Hell's Corner

CHAPTER 21

The next day Stone watched on TV along with Tom Gross from the latter’s office as the media reported that a group based in Yemen had opened fire on Lafayette Park and also set off a bomb there. It was done to show that it could reach inside the very heart of the American government. At least that’s what the loose translation of the group’s message released to the Western media had implied. Afterward there was a brief press conference at which the FBI director spoke, and then the ADIC answered a few questions from the media, without really telling them anything at all.

Stone asked, “Are we sure the Yemen message is authentic?”

Gross nodded. “Whoever called it in had the proper authorization codes.”

Stone added, “But that just authenticates the group making the statement. It doesn’t prove they actually did it.”

“That’s true. And they sometimes lie.”

“I don’t suppose they gave any helpful details on how they managed the guns and the bomb right under our noses?” asked Stone.

“No. What scares the crap out of me is that if they can hit Lafayette Park successfully, what’s next? What place is safe? It’s like they said, it’s symbolic. And you know every American is right now thinking the same thing.”

Stone said, “And can the terrorists hop across the street and hit the White House?”

Gross nodded. “That possibility is on the mind of every person in this building.”

“In lots of buildings,” added Stone.

Gross said, “Where’s your British sidekick?”

“Not really sure,” said Stone.

“What’s your take on her?” asked Gross.

“She’s one of their best or she wouldn’t be involved in this.”

“A good asset for us, then?”

“I think so. Any hits on the jogger, or the suit?”

“None. Unlike Marisa Friedman, the images on the video of the guy in the suit weren’t really clear. I’m not surprised no one has recognized him. He was never looking at the cameras. Just was sort of staring at the ground.”

“You think he knew where the cameras were posted?”

“Not even I know where all the cameras are posted,” replied Gross. “But we did put out a notice to the media outlets for all people in the park that night to come forward. That’s how Friedman came in. So I am surprised we haven’t heard from him.”

“Well, we wouldn’t hear from him if he were involved in this somehow,” Stone pointed out.

Gross sat down at his desk and fiddled with his stapler. “How close a look did you get at him?”

Stone searched his mind. “Five-seven, balding, slightly stooped shoulders. Never really saw his face. His skin color might have been more dark than light. Whether that was race, ethnicity or a tan I couldn’t tell. Obviously no turban, kufi or Palestinian keffiyeh. You would have clearly seen that on the video.”

“Your description tallies with what we have of him on the feed.”

“Heard from Agent Garchik?” Stone asked.

“I’ve been harassing the guy every half hour. He did say he was going to go back out to the park today for some follow-up searching.”

“When exactly was he going back out?” Stone asked.

“He said this afternoon.”

Stone rose.

Gross gazed up at him. “Going somewhere?”

“Running down a few things.”

“And you’ll share whatever you find?”

“I play fair.”

“I looked you up on the official database. But didn’t find anything.”

“I would be surprised if you had.”

“Why?”

“Because officially, I don’t exist.”