Six Seconds

70

Montana

Thirty thousand feet above the snow-tipped Bitterroot Mountains, jet fighters from Montana’s Air National Guard met the pope’s plane.

Special Agent Walker broke from working on his computer to watch from his starboard window as four F-16s assumed protection from the four aircraft of the ANG’s Washington Wing.

The lead Montana fighter tipped his wing as welcome and soon after, the formation began its descent to Great Falls International Airport.

They were less than twenty-five minutes out when Walker and the other agents on board were simulta neously e-mailed with classified updated situation re ports.

Walker scrolled through the bulletins. The investiga tion of the border penetration at the Juan de Fuca Strait indicated involvement of a vessel from Yemen: Pre liminary analysis of suspicious items washed ashore showed them to include a “potentially volatile” but as yet unidentified substance. Nothing conclusive to con stitute a national threat or link to other cases. Urgent investigative analysis was ongoing and led by a special ized new unit working with the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force.

Update on the complaint of a mysterious explosion claiming three white-tailed deer-according to the number of hooves found-near Malmstrom AFB: The specialized unit had responded. Priority given to the ongoing investigation. Accidental detonation was ruled out. “Substance involved yet to be identified.” Investi gators with the unit note concern as the area is indica tive of a “planned test.”

FTO update: U.S. and foreign intelligence agencies report that chatter of foreign terrorist organizations continues at an “unusually high level.”

As the pope’s plane neared Great Falls, Hank Colby, the Special Agent in charge of the detail, called Walker and the other agents to the back for a private huddle.

“A heads-up. The White House is talking about pulling the plug on the Montana visit, possibly Chicago, too.”

“Now? At this stage? Do they know something we don’t?”

“They’re extremely uncomfortable with the situation and the fact none of the ongoing incidents has been recon ciled with the intel obtained from Issa al-Issa. The data concerning hidden cells in the U.S. developing a major strike during the papal visit is making senior staff anxious.”

“Has something been corroborated?” Walker asked.

“Not that we know. Could be that the NSA or State picked up something hot,” Colby said. “The Secret

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Service brass have been summoned to the Oval Office. The White House is leaning on the CIA, Homeland and the Intelligence Division to nail down some answers now so they can press the Vatican to agree. If this is po litical, it’s beyond us.”

The pilot came over the public address and re quested everyone to return to their seats and buckle up for the landing.

“Until we’re told otherwise,” Colby said, “the visit continues as planned.”

In keeping with presidential or VIP landings, a Tem porary Flight Restriction had been issued for the Great Falls International Airport, closing it to all traffic but the papal aircraft.

A Montana Highway Patrol helicopter patrolled the space immediately above the landing field. On the ground, a range of VIP and emergency vehicles waited. All roads to the airport had been sealed and all activity at the facility had been halted.

Two fighters roared over the runway at rooftop level several minutes before the pope’s jet landed.

A line of Secret Service, military, state and local emergency vehicles followed it as it taxied to a far ramp.

Walker saw the line of local dignitaries waiting to welcome the Holy Father. Some fifty yards beyond them and behind a cordoned area with a heavy police presence, were several thousand people.

They cheered as history unfolded before them. The pope emerged from his jet, the first pope ever to walk on Montana soil.

The Holy Father smiled and waved as he was greeted by the archbishop, the governor, the mayor and a long line of local officials. After making a short address be fore the group, the pope was escorted to a large military helicopter.

Within minutes it lifted off, along with four others carrying security, Vatican, international press and sup port personnel to Lone Tree County. The entourage would meet the advance teams and crews already onsite.

Walker ensured his seat belt was secure.

This was shaping up to be the longest day in his life.