Read Online The Terrorist Next Door by Sheldon Siegel - Free Book Online Page B

steps of the museum behind the mayor, the chief, and the head of the Chicago office of DHS. Behind them were twenty uniformed cops, also standing at attention. Helicopters hovered overhead, and two dozen TV cameras were lined up in front of a bank of microphones. Gold understood the mayor’s desire to project a show of force, but he thought it looked more like a wall of fear.
    Gold did his best to project a confident pose as the chief tried to assuage the fears of his hometown by spewing tough-sounding platitudes.
    “Yes,” Maloney was saying, “the bombs at the Art Institute, the El station, Millennium Park, and this museum were almost identical in construction. No, we aren’t sure if more than one person is involved. Yes, the El, our museums, our ballparks, and our other major tourist attractions are closed until further notice. No, people shouldn’t leave town.”
    Mojo worked her way past Anderson Cooper to the front of the expanding media mob. The national networks were bringing in their correspondents from war zones around the world. She thrust her microphone forward and didn’t wait to be recognized. “Are you planning to shut down CTA buses and Metra trains?”
    “Not at this time. We are inspecting all buses and trains. We have security at every train station, and we’re watching the Metra tracks. We have National Guard troops at gas stations.”
    “What about O’Hare and Midway?”
    “They remain open and will operate under heightened security. Passengers should leave extra time getting to and from the airports. We’re conducting spot inspections of vehicles.”
    “Have you heard anything more from the Islamic Freedom Federation?”
    “No.”
    “Can you tell us anything else about it?”
    “No.”
    “Any evidence of an overseas connection? We’ve heard rumors that they’re affiliated with Al-Qaeda on the Arabian Peninsula.”
    “No comment.”
    Mojo’s voice filled with exasperation. “People are staying home from work. Others are leaving town. There are gasoline shortages because truck drivers are unwilling to make deliveries. Some gas stations have closed. There are reports of stockpiling. There’s been looting on the West Side. You need to give us something.”
    Maloney kept his tone even. “We’ve received similar information, and we are investigating. We encourage everybody to remain calm. There is no reason to panic.”
    Gold clenched his fists.
    Mojo kept pressing. “Any truth to the rumor that regular army troops will be sent in to help the National Guard watch the gas stations and maintain order?”
    Maloney cleared his throat. “We are exploring all of our options to protect the public.”
    “We’ve heard that you are drawing up contingency plans to evacuate the city.”
    “That’s false.”
    Mojo asked about the car that exploded at the museum.
    “A Mercedes C-Class. The identifying information was removed, but we are confident that we will be able to determine the owner shortly. We encourage the public to report any missing vehicles immediately.”
    “Is more than one person involved? You must have some input from your profilers.”
    “No comment.”
    “Is there a terror cell operating in Chicago?”
    “No comment.”
    “Should people stay home?”
    “Absolutely not.” The chief’s massive chin jutted forward. “The people of Chicago will not be intimidated or live in fear.”
    Gold exchanged a glance with Battle. It was a valiant sentiment, but false bravado wasn’t an especially convincing strategy.
    Mojo laid it on the line. “Chief Maloney, are you prepared to accept full responsibility if another bomb goes off and somebody else is killed?”
    “Absolutely.” Maloney cleared his throat. “There is one other item. Homeland Security has issued an emergency order suspending service to and from all disposable cell phones within a one-hundred mile radius of downtown Chicago. All brands and models are impacted, and all carriers have now complied. We apologize