Report #3270, Transcript Section #29
(Operation SANDMAN)
©1998 Shane Ivey

Cabot:
If I remember, Cabot was still observing from the crowd while Lundquist, Kelley, and Borrows were in the forensic van discussing options with me over the phone.

Cabot:
Rogers was interrogating/interviewing witnesses or the like.

Keeper:
You're right, Cabot.

Keeper:
But it was Keen, not Borrow... Borrow's corpse is in the van with Maddux's.

Cabot:
I stand corrected.

Keeper:
In the van, Agent Wang had just explained to Keen and Lundquist that the remains of Jackson Melody had been dissolved, devoured, by the gooey substance which laced his body.

Keeper:
After the last solid bones dessicate and dissolve, the only remainder seems to be a small black cube of some sort of plastic with gold conductors.

Lundquist:
That's the only thing left at all? Is there any sort of gooey residue or anything, or does that all vanish into thin air too?

Keeper:
Wang suspects that the conductors were for a neural connection, but she has no idea what the cube's function would be.

Keeper:
The gooey residue is all that's left. It has gone inert after the last original organic matter dissolves.

Cabot:
The questioned was posed by Keen to Cabot (we were the only players left) as to where to go from here. In the absence of the key cell players, I opted to refrain from taking the investigation along a new course at that time. I just suggested we brainstorm at a safe location to go over what we have so far and plan future actions.

Lundquist:
"Agent Wang, this residue, is there enough of it to account for Melody's entire body mass? Or could some of it have vaporized or something?"

Keeper:
Wang shakes her head. "The residue weighs just over eighteen kilograms, but there's no trace of it in the air."

Cabot:
Keeper: I am assuming that I am not observing any unsual interest or activity around the forensic van the team is inside unless you tell me otherwise.

Keeper:
Right.

Lundquist:
"How do you explain that?"

Keeper:
She shakes her head again. "I can't. A biological process would leave some waste residue."

Lundquist:
"Yeah, that's what I thought... Okay, we need to plan our next move."

Keeper:
Are you still on the phone with Cabot?

Cabot:
I was on with Keen.

Keeper:
Gotcha. Cabot, you don't see anything unusual outside.

Cabot:
I ask Keen to give me Lundquist on the phone.

Lundquist:
"Lundquist here."

Cabot:
"Are you still for regrouping and analyzing the current situation?"

Lundquist:
"Yes, how do things look from where you are?"

Cabot:
"So far, so good. But that's not saying much. If the people we're operating against are the pros they appear to be, they're not going to be standing right next to that forensic van with stethoscopes. I can't rule out that you're being surveilled from the crowd out here."

Lundquist:
"Right you are. Okay, I'm going to go in and find Rogers. Do you want to follow at a discreet distance?

Cabot:
"Yeah. I'm thinking it might be a good idea to test the security of your safe house. When you've got the team gathered, head there in your normal fashion. If I give you a heads up, abort and split. I'll make arrangements to meet elsewhere. Maybe my hotel."

Lundquist:
"Okay. I'll collect Rogers, if he's done inside, and we'll make our way back to the safe-house."

Cabot:
"Cabot, out." Hang up and continue my surveillance.

Keeper:
The group had gathered on the 15th floor of the Breckenridge building, where the Friendly forensics team had begun dissecting the rooms for evidence.

Keeper:
Two new operatives had joined the group--Cabot, a CIA sniper, and Keen, an NSA electronic security specialist.

Rogers:
Do i know Cabot at all?

Keeper:
Nope.

Keeper:
As introductions were made, Lundquist got his phone operating again and found messages from Deputy Marshal Walter Brenneman, a Friendly assigned to guard the captive TBC operative at Lutheran Hospital.

Keeper:
Brenneman said that another group of Marshals had come, under orders from the top of the Service and from DoJ, to take the prisoner into protective custody.

Keeper:
Brenneman tried to intervene, and he got suspended for his trouble; Lundquist rushed over with the two new guys, in an FBI helicopter, leaving Kelley to guard the crime scene and you to interrogate the other Breckenridge personnel.

Keeper:
Said personnel include, among others, Joe Gant, general manager of TBC-NY; Reggie Sidle, Sales Director; and Ted Howell, Director of Operations. Tom Volker, Director of Investigations, was found dead by apparent suicide in his office. Jackson Melody, Director of Security, was killed by Lundquist after knifing Agent Borrow to death.

Rogers:
Ok here are my priorities, 1 we need to secure the evidence / body. 2 I want to get the people named in the document we recovered out of here and to a secure facility to talk to them.

Rogers:
Of course I'd like to get the cars moved away given that there are explosives experts all over the place as well.

Rogers:
OK So I'm going to have to secure Joe Gant, Reggie Sidle and Ted Howell.

Keeper:
Securing the evidence and body is not an immediate problem: Kelley and the FBI team get all of it down to their Evidence Van without incident.

Rogers:
"Kelly, can you handle things here with the forensics team?"

Keeper:
"No problem," Kelley says. "You want Danforth to help you out, or should I hang onto him?"

Rogers:
"Best if he comes with me, might want to fake em on what we got from the computers."

Keeper:
He nods and escorts the FBI examiners to their van, leaving you and Danforth to go deal with the Breckenridge personnel.

Rogers:
"Hey Danforth, how you holding up?"

Keeper:
In the last few hours, by the way, statements have come from the International HQ of TBC, in San Antonio, Texas, expressing shock and outrage at the criminal acts occuring "under our own roof" and pledging full cooperation with the authorities to see that the perpetrators are brough to justice.

Keeper:
Danforth looks bone-tired. He shrugs. "Doing fine. What are we gonna do to these assholes?"

Rogers:
"Well if your refering to the people outside, we're going to roll over there as the Department of Justice and threaten them with accessory to murder, if they don't co-operate fully."

Keeper:
He nods. "Lead the way. I still have my badge."

Rogers:
"Me too, the plan is this I'll lead with the memo's information and see what it shakes loose, you can imply that your close to getting more files which may implicate them and then we see how they react."

Keeper:
"Yeah, okay."

Keeper:
The suspects are now being held across the street, in the ground-level cafeteria of an office building, guarded by FBI and ATF agents.

Keeper:
Danforth digs out his DoJ badge and waits for you to lead the way.

Rogers:
we head on over (avoiding camra crews and reporters as best as possible) inconspicuosly

Keeper:
There are hundreds of cops and federal agents all around, so the two of you blend pretty easily even under the attention of hundreds of bystanders and endless news crews and cameras at the police barricades.

Keeper:
You pass police cars and unmarked official cars as you cross the street and step into the atrium, walled in stone-grey cement, of the office building. An FBI agent checks your identification, checks your faces, and nods you inside.

Keeper:
Another guard does the same as you approach the cafeteria. Past him you can see dozens of people in office suits and skirts from TBC, most of them gathered in clusters of up to a dozen people, waiting tensely.

Rogers:
Who's in charge of the scene?

Keeper:
FBI Agent Anton Levenson is in charge. He's a short black man, 43 years old, talking busily on the phone nearby.

Rogers:
"Danforth, lets wait and check in with Levenson."

Keeper:
Danforth shrugs.

Keeper:
The guard signals Levenson with a nod as Levenson glances your way. He nods in return. A moment later he hangs up his phone and walks briskly over.

Rogers:
"Hello Agent Levenson, I'm Agent Jones with the DoJ."

Keeper:
"Pleased to meet you," he says, not bothering to put the phone in the pocket of his windbreaker.

Keeper:
"What can I do for you?"

Rogers:
"We' were here serving a warrent as part of an ongoing investigation when all hell broke loose, we've turne dup some evidence and I need to locate some peopl who work for Breckenridge for their own safety."

Rogers:
"Joe Gant, the general manager, Reggie Sidle Director of Sales and Ted Howell the Operations Director."

Keeper:
"I see. Well, they're all in here, safe and sound. The Boss sent word down to keep them nearby."

Keeper:
"Yeah, those three are here. You want a room to talk to them?"

Rogers:
"Good work, yes please."

Keeper:
"Come with me." He walks past the guard and calls another agent over. They confer for a minute. Levenson looks your way. "Do you want all of them now, or one at a time?"

Rogers:
"I'll take them one at a time"

Rogers:
"Send in GAnt then Sidle then Howell."

Keeper:
"Follow me." He leads you into a break room borrowed by the FBI. "We'll bring them in here for you."

Rogers:
"Great."

Keeper:
A minute later, the other FBI agent opens the door for Joe Gant, a heavyset man in his 40s with straight black hair, wearing a brown suit. He is followed by a more distignuished-looking man, maybe sixty years old, with tanned skin and grey hair, in a very nice grey pinstripe suit.

Rogers:
"Good morning Mr. Gant, have a seat."

Keeper:
"I'm Hudson Thomas," says the grey-haired man. "Attorney for the Breckenridge Corporation, New York Office, representing Mr. Gant and his colleagues. He has requested my presence."

Keeper:
Gant sits in a plastic-backed chair and says nothing.

Rogers:
"No problem."

Keeper:
Thomas smiles. "Thank you." He extends his hand.

Rogers:
"Mr. Gant, I'm part of a DoJ investigation into an assault on several of my colleagues by men who were in the employe of the Breckenridge Corporation NYC."

Keeper:
Gant nods vigorously. "So I've heard. And I want you to know, I'm mad as hell about it. I have friends in governemnt service, fine men, in the FBI and in the Justice Department, like yourself, and I'm mad as hell that people who worked with me, who worked FOR me, would commit these crimes."

Rogers:
"We came here today to serve a warrent as part of that investigation, we got here and you know what happenend then, that investigation was srious but as a result of this morning we have a lot of dead federal investigative officers."

Rogers:
"Now I have reason to belive that you are not involved at all in any way in these actions. But I need to get as much information about other personel as quickly as possible."

Keeper:
Gant says, "Well, I'll be glad to help however I can."

Keeper:
Thomas interjects: "But, you understand, I may need to consult with my client, for his legal protection."

Rogers:
"That's not a problem as I said we're sure he''s not involved"

Keeper:
Thomas smiles and nods. "Thank you."

Keeper:
Gant says, "Well? How can I help?"

Rogers:
"Actually we have a good idea of what was going on because we've recovered several documents from the computer of one Tom Volker the head of Investigations."

Rogers:
"What can you tell me about him and the normal activities of Breckenridge in NY city?"

Keeper:
Gant looks surprised. "Volker? What's he have to do with it? I've been wondering why we didn't see him here."

(Rogers whispered to Keeper): I'm making psychology rolls on this guy is he being truthful?

Keeper:
(Go ahead and roll it)

DICE for Rogers: (1d100) = [ 77 ]

Keeper:
Well, it's been a hell of a day, after all... Right now you suspect just about everyone of something wrong...

Keeper:
Gant looks from you to Danforth, waiting.

Rogers:
"Mr Volker is unavailable at the moment as is the head of Security who is someone else I'd like to know more about, especially where he comes from and who hired him, where he lives that kind of thing?"

Keeper:
"Jack Melody is head of security. He handles training and keeps the officers up to par, directs assignments, that sort of thing."

Rogers:
"So he would have to authorise your investigators to follow people and carry firearms?"

Keeper:
"Not the investigators. Volker handles them."

Rogers:
"So Volker is Melody's boss?"

Keeper:
"No, no. See, we have two distinct divisions: Security, and Investigations. Volker directs Investigations. Melody directs Security. Howell, Director of Operations, oversees both of them."

Rogers:
"Ok just me getting confused there sorry. So who does Mr. Howell report too?"

Keeper:
"Howell reports to me. And he already knows I'm going to have a piece of his ass if he missed any of this crap when he should have found it out."

Rogers:
"As your part of a larger corporation who is the next up the chain of command in the Operations side of the corporation?" "I know Howells reports to you but does he report to anyone else outside the NY operation?"

Keeper:
He shakes his head. "No. Each office is sort of autonomous. Operations reports to the General Manager--that's me--and the GM reports to Headquarters."

Rogers:
"So to use a phrase the Buck stops here."

Keeper:
"That's right." He scowls in disgust. "It sure as hell does. I'm going to be out on the street by the end of the day, most likely, thanks to all this crap. Right in my own office!"

Rogers:
"I don't think your going to be out of a job."

Rogers:
"I need your co-operation."

Rogers:
"and your silence for a while."

Rogers:
"Mr. Thomas, I'm going to show you a file we recovered and explain to you what I'm going to ask your client to do, you can then advise him what to do but if you advise him not to get involved you can't tell him what was in the document I'm going to show you."

Keeper:
Thomas smiles dubiously. "You understand, I can only advise my client. I can't dictate to him. He'll have to make up his own mind regarding any evidence you wish to present."

Rogers:
"Danforth you got the hard copy of the file you recovered?"

Keeper:
Danforth nods. He hands you the sheet with the file from Volker's hard drive.

Rogers:
Show Thomas the file

Rogers:
"As you can see your client is in the clear as far as we are concerned but given what he's told me about operations Mr. Howells has come under some suspicion."

Rogers:
"I want him to just act naturally and try and find out what he can."

Keeper:
Thomas glances at the document. "As I said, I can't advise my client on evidence he has not seen. You will need to decide for yourselves whether to present this evidence or not."

Rogers:
"Ok I'm willing to show your client the evidence in that case but he must not reveal what he learns."

Keeper:
Thomas shakes his head. "Are you saying you want Mr. Gant to work with you as an informant?"

Rogers:
"No I just want him to keep the knowlege he will learn secret untill we have ahd a chance to interrogate a few more people."

Keeper:
"Why?"

Rogers:
"If he wants to help us thats his decision up to his sense of honour"

Rogers:
"Well you've seen the evidence, if who I think could be involved is involved I don't want to alerthim to the fact that we are on to him, the computers were very well cleaned out as were all the files."

Keeper:
Thomas smiles again. "Of course," he says wryly.

Rogers:
"so shall i show him the file?"

Keeper:
Gant looks at the paper. He shakes his head after a moment. "Son of a bitch," he says.

Rogers:
"Exactly Mr Howell may be directly involved Im going to get Mr. Sidle in here next."

Keeper:
Gant looks at the paper again. "On here it looks like they kept Howell and Sidle in the dark, too."

Rogers:
"I know that, but it would be easier if he were involved and besides he's the closest to the men directly involved he may have information he's not aware of."

Keeper:
Gant shrugs. "I hope not. Bad enough if Volker was involved in this." He looks thoughtful.

Rogers:
"Yes but I'm just looking at the way the people reported in the NY operation and being suspicious, the file you've seen means I'm not that suspicious but I think its better to be safe than sorry."

Keeper:
"Maybe," he says noncommittally.

Rogers:
"Right now you know what's been going on what does the corporation do in NY and what are it's main buisness?"

Keeper:
"We mainly do low-key security, warehouses and shipyards, and high-end investigative and security work. Bodyguarding, surveillance, like that."

Rogers:
"Who are the main clients for your services."

Keeper:
"We have contracts with the city, and a couple of security contracts with the federal government, supplementing the Federal Protective Service. We also work with several private corporations, doing security and background work. We also have a number of private employers for investigative and personal security work."

Rogers:
"Have you had any operations that have started recently or have been operating for a while in the Harfleur part of the city?"

Keeper:
"Harfleur? No."

Rogers:
"Now that you know that something fishy was going on inside the corp, can you recall anythingyou think may be of help to our investigation?"

Keeper:
"Well, I don't know. Have you talked to Volker yet?"

Rogers:
"No, and as he hung himself today after deleting the computer files I won't get that chance."

Keeper:
He blinks. "Jesus!"

Rogers:
can I tell if he's shocked or relieved at that news?

Keeper:
A little of both, you think, though mainly shocked.

Rogers:
"Now you see why I'm trying to find anything unusual that has happenend recently that Volker or Melody have reassured you and the board on?"

Rogers:
"Anything at all? No matter how samll or insignificant."

Keeper:
He shakes his head. "Suicide... Jesus... Well, the whole mess with our boys in Harfleur is coming clearer, isn't it? Volker said he didn't know what was going on with those guys."

Rogers:
"What were your boys in Harfleur doing Mr. Gant? Or what did Volker tell you they were doing?"

Keeper:
"Volker said he didn't know. They weren't on any assignment of ours. We figured they had taken some kind of moonlighting job. I told Volker to put the survivor through the ringer to get some answers, as soon as he was able."

Rogers:
"Well that's confirmed my suspicions about his involvement, if they were moonlighting why carry their Breckenridge Id's he must have been playing them as well as you."

Rogers:
"I think that's all we need for the moment, when my colleages get back they may want to ask some questions, oh one more thing don't let Jonas Breckenridge know about this or anyone else we know you are clean but anyone else may be involved thinking its an official operation of Breckenridge, I don't want anyone else getting hurt if I can help it."

Rogers:
"If anything happens to Mr Breckenridge who as the file confirms is on the right side who knows what side his successor would be on, I'd like to get him into protection before anything happens, we will of course protect you as well."

Keeper:
Gant nods slowly. "I understand."

Rogers:
"Mr. Thomas are you representing Mr. Sidle and Mr Howell?"

Keeper:
Thomas shakes his head. "They have engaged separate attorneys to prevent conflicts of interest."

Rogers:
"Good, then I won't have put you into a difficult situation."

Keeper:
He smiles affably. "I hope not."

Rogers:
"Thanks for your help gentlemen, could you ask the Agent out there Mr. Thomas to send in Mr. Sidle in a few moments please."

Keeper:
Thomas and Gant rise and file out.

Rogers:
when they've gone "Well Danforth this looks promising."

. . .

Lundquist:
"Wang, I'm going to go find Rogers. After that, I think we're going to be heading out again for a while. Is there anything you need from us?"

Keeper:
She shakes her head slowly.

Keeper:
"I don't know anything. What should we do with this..." She points at the goo.

Lundquist:
"Collect it into a hatbox, and we'll take it with us on our way out."

Lundquist:
"I want to pass it along for further analysis."

Keeper:
"Aren't we just taking the van out? We'll need to keep the other bodies and evidence as well."

Lundquist:
"Yes, but I know some people I'd like to have take a look at this goo. Though you're right, we'll leave it with you for now."

Lundquist:
"Just keep it isolated."

Keeper:
"Definitely."

Keeper:
"What about the other bodies? Standard autopsy?"

Lundquist:
"I think so, but can I get back to you? I'll need to check."

Keeper:
"Sure. We'll leave them on ice for now."

Lundquist:
"Okay, call if you need anything, or if anything else, er, happens."

Keeper:
She nods uncomfortably. A couple of the other technicians trade a brief, tense look.

Lundquist:
(Head out, and into the building, bringing Keen with me. Call Rogers.)

Keeper:
Rogers, Lundquist calls you.

Rogers:
"Hello?"

Lundquist:
"Hey there. Where are you?"

Cabot:
I observe their movement via my binoculars.

Keeper:
Cabot, the crowd is still broad and thick within the barricaded perimeter. Lundquist and Keen make their way through many other officers and agents without attracting undue attention.

Keeper:
Rogers, Lundquist calls your cell phone.

Lundquist:
"Hello, Rogers? Where are you now?"

Rogers:
"Hello, I've just finished interrogating Mr Gant Breckenridges General manager."

Lundquist:
"Keen and I are coming in now. Where should we meet you?"

Rogers:
"Hello Mr. L."

Rogers:
"I'm with the evacuated employees of Breckenridge, I've just spoken to Mr. Gant the operations manager mentioned in the file Danforth recovered."

Lundquist:
"Okay, we'll meet you there." We go to the holding area for the Breckenridge evacuees.

Keeper:
The Breckenridge personnel were gathered in a building across the street from the Breckenridge building.

Lundquist:
Then that's where we go.

Keeper:
FBI agents guard the employees, who have been collected into a ground-floor cafeteria. A short black agent in a field windbreaker, Special Agent Anton Levenson, seems to be in charge.

Rogers:
"I'm in the building opposite Breckenridge, I'm about to speak to Mr Sidle but I'll hold on that for your arrival I'l send danforth out to get you unless you want me to join you?"

Lundquist:
"No, send Danforth out to bring us in."

Lundquist:
I show my ID to Levenson and tell him I'm looking for Rogers and Danforth from DOJ.

Rogers:
"Roger Wilco"

Keeper:
Levenson inspects your ID and Keen's. "We have them in a makeshift office," he says, leading you through the cafeteria. Among the gathered employees you spy Joe Gant, Reggie Sidle, and Ted Howell.

Lundquist:
"Thanks." I go find Rogers.

Keeper:
Lundquist, you see Danforth come into a hall at the other end of the cafeteria, where Levenson seemed to be leading you.

Lundquist:
I head over towards him.

Keeper:
Danforth steps out from a doorway, looks your way, and beckons.

Keeper:
"We're in here," he says. "Just finished talking to that fat fuck, Gant." He turns and walks back to the "office," which was an employee break room until a few hours ago.

Keeper:
Rogers is waiting inside.

Cabot:
I am a CIA asset, yes. But you don't know me.

Lundquist:
"Hello, Rogers. How'd the first interview go?"

Rogers:
"Danforth can you be any less subtle?"

Keeper:
Danforth shrugs as he closes the door behind him. "What are we doing here, anyway? Playing cop and all that."

Rogers:
"Very well he's gone for total cooperation with us."

Keeper:
"Yeah, maybe. Or maybe he was full of it."

Lundquist:
"Any reason to think he's hiding anything?"

Rogers:
"It did make me suspicious of Ted Howell though he's the guy in charge of our dead guys."

Lundquist:
"Well, should we speak to him? Or do you want to get out of here?"

Rogers:
"They only reported to him as far as I can establish, so he's got to be suspect in my book."

Keeper:
Danforth points at a small hole in his stained shirt, still unchanged since the morning's excitement. "If I didn't have that vest Kelley gave me, I'd be dead as hell right now thanks to these guys. You give me a reason to think he's NOT lying."

Lundquist:
"Yeah, okay, I guess we should have a word or two with him." I'll call Cabot.

Rogers:
"As for what happened to us in Harfleur that looks like it was unsanctioned and the men involved may not have know it was not authorised."

Keeper:
Cabot, Lundquist calls...

Cabot:
"Yeah?"

Lundquist:
"Listen, we're going to stick around a little longer and interview the Breckenridge people ourselves. Do you want to come in?"

Cabot:
"Until we ascertain our level of operational security, I think it best I remain anonymously associated with the team. My official cover here's blown anyway since I went over the head of the FBI SAIC to get tactical teams to reenter that building."

Rogers:
"Look like Volker may have been running his own operation without the men doing the dirty work knowing, but as they tried to kill us I woouldn't be sure of that."

Lundquist:
"Those guys who tried to kill us were pretty motivated. They refused to surrender. They kept shooting until we killed them."

Rogers:
"I don't think so if you want to question him you can, but he strikes me as a suit who got left out of the loop."

Lundquist:
"Well the message Danforth turned up certainly suggests that, but how far do we want to trust it?"

Rogers:
"Well I've trusted it to the extent that I showed it to Gant."

Keeper:
The door opens again. Reggie Sidle steps in, a balding man about fifty years old, just ahead of a shorter man in a dark suit and dark hair, red-faced, with quick eyes.

Keeper:
"I'm William Hurst," says the shorter man, "attorney for Mr. Sidle."

Rogers:
"Hello, I'm Agent Jones this is Agent Lundquiest."

Keeper:
Hurst looks from one of you to the others. "So. What can we do for you gentlemen?"

Lundquist:
"We just had a few questions for Mr Sidle. We'll try to be brief."

Keeper:
Hurst nods. "Very well." They sit in the plastic-backed chairs.

Lundquist:
'Mr Sidle, what is your position at Breckenridge?"

Keeper:
He clears his throat. "I'm Director of Sales with the New York office."

Lundquist:
"How well did you know Mr Volker?"

Keeper:
"I... Not really well. He joined us about two years ago. I worked with him in arranging contracts, but I didn't know him socially." He looks uncomfortable.

Lundquist:
"What about Mr Jackson Melody?"

Keeper:
"About the same, really. I worked with him in setting up security contracts, but I didn't know him well. He signed on a few months after Tom... Mr. Volker."

Lundquist:
"Right. Tell me, do you have any explanation for what happened here today?"

Keeper:
He shakes his head and blinks nervously. "I don't know. I'm appalled. I used to work with the State Department, you know. I've seen a lot of sights, but this... It's terrible. I can't believe Tom or Melody would be involved."

Lundquist:
"So all of this comes as a complete shock to you. Before today, nothing had ever happened to make you suspicious, or alarmed, or anything like that."

Keeper:
"Well, the last few days, anyway. We discussed the incidents in Harfleur, but we didn't know what was behind them. It seemed like just a couple of investigators had gone on their own. Still, we should have known..." He trails off, looking down.

Lundquist:
"Yeah, okay. Rogers, do you have any questions?"

Rogers:
"Mr Sidle, have you sold any of Breckenridge's services in the Harfleur area of NY in the last two years since Mr Volker joined the company?"

Keeper:
He looks up and shakes his head. "No... We've picked up some security contracts in the airport, that's about the closest."

Keeper:
Sidle shakes his head again. "Volker brought Melody aboard, you know."

Lundquist:
"Really? Who else did he bring aboard?"

Keeper:
"Nobody else, that I know of. But Jack gave references for several of our newer guys. I think Jack worked security in an embassy with Tom at some point."

Lundquist:
"I see. And do you have the names of those newer guys?"

Keeper:
"Murphree and Patterson were two. You've... well, you met them..."

Lundquist:
"Yeah, we had the pleasure. Who else?"

Keeper:
"Jack formed the SPU--Special Protecion Unit--after he came aboard. He brought in a few guys he knew, Special Forces types."

Rogers:
"Have there been any contracts in NY which have struck you as unusual fror Breckenridge?"

Keeper:
"Unusual contracts? No, not really. We handle some government security, some private, some bodyguard work, a little BI and surveillance work..."

Lundquist:
"What was the SPU's purpose?"

Rogers:
"Was he brought in for a specific contract?"

Keeper:
"SPU is an executive bodyguard service. Top-of-the-line. The best trained bodyguards in the business. We give the Secret Service a run for their money." He smiles winningly, easily going into salesman-mode.

Lundquist:
"Gee, that's super. What's SPU been doing lately, the past month or two?"

Keeper:
"Bodyguard work. We had a couple of them in Trump Towers, another couple in City Hall."

Lundquist:
"Could you provide us with a list of those contracts please?"

Keeper:
Sidle glances at Hurst. "We'll have to consult with our clients," says the lawyer.

Keeper:
Danforth sighs noisily.

Lundquist:
"No, don't bother. I'll just go and get a court order." Look directly at Hurst. "After today, I'm confident I can get one quite quickly."

Lundquist:
"Of course, we'd still appreciate any cooperation you can provide us, and will remember it when the appropriate time comes..."

Keeper:
Hurst blinks and sits back, impassive but subtly defiant. "I don't doubt it, Mr. Lundquist. But it's my responsibility to protect my client's rights and remind him of his responsibilities."

Keeper:
Sidle looks up again and nods. "Of course. This affair is terrible... I'll do anything I can."

Lundquist:
"Sure, sure. Well, can you provide me with a list of names of employees working in the SPU then?"

Keeper:
"I think so, yes. I'm sure we have personnel folders in the offices."

Keeper:
Sidle says, "Is there anything else?"

Lundquist:
"Yes, what can you tell me about Evans Plumbing Service?"

Keeper:
He blinks. "About whom?"

Lundquist:
"Evans Plumbing Service... Ever hear of them?"

Keeper:
"No, never."

Lundquist whispers:
Psychology roll... Any reaction from this guy?

Keeper whispers to Lundquist:
He seems to be a little more poker-faced than he was a minute ago.

Lundquist:
"Does your company ever employ 'front' or 'cover' organizations in the course of its operations, Mr Sidle?"

Keeper:
"Not full organizations, certainly. Sometimes our operatives use cover stories, of course."

Lundquist:
"What sorts of records does your company keep for your operatives' covers?"

Keeper:
"They record any such details in daily logs."

Lundquist:
"I see. Where are those kept?"

Keeper:
"They're kept in a filing cabinet in the offices."

Lundquist:
"And who would have access to those? Certainly it would be controlled."

Keeper:
"We keep a file closet for daily logs, incident reports, background investigations... Each of the directors has a key. So does the secretary."

Lundquist:
"Okay, good. Mr Sidle, can I speak frankly?"

Keeper:
"Certainly."

Lundquist:
"I'm a very busy man. This whole mess your company has created has made me even busier. Time is very important to me."

Lundquist:
"Now, our ongoing investigations are going to be very thorough, but I don't have to tell you that they're going to take a lot of time."

Keeper:
He frowns slightly.

Keeper:
"I wouldn't expect you to hurry a situation like this."

Lundquist:
"Absolutely not. When the dust settles, a lot of people are going to be in a lot of trouble. But for those persons who were, perhaps, out of the loop with regards to the criminal activity, we'll naturally be understanding."

Keeper:
He frowns again. "Naturally."

Lundquist:
"For those people who are involved in all this, however, we're going to show no mercy to. Mark my words, heads are going to roll."

Keeper:
Cabot, your phone buzzes.

Cabot:
"Yeah."

Keeper:
"This is Kelley! Lundquist sent for some flamethrowers--get one in here, now!"

Cabot:
Do I recognize the voice as Kelley's?

Keeper:
Sidle nods, glances at his lawyer. "Mr. Lundquist, I won't have any love for those who were responsible, here. With all the bloodshed that's occurred? No love at all."

Keeper:
C: It sounds like Kelley.

Cabot:
"Where are you, Kelley?"

Lundquist:
"Well, in light of that, I'd strongly encourage you to reconsider your decision not to cooperate with us, and I'm sure that Mr Hurst here will agree with me."

Keeper:
Kelley: "Did you hear me--?" Cabot, you see the door of the evidence van open. One of the technicians stumbles out and tumbles down the stairs to the asphalt.

Keeper:
Sidle blinks. "I said I would cooperate with you, Mr. Lundquist. And I intend to."

Cabot:
I hollar from the crowd, pointing frantically: "HEY, HEY, there's something going on over there!" As the crowd reacts, I move in, unsafetying my pistol and calling Lundquist.

Keeper:
(Pointing where, Cabot?)

Cabot:
At the van!

Keeper:
Cabot, as you head toward the van you see a dim flash within the half-open door, and a puff of dark smoke. People around you who looked that way squint and crane their heads to get a better view.

Keeper:
Sidle blinks. "I said I would cooperate with you, Mr. Lundquist. And I intend to."

Keeper:
Lundquist, your phone buzzes. It's Cabot.

Lundquist:
"I'm going to ask you one more time, Mr Sidle. I urge you to consider your answer very carefully, in light of the very serious situation you are now in. What, exactly, do you know about the Evans Plumbing Company?"

Lundquist:
"Excuse me...

Lundquist:
"Lundquist here."

Cabot:
Keep running with the phone to me ear waiting for Lundquist. "Hey! Hey! Cops! Look, something's wrong!"

Lundquist:
"Hello? Lundquist here..."

Cabot:
"Shit, get your ass to the forensic van, NOW!" Hang up and prepare to aquire a target should one present itself.

Keeper:
Cabot, you reach the barricades. A police officer holds his hand up to warn you to stop. His partner looks back toward the van. "What's going on in there?"

Lundquist:
"Don't move. I'll be back in five minutes. I'll expect an answer then. Danforth, Rogers, come with me." This as I sprint out the door.

Keeper:
Cabot, another technician jumps out of the van, clutching his throat and face. You see more smoke.

Rogers:
to Mr. L "What's up?" as I follow

Cabot:
"Something just fucking exploded in that truck, officer!" I fumble for my fake FBI ID.

Lundquist:
Quietly: "That was Cabot. I heard shouting, and he told me to get to the forensics van. Then he hung up. I'm not taking any chances."

Rogers:
"Aww shit."

Lundquist:
"Something's wrong."

Rogers:
"Come on then."

Keeper:
They look back, cursing. One of them stays at the barricades. "Take it easy, folks," he shouts, urging people back. The other one jogs toward the van.

Keeper:
Cabot, you get past the cops and closer to the van.

Cabot:
If he allows me to proceed past the barricades, I do so, making an arc so that I have a vantage of the open doors.

Keeper:
As you approach, you hear what sounds like Kelley shouting, inside, along with a couple of other voices, screaming or shouting unintelligibly.

Keeper:
Lundquist, Rogers, you hit the street and see the beginnings of crowd interest in the evidence van.

Cabot:
I position for a shot into the van, keeping a distance of about fifteen feet. "KELLEY!" I shout, "GET CLEAR!"

Lundquist:
"Shit... " I rush over there as fast as I can.

Keeper:
Cabot, Agent Wang comes out the door. She steps clumsily onto the stairs, then turns around to slam the door behind her. She looks terrified.

Cabot:
"Open that fucking door!"

Keeper:
She flinches away from the door, leaving it half-open. "But...!" She stumbles and barely keeps her balance on the steps.

Keeper:
You hear Kelley shout again, angrily, inside. You see another flash and a puff of smoke. Wang looks singed.

Cabot:
If there is an ESU trooper nearby, I "appropriate" his automatic weapon. "Open the fucking door!" I repeat.

Cabot:
By "appropriate", I mean I'll deck him if I have to.

Rogers:
I'm looking for a shotgun or automatic weapon preferably a shotgun before I go in.

Keeper:
There's not an ESU troop nearby, but two FBI agents, posted on guard duty, have come running. One has an M-16, the other has a shotgun.

Keeper:
Wang blinks, in shock, indecisive.

Cabot:
I flash my ID and grab the shotgun, not waiting for a response and move to open the god damn door, shoving Wang out of harm's way.

Keeper:
Rogers, Lundquist, you shove through the crowd and pass the barricades. You see Wang at the door of the van, Cabot a few feet away, near a couple of agents. Another two technicians are on the ground, gasping and choking.

Rogers:
I'm looking round for gas masks

Keeper:
Wang stumbles off the steps and lands heavily. Cabot, as you step up to the door, you see something slip underneath it, toward you.

Cabot:
I have the shotgun?

Keeper:
You do.

Cabot:
I yell, "Everyone get down!" What excatly is slithering out from under that door, Keeper?

Keeper:
Something protoplasmic, colorless and formless.

Keeper:
Lundquist and Rogers, you're running nearer the van. You don't see any gas masks handy.

Lundquist:
I draw my pistol and keep running towards the van. "Everybody down! GET DOWN!"

Keeper:
Someone in the crowd screams. Others look around, blinking, confused.

Cabot:
Cock that sucker and blast it. If I can, I open the door immediately afterwords and prepare to refire. "Kelley!" I yell.

Rogers:
to Mr L. "I'll get the M16 of the FBI guy, you open the door and I'll go in after Cabot and Kelly..."

Keeper:
BOOM! The shotgun blasts into the formlessness almost at touching range; it splatters on the door frame, back into the van, and on Cabot's legs.

Rogers:
"...and you can come after me if it goes wrong, like always."

Cabot:
I move to get that door open as soon as possible.

Keeper:
Cabot, inside the door, around the corner you see the glow of open flame; you catch a glimpse of Kelley, singed and wheezing, with swollen eyes, in the corner holding a severed ether tube as a makeshift flamethrower.

Keeper:
Then you feel a weight on your pants-legs.

Cabot:
I look down. . .

Keeper:
Kelley shouts, "God damn it!" You see the colorless slime congealing on your legs and flowing upwards.

Keeper:
Rogers, you grab the rifle from the blinking FBI agent. You and Lundquist are now a few yards from the van, close enough to see Cabot up in the doorway, looking down at his legs.

Cabot:
I jump up into the van to Kelley and grab the him, shoving him out of the van. Then I take the flaming ether tube and attempt to use the flames to fend this stuff on my legs off.

Rogers:
"On three Mr. L..."

Lundquist:
"Three!"

Rogers:
"Go Go Go!"

Keeper:
Kelley's eyes widen as you rush him, Cabot. "Stand the fuck BACK!" He brings the torch-like tube around, not quite aiming at you.

Cabot:
Quick visual assessment: where is the protoplasm, is there any on Kelley, and is anyone else in the van?

Keeper:
There are two prone shapes in the van, technicians, perhaps unconscious. You don't make out any of the stuff on Kelley, but it's hard to tell; he's a mess. Suddenly, you feel the weight lift on your legs and shirt.

Keeper:
Lundquist, Rogers, you barrel up and into the van. You see Kelley staring at Cabot, not quite aiming a makeshift flamethrower at him.

Cabot:
I tear my shirt off and throw it toward a burning area in the van.

Rogers:
"Where is the target Kelly!"

Cabot:
"Fry it!" I yell to Kelley.

Keeper:
Rogers, you spy vageu movement on the floor, just in front of you, almost beneath you.

Rogers:
I aim and fire a three shot burst

Keeper:
The triple burst is deafening in the confines of the van. There's a puff of cordite, the flash from the muzzle, and you put a tight three holes in the floor.

Cabot:
"Check your fire! It just spreads it out!"

Keeper:
Afterward, you don't see the stuff.

Rogers:
"Everyone out now!"

Cabot:
Is the shit off me or what?

Keeper:
Lundquist, Rogers suddenly just put a burst of rifle fire into the floor; Cabot is ripping his shirt off nearby, yelling at Rogers to check his fire, "It just spreads it out!"

Keeper:
Cabot, you don't see any of it on you.

Cabot:
I back out, yelling to Kelley, "Time to go, man, come on!" I position myself at the door and yell to Lundquist and Rogers: "Get ready to blast the diesel tanks!"

Keeper:
Kelley squints, staring through red and tearing eyes at the floor and each of you. Finally he shoves the flaming tube aside, carefully, and stumbles toward you.

Lundquist:
I duck back out the door as quickly as I came in. I don't know what's going on, but I know I want no part of being in that van.

Rogers:
I'm covring him sweeping the m16 around looking for the thing, if I see it go towards Kelly it gets a three round burst.

Cabot:
I shove him out as soon as I can reach him. If there are any bottles of chemicals within reach I prepare to hurl them into the flames.

Rogers:
"Mr. L check under the van my shots may have let this stuff leak out!"

Lundquist:
I go to the ground and look under the van.

Keeper:
There are several bottles of alcohol (the medicinal kind), Cabot.

Lundquist:
(from a few feet back)

Keeper:
Lundquist, as you get outside and look underneath, you see the legs of one of the federal agents. He stumbles a moment, unexpectedly,

Cabot:
Oooh, better be ready to bail before I chuck those. Is Kelley clear yet?

Lundquist:
I jump up and look at him. (SHIT!!!)

Keeper:
Kelley stumbles out and down the stairs, looking around wildly.

Rogers:
"Cabot, don't burn this place yet we may need the alcahol if it got outside."?"

Keeper:
He comes around the corner of the van, Lundquist, clutching his throat, choking. His face is crimson red, eyes swollen tight.

Lundquist:
I knock him down and roll him over, as if he were on fire, then I handcuff him. Quickly.

Keeper:
Another couple of agents rush toward the stricken one to help.

Keeper:
They get in the way as you knock him down. "Hey! Cool it, he's hurt!"

Lundquist:
"He needs to lie down! Get him down, I'm a medic!"

Keeper:
The agents look at each other but they comply; they get the man down. "Shit, looks like he's choking."

Lundquist:
Keeper, do I have any idea what's wrong with him?

Keeper:
It looks like an allergic reaction to you.

Cabot:
What's Kelley doing? I'm watching him carefully, shotgun ready.

Keeper:
Cabot, you and Rogers are still in the van; Kelley just got out, right behind Lundquist.

Lundquist:
"He's having an allergic reaction. Where was he standing? How close was he to the truck?"

Rogers:
"Cabot you knwo better than me what's important in here secure it and I'll check outside."

Keeper:
Kelley has hunkered down several yards from the van, pistol drawn. Right now he's watching Lundquist.

Cabot:
Does Kelley appeared fucked-up (Psych roll)?

Rogers:
"I'm going to check on Kelly."

Keeper:
Kelley appears very stressed, but in-control.

Keeper:
lundquist, the agents look at you. "I don't know--he was right behind the van, over here..."

Cabot:
Carefully eyeing the contents of the van, a hollar over to Kelley, "What happened in there?"

Keeper:
Cabot, where are you now?

Lundquist:
"How close was he? It's important, dammit!"

Keeper:
"I don't know," one agent yells at Lundquist. "Ten feet, maybe," says the other.

Lundquist:
"Okay, get an ambulance. Fast!"

Cabot:
At the steps to the van, watching between Kelley and the contents of the van.

Keeper:
Kelley looks around at all the cops and agents gathering round. He glances at Cabot and shakes his head. "Later!"

Rogers:
"Kelly you OK physically?"

Keeper:
Kelley nods briefly.

Cabot:
"Fire the only effective weapon, Kelley?"

Rogers:
I'm heading over to Mr.L's position

Keeper:
Lundquist, your man on the ground continues to wheeze, but it seems to be getting better. He looks up, glassy eyed.

Keeper:
"Yeah," Kelley croaks at Cabot.

Lundquist:
"Hello, can you hear me? What's your name?"

Keeper:
"Uh--unng..." says the agent.

Lundquist:
"Take it easy, we're going to get you some help. Don

Lundquist:
"Don't try to speak. Nod if you understand me."

Keeper:
He squints. It's hard to tell if he can understand you or not.

Cabot:
Do I notice any unusual odors in the air, besides the burning debri?

Keeper:
You hear a siren, loud, as one of the nearby ambulances drives slowly nearer through the crowds.

Rogers:
"What's the score Mr. L? Need any medical assistance"

Cabot:
"Whoa, whoa. We've got a potential quarantine problem here, Lundquist. Nobody's getting on any fucking ambulance."

Lundquist:
"Yeah, keep an eye on him, he could go into operatic shock." Say that quickly, and mainly to Rogers.

Lundquist:
"I'm open to suggestions..."

Keeper:
One of the agents looks up, confused for a second, then shrugs it off.

Rogers:
"Get me some restraints, chemical exposure he could injure himself if he spasms agian."

Keeper:
A paramedic jumps from the ambulance. "What's the situation?"

Lundquist:
"I mainly want him on a stretcher and under restraints right away."

Keeper:
"Chemical exposure?" One of the agents looks up. "Like what?"

Rogers:
"Possible chemical exposure resulting in severe spasms of the musculature"

Lundquist:
"He may have been exposed to toxic chemicals. I've worked with them before and it's bad stuff. We need a stretcher and restraints."

Cabot:
"Get the fuck back. There's been some kind of release here! Get a HazMat response. Terrorists, maybe."

Lundquist:
I follow that up with some medical terminology which the medics will buy and which should convince the agents that they don't know what's going on here.

Rogers:
"I don't know i only just got here, possibly something recovered from that fun house over there" points to Breckenridge Corporation.

Keeper:
The paramedics throw the ambulance doors open and bring a stretcher out. They pause when they hear Cabot.

Cabot:
I move over to Rogers and Lundquist: "That shit could be anywhere, IN anyone here."

Lundquist:
"Agreed. So what do we do with this guy?"

Lundquist:
"I saw him stumble as I was coming out of the van."

Keeper:
The paramedic says, shakily, "I'll get EMS over here..." He heads for the ambulance radio.

Rogers:
"Well no shit, but there nothing we can do now is there just keep our eyes open."

Rogers:
that last to Cabot whispered

Cabot:
Whisper, "It crawled UP my fucking body, with a purpose. It's NOT aerosol. My guess is this guy ingested it."

Rogers:
Whisper "Right so we restrained him and now we watch everyone who's close."

Lundquist:
Whispered: "Yes, agreed, how do you want to proceed right now?"

Keeper:
Kelley comes closer. "It started off aerosol," he wheezes. "That's how it nailed everyone at first."

Keeper:
You hear other sirens, a different pitch, fire department this time.

Rogers:
"Didn't I say get it into an airtight container?" "What happened?"

Keeper:
Kelley winces. "It broke it."

Cabot:
"Look take care of him however you want. But anyone else dicking around with this van needs to be in a Level A suit."

Rogers:
"How?" "And where are the other people who were exposed gent Wang etc?"

Lundquist:
"You broke it?" Psych roll... That doesn't sound like Kelley...

Keeper:
The other victims are on the ground nearby, or prone inside the van. Wang is outside in a daze.

Keeper:
"I didn't fucking break it," Kelley snarls, "The shit broke its own container."

Cabot:
"Think quick, gents. Do we call it a possible terrorist act and follow standard decon and quarantine, or what?"

Rogers:
"Do it, possible DM contamination with unknown other agents from the Breckenridge Facility."

Lundquist:
"Yes. The same drill as at the Voodoo house. We'll say it's the same stuff."

Rogers:
"And keep everyone where they are within a 20 m radius of the van."

Cabot:
"Whatever works best."

Rogers:
"I don't want it getting away."

Lundquist:
"Kelley, is there anything else you can tell us?"

Keeper:
Kelley shakes his head. "The shit broke out. I grabbed the tube and lit it up. It was in a cloud... then it gathered up and headed for the others..."

Keeper:
"A little of it got on all of us," he says. "I think it all got out of me. Still can't see straight."

Lundquist:
"This is definitely the stuff that came out of Melody?"

Cabot:
I kneel near Kelley. "I got here as soon as I could."

Keeper:
Kelley nods, squinting. "Yeah. We gotta burn this guy, if it's in him. Fire kills everything."

Cabot:
"Hey, you ever see that remake of 'The Thing'?"

Rogers:
"Great, I'll get the barbeque coals, he's a Federal Agent, for fuck's sake."

Keeper:
Kelley shakes his head, looking miserable. "He's a host. You know a way to kill the shit cleanly? Go to it."

Rogers:
"As are you and agent Wang and Cabot, I'm not killing all of you guys because you got some crap on you."

Keeper:
He looks up at Rogers again. "If our tests come back positive, I lay some odds you will."

Rogers:
"If its in him we have it contained and we can study him and look for a way to kill it hell we can always barbewue his ass later."

Lundquist:
"What tests? How do we test for this?"

Rogers:
"If it is unavoidable then yes and I'd expect you to do the same for me."

Keeper:
Kelley blinks. "I dunno. I figured... they got a test for everything." He looks at Cabot, scowls, and gets quiet.

Cabot:
To Kelley, "No, but if what you told me on the phone about what happened to the TBC guy means that this stuff is throughout it's host, wouldn't the blood of the host react if burned. Like that movie?"

Keeper:
Kelley coughs. "Blood? I don't know... never saw it. Maybe."

Rogers:
"We need this guy in a well equiped lab with MRI and CAT scanners to see if we can study this thing taking over a host, maybe then we can find a way to kill it."

Cabot:
"Lundquist, get some syringes and needles from the medics. Danforth, see if you can scrape up a lighter or some matches."

Keeper:
About now, three firefighters in sealed HAZMAT outfits come jogging heavily nearby.

Rogers:
"Hell I just realised something, what if this thing is the organism in DM? Thats a fucking scary thought."

Keeper:
They talk through speakers: "EMS is here... Let's see the quarantine area! Come on!"

Lundquist:
I grab the first firefighter. "I need a syringe with a needle, right away!"

Keeper:
The firefighter nods and drags you back. "On it... step back out of the way. Stay clear, but stay put!"

Lundquist:
I don't move... I stay very close to my "patient."