by Cherry Laska
“I’m sure he’ll get his way. So, you wanted to go flying with me?”
Marshall laughed nervously and explained, “Well, sorry, no. I came along because I took the list and information you came up with on the possible targets and plugged it into an algorithm to consider the geographic location, psychological impact on the U.S. if a particular target was destroyed, the type of water and air systems, and a few other factors. I’ll add additional factors based on what we see as we go. The targets are all within twenty square miles. Can we start on the north end, cover everything west of the Strip, then move back up the east side of the Strip?”
“That sounds great. You going to be okay?” Jessica was concerned how Marshall would handle the rough, loud ride of the chopper. They weren’t just going up to altitude and cruising.
“I took something Alejandro gave me. I’m feeling pretty mellow. Plus, focusing on my work will help.”
“He’s tough as nails,” Mark said, boosting Marshall’s confidence with a show of faith.
80
AFTER A QUICK BUT THOROUGH pre-flight of the borrowed FBI Bell 407, Jessica climbed into the right seat of the cockpit. The PIC seat location in a helicopter was the opposite of a plane’s. She strapped in, plugged in, and they were ready to go. The 407 was tricked out with plush seats and the latest computerized avionics. The seven caution lights and alarms cycled during the start-up sequence, which was run and monitored by the computer. As they went off, Jessica reset each of them. Marshall was bravely sitting in the front seat. Mark was behind him. She looked to make sure they both had on their headsets and were buckled up.
“You seem and look like you know how to fly this, but do you really?” Marshall asked nervously. Jessica had zipped up a borrowed flight suit over her clothes.
“Absolutely. We’re safe.” She pulled back on the cyclic to get them airborne. “Hey, Mark, did the agent who gave us the keys seem mad to you? What’s up with that?”
“Joe had to pull some serious strings to get the FBI to lend us their new chopper. Apparently, they just took delivery of it. Joe said to tell you to please bring it back without a scratch.”
“Gotcha.”
They got started systematically checking out the possible targets. Jessica loved flying the Bell 407. Marshall was using a digital camera with a telephoto lens recording the data on his laptop. She could see some of the rooftops would be extremely difficult to access, but they still weren’t sure that was how Zircone would deploy the sarin.
“Vegas has so many possible large targets,” Mark said. “A sicko’s dream.”
“I was hoping I’d see something up here and it would click. What the frig is he planning?” Jessica muttered. They continued on, pressing to cover all the casinos, malls, schools, and other large venues. They were just coming up on the Bellagio when a call from Joe came through the dispatcher.
They heard him take a deep breath. “There’s a guy whose wife reported that he didn’t come home last night. She’s been very vocal and swears he’s a good, devoted husband and father.”
“Are you thinking it’s tied to Operation Black Diamond?” Jessica asked. “Is he someone important?” She was still trying to ascertain the importance and connection.
Joe said, “He’s a janitor at the Convention Center.”
“It could be a coincidence,” she said, not wanting to believe it.
He hesitated before saying, “There’s more.”
“Come on, Joe. Get to it. Please, just tell us.”
“About forty minutes ago, Alejandro looked at the wrestling tournament program you had. There’s a team from Turkey entered. Four of the wrestlers listed are actually Iranian and one of them is President Amiri’s grandson. We’re designating the Convention Center as the probable target.”
Jessica thought her head was going to explode. She couldn’t believe what she’d heard. “There are so many people in there. So many of them are kids. My kids. We’ve got to get them out.” She was in control of her outer self, but her inner self was wigging out. She knew she had to keep a level head. She was already changing course to fly directly to the Convention Center. If it was the target and Zircone was in place, he’d detonate at the first sign of evacuation. “We’re heading there now. I’m only a couple of miles away.” Jessica turned to Mark and Marshall. “Hold on.” She nosed the 407 over and picked up speed. Marshall’s complexion had taken on an ash-green hue.
She gave him a sympathetic look. “Sorry, buddy. Hang in there. We’re okay. It’s just the mountain winds and updrafts. Flying under the base of the clouds at this speed is a bumpy ride.” She had to get to the Convention Center as quickly as she could. All the people were in danger. Her kids were in danger. Trevor, Chase, and Bridgette. Wait. Bridgette. She wasn’t there. “Be quiet for a minute,” she said and got a call patched to Bridgette.
“Gidgie,” Jessica said as soon as Bridgette picked up. “I love you, and you’ve been great. Use the card I gave you and shop ’til you drop! There are tons and tons of bargains out here in Vegas. Don’t worry about getting back to the tournament. I just heard there’s been a big delay.” She didn’t allow Bridgette to get a word in before making it an irresistible deal. “After shopping, go to lunch, then to the spa for all the treatments you two want. Charge anything you’d like to the room. Once in a lifetime fun. All right?”
“Yes.” She sounded both thrilled and skeptical. “What’s the catch and where are you? It’s noisy.”
“Oh, I’m crossing the street and there’s a police chopper. There’s no catch. Okay? Promise you’re going to enjoy it.”
“I promise. Thanks, Mom. You’re the best.” She heard her daughter scream as she was hanging up. She knew Bridgette would be safe.
Jessica began the descent toward the Convention Center roof. Mark moved directly behind her and opened the door. He had an M-4A1 and a 9mm at the ready. He hooked himself in by the cable and was sitting on the edge with his feet out the door. Mark was experienced with significant Air Assault time and seemed very comfortable there.
Jessica connected back with Joe. “We’re two minutes out. I need to know anything you find out.”
“I’ll keep you up to date by the minute. We won’t let Zircone strike.”
“We can’t, Shark. My boys are in there along with a lot of innocent people, including a group of my friends.”
“I know. I hear you. I’m doing everything I can think of. Hold on a second.” He came back after a very long fifteen seconds. “Smoke, I have an update. Las Vegas Metro recovered the Convention Center janitor’s car. Two kids were joyriding and crashed it. They claim they found it unlocked with the keys in the ignition.”
“This can’t be happening.”
“Hold on. I’m entering the Convention Center now. I’m moving to where your sons are. I’m pulling them out of here. Damn it. There are a lot of people.”
Joe was in danger too. The people Jessica loved were in jeopardy. She knew the only way to help them was to do her job. Absolute focus consumed her. They were getting close. Moments later they were on top of the Convention Center roof.
“There’s someone on the roof, ” Marshall transmitted.
81
COMING OVERHEAD, THEY SPOTTED A man in janitor’s overalls working on containers that were hooked up to the air intake system. From what Jessica could see, they look set to vaporize the deadly gas. She dove the helicopter at him. The downwash blew his hat blew off and they saw it was the dark-skinned Iranian they’d been chasing. He’d dyed his hair but it was Zircone standing right there in front of them. Mark threw off his headphones and opened fire. He unhooked and leaped out of the helicopter. Zircone was forced to abandon the canisters and run for cover.
“Shark, Zircone is on the roof. Wolf is on the roof and is engaged. Get your men to the roof on the Southeast corner now! Shut off the air systems and evacuate the building.”
Joe and three friends of his from the LV FBI office had just reached the area near Jessica’s bo
ys.
“Roger,” he said. Joe looked around, quickly assessing the situation. He transmitted the commands to all agencies to move on the roof, shut off the air from the main access in the utility room, and prepare for evacuation. He pointed out the route he wanted to take out of there and pulled the fire alarm. He quickly moved to position the agents behind and on each side of Trevor and Chase. Joe jumped in front to lead the way.
The wrestlers and crowd took a moment to react to the alarm and flashing lights. The recorded message got people to comply with the order to evacuate. Joe and the agents had the boys and the people around them moving fast in the direction Joe wanted without any of them realizing they were being driven like a herd. While the crowd had logjammed at the exits, Joe quickly unlocked a side door and led his group into the hall where they were able to pick up the pace and get outside.
“Smoke, your sons are outside. I’m coming to the roof,” Joe said, turning back into the mass of people pouring out of the building.
Mark continued maneuvering and firing, forcing Zircone to take cover behind a vent hood. Jessica hovered over the terrorist and tried to throw dirt and pebbles in his face with the rotor downwash. Agents burst through the southeast access door, triggering an explosion. In order to keep the helicopter safe from the powerful force of flames and debris, Jessica pulled up and looped around.
“Shark, agents down. Send medical and fire. Southeast access door was booby-trapped. Find another way to access the roof. Proceed with caution.”
The explosion had thrown Mark to the ground and allowed Zircone to take off running full out toward the canisters. Mark managed to get up and race after the terrorist. Zircone fired causing Mark to dodge bullets. Zircone had Mark pinned down and had reached the canisters. He was reaching for the lever to release the sarin. Mark made the only move he could to prevent that from happening. Completely exposing himself, he stood firing and charged directly at Zircone, forcing him to turn away from the canisters and refocus on Mark. The terrorist connected. Mark staggered but kept going and dove at Zircone bringing them both to the ground.
“Wolf is hit! Where’s back up? We need them up here now!”
Mark and Zircone were fighting for control of the gun. In a horrible instant, Mark’s body was thrown into the air by the force of taking a point-blank bullet. His body went limp.
“He’s down!” Jessica shouted. “Wolf isn’t moving.”
Zircone struggled to shrug off Mark’s body and pull himself up to his feet. FBI, CIA, and Homeland Security agents had made it safely to the roof through the Southwest door and closed in on the Iranian. They opened fire and Jessica started pulling back to put them at a safe distance. His body flailing, Zircone was taken down by a multitude of bullets.
“They got him. Zircone’s hit.”
As he fell, his gun pointed skyward. A bullet found the chopper’s tail rotor causing them to start spinning. Jessica pulled up on the stick to prevent striking the building. “Mayday, mayday, mayday,” she transmitted and fought with everything she had to stabilize the helicopter. “This is Lima-Victor four-two-niner declaring an emergency landing.”
Joe was close to the roof when he heard Jessica’s emergency transmission. He pushed himself harder up the stairwell, ignoring the burning in his lungs.
The Bell 407 had all the latest systems in flight assist. The borrowed FBI helicopter wouldn’t go down easily and neither would Jessica. She had too much to lose. Spinning and yo-yoing up and down, she worked the collective, the cyclic, and the foot pedals to find the right way to stabilize them. They were definitely going to crash. It was just a question of how and where that would determine if they’d survive. She ignored all the radio transmissions and focused everything she had on making the helicopter continue to fly, getting away from the densely populated area, and gaining enough control to set them down in a way that would give them a chance to survive.
They spun hard to the right and Jessica saw the monorail whiz by. Marshall screamed. She was able to pull up just in time. They continued to spin as Jessica brought them higher to buy time while she worked to stabilize them. They passed by a hotel, a busy road, and a parking lot that was full of cars. She couldn’t stop the helicopter from spinning. They were coming down and getting close to the Encore tower. They were out of time and had to land. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a pond and remembered the Wynn Golf Club. It was their best bet. She tried to maneuver toward the course. It seemed like time was passing so slowly. In reality, everything was happening extremely fast. Jessica made it to the fairway by the waterfall.
The scene on the roof of the Convention Center was brutal and chaotic. Law enforcement officers representing various agencies, along with the Las Vegas fire and medical first responders, spread out to secure the chemicals and the terrorist, give aid to any injured agents, and extinguish the remaining flames caused by the explosion. While moving and taking the required immediate action, they watched helplessly as the FBI helicopter spun erratically, knowing a crash was imminent. Joe burst through the roof access door and frantically searched the sky. He looked in the direction everyone was facing. He caught a glimpse of the helicopter before it disappeared below the trees.
With the tail rotor out, the only shot they had was to autorotate. Jessica would have to land with significant forward airspeed to keep this from being fatal. She’d practiced this type of emergency landing more times than she could count, but practice was nothing compared to the reality.
As they closed in on the ground, she flashed to Trevor, Chase, Bridgette, and Joe. At least they were safe. The impact was hard and violent. They slid while continuing to spin and roll. The giant metal spinning rotors ripped through everything they touched. Grass, dirt, and debris were thrown as the blades tore up the pristine fairway. What a shame to destroy such a pretty course, Jessica thought, followed by, What a stupid thing to have pop in my head.
Joe watched in horror as a cloud of dust rose in the sky. Time seemed to freeze as he watched for an explosion. There was a plume of black smoke rising. He had to get to the crash site and see if Jessica and Marshall survived. He looked at what was going on around him and was torn by his responsibility to these men, women, and national security.
Joe found Alejandro next to Mark’s lifeless body giving instructions to several agents. He grabbed Joe’s arm. “Go help Marshall and Jessica. I’ll coordinate the scene.”
Joe turned to an officer next to him and asked, “Do you have a cruiser?”
“Yes sir.”
“I need you to get me over to the crash site.”
They took off in a sprint.
82
WHEN ALL MOVEMENT STOPPED, THE Bell 407 was in pieces. Luckily the majority of the fuselage was intact. It was on its right side on the eighteenth fairway, hanging slightly over a fairway trap. Jessica’s body was throbbing with pain, telling her she was alive. She did a quick assessment. Her head hurt, and she felt a little dazed, but for the most part she thought she was okay. She heard Marshall’s voice and was so happy and so relieved she hadn’t killed him.
Through the cracked windshield Jessica saw people pouring out of the clubhouse and running toward the crash. The golfers on the course were converging on them from all directions. Jessica smelled smoke. There was a fire somewhere. She saw the brightly colored wild pattern of two golfers’ Loudmouth clothing. They were working on pulling Marshall out of the back seat. Marshall was mumbling about a giant frog attacking him. The golfers must have been close to where they’d come to a stop, because everyone else was still a good distance away.
Jessica was able to open her door and drop into the sand unnoticed. She recognized one of the women in the approaching crowd. Her boys were on the wrestling team with Trevor and Chase. She was the reigning Miss Gossip. By lunchtime everyone would know Jessica had crashed a helicopter and her secret would be blown. “Crap.” But wait. I’m wearing a flight suit and helmet. Her hair was tucked up and the dark visor was down. She thought of the numero
us times when hidden beneath all the gear she’d been mistaken for a man. Even Joe had gotten it wrong the first time they’d met. She shifted her weight to stand more like a guy. She knew if she wanted to keep her identity a secret she had to move. It was only a matter of time before a good Samaritan responding to the scene tried to help her. She didn’t want to be delayed and have to answer questions about who they were and what they were doing. Marshall was getting help, so she could go.
Relying on adrenaline, Jessica was able to get her legs working. She started slowly backing away from the wreck, using debris to shield her movements. She jumped in a nearby abandoned golf cart and ditched her helmet in exchange for a golfer’s hat left in the cart. Jessica stripped off the flight suit and stuffed it in the basket behind the seats. Everyone was focusing on the wreckage and Marshall, who was alternating between shrieks and incoherent sentences about the giant frog and Louis Armstrong.
Jessica followed the path around the backside of the waterfall. She could hear sirens getting louder and knew their approach path would have them coming right at her. She made it to the entrance of the women’s locker room and left the cart. She moved as fast as she could, ignoring the many parts of her body that were screaming in protest. She ducked inside just as the first fire truck came around the corner of the parking garage.
Everyone had run out to the crash site leaving the locker room empty. She was pretty banged up but didn’t think anything was broken. There was blood running down her arm. The long-sleeved white t-shirt she was wearing was covered in blood. Jessica did a quick look around and found a pile of clothes that someone had left in an unlocked locker. She wrapped a shirt around the long gash. With one of the sleeves in her mouth, she pulled. Her eyes rolled up in her head, but she ignored the pain and continued pulling, tying it as tight as she could. She carefully pulled on a red jacket. She laughed. She always loved wearing red, but in this instance her love of the color was because it was perfect for hiding her blood.