The Big Thaw Part 31

"Take a deep breath, dear," said Nancy.

Shamrock stuck out her hand. "Thank you, Carl. I mean it."

I shook her hand, a little surprised. "Hey, it's nothing definite. Just a chance, here."

"Oh, no," she said. "That dude Terry really wanted it, last night. He didn't lie."

"We'll talk about evaluation as we get ready," said Nancy. "l.u.s.t makes guys stupid, but it doesn't make 'em tell the truth." She laughed. "He was just stupid enough to let it slip."

Because we were to be on duty for twenty-four hours straight, I tried to catnap after Nancy and Shamrock left. Right. Like I could just go to sleep. I did try. Sat there, watching TV. Dozed once, I think. Not for more than forty-five minutes.

I kept the Weather Channel on and saw that my favorite blue and pink segmented worm of a jet stream was making progress. Tomorrow would be much warmer. A real, sudden "January thaw," in all its glory.

That was Iowa, for you. In eighteen hours, the temperature could change fifty degrees or better. Much better, in this case. It looked like we'd hit thirty degrees by 3 A.M., and go up from there.

G.o.d bless warm fronts. If we were going to have to be outside for any period of time, warm was so much better ...

When I got back to the office a little after 2200, they gave me everything I'd requested on Terry Waterman. I would have liked to haul him in, but good sense prevailed. After Sunday, either way, Terry would pay us a visit. Beforehand would just tip people off. With his inadvertent contribution, however, the estimates on Sunday actually happening went nicely past the fifty-fifty level.

The main control point was designated as Hester's DCI office at the General Beauregard General Beauregard pavilion, in Frieberg. It was just about on top of the main target bank, it was well equipped with communications devices, it had its own teletype and fax, and it was warm and comfortable with many creature comforts. I came drifting in about 2230, having picked up Sally at Volont's request. He wanted a top-notch dispatcher with us. Hard to argue. pavilion, in Frieberg. It was just about on top of the main target bank, it was well equipped with communications devices, it had its own teletype and fax, and it was warm and comfortable with many creature comforts. I came drifting in about 2230, having picked up Sally at Volont's request. He wanted a top-notch dispatcher with us. Hard to argue.

When we arrived, we established Sally with the radios, and a good land line to the Nation County Sheriff's Department, and to the Conception County Sheriff's Department across the river. Both were to be contacted on special phone numbers which were not to be used for routine calls until further notification.

She had the base station portion of the FBI scrambled radios, and a small base set with local police, fire, and ambulance frequencies. She was all set.

I picked up the scrambled walkie-talkie I'd been given. FBI issue. Looked a bit older than I'd expected. Almost as old as my new one for the Sheriff's Department. "What's the range on these?"

"Couple of miles, line of sight," said George, clipping his inside his jacket.

"Totally secure?"

"Absolutely. Programmed to a different code every time, downloaded before each operation. No duplicates. You can even say 'f.u.c.k' on these and the FCC won't ever know." He grinned broadly.

I was sorely tempted, but decided not to push my luck. I've always hated being first.

I don't know if you've ever noticed this, but in a law enforcement crisis situation, there are cops at two general locations. One is for management, and it always has the same general features: warm, dry, and a place to take a leak. The other is for the nonmanagement folks at the pointy end, and tends to be cold, wet, and a mile from relief. It's just the way of things, I guess. There's an added dimension with long-term situations. Management always manages to find chairs and couches. The pointy end gets to stand in the rain, or lie in the snow. As we were setting things up in Hester's office, I thought about that.

"You know, guys, I sure feel sorry for those poor b.a.s.t.a.r.ds gonna be out in the weather ..."

Anyway, we all moved into the area of the Beauregard Beauregard in ones and twos, over a period of a couple of hours. Easy to do, since the gambling operation produced the only consistent, large crowd in the county. By midnight, we'd been set for nearly an hour. in ones and twos, over a period of a couple of hours. Easy to do, since the gambling operation produced the only consistent, large crowd in the county. By midnight, we'd been set for nearly an hour.

Everybody checked in on the scrambled radio, and we sat down to wait for Gabriel's Operation Just Cash to begin.

In a leap of originality, the call sign for the Command Post was "CP." Well, you want everybody to be clear, and we hadn't had time to do any better. At the CP were gathered Volont, George, Hester, Art, Sally, and me.

We had designated the five likely banks as Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Echo. Keep it simple, like they say. The observation points were numbered for each site. Very easy, as Frieberg was designated "Alpha," and was the only one with more than one observation point.

Alpha 1 was located on the roof of a two-story commercial building across the street from the Frieberg bank. There were two FBI TAC people there. The advantage of this location was that it provided a clear shot down the alley behind the bank. They had been instructed to vacate their location at first light, and to return after sundown. They could be seen from the bridge approach in the daylight, and we didn't want them compromised. They would remain in the building, and if something went down, they could be back on the roof in less than a minute.

Alpha 2 was in a vacant second-floor apartment, in the rear of a building diagonally across the alley from the bank. There were four TAC officers there. They had the best view through the drive-up teller's gla.s.s booth, and were able to see about a third of the interior of the bank, with a partial view of the bottom of the vault door. They could also cover part of the alley. If something started, two of them would exit the building, and take up positions behind a four-foot concrete wall that divided the alley from the rear lawn of the building, and enabled them to engage the general area of the bank from ground level.

Alpha 3 was in the residence of a Frieberg police officer. The two TAC officers a.s.signed that location were in a bedroom on the second floor. It was about half a block from the bank, and in an elevated position about ten feet up the bluff that paralleled the river. Access was via a steep stair. Their view was of the front of the bank, and they were only able to see a small part of the interior due to their height. If necessary, they could reposition themselves, but it would take time, and they would be out of sight of the bank for a period of time before they could reach the secondary position along a retaining wall. That was a bad location, anyway, as they were exposed on their left.

Alpha Mobile was an older van, parked at the edge of the lot belonging to the convenience store across the street and to the west of the bank. Again, two TAC officers were there. Plainclothes, they were considered critical for daylight operations, as they could see much of the interior of the bank, and both exits. They looked to have a very long day. Movement was to be at their discretion, but was presumed to be done only to block access to the bridge ramp.

Alpha Chase consisted of two unmarked cars inside the Frieberg Fire Department. They were in a vehicle bay vacated by a pumper that we had persuaded the fire chief to park outside. We hid them because we felt that Gabriel was likely to pick up on them before they were aware of his presence. Four TAC officers were a.s.signed here.

Last, but not least, was Alpha Foot. One male and one female TAC officer, plainclothes, were available to stroll by any location we wanted, to double-check and get a ground view of any situation. They were currently upstairs in the Frieberg Public Library, which was a full block removed from the bank, and where they'd be able to enter and leave without being observed by anyone in or around the bank.

We all had diagrams on a Xeroxed sheet. The bank was in the middle. Alpha 1 was to the right of the bank, close to the edge. Alpha 2 was below the bank, but close. Alpha 3 was in the upper left corner. Alpha Mobile was about halfway up the page, on the left edge. The boat was on the lower right corner, Hester's office was opposite that, and the chase cars were way over on the lower left corner. The river was indicated on the extreme right edge. The two north-south streets that formed Frieberg proper were parallel lines about three inches apart. The east-west streets were indicated by three parallel lines evenly s.p.a.ced down the page.

The tension was high for about the first hour. n.o.body said much, and everybody was grabbing a look out the windows of the darkened office every few minutes.

By 0230, we were making trips to the adjacent office, and grabbing coffee. By 0345, some of us were staying in the coffee room for as much as half an hour at a stretch.

At 0351, we all watched a train go by on the tracks between the Beauregard Beauregard and the pavilion. A slow train. and the pavilion. A slow train.

I was in Hester's office about 0400, and saw Nancy and Shamrock walking across the parking lot, and heading toward the General Beauregard General Beauregard. Not a bad vantage point. I silently wished them luck with the photos. It had occurred to me that a good set through a telephoto lens could do us wondrous good in court.

About 0412, our radios crackled to life.

"CP, Alpha Two has suspicious movement."

"Alpha Two?" It was as though Sally had been waiting for just that call. "CP, we've got a brown Toyota four-door with Illinois plates, who's just started his third pa.s.s by the bank in five minutes."

"Alpha Two, Alpha One, is he eastbound? All we have is headlights."

"Ten-four, eastbound."

Silence. The tension was back.

"Uhh, Alpha Mobil hasn't seen any Toyotas."

"And Alpha Two has the suspect vehicle back on the street facing west... and they seem to be stopping to speak with a female subject walking east... on the north side of the street..." There was a silence of maybe ten seconds. "And she's in the car, and I think she should go for about twenty-five bucks..."

"A hooker?" I couldn't believe it. "Right here in River City?" I started to laugh.

"We've had rumors a couple of them are trying to work around the boat," said Hester.

"Well, I think you can mark those 'confirmed,'" said Art.

A flurry of activity like that, and now everybody was pumped with nothing to do. You don't want to leave the area, in case you miss something. So you just hang in there and fidget. And think.

I tried watching TV. My favorite, the Weather Channel, showed the blue and pink worm arching almost above us. Fantastic. Warmth, and on schedule.

By 0540, we were no longer pumped. Hester called down to the buffet, and ordered a bunch of rolls and orange juice.

By 0630, it was getting light, and Alpha 1 was stood down for a thirty-minute break.

I think we'd all reached that scratchy stage, when the sun comes up and you haven't slept, and you've had so much coffee that nothing would feel better than to brush your teeth and take a long, hot shower. And then pull the shades, and get into bed.

"Hey," said George, brightly, "only seventeen and a half hours of Sunday left."

With the sun coming up, the boat looked gorgeous. The sky had some high cirrus clouds, and was all pinks and grays. Out on the Mississippi, steam was coming up in the ice-free area around the Beauregard Beauregard, and also out in the open main channel.

"I hate sunrise," said Hester.

There were large vertical pillars of steam coming off the ice. They were fun to watch, and lent a spooky air to the whole thing.

By 0700, the sun was theoretically rising. I say theoretically because those neat tendrils of steam were turning into a thick fog. Over everything. Visibility was dropping.

"Would you look at this s.h.i.t?" said Art. "We're not gonna be able to see a d.a.m.ned thing." He turned from the window. "Well, they'll call it off, now. You can't see well enough to make a getaway in this c.r.a.p."

I should have realized this could happen. The land and the river were very cold, and damp. The warm, moist air coming up from the Gulf was causing the problem. The jet stream. The problem was that there was almost no wind. Maybe 5 to 7 mph. Just enough to keep the warmer, wet air moving over the river and the land. Not enough to blow the fog away. Visibility was down to 500 feet.

Volont shook his head. "No, they'll do it. They have to."

At first, I thought he meant that "had to" because we were all ready for them. But the more I thought about it, the more it began to sound like Gabriel and company were not about to stop for anything.

"He must really need the money," I said.

"He does."

At 0828, the radio rasped again. "Alpha Two has a female subject approaching the bank."

It turned out to be the odd-hour teller. The first clue was when she produced a set of keys and unlocked the door. I was glad they could see her. In the fog, we couldn't even see the bank anymore.

"She's alone?" asked Volont. It appeared so. That wasn't part of the plan, as she was to have been joined by a young FBI agent who was going to pose as an apprentice teller.

Volont got busy on his radio. He looked up. "My man seems to have gotten lost in the fog," he said. "He thinks he made a wrong turn ..."

No plan, as they say, ever goes as written. Volont got on the secure radio, and had one of the team members on street level get out of his gear, lose his FBI jacket, and hustle to the bank as a customer. He'd just have to stay there until the "apprentice teller" got himself unlost.

No problem, really. Just like the first scratch or dent in a new car. You simply hope it's a small one.

By 0910, I was tired, hungry, and bored out of my mind. I had thought that, if any time was best, it would be just before the bank opened, but after the tellers had arrived.

At 0912, Alpha Foot called on the radio, and advised they'd "go for a walk." That meant a general reconnaissance about the area of the bank, on foot, that would probably take thirty minutes. Volont called, and said the lost "teller" was now a.s.signed to a team, and left the other agent in the bank.

At 0914, Sally, George, and I went down to the buffet, and played like we were just tourists. Scrambled eggs (special no-fat variety), and bacon, with pancakes and b.u.t.ter and syrup, and orange juice and coffee and toast. Like I said, I was hungry.

We ate in silence for a few moments. Looking out the windows, at the Beauregard Beauregard in the fog. You could still see her fairly well, but we were only about 200 feet from her at that point. Visibility was down to about 300 feet, here at ground level. The garish lights were creating a pinkish haze around her, in the dim light of day. It seemed to be getting thicker. in the fog. You could still see her fairly well, but we were only about 200 feet from her at that point. Visibility was down to about 300 feet, here at ground level. The garish lights were creating a pinkish haze around her, in the dim light of day. It seemed to be getting thicker.

"Well, only fourteen hours to go," said George, with false optimism.

I raised my hand to attract the waitress who was roving with the coffee. "Piece of cake," I said to George.

By 0940 we were back in Hester's office. I looked out her office window, and could barely make out the Beauregard Beauregard. "h.e.l.l, we can't see s.h.i.t from here." I looked at my watch. "I think I'll take a walk over toward the bank. Anybody else want to come?"

No takers. I double-checked my walkie-talkie, put on my green windbreaker, was just starting out the door when everything started to go to h.e.l.l.

"All units, Alpha Mobile has ten-thirty-three traffic. Alpha Mobile has three armed suspects getting out of a tan Chevy van in the bank parking lot!"

Twenty-three.

Sunday, January 18, 1998, 0942 The presence of the armed suspects was confirmed almost instantly by Alpha 2, who added, "And Alpha Two has the van moving toward the bank, right behind the suspects ... I think... I can barely see it..."

The fog now began to play more of a part in the proceedings.

"Alpha Three can't see anybody ..."

"Alpha Four no viz at all."

"Tell everybody to hold position," said Volont, straining with the rest of us to look out the window.

Sally's voice crackled over the radio. "All units hold," she said, as if she did it every day. At the same time she picked up the telephone and looked at Volont. "Time to wake up Conception County?" It was a good question. If the suspects headed off over the bridge, we'd have maybe seventy-five seconds before they were in Wisconsin. He nodded. She began to dial.

This was a very critical time. We didn't want them to know we knew they were in the bank, or that we were anywhere around. This was a time to build the robbers' confidence, and lure them into the open. Well, that's what the book said.

"h.e.l.lo, Betty," said Sally, into the phone. "We're up, but not running."

Then, for a time, nothing seemed to happen.

"I can't believe this s.h.i.t," said Art. "They just walked in. From nowhere. Didn't check it out or anything."

"It's the fog," said Hester. "n.o.body could see 'em coming for more than a block... they could have been around for a while."

We were all in a state of amazement. I don't think anyone in the room had ever seen a bank robbery actually go down before.

"Remember," said Volont, "we let 'em come out."

"Sally," said Hester, "why don't you check on the other banks? See what they have."

I thought that was a good idea. Apparently, Hester hadn't been as mesmerized as I had been.

Sally got on the phone to our own Sheriff's Department. No activity with any of the other banks. The silent alarm for the Frieberg bank had gone off, so our department and Lamar had known just about as soon as we had.

So far, so good. I thought my heart was going to bang right through my rib cage.

"How long they been in there?" George was nervous.

I guessed. "Two-three minutes. Seems like a long time, doesn't it?" I wanted desperately to get down to my car, and head over toward that bank. Worst thing I could have done. It was very likely that, somewhere, there was an accomplice looking for just that sort of thing. An accomplice with some means of communicating with the three inside the bank. Even though my car was unmarked, it did have a cop feel about it. Extra antennas, for one thing. Cheap, with almost no trim, for another. I would really stand out if I were to stop where I could see the bank. And unless I was guided by an angel, there was no way I could time it right and get there just after they left. Nope. But maybe on foot...