking out the window, thinking of his duties, both his normal every day on the job ones, if you can

consider being a secret service agent a regular job. But his thoughts were more centered on his duties to Allah

and in turn to The Organization, that’s how he thought of the terrorist group known as ريح مقدّسة which is translated roughly as the Divine Wind, or Allah’s Divine Wind. He was sworn to secrecy, he could never reveal who his associates within the organization are, to do so would mean death. They even went so far as to place a post hypnotic suggestion that if he ever revealed the name of the organization it would trigger him to commit suicide. If all went as planned tonight, it would trigger the end of the arrogant infidels, the United States would crumble and fall into the abyss of history. That would be the result and if all went as planned… anarchy that was the ultimate desire. It would be over in an instant, but the effects would last forever. Everything was in place everything checked and double checked and every contingency had been thought of and a counter had been devised. Nothing would go wrong, for if it did more then his career or his life was in jeopardy, indeed his own eternal soul would be forfeit. Alas not being rewarded for his efforts would be bad enough, but to be denied entry into Paradise would mean eternal death.

Asad Ahmad Massoud , born Joseph Anderson, had been planning for this day and working toward this goal for half a lifetime. He grew up in a middle class family in a middle class neighborhood. With a Protestant up bringing, learning about Jesus and heaven and Satan and hell in Sunday School. He played baseball in the summer and ice hockey in the winter. Just like all the other kids. Everything was fine until high school. It was there he learned about the Muslim faith of Islam, it was in sociology class. He became very interested in the subject, later he took philosophy and religious studies, a course that claimed to give an unbiased look at the major religions of the world. Islam spoke to his need for physical outlet, and his nature of strength, versus weakness. He had always thought forgiveness was given to easily to be useful. He wanted more information and soon found a mosque nearby to his city; he invented a reason to be in the area one day, and dropped in. He was 16 and a junior in high school, looking like many others his age, what would he do with his life what would he become. The questions did not have answers, at first.

It was while attending this mosque, that he converted to Islam, and changed his name. Because this decision finally got a negative reaction from his parents, he was even more determined to go through with it. This made him even more determined to do it. Asad was a good student and a gifted athlete; he was popular and respected by both his peers and instructors alike. He decided he needed more instruction in Islam, so he joined the student exchange program, and went to Saudi Arabia his senior year, this was arranged through his local mosque along with a threat of a lawsuit from the ACLU, which insured the cooperation of the local school district. This was a victory for the liberal educators and the NEA. That is how he met and joined a secret fundamentalist splinter group of The Organization. He immersed himself in the Muslim way of life and studied the Koran, the only approved reading outside of his schooling.

He was also taught in the arts of war, it started simple, such as the proper use and care of a weapon, but by the end of his training, he could mold and make shaped explosive bombs. His favorite charge was plastic, or C-4 explosives. He also was schooled in biological terrorism and how make and distribute deadly bacteria, viruses, or nerve gases, to cripple an entire population. He accomplished all of this in only a year abroad. He wanted to join The Organization but was convinced by the leaders that he could be more useful to the cause by going back home and joining the military.

Each step along his career, his handlers had advised and approved of which path to take always exhorting that this was the will of Allah, or that this was the truest path to Paradise. Asad believed completely and without question, and in turn rewarded very well for holding to his new convictions. When he completed Annapolis Navel Academy, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the Navy. The Organization bought him a new Corvette, for this great milestone. He was able to explain this by simply attributing it as a gift from his family for his achievements. When he completed SEAL training, he received 150,000 in gold deposited in a Swiss bank account. When he left the Navy and was selected to join the Secret Service, they bought him a house. The gold was still there it was worth about a half -million dollars, and after this evening he would be a muti-millionaire, if he lived. That is why nothing must go wrong. He kept saying it wasn’t for the money, it was for the cause. Nevertheless, he liked the money. He liked it a lot.

Raymond Harrison had been up since 5 am. It was now 8:00 am and was going toward his office; it really was not his he kept reminding himself it belongs to the people. “Like Hell it does, I earned it. I slaved for it. Its mine by proxy at the very least!” Harrison thought aloud.

“I’m sorry sir, I didn’t quite catch that, what was it you wanted?” asked one of his many staffers.

“Oh nothing, just thinking out loud. On second thought there is one thing you can do, get Jason on the line for me, I need to see about tonight’s State of the Union Address. I need to know if the final draft is ready.”

“Yes sir, right away sir.”

Harrison entered the Oval Office and slumped into his chair behind the massive desk., He hated mornings and he hated speeches, especially the State of the Union Address. Hated it because it was all political hogwash and just the beginning of the arguments and arm twisting, to get any legislation through a congress controlled by the opposition party. He was elected to office by a clear majority, unfortunately the people decided that they were going to turn congress upside down. They elected 35 new senators and 204 new members of the house., kicking out nearly 50 percent of the incumbents This gave the Republicans control over both arms of congress, something that hadn’t happened in nearly thirty years. Jason Jefferys walked into the office and started to speak, but was broad-sided by Harrison.

“So is it done yet.” He boomed.

“We’re putting the finishing touches on as we speak sir.” Jason answered casually.

“Good I want the final draft on my desk by ten, so we can have any last minute changes completed by Noon. This is going to be one of my toughest speeches to date. It is going to be delivered to a hostile majority and an indifferent populace. This has got to be a wake up call, to get my budget approved. If this doesn’t do it, I might as well forget about a second term, and you will have to find a job in the real world Jason. So lets not strike out. Okay? Besides you have been in my employ since you were a college student ten years ago, you wouldn’t be able to get a job using my name as reference.”

“Don’t worry Chief we have a spectacular speech planned, and a very enthusiastic rally cry for the people to get behind remember a chicken in every pot? Well we have satellite internet connection for every child, a wonderful phrase, we can exploit for most any reason, including education, reducing teen pregnancy and even getting teens of the streets, reducing drug use and crime. All in all, a good ploy, and the Republicans have to go along with it. They already want to expand the rights of the people to get information and create sources to get training for new jobs, which this will do it will also help adult illiteracy by giving adults a way to go online and join online reading classes.”

“Okay but that’s only one point what about the rest? And remember the entire thing can not go more than 35 minutes long, the people get bored after that and change channels, I would rather have 35 minutes of attentive listeners, then an hour with no one tuning in.

“Yes sir we have taken that into account. But we still asked for a one hour block of time from the networks, taking account for applause and such.”

“wishful thinking.” Harrison replied.

Harrison looked at the stacks of paperwork on his desk, and then at the clock , 9:00 am already he thought.

“You may leave Jason, but remember 10: 00 am on my desk.”

“Yes sir, thank you sir.” And Jason walked out and closed the door behind him.

Harrison put is head on the desk and hands on his head and just thought about nothing for 15 minutes. Officially this was his busiest time of the day, from nine till noon he was supposed to be getting valuable work done in the name of the people. But recently more often then not he accomplished very little, it seemed he lacked the energy to do the peoples work, and wished the People did more of themselves. He secretly hoped he lost his re-election, after 3 years in office he had gained 35 pounds and lost about a third of his hair, and the hair that remained, was quickly going gray. He had liver spots on his hands, that he constantly was using blemish crème to make them less noticeable to the camera. Plus he hadn’t had a good nights sleep since before he started on the campaign trail. He hated being the President. But he loved the perks and the privileges of office. Just one more year, he could make it one more year, then maybe claim ill health as an excuse not to run. Only he had to run, the problems that would result from one party in control of all three branches would be catastrophic. He would be blamed. Some how they would find a way to blame him. That is why he had to win tonight. His budget would mean new jobs, better schools and more programs to help the elderly, and the poor. It would also solidify his bid for a second term, keeping them out for at least another four years and maybe the people would come to their senses, and sweep the democrats into at least a majority into one of the wings of congress.

Johanna Lennon was in her office bright and early, it was going to be a short day on the Hill. After all the State of the Union was going to be delivered by The Savior of the Democratic Party, she detested the man personally, but admired him professionally. He embodied everything she aspired to be in politics, but he was weakening, politically anyhow. He was already being called a Lame Duck by the more conservative members in congress, so new to their regaining of the reigns of power, they thought themselves unbeatable and maybe they were, but she was still here. Yes she remained a wild eyed, left- winged feminist, an environmental wacko. That’s what they called her. Secretly she agreed with them. She needed to be those things because so few remained. She was true to the cause of women’s rights issues, the cleaning of the environment, and the working poor in America. She stood up for those who could not stand up for themselves. She was one of a small number of Democrat incumbents still left on hill. She wanted to think it was because she was so effective at bringing the pork back home to California, or because she was Vice –Chairman(Chair-person) of the House ways and Means Committee. But whatever the reason she was still here and there was work to be done.
She got to her office and started to answer the messages that were left for her overnight, and then went over her acceptance speech for the award ceremony that was being given in her honor. She wanted to get a full days work done in half a day. She, as well as most of her staff had been coming down with the flu, that once again seemed to be making the rounds. Every year about this time at least 3 or 4 representatives offices were affected, mostly due to the close quarters and lack of adequate office space. This forced staffers to suffer from the quick spreading flu bug. This year it was her office, even she was experiencing the effects: nausea, elevated fever, a slight loss of appetite. She wanted to get some work done go home and rest until this evening. Then she would come back for the speech. Everything was going smoothly until about 9 am. It was then that announcement went over the public address system, “All personnel within the sound of this warning please evacuate the building. Please leave in an orderly fashion by using the emergency exits, this is not a drill. Repeat this is not a drill, please evacuate the building.”

So She got up grabbed her cell phone and a stack of papers, put them into her briefcase and headed out of the building. She followed the others coming from their offices and went out of the nearest emergency exit, fortunately it was merely down the hall from her office. When she got outside she saw the capitol police officers, they were instructing everyone to leave the area. And would not answer any questions concerning the reason for the evacuation. At that moment the Bomb squad and SWAT teams started to arrive on site. She knew it must be a bomb scare.

It was a toss up as to who arrived on the scene first, the press or the Bomb Disposal Team. Each was trying to do its job. The bomb squad won the day enforcing a perimeter that ensured no pictures were going to be taken of the area. Thus regulating the press to mere conjecture. It was pitiful really, watching all of the network anchors, asking the same questions as many different ways as they could think of, hoping to get a glimmer of a solid fact. There was nothing to be seen, except for the procession of poor young journalists in front of the cameras with the Capitol Building as a backdrop. They were unable to shed any more light on the story and giving the same tired gossip that was being parceled out by aides and low level staffers. They were left to face the lions. Some important members of congress, seeing this as an opportunity to stick it to the president on the morning of his State of the Union Address, were making their faces ready for the cameras, until the announcement came that there was a genuine explosive device found. That changed many of the minds and prompted the closing of the Capitol Building. Then everything started going crazy.
Asad was on his way into the office. He was sitting in early morning traffic and was going to be late. He prided himself on punctuality, but an unforeseen flat tire had sidelined him. Luckily, he noticed it while still in the driveway. He changed the tire in about ten minutes but had to clean up and change shirts.
His cell phone rang and the Caller ID told him it was his section chief. He thought about letting it go to voice mail, but only for a brief moment, then he answered.

“This is Asad. What’s up chief?”

“Asad, I need you to go to the Capitol Building. It looks like we have a bomb and I need an expert to check it out before the local cops destroy any evidence by tampering with the site.”

“Yes, sir. I am almost there as we speak.”

Well, they found the dummy and are worried like good little secret service agents should be, he thought.

“Damn Sunday drivers!” Asad yelled as he plugged in his portable emergency flasher and started the siren. He was able to get to the site in 10 minutes that way.

When he got to the site, the Capitol Police Department and the Washington D.C Police were there as well as various other agencies including the F.B.I and the Secret Service. All this for a bomb scare, there were more cops than there were press agents in the media feeding frenzy that the incident created. Police and federal agencies were clamoring for jurisdiction, and the press was clamoring for answers to untold numbers of questions, “Is it real? Where was the bomb planted? Are there any suspects in the case?”
Asad walked by without looking or even pretending that an answer would be forthcoming.

“Who’s in charge here?” he asked a local police Sargent who pointed to the highest ranking official. Asad walked over and informed him that he had jurisdiction.
“

These orders came from the top,” he said. Then he produced a piece of paper from his briefcase backing him up with a signature from the Director of the Secret Service. It was a standard issue form letter giving instructions that the holder was acting on behalf of the nation’s security and that whoever was reading it was to give all aid necessary to complete his task.
“Fine by me,” the Police Captain said, “but you may want to show that piece of paper those FBI agents. They seem to think the same thing. Even produced a similar piece of paper, but I’m sure we can all collaborate on this one, right?”

“No, we can’t. You see, this is a threat against the President of The United States, and that is where everyone else’s jurisdiction ends and mine begins and it will remain so until I say otherwise. Now where is this bomb located and has anyone touched it yet?”

“Uh no sir. That is to say, it is in the men’s restroom on the gallery level. And no sir, the Bomb Squad hasn’t removed it yet but they have examined it where it sits, they have determined that it is real. That is why no one’s still inside.”

So he went up to the entrance, showed his badge, and entered the Capitol Building. Once inside, he called his superiors, reported in, and asked for an investigative team to be sent to the site. He was informed that they were already en route. So he took command of the crew and told them to show him the bomb. They led him to the bathroom and once there he studied the bomb. It was a shaped charge, attached to the back of a commode. It was approximately six inches long and about 3 inches wide and about an inch thick. That was a lot of C-4. The trouble was that the primer and timing devise were crude. Two wires, one red and other one blue. They were attached to a battery and a digital clock counting down from 10 hours and 23 minutes. Simplistic but lethal. That much C-4 would take out half of the dome. He stood up and asked the Sargent in charge if they had touched or attempted to move it.

“No sir. When we arrived at the scene it was in the same condition as it is now.”

“What did the timer read?” Asad asked.
The Sargent consulted his notebook and read aloud from it. “The counter read 10 hours and 43 minutes sir, and no one has touched it since that time. We were told to wait for orders from higher up.”

“That’s understandable.” Asad silently muttered to himself . Then asked “Who found it?”
Again the officer consulted his note pad. “Name was listed as Jeremy Webber, says he works for Senator Hodges office, which is just down the corridor. Claims he was in here using the facilities, when he happened to drop a pen, seems he was working the daily crossword in The Post, anyway he bends over to pick up the pen. That is when he sees the bomb.”

“Scared the shit out of him” Another officer joked.

Both Asad and the Sargent gave the offending officer a glaring look, and the Sargent continued.

“He claims he immediately got up and called 911 from his cell phone, then notified a capitol police officer. This occurred at 8:56 AM.”

“very good Sargent.”

“Thank you sir”

“Well, we need to remove it now. Do you realize how much of this building would be destroyed if this were to blow right now?” asked the Sargent.

“Yes sir, most of the dome and a good portion of the building itself. Being where it is, if it would have remained undetected it could have killed alot of people. That’s why it is so important not to talk to anyone about the specific location of the device,” remarked Asad, knowing that would be the catalyst to spring a leak directly to CNN. The bomb’s location would be common knowledge before the end of the hour. Every American would know where it was placed and its terrible implications. He would love to see the reports of television anchors talking to so called experts speculating just how much damage a bomb that size in that location could do, and whether or not the State of the Union Address should continue as planned. However, he had other duties to attend to.

“Tell the BDT they can take care of it now, but first I want photographs taken of it as looks right now.”

“Yes sir, we have a police photographer standing ready for just that reason, he’ll only need a couple of minutes.”
“See to it ” and with those words walked out. He was met by the investigative team for the Secret Service. He gave detailed report of the bomb, and told them that the BDT was going to dispose of it. Then he told them to get group put together too completely comb the building to make sure that there any more surprises.
The early morning sunshine turned to snow as a front moved in and the mercury slowly inched its way towards the freezing point. The snow started as a gentle flurry at first and before the end of hour a thin, new blanket of snow covered the city. As the day wore on the snow came down heavier and by noon the forecasters started issuing winter storm warnings. Already 3 inches had accumulated and the winds were picking up. Drifts were beginning to develop and the snow removal trucks were on the streets. People were leaving D.C. The members of congress left at 10:00 the bomb scare had convinced them that it was pointless, there wouldn’t be any work done today. The only people left on the hill were the janitorial staff, the security team, and of course the Secret Service. They were going over the last minute preparations for the Presidents arrival.

Juan Valdez a janitor, was looking at himself in the mirror, when he noticed a glint of light behind him. He had noticed the man come into the restroom, but he was used to seeing the men in dark glasses and all black suits, Secret Service, they all looked the same. What Juan didn’t notice until it was too late was the large knife. Fear gripped him, and paralyzed him, he tried to make a scream for help, but was not able to make any sound come out of his mouth. It was over quickly, one quick thrust between the ribs from behind. A vicious twist of the blade and Juan Valdez was dead.

Then the gruesome task began, he undressed the man putting the overalls and shoes in a plastic bag. Next Asad cut off the right index finger, and then he gently removed the right eye. Then he laughed a distorted maniacal laugh, and cut off the dead man’s right ear.

Quickly Asad washed the blood off the blade, and the severed body parts. Then he took a bar of lye soap out of his jacket, unwrapped it, and then proceeded to wash his hands all the way up to his elbows. He took out a handkerchief. Proceeded to wrap up the finger and ear, then took a small plastic film container, and dropped the eye into it, sealed it with the cover. Then put it into his pocket. Asad leaned over the body and took Valdez’s keys, ID badge , and removed his wallet, looked through it, a saw the various pictures of wife and children, and noticed that there was only $47.00 in cash. He left the cash and pictures. Took the security key card he had been searching for, and placed the wallet in with the coveralls. Next he took the bar of lye soap and the wrapper, wrapped them in a paper towel and stuffed them as far down into the trash as he could. He turned around and looked for any small signs of evidence, seeing that nothing looked amiss, he started the next phase of his plan.

By this time blood was all over the floor so, Asad pulled off the corpse’s shoes. He then removed his own shoes and placed them with Valdez’s belongings. He walked out of the restroom and intentionally left clear prints leading out the door. He stopped just short of the door removed the shoes and looked up, over head was a drop ceiling, and a panel was slightly ajar. He removed the panel, carefully placed the victim’s shoes up inside the ceiling then replaced the panel properly, keeping the dead mans overalls and walked out of the restroom.

He went directly across the hall to the locker room, for the janitorial and other members of the capitol building, maintenance services department. Found a clean uniform put the soiled one down the incinerator shoot . Then went to the back of the locker room and found an empty locker. He took off his coat and tie, and his dress slacks and shirt, carefully putting them on hangers to avoid wrinkles. He placed them into the locker. Then put on a set of coveralls, looked at the ID card decided he needed a ball cap to disguise his hair, added a fake mustache and brown contact lenses for his eyes, it was fortunate that Mr. Valdez did not have a dark complexion. He then got a cart, with cleaning supplies and broom with a mop and a bucket. He added to this, his black bag and went up the service elevator. He could have used his own badge but, he could not risk it. He did not want to have to explain why his ID showed up in a sector he was not assigned to. He had tried to get on the sweep team, But after his initial investigation of this morning, someone else was assigned to it now. Besides he could not carry out his mission completely if he were on the team. That is why he needed the diversion of the fake bomb scare. Only it had to be believable, thus the large amount of C-4. He hoped that the chief would remember, that he was a specialist in explosives and would be asked to investigate it. indeed he did, he also took the opportunity to get rid of the only link to the crime, he had befriended Mr. Valdez about a month ago, and had been able to find out where his specific route took him in a typical day. He was one of five who were on the cleaning staff who actually went into the House Chambers and cleaned them. He also told him that the bomb was a prop, and that it was a test device used in an upcoming drill. He instructed Mr. Valdez on the exact location and time to place it, but now he had to get the real one in place.

He entered the chamber from behind the speakers podium there to the right of the podium was a flag stand, and in it the National Ensign. He carefully removed a similar looking flag stand from his black bag, gently placed it on the platform, He took one last look at his watch before setting the timer on the bottom of the base, before completing the switch. His watch read 10:59 a.m., then he switched on the timer. Countdown was for nine hours and 5 minutes. This was a hi-impact, “mini nuclear” explosive, it was really the propellant for a sidewinder missile along and its warhead, and a combination of his own mixture, of Nitroglycerine and C-4 packed inside a heavily shielded metallic base. When it exploded, it would create a huge fire ball effect, with all of the power of a nuclear explosion, but with out the radiation. It should however create a mushroom cloud, more importantly this mixture, took up one half of the space that the dummy bomb, but more powerful by a factor of ten. Asad completed the switch and polished the base with a cleaning agent, until it shined as brightly as the one it was replacing. It was too bad he would not be here to see the results in person, but he had other places to be. He left being very careful to make sure he reversed his steps and passed the security checkpoints, thus ensuring the path led directly back to the staff locker room. Then he changed back into his own clothes, and left the building.

Lt. Jake Raines, of the Washington D.C Police Department, Homicide Division, arrived at the Capitol Building and was escorted to the staff locker room men’s restroom. He had seen alot of murder cases but this one was probably the most gruesome in recent memory. This was disturbing because of its location and its implications.

This was going to be a very busy day in D.C. That is of course not to say he hadn’t seen worse cases of murder, he had. Many were much more disturbing then this.
He had also been a party to some that would give even the most demented killer nightmares, but they were not simply murder. They happened, because it was a different place and different rules existed, or at least for him and those with him. He had been involved in a clandestine operation while in the military. Those people died because they were going to kill many more innocent civilians, so he and his team of seals were sent to make sure they did not survive to carry out their plan. They also died in such a manner as to send a message to anyone else who might think of such a plot. They were a vivid, clear message, “Don’t even think about it… We’ll rock your world, then take your life, and in an instant you will not exist.” The message needed to be repeated Jake thought to himself as he looked at the body of Valdez on the floor of the restroom.
He kneeled next the body and started a cursory exam of it. He found the right index finger missing, the right eye, had been plucked out. These were obvious issues. The questions that they arose were much more complicated. Why are there no shoes, no clothes, and no wallet. On the surface these were simple questions the answers obvious, the killer intended to rob the victim, then got messy, so stripped the corpse and left the man just like he lays. But if that were true why the charades, why mutilate the body? He then answered his internal question. To make identification more difficult. But surely there were only a limited number of people, that would fit this body type, and with DNA they would have an ID within a few hours at least.

It wasn’t until he examined the body closer that Jake noticed the right ear was missing. He had seen that before too, and he didn’t like what that meant. He had heard about, read about, and personally witnessed many instances of mutilation, after a killer had committed the initial murder of the victim. In almost every case it was because the killer knew or had regular dealings with the victim. The only time it was not the case was in military situations, then it came down to the fact that the killer, did for more complex reasons, usually because it put fear in the enemy . The other was simply sometimes a soldier snapped and went insane, he simply wasn’t any longer in control.

The questions in Jake’s head changed, and so did the ramifications. No longer were they of the nature of who the victim was. They became, who was the victim to the perpetrator? And why the murder took place at all.
Jake took out a notebook and a pen, he listed all of his observations, and then a list of questions. Next, he the followed the footsteps from the body, to the door, and back to the body. They didn’t add up, you commit a heinous act, presumably undetected. And then and leave the scene, so why leave such clear and obvious prints? He wrote a few more comments in his notebook and then turned to the capitol police Sargent.

“Does anyone know who this man is?” he asked the Sargent

“Well sir a positive ID has yet to be made, we haven’t taken prints or done anything that may have disturbed the crime scene. We simply cordoned off the area and kept everyone away.”

“That is very fortunate for me.” Jake replied almost automatically “It makes my job a little easier,” he continued. Jake took one more look around the restroom.

“I am going to need too get the department photographer down here to take a few pictures, he is probably en route as we speak.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem, Sir.”

Then Jake asked a final question before leaving the area, he asked “What do you make of these prints, leading to the door.”

“The capitol Sargent responded “Maybe the killer was in a hurry, to leave the scene of the crime, or maybe he didn’t realize he was leaving a trail. Either way it lucky for us he did”

“Lucky, you say?”

“They are a nice set of prints, should be able to make an estimate of size weight from them and maybe even get lucky with the type of shoe he was wearing.” The capitol cop responded.

“I doubt it but you can try. Don’t you find it just a bit odd that they are so clear, even and crisp?” Jake asked, pointing to the prints on the floor.

“I think that it is also very odd the body does not have shoes? Is it mere coincidence, where are his shoes?”

“What else is odd about all this, is the timing, we need to find out the time of death, when did this poor man die today? Was it before the bomb scare? Or was it after, and does it make any difference one way or another?”

“Certainly sir, you don’t think you are going to be a part of the investigation to the incident that occurred earlier?” The Sargent asked forcefully.

“The earlier case is being handled internally along with the help from the Secret Service, and whatever other agencies that are trying to claim jurisdiction. Damn Feds think they can just come in and relegate us to the back seat, even though it happened on our watch. Even having to outsource this one hurts, but at least it you don’t rub it in our faces. ” The Sargent said sarcastically

“I know the feeling, believe me there have been a few time that the feds have taken over a case from me in the past. You recall Senator Williams death a couple years back?”

“Yeah matter of fact I do, the FBI said he committed suicide, something about there being an alleged underage boyfriend, and his wife found out.”

“Well I was the responding officer on the scene, it wasn’t suicide, it was plain old murder. So we need to keep the Feds out of this case as long as we can, which means we need to show some quick results.”


Noon at the White House was always a little chaotic but today was overly so, The Secret Service wanted to have a security Briefing and Harrison already had three other meetings scheduled. His press secretary was already giving a press conference over the bomb scare from earlier. But to top it all off he was really hungry. The Directors of the CIA, The FBI and the Secret Service, along with the head of the NSA, were all sitting in a semi-circle around his desk. All of them were pointing fingers and laying the blame at each others’ feet. The noise was deafening.

“Everybody, be quiet!” Harrison finally shouted above the voices to be heard.
Immediately the three men stop talking and looked towards the president.

“That’s better.” Harrison said in a much calmer tone.

“Lets try this again, only one person at a time please.” Harrison nearly snarled, but then recovered by smiling a thin fatherly type smile, and looked toward Geoff Grant the Director of the Secret Service.

Mr. Grant started by handing over a report to the president.
“As you can see the device was plenty real, even if crude. It would have made a spectacular blast, It would have blown the restroom to bits, but whoever put it there was not a pro. A pro would know for example that behind that commode was a blast-proof wall, because it abutted the House Chamber itself. So knowing that no damage would be done to the intended target. But we can’t conclude it was a just a crackpot, who somehow got his hands on a large quantity of C-4. Sir we have just conducted, a very through search of the Capitol Building, and there is no sign of another threat of this nature, indeed there was no sign of any type of threat at all. However we still would recommend an alternative means of giving the State of the Union Address, It could be done with total security right here for the Oval Office, and broadcast to the Capitol Building, and carried live on television.
Harrison thought about that a moment, but was already rejecting it as an option, “I’ll think about that.” he answered.

“Sir, If I may speak, I think it will make our point rather clear.” Replied Mr. Bradley, director of FBI. “About twenty minutes ago there was a murder victim discovered on Capitol Hill.”

“Why weren’t we notified about this” Grant exclaimed.

“It was just reported shortly before I reached the White House” Bradley continued ignoring the interruption. “So far there is little information available in the case, we know that the victim was murdered with a sharp object presumably a knife, rather large , we must conclude. He was stabbed only once from behind. But this is where the case goes weird.”

“What do you mean weird?” Harrison asked

“I’m getting to that. The body was one Mr. Juan Valdez, he worked as a janitor at the Capitol building. The body was discovered by another member of the cleaning staff. as I have been informed the body was found dressed only in underwear. No other clothing, not even shoes. The body is also minus the right index finger and the right eye, as well as the right ear. More importantly none of his keys or his security card key, was found on or near the body. We have to conclude that whoever killed this man has those items, and may have been able access other areas of the capitol building. The case was originally Washington D.C PD. But we are trying to get jurisdiction because it occurred in a federal building, unfortunately that’s all the information I have at this time.”

“What time was the death reported ?” Grant asked

“The Capitol Police Department called D.C PD at 11:45 a.m., which was as soon as they were notified. They are really not equipped to handle a murder case. The coroner said time of death could be as early as 9:00 am or as late as 11:00 am with a margin for error of 10-15 minutes either way, but thinks it was more closer to ten-ish”
“Which means the killer can not be the same man who planted the bomb, right” Replied Harrison.

“Well that would be our guess.” Mr. Bradley answered. “But, we have not ruled out anything yet.”

“So what are you saying Mr. Bradley, I am to believe that you cannot secure the Capitol Building by nine p.m. tonight?”

“No. What I am saying, is that you shouldn’t take unnecessary risks, Mr. President.” Bradley replied then sat down.

Mr. Boyles, of the CIA, looked at others and finally at the President, then started. “Sir we have not received rumors of any specific threats, nor have we any credible evidence that such a threat exists. However, we can not say we have positive proof that there are no dangers either. Sir we feel it would be fool-hearty to even step foot into the Capitol Building tonight. We strongly urge you to forgo the speech, and simply deliver the State of the Union to the Capitol Building via courier, or such. The Constitution does allow for it to be delivered in such a manner. A written document is all that the Constitution requires sir. No one could fault you for not going down there in person, after all your safety is of the prime importance.”

“Thank you all, for your concern gentlemen, But I am still going to go through with the speech, now if you will excuse me, I must leave to attend a luncheon in the Rose Garden.” And, with that Harrison stood up. The gentlemen took this as their cue to leave, stood up and shook hands with the President. Then they left. When they exited the office, Harrison left the office by one of the many secret panels within the Oval Office.

Sphere: Related Content