* * * *
Agent Murphy
Murphy was set up in a small command vehicle on the southwest corner of Purpose Park. It wasn’t nearly as nice as the semi-truck she’d been in the day before. This one was more like a seventies food vendor reject. She kept waiting for someone to come up and try to order ice cream. The mobile command had two computers and four monitors built into it. On a good day, you could squeeze four agents into the back. With her and Harper, they had five—and it wasn’t air-conditioned. Thankfully, the fall air wasn’t too hot, just in the low seventies, but the inside of the tin can was pushing ninety with the body heat.
“I need to step outside for some air,” Murphy said.
“I’ll join you,” Harper replied.
She turned to her team. “Please make sure you stay hydrated. If you’re not careful, this tin box could cook you and the equipment.”
Note to self, upgrade the mobile command unit. She stepped out the back and took in her first breath of actual air. She leaned back against the truck and watched as students and people from the public entered Purpose Park.
“So, will you ever tell me what happened this morning?” Harper asked.
“I wish I could. You learned more during my little elevator breakdown than you should have. I just needed to tell someone. Saying nothing, I was told in no uncertain terms that what I told you never happened, could never happen, and if it did happen, the level of security surrounding it was so high only about eight people in our country have that level of clearance.”
“Fuck,” Harper drew out in his thick bayou accent that rose its head occasionally.
“Fuck is right.”
“Oh, and while we were in there”—she motioned to the truck—“my new little nightmare hacked into our signal to say hello.”
“That shouldn’t even be possible,” Harper said once he’d regained his composure.
“Tell me about it,” Murphy said.
“Agent Murphy,” a voice in her ear said.
“Yes?” she responded.
“It looks like the rally is about to start.”
“Thanks,” she replied. She took one more breath of fresh air. “Ready to go back into the oven?”
“This tin can isn’t that bad. You should try the heat and humidity in the bayou in August. You’d be clamoring for a nice cool box like this one,” Harper said as he patted the side of the truck. He opened the door, and Murphy climbed in. She had three drones in the sky that were being monitored. Plus, they had one stationary camera to see the pavilion itself.
“It’s showtime, people,” Murphy said. “Check in.”
The different teams that were in place quickly checked in as the first person took the stage.
* * * *
Dr. Hennigan
The first woman to walk up to the microphone was the type of college revolutionary she’d seen on college campuses forever—young, idealistic, thinking they were the first to tackle the evils of society.
“Ladies and gentlemen, today I stand before you to address a menacing force that threatens the very fabric of our society—the venomous serpent of extremism!” A cheer erupted from the crowd. Hennigan refrained from rolling her eyes—not that anyone could see her eyes behind her designer sunglasses. But she didn’t want to stand out, so she politely golf clapped. “It slithers through the shadows, poisoning minds, sowing division, and igniting the fires of hatred. But fear not, for we shall face this abomination head-on and vanquish it with the blazing power of truth andunity!” The crowd erupted at the last word.
“Check in,” Hennigan said.
“Nothing here,” Denzili said. “I’m north of the lawn, walking on the sidewalk.”
“South here, next to the gardens. Going to recheck the bridge,” Richardson replied.
“Wow, look at that,” Ethan said. “I’m… Where the hell am I?”
“You’re southwest of the actual pavilion,” Blayne said. “We’re about one hundred yards back.”
