Page 39 of Minutes to Die
Finally feeling a sense of accomplishment, she sat back and took a look around the room. On one wall, Mack had created a murder board as he said he would. It held Firuzeh’s picture, the crime-scene photos, and a to-do list. As much as Kiley wanted to step over to take a better look and begin working the investigation, she grabbed a marker and went to the whiteboard filling the wall at the head of the table.
She faced the group. “I’d like to spend a few minutes brainstorming, starting with how this threat is different from what we’ve recently seen.”
Evan looked up from his computer and grabbed his phone. “I’m not sure what you’re getting at, unless you mean this has to be a hard target when recent attacks have been diverted to soft targets. Particularly large gatherings of people.”
“Exactly what I meant.” Kiley was reluctantly impressed with his ability not only to understand her but also his knowledge of the current terrorist landscape. “In the past, terrorists have directed their attacks at security forces, government buildings, and other official buildings. With these targets being increasingly hardened and protected, they’re more difficult to attack.”
A beam of late afternoon sunlight filtering through the dirty window caught Mack’s face, and he got up to close the blinds. “Then are we dealing with someone new to terrorism, or is this cell getting bolder?”
Evan looked around the group, then up at her, as if he was still hesitant to speak. She gave him a quick nod.
His gaze cleared. “Normally in an investigation, I’d suggestwe come up with a profile for our suspects, but I doubt we’ll be able to do so here until we know who they are.”
Cam closed his laptop. “But aren’t there certain characteristics we can expect from terrorists?”
Evan shook his head, looking fully confident now in participating. “Each new terrorist incident shows us we’re no closer to figuring out what leads people to turn to political violence. Their motives differ based on the individual.”
“They have nothing in common?” Sean asked.
“There’s one thing. Behavioral analysts have learned that terrorists always have a grievance, and it’s often based on actual pain or injustice.”
Cam narrowed his eyes. “So if we determine our suspects’ grievance, it could help find the target.”
“I doubt we’ll learn the grievance until the suspects are in custody.” Evan frowned.
“Instead of focusing on a profile, I say we review the watch list. See if we can come up with who might be helping our stowaways, because I’m sure they’ll need help to pull off such a big event.” Kiley noted the item on the board.
“Agreed,” Evan said. “But we can’t stop at the watch list. We also need to consider new recruits.” He paused and looked at the others. “And don’t be fooled into thinking the stereotype of a Muslim, Arab, immigrant male is the most vulnerable to extremism and are the only people to consider. This isn’t characteristic of many of today’s recruits.”
“So, what is?” Sean asked, a hint of respect in his tone.
“They’re likely to be born in the United States. Primarily male, but increasingly female. Caucasian or African American. Younger and less educated. And converted to Islam as part of their radicalization process.”
“What about immigrants?” Kiley asked.
“We have to look at them, of course,” Evan said. “But currently there’s a risk that second-generation immigrants aremore vulnerable to recruiters. They don’t want their parents’ cultureorWestern culture. Both are increasingly sources of self-hatred, and they’re embracing terrorism.”
“What you’re saying, then, is that we need to keep an open mind. Look beyond Arab Americans, but also lookatthem,” Kiley clarified.
Evan nodded. “Like I said, there’s no known profile.”
“I’ll get analysts reviewing the watch list, but until we know more, let’s go at this from the angle of potential targets.” She tapped the board. “Toss out ideas and I’ll write them down.”
Mack straddled his chair. “Impacting a million people brings a nuclear bomb to mind first. I don’t know of any known terrorist group with nuclear capability, though.”
“Agreed,” she said and noted it on the board. “Our nuclear facilities are virtually impenetrable. Regardless, we should still evaluate the potential risk. I’ll discuss this threat with Eisenhower to see if he thinks we should pursue it or if it’s too much of a long shot to spend our time on.”
“The white phosphorus in the container says we need to consider chemical plants,” Mack said.
Evan nodded vigorously. “White phosphorus or not, terrorists are already on record as saying there’s no need to make a weapon. They exist in mass quantities in chemical plants and are already located near major population centers. Terrorists simply have to find a way to set them off. The same is true of fertilizer plants and liquid natural gas.”
She noted chemical, fertilizer, and natural gas facilities on the board and looked at Mack. “Can you make a list of these facilities? With the container arriving days ago, our suspects could be anywhere in the country by now, so make it country-wide. Follow up with a risk assessment to home in on the most vulnerable sites.”
“Will do.” He leaned back and draped an arm over the chair next to him.
She marked the number one by the wordchemical. “Any additional indication it could be chemical?”
The others shook their heads.
