Page 218 of Destroyer
“I’m concerned it’stoohigh,” she said. “I might not be able to see into the stands.”
“You’ll have spotters,” he said.
“That’ll help.”
“Pick who you want.”
“Caroline,” she said, without missing a beat. “There’s another platform on the north end that looks like it’s at the same elevation. I’ll want ALPHA Ops positioned on that, and along the top rows on all four sides, with several on the field.”
“You don’t want me spotting with you?” he asked.
She smiled. How could she not? He looked like a total badass, with lost puppy dog eyes. “You gotta guard the President.”
They exited the vehicle.
At the back of the SUV, Sydney removed the rifles from their cases. She shouldered her secondary rifle across her back, slung her weapons bag over her shoulder, and cradled her primary rifle in her arms.
This was it, and she was ready.
There would be no quick jaunt to the range to warm up, no opportunity to fire off a few practice rounds. If the terrorists were going to strike at the game, she had to take them out cold.
No other option.
And she had to make sure she didn’t kill a single innocent in the process.
Tank asked to speak with the head of stadium security.
A heavyset man bustled over, welcomed them to the stadium. “I’m Hal. The place is crawling with Secret Service,” he said as he shook their hands. “What are we expecting is gonna happen?”
“Hopefully nothing,” Sydney replied as she showed Hal thepicture of the stadium. “I need to climb onto this. Can you help me?”
Up went his eyebrows. “That’s some crazy stuff, but sure.” He led them into the stadium, already busy with concession workers and swarming with local police.
“When do the cadets and midshipmen arrive?” she asked.
“They’re here,” Hal said. “They’re waiting in formation around the other side of the building. Once you get on top of the press box, you can see ‘em.”
“The game starts at three,” Tank said. “Gates open at noon, but tailgating has been going on for hours.”
Sydney checked her watch. Almost eleven o’clock.
Hal brought them to the press box. To her relief, the roof was flat.
“What’s the maximum weight on that?” Sydney asked.
“I have no idea,” Hal replied. “No one’s ever asked to set up on it.”
Sydney’s phone rang. It was Caroline. She answered. “I’m at the stadium. Where are you?”
“We just got here. The VIP lot is full, so they’re trying to figure out where to put us.”
“I’ve gotta climb up on a platform. Call me once you’re inside.” She hung up, handed Tank her primary rifle. “I’ll go first.”
She climbed the external rungs to the metal rooftop. A quick guestimate put it at twenty feet by twelve feet, but there were no sides on the structure. If she wasn’t careful, she could tumble off and into the stands. That’s where a spotter would make all the difference.
As Tank joined her, she set down her rifle and weapons bag.
From this location, she had a great view of the stadium. When she glanced down, she was too high to make out the faces of the football players practicing on the field, but that would be the spotters’ job.
