The chief grabbed the remote from one of the tables and hit the power button. A male CNN reporter in a plaid blue blazer and purple paisley tie came on, talking into a microphone in front of a single-story building that was ablaze. The Louisiana sun, the heat from the blaze, and the realization that he was covering the story of his career combined to cause the reporter’s face to perspire as he spoke too soft for those in the conference room to make out. Scrolling along the bottom of the screen was the breaking news of the clinic firebombing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Mara nudged the volume bar up until it seemed the reporter was shouting his story right at them.
“…at least one dead here on the scene and more potential casualties in other parts of the city caused by the firebombers,” he said. “Reporting live from what’s left of the Capitol City Women’s Clinic, I’m Andrew Sennett.”
A television studio set came on the screen and the camera zoomed in on a handsome anchorman seated behind a desk. “Thanks, Andy. Besides the alleged death at the clinic, there are reports of more casualties caused by the firebombers. Law enforcement hasn’t confirmed that, but we’re hearing from witnesses on the scenes. Thanks to all those calling our tip line at 225 ‘GOTNEWS.’ From what we’ve pieced together so far, an unknown number of assailants set the Capitol City Women’s Clinic on fire shortly before noon this morning. Shots were fired at the clinic and one person is believed to be wounded and possibly dead. We don’t know if the shots were fired by the assailants or from inside the clinic by security or other armed individuals. The assailants fled the scene in a large black pickup truck, headed east on Florida Boulevard at a high rate of speed. A parish sheriff’s vehicle is reported to have crashed a few blocks from the clinic, but at this time we have no update on the condition of the occupants of that vehicle. The pickup is reported to have taken the ramp and headed south on Airline Highway, again at a very high rate of speed. We’ve heard reports of an explosion or accident and Airline Highway southbound lanes have been shut down beginning at Florida Avenue.”
A view of the Airline Highway scene from above came on the screen courtesy of the station’s rented helicopter. Like the national viewers, Cole and the others in the conference room could make out the battered remains of a vehicle at the base of a bridge. It was an inferno. “That’s all we have at this time,” the announcer said. “We will bring you live reports as we have more.”
Mara clicked to the other news stations. It was more of the same, including on the national networks that had broken away from their normal broadcasts. Mara clicked off the remote and everyone looked at Cole.
He took a moment before addressing them with a half-shrug. “From my perspective, this doesn’t change anything we talked about regarding our next steps here…in Wisconsin, in Prairie du Chien, or in this room. We have no idea if this is related. When I leave this building, I’m going to walk the few blocks to St. Gabe’s Parish and see if Father Wagner is in the rectory. If he is, I’m going to have a conversation with him.”
“You want me to give a quick call and see if he’s there?” Fwam asked.
“No. I don’t think there’s much chance he’s directly involved in the shootings, but I want to be careful. I like the element of surprise when I have a conversation like the one we’ll be having. I don’t want answers rehearsed, and I don’t want to give him even a five-minute heads up that I’m on my way.”
“I can drive you over there if you’d like,” Fwam offered.
“Thanks, but it’s only a few blocks and the cold and the walk might help me get my head together. There’s been a lot of pressure on everyone involved in this case from the minute the shooter pulled the trigger in Milwaukee. The president, the media, members of Congress, and almost all the heads of law enforcement have been frothing at the mouth to get this solved. This was a hot mess to begin with, and the blaze just got hotter.” He nodded at the big blank screen of the television. “There’s nothing like a little Cajun seasoning to add more heat to the stew.”