Click.
Chapter 67
Emily made a quick trip downstairs for a bag of popcorn and two plastic glasses of wine; one red and one white. She checked the time, sat on the end of her bed, raised her phone and touched the new contact on her list. She heard it ring.
"Hello."
"This is Agent Emily Graham of the FBI."
The silence lasted a bit longer than Emily was comfortable with.
"I said, this is..."
"Yes dear, how are you? How are the kids? Is everyone alright?"
Dear? Kids? Emily's brain searched for how the pieces fit.
"Who am I speaking with?" she asked.
"Yes dear, I'm just fine. I just started my watch here above Helena, Arkansas. We'll be in Memphis in a few hours."
Emily stood up, dropping the popcorn.
"Is this the captain of the Francis B.?" Emily asked.
"Yes dear, certainly; that's not a problem. I think that will be fine. You know me, good ol' Charlie."
Her mind was spinning as rapidly as the room.
"You're not able to talk now, is that correct?"
"Of course, dear. That's right; you tell the kids we'll do that when I get home."
"Captain, are you and your crew alright?"
"Alright? Why yes, dear, I think it is perfectly alright to do that if you want too."
"Captain, how many of the other people are there? How many on your boat?"
"Well, let me think a minute hon; I'd say maybe five or six, something like that, yeah, a half-dozen ought to do it. You know how we all like catfish."
"Captain, is there anything we can..."
"Listen, hon; I need to go right now. This bend here is a sharp one, and the current is making it a bit tough. I'll call you back later, and we can talk more, OK? Bye dear."
Click.
There was popcorn all over the floor, she hadn't even noticed spilling the red wine on the bedspread, and she was sweating; not perspiring, but sweating. She downed the glass of white in one gulp and sat back down on the bed. Her phone began to vibrate.
"Hello, Captain?"
"Agent Graham, its Agent Rodriguez, we have a problem."
Emily stared at the floor, then at the newly tie-dyed bedspread.
"Why doesn't anybody ever call me to tell me we have something good! I'm sorry Rodriguez, what is it?"
"We've had an explosion."
"Oh no, which bridge?"
"No, it’s not a bridge; it’s at the university."
"University?"
"I've sent a car for you. Apparently, there was an explosion in the Engineering building we visited this afternoon, on the third floor; a big one. They say there are casualties."
"I'll be there as soon as I can."
Emily put down the phone, crushed popcorn into the carpet as she collected her things and headed downstairs to meet her car. Fifteen minutes later, with the help of the flashing red light on the car and the driver showing his badge three or four times, they pulled up to the edge of the parking lot they had used earlier. Now, it held a collection of fire engines, rescue equipment, and other vehicles and tents, all crowded with people in various uniforms and heavy equipment. In the reserved parking area, there were three or four long black bags, about the size of a sleeping bag. Emily and Rodriguez walked up to a small group of people in the center of things and showed their credentials.
"FBI?" a man in a state police jacket said, "that was quick. What brings you here this evening?"
Emily gave the quick version of how her visit relates to the situation they were all aware of on the river, and the mood immediately changed. Any thought of departmental or territorial competition vanished in a puff of smoke like that still drifting from up where the third floor used to be.
The state police jacket began, "So far, we know that at least three people were killed, but there are as many as eight or nine reported missing."
"These are all from the third floor?" Emily asked.
"Yes ma'am." a fireman in a white hat said. “Fortunately, the explosion was fairly well contained to the third floor only."
"Where on the third floor?" Emily asked.
"That's something we are still investigating Agent Graham. My men report extensive damage throughout the third floor."
"Both ends?"
"Yes ma'am, we are looking into the possibility that there were two explosions; one at each end."
"That means it was not likely to be an accident."
"That is correct ma'am."
Emily looked up at the darkness where she had talked with Dr. Saenz, "What do we know about the people?"
"As I said, we have three fatalities at this point, none of them identified yet.
"Our office is working on that now, Agent Graham." A hand is extended, "I'm Dr. Cordelia Palma, from the Shelby County Medical Examiner's Office. "I assume you have someone you'll want working with us on this?"
"Yes, we will, thanks. Agent Rodriguez will have someone here shortly."
Rodriguez had already stepped away to make the call.
"How soon can we go up?" Emily asked the white hat.
"My people haven't finished securing things yet." the white hat said, "it may be a while."
"Chief?" Emily looked at the white hat.
"Thorn, ma'am, Dennis Thorn."
"Chief Thorn, could you ask your people to do something for me? It’s rather important."
"Certainly, Agent Graham. What is it?"
"In the offices at one end of the hallway, to the left of the elevator, the east end I believe, there is supposed to be a safe containing information we would very much like to secure and take a look at."
"Say no more Agent Graham." He stepped away lifting his radio to his head.
"They're on the way," Rodriguez said as he returned "should be ten or fifteen minutes."
"Good. Dr. Palma, I realize you have a lot of things to accomplish, but it would be very helpful if we could put victim identification at the top of the list?"
"Absolutely, not a problem."
"Agent Graham," Chief Thorn said, "my team says we can go up now if you need to. It’s not fully secure, but we believe it is safe enough for a brief visit."
"Excellent, let's do that."
Emily, Rodriguez and the Chief walked toward the entry and were stopped by someone holding a box.
"Here, you need to put these on. We've not been able to make a complete sweep for any chemicals that might have been dispersed up there." The man with the box handed each of them a rather awkward looking mask with a large cylindrical filter on the front. "We never know what might be in these places when a lab is involved."
Emily stopped, her feet cemented to the ground as she remembered the conversation with Dr. Saenz.
"Chief Thorn," she said as she pulled off her mask, "you need to get your people out of the building; immediately. Do you have a decontamination facility setup here?"
"Yes, we're doing that now. What's the problem, Agent Graham?"
"Chief, we're still investigating, but there is the possibility that one or both of the labs up there contained some very dangerous things; you need to get your people out of there until we can send in the people who can find out."
"Agent Graham, I assure you that my people are very good..."
"Chief, what experience do your people have with things like anthrax?"
Silence.
"Anth...son of a...." the Chief ripped off his mask, grabbed his radio and began shouting orders.
"Anthrax?" The question came from someone who's uniform was a jacket and tie. "Excuse me, I am Dr. Bellingham, head of the Special Projects Division, I can assure you there is nothing like that in our building."
Emily made eye contact, "Dr. Bellingham, I believe your Dr. Saenz may disagree with that, based on my conversation with him this afternoon."
"Well, with all respect, I'm afraid you are mistaken. I know my lab and my people. If there was something like Anthrax here, I would know that.
You simply misunderstood."
Emily paused, tired of having to decide whether to be political or blunt. This time, blunt won.
"Dr. Bellingham, you are familiar with Dr. Shallenger in your department?"
"Yes, of course, but he's actually not with us right now, he's on a..."
"Dr. Bellingham, you're also familiar with the situation we have taking place right now on the river; with the devices under the bridges?"
"Why yes, I've seen the news; it’s horrible. But I don't understand what..."
"Dr. Bellingham, what if I were to tell you that your Dr. Shallenger is on that boat right now? In fact, he is the person responsible for those devices, and he developed them right here, on the third floor of your building."
Bellingham took longer to find words.
"And sir, what if I told you that we believe those devices do, in fact, also carry a biological payload; specifically, anthrax. I'm afraid that is not public knowledge at this point, so I must insist you keep it to yourself or face rather serious charges."
Dr. Bellingham's face melted. Emily decided she would call Lennie later to let him know she may have let the cat out of the bag about the anthrax, but clearly, it had served its purpose here. A new group of fully suited people was slowly approaching the building, carrying an assortment of gadgets.
"We're not prepared to fully contain and remove something like anthrax," the M.E. said as she came back to the group, "but we should be able to safely determine if it’s here. For now, everyone needs to go over to the decon tent and be processed. If there's anthrax in there, we're all too close to it."
It may have just been the stress, but for a quick second, Emily wished she had brought the bedspread with her. Maybe the decon people could get that stain out.
Chapter 68
Emily called Lennie after returning to her hotel.
"Officially, agent Graham," Lennie said, "I have to say that I am deeply concerned about your breach of confidence in this situation. The information about the biological component of the devices was not to be made public until we were ready. You may have now put us at risk of these people doing something drastic, which may end up creating more panic as people hear about it."
Emily was silent.
"But unofficially, Em, I hope I would have had the guts to do the same thing. You're sure these people won't talk?"
"I think I made things pretty clear of what happens if they do."
"Yeah, right. So, you're ok then; there are no problems after the decon?"
"I'm fine, and so far no one else has shown any symptoms of anything. The CDC is here, and they say that if there was actually any anthrax here, the heat from the explosion and fire should have taken care of it. That's the reason they went to all the trouble making that special canister."
"Right. Anything else?"
"I'm waiting for a call from Agent Rodriguez with the latest. I came back to the hotel to change."
"Ok, good. Colonel Reyes, anything from you at this point?"
"Just to let you know our team is on the way to Memphis; should be there within the hour. They're ready to do the grab when we give them the go ahead."
"What is the thinking on the location?"
"That's a bit tricky," Reyes said. "There are several places where barges are usually tied there, but most of them are closer to the bridge than at Helena. We're thinking they need that time to get the pieces of the devices assembled, so it makes those places doubtful. There are several docks and marinas further south, but those are all pretty built-up, making it risky for them to try and go through there. They seem to be smarter than that."
"Yeah."
"We're going to follow the truck, and do our best to keep our guys close enough to get in and out in time. Right now, our money is on a spot near the entrance to Lake McKellar. There are usually a few barges there, and it’s across from a place called Dismal Point; it just seems appropriate."
"Colonel Reyes, have I ever told you that you people have a warped sense of humor?" Emily said.
"We do our best ma'am."
"I love it. Where is the truck now?"
"They're in Memphis ma'am. “At a motel on South Third Street."
"The boat should be up there about..." Lennie began.
"Should be at Dismal Point about two o'clock. I'll call you when we're moving."
"Sounds good Colonel. Good luck."
"Yes, sir."
"Anyone got anything else right now?" Lennie asked.
"Well, maybe. But I've not figured out what to make of it yet."
"What's that Em?"
"You know our guy Steve, the one that called me about finding Alex?"
"Yeah."
"He called again, and this time he somehow actually put a contact on my phone."
"A contact, what do you mean, a bug?"
"No, a contact, an entry in my contact list. He somehow added a new contact to my phone."
"I didn't know you could do that," Lennie said.
"Me either," Reyes added.
"Well he did, and he told me to wait thirty minutes and call it. So I did. You'll never guess who it was."
"C'mon Em." Lennie sounded tired.
"It was Charlie Graff, the captain on the Francis B."
"What the hell?", Reyes said.
"You have the phone number for the captain on the boat?” Lennie said. “What happened when you called him?"
"He's a smart guy," Emily said. "I introduced myself like Steve said, and after a second, Charlie started talking to me like I was his wife."
"There must have been someone there listening."
"Exactly, but he handled it well. Like I said, he's smart."
"Did you find out anything?"
"It sounds like the crew is ok right now, and that there are about a half dozen others on the boat, other than the crew."
"Half dozen, that's more than we've seen," Lennie said.
"Yeah," Reyes answered, "we’ll take another look at the drone vids, and see if we can get some better ID on just how many we've seen."
"He had to end the call but said he would call me back when he could. I don't know when that might be."
All three were quiet for a moment.
"OK, just who is this Steve guy you're talking to Em?"
"I have no idea. Whoever he is, he keeps saying we're on the same team, and he keeps congratulating us for what we're doing. And...well, no, never mind."
"What?" Lennie asked.
"He said that he likes my attitude and that it’s clear they made the right choice."
"Right choice of what?" Lennie asked.
"I don't know; it sounded like he meant me. What the hell is going on here Lennie; who is this guy?"
"I have no idea Em, but I guarantee you we'll find out."
"Yeah, I think...wait, I have another call coming in that I need to take."
"Steve?"
"No, it’s the M.E. Talk with you later; gotta go."
She pushed the button.
"Hello, Graham here."
"Agent Graham, I'm glad I caught you, I have something you'll want to know."
"Yes?"
"They found a survivor in the building, from one of the labs. She was in a restroom changing clothes when the blast happened. She's pretty badly injured, but she's alive and on the way to Presley Trauma Center, our Tier one trauma center. I've got a car coming to pick you up."
"Yes, thank you. I'll be waiting downstairs. Do we know who this person is?"
"No ma'am, like I say, she is pretty badly injured. They don't expect her to last very long."
Chapter 69
Emily walked down the hall to the ER window, showed her badge and asked to see the patient brought in from the fire at the university. The woman behind the glass said she would have to get the nurse, and stepped into a hallway behind the station. Emily noted the security features around her. The wire mesh glass, reinforced doors with digital panels, a security guard leaning against the wall in the corner. She smi
led as she remembers that hers was not the only occupation with its risks.
"Yes, can I help you?" The woman in the nurse’s uniform looked like she might be a lot of fun and tell some really dirty stories when she was out of uniform, but right now, she was in it.
"Yes," Emily showed her badge, "I am Agent Graham with the FBI, I'd like to see the patient brought in from the university fire please."
"I'm sorry; Agent Graham, was it? That patient is not able to have visitors at this point. I'm afraid her condition is far too serious, and the doctors are working with her now."
"Nurse?"
"Drew."
"Nurse Drew, it is my understanding that it is highly unlikely that this person is going to survive her injuries for much longer."
"The doctors are doing everything they can to avoid that right now Agent Graham. I'm sure you understand."
"Certainly. What I need you to understand, is that this young lady may be the only person remaining who has information relating not just to the explosion and fire, but to the situation we are dealing with right now on the river. If you would please share that information with the doctor, I would certainly appreciate it. Just a few moments may save many more lives."
Nurse Drew paused, as Emily watched her face change from "How dare you!" to "Oh my!", and she stepped back into the hallway. She returned moments later.
"Please come this way, Agent Graham."
Emily followed her through the secure doorway, into a large room surrounded by numbered glass rooms. They walked into another smaller space, with just five glassed-in rooms, a handful of people at screens, and a far more serious and solemn feel. The nurse stopped in front of Room One.
"I must warn you, the young woman's injuries are quite severe. She is highly sedated, so she may not respond to you."
As she entered the room, Emily saw nurses rolling equipment out of the room and placing it back in the hallway. She was pretty sure it was not a good sign.
She would feel very guilty about it later, but as she walked up to the young woman on the gurney, Emily immediately thought back to those camping trips with her family, when she was making s'mores and left the marshmallows over the flame a bit too long. She blinked her eyes several times to force her mind to behave, and spoke."
Disruption: A River Of Secrets And Betrayal Page 22