Every Second

84

Coyote Mountains, New York

At 9:06 a.m. the next morning, the assistant director of the FBI’s New York Field Office sat at the table on the dais in the media center.

He was joined by officials from several other agencies.

Microphones with network and station flags were heaped before him, catching the flash of still cameras and the blinding glare of TV cameras. More than one hundred and fifty news media people had crammed into the old church. All major networks were broadcasting live and streaming online.

As she took her seat near the front, Kate recognized faces from the New York City press corps. She spotted Nick Varner and Marv Tilden standing in the wings. Strobic was moving about freely for the best vantage point.

After the assistant director made a round of introductions, he got down to business, reading a statement from prepared text.

“Let me begin by saying that minutes ago we were informed that Dan, Lori and Billy Fulton, of Queens, New York, will recover from their injuries. As you know, Dan Fulton was listed in critical condition, but doctors at the hospital have advised us that in the past twelve hours, he’s shown dramatic improvement. And we’ve also been informed that all passengers injured in the explosion are expected to recover. We’re thankful for that.”

An FBI agent then unveiled a display board showing photographs of the five suspects. The word Deceased ran under four of the pictures. The last image was an enlarged grainy image of Adam Chisolm Patterson of Chicago with the words In Custody under it.

After letting a moment pass, the assistant director continued by listing the time line of events that began more than forty-eight hours earlier with the invasion of the Fulton family home in Roseoak Park, Queens, and ending with the deaths of four of the five suspects at Jenny’s Mountain Gas & Diner on Red Hawk Way at the edge of the Catskills.

“As indicated, we have one suspect in custody,” the assistant director said. “This incident is detailed in the background sheets we’ve distributed to each of you here and posted online. Because we’re still prosecuting the case, you’ll appreciate that we cannot provide all information or answers in many areas at this time. Bearing that in mind, we’ll take a few questions.”

“Nate Brewbaker, Washington Post. Can we get the latest death and injury toll?”

“The four fatalities, all are the suspects, noted on the board. As for injuries to the tour bus passengers, we have updated our original list. We now have sixteen passengers-eleven Canadian nationals, two German nationals, and three US citizens-injured in the explosion. Three have lost legs, two have lost arms. Two have lost eyes. Those serious cases are in critical but stable condition. The others received various minor injuries. The critical ones have been sent to area trauma centers. All will recover. Some have indicated they are willing to talk to the press. This does not include the Fulton family. Dan, Lori and Billy are recovering and will make a statement at a later time. Of course, at this point, all of the victims have been removed from the scenes. Our agents have been, or will be, at hospitals to continue interviewing all victims as witnesses.”

“Neena Perelli, New York Post. Sir, was this a terrorist plot?”

“Yes.”

“What’s the basis for your conclusion?”

“One of the suspects we identified in the invasion robbery raised a flag with national security officials. Subsequent investigation linked the suspect and his associates to intercepts of chatter by known extremist groups concerning a planned attack on US soil.”

“Chad Mortimer, FOX News. Are all the suspects American citizens? And is this a case of homegrown, or self-radicalized, terrorism?”

“All are American citizens, yes. We believe they were self-radicalized. They expressed their views online, which attracted extremist factions overseas.”

“Would you say they were coached and directed by those factions?”

“Yes.”

“Sally Langston, New York Times. Can you please address reports by Newslead and the LA Times on the connection of suspect Jerricko Blaine to Lori Fulton’s time as a California police officer? Is it true she was involved in the shooting of Blaine’s brother? As well, can you speak to the belief that their mother is associated with the extremist group known as the Young Lions?”

“We aren’t prepared to speak to that at this time, as it is all under investigation.”

“Are you denying the alleged links?”

“Neither denying nor confirming. It’s all under investigation.”

“Chad Mortimer, again with FOX. Sir, will there be US-led retaliatory military strikes against those factions overseas?”

“I can’t speak to that. That’s for the Pentagon to address.”

“Seymour Abrams, Associated Press. Are there locations in New York City that were being targeted for attack?”

“We can’t name specific targets at this time. We mined a damaged laptop recovered in the explosion at the diner. So far we’ve only retrieved bits of information. It’s a difficult, painstaking process.”

“How certain are you that there aren’t more suspects or explosives still out there?”

“As I’ve indicated, though this is an ongoing investigation, we’re confident we have all the major players in this operation. The SWAT action and explosion at the diner was a horrific and chaotic situation. There was a lot of confusion. Fortunately, innocent casualties were minimal. Our technicians are still on the scene, but we believe we’ve stabilized the situation. However, given that this is still an ongoing investigation, we are appealing to the public, if anyone has any information concerning any part of this case, they should call the FBI or local law enforcement.”

“Melissa Sanchez, Wall Street Journal. Were there any warnings-any signs that this was coming?”

The assistant director hesitated, glanced at the other officials at the table, then cleared his throat.

“I cannot discuss much detail, but as I indicated earlier, a huge number of assets and agencies worked together in a short period of time to connect a lot of what appeared to be disparate dots. They worked hard and fast to make the connections. Lives were saved because of them.” The assistant director paused. “That’s all. Thank you all very much.”

Kate noted his final words, and, as she moved to the table to collect her recorder, she signaled to Varner that she needed to speak to him.

“Meet me outside at the back in ten minutes,” he said.

In that time, two networks approached Kate and requested short on-camera interviews concerning Newslead’s role in finding Lori and Billy Fulton on the riverbank in the woods. She agreed to speak to them later, then made her way to Varner, finding him near the FBI and state police helicopters. One had completed its preflight checks and started the engine.

“I don’t have much time,” Varner said as the rotor blades began turning. “We’re going to the Albany hospital to talk to Lori Fulton.”

“I wanted to tell you that I’m glad this all worked out, even though you were a hard-ass most of the time.”

Varner gave her a deep, sincere smile that she liked very much.

“It’s my job. Besides, you’re one hell of a journalist. I’ve never met anyone like you, Kate.”

She blushed then shifted the subject to work.

“Would you mention to Lori Fulton that I’d love to get the first interview with her?”

“Sure, on one condition.”

“What’s that?” She spoke louder over the chopper.

“You agree to have coffee with me some time.”

They smiled at each other.

“It’s a deal, Varner.”