“Now what,” I thought.

“Yes this is Roberta Jones. Yes, I will hold.”

“Good morning Mr. President, how are you today?” I asked.

“I’m good but let me get right to the point of the call Ambassador. I know you have been in Africa the last week but I am equally sure that you have stayed up with the news of the suicide attack in Arizona State University.”

“Minneapolis and Arizona State University in less than three weeks and now it looks like we may have a serial terrorist from the Mideast targeting our colleges. All this calls for emergency actions. One thing that I am doing is forming a Presidential task force to bring members of all intelligence groups together with a new focus and with new ideas on domestic terrorism. The intelligence groups are and have been stretched to the limit; we need a new approach with these college attacks,” the President said and then continued.

“We started looking for the most experienced people we could find. Your name was submitted by several of the intelligence agencies. You and your business group have been involved with more terrorist attacks domestic and foreign than anyone. On top of that you are already involved with multiple federal intelligence agencies and come highly recommended,” he said.

“I want you to be chairperson of that task force. Crack the whip; get everyone going in the right direction. You will have discretion to go wherever we need to go to catch Saif,” he said.

“You have to know I am not politically correct and what you are asking will be a political football!”

“They told me you would say that, but the job has to get done. What has been done in the past is not working. My people told me you have no problem kicking ass and giving the tough orders to get things done,” he replied.

“There will be some bruised toes when they get stepped on. On top of that, I have numerous contracts with other federal agencies; will this create a problem?” I replied.

“No, those contracts will not be affected. Can you be here tomorrow morning at 8 AM to set up the structure, and choose other task force members who you will work with? We will make the announcement at an 11 AM press conference on the lawn. That will give you time to write a speech. Come to the front entrance; they will expect you,” he replied.

“I will be there and we will have a serious discussion,” I replied then I asked about bringing guests for the announcement.

“Your family – of course, they can take the private White House tour while we meet,” the President replied.

I handed the phone back to Eric, “Walking into the fire with a bucket of gasoline in each hand,” I said.

“Congratulations,” Eric said.

“I’d rather you promise to give the eulogy at my funeral,” I replied with a laugh.

I wrote on a sheet of paper.

To all JBG college security sites: Red Alert is now in effect!!!!

Saif Alawai al-Jawfi is a serial terrorist responsible for explosive devices used at Minneapolis and possibly Arizona State University. Pay close scrutiny to all visitors; consider him and anyone with him to be armed, dangerous and suicidal.

Expect immediate changes to all security procedures and additional equipment will be installed as soon as it can be acquired. Be doubly vigilant. Please take no chances that allow him or anyone with him access.

Please place the photo out of sight of the public and have all employees review it daily, be vigilant.

I expect all JBG sites to be high on his target list.

‘This is no drill.’

I handed the note to Ching Lee, “Type it up and sign it; send it to all fourteen sites – also Cindy – with Saif’s picture and bring me a copy please.”

I wrote another one to Marcy to send to all MAAR sites.

‘Saif Alawai al-Jawfi is a serial terrorist responsible for the explosive devices used at Minneapolis and possibly Arizona State University. We think he has now gone mobile plying his trade. Pay close scrutiny to all visitors and customers; consider him and anyone with him to be armed, dangerous and suicidal. Notify DHS and the FBI immediately if he is seen.

Please place the photo out of sight of the public and have all employees review it daily, be vigilant.

“Send this to Marcy for me please,” I instructed Ching Lee.

Then I sent a text to the girls and my administrators, “I have to be at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave at 0800 tomorrow.”

The next thing I did was call Bradberry at East Coast Security, “Get me a price and availability on 30 thermal scanners and facial recognition systems ASAP.”

While I was doing all this Eric, Frank and Kent had been on their phones and there had been several conversations with the other investigators. They were also listening intently to my conversations.

The questions went on for another hour. Then it was Ching Lee and Andy’s turn, and then we broke for a late lunch. We had lunch delivered so we could continue the discussion.

I took a break and stepped outside for a breath of fresh air. I walked to the back lot where the two SUVs had blown up. The caution tape still surrounded the area. The holes blown in the pavement clearly indicated the exact spot.

I guess they were going to wait until the investigations were over to patch the blacktop and return things to normal. The end of the field house had been repaired and repainted.

I called Ben-David, “Thank you for the analysis of the vests. Some of the information will be made public today. All indicators are that Arizona was his work and we suspect much more is planned,” I said.

“After Arizona I knew you would have no choice. The situation deteriorates daily for the US, it seems. On another item my people used the chopper last night and are pleased with its performance. I have been informed that we will keep track of the hours so you can be appropriately compensated,” Ben said.

“After the items we brought back, I owe you a lot more than a little flight time. Thank you,” I replied.

“Shalom my friend,” I said.

“Shalom,” he replied.

I was on my way back to the lunch room when I received a call from Bob’s Construction.

“While you were in Africa, Ching Lee called us about some loose insulation on the south end of the building. It wasn’t loose insulation but a covering for a hidden panel and controls.”

“There were several blueprint containers that I brought back to the shop to investigate. Today I did more investigation. I want you to look at what I have found and give your approval before going further. I did not tell the others what I had found,” Bob said.

“I will be back at 1600, if that will work for you? Tomorrow I will be in Washington most of the day,” I replied.

“OK, I will leave the equipment in place then so you look and I will get the rest of the tools I need,” he replied.

“Eric, can I get press credentials for Hanna Paige and her camera man to cover the press conference?” I asked him.

“I will make the call; it should not be a problem,” he replied.

I sent Hanna a text, “You will have press credentials for a news conference on the White House lawn at 11. Be there in time to go through security.

We were ready to start the next round of questions with Andy’s team leaders when Kent’s rang one more time.

Kent stepped out of the room to take the call and when he came back, he explained, “The governor has instructed me to end the investigation as quickly as possible. I agree with that opinion; the investigative team and I do not believe any further testimony will change the outcome or the final report.”

“The additional information supplied today only shows the severity of terrorism to come and the challenges we face.”

“The report will be completed and made public in ten days. Ambassador Jones, I will see to it that you get a finalized copy before it is released, for your review.”

“I will be looking forward to seeing that report. Thank you for the advanced copy,” I replied.

10 minutes later we were headed to the airport. This time we had as passengers Frank, Eric and Curtis Warren, flying back to the shore with us. Frank and Eric had been dropped off by an Air Force passenger jet that had continued on.

It was for them to wait several hours on the Air Force connection or a commercial flight; they elected to fly to the shore with us. Curtis had flown commercial.

As soon as we were airborne I keyed up my email on the plasma; I wanted to see what the college reaction was to the warning letters. All the colleges wanted to know if the letter meant that overtime was approved. I noted that Ching Lee had answered to the affirmative while I was still answering questions.

Then I went to VCATS to see if there was anything new on the embassy side. The only flag on the system was at the Windhoek, Namibia embassy. They thought they were under surveillance and included were several pictures and stills from the security cameras.

I sent a note to Vicky asking her how she was going to handle this development. After tomorrow, she would likely be running the embassy show without me for a while. I wanted to see how aggressive she was going to be. I closed down the system and turned the swivel seat to join in the talk behind me, only instead to answer my phone.

Edit by Alfmeister

Proof read by Bob W.