“I want you two to follow me over to the briefing area where I can go over a few ground rules before I deploy you to the surrounding area. We are going to use you to enhance our spotters.”
They walked over towards where Boris stood beside the policewoman.
Forsythe could see the Russian still providing him that same silly-assed smile despite all that had transpired.
He knows something, thought Forsythe, picking up the pace — that bastard knows something!
The perimeter around the gas leak was loosely guarded, having had only an hour to implement. But it was the best that could be arranged on such short notice. With each passing moment, it would only get tighter as additional manpower was brought to bear.
Aware that the security perimeter had to be breached before the area was indeed “locked down,” Peter lacked the luxury of time. Choosing to walk along the edge of the security zone, he scouted for a potential entryway, probing for a weakness. Having infiltrated many a Russian combat line, he was confident he could penetrate an incompetent American security barrier.
Peter walked along the perimeter, easy enough to identify due to the strategically placed police cars positioned every 1/2 block or so, he immediately spotted a weakness. He had to exploit it before the police became suspicious of him walking just outside the zone. It was only a matter of time before they would question his intentions.
As he approached his targeted entry point, Peter overheard two police officers in their parked vehicle arguing about the upcoming Redskins football season.
They didn’t see him.
Peter realized this was his opportunity, ducking behind a large elm tree for cover.
From his position, he could see the police car 20 meters away parked half on, half off the sidewalk. Just five meters beyond their car lay what looked to be a service alley. That would be his objective, the alley. It must lead to some sort of business or an apartment building. A second elm tree just behind their car could only help provide cover as he moved move into position.
It looked as though they weren’t paying much attention to anything but themselves.
Peter checked his weapon then stepped out from behind a large elm tree, keeping parallel to the next elm tree and using its angle to eliminate the officer’s view as he approached. Reaching the next tree placed him only 5 meters from the police car.
“But I’m telling you the Eagles don’t have an offensive line. How can they even challenge the Redskins for the Division title?” asked the first officer.
“You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about,” the second officer replied, obviously disagreeing with this point.
This was his chance. Peter fell to his hands and knees and crawled over to the driver’s side door of the police car. The officers still faced each other in their rapid-fire discussion. Seeing no response, he chose to crawl along the ground to the rear of the car. Once at the back of the car, Peter took a deep breath to calm his nerves, thinking that it couldn’t be this easy. Hearing the discussion heat up again, Peter saw his opportunity, crawling the remaining 5 meters to the service alley. Once at the alley’s entrance, he ducked out of view of the street. He decided to keep his weapon at the ready, unaware of who he might encounter. Scanning the immediate area, he was able to see down the garbage strewn service alley to what looked like the kitchen delivery entrance for the Washington Hotel, only 1–1/2 blocks away. Picking up his pace, he jogged the remaining distance to the propped open rear door, choosing to enter the hotel via its empty kitchen area. no doubt evacuated for the gas leak.
Peter was now within the perimeter and moving forward.
From his studies of the immediate area, he knew the Washington Hotel afforded him the best vantage point of the Red Cross building, located directly across from the Washington Mall. He would only have a wide expanse of green lawn between himself and his objective.
Running past the neatly hanging stainless steel pots and pans in the quiet kitchen, his weapon at the ready, he searched for the stairs or a door to the lobby area. Seeing the door leading to the restaurant, he burst through, scanning the room before maneuvering around the deserted tables. As he walked past, he could see remnants of the afternoon brunch still laid about, its diners having abruptly departed with the gas scare.
Exiting the restaurant’s main door brought Peter into the atrium lobby, a waterfall providing the only noise in what was one of Washington’s most popular hotels. Peter decided to slow his pace.
It was a wise decision.
Less than 20 meters from his position, Officer Lester Maddox stood by the hotels glass front doors, peering through his Minolta binoculars at a helicopter attempting to land on the Washington Mall. With the sudden evacuation of the hotel’s occupants and staff, Officer Maddox provided security for the hotels safe. As he stood watching the helicopter settle down his radio suddenly sprang to life.
The radio transmission also startled Peter as he cast an eye about the lobby looking for security. Following the radios sound he was able to see the officer. Peter looked about for any additional officers before over hearing the officer say he was “still alone and well.”
That was a fatal mistake, thought Peter. He just handed me the key to the front door.
As the policemen signed off the radio, he resumed viewing the helicopter with his binoculars, something to peak his interest in what was sure to be a long, boring day.
With the Officers interest fixated on the helicopter, Peter eased through the lobby, his gun focused on Officer Maddox as he crept closer, the water fall providing a soothing background noise to mask any noise of his own.
Walking past the front desk, Peter kept his weapon trained on the Officers back as he glanced about the room, not wanting to be caught from behind. Satisfied the area was indeed empty, he moved to within 3 meters of the Officers position.
“Put your hands in the air and no one will get hurt,” Peter demanded, the waterfall providing the only other sound in the Italian marbled lobby.
Officer Maddox responded immediately, placing his hands in the air, holding the binoculars aloft in his right hand. “Don’t shoot man. Take what you want and beat feet out of here,” he said. The Officer responded as trained, immediately giving in to the man’s demands, buying time until he could find his own weakness on the man.
Peter nodded. “Walk backward away from the door and don’t turn around.” He wanted to keep the officer off balance and out of sight from any help that may arrive via the street.
“You know the area’s surrounded,” Officer Maddox said before complying with Peter’s demands. “There’s a major gas leak in the area, this hotel could blow up at any moment.” He was trying to use some basic psychological tactics on Peter, thinking he was a common criminal trying to take advantage of the situation and steal the hotels money.
“Yes, and I am Peter Pan,” Peter replied sarcastically. “Don’t make any sudden moves or I will use this,” reaching in to remove the Officers weapon from his holster, surprised it was an older style 45 caliber. Peter saw another opportunity arise. The officer looked to be about the same weight and height as himself.
Again, Allah presents himself.
“Take your clothes off and hurry. I don’t have time to rationalize,’’ Peter demanded, watching as the officer quickly complied.
Peter removed the binoculars from the Officers hands before using them to view the helicopter.