Page 145 of State of Retribution

“Officer Offenbach is known to be a drone aficionado.He was described by someone who knows him well as ‘obsessed’ with drones.We believe we’ll find that he’s the source of the drones that were sent with the intention of killing me, my husband, our children and possibly hundreds of other innocent people who were enjoying an annual event at the White House.”

“In light of these events, Lieutenant, do you plan to remain on the job?”her friend Darren Tabor fromTheWashington Starasked.

“I do.I’ve done nothing other than the job I’m paid to do by District citizens.I come here every day and put forth my best effort in investigating the worst crimes imaginable.I seek justice for everyone touched by these crimes, going so far as to run a grief group for those impacted by violent crime.I’m good at this job.It’s who I am and who I’ll continue to be for as long as my superior officers are pleased with my performance.That’s all I’ve got to say.”

She turned toward her friends, who escorted her into the building and then hugged her one by one.“Thank you for that show of support.It means everything to me.”

“We’ve got to stick together,” Lindsey said.“We all know what you bring to the table here, Sam, and we won’t let you go without a fight.”

“Working with you has made my career,” Neveah said.

“I thought we’d talked about the sucking up.”

Neveah smiled as she shrugged.“I speak only the truth.”

“And we agree with her,” Carlucci said as Dominguez nodded.

“As do I,” Jeannie said.“I wouldn’t be deputy chief without your support and encouragement.”

“And you’re thanking me for that?”Sam asked with a grin.

Jeannie patted her expanding belly.“It’s working out for the best.”She’d be going on maternity leave soon.“Despite the frivolity, Lieutenant, I’m outraged over that video of two thugs playing at being tough guys.They wish they could be half the officer and person you are.”

“They’ve certainly got my attention.I can’t stop seeing those red crosshairs on Nick’s forehead.”She shuddered.“That’s my greatest fear, as everyone certainly knows.”

“Nothing will happen to him with the Secret Service watching his every move,” Lindsey said.“I know that doesn’t help the fear, but he’s very well protected.”

“I know, and the reminder helps.”She turned toward Malone and the chief, who’d hung back to let her talk to her female colleagues.“What’re we hearing from Hill on the raid of Offenbach’s place?”

“It’s imminent,” Malone said.

Chapter Thirty

Avery Hill had quickly organized the personnel needed for the raid of Dylan Offenbach’s property and was getting impatient about how long it was taking to get everyone in place.He’d brought in numerous FBI and ATF teams as well as the U.S.Marshals and would request perimeter backup from the Herndon Police in case Offenbach was on the property and tried to escape.

He'd done everything he could think of to ensure a successful mission and was only waiting on the commander of the FBI’s SWAT team to report in before Avery gave the go-ahead to proceed.He was giving that agent five more minutes before telling him he was out of time to prepare.The longer they waited, the more they risked being detected, if they hadn’t been already.

Offenbach was legendary in the sharpshooting community, and Avery’s greatest fear was that he’d be waiting for them, prepared to take out as many federal agents as he could.Fearing the possibility of booby traps, he’d brought in bomb technicians and had a Hostage Rescue Team on standby just in case.

Despite the fast but meticulous preparation, he feared he was sending his people into an ambush.The SWAT team, made up of some of the FBI’s ace marksmen and women, had fanned out into the dense woods that surrounded the house and barnlike structure they’d be entering.If Offenbach was hiding on the property, Avery was confident his people would find him.Hopefully, before he killed anyone.

Avery took to the radio to remind everyone involved of Offenbach’s skills.“He shoots to kill and could be hiding anywhere on the property.We need to be quick and efficient.Keep your wits about you.”

When the SWAT commander radioed to say his team was in place, Avery authorized them to proceed.

And then he held his breath, praying he wouldn’t hear the crack of gunfire as his agents busted down doors with battering rams.

“I’ve got Ramsey,” an agent reported.“Hog-tied in the kitchen.He’s been shot in the leg and has lost a lot of blood, but he’s alive.”

So, Offenbach had turned on his coconspirator.Avery wondered if Ramsey would tell them why.

He didn’t hear gunfire, but he did hear screaming, and it sounded an awful lot like children.Son of a bitch.

“We’ve got Offenbach’s ex-wife and six children.They were in a locked room inside the house.Looks like they’ve been there for days.”

Avery asked Herndon Police to summon EMS.

“We’re in the barn.Looks like a massive 3D printer and homemade drone parts.”

---