Chapter 36 – Terrorists Among Us

As soon as Olivia walked into the office, Harrison escorted her into the conference room where everyone was watching the news.

"Unbelievable," Olivia said as she watched the aftermath.

"There's a rumor that there were a group of school children killed," Quinn said quietly.

Olivia gasped. "This is just horrible."

Reporter:

We want to emphasize that the White House itself was not damaged. The explosives used were not strong enough to reach it. However, sources tell us that there have been twelve deaths thus far as well as at least twenty injured. We're trying to confirm if there was a group of eight school children that were injured or killed as we speak.

The reporter continued as they all looked around the table at each other.

"You think we'll go to war?" Quinn asked. She is thinking about what happened after 9/11 occurred.

"I don't know," Olivia said quietly. This is a mess and she just hopes it will end with this one act of violence.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Fitz listened carefully to the reports coming in from his top advisors and then noticed Cyrus trying to get his attention from the hallway. He excused himself and stepped out.

"It's the kids," he said handing him the phone.

Cyrus followed him into an empty room.

"Jerry? Karen?"

"Hi daddy," Karen said loudly.

"Hi, baby. Are you okay?"

"Yes. We got out of school early."

Fitz smiled. She didn't sound upset at all. "Where are you?"

"It's top secret, daddy. I can't tell you."

Fitz grinned. "Is Jerry there?"

"Hi, dad. I'm right here. We're fine, don't worry."

"I can't talk for long, but I love you both and I'll call you later okay?"

"Okay, daddy. Love you."

"Talk to you later, dad," Jerry called out.

Fitz hung up the phone. "Cyrus, please let Liv know that we're all fine and that I'll call her as soon as I can. Hopefully, she was not nearby."

Cyrus nodded. "I will."

"Did you call James?" he asked getting up to open the door.

"Not yet."

"Make sure you do soon. I need you alive," Fitz said walking out the door.

Cyrus smiled and dialed the phone.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Olivia looked down at her cell phone. She didn't recognize the number. "Hello?"

"Olivia, it's Cyrus."

Olivia was shocked. "Hi, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Fitz wanted you to know that he and the kids are okay and that he'd call you when he could."

Olivia smiled. "Thank you, Cyrus. Have you called James yet?"

"No, he's next on my list."

"Good, he has already texted me twice."

Cyrus smiled. "I will call him right now."

"Take care."

"Bye, Olivia."

Olivia was relieved to hear that everyone was safe firsthand.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Fitz returned to the room as they all debated strategy. He'll need to make a speech soon, so he started to prepare for it. He excused himself and met with Cyrus before preparing to address the nation.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Olivia, Harrison, Abby, and Quinn continued to watch the news broadcast.

Reporter:

We are now going to a live feed from the command center in the White House. President Grant is about to make a speech addressing the horrific events that took place in Washington D.C. earlier today.

Olivia took a deep breath. Fitz looks tired.

Fitz approached the podium. "Good afternoon. As you are all aware, earlier today terrorists bombed the perimeter of the White House, injuring and killing innocent Americans and tourists. We are continuing to monitor and respond to these events as they unfold. We have increased security throughout the city and are working with state and local authorities to not only investigate what happened but also to protect our citizens in the wake of such a senseless, cowardly act.

I've also spoken with Governor Cole and Mayor Evans and offered any resources they needed in order to care for the victims and provide counseling for those who need it.

I would like to thank the first responders and fellow citizens who responded heroically in making sure that people got medical attention as soon as humanly possible.

We are working on confirming who it was that did this. As we get information, there will be briefings to keep you informed.

It will be my mission to find out who did this and hold them accountable.

Thank You.

"Good speech," Abby said somberly.

"I don't have a good feeling about all of this," Harrison said. "I hope it's not going to be widespread."

The reporter stopped the interview and reported some breaking news:

"White House sources have confirmed that additional members of the group responsible for the hostage situation with Ambassador Lipscomb are claiming responsibility for the bombings."

Harrison glanced at Olivia. "This isn't good."

Olivia nodded. There were many times that she didn't envy Fitz and his job and this was one of those times.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Fitz had been in a meeting for three hours. He listened carefully to the Defense Secretary try to break down where they could and could not strike. "The area that they held the Ambassador in was heavily civilian. There is no way that we'll be able to bomb there."

"What if we send in specialized teams? Do we have names of people associated with this group?" Fitz asked.

"We do have some names and we are already trying to locate them. However, our relations with President Karzai in recent months have been tenuous at best. We can't wait until their next election to deal with this. We're going to have to open talks again."

Fitz nodded. "Then make it happen. I'm not going to have American citizens living in fear of another strike. Let's tighten the borders and have the NSA be extra diligent on who they are allowing into this country. Do we have any surveillance video?"

"We're working on that as we speak, Mr. President."

The possibility that an American citizen was involved was something that Fitz hoped he would not have to face. "Try to get President Karzai on the phone as soon as you can," Fitz said before standing. "We need to gauge his reaction and how helpful he will be in this process."

Fitz walked out into the hallway and back into the empty office and then dialed the phone and waited.

"Hello?" Olivia asked.

"Hey, baby," he said softly. "It's good to hear your voice."

"How are things going?" Olivia asked quietly. She already knew the answer, but just wasn't sure what to say to him.

"It's a difficult process. I'm exhausted and at my wit's end but it's my responsibility to resolve this."

"If there is anything that I can do to help, you know I will," she said sincerely.

"I know. Right now, I just needed to be with you in some way."

Olivia smiled. "I'm really proud of you, Fitzgerald Grant."

Fitz chuckled. "Are you?"

"Yes. You're a great President and I know you will do the right thing for this country. You have to remain calm and not react in anger. There's a lot of people who are stirring the pot right now. Just do your thing and don't worry about all of that."

Fitz smiled. "You always know the right thing to say."

"Not always, but I know you and underneath that calm exterior, you're pissed."

"True."

"Use that anger to get what you need to be done. I remember 9/11, everyone wanted to go bomb whoever was responsible and demanded a show of force. War is not what you want right now," Olivia said wisely.

"I know, but at the same time, I need to do something to show the world that the United States will not tolerate these kinds of attacks." Fitz is so frustrated. It is like being on a hamster wheel.

"Just wait. You don't have to strike tonight. You need to gather as much information as you can to support whatever action you choose to go with."

Fitz sighed. "Okay." He knows she is right.

He started to chuckle and Olivia smiled. "What?"

"I'm just so lucky to have such a beautiful, incredibly smart woman by my side."

"I'll always have your back. I hope you know that."

"Thank you. That goes both ways." Cyrus is motioning to him. "I have to go. I love you."

"I love you too."

Fitz savored her words for a minute. "If things don't work out, I'll make sure you're driving my getaway car."

Olivia grinned. "You got it."

She hung up the phone and noticed Huck walk by her office and then hurried into the hallway.

"Huck?"

He turned.

"I need you in the conference room."

Olivia and Huck walked inside and took a seat. "I need you to start reviewing traffic video and any surveillance video you can get your hands on for about two hours prior to the bombings and one hour after lockdown. Note any cars in the area or suspicious behavior. Get me names, license plate numbers, photos, whatever you can. If you get a name, find out who his friends are and check social media. We need to get the bastards that did this. As you get information, pass it to the rest of the group. The more eyes and ears the better."

Quinn smiled. "Who is the client?"

"The American people," Olivia said before leaving the room. She is going to do whatever she can to help out Fitz.