Mac Taylor had only heard the voice of FBI Special Agent Greer but when a tall, Irish looking man in black (The FBI. So predictable. Always in black.) walked up the stairs to the NYPD labs followed by three or four men and women in black, Mac already knew that this was the man he was speaking to.
The terrible conversation Mac had with this man still echoed in his head.
"I have direct orders from the White House. We will not negotiate with terrorists"
"We've found a way to communicate with the plane."
"How? You must give us access."
"Not until we have all the facts."
"This is an FBI matter, Detective Taylor. Once that plane got off the ground, it has become my jurisdiction"
"And once that plane hits the ground --- in one piece or not --- it's going to be my messy crime scene. I'd like to prevent that."
"Detective Taylor?" the Irish looking man extended his hand. "Special Agent Javier Greer, we spoke on the phone."
Mac shook his hand, although hesitantly. "Your presence still doesn't change my stance, agent".
"I didn't come to bargain, I came to seek your help" Agent Greer said "You say you can communicate with the plane. We must know what is going on up there"
"If only to get you off my back" Mac said as he turned to walk them to his office. He started to narrate.
"A few hours ago, a man who identified himself as FBI agent Daniel Fox spoke through the plane's intercom claiming that he and his men have taken over the plane. His other cohorts are Agents Melendez, Cavanaugh, Sommers and Finn who appears on this photo".
Mac shows Agent Greer the photo that Danny had sent Lindsay. "Where did you get this?" Agent Greer asked.
"As we've said we are communicating with the plane" Mac said, snatching the photo from Agent Greer's hand. "We did a background check and there is no Agent Daniel Fox. But the other four agents are registered."
Mac took out a folder and showed Agent Greer the file photos of the four agents. "Melendez, anti-counterfeit. Cavanaugh, internet crimes. Sommers, corporate fraud. And Finn, organized crime."
Greer gave Mac a confused look.
"None of them are with counterterrorism" Mac said "we found that odd too".
"These assignments, they're mostly paper work. Internet crimes? Corporate fraud? I doubt they've even chased a criminal in their life. What are they doing hijacking a plane?" Greer said.
"They're your people" Mac said. "Maybe you can help us do a bit more digging"
Just then, Lindsay comes running to Mac, in a panic. "Mac…." She said breathless.
"Danny…." Lindsay looked at Mac and she could have sworn that he slightly shook his head. Lindsay turned to the man Mac was talking too, and immediately composed herself.
"I've received, uh…" Lindsay said, almost stammering "…information."
"What kind of information?" Special Agent Greer stepped in, showing Lindsay his badge.
"Our source" Lindsay said "has confirmed the threat made earlier today. One hundred pounds of C-4 is on board the plane"