FBI windbreakers. She put her conversation on hold and approached her mentor. Her long auburn hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail.
She greeted the director professionally and then turned to McMahon.
McMahon took a deep breath, told Jennings that he’d be back as soon as possible, and then started to rattle off a list of things for the young agent to check on. “Make sure every level of law enforcement within three hundred miles is notified to be on the lookout for multiple males traveling in generic American-model cars.” McMahon began sticking the forefinger of his right hand into the palm of his left hand as he went down his list.
“Remind them to arrest anyone who they think is the slightest bit suspicious and to hold them until one of our people arrives. Make sure they understand that last part clearly, and make sure the suspect profiles are faxed to all of their officers. When you’re done with that, find out how the teams are doing with the surveillance tapes at Dulles and National, and if anything comes up, call me immediately.” Jennings nodded and watched her boss slip into the backseat of the long dark car. As they drove down the street, McMahon filled
Roach in on the specifics of Fitzgerald’s death.
The director had already been briefed via phone on the murders of Koslowski and
Downs. The drive from Georgetown to the White House took less than ten minutes. As they pulled into the White House compound, Roach asked, “What are the chances we’ll catch these guys before they get away?”
32
“We have checkpoints set up on all the roads heading out of town, every airport within three hundred miles is being watched, and the Navy and the Coast Guard are tracking every vessel that’s headed out to sea.”
“So, what are our chances?” McMahon frowned and said, “My gut tells me we’re wasting our time. Whoever did this was good … really good.
They either left the country immediately or they’re holing up somewhere waiting until things cool down.”
“You’re probably right. But we have to be really careful on this one. Otherwise, I’ll be sitting in front of a joint committee next year getting second-guessed by a bunch of old men who want to show their voters back home that they know more than the director of the FBI.”
Roach paused for a moment. “Besides, don’t forget those pros that set off the bomb in the World Trade Center.
Who would have thought they would have been dumb enough to try and get the deposit back on that van? These criminals aren’t always as smart as we think they are.”
“Brian, it doesn’t take a great criminal mind to park a van loaded with explosives in the underground parking garage of the World Trade Center.
But there aren’t many organizations out there who can kill three different people, in three different locations, in one evening, and leave no traces. It’s not like blowing up a pipe bomb at the Olympics.
Any idiot can leave a bomb in a park. It’s far more complicated to get up close and personal when killing someone.” Roach pondered McMahon’s comments as the limousine came to a stop. The director’s bodyguards opened the doors, and Roach said, “Before we go in, let me warn you about a couple of things. Everyone will understand that you haven’t had a lot of time to prepare for this briefing, so keep it simple and try not to editorialize too much. “The President won’t say a lot, but watch out for Garret.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t embarrass you … at least not intentionally.”
McMahon smiled. “One other thing. Don’t stick your neck out too far.
If they ask you for an opinion, and they will, just tell them it’s too early to tell.”
McMahon gave his boss another nod.
“Brian, I have done this before.”
“I know, Skip, but you haven’t dealt with this administration before.”
33
Roach lowered his voice to a whisper. “Just trust me, and watch what you say.” The director stepped out of the car first. Roach’s bodyguards walked them to the door and into a small foyer. A Secret Service agent approached and escorted them to the Cabinet
Room. It was not the first time McMahon had been to the White House, but it was the first time he’d been in the Cabinet Room. His other meetings had taken place in either the
Oval Office or the Situation Room in the basement.
As McMahon and Director Roach were getting ready to settle into their chairs, the
President, Garret, and National Security Adviser Mike Nance entered the room with
Garret in the lead. Garret clapped his hands together loudly.
“Come on, gentlemen, let’s get this meeting started.” The President took his seat in the middle of the long table. Garret sat immediately to his right and Nance to his left.
Sitting across from the President were Skip McMahon, FBI director Roach, CIA director
Thomas Stansfield, and the CIA’s top terrorism expert, Dr. Irene Kennedy. Roach and
Stansfield introduced their subordinates, and then Garret started the meeting.
“Well, Director Roach, I sure hope you have some answers for us.”
Roach looked to the President and said, “Mr. President, with the help of the congressional switchboard and several local police departments, we’ve secured the whereabouts of the remaining five hundred and thirty-two Senators and Congressman.
