ICC- Episode 1 - The Fire in the Hole

[Philulhu]

IIC - Jakob Kaminski

”If we can identify where the fire started, that might give us something to go on,” said Jakob ”Also, was an accelerant used? That will help us work out what happened.”

[Mr. Handy]

"One theory we had was that some local methheads were cooking nearby, and their lab exploded," says Lee Shaftoe. "That could have cooked off whatever explosives the Saudis had, causing the second blast."

[Mr. Handy]

"What's so special about this dust from Iran?" asks Miranda. "Don't they have plenty from Saudi Arabia? Once we can get it analyzed, that should answer some of our questions."

[welsh]

OCC- Marshal Wade has been serving as liaison between the investigators and the Assistant Attorney General, so has been keeping track of what's going on in the investigation. You guys did come up with some leads before, so some of this is just rehash of evidence we found earlier, but it should help keep us a bit focused.

ICC
At the diner-

Kromkowski looks at Miranda and shakes her head, "Why would these guys want to import this red dust or dirt or whatever from Iran? No idea. Sorry, but I suspect the challenge wouldn't be too great to do. Who would notice a truck pulling off a dirt road in the middle of a desert, collect dust, and then haul the cargo either across a border or a neutral port where it won't take much notice. Pack some bags of this dirt along with other items on a container and off it goes around half the world till it ends up here. Red Wind has shipment offices all over the Middle East and does business all over the world, so it's an easy common carrier to work with."

Then he adds, "Why would a bunch of anti-Iran militants take the pains to do this? I have no idea. From what I would guess, there is nothing unusual about the substance of this dirt than where it comes from. Again, you can do the soil analysis to confirm where it came from."

Wade interrupts the conversation. "I've got some info based on the current investigation in response to some of those questions."

Wade's voice continues from the speakerphone. "In answer to Agent Kaminski's query, we've followed up on some of the leads from Agent Shibatu. Samples taken from the water and from the debris suggest that the fire was set from outside the building using an accelerant. Based on Agent Shibatu's investigation and witness, there has been some follow-up. While we have had no other witnesses that confirm that a number of youths set the fire, the burns found on one of the bodies near the site suggest that the Shibatu's story is correct. The assumption is that a gang of local youths set the fire using an tar and petroleum based fire accelerant that was spread on the side of the building, which was lit by the gang members. One of the gang members was burned in the blaze and the wounds correspond with that assumption. Apparently, the deceased was perhaps exposed to the accelerant and then burned. Some of the other survivors who were sleeping nearby have also noted a petroleum like smell in the air before the explosion. Water samples show traces of the types of fuels that might be used as an accelerant."

Wade continues, "Furthermore, in response to Agent Shafto's concerns, thus far we've had repeated links to a yet undiscovered Meth lab in the Hole, and the creation of meth might be linked to the explosion, thus far there is no evidence of an fire or destruction of any meth lab that could have caused the explosion of the house. According to the investigators, the explosion came from within the house. None of the nearby structures or properties adjacent to the house show evidence of being secretly a Meth lab."

"As for the explosion itself, the arson and fire investigators have been comparing notes." Adds Wade. "They are operating with the assumption that while the fire did precede the explosion, they think fire did not directly cause the explosion. While there is ample fire damage on the outside of the building, thus far there is relatively little inside the building. Apparently, the fire didn't last very long at all before the building exploded. It is also believed that the heat caused by the fire did NOT cause the explosion, although this remains more uncertain."

"Apparently this is due to a combination of construction materials of the building and the wet conditions." Wade continues her summary. "The building was largely made of brick, mortar, cinderblocks which are largely fire resistant, and then the rainy conditions of the evening might have put out the fire quickly. But for the accelerant, the fire would not have caused much damage and might have been very difficult to actually start. While the fire caused external damage, so far there is little in the way of fire damage inside the building, at least on the upper levels. One of the fire inspectors state that "but for the accelerant used" the fire would have burnt itself out very quickly. It is still unclear about the lower levels of the building, but records suggest that neither garage on either side of the building was significantly damaged directly by the fire but by the explosion that followed. That said, the inspectors are a bit uncertain about this because they suspect the fire accelerant could have generated a lot of heat very quickly."

"Video suggest that any windows or entry ways had been sealed up except for the main door to the buildings. Recent photos suggest that the inhabitants really did turn the house into a fort. While it is possible that heat from the fire might have created an explosion within the building by setting off some explosive substance, the thickness of the walls and structure of the building suggest that any increase of heat would NOT have been sufficient to create that kind of triggering effect alone. Like a concrete or clay stove, the substance of the structure would have limited the spread of the heat. Until the investigators gain access to the lower portions of the building, however, that's only a working assumption."

Wade adds further info, "Most of the dead from within the building died from wounds suffered in the building collapse, from toxic fumes caused by the fire or from the force of the explosion. According to the investigators, the explosion came from within the building from the lower floors, essentially blew out some of the first floor and lifted the upper floors, causing significant structural damage, and the upper floors fell back in on the lower levels. Remarkably, the investigators are also confirming that it seems the lower level had been built almost like a bunker, hardened to withstand blasts both from outside and inside the building."

"So far the investigators seem to think if the fire did cause the explosion it did so by causing some kind of damage to the electrical system, sending a surge into the basement of the building that electronically set off a massive explosion from within the building. According to them, the explosion was more massive that the damage indicates. This wsa a powerful explosion. That damage was captured and contained by the new construction, the hardening of the house into a fortified bunker. However, the investigators have yet to track the actual source of that electrical charge, given the amount of damage done to the building and the rescue efforts underway. Wait a second, something just in....."

Wade pauses for a moment "Looks like the rescue efforts have gotten through and they are about to enter the basement area. There are still life signs from below, based on heat signatures, but no sounds yet... They should be within the bunker in about 15-20 minutes. And hang on...."

Wade pauses again. "Looks like we got the warrant for the container. We'll send you a pdf copy but you are good to crack it open."

OCC- Going to pause a bit for Snapper to jump in.

[Snapper]

OOC:

Bit slow off the mark this week.

ICC- Gonzalez:

Gonzalez chugs some coffee and regards the CIA man. "OK, friend, now would be a good time to convince us of your good intentions."

"Firstly, what should we expect to find in the container?"

"Second, can you name or describe any of these black ops merc types working out of the safe house? Or better yet, hook us up with someone connected to the hit team, someone who wouldn't have been in the old place and hasn't been turned into strawberry jelly or at least had their brain mushed."

[Snapper]

ICC - Conroy:

Conroy just ignores the amateur input and continues conducting basic tests on the red dust.

[welsh]

At the diner

Kromkowski picks up the bag with the egg sandwich and says, "Yeah, so I am outta here."

It seems he's going to ignore Gonzales. He gets up and is about to leave when he turns back to the investigator, and eyes him carefully. Then he reaches over to the speaker phone and brings it to his mouth as he lowers his voice, speaking directly to Wade. "Alright, a couple of tips, to show good intentions and shit. You found a couple of bodies in the building, dead but more or less in one piece. The girl had freckles, green eyes, good looking. Sometimes she was a blonde but usually a red head. She's originally from Holland, and she's here because Europe go to hot after she became what we we in the business refer to as a honey trap. She'd seduce enemy agents, then either turn 'em, squeeze 'em for info or, if that didn't work, bury 'em. She left Holland because she had attracted the wrong attention and the Iranians wanted her smoked. The bearded Arab you found, middle aged fellow in good shape, drove a cab, which is what he did in Berlin too which is a good business if you are also into surveillance or need to move contraband. He was suspected of the illegal shipment of weapons and was wanted by Interpol and German authorities when he went into hiding. We suspect both slipped out by vessel that took them to the London where we believed they killed a banker who was moving money for covert Iranian Quds forces, and then to Canada. They were suspected in whacking an Iranian in Montreal who was trying set up a terrorist cell. From there they slipped over the border into the US. Get a genetic sample and send it to Interpol and Canadian Mounties to confirm, but we are pretty sure on the ID. "

Kromkowski pauses, turns his attention back to Gonzales. "As for the Container, I can tell you what you'll probably find. You'll need to look carefully but you'll probably find Khat, but not a lot. Captagon pills too. More of the red dirt and probably weapons. Maybe some odd rocks. Foods, Harmal, Psilocybin, Blue Lotus. Check the food containers, the coffee cans."

He puts the phone back down on the table and looks at the other, "We want to share more info, we'll let you know." He shoots Gonzales a look that suggests little more than scorn and contempt, as if he were something one should wipe off the bottom of a shoe. Then he leaves.

Conroy's investigation of the dust he has his limited to what few tools he has, but from what he can tell, the dust does look like it's been in the desert a long time. Further investigation will require the use of a lab and chemical tests. He knows that, with the data available through EPA and FBI, he should be able to identify with some precision the location of where the dust came from.

Shafto's phone rings. It's Mooreland. The detective says simply, "They are about to crack open the vault and get that survivor. You might want to get down here."

[Mr. Handy]

"On my way," replies Lee Shaftoe. He speaks to the others. "They're about to dig out the survivor, and I'm going over there. Anyone want to come with me?"

[Mr. Handy]

"Thanks, I'll head over to the container and drill it open," says Miranda.

[Philulhu]

IIC - Harry Shibatu

Harry nodded, quickly finishing off his breakfast and wiping his mouth. ”Let’s go,” he said to Shaftoe. ”Let’s hope they’re in a fit state to talk!”

[Mr. Handy]

Lee nods, pays for his meal, which he has already finished, and heads out with Harry Shibatu. "Let's hope they speak English too," he says.

[Snapper]

ICC - Conroy:

Conroy hurriedly packs his toys away. Despite his best efforts, the closest he has been able to get to breakfast was a black coffee. Too many sights, too many smells...

He'll go with the others to see what there is in the vault. The red dust will have to wait a while.

[Snapper]

ICC - Gonzalez:

Gonzalez watches the spook go with no regrets. "The irony is, that sounded pretty solid at the end. I would have said gracias. But to misquote Marv from Sin City, I love spooks. No matter what you do to them, you don't feel bad." He shrugs as he pulls notes from a roll and leaves them on the table, with a good tip.

"Well, let's go and kick a door. Be nice to have something I can point a gun at."

Gonzalez efficiently navigates around tables to the waitress of his desires and hands her a business card. "If you'd like someone to buy you dinner for a change...", he says with a wink.

In short order, he's back with the team. "Door kicking time."

[Snapper]

ICC - Conroy:

"It might be worth grabbing your vests on the way in if the information we just got is good. Someone in there may still be conscious, and if they are, they're pissed."

[Philulhu]

ICC - Jakob Kaminski

Kaminski nodded his agreement and followed the others out the door.

[Snapper]

ICC - Gonzalez:

Gonzalez turns to Wade. "Hey, Marshall Law, can you get the emergency workers to hold off until we get down there? Give us time to drive back, and at least the first few of us kit up."

[welsh]

OCC Sorry guys, busy week last week. I am going to pick up a bit of the events here. There are a lot of names, so if you are not sure, I'll remind you.

The group united-

OCC- Marshal Wade is actually on the telephone and in a car returning to Brooklyn.

The group united- at the diner and then the scene of the explosion.

ICC Wade responds to Gonzales via speaker phone, “Unlikely. The locals still have jurisdiction and we are strictly in an assist kind of role. They are going to rush any survivors to the hospital as soon as possible. I am on the road and heading to you know, I should see you down there in about 15-20 minutes. I am bringing something that might help.”

The waitress smiles from behind her mask as the group leaves and says, “Come on back for lunch.” Like so many other places during these Covid times, the diner has no doubt seen little real business as people have shied away.

Outside, the day has brightened into a grey, overcast morning, with a cold damp drizzle leaving the asphalt wet. Rolling dark ash colored cumulus nimbus clouds suggest inevitable downpours. The rain water, mixed with the oils from the cars, makes the parking lot a bit slick. The coldness of March weather, the drizzle, the dampness in the air and the overcast sky suggests a generally miserable late winter day in New York. No doubt, the Hole will get increasingly flooded and the fetid waters will rise.

On the street, clouds of steam rise up from behind manhole covers and sewer grates in the street. The investigators are reminded, while the Hole may be the lowest place in New York City, all around are tunnels and sewers and subways. The clouds of steam almost suggest something huge, alive and hungry beneath the city streets.

The investigators return to the scene of the explosion by their individual vehicles. As they enter the neighborhood, a patrolman checks their id’s and waves them to a stretch of wet road. They park and as they step into the broken roads they can feel their feet sink into the slimy mud of the neighborhood. Locals continue to watch what is happening with the mild morbid curiosity that people frequently have of some fatal car accident being investigated. A pair of ambulances remain parked nearby and closer to the explosion site as are vehicles from the local morgue. Rescue workers are digging quickly to get under the debris, with a backhoe helping clear out some of the heavier pieces of masonry. A pile of brick and mortar, damp with rain, is on one side. The sniffer dogs remain to one side, eating from a bowl and otherwise, the police seem disinterested.

They notice that the police presence has become more relaxed. The command vehicle has left the scene and rescue workers continue to work over the scene. Robinson has left the area, perhaps returned to the station and has left behind Sgt Ruffini, the local police sergeant, who continues to direct from under a tarp, pointing to investigators and responding to calls. The vehicles found on the premises (the cab, the sedan and the taxi) that had survived the explosion have moved, probably to a police impound lot. There remains activity around scene itself as rescue workers continue to pull rubble from the site.

Kings County Homicide Detective Mooreland is nearby and is speaking on the phone. He is speaking on the phone and waves the investigators over. Dowd is also close by, waiting with a pair of bolt cutters to break the lock on overturned container and to see what is inside. Detective Pacesee seems to be absent.

Dowd asks, “We got the warrant, let’s see what this thing is containing..” Dowd, the Port Authority Police detective has been eager to get into the container all morning.

Detective Moreland is speaking to the phone, “We need to get the names and location of the rest of this gang. What is their hideout here in the hole? If they are getting picked off, then we got to get ahead of it… Yeah, I got someone I might be able to call… Call me back.” He hand up and shakes his head.

Moreland turns to the others, “That was Pacesee. He got called out for another homicide. One of Lewis Carmicheal’s fellow Ruby Street bangers got clipped coming out of a deli on Blake and Crescent Streets. Kids name was Marcos Tovar, 17, priors on possession and firearms. According to Pacesee, word is that he was the boss of this gang. Seems like he took two in the head, 4 in the body as he was leaving the Deli with breakfast. No witnesses. The assumption is that it’s a gang related hit. Don’t know if it was rivals or perhaps one of his own gang that smoked him.” Moreland shakes his head. “My guess is that this could be pay-back for this or maybe someone is trying to clean up a mess before we get to ‘em.”

(OCC- reminder, Carmichael is the kid who was burned in the fire and subsequent explosion, abandoned by his friends and who died of his wounds in a local hospital).

John Salvaggio, the FD Fire Inspector, is leaving the site and heading towards where Sgt Ruffini is working under the tarp. He, like many of the others, have been working with masks on and air filtration systems to help them breathe despite the heavy reddish dust that seems to have been kicked up due to the recovery effort and despite the rain. Salvaggio looks tired. He sees the inspectors and approaches.

“Hey” He says, “We’re almost down in the basement. We should be clear in about 5 to 10 minutes. They are running sensors on the air to make sure nothing is dangerous as they proceed, so we got to go a bit slow. That said, any of you planning on going to need to gear up if you are going down there to investigate, that dust is everywhere and will get in your lungs if you let it. So far, the bomb guys say this was a bomb but the assumption is some kind of vapor in the air built up in the basement and was triggered by the outside fire. Perhaps the outside fire caused some kind of electrical spark that caused the vapor to explode. Whoever was in there, they basically turned the inside of the house into a bunker, and the bunker basically contained most of the explosion, or the damage would have been a lot worse, probably flatten the whole damn neighborhood. They are still not sure what the gas was as it seems the explosion might have burnt off the gas or whatever was left escaped. We’ll know more when we get down into the basement. How anyone could have survived is amazing. Thing is, dogs still think someone is live down in the basement. Got to speak to the sergeant.”

He nods and turns to continue to confer with Sgt Ruffini nearby.

Gonzales’s phone rings. It’s the DEA Agent Donovan calling back. “Gonzales, Donovan here. I was following up on your Hole Meth Lab. I got a tip that there is a small scale independent Meth lab working the neighborhood and selling to the Pagans. Pagan are a motorcycle gang on Long Island, mostly controlling prostitutes and running the strip clubs out East, but also selling drugs and guns and whatever else they can get. Pagans have been fighting with the Hells Angels for years but Brooklyn isn’t their territory. My tip says that that the Pagans have been doing business with a local in the Hole, a small independent operator. The word we are getting is that this operator will sometimes contract to the Pagans for protection, but usually rely on a mix of local pay-offs to the local police precinct as well as rely on some local muscle for protection. It seems local muscle protects guards their premises and the operator pays off someone in the police for tips on potential raids. So, be careful with the local precinct cops. They got a rat problem.”

As he walks away, they see Marhsal Wade approaching, and she carries with her a large plastic case. She nods to the others, “I got something that might help.” She begins to unpack open the case. Inside they see a US Marshal drone. “ This little device is silent and has thermal, nightvision and multiple cameras. We use this to look for fugitives and to scout before we run a raid. Normally we use this in the woods upstate but maybe it can be helpful here.”

[Philulhu]

IIC - Harry Shibatu

Harry nodded, admiring the hardware. He’d seen drones of all sizes used while on active service and he appreciated what they could do.

”What’s the plan?” he asked Wade. ”Are you sending that in for a look around to make sure it’s safe before we go and rescue the survivor?”

[Snapper]

OOC - Do the team have access to masks and air filtration like the fire chief suggests?

ICC - Gonzalez:

As soon as the team arrives back on-scene, Gonzalez is changing back into his work boots then strapping on the Kevlar and the rest of his rather Gucci DEA FAST kit, including the AR-15, listening in while he's at it.

As soon as he's ready, he rejoins the team. "After what we've heard, I'm not taking chances today. Marshall Law, let's see what your little flying friend can find for us."

Is there are no local PD about, he'll pass on the intel about the Pagans.

[Snapper]

ICC - Conroy:

Conroy swaps boots then looks for a mask and air filtration rig. He has his forensic kit ready.

He looks at the FD inspector, Salvaggio. "Inspector, what's going on with the dust? Is some kind of weather effect keeping it airborne?"