Chapter 32

How quickly everything changed. I didn't even tell Shirley good-bye, and now I was landing at New Jersey's Teterboro Airport to represent the President at another terrorist massacre.

Benjamin was with me, but that was a bad idea, and I needed Jim to fly up and take him home. I called and made arrangements for Jack and Rebecca to bring Jim along, and he'd fly home with Ben after things settled down a bit.

Right now, my boy was asleep on the seat beside me as I waited for my detail to arrange protection, transportation, and temporary lodging. The hotels were out, so an estate, set on property easy to defend was going to be the best bet. In the meantime, Air Force Two was my home. Either way, I wasn't running, and I wasn't hiding, but I was armed and anxious to splatter some terrorist brains all over the parking lot.

Steve was not alone when he came in to the conference room, where I was studying video and reading reports of the massacre. He introduced me to the New York City Police Commissioner and his brain trust. Before things got off to a bad start, I spoke. "Commissioner, I am John Gray. You knew that, but I thought I could get it out of the way, so you and I can talk turkey. Your situation is the only thing on my mind, right now, so rather than think of me as an albatross you have to entertain, think of me as your best friend.

"The President sent me here to cut through the red tape, paper work, and bureaucracy, so you can get what you need, when you need it, as fast as it can be delivered to you. I have the head of the New York State National Guard on the way to assist your department. This is not a military event – yet – you are still in first place. The Guard will be instructed to assist, secure, protect the crime scene, and your people, as well as defend us all should those bastards make another attempt while we're dealing with the aftermath of this.

"Do you have any questions, Commissioner?" he looked shocked.

"Mr. Vice President. Let me thank you for understanding what we're up against and for refusing to let the organs of state get in the way of relief and security. I am going to take you at your word and pray you meant everything you said. We need everything. Men, vehicles, helicopters to move the injured to hospitals prepared to treat them, as well as food, water, and temporary quarters for the relief workers. Anything you can do to facilitate immediate needs would be huge, Sir."

"Commissioner, it will be my privilege to provide those things, and my entire staff will be right on it. I promise you." We parted, and the Commissioner left feeling far better about the gargantuan task before him.

Steve then escorted General Yellin of the New York National Guard in to see me. I stood and dove right in. "General, by order of the President Thornton, your troops are directed to offer three major forms of relief in support of the civilian mission at JFK.

"Your mission is to secure the entire perimeter of the crime scene, get people sequestered for questioning, and make sure they are comfortable and able to contact their loved ones while they wait. Create a barrier securing the entire airport, protect the integrity of the crime scene, and protect the relief workers.

"Have mobile kitchens opened and provide hot meals for the aid workers and law enforcement. Bring in portable restrooms and showers for our people, and keep them clean, stocked, and operable. Find some tents or mobile barracks for our relief workers to have a dry, warm place to sleep. They are operating on fumes, and if we don't get them quality rest, they won't last another day before caving in.

"We need your helicopters available to move wounded, assist law enforcement, and support your security operation. That will probably include relocating wounded from one treatment center to another. Don't let location or destination stand in your way, and use of military specialty treatment centers and medical personnel is authorized if requested by civilian physicians.

"In short – General - we need the best of what you do, and we need it right now, Sir. Can you help me?"

There was never any doubt. "Mr. Vice President, I will personally oversee every facet of the orders you have given me. Do not hesitate to call upon me, any time should you need additional support, firepower, or investigative assets, and thank you for asking us to help, Sir." He saluted and left to get to work.

The decision to land short and headquarter at Teterboro was turning out to be a blessing. The Secret Service moved in, with help from the New Jersey State Police and Jersey National Guard, and took over the entire airport. Aircraft owners were called and informed that normal air operations in and out were suspended due to the bombing at JFK, but that anyone needing to get their aircraft out was free to do so, under the incredibly watchful eye of the TSA, and DHS.

With the airport locked down, and my protectors burning mad about what happened over at JFK, no one was going to be able to get a shot at me anytime soon. I called Rick, still in the air and caught him up, asking that he notify the President's Chief of Staff and have a work group assembled at the White House, so we could keep Charles up to speed as things become clear.