Report #3270, Transcript Section #26
(Operation SANDMAN)
©1998 Shane Ivey

Keeper:
OK...

Keen:
Keen has brown hair, brown eyes, and a sense of alertness to him. He seems to wear clothing, mostly odd colored designer suits, that is afew sizes too large. It kinda gives a flowing garb look to him. Today's suit color is deep purple, black tie, black shoes. No jewelry, steady hands like those of a surgeon.

Cabot:
Stand by, I'm seeing my children off. . .

Keeper:
Keen, you're the goofiest looking NSA spook in the business. ;-)

Keeper:
But that's okay. Today, you just arrived on the scene of the Breckenridge Bloodbath, as the news reporters are already calling it.

Keen:
How's the state on the street?

Keeper:
The high-rise is surrounded by police and emergency vehicles of every size and shape and designation. At the front entrance of the building, a wide path has been cleared where NYPD cops have taken up alert guard positions behind advance elements from their SWAT group, the Emergency Services Unit.

Keeper:
The streets beyond the cordons are crowded and nervous, with hundreds--maybe thousands--of onlookers hungry to see a piece of the action or to get shown on the news.

Keeper:
If there's something going on in there involving Delta Green, you can only hope it stays inside.

Keeper:
Keen, you've been given briefing files which included photos of the other operatives in your group, including Cabot.

Keen:
Naturally I'll have reviewed these, and will be keeping a eye out for any members on the street, working with the police.

Cabot:
Has any progress been made of the building's electricity?

Keeper:
They're still bringing in supplies to repair the wiring and (more importantly) the circuitry from the building's power center.

Keeper:
Cabot, what are you doing over the next few minutes? Last time, you were hunkered down with a lieutenant outside the bldg.

Cabot:
And has there been any reports of engagements or survivors found by the ESU entry teams?

Keeper:
No reports of engagements. They've swept several floors, moving upwards, without incident. They have found a few officers and agents who stayed in place after the power outage.

Cabot:
I'm remaining there, but staying alert for Devereaux and his people. I want to be sure my guys get to the ambulances regardless of whether they are truly wounded.

Keeper:
Okay. . . Keen, what are you doing?

Keen:
If I can spot Cabot by this time, I'll head over in his direction, and introduce myself as the NSA electronics specialist detached to the DoJ team belonging to Rogers + Lunquist.

Cabot:
Okay, I'm sitting tight, waiting to visually ID my contacts if, and when, they exit the building.

Keeper:
Keen, after several minutes you do spy Cabot in the front, with the NYPD officers.

Keeper:
Both of you note that many of the federal agents on-site have formed up with shotguns and submachine guns outside the NYPD perimeter, watching and waiting.

Keen:
Right. I be carefull what I say in the presence of others when I talk to Cabot.

Keeper:
Cabot, Keen, described above, approaches from outside the perimeter. Keen, what's your general demeanor and mode of approach?

Cabot:
When Keen is near enough, I'll nod an acknowledgement while appearing to be focused on the building's point of entry.

Cabot:
What are you wearing, Keen?

Keen:
Professional, eyes scanning over the groups of officers to see if I can pick up what each group is planning to do next. If I'm stopped, the wallet in my hand opens and I identify myself, and that I'm here at the request of the DoJ team. Purple suit Cabot.

Keeper:
(I think we need a general desc from Cabot, too)

Cabot:
Medium height, medium build. Brown hair, shoulder length. Wayfarer shades. FBI jacket.

Keeper:
Cabot, meet Keen. :-)

Cabot:
Do I have the impression the fed guys are interested in the action or are preparing some sort maneuver themselves?

Keeper:
It looks like they are hanging back and waiting.

Keen:
Waiting, by who's command?

Keeper:
Whom are you asking?

Cabot:
Jesus, man. You look like you just stepped out of a bath house.

Keen:
Keen shakes his head. "Nope. Baby shower. Short term notice."

Keen:
Whomever looks to be the head in charge.

Keen:
Mainly anyone with one of those large speaker things.

Keeper:
From your vantage point that's hard to tell, Keen. There's maybe a hundred federal agents here, maybe more, from the FBI and DEA and ATF.

Keen:
Then I'll cut down the number of people by only addressing those in FBI jackets, or identifying themselves in some other manner as FBI.

Keeper:
Cabot's in an FBI jacket...

Keen:
Keen asks Cabot then, "Are you in charge, or is there someone above you?"

Cabot:
Reach out a hand quickly, "TURNER, FBI HRT. You like Verdi?"

Cabot:
Is he within speaking distance, or not?

Keen:
Keen shakes, a slight blink at the Verdi question. "Umm. Yeah." He agrees, despite not knowing what he means. "Is there anything I can do here?"

Keen:
Keeper, do I know about the communications equipment failures? Hi Lund. ;) It's Borrow incognito.l

Keeper:
Keen, assume you heard over the wire that power and commo went out in the building.

Cabot:
"Depends on who you ask. I'm just trying to resuscitate this goat fuck."

Cabot:
"I prefer Wagner. Can you visually ID the team? My welcome here's wearing thin."

Keen:
Keen nods. "Yeah, I'm familiar with their faces. Let's stick close together and make sure we help them from down here. I'm assuming they are in the building, and out of contact?"

Cabot:
"Yes or no, man. My legitimacy clock is ticking. . ."

Keen:
Keen hmms and nods. "Well, someone down here on the ground has to have moderate knowledge of what was going on before communications was totally lost. Let's find them, check where the last contact from the DoJ team was, then decide from there?"

Cabot:
"That's my best guess. I haven't seen any of them out here. From what I understand there was some kind of radio blackout. I can't hit them with my cellular, either."

Cabot:
"I've got an exfiltration plan in the works, but it's risky. I could sure use your help."

Keen:
"Right. Well, judging from the crowd, we have new arrivals. Lets flaunt badge and confiscate some radios and cellphones. (Keeper? If I remember, I thought feds could do this in case of emergencies. :) )." He nods. "What's your plan?"

Keeper:
(AFAIK, there's no law that allows law enforcement to seize private property except maybe in a state of emergency, declared by the governing authority. That doesn't mean you couldn't try to fake someone out on it, though.)

Cabot:
"I'm a little worried about my cover here. I seriously went over the head of the FBI commander to get ESU to make a second entry."

Keen:
Keen nods. "Not sure what to do about that. Lets go find out about the team?"

Cabot:
"Look, I've got EMS prepped to transport all FBI wounded to the Medical Arts Center on 57th St. That should create a triage problem at the hospital. I was planning making sure they get on the ambulances, then boogying over to meet them at the hospital."

Cabot:
"If all goes well, they'll get lost in the confusion. Beyond that, I'm making it up as I go. But you're a fresh face here, and that's a plus."

Keen:
"Good idea. I hope they don't need backup now, before those search teams hit whatever floor they are on. So, wanna wait it out?"

Cabot:
"What do you have in mind? If this Devereaux guy makes me. . ."

Keen:
"Then I'll make some sort of interruption, and you hop in a car, and head for the hospital. Good idea?"

Cabot:
"That's a big building. ESU's got plenty of firepower going in. I don't think two sidearms are gonna improve the odds much."

Cabot:
"Tell you what, I'm gonna fade out of here. I'll stay in touch by cellular with you. I won't go far, just out of sight. If the hospital plan's still a go, let me know and I'll be there."

Keen:
Keen gets his number quickly, and sets it up on his speed dialer.

Cabot:
"In the mean time, you'll have to assess what the hell happened here. I didn't have alot of time."

Keeper:
Lundquist, Rogers: you're on the 20th floor with Kelley and Danforth, with the oozing remains of a very nasty assailant dismembered in plastic bags in a trash cart and a very bloody axe and scene.

Keen:
"Right."

Cabot:
I'd like to be able to monitor radio traffic while I'm slinking around.

Keeper:
Cabot, you can keep on the radio communications with a scanner (CIA special, no doubt) as you move off.

Keeper:
Meanwhile, upstairs:

Keeper:
Lundquist, Rogers: you're on the 20th floor with Kelley and Danforth, with the oozing remains of a very nasty assailant dismembered in plastic bags in a trash cart and a very bloody axe and scene.

Lundquist:
(First order of busines: Make sure Wang's people get control of this crime scene, so that they can both analyze what we've got and vouch for the cover story we cook up.)

Keeper:
OK. You still have no communications, though. Your FBI friend headed downstairs several minutes ago.

Lundquist:
"Rogers, what was the situation down on 15, in the Breckenridge offices?"

Rogers:
"Seemed ontrol we checked all the offices quickly no one obviously hiding just paperwork and stuff, need time to check it, I left two FBI guys holding the fort."

Rogers:
"Make sure you ID yourselves if you go there."

Keeper:
Kelley nods. "We didn't search the whole place. There were several rooms and offices still to check."

Lundquist:
"Okay. What do you want to do now? Sit tight up here, with poor Borrow and his killer, until reenforcements arrive? Or search other parts of the building for more of these supermen?"

Rogers:
"Why don't we search this floor now then head out into the building?"

Keeper:
Kelley shakes his head. "I don't like the idea of spreading out again. We need to control what we already have."

Rogers:
"Have we let the perimeter know what's going on by shouting to them?"

Lundquist:
"That's what I was thinking. That FBI guy, Barton, ought to be back before long with some help."

Lundquist:
"I don't think we've spoken to the perimeter outside, no."

Rogers:
"I'm not keen in running into another one of these things."

Lundquist:
"Me neither. I don't think we're equipped to deal with that sort of thing."

Lundquist:
"Of course, if a SWAT team finds one, then that will raise uncool questions..."

Rogers:
"Just say the guys on PCP or something."

Lundquist:
"Yeah, we'll have to do that. Look, we need to get back into the communications loop right away. Barton should hopefully be back soon, unless he ran into some bad guys."

Rogers:
"So we're going to stay here and wait for the radios? Shall we check this floor out now?"

Lundquist:
"Let's shout downstairs and have them send some people up to us. Wang's crew, for starters."

Rogers:
"Take care sticking your head out."

Lundquist:
"Good thinking." I'll go over to a window and take a look downstairs.

Rogers:
"Right, Kelly did we search this guy before we boxed him up?"

Lundquist:
(carefully)

Keeper:
Kelley nods. "Yeah. He had some keys and a wallet, plus his knife. No gun. His ID has him as Jackson Melody, head of security with TBC-NY."

Lundquist:
"Sounds like a good person for us to have in pieces in a box."

Keeper:
Lundquist, out the window you see a chaotic, crowded scene down at the ground level. Barricades keep a massive crowd back on the streets, while inside the barricades the streets and sidewalks are choked with police and federal vans and ambulances and fire trucks.

Lundquist:
Does this window open, or is it designed not to?

Keeper:
Kelley says, "Long as he stays that way."

Keeper:
The window opens slightly. Enough to get a draft of air or to squeeze your arm out; not enough to fit your head or body.

Rogers:
"We'd best keep an eye on him, Danforth can you handle that?"

Lundquist:
I'm going to try to keep out of sight, as much as possible, too... I'm concerned about media cameras down there and and in surrounding buildings.

Lundquist:
I'll try to find some white cloth. Hankerchief, drapes, anything like that, and use it to signal downstairs while doing my best to keep my face out of sight.

Lundquist:
(ESU should hopefully have snipers watching the building by now...)

Keeper:
Danforth says, "Yeah, no problem."

Keeper:
You wave a cloth out hte window, Lundquist. What next?

Lundquist:
Look for a response.

Rogers:
"Tell them 15th is semi secure and whatever floor we're on when you get a response."

Keeper:
Lundquist, you catch a small spotlight flashing up at you. It's daylight out--not yet noon--but you can see it's aimed at your window.

Lundquist:
Where's it coming from? A patrol car?

Keeper:
From an FBI van. Do you know Morse code?

Lundquist:
"Shit, I thing they're signalling in Morse, but I don't know it..."

Rogers:
"I'll have a look it's been a while since basic though."

Lundquist:
"Where's a Navy guy when you need one?"

Rogers:
"Any mirrors about in here?"

Keeper:
Kelley chuckles. "Tell me if you can't figure it out, Rogers."

Rogers:
"And who wants the bad luck..."

Keeper:
Rogers, it comes back quick, actually: They flash, "Stay in position. Stay in position. Signal twice to acknowledge."

Rogers:
"Sure thing."

Rogers:
"Some one get me a mirror or anything reflective."

Lundquist:
"What are they saying? You could reply by waving the curtains here..."

Keeper:
There are picture frames nearby. No mirrors, though.

Rogers:
roger gets a frame and sends two flashes.

Lundquist:
(I'll just wave my cloth twice, assuming Rogers tells me what they're saying.)

Keeper:
Downstairs, meanwhile: Cabot, Keen, you hear activity on the police communications:

Keeper:
"Tactical team four to base. We got an agent here from upstairs. Says they had a hostile up there; one down plus the hostile. Twentieth floor. Over."

Keeper:
The ESU captain responds on the channel: "Acknoweldged, tac-four. Send him downstairs to report. Teams four and five, up to the twentieth floor. Teams one through three, secure the stairwells. Over."

Rogers:
(just saying we will hold station until we get support.)

Lundquist:
Yeah, that's good. Assume somebody at 60 minutes will read our morse...

Rogers:
too right

Cabot:
From my car, I dial up Keen on the secure line.

Keen:
Keen replies on the phone, stepping away from any nearby FBI. "Keen."

Keen:
(Anyone nearby actually, ATF and DEA included. ;P

Cabot:
"I made it to the car okay. Did you get that PD radio traffic?"

Cabot:
(I'm assuming you did, based on Keeper's comment. Just keeping the dialogue sequence realistic.)

Keen:
"Sure did. Want to see if we can join the tactical team going up, or stay ground based?"

Cabot:
"That's your call. I think I'll stay put here in case we need to go with the hospital plan. We don't even know if any of our guys are alive in there."

Keeper:
Rogers and Lundquist, Kelley steps to the stairwell. "Got some activity down there. Sounds like a dozen troops moving up."

Cabot:
"But the sooner you make contact with them, the better. Just watch your ass. If you can get them out in a less complicated manner, go for it."

Rogers:
"I've let them know we're here."

Rogers:
"We'd better secure that dumpster."

Keeper:
Kelley nods. He steps away from the stairwell. "They should be here in a few minutes."

Lundquist:
I go to the stairwell to greet the troops. "Danforth, wheel that cart into a broom closet or something."

Keen:
Keeper, if I look ahead, can I join the teams going up, or does it look like someone will stop me? I'm not really sure how a tactical team would operate...

Rogers:
"We can say the blood is from Borrow and we're looking for the perp."

Keeper:
Keen, they'd probably try to keep you out of it unless you had some pressing need to get in. They're probably already tense enough without wanting to worry about a total stranger stepping in.

Lundquist:
"No, we'll say we have the perp, but we want our forensics people to check him."

Keen:
Right. I'll hold back and wait then.

Lundquist:
"We'll stress the need to preserve the intergrity of the crime scene and not let them in until Wang gets here."

Keeper:
Kelley nods.

Rogers:
"Right, what the plan after that?"

Keeper:
Five minutes pass: Lundquist and Rogers, you hear increasing noise from the stairwell; heavy footsteps, rattling of equipment, harsh, crisp voices.

Keeper:
Keen, another FBI van pulls up nearby: you recognize a DG Friendly, Agent Wang, with a team of crime scene examiners and forensic specialists.

Cabot:
In the mean time, I'm altering my appearance as much as possible. I remove my shades, put on a baseball cap, etc.

Rogers:
"Guns away now gentlemen,."

Lundquist:
"We'll need to smuggle the spooky stuff away from here, to where we can control it, and continue tearing this place apart."

Keeper:
Kelley keeps his submachinegun up, pointed away from the doorway.

Lundquist:
I holster my gun and button my jacket. I'll make no sudden moves, now, and I'll be careful to indentify myself.

Rogers:
"Can Wang get some transport, which can go astray?"

Keen:
Keen heads for Wang, telling her that he's with Lundquist and the DoJ team. I also tell her about how the team is up on the 20th floor.

Keeper:
Then, quite suddenly, the stairwell door bursts open and several rifles aim in at you behind the glare of bright flashlights

Rogers:
My guns are holstered and I'm looking as unthreatening as possible.

Keeper:
"HANDS UP AND IDENTIFY YOURSELVES!"

Lundquist:
I'm showing my ID. "Brian Lundquist, Justice Department!"

Rogers:
"Andrew Jones DoJ!"

Keeper:
Kelley lifts his (fake) Army ID badge, the one he had before. "David Kelley, Army liasison to Justice."

Lundquist:
"This floor is secure. We have one fatality from our team, and one dead perp. I want my forensics people in here right away, as soon as it's safe."

Keeper:
Danforth follows suit. Two ESU men step into view while the others keep you covered. They look at the IDs. "Acknowledged," says one of them. He lifts a radio. "Tac four to base. We have the Justice team here. One down, verified, and one dead perpetrator. They want their forensics team."

Keeper:
"Over," he finishes. He looks at your group. "What's the situation here? Any signs of other hostiles?"

Lundquist:
"Not on this floor. I walked down from the roof twenty minutes ago and didn't see anyone on the stairs then."

Keeper:
(Keen, Cabot, you hear the ESU report from upstairs.)

Rogers:
"we've searched most of 15 and there are two FBI guys there, i told them to hold there while we investigated gunfire on this floor, haven't had time to check the rest."

Keeper:
He nods. "Team Four, continue upstairs," he says to the others.

Keeper:
He looks around. "Where's your dead perp?"

Lundquist:
"What's going on? We've been out of touch since the power failed."

Cabot:
I breathe a sigh of relief. (At least they're not all dead.)

Lundquist:
Nod inside. "In here. Nobody touches him until my people have had a chance to check him out."

Lundquist:
(persuade fast talk persuade)

Keen:
Keen relays report to Forensics Team, and accompanies them.

Keeper:
He nods. "Fair enough. This building is secure, so far. Unless we get someone new upstairs, it looks like you bagged the last of them. They have personnel from the building collected across the street and under guard."

Keeper:
Agent Wang greets you downstairs, Keen. "What do you know about the team inside?" She asks. "One of my people was with them."

Lundquist:
"Okay, we'll want to question them. Especially anybody who looks like he's had military service. Christ, what a mess."

Rogers:
"tell your team to be very carefull anyone in here is going to come out shooting, we learnt that the hard way."

Keen:
"Not sure. I heard one of their people was down, and one perp down."

Keen:
"But they need you for something, and I think it would be best to rush up there Ma'am."

Keeper:
The ESU guy (Lt. Williams) nods. "That's definitely affirmative on both counts. You guys look pretty rocky. You should head downstairs and see the medics."

Keeper:
Keen, Agent Wang sighs. "Right." She gives some directions to her team, and then she walks over to the nearest NYPD officer and talks it over with him.

Keeper:
Rogers, the rest of the ESU team moves on upstairs. And you hear the plastic bags rustle a little in the trash cart.

Lundquist:
Outstanding.

Rogers:
here we go again

Rogers:
whispered to Mr. L "Did you hear that?"

Keeper:
Keen, after a couple of minutes Wang brings you and the FBI team upstairs with NYPD escort. It's a long hike up twenty floors.

Keen:
Keen will stick close to the team getting ready, even offer to carry some equipment.

Keeper:
The ESU man's radio crackles: "Base to tac four. FBI forensics crew is heading up now, over."

Lundquist:
"Huh? What?"

Keen:
Keen has comfortable, loose clothing, so he stays cool. ;)

Keeper:
Williams thumbs the radio: "Tac four, roger, FBI coming up. We're waiting for them on twenty. Over."

Rogers:
whispered "That noise from the dumpster."

Keeper:
Kelley glances at the trash, then nods to the ESU lieutenant. "Looks like you got the place in shape downstairs. Any problems with the other agencies?"

Lundquist:
"Huh? Shit!" Is the ESU team all gone, or did they leave a guy here?

Keeper:
He's still right in front of you, talking to Kelley.

Keeper:
He grimaces. "Situation normal. One FBI guy's losing his shit. Another one says move on in. So we move on in and see if we can save some asses."

Lundquist:
I discreetly shiffle over to the broom closet where Danforth has the cart stashed.

Rogers:
whispered "we need to loose the Lieutenant soon."

Keeper:
Danforth looks at it uneasily. He mutters, "I heard it rustle a little. Just once, though. Not too loud, either."

Rogers:
I'm heading over to Kelly and the Lt to listen to their disscusion and block the Lt's view of Mr. L.

Lundquist:
Whispered: "Okay, keep watching it. I'll see if I get rid of what's his name there."

Keeper:
Kelley smiles grimly. "Sounds about right. Regular task force." He glances at Rogers/Jones. "No offense," he winks.

Rogers:
"None taken I'm just glad I' alive after today."

Lundquist:
"Yeah, no kidding... Lieutenant, where are our forensics people now?"

Keeper:
Williams nods. "You got that right. Your people are coming up now. Should be here in a few minutes." He glances back at the stairs, then up at the ceiling. "Hell of a fucking week for New York's Finest. I had a couple of friends in the group that bought it upstairs. You guys know anything you can share about this mess?"

Keeper:
Kelley looks to Rogers/Jones.

Rogers:
"We were just here to execute a search warrent, and walked into this."

Keeper:
"Yeah," says Williams. "You guys shot it out with some other goons from this company a few days ago, right?"

Keeper:
(Lundquist, what are you doing with the trash?)

Lundquist:
"I don't even know what's happened yet, man. But I lost one of my people. And somebody's going to pay for that, you know?"

Lundquist:
(Nohing right now... I thought we stashed it well away from the stairs with Danforth keeping an eye on it?)

Rogers:
"Yes, that's why we were her to search the place."

Lundquist:
"Yeah. They ambushed us in a deserted part of town. Shot the crap out of us. This Breckenridge outfit, they're dirty as fuck."

Keeper:
Williams nods. "I hope so. Sounds like the Commissioner's going nuts at Headquarters. He's going to want in on the case."

Keeper:
You hear more noise from the stairs. Nothing else from the trash bags. A minute later, Agent Wang comes upstairs with her group.

Lundquist:
"Well as far as I'm concerned, there's going to be enough to do here for everybody..."

Lundquist:
"Hello, Agent Wang."

Keen:
Keen's flipped his identification out and hung it from his front jacket pocket. He greets the team.

Keeper:
Wang looks at the group. You can tell she's already concluded which one of the group is gone. "Hello, Mr. Lundquist. Lieutenant," she nods to Williams, glancing at his badge. She looks at the scene. "Is Agent Borrow . . . ?"

Lundquist:
"I'm sorry, Agent Wang. He's inside. There was nothing we could do."

Keeper:
Williams nods. "Ma'am." He steps back and lets her handle it. "I'm upstairs if you folks need me." He leaves a radio with you.

Rogers:
"We got the man who did it though."

Lundquist:
"Thanks, Williams."

Lundquist:
"Let us know if you need anything too."

Keeper:
Wang sighs. "All right. Let's get to work."

Keeper:
Her group moves in, tapes off the scene, and gets to work. They take reports from the rest of you, then they start taking samples."

Rogers:
"Mr. L what's with the dumpster?"

Keeper:
(Keen, you recognize Rogers, Lundquist, and Kelley as MARK, MICHAEL, and the recently designated MARLOW.)

Lundquist:
"Well, it seems that our friend has not quite decided to completely die yet."

Keeper:
Do you guys leave anything pertinent out of your report to Wang's team?

Rogers:
"Great, we need him out of here a-sap."

Lundquist:
(Is Wang's team just DG-friendly?)

Keeper:
(Right)

Lundquist:
We'll downplay Melody's supernatural side. I'll talk to Wang herself. I'll tell her strange things are afoot and that this may be one of those things I can't talk about. I'll be Persuasive and understanding, but I'll trust her to be professional about this.

Rogers:
whispered to Mr.L "How much do they need to know? Just tell them we need the scene sanitised and want the corpse examined carefully"

Lundquist:
(whispered reply) "Yeah, but we don't want to offend them by making it look like we're keeping them in the dark. After all, they lost a friend here."

Keeper:
Wang takes notes and doesn't push it. After a while they collect the trash bags and take them downstairs. Then they cut out the carpet in wide swaths to keep the stains intact, roll them up and take them down, too, along with Borrow's corpse.

Keeper:
Fast-forward it a bit as we wrap up today: Keen, do you brief them on Cabot and his hospital plan?

Rogers:
whispered back "we all lost a friend here. It's tough but they don't need to know."

Keen:
Yeah.

Keen:
I also give them all Cabot's number.

Rogers:
to Keen "Right who are you?"

Keen:
Keen identifies himself, "Oliver Keen, NSA. I've been detached to assist you."

Lundquist:
"Good to meet you. I'm Brian Lundquist, from Justice."

Keen:
Keen waits till he's away from Wang and anyone else before identifying his link to DG, and Cell M, to Lunquist and Rogers.

Rogers:
"John Rogers, but everyone just calls me Rogers."

Lundquist:
"And that's Connor Danforth, from Villanova University."

Keen:
Keen nods. "Excellent. I hope I can be of use, I'm an electronics specialist."

Lundquist:
"Good to hear. We're in a sort of bad way here. We've just lost two people."

Keen:
Keen frowns and nods. "Whoa. Well, whatever I can do to help."

Lundquist:
"Well, we can put you right to work. There's a lot to be done here. I'll brief you fully in a minute here."

Rogers:
"Just don't catch any bullets."

Keeper:
Subsequent searches of the buiding are conducted: it is clean except for the combat scenes on the 20th floor and the roof, and things that are found on the 15th floor.

Lundquist:
Such as...?

Keeper:
On the 15th floor, one of the last offices searched is that of one Tom Volker, supervisor of investigations for TBC-NY. Volker is about sixty, white-haired, sharp and distinguished looking, if past his prime, from the photographs in his office.

Keeper:
You see decorations from his service in the Army, armored cavalry and TF-160, Special Aviatoion Operations.

Keeper:
Volker is found hanging by a silk tie from the ceiling in his office. There are no signs of violence, either in the office or on his body.

Keen:
"Wow. Nice tie."

Lundquist:
"I thought it more traditional to jump out a window."

Keen:
"Maybe he didn't want to land on the Feds."

Lundquist:
"How thoughtful. Well, let's take this place apart..."

Keeper:
The rest of the offices are clean of evidence, except for a stash of assault rifles and Uzis and ammunition found in a hidden locker in a supply closet.

Rogers:
"Dam we should have continued to search this floor."

Keeper:
You find plenty of personnel information of the usual sort, including background on the men you've encountered so far. There's apparently plenty to enable you to track down their families and other likely contacts to help track them down.

Lundquist:
Outstanding.

Keeper:
Documentation on the unusual activities of TBC investigators is almost nonexistent. Files are clean; computers are clean. Almost clean. Only one document is found after intensive searching, a small file that has to be undeleted, mostly intact, from Volker's computer.

Keen:
Any info on folks we haven't met?

Keeper:
It's a word-processing file.

Keeper:
It was created at 09:57 on 05JUN98, deleted at 10:29 on 05JUN98:

Keeper:
It reads, "De&@#%^:

Keeper:
"(@understand your concern, but I am still certain that nobody @@!^% the company suspects anything. You know the Corporation's reputation. If they suspected any wrongdo&(%#%##hey would have squashed us by now. Jonas Breckenridge is the most upstanding son of %$$#@@ch I've ever met.

Keeper:
"He would make our operation impossible, but he won't know a thing if we keep it quiet from Gant and Howell and Sidle."

Keeper:
That's the end of it.

Rogers:
"Looks like its an interanl power struggle going on."

Keeper:
Gant is identified as Joe Gant, general manager of the New York office. Howell is Tom Howell, director of operations, overseeing security and investigative personnel. Sidle is Reggie Sidle, Director of Sales.

Lundquist:
"Well, it looks like we're going to have some interviews to make, amongst everything else..."

Keeper:
In immediate interrogations, none know anything about anything being done by Volker or other investigators. All are shocked and outraged at the violence done under the auspices of their office.

Rogers:
"We'd best check if these guys are outside, and if they are get them somewhere safe soon."

Keeper:
And the immediate statements from TBC headquarters in Texas are similar: shock, outrage, and sorrow at the many heinous crimes that have been committed, with promises of the utmost cooperation with the authorities.