“What about search-and-rescue?”
“All available agents have been sent to Death Chute with some of the ski patrol and sheriff’s department S- and-R guys. Agent Palmer is leading a civilian team back where we picked you and Goldilocks up. I think Palmer’s team is going to have better luck.”
“Why do you say that?”
“You were picked up in the bowl. The bowl is easily accessible. We’ve already got some construction lamps and related equipment en route. I must have personally spoken with every construction company within a hundred-mile radius. Any and all heavy earthmoving equipment that exists is trying to make its way there right now.”
“But what about the president and Sam?”
“You tell me, Scot. You’ve skied Death Chute. You were the one who was in charge of securing it. What kind of equipment do you think we could get onto a nearly vertical drop face?”
“Choppers.”
“Grounded.”
“Not our stuff. Not those Marine pilots.”
“Yes, even our stuff and even our guys. When you feel up to it, take a peek out the window. You can’t even see your hand in front of your face. It’s a complete whiteout. What’s more, we can’t get lights up where we need them, and we certainly can’t get any cranes or bulldozers in there because the area is so inaccessible.”
As the severity of the situation began to sink in, Harvath pressed his palms against his forehead.
“What we do have going for us,” Hollenbeck continued, “is that you saw the president’s detail make it to the first plateau around the treed area. The CAT team waiting at the bottom never saw them come out, so we have a general idea of where they might be.”
“But that snow came roaring down the mountain. They could have been totally swept past the CAT team.”
“I don’t think so. If you really did see Ahern and Houchins wipe out by the trees, then the rest of the detail would have held up for them. I am going to assume that they heard and interpreted the avalanche the same way you did and went into the trees. We’ve got over fifty people up there right now with dogs. We have to hope for the best. The mushers will work the pups, and the rest will link and sink.” Link and sink was a search-and-rescue technique in which a line of people moved forward side by side, as if linked by an invisible chain, sinking long aluminum poles into the snow every foot, in an effort to feel something or someone underneath.
Scot looked up at Hollenbeck. “Have you called Washington yet?”
“Yeah. They told me we’re authorized for anything we need.”
Dr. Trawick cleared his throat, indicating that he was through with his examination. Scot and Agent Hollenbeck both turned to look at him.
“There’s no question that you took quite a beating. I am still amazed that, all things considered, you didn’t break anything. In light of what happened, your injuries are relatively minor.”
“Good, then I can-”
“Hold on a second. I’m not finished. When I say your injuries are minor, that doesn’t mean they aren’t serious. While nothing appears to be broken, you may have a few cracked ribs. I want to wrap you with an Ace, ice the bruised areas, and then get you into my office for some X rays and probably a CT scan. Until then, you are to stay in bed. I am going to keep you on the IV for another twelve hours and monitor you. What I am most concerned about is your head trauma. So, for the time being, you are staying put.”
“Thanks all the same, Doc, but I plan on going back out there to help in the search. They need every live body they can get.”
“You’re welcome all the same, but you’re not going anywhere. Your body is of no use to anyone in this condition. You go out there like this and they’ll end up having to waste time carrying you right back in again.”
“I doubt that-”
“And, beyond the total fatigue and exhaustion you have suffered, there’s also some frostbite and mild hypothermia. Any average person probably would have died out there. Your survival says a lot about your training and will to live. I repeat, you are one lucky S.O.B.”
“Are you finished now, because I’ve got stuff I’ve gotta do?” said Scot as he tried to raise himself off the bed.
“Lie down,” barked Hollenbeck. “That’s an order! Harvath, why do you insist on being such a jackass sometimes?”
“Tom, with all due respect, I was head of the advance team. The safety of the presidential party as well as my fellow agents was and is my responsibility. You need my help.”
“Not in this condition I don’t. Forget it.”
“I’m not going to debate this with you, Tom.”
“You’re damn right you’re not. You are staying in that bed until Dr. Trawick or Dr. Paulos says otherwise. You got me?”
“C’mon, Tom. Be realistic.”
A crackle, followed by Hollenbeck’s call sign over the CB radio clipped to his belt, prevented him from arguing any further with Scot, and he raised his hand for silence.
“This is Birdhouse. Over.”
“Birdhouse, this is Hermes. We’ve got something. Over.”
“Copy, Hermes. What’s the situation? Over.”
Despite the effort, Scot sat straight up to listen to the exchange.
“Birdhouse, it appears as if we have recovered two agents from Hat Trick’s detail. They are extricating them as we speak.”
Thank God, Hollenbeck thought to himself. “What’s their condition? Over.”
“Still extracting, hold on a sec…I’m moving over to get a better view.”
“Roger that. Birdhouse is holding.”
Several seconds passed.
“Birdhouse! Birdhouse! Hat Trick’s agents are down! Unnatural causes. I repeat, unnatural causes.”
Hollenbeck couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Scot strained forward to take in every piece of information. He knew that there was absolute pandemonium on the face of Death Chute right now. All of the agents would have their guns drawn, feeling vulnerable in the dark, not knowing if the threat was still present or long since gone.
“Hermes, this is Birdhouse. Tell your team to sweep and reap. I repeat, your team is to sweep and reap. Do you copy? Over.” Sweep and reap was the command to scour the immediate area for hostile targets. If any were encountered, the threat was to be neutralized by taking the perpetrators into custody or by punching their tickets as quickly as possible.
“Roger, Birdhouse. Hermes’s team will sweep and reap. Over.”
Hollenbeck had four CAT teams outside, and he got on the radio and mobilized them next. Two headed off toward Death Chute, and the other two took defensive positions around the house. As he completed his commands, he turned back to see Scot trying to get out of bed. This was more than he needed to handle. He turned to Dr. Trawick. “Sedate him. Now.”
“We can’t do that. Not in his condition.”
“Fine. I want a guard on this door tonight. He doesn’t leave.”
Harvath was only able to squeeze out a couple words of protest before Hollenbeck grabbed his parka and ran out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Scot knew he was licked, at least for now.
15
Miner once again looked at his watch. Everything was still going according to schedule. Every phase of the operation brought with it new challenges and potential pitfalls. The greatest risk Miner and his team were running right now was in transporting their precious cargo, but even in that, he had plotted for every eventuality.
