WHEN WALTER AND ASHLEY arrived at the hospital, paramedics lifted Cebeck onto a hospital gurney they had shoved against the Humvee. Ashley followed the medical techs into the Emergency Room.
At ten o’clock Ramirez called Kent. "I got a call from Director Delong. He has appointed you On Scene Commander with full authority. He'll give you whatever you need to deal with this."
"What about Johansson?"
"No comment, but Delong will get back to you with an official declaration."
Kent paused to focus on his new responsibilities. He knew that as the OSC he had extraordinary powers, and that few agents were given this level of challenge during their career. "Okay, Mark. Write this down.”
"Yes, sir."
"First, contact Leaders Davis and Perry and brief them on my appointment. They must keep the scene secure, and maintain its integrity. Only allow firefighters access. No media or local law enforcement. This is one big-ass crime scene and I don't want a bunch of people stomping around there." He stopped a moment to think. "Next, I need more personnel on the ground. Review staff assignments and send me everyone you can free up."
Ramirez, used his personal shorthand to get everything down.
"Call the SAC in the El Paso Field Office. Explain the situation and ask him for a dozen people–more if he can spare them. Stress that we have a large crime scene and need extensive evidence collection.” Kent took a deep breath. "I want our forensic team with full gear. This will be a large area for documentation. It will need a photographic and video walkthrough. Finally, call Doctor Zumbeck in the State Medical Investigator's Office and invite his staff to join our search. Tell him there will be body parts. Any questions?"
"What about the State Police?"
"Call them. They can deal with traffic. Anything else?"
"How's Cebeck?"
"He's in the ER. I think he'll be okay."
"Agent Kohen?"
"She's with Cebeck right now, but I need her with me. I'm counting on you for all communications. I'm heading back to Maljamar. My estimated time of arrival is ten thirty. Okay?"
"Yes, ten thirty. I’m on it."
THE FIRE IN MALJAMAR painted the horizon pink. The night crew at the Navajo Refinery in Artesia reported what they saw to the fire department who scramble into fire engines and trucks equipped to fight hydrocarbon fires in the Permian Basin. Artesia’s night dispatcher alerted Lovington on the other side of Maljamar, to the explosion. Both departments carried all the Class B foam possible.
The Joint Terrorism Task Force was overwhelmed. Assault Leaders Davis and Perry formed two six-member crews to search for trapped or injured people. The remaining personnel moved into position to cordon off the rural highway in both directions.
The Lovington Fire Department arrived on the scene first. They assessed conditions and determined the main fire uncontrollable, and would let it burn itself out. The lighting crew cranked up generators and erected floodlights. The fire suppression units built containment dikes and dispensed a blanket of Class B foam on the east side. Fifteen minutes later the Artesia firefighters arrived on the west side and made the same determinations. They attacked the fire using similar tactics. Both departments coordinated and settled in for a long night.