Rick Mofina - They Disappeared

That was why it was critical for this time. Across New York City, security for the United Nations General Assembly was at the highest levels. National security agencies would be using state-of-the-art detection and jamming technology, but this rare microdetonator would defeat any detection or jamming effort.

It was unstoppable.

The rumors held that the device had been created in a North Korean lab by perverting technology stolen from Japan. In other circles, the story was that the device was born in a secret military installation hidden in Syria.

“Well?” Bulat asked.

“It’s in perfect condition.”

“How long to install it?” Bulat checked the time. “We need to make final preparations. We’re down to a few hours at best.”

“It will be close,” the engineer said.

“Get going.”

Bulat needed more coffee and something to eat. He dispatched one of the men to get an order of food. Then Bulat walked across the factory floor.

Sarah and Cole were bound with extra chains and under the watch of three guards. Bulat stood over them, staring down at them for nearly a full minute before lowering himself.

“Soon your names, our names, will be used to rewrite history.”

Sarah and Cole said nothing.

“In Montana you have lived a quiet and free life. It is what we want for our people, too.”

“You’re murderers! Terrorists!” Sarah said.

“As were your American forefathers. How does it go on the license plate? ‘Give me liberty or give me death’?”

Bulat waited for an answer that never came.

“We are all freedom fighters, we are all terrorists. And sooner or later, we will all die,” he said before returning to the table to review the time and the agenda as his men continued their preparations.

New York City

Ken Forsyth stared somberly out the window at the Brooklyn Bridge.

The FBI supervisory agent with the NYPD-FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force was alone in the boardroom of the FBI’s New York headquarters getting ready to lead the latest case-status meeting.

Glancing to his files, Forsyth’s jaw muscles bunched, as they often did under stress. In his brief solitary moment he assessed the monumental challenge they faced.

Who’s the target? What’s the plot? Who’s behind it?

Forsyth realized they had nothing more than a few disparate pieces and little time to put them together. The president was due to arrive in Manhattan in three hours for an event later in the day.

Give us something.

Anything.

Investigators from the NYPD, the FBI, the Secret Service, Homeland, Port Authority, State Police, ATF, Customs and several other agencies soon took their places and Forsyth started the meeting. He raised his voice to take a roll of those on the teleconference call from Washington, D.C., before going around the table.

“We have no significant developments to report. Every thread of the investigation that can be pursued is being pursued,” Forsyth said. “We’ll go to everyone for updates, then we’ll look at next steps. Adam?”

Adam James, senior agent with the Secret Service, which headed security for all world leaders attending the United Nations General Assembly, led off.

“I am circulating detailed agendas, these are highly classified. Those on the line should be receiving password-encrypted copies. I’ll go through today’s events. As you know the president arrives in three hours, two hours in advance of his joint open-air event with the British prime minister near Columbus Circle.”

“We’re adding another one hundred officers to security there,” NYPD Lieutenant Ted Stroud said.

“Right,” James said. “I’ll go over our list of events taking place now and those carrying on through the evening. China’s president will attend the World Gymnastics Championships at Madison Square Garden. We expect protests there. We also expect protests that could get ugly when the Russian president and president of Mykrekistan visit Battery Park today. There have been threats for that event that arise from the unrest in the Russian republic.

“Japan’s prime minister will attend a baseball game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. As noted, two Tokyo-based apocalyptic extremist groups with supporters around the world have been issuing death threats and making claims to having access to weapons of mass destruction. We have special teams assigned there.

“This afternoon, Spain’s first lady will be at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to open a new exhibit of Picasso paintings. In Bryant Park behind the New York Public Library, Russia’s first lady and the wife of the president of Mykrekistan will be attending a ceremony honoring the discovery of literary papers from Russian and Mykrekistani writers.

“Malaysia’s prime minister will be at a luncheon at the Waldorf. The American Sports Academy hosts the Australian prime minister for a fundraiser at the Saint Regis Hotel. Vietnam’s prime minister will be at an outdoor cultural event in Queens in Rego Park-protests are expected.

“A number of threats have been issued against Iran’s president, who will be attending an exhibition soccer game between Iran and the U.S. national team in Flushing Meadows this afternoon. Germany’s chancellor will be opening a new Manhattan office for Lufthansa. And later tonight, Brazil’s first lady, a noted mezzo, is going to sing in a special performance of La Traviata at the Metropolitan Opera.

“Let’s go back to the president’s event with the British P.M.,” Forsyth said. “Have the White House and British security considered canceling?”

“We broached the subject and were told that neither office would cancel.”

“What is the likelihood of canceling any of the other events?”

“The answer is no. In fact, we’ve been advised via State that none of today’s events will be canceled because we have, and I quote, ‘not verified the validity or target of the threat.’”

Forsyth tapped his pen on his files.

“What are we hearing from the foreign security teams?”

“Not much. Japan’s security detail is passing us all new intel picked up by Tokyo. British intel is keeping us updated. The Russians said they are aware of threats but offered little more.”

“Are we getting the whole story from foreign security?”

“We’re never certain. The Russians were reluctant to provide details, only to say they would not cancel any planned events for their president while in the U.S.”

“Anything further, Adam?”

“We are going full bore on intel and investigating. Iron Shield, our command center in Brooklyn, is monitoring on all fronts.”

“Thank you, Adam.” Forsyth leaned into the speaker. “Our folks on the line, can you add to that?”

The officials with the CIA and the NSA confirmed they were monitoring all chatter and that, to date, nothing “of consequence” had emerged.

“What about the task force on the explosives aspects?” Forsyth asked an FBI agent three chairs from him.

“We’ve put out classified alerts and we’ve got agents canvassing suppliers on any recent, large or irregular purchases.”

“And?”

“Nothing to note, the canvass is ongoing.”

“All right,” Forsyth said. “Let’s update the evidentiary aspects of this investigation.”

Forsyth went around the table for status reports on the tips called in since the press conference with Jeff Griffin.

“Ninety-one tips so far. All are being processed,” said NYPD Lieutenant Fred Ryan.

Forsyth then moved on for summaries of the status of the arson, the crime scene investigation, the FBI’s lab work on processing the detonator and the backpack. He got updates on video analysis by the NYPD’s Real Time Crime Center. Then he went to the airports.